This Week at First Universalist

Join us this Sunday

March 11, 2018

10:30 am Morning Service: Voices of People of Color. Our Worship Associates will lead us in a service that centers the voices and stories of black Unitarian Universalists, giving us an opportunity to listen deeply to some of the stories in our movement that have not been heard.

—Worship Associates

Daylight Savings Time starts TODAY: Set your clocks forward 1 hour (Spring Ahead!)

And, remember to bring in your food donations --- today is Food Ingathering Sunday.

9:15 am Drop-In Discussion: Deep State . What is a deep state? Does the USA have one? Phil Ebersole will present some information, express some opinions and lead a discussion.

Upcoming Events

Annual Chili Cook-Off!

After the service the competition begins. Who will be named Chili Champion in our friendly rivalry? Join us for culinary delights and fun in the Clara Barton.

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 .

Stewardship 2018

Thus Do We Covenant. As members and friends of this congregation, we share a special bond. We support one another, the community, and this church. Soon it will be time for each of us to consider what financial support we can offer for the 2018-19 church year. Stewardship Sunday is April 8, and we’ll celebrate the generosity of our congregation. Watch for details later in March!

*RAIHN Week - April 15-22

* Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network

To join our volunteer team, sign up in the lounge or contact Chris DeGolyer via office@uuroc.org .

Second Level RAIHN* Training is coming up. H ave you volunteered for RAIHN and attended our Volunteer Orientation? Would you like to learn more about issues our families face that shape their experiences, such as culture, trauma and poverty? Then please attend this interactive discussion on Thursday, March 22nd from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1010 East Ave, Rochester. RSVP at (585) 506-9050 or coordinator@raihn.org.

Additional Announcements

ILLUMINATING JUSTICE FILM DISCUSSION: Join us in the sanctuary after the Chili Cook-Off 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 .

INTERFAITH IMPACT of NYS (IINYS) ROCHESTER CHAPTER: The Annual Legislative Briefing, “A Better Prescription for Health Care in New York State,” will be held today from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the First Unitarian Church on South Winton Road.

2018 SEAWAY UU SPRING GATHERING: This is the event that used to be known as DA. It will be held Friday and Saturday, April 13-14 ^th , at the First UU Society of Syracuse. The theme is “You Can’t Spell Church without J-O-Y.” Come hear First Unitarian’s Sheila Schuh present the Gould Discourse, and enjoy worshipping, learning, and connecting with UUs from around the state.

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.

I MPLEMENTING AN AED PROGRAM (Automated External Defibrillator): Your friend next to you has just fainted and is now turning blue. What will you do next? Call for help or "Be the Help". By taking the Automated External Defibrillator classes coming soon, your friend might be around to thank you. Signing up is not crucial, attending the class is. We need everyone. For more information see You Tube videos. To be part of the emergency team please contact Janine Casillo via office@uuroc.org .

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 .

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR: We need new volunteers!! If you like Coffee Hour, please consider serving at least one Sunday a year. Contact Bill Elwell for complete instructions.

PEACE VIGILS: Join us at Goodman St & East Ave for our weekly, Sunday Noon, PEACE VIGILs from 12-1 PM, at the RMSC. Please - Dress appropriately for the weather. Make your sign sharing your views or choose one of many.

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.