This Week at First Universalist
November 2, 2015
This Week's Service
We Interrupt This Programming. A consideration of interruptions, detours, wrong turns, and– as Kurt Vonnegut put it– “peculiar travel suggestions” in the spiritual life.  Reverend Celie Katovitch

Drop-in Discussion:  The Universalist Herald. The Universalist Herald is the oldest continuously published liberal religious magazine in North America, devoted to a living religion and vital faith that motivates individual responsibility and positive action. Join us as we discuss how this publication promotes contemporary UU values while drawing on significant figures from our denomination’s history. David Damico will facilitate.
Upcoming Events
UU History Series
This Wednesday, November 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  American Unitarianism: Organic & Transplanted (approx. 1 hour video), with facilitated discussion and conversation to follow.   RSVP Michelle Yates at edu@uuroc.org or 585-310-2484.  
2nd Sunday
Inter-generational  Activity
For our Second Sunday Inter-generational Activity on November 8, we will be kicking off Guest at Your Table!  Guest at Your Table is an annual fundraising and education program that supports the human rights work of the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee).  In this, the UUSC's 75th year, the program will be highlighting the empowerment of refugees and displaced people.  Our children will help hand out GAYT boxes, and UUSC video clips will be available to view after worship. 
CHANGE is coming!
This Sunday is the final day of our Change Drive.  Grab that old jar of loose change and bring those quarters, dimes, and other coins to church on November 8!  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.  Thank you!
Monthly Food Ingathering 
This coming Sunday, November 8 is the date of the next food ingathering for The Community Food Cupboard.  Donations of paper goods and non-perishable food items will be collected during the service. As you stock your own cupboards for this holiday season, consider purchasing an extra item or two.   Thank you for your generosity!
Additional Announcements
CHURCH LIBRARY:  The Church Library and Bookstore are open during coffee hour following Sunday services for browsing, borrowing, and buying.  Someone is available each week to offer assistance and answer any questions you might have.  

NAME TAGS:  Have you noticed our new name tags?  The Membership Committee is in the process of replacing the badge holders on a string with ones that clip on.  The beautiful calligraphy on the tags is being done by Joy Lecesse and Kitty Forbush.  We will be removing the old name tags from the holder during November.  If you have not received your new one yet, please add your name to the “Make me a new name tag” list that is on the Greeter Table in the Clara Barton Lounge.  If you’d like to keep your old one, please take it home with you.  Thank you.

LEVEL 2  RAIHN* TRAINING FOR EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEERS:  Wednesday, November 4, 6:30 - 8:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Pittsford.  Learn more about how culture, trauma, and poverty have shaped RAIHN guests' experiences.  For more information or to sign up, contact Chris DeGolyer (chrisdeg@frontiernet.net) or Jen Canning (506-9050, coordinator@raihn.com).  *Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: Keeping families together. Getting families home for good.

"I'M NOT RACIST... AM I?"  The Rochester community is taking steps to address racial and economic injustice through an exciting project, endorsed by GRCC-Faith in Action Network and sponsored by Facing Race, Embracing Equity (Rochester’s racial equity initiative).  This project will provide Rochester area high school and college age youth with an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogues about race and privilege.   The Rochester Religious Society of Friends ( Quakers ) are hosting a screening on November 15 at 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.  at 84 Scio Street.  No charge.  RSVP e-mail to doobshale@gmail.com .  In addition, Downtown United Presbyterian Church and MetroJustice are hosting a screening on Monday, November 23rd, 6:30pm - 8:45 p.m. at 121 North Fitzhugh Street. Free will donation to support the project. RSVP (text or voicemail), (585)469-8249 or girafepm@aol.com .  Immediately following the documentary film is a facilitated workshop/conversation on race.  Because the film and conversation address sensitive issues and language both screenings are suggested for teens and adults

NEW TO FIRST UNIVERSALIST?  On Sunday, November 22, plan to join Reverend Celie and folks from the Membership Committee to view and discuss a video presentation about the First Universalist Church.  We’ll meet in the second floor Adult Lounge from 11:45- 12:15.  If you will need child care, please let Nancy Gaede (flower50@frontiernet) know by November 15.  We look forward to getting to know you better.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE:  This year's Rochester Union Thanksgiving Service will be held at at Temple Sinai, 363 Penfield Road, at 11:00 on Thanksgiving Day. Rev. Celie will preach the sermon. The service is a tradition dating back more than 140 years, and is the longest-running interfaith collaboration of its kind in the country.


This Week's Calendar of Events
Wednesday, November 4
  • UU History Series, Clara Barton Lounge, 6:30 pm
Thursday,  November 5
  • Staff Meeting, Volunteer Office, 8:45 am
  • Announcement Deadline, noon
  • "This Week at First Universalist" e-Newsletter Deadline, noon
  • Eastman Lunchtime Concert Series, Sanctuary, 12:15 pm

Saturday, November 7 

  • SNYP AA, Clara Barton Lounge and Adult Lounge (rental), 8 pm 
Sunday,  November 8
  • Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 9 am
  • Drop-In Discussion, Adult Lounge, 9:15 am
  • Sunday Service, Sanctuary, 10:30 am
  • Food Ingathering, Sanctuary, 10:45 am
  • Coffee Hour, Clara Barton Lounge, 11:45 am
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.
STAFF:
Minister:   Rev. Celie Katovitch 
   
Director of Music:   Carol Xiong music@uuroc.org 

Director of Life Span Faith Development:   Michelle Yates 
edu@uuroc.org 
  
Office Administrator:  Melissa Davies office@uuroc.org
Contact Us
150 S. Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 546-2826

Office Hours:   Monday-Friday,  9:30-2:30