Join us this Sunday
10:30 a.m. Service:  Flower Communion.  Bring a flower (or several) to share in this beloved annual ritual.  This will be a very special day, as Bed Baldanza, Thalia DeFrancesco, Lucian Proctor, Henry Reynolds, Kaitlyn Reynolds, and Connor Young will be Dedicated!  Join us in blessing the children of our community. Rev. Celie Katovitch.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion:   Racism, White Supremacy and the UUA.  Our denomination is engaged in a difficult discussion of racism within our own ranks in the wake of leadership decisions regarding hiring.  Our UUA President and two top aides have resigned and a caretaker team has been put in place.  What are the meanings of this controversy?  Dick Gilbert will lead a discussion.
Upcoming Events
Funeral Planning Workshop - May 31

Wednesday, May 31st, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Clara Barton Lounge. Join Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Rochester (FCAGR) President Marcy Klein, board members Reverend Peggy Meeker and Elizabeth Osta, and Reverend Celie Katovich for an evening of suggestions and support for these difficult conversations. You'll even get to fill out a form you can provide to next of kin with your plans in place. Reserve your place now and look forward to checking this niggling need off your bucket list. Sign up in the Clara Barton Lounge or by contacting Elizabeth Osta (elizabethosta@gmail.com) or 585-451-5822.

Annual Meeting - June 4

The annual meeting for First Universalist will be held Sunday, June 4th immediately following the service. All members are encouraged to attend. Friends are welcome. Key agenda items include approval for the 2016-2017 budget, elections for key positions, and a vote on the settled search team.  

Journey to Justice - Launching June 10

With the congregational approval of the topic of racism as its Social Justice Project for the next two years, we are ready to delve into details. On Saturday, June 10th from 9:30 - 12 noon, Jon Greenbaum from RocACTS will lead a workshop here at First Universalist. He will focus on how we as individuals and as a congregation can engage in these efforts to eradicate discrimination and work together toward greater justice, and build a wider tent for the beloved community of which we are all a part. 

Annual Church Picnic - June 11

Sunday, June 11th will be the annual picnic starting around 1 pm. The picnic will be held at the Long House Shelter in Seneca Park.  Maps are posted on the bulletin board in the Clara Barton Lounge. Bring a dish to pass, something to grill, and your drinks. Please make a sign, for your dish to pass, with the ingredients for people with food sensitivities. The shelter and toilets are handicap accessible. Questions, contact Karl Abbott at Karl47@frontiernet.net.

Additional Announcements

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Please note the office will be closed on Tuesday, May 30. 

ECO-JUUSTICE GROUP:  Next EcoJustice meeting will be held on Sunday, June 4th at noon in the Chalice Room. All are welcome.

GARDEN HELP WANTED: There will be a planting party Tuesday June 6th, between 9 and 11 am. Please join us. Routine garden tending will follow on Tuesday mornings. Come when you can or come every week. Don't come if it's pouring rain. Also, garden waterers needed. Sign up for a week during June, July, and August. See Sarah Singal (singal@rochester.rr.com.)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIVESTREAM:  Interested in seeing some General Assembly (GA) Events Livestreamed at Church? Wish you could go to UU GA this year or at least see some of the highlights? Rev. Michelle, our Director of Lifespan Faith Development, can only be present for some events, but is happy to support others in setting up the technology to livestream some of the highlights at church. Please email Rev. Michelle at edu@uuroc.org if you are interested and want to help in making more of the evening and weekend events available to all.

VOLUNTEER FOR RAIHN* WEEK:  During RAIHN Week, June 25-July 2, we will turn our church into a home for temporarily homeless families. To volunteer, sign up in the lounge after church on Sunday, or contact Chris DeGolyer, chrisdeg@frontiernet.net if you have questions. A training session for first time RAIHN volunteers will be held on Wednesday, June 7th, 6:30-8:30 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Rd.,(corner of East Avenue), Rochester. Even if you can't attend training, you are welcome to help with set up or other tasks.  If you would like to learn more before volunteering, we have opportunities to "shadow" experienced volunteers. *Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: keeping families together. Getting families home for good.

LIBRARY SUMMER SCHEDULE: The library and bookstore will be open in the Clara Barton Lounge during coffee hour on June 4, closed on June 11 and open again on June 18.   During the summer they will be open on only two Sundays - July 16, with Marcia Weaver as librarian, and August 13 with Keith Stott. These would be good times to stock up on inexpensive summer reading. They also would be good times to return overdue library books.  They're due back after four weeks.

FROM THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE: Do you enjoy the mellow, friendly vibe of summer services at First Universalist, and the excellent preaching of our summer minister, Peter House? We need a few folks to help make it happen. You don't need to be at every service; summer service team members take turns being present to welcome visitors, be a resource for Peter, and make sure things run smoothly. Please talk to Bridget Watts or email wattsbridget7@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to help.

THE CHILDREN'S WORSHIP TEAM IS EXPANDING! Have you noticed more regular faces among the kids at our church? Attendance is up, and we are looking to train a few more adults to lead and assist with Children's Worship. No teaching experience needed! We will be holding our Children's Worship Team trainings Sunday, June 25th @ 11:15am-12 noon (part 1), and Sunday, July 9th @ 11:30am-12:30pm (part 2). Please feel free to come to get more information and feel out if this ministry is a good fit for you. Also we are looking for members to share a craft, memory or life experience by being our "Guest" on one Sunday. This is a great way to learn about our program first hand, and get to know the youngest members of our community. Contact Rev. Michelle with questions or to sign up at edu@uuroc.org.

To submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist", e-mail  office@uuroc.org no later than Thursday at noon.  
Staff:

Rev. Celie Katovitch, Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development

Stacey Yang, Director of Music

Melissa Davies, Office Administrator
150 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14604 | (585) 546-2826 | office@uuroc.org