Join us this Sunday
February 18, 2018
10:30 am Morning Service: | Humanism Then and Now . The story of Humanism in Unitarian Universalism has taken some interesting turns, and then there’s African-American Humanism. We’ll look at some of the people, the stories, and the gifts of Humanism.
—Rev. Peggy Meeker

Drop-In Discussion: Homes for the Homeless . Second Wind Cottages in Ithaca and H.O.M.E. in Orland, Maine, are two examples of building housing and communities FIRST for homeless people. Kate Fleury will tell us about these efforts and help us image what kind of similar things might work in Rochester.
 
Upcoming Events

United Community Response
Hatred of Race: Rochester Stands Together

One of our communities distinguished Elders, Minister Franklin Florence Sr. has called the community to stand up and protest the President’s on-going hatred and racism. Join us on February 17th at 1:00 pm at the Central Church of Christ, 101 S. Plymouth Ave, (across the street from the Public Safety Building), and support FIAC - The Systemic Racism: Journey to Justice Program.
EMPTY BOWLS

Our Empty Bowls project is continuing through February 18th. For a minimum $10 donation to Foodlink, select a beautiful Rochester hand-made pottery bowl to take home and know that you are helping to fill someone else’s bowl! A display table will be in the Clara Barton Lounge following the service. 
Diving into our White Culture to Surface Racial Justice

An Experiential Conference: Experience racial justice as a spiritual practice with Kenny Wiley, Sr. Editor at UU World and member of the Black Lives of UU Organizing Collective. This event is sponsored by the UUA Central East Region. Join us Saturday, February 24th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the UU Church of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY. Admission is $25 - $65 (sliding scale cost). Register at https://www.uua.org/central-east/events/region/racial-justice-conference-buffalo-18 .
Illuminating Justice Film Discussion

Join us March 11th in the sanctuary at 12:00 noon for Incarceration in the Criminal Justice System . The film will last no longer than 45 minutes to leave time for discussion. Please email Rev. Michelle Yates with film, clip, or documentary ideas at edu@uuroc.org .
Passover Seder

Our Passover Seder will be held in the Clara Barton Lounge on March 30th at 6:00 pm.
It will be a UU edition of the traditional family event with song and story in English and Hebrew and will include active participation by children school-age and above, and a potluck dinner served around 7:15 pm. Traditional ritual foods and beverages will be provided. All guests are welcome! Sign-up for those planning to attend begins March 4th after church. To volunteer help or for more information, please contact Lew Ward-Baker, via office@uuroc.org .

Additional Announcements

Our 2018 Service Auction was a super success! Thank You! Between the bids and the lunch proceeds, we raised over $6,500 to support our church’s programs.  This event is a real team effort, with over 25 volunteers - too many to list here (but check the Court Street bulletin board and the next Outlook). Thanks to all who helped, but most especially to Paula Marchese and Katherine Flynn, who coordinated the whole thing. Great job!
CHURCH LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE: Books for Browsing, Borrowing and Buying. The First Universalist library and bookstore are open each Sunday during coffee hour.  We have a lending library, a discount bookstore, a free children's bookshelf, a free magazine exchange and sometimes free books.
UU COMMON READ BOOK DISCUSSION: Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry , edited by Mitra Rahnema, focuses the stories, and insights of UU Religious professionals of color. If understanding and appreciating the experiences of UUs of color is important to you mark your calendar for this discussion. We will meet from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Chalice Room on Thursday, February 15th to reflect on the chapter "The Religious Educator of Color."
BOOK GROUP: The Book selection this month is “The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” by Mohsin Hamid. We will meet upstairs in the Chalice Room at 12 noon on Sunday, February 25th. Our selection for March will be "La Rosa," by Louis Erdrich. For questions please contact Shirley Bond or Sarah Singal via office@uuroc.org .
UU & YOU: An introduction to our church is held the first Sunday of every month in the choir room (room 25, second floor) at noon. Join us on March 4th for an informal informational gathering especially designed for visitors and friends who want to know more about us and our liberal religious movement. This roughly 45 minute get-together offers attendees an opportunity to get to know one another and this congregation better, and includes a quick overview of Unitarian Universalist history and principles.
INTERFAITH IMPACT of NYS (IINYS) ROCHESTER CHAPTER: Our Annual Legislative Briefing, “A Better Prescription for Health Care in New York State,” will be held Sunday, March 11th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the First Unitarian Church on South Winton Road. 
EMAIL SCAMMING: There have been several recent email scamming attempts targeting email addresses at the church. Please assume that any incoming email message asking you to send the church’s money (or your own!) anywhere might be fraudulent. Do not reply to such a message, or click on any internet links appearing in the message; instead, forward it to suspicious@uuroc.org and delete it from your in-basket. It will be reviewed to determine whether any follow-up is needed. Thank you!
THURSDAY LUNCHTIME EASTMAN AT WASHINGTON SQUARE CONCERTS: These concerts are held every Thursday from 12:15 pm to approximately 12:45 pm. Brown bag lunches are welcome during the performances, and admission is free. For more information visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community/events/lunchtime .
TRANSPORT THE HOMELESS: Would you like to drive homeless folks to and/or from appointments? REACH Home (102 North Union St, Rochester) staff and social workers set it all up, but need drivers. If you'd like to volunteer as a driver, contact Jeannie Gloss via office@uuroc.org . Many thanks!
REMEMBRANCE QUILT PROJECT: The Remembrance Quilt Project highlights the loss of life by gun violence, with an invitation to contribute a block of fabric to represent the family or friend whose life has been taken by gun violence. Now through March 31st. For more information contact Lentory Johnson, chairperson, (585) 749-3494, The Light the Way Committee.
T o submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist," e-mail   office@uuroc.org  
no later than Wednesday at noon.   
Staff:
The Reverend Peggy Meeker , Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates , Director of Life Span Faith Development

Xiaoyu Yang , Director of Music

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