Renovation Update

After one full year of planning, strategizing, negotiating and much nail biting, the Renovation Committee met on February 2nd to review the bids for upcoming renovation work in the sanctuary.  It includes floor & pews renovation, added lighting and fire detection.  In that meeting, the committee selected the contractors.  Work on the lighting and the fire detection will begin on Monday February 25, 2013.  It will last roughly five weeks.  During this time, the disruption to church activities will be minimal.  Electricians will be working throughout the building, from the basement to the attic, but the Sunday services and the Thursday noon concerts will not be affected, although there will be a bit of a mess to contend with. 

On Monday April 1st, work on the pews and floor will begin.  This phase of the renovation will be very disruptive because the sanctuary will not be usable at all for at least one month and perhaps two.  Services will be held in the lounge during that time.  It is unclear at this point how soon there will be enough pews re-installed and how soon it will be safe to hold services in the sanctuary. 

In the background, the fabrication of the new carpet and of the new cushions has begun. 

Financially, the projected cost of the total exercise is roughly $20,000 below the $210,000 allocated by the board.  The small uncertainty left is due to some details that still need to be worked out because they overlap the competencies of the electricians and of the carpenter.  -Alain Perregaux

This Week at First Universalist

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY 24, 2013:

NEXT SERVICE: Sunday, March 3: Going Forward, Looking Back  If I know your "story", I know something about who you are and perhaps some things about why you are who you are.  It's the same with families and institutions.  We'll consider the place of a congregation's "story", and why it's important. Rev. Martha L. Munson

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Kids ages four and older join us every week in the sanctuary for the first portion of our worship service. Children's Worship begins after the Message for All Ages.  Nursery care for babies and younger children is provided throughout the service on the second floor.  We also have seating in our second floor foyer, where parents can hold their little ones and listen to the service via speaker.

LADIES WHO LUNCH: Feb 26, noon, at Trata on Culver Rd. Everyone is welcome. Contact Becky at 

FROM THE RENOVATION COMMITTEE: The display cabinets in the back of the sanctuary have been dismantled in preparation for refinishing work on the floors.  Karen Dau and Michael Van Arsdale from the Renovation Committee are spearheading the re-decoration of these cabinets for your future viewing pleasure.

WORK ON THE LIGHTING AND FIRE DETECTION will begin on Monday February 25, 2013.  It will last roughly five weeks.  During this time, the disruption to church activities will be minimal.  Electricians will be working throughout the building, from the basement to the attic, but the Sunday services and the Thursday noon concerts will not be affected, although there will be a bit of a mess to contend with.

AUCTION UPDATE: Our Annual Service Auction on February 3 raised over $6,000 for our church!  And just as important- we shared a great afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship.

UNSOLD AUCTION ITEMS:  Please see the bulletin board in the Clara Barton Lounge or contact Paula Marchese at 

MARCH ADULT RE: 6:30 pm Wed March 6, 13, 20. "I've Got a New Way to Talk" Think outside the box and develop new ways of being in relationship with others. RSVP by February 27 to Lori at  [email protected] or call 546-2826.

SAINT LAWRENCE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: April 26 & 27, Niagara Falls Convention Center. Keynote speaker is Rev. Peter Morales, the UUA President!  The Board has a limited amount of funding available for attendees.  Please contact Board Chair John Wellin at [email protected] for more information, and check out the event brochure at

http://www.showclix.com/event/TooManyQuestions or can be obtained from Karen Dau ([email protected]) and Glenda Brayman.  The 7:30pm play performance at First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton on Sat. March 23 will be preceded at 7:00 by several selections from Glenda's vocal jazz trio Company B.

IN THE HOT SEAT: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON US: Rochester Interfaith Impact of NYS holds its annual legislative briefing at Temple Sinai, 363 Penfield Road, Sunday, March 10, from 2-4 pm. For information call Judy Schwartz 585-442-5111 or Dick Gilbert 585-244-7403.

EASTMAN AT WASHINGTON SQUARE LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES Thursdays at 12:15 in the sanctuary. The concerts are free and open to the public.

THE BOOKSTORE AND LIBRARY in the Clara Barton Lounge will be open during coffee hour for borrowing, browsing, and buying.

A CARING COMMITTEE REMINDER: When a family member enters the hospital, needs emergency meals, needs transportation to church, or wants home visits; please contact Ruth Fitzgerald [email protected] 225-0555,or Eileen Fernandez,[email protected] or 225-2301.

HEARING LOOP IN SANCTUARY: Please use the T setting on your hearing aid or see an usher for a receiver.