Join us this Sunday
10:30 a.m. Service:  Good Neighbors.  Who is our neighbor? In the case of First Universalist, the literal answer to this question is a tricky one.  Rev. Celie Katovitch.      

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion:  Nonviolent Feminism.  What does it mean to be a nonviolent feminist? Can people be against abortion and call themselves "feminist"? Board members of Feminists for Nonviolent Choices will share why they oppose lethal violence across the spectrum, including abortion, and why they think it's necessary to address social forces normalizing such violence.
Upcoming Events
Small Group Ministry

A new group is forming! New sessions, co-facilitated by Bob Remley and Connie Valk, begin March 9th, 1:30 to 3:30 PM, and will be held every two weeks. Sign up on the Clara Barton Lounge bulletin board, or contact Connie (cvalk@frontiernet.net) or Bob (humans@rochester.rr.com).
Social Justice Workshop - March 11

Everyone in the congregation is invited to a workshop led by Richard Gilbert on March 11 from 9:00 until noon to explore the implementation of the Social Justice Report our congregation has adopted.

What does "justice making" mean to our congregation? How can we equip ourselves, as a growing congregation, into ways that transform the good things we are already doing into a more disciplined approach? Background for this workshop is available by clicking on this link. 

Contact Connie Valk at cvalk@frontiernet.net if you need childcare.
Food Ingathering - March 12

Consider donating a non-perishable food item on Sunday, March 12th. Items collected during the service will be donated to The Community Food Cupboard, which helps local families and seniors.  They are specifically in need of low sodium and low sugar items. Thank you!
Annual Chili Cook Off - March 12

Our annual Chili Cook Off takes place after the service on March 12th.  Culinary greats of First Universalists are ready to face-off in a rivalry that mirrors the cable show, Chopped (or more likely the show Cons versus Cooks). Judges of similar culinary talent (hint: members and friends of the church) select the winner for the Grand Prize of a gift card to Chili’s.

Many are invited to participate in this event but only a few will be willing to have their chili
judged in such an open competition.  If you are one of the few who have ego enough to go head-to-head with other talented Universalist cooks, please let Bill Elwell (williambearcat@gmail.com) know of your desire to participate.  
Additional Announcements

FROM AGE-ING TO SAGE-ING: This Adult Education class takes place Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. @ the Irondequoit Library (1290 Titus Ave.).  Presented by Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development. RSVPs and questions can be directed to Michelle at edu@uuroc.org.

EASTER IS COMING:  It is time to order plants to beautify our Church. Look for friendly volunteers, who will happily sign you up, on March 19 and 26. The cost is $8.00. You may choose to take your plant home, donate it to a member of our home congregation. You may purchase the plant in memory or in honor of someone. Look for more information in the Order of  Service.        

SOCIAL JUSTICE PLATE:  Our March 20th Social Justice Plate offering will be for Mary's Place Outreach Center located in the Northwest section of Rochester. Marys' place has been in existence since 2009. They offer assistance in many different ways to refugees arriving from various countries. English as a second language classes is offered as well as concrete help in finding permanent housing, among other very necessary services.The committee thought this would be an appropriate program to have the congregation donate too during these turbulent times. Also, as of this writing, the February collection has not yet been received. We will keep you posted. We thank you in advance! Social Justice Plate Committee members: Becky Elwell, Marcia Weaver, Shirley Bond

BOOK GROUP: Our selection for the month of March is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. This is a memoir by an activist lawyer who learned first hand the injustices of our criminal system. Stevenson has won the"genius" grant for his work and has attracted enough financial support to be able to hire a sizeable staff (NYTimes Book Review). His book encourages us to take a long, hard, deep, look at our judicial system as it exists today. Fascinating reading. Please join us at 12 noon on March 26th in the upstairs chalice room. Join us even if you have not had a chance to read the book our conversation will encourage you to do so. Contact Sarah Singal  (ssingal@Rochester.ff.com) or Shirley Bond (bondshirl1@gmail.com) with questions.

ST LAWRENCE SPRING GATHERING: Saturday, April 1st. This year the event will be held at May Memorial UU Society in Syracuse. If you would like to participate, please contact Shirley Bond at Bondshirl1@gmail.com or any member of the nominating committee.

MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY IS APRIL 2:  Perhaps you are ready to join our beloved Church.  If so, please join us for our Path to Membership Class on Saturday, April 1 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, which includes a welcoming brunch.  Led by Rev. Celie and lay leaders in the congregation, the session includes introduction to the various aspects of our church community. Contact Connie Valk cvalk@frontiernet.net to reserve your spot.  Let her know if you need childcare. If you are not sure you want to join, or have joined recently, come anyway. You will learn more about what makes us tick.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR RAIHN WEEK: March 26-April 2 will be our next RAIHN* Week, when we will give temporarily homeless families  good food to eat and a safe place to stay at First Universalist Church. If you'd like to help, sign up in the Clara Barton Lounge after the Sunday service or contact Chris DeGolyer, chrisdeg@frontiernet.net, Marti Eggers, mceggers@gmail.com, or Sarah Singal, ssingal@rochester.rr.com. If you'd like to learn more before volunteering, ask us about "shadowing" experienced volunteers. *Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network 
To submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist", e-mail  office@uuroc.org
no later than Thursday at noon.  
Staff:

Rev. Celie Katovitch, Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development

Stacey Yang, Director of Music

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