Join us this Sunday
May 27, 2018
|
|
10:30 am Morning Servi
ce:
Redemption.
The original Universalism was about being saved from error or evil. What do we believe today about redemption? Is it available to all, no exceptions? Where does it come from? Is it ever too late for redemption?
—Rev. Peggy Meeker
9:15 am Drop-In Discussion:
Open forum discussion
. We’ll meet and talk without a scheduled topic. Phil Ebersole will facilitate. If you wish to have a topic discussed or, better still, are willing to lead a discussion, speak to Phil Ebersole.
|
|
Special Collection for Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
This Sunday we’ll be giving a special offering, as part of a service focused on redemption, to support the UUA’s financial commitment to Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism. Our Board of Trustees has voted to make a contribution of at least $10 per member (which will be matched dollar for dollar by the UUA), and anything we collect on the 27th will be part of that contribution. More information is available at
https://www.uua.org/giving/areas-support/funds/promise-and-practice
.
Please join in this opportunity to invest in Black lives, Black leadership, and the uplifting of Black voices within our faith.
|
|
Train for RAIHN*
Four times a year, temporarily homeless families stay as our guests at First Universalist for a week. We provide a safe haven and tasty meals. To volunteer with us or to learn more, attend one of these orientation sessions:
- Thursday, May 24, 2018, 6:30-8:30 pm, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1400 Westfall Rd., Rochester
- Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 6:30-8:30 pm, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4115 Dewey Ave., Rochester
RSVP to Jen Canning,
coordinator@raihn.org
or 506-9050. Questions? Ask Chris DeGolyer, Marti Eggers, or Sarah Singal after the Sunday service.
*Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: Keeping Families Together, Bringing Families Home
|
|
FIAC (Faith In Action Council)
Information has been posted on the Court St. Bulletin Board for an event in Buffalo on Saturday, May 26th (see next item) on conversations on race and about grant monies from the UUA for conducting ‘Get Out the Vote’ projects. Please check these out!
|
|
Honest and Effective Conversations About Race
Join Nanette D. Massey on Saturday, May 26th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the UU Church of Buffalo (695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo). Ms. Massey is a black Buffalo writer working on her first book. She believes there are plenty of imperfect white allies in the engagement for racial equality with a desire to be more vocal and effective, but who don't quite know how to begin. The workshop will be a space to open up honestly about what you do—and don’t—understand about race today. Be prepared to be challenged, and to gain ideas and tools to walk into the conversations within your personal sphere of influence with genuine confidence, humor, and humility.
|
|
Enough is Enough
On Saturday, May 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, The Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 304 Joseph Avenue, will hold a panel discussion presented by Enough is Enough. The talk will focus on civilization review boards, disciplinary power, and the power of the people to overcome resistance to Police Accountability Boards.
|
|
Book Group
Our book selection for May is Sue Monk Kidd's
The Invention of Wings
. This novel was inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, and allows us to use our imagination
while exploring facts. Please join us on May 27th upstairs in the Chalice Room at 12:15 pm for a lively discussion! You do not have to have read the book, your insights will be gratefully received and shared. Hope to see you then. Also for those of you that wish to get a head start, June's selection will be
Things Fall Apart
By Chinua Achebe.
|
|
FIAC Gun Violence Event
Meet ChaRon Sattler-Leblanc, leader of Moms Demand Action Roc, on Sunday, June 3rd at 12:00 noon in our Sanctuary.
Every day 96 people are killed by guns. When will Congress stand up to the gun lobby so our children don't have to.
COME SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR REASONABLE GUN LAWS.
|
|
GRCC Faith In Action Celebration
Come honor Tom Ruganis and Rev Peggy Meeker at the GRCC (Greater Rochester Community of Churches) banquet, Tuesday, June 5th at the Burgundy Basin Inn. Tom and Rev Peggy are being recognized for their many contributions to First Universalist Church. They will be honored along with others from various faith groups in our community. Let's fill a table in support of them. Contact Becky Elwell for tickets and information.
|
|
OPPORTUNITY TO ADD NATURAL BEAUTY TO THE SANCTUARY:
We have enjoyed having regularly added fresh or dried flowers in the vases on the ledges above the pulpit platform for some years. Lyle Jenks is now releasing this "mini ministry" to others who feel so led. On weeks when no one brings branches or flowers, the "Bristoleaf" vases from the Wizard of Clay, given in honor of Joyce and Richard Gilbert, can stand alone as a lovely enhancement of our worship space.
|
|
DO YOU WANT TO GET JUST A LITTLE INVOLVED?:
If you are enjoying First Universalist and would like to get involved without a major commitment, here are some eco-friendly ideas for you! Take a week over the summer to water the gardens. Take a turn bringing the large recycle tote out to the sidewalk on Monday afternoon. Join the EcoJustice Group in putting the collected coffee grounds and veggie scraps from our kitchen out to the compost bin. If you can't compost at home, join others in adding your household veggie scraps to the church compost. For any or all of these pleasant and helpful activities please see Sarah Singal via
office@uuroc.org
for more details.
|
|
UNIRONDACK:
Are you looking for a fulfilling, wildly fun, outdoor experience for your young one? Unirondack, a UU summer camp nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks might be the place for you. While our high school sessions are already full for the summer, our 12-14 and 14-16 year old sessions still have room! Campers at Unirondack live the experience of building a unique, caring, UU community that puts their experience first. Built upon the values of the seven principles, we strive to create a camp community that is intellectually stimulating, welcoming to campers of all walks of life, and gives youth the opportunity to leave the rest of the world behind while they perform in talent shows, paint with watercolors over a wild Adirondack lake, swim and canoe in nature, and let their imagination run wild in theater and music. Email
Director@unirondack.org
or visit
www.unirondack.org
for more info!
|
|
ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
Nathan Laube, co-chair of the OHS 2018 Convention and assistant professor of organ at the Eastman School of Music, along with graduate student Margaret-Mary Owens, will orchestrate the presentation of the Hope Jones OHS Citation Award in conjunction with the July 2018 convention. Watch for details.
|
|
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 AND YOU:
An introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our church. This informational get-together is usually scheduled at noon every first Sunday of the month. If you've visited us a time or two and would like to learn more about our progressive church and its many congregational activities and volunteering opportunities, please make a note to join our UU and You meeting on June 3rd. Any questions -- email to
welcoming@uuroc.org
.
|
|
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS!:
Our summer services will be starting on June 24th, and music for those services is provided by volunteer musicians. Could you be one of them? Even if you have just one piece you’ve always wanted to try to perform, we’ll make a time and place for you to do it, whatever your voice or instrument. Please contact the summer music coordinator, Ann Rhody, via
office@uuroc.org
for more information.
|
|
USHERS & GREETERS NEEDED:
Consider signing up to be an usher or greeter. Ushers and greeters participate in an essential ministry of welcoming members and visitors to our historical church. If you’re interested, drop an email to
ushers@uuroc.com
.
|
|
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 Street and East Avenue for our weekly Sunday noon Peace Vigils from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the RMSC (Rochester Museum and Science Center). Dress appropriately for the weather and make your sign sharing your views or choose one of many. Questions? Contact Hal Bauer, Springwater Farm: (585) 335-2325.
|
|
THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS:
The final concert of the spring series will be held this Thursday, May 24th, from 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Brown bag lunches are welcome and admission is free. For more information visit
|
|
I
MPLEMENTING AN AED PROGRAM
(
A
utomated
E
xternal
D
efibrillator): 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?" If you take the
A
utomated
E
xternal
D
efibrillator 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
.
|
|
BLUE RECYCLE TOTE:
The church is looking for help moving the large blue recycle bin to the sidewalk on Monday afternoons, for pick-up early Tuesday mornings. It helps to live or work nearby. Please see Sarah Singal or email her via
office@uuroc.org
.
Thanks in advance! We are keeping the blue tote inside the building until further notice. Thank you.
|
|
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
,
Minister of Life Span Faith Development
Stacey Xiaoyu Yang
,
Director of Music
Andrea Lewis
,
Office Administrator / Editor
|
|
|
|
|
Office Hours:
Tuesday - Friday
9 :00 am- 3:45 pm (closed Mondays)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
