Our 19th season of Eastman at Washington Square concerts opens on Thursday, 10/23, beginning at 12:15 in the sanctuary. Soprano Kerri Lynn Slonimsky and Pianist Howard Spindler will present "Heriones in Opera," featuring some wonderful, dramatic music of Handel, Mozart, Verdi and Britten. 

Kerri has been praised for having a lovely, warm soprano voice and an engaging, dramatic style.  A Rochester native and an alumnus of the Eastman Community Music School, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Peabody Conservatory of Music, and the Professional Studies Certificate in Opera and a Master's in Music in Opera Performance from Temple University. Howard is a teacher and staff accompanist at Eastman Community Music School, and a member of 1st Universalist. 

Eastman at Washington Square Concerts feature students, faculty and friends of the Eastman School of Music, and are jointly produced by the Eastman Community Music School and First Universalist Church. The concerts are intended to last about 30-40 minutes, and are offered every Thursday from mid-October until the beginning of June, excepting holidays. 

Change is Coming!! 

Save your quarters, dimes, and other change, and bring them to church on November 2 or 9. We'll pool our change and help to support our church's programs, both within our walls and out in the community.  Watch for the change collection table in the Clara Barton lounge.  Contact Ann Rhody or Lauretta Young with any questions.

Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative

The Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative (EROI) presents an Organ and Film Festival on October 23-26. This special event features several iconic silent films of the early 1900s with live accompaniment on a variety of organs in Rochester. 

Concerts include Prof. Edoardo Bellotti accompanying short films at the Memorial Art Gallery, Tom Trenney performing to Speedy from 1928, a contemporary collaboration with the Christ Church Schola Cantorum improvising to the silent classic La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc, and a special performance by Philip Carli on the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ in the Eisenhart Auditorium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. 

Opportunities to hear professional live organ accompaniment to silent films are extremely rare, so be sure to mark your calendar for October 23-26! Join us for an exciting weekend filled with great instruments, great performers, and great films! For more information on how you can get tickets to these and other EROI events, please visit esm.rochester.edu/organ/eroi/ or Facebook: EROI 2014. 

Installation Ceremony

The Board of Trustees of First Universalist Church cordially invites members and friends of the Congregation to the installation ceremony of Reverend Celie Katovich on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at First Universalist Church. A reception will follow the service in the Clara Barton Lounge.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Reverend Celie Katovitch attended Gettysburg College and Harvard Divinity School and was ordained at First Unitarian Church of Cleveland. She has served as a staff member at a shelter for temporarily homeless men and on spiritual care staff in the hospital chaplaincy department.

RSVP by Friday, November 7th 585-546-2826 or email: [email protected] 

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OCTOBER 19, 2014:

NEXT SERVICE: Sunday, October 26: Connecting Dots. The way we connect things is telling. Connections create patterns that not only define us, but form our insight. We use connection to derive meaning and create texture in our lives. I will explore ways dots get connected and will offer a perspective on why our approach to connecting them matters. Eric VanDusen.

NEXT DROP-IN DISCUSSION: Sunday, October 26: Open forum.

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!

SOCIAL JUSTICE PLATE COLLECTION is today. Money collected will benefit Metro Justice, an organization that has been fighting for social and economic justice in Rochester for 49 years. They are working on improving the lives of working people in Rochester, getting the Women's Equality Act passed, improving education in city schools and stopping illegal foreclosures. They constantly work on a shoestring budget, receiving funding only from membership and good folks like us.

THE ANNUAL BREAD SUNDAY is today. The Bible tells us that we cannot live by bread alone but are also told that all we need is to be given our daily bread.  Marie Antoinette allegedly stated that since there was no bread the peasants should eat cake. Join us in the Clara Barton Lounge after the service for this celebration.

LUUNCH BUUNCH is today, Sunday, October 19, at Astoria.  ALL ARE WELCOME!  Address: 651 Monroe Avenue, a bit east of Goodman. Mediterranean menu. Informal. Let's meet there about 12:15.

BOOK CLUB: Next Sunday, Oct. 26, 12:15 pm in the Adult Lounge. The selection is The First Muslim: The Story of Mohammad, by Leslie Hazelton. Come and enjoy. Sarah Singal or Shirley Bond can give you further information.

CHANGE IS COMING!! Save your quarters, dimes, and other change, and bring them to church on November 2 or 9. We'll pool our change and help to support our church's programs, both within our walls and out in the community.  Watch for the change collection table in the Clara Barton lounge.  Contact Ann Rhody or Lauretta Young with any questions.

INSTALLATION CEREMONY of Reverend Celie Katovich is Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at First Universalist Church. A reception will follow the service in the Clara Barton Lounge.

THE FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY today have been provided by the Caring Committee.

EASTMAN ROCHESTER ORGAN INITIATIVE (EROI) presents an Organ and Film Festival on October 23-26. This special event features several iconic silent films of the early 1900s with live accompaniment on a variety of organs in Rochester. For more information on how you can get tickets to these and other EROI events, please visit  esm.rochester.edu/organ/eroi/ or Facebook: EROI 2014

PEACE VIGIL: Weekly, Sunday Noon-to-1 PM, at Goodman Street & East Ave. Your choice of peaceful signs to hold, if you will.  Just show up or contact Hal Bauer.

OUR (PAPER) OUTLOOK, NOW IN COLOR! The monthly newsletter, often referred to as the Paper Outlook, is available online. You can view it by going to the Learn More box of our website and  clicking on the Monthly Newsletter link.

EASTMAN LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES: Beginning October 23, concerts will be held each Thursdays at 12:15. 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 [email protected] 225-0555,or Eileen Fernandez,[email protected].

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