Weekly Connections Newsletter

First Unitarian Church

Weekly Connections

Upcoming Virtual Worship Services

Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM

"Imperfect Parts"

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, guest preacher

We will be joined by the congregations of the UU Church of Athens and Sheshequin, the UU Church of Cortland, and the UU Fellowship of Big Flats

(Children's worship at 9:30 AM)

Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 10:00 AM

"Destroying the Towers to Create a New World"

Rev. Dr. Lynn M. Acquafondata, guest preacher

(Children's worship at 9:30 AM)

Meet us online (live-captioning also available there)

or if you do not have access to the internet, call 646-876-9923,

and use meeting ID #5852719070

Gratitudes, Joys and Sorrows

Our hearts reach out to Cathy Cheplowitz upon the loss of her brother, Jim Reda . Cards to Cathy are appreciated.

Even though the Caring Stewards are taking a break, virtual connection is still available through our Pastoral Care phone line (585-270-0851) or email . Rev. Bob, Rev. Shari, or a minister-on-call will be monitoring both.

This Week's News and Reminders

Are you between the ages of 18 and 35 and looking for spiritual connection with your peers? The UU Young Adult Group is meeting over Zoom on Friday, July 17 at 6:30pm . If you are interested, please email Jenna .

Elder Tree will feature Larry Eldridge , a long-time active church member, telling his story, this Saturday, July 18, at noon . Please let Libby Moore know if you’d like to tell your story some Saturday . Noontime Connections will also continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the summer months in the church’s Zoom room .

Calls to Action

Thank you to all who participated in the most recent UU the Vote phonebanking! There are many more opportunities to join this initiative, as outlined in the most recent UU the Vote email .

It's definitely not to late to get involved.

We need you now more than ever.

Learn more here!

Last week, our RAIHN fund supported food needs for five families staying in a hotel while getting support from Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN) to secure long-term housing. While we aren't hosting at our church and can't volunteer in person right now due to the pandemic, you can take steps now to become more informed and more prepared to be part of our congregation's work to help families who are experiencing a housing crisis. Watch the RAIHN/Family Promise virtual volunteer training videos anytime!

From the Criminal Justice Ministry : The Marshall Project continues to track and publish data on Covid-19 from all staff and prisoners in our state and federal prison systems . Given the huge differences in how many people are being tested in prisons for the virus, the effects of the pandemic have varied widely between different state prison systems. We do know that as of July 7, 2020, at least 50,019 prisoners and staff have been sickened and/or died within the prison system. For more information and to donate to the Marshall Project, click here .

The Criminal Justice Ministry is also looking for new members! For more information, please contact Penny Townsend-Quill .

The deadline for submissions to the Greater Good Committee has been extended. The Greater Good Committee is seeking nominations to be considered for the 2020 giving season. Any programs nominated must be not for profit 501(c)(3) status. Programs should benefit underserved people in the greater Rochester area. All nominations will be reviewed by the Greater Good Committee. Three programs will then be selected and voted on by the children in our Religious Education Program in the late fall. Please submit nominations by July 20 by emailing or calling 585-432-0346 and leaving a message. Nominations should include the name of the organization and contact person with phone number and or email.

In Case You Missed It

We are so looking forward to welcoming

Rev. Margalie Belizaire

as our new second minister next month!

Learn more about Rev. Margalie here

Have you checked out the new Church Directory? It's online and called Simple Church! It's the place you can update your own information, track your pledging, and look up other church members contact information. Here's how:

Go to: Simple Church and follow these steps:

Your User Name is your name with a period separating your first and last name , (for example, Jane.Doe) Then click “Forgot Password” and a password will be sent to the email we have on file for you, allowing you to login.

This should enable you to sign on regularly. You can check your profile, pledge, and look up basic (address, etc.) information of other members of our congregation. You can even upload a photo of yourself so others can put a name with a face!

Missed a recent worship service? Check out First Unitarian’s YouTube Channel (and while you’re there, please click on subscribe!), where you will find recordings of recent Children’s Worship and regular Sunday Worship services. We will upload new videos weekly.

New to Zoom, or have a technical question about how it works? Please call our Zoom Help Hotline: 585-250-0610, Wednesday-Friday between 2:00-5:30 PM. We can talk you through it!

Have a newsletter submission? Send it to announcements@rochesterunitarian.org . Deadline is each Tuesday at 10:00 AM . The newsletter will continue weekly through the summer months.

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