This Week at First Universalist
January 18, 2016
This Week's Service
“God.”  Last year we unpacked prayer from a UU perspective. This year continues the tradition of devoting one Sunday in the New Year to grappling with a word our tradition has at times shied away from.  10:30 a.m. Rev. Celie Katovitch.

Drop-in Discussion:   Teenage Pregnancy.  Rick Bartell, Regional Director of Education and Outreach for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, will lead a discussion of teenage pregnancy and Planned Parenthood’s successful In Control program.
Upcoming Events
No Control
Greater Rochester Coalition Against Gun Violence presents No Control, a documentary film exploring how we deal with gun violence in America, Tuesday, January 19th at 6:30 pm at The Little Theatre and Café.  Preceded by a presentation of Joe Quint's photo journalistic work on gun violence victims and followed by a talk-back and action items. First Universalist is a co-sponsor of this event. 

UU History Series
Join us on Thursday, January 21st from 1:30 - 3:30 PM for Part 4 of our UU History Series, Universalism: Murray to Ballou.  (Please note the new date and time.)  Please RSVP so we can plan for enough space and seating to Michelle Yates at edu@uuroc.org or 585-310-2484.  
Additional Announcements

TRAIN for RAIHN:  Learn how you can join other church members in helping temporarily homeless families get back on their feet. Attend a two hour training session about putting the RAIHN philosophy into action. Attending a training session is not a commitment, but  we hope you will join us as a volunteer during our next RAIHN Week, April 3-10. Two training sessions are available in the next month:
1)  Tuesday, Jan. 19, 6:30-8:30 pm, Messiah Lutheran Church, 4301 Mt. Read Blvd. 
2)  Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7-9 pm, Temple Beth El, 139 S. Winton Rd. 
Please RSVP to Jen Canning, coordinator@raihn.org or 506-9050.

The LUUnch BUUnch:  Join us Sunday, January 24th at the Corner Bakery at 12:30 pm (1367 Mt Hope Ave. - UofR College Town).  Restaurants suggestions?  E-mail Joyce Gilbert at JTGilbert@frontiernet.net.

QUATRO VOICE: On Friday, January 29, at 5:30 pm, First Universalist will host a free concert of vocal music from the Renaissance and Early Baroque, performed by Quatro Voce, an a cappella vocal quartet.  Unwind from the work week before heading home with this 30 minute program of meditative and ethereal settings of spiritual texts. 

THE BOOK GROUP:  On January 31st, the Book Group will discuss Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande at 12 noon in the second floor lounge. For questions see Shirley Bond or Sarah Singal. 

AUCTION 2016 is coming February 7th!  The deadline to donate your item, service, or event is  Wednesday, January 27.  Please fill out a paper form and turn it in at church, or go to our website to donate.  The more items, the better, so don’t miss out on helping with our church’s biggest fundraiser of the year!  And of course, plan to attend the auction on February 7th after the service.  Questions?  Contact Paula Marchese at pmarchese@rochester.rr.com.

WEATHER-RELATED CLOSINGS:  During this winter season, please note that cancellations of church activities can be viewed at 13wham.com.  

What is MOCHA?
MOCHA stands for Ministry of Coffee Hour Activities. This i s a ministry we give each other and is not limited to those hosts each week who bring in the food, keep the coffee and juice coming, and who do the cleanup afterwards.  The opportunity to further share in the joys and sorrows from the regular morning service, to exchange laughter over personal triumphs and failures, to discuss current and political events, and to explore our religious agreements with each other is the foundation of spirituality - helping each other connect on a life-sustaining level. We truly like each other, and this time together keeps us in touch on a personal level!

Currently, 24 members and friends volunteer to host this service. It means that about every 10 weeks, two or three people decide what food to bring and make sure that coffee keeps brewing. P lease let  Bill or Becky Elwell know if you would like to make a one-time or recurring commitment to volunteering for MOCHA.  
This Week's Calendar of Events
Monday, January 18
  • Social Justice Committee, Volunteer Office, 6 pm
Wednesday, January 20
  • Paper Our Outlook Submission Deadline, 12 noon
  • Committee on Ministry (Rev. Celie), Volunteer Office, 7 pm
Thursday,  January 21
  • Announcement Deadline, noon
  • "This Week at First Universalist" e-Newsletter Deadline, noon
  • Eastman Lunchtime Concert Series, Sanctuary, 12:15 pm
  • UU History Series, Sanctuary, 1:30 pm
Saturday,  January 23
  • Special Board Workshop for Visioning, Adult Lounge, 9:30 am
  • SNYP AA, Clara Barton Lounge and Adult Lounge (rental), 8 pm 
Sunday,  January 24
  • Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 9 am
  • Drop-In Discussion, Adult Lounge, 9:15 am
  • Sunday Service, Sanctuary, 10:30 am
  • Coffee Hour, Clara Barton Lounge, 11:45 am
  • LUUnch BUUnch, Corner Bakery, 12:30 pm
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