e-Outlook 

Our Electronic Outlook
February 27, 2015
    


 

First Universalist Church


 


First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY

 

150 South Clinton Avenue
(corner of Court St.)
Rochester, NY 14604

 

 

585.546.2826 office


 

585.325.5092
minister's study
 
 
 
 
Quicklinks:
 
 Minister:
Rev. Celie Katovitch
   
 
Director of Music: 

 Bryan Holten

 
Director of
Life Span Faith Development:
 

Michelle Yates



Office Administrator: 
Kris White
  office@uuroc.org   


 


 

 

 

 

This Week's Service:
The Purpose of Our Life

Reverend Amina Linda Hall, from the Sufi Order Rochester Center for Sufi Studies, is our pulpit guest for Sunday, March 1.  Reverend Hall will be offering the sermon "How can we build understanding, practice and mastery to fulfill the purpose of our life?" Reverend Hall is a minister in the Church of All, Sufi Order International/North America. She officiates the Universal Worship service at the Sufi Order of Rochester Center for Sufi Studies.

This Week's Drop-In Discussion: Root s  Shirley Bond will review The Family, by David Laskin, which tells the story of the descendants of a Torah scribe and his wife who lived 150 years ago on the western fringe of the Russian Empire.  Some went to America, some to Israel and some stayed put, and this determined their fates.  Shirley will ask us to reflect on our own family origins and roots.

"This Week at First Universalist": Weekly E-bulletin Coming!


 
The e-Outlook is getting a new look (and a new name)! 

 

Beginning Monday, March 2, 2015 you will begin receiving the "This Week at First Universalist" ebulletin in your email boxes. We hope you enjoy the makeover!"  

Social Justice Movie

 

As part of the Season of Non-Violence sponsored by the Gandhi Institute,"Iron Jawed Angels" will be screened at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 03/04/2015 at Gandhi House, 929 South Plymouth Avenue. The film stars Hilary Swank and Angelica Huston. This powerful 2004 film focuses on Quaker Alice Paul, known as the author of the Equal Rights Amendment, and portrays her leadership within the women's movement and her witness for justice and equality.  

 

Note from Social Justice committee members: some of the tactics used to beat back the struggle for women's suffrage are not for those of queasy stomach. The Social Justice Committee invites you to join other First Universalists to see this film.

 

The full schedule of this season's Gandhi Institute activities is at http://gandhiinstitute.org. The Social Justice Committee invites you to join other First Universalists to see this film.

Sign up for RAIHN* Week

 

April 5-12 is our next RAIHN Week, when First Universalist Church will host temporarily homeless families with help from St. Mary's, Church of Love, and Aldersgate. If you haven't attended training for RAIHN, you can still volunteer to help with set up, clean up, and launder bedding. If you're unsure what a specific task involves, ask us about shadowing a seasoned volunteer. To volunteer or to ask questions, contact Chris DeGolyer (chrisdeg@frontiernet.net or 461-3616) or Marti Eggers. 

 

*Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, helping families achieve sustainable independence

This Week at First Universalist

 

 

Sunday

March 1

 

Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 9 am

 

Drop-In Discussion, Adult Lounge, 9:15 am

 

Sunday Service, Sanctuary, 10:30 am

 

Coffee Hour, Clara Barton Lounge, 11:45 am

 

 

Wednesday

March 4

 

 

Announcement Deadline, noon

 

Private Event, Clara Barton Lounge, 6:30 pm

 

Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 7 pm

 

 

Thursday

March 5

 

 

e-Outlook Deadline, noon

 

Eastman Concert Series, Sanctuary, 12:15 pm

 

 

Saturday

March 7

 

 

Model RR Club Open House, Clara Barton Lounge and Train Room, 9 am

 

SNYP AA, Clara Barton Lounge and Adult Lounge, 8 pm

 

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 office@uuroc.org; or call 546-2826.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 1:

 

NEXT SERVICE: Sunday, March 8: A Modest ProposalI once had a friend who sat down to write the "UU scriptures." The story of how the project fared, and more. (In the third and final sermon of our series on prayer, we turn to lectio divina, the practice of spiritual reading.)  Rev. Celie Katovitch.

 

NEXT DROP-IN DISCUSSION: Sunday, March 8: UU Prophetic Witness. Phil Ebersole will review and facilitate a discussion of Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square by Paul Rasor, which is the UUA's recommended "common read" for 2014-2015.  (repeat of February 15 discussion)

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 on the second floor provided throughout the service. We also have seating in our second floor foyer, where parents can hold their little ones and listen to the service via speaker.

 

ARE YOU NEW TO FIRST UNIVERSALIST?  Have you come a few times and want to find out more about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation?  Then stop by the Welcome Table  in the Clara Barton Lounge during coffee hour.  You'll find friendly folks there every Sunday who are eager to talk with you!

 

FOOD INGATHERING is next Sunday, March 8. Donations of nonperishable food items will be collected to benefit The Community Food Cupboard on Nester Street. There is a particular need for mac and cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, canned stew, canned tuna, and cold cereal.

 

CHILI COOK-OFF:March 15th, after Sunday service, we will once again invite cooks, chefs, foodies, and mere lovers of food to participate in our annual Chili Cook Off.  This event which challenges the inventiveness and imagination of our members and friends to dig deep into their recipe books or Google recipes to make this a very memorable event. Do let Bill Elwell know if you plan to participate.

 

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Our annual stewardship campaign draws near.  We will begin soliciting pledges on March 15th, and will conclude the campaign on April 19th with an old fashioned pie fest.  Please let your voice be heard by making a financial contribution to First Universalist for 2015-2016.

 

PASSOVER SEDER: Clara Barton Lounge, Friday, April 3 at 6:00 P.M. Based on tradition, it 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. Sign-ups will begin in March so we can prepare appropriately. 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 patnlew@rochester.rr.com

 

BOOK GROUP: The March book will be The Road From Coorain, by Jill Ker Conway. There are multiple library copies. This autobiography highlights growing up in Australia in the 1930's. We will meet March 29, the LAST Sunday in March, at noon, in the Adult Lounge.

 

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 karl47@frontiernet.net, 256-2611.

 

SIGN UP FOR RAIHN* WEEK April 5-12 is our next RAIHN Week, when First Universalist Church will host temporarily homeless families with help from St. Mary's, Church of Love, and Aldersgate. If you haven't attended training for RAIHN, you can still volunteer to help with set up, clean up, and launder bedding. If you're unsure what a specific task involves, ask us about shadowing a seasoned volunteer. To volunteer or to ask questions, contact Chris DeGolyer (chrisdeg@frontiernet.net or 461-3616) or Marti Eggers.

SEASON OF NON-VIOLENCE sponsored by the Gandhi Institute,"Iron Jawed Angels" will be screened at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 03/04/2015 at Gandhi House, 929 South Plymouth Avenue. The film stars Hilary Swank and Angelica Huston. This powerful 2004 film focuses on Quaker Alice Paul, known as the author of the Equal Rights Amendment, and portrays her leadership within the women's movement and her witness for justice and equality.  Note from Social Justice committee members: some of the tactics used to beat back the struggle for women's suffrage are not for those of queasy stomach.  The full schedule of this season's Gandhi Institute activities is at http://gandhiinstitute.org. The Social Justice Committee invites you to join other First Universalists to see this film.

 

INTERFAITH IMPACT OF NEW YORK STATE: First Universalist Sun, March 15, 2-4:30pm. The topic is "Show Me the Money: Escalating Inequality Hurts". Escalating Inequality is a UUA study-action issue. Contact Dick Gilbert at 244-7403.

 

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY will be March 27-28, 2015 in Niagara Falls. This year's theme is "Deep Roots, Broad Wings". If interested, please contact Tom Williams.

 

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

 

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 rfitzgerald001@rochester.rr.com 225-0555,or Eileen Fernandez, eileenff2@yahoo.com.

 

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

Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. ~Rumi
 
Please submit e-Outlook articles to:  Office Administrator:
Kris White           
          
585.546.2826
E-mail: office@uuroc.org