This Week's Drop-In Discussion: The Meaning of Easter.  On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Few if any Unitarian Universalists believe in the divinity of Jesus.  Phil Ebersole will lead a discussion on what Easter-and Jesus-mean to Unitarian Universalists.

Let Your Voice Be Heard- return your pledge card!

EVERY voice is important- and so is every pledge, large or small. Please return your pledge card to the church (by mail or in the church office) by Stewardship Sunday, April 19.  Then join us for pie during coffee hour as we celebrate what an important piece of the "pie" comes from OUR pledges!   If you don't have a pledge card, or have misplaced yours, we'll have extras on hand at church.  

Need more information about stewardship?  Check out our "Stewardship Basics" brochure, available on the finance board in the Clara Barton Lounge.

Passover Seder Dinner

Please join us this Friday, April 3, at 6 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge. Based on tradition, this Seder will have a distinctly UU flavor and be an open inter-generational participatory event with children and youth most welcome. (Prizes for whoever finds the Afikoman).  Matzoh ball soup, a la Gilbert & Ward-Baker, traditional beverages, and ritual foods will be provided. A pot luck dinner will be part of the event so capacity will be limited.  

If you would like to help or have questions, please call Lew Ward-Baker at 244-6968 or email at [email protected]. 

RAIHN* Needs You

We still need 9 volunteers for RAIHN Week (April 5-12), when First Universalist Church will host temporarily homeless families. Let's celebrate Easter and spring by providing our RAIHN guests with good food and a warm, safe place to stay. If you're unsure what a volunteer spot involves, ask us about shadowing a seasoned volunteer. Contact Chris DeGolyer ([email protected] or 461-3616) or Marti Eggers ([email protected]), or see Chris after Sunday service.

*Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence 

This Week at First Universalist

Thank you for keeping us updated, both when you schedule events and when you need to cancel one!  Please continue to do so.  Send news of your events to [email protected]; or call 546-2826.

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

RECYCLING: The church hauler does not take our recycling. Please help by taking the blue bins home. There's a signup sheet in the lounge, on the small stand-up bulletin board near the cabinets. See Karen Dau with questions.  Thanks so much!  

COFFEE: Our church is now purchasing fair traded, organically grown coffee from the Coffee Connection, with three locations in Rochester. Its mission is to empower women in recovery from drug addiction as well as teach job skills. A win-win UU value!

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A WAY TO MEET PEOPLE AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST?  Why not usher?  The duties are easy:  greet people at the sanctuary entrances and hand out order of service; take up the offering; count those attending; give the joys and sorrows cards to the minister; count the offering and process checks after the service.  This would not be an every Sunday duty. Contact Karl Abbott [email protected], 256-2611.

EASTMAN LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES: Concerts are held in the sanctuary each Thursday at 12:15 pm. They are free and open to the public.

SAVE THE DATE:

APRIL 1: TENEBRAE SERVICE: On Wednesday, April 1st, there will be a Tenebrae service in the sanctuary at 7 pm. This is a quiet service of music and readings honoring the sacred darkness in our lives, the mystery of loss, and the possibility of healing. Candles are extinguished throughout the service, until at its end, only the light of the chalice remains. All are welcome.

NOW-APRIL 19: LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Our annual stewardship campaign is here!  We will begin soliciting pledges next week and will conclude the campaign on April 19^th with an old fashioned pie fest in the Clara Barton Lounge following the church service. Please watch for a stewardship mailing, and please let your voice be heard by making a financial contribution to First Universalist for 2015-2016.

APRIL 11: HAVE YOU BEEN COMING TO FIRST UNIVERSALIST FOR A WHILE and feel that you have found a spiritual home here?  If you are considering formally becoming a member of our congregation, we invite you to attend a Path to Membership class on Saturday, April 11, from 10-12:30.  We will  spend time together exploring the dimensions of membership, and share a tasty brunch.  Those deciding to become members will be formally welcomed into the congregation on Membership Sunday, April 12.  Childcare will be available if requested.  Please contact Nancy Gaede (256-2611) to sign up for the Path class and to make child care arrangements. THE DEADLINE FOR BOTH IS SUNDAY, APRIL 5. If you cannot join us on April 11 but are interested in membership, please contact Reverend Celie as soon as possible.

APRIL 15:ROC FOR $15: April 15, 5 pm, Eastman Quad U of R. Join us for this national mass march and rally to end poverty wages for all. The goal is to have 1,000 marchers in Rochester. For more info, contact Marie Sidoti at 467-9135.