We will have a short blessing of the Chalice Room (formerly the Adult Lounge) to celebrate its new name, immediately following the service on September 11th. Please plan to join us! We will also extend this ritual for anyone wishing to inaugurate a new year with a blessing from our church community. Whether starting a new chapter in school, at work, or personally, all are welcome to bring an object to be blessed that symbolizes that new beginning. Backpacks, tool-belts, laptop cases, and beyond -- all welcome!

Consider donating a non-perishable food item on Sunday, September 11th.  A collection will take place during the service and donations will go to the Community Food Cupboard. Most needed items include peanut butter, canned beans & proteins, hearty soups & stews, brown rice, canned vegetables, whole grain pasta, and whole grain cereal.  

A Gentle Reminder:  Please remember to check the expiration date on donated items.  We want to share healthy, fresh food with our neighbors. Thank you!

A Social Justice Task Force, appointed by the Board and approved by the congregation, has been created to help discern our role in helping transform the Rochester community into a more just, equitable and peaceful place. Members of the Task Force, Chair Eric Van Dusen, Connie Valk and Dick Gilbert, have met several times and have interviewed community leaders who have distinctive knowledge of the Rochester community. The Board and Social Responsibility Committee have also been interviewed. Results are being compiled and will be reported to the Board.

The Task Force now turns its attention to gathering input from members and friends of the congregation through a series of focus groups. Members of the Task Force will lead these discussions which will be collected and reported to the Board. We ask that you attend just one of these conversations:

• September 11th at 9:15 a.m. Discussion Group in the Chalice Room
• September 11th after Coffee, 12:00 noon in the Chalice Room
  
• September 18th after Coffee, 12:00 noon in the Chalice Room

Want to see what questions we will explore at each Focus Group? Click on this link:  http://www.uuroc.org/sjtf

As requested, Adult Faith Development is offering a program on "the aging experience" in September.  From Age-ing to Sage-ing is a 3-session workshop that will be offered twice at two different libraries and is open to the public. Invite your friends, but please rsvp to Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development, at [email protected] with which library program you will attend, OR call the library directly.

• Arnett Branch Library- 310 Arnett Blvd., (585) 428-8214.  Mondays, September 12, 19, & 26 from 1:30- 3:30pm
  
  
• Irondequoit Public Library- 1290 Titus Ave., (585) 336-6060. Thursdays, September 15, 22, & 29 from 1:30-3:30pm
  

While not required, participants may be interested in reading From Age-ing to Sage-ing : A Profound New Vision of Growing Older, by Schachter-Shalomi & Miller, which can be found in Monroe County Public Library system.