What meaningful actions can you take? Need suggestions? Have ideas to share? Donna Anderson presents. Drop-In Discussions are back with a virtual spin! We are meeting on Tuesday nights, from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Look on the First Universalist homepage for details and a link, or click the Zoom meeting link on the title of this description!
First Universalist Church will be hosting Midweek Meditation services with Rev. Lane and Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays from 11:30am-noon. On second Wednesdays, an extra half hour of meditation and sharing will follow the traditional format. An extended time to connect for deep breathing, meditation, singing, and silence. Look on the First Universalist homepage for details and a link, or click the Zoom meeting link on the title of this description!
Small Group Ministry Openings
Three of our Small Group Ministry groups have openings for new members starting immediately!
- 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 6 or 7pm
- Every other Monday at 2pm
- Every other Thursday at 7pm
Interested in joining a group? Want to know what this is all about? Take a look at the description on our website uuroc.org under the “connect” tab, fill out the survey regarding your interest and availability, or email
SGM@uuroc.org.
A Message From Finance
Want to support the “extraordinary” work going on at First Universalist? Donate to our “ordinary” operations! Yes, we are doing extraordinary work, even during the pandemic and upheaval in our society and in our lives: social justice work, RAIHN support, medics, food cupboard, and more. It’s easy to get enthusiastic about giving to these efforts!
It’s important to remember, though, that none of this work would be going on without the “ordinary” operating budget of the church: paying our minister and staff; keeping our building healthy and cared for; maintaining our website and online operations. This makes it possible to fulfill our mission: to nurture the spirit and serve the community.
How can you help?
- If you have made a pledge for the 2020-21 church year, please continue to pay it. Sending a check to church is preferred (it saves the processing fees), but we can take pledge payments online, too! A number of members have used their bank to automatically issue pledge payment to the church each month.
- Make a “plate” donation periodically in the amount you might normally give over several Sunday services.
- Make a general contribution (again, via check or online) to support the church’s operations.
Support for our operating budget goes to all of our operations, including RAIHN and social justice work, the music and faith development programs, the Sunday services, and so much more. If you have questions about how to donate or what is needed, please feel free to contact Finance Chair Ann Rhody at
finance@uuroc.org!
Oct. 11-18 | Next RAIHN Week
Our next RAIHN Week will be October 11-18. Families will stay at the Comfort Inn, and, as we did in July, we will supply them with a week's worth of lunch foods and supermarket gift cards. If you'd like to help with the food costs, you can donate either by check or online. Make checks out to First Universalist with "RAIHN Food" on the memo line. To donate through First Universalist's website, click on "Donate" at the top of the homepage. When the Donate page displays, enter the amount and choose PayPal or Debit/Credit. Another page will display a "write a note" section. Enter "RAIHN Food" there. Questions? Contact Chris DeGolyer at 397-6633 or
degolyerchris@gmail.com.
Oct. 16 | Race in a Brave Space (RiBS) | Dialogues with Verdis L. Robinson
A series of 4 dialogues (
Race in a Brave Space or RiBS), held from 7-8:30pm, will create a forum to learn, grow, and act toward antiracism. They will be led by Verdis Robinson, whom many of you know as a member of our congregation. The first virtual discussion
“What My History Teacher Never Taught Me” will take place on Friday, October 16 from 7-8:30pm. Verdis Robinson’s guest leadership is being sponsored by the FIRE team. Congregational members will receive zoom links to the virtual seminars. Free-will donations will be greatly appreciated, and money received will support other activities toward achieving racial equity. RSVP to
FIRE@uuroc.org
Oct. 17 | Food Ingathering
Katherine Flynn will be in the church parking lot on Saturday, October 17 from 10-10:20 to collect food or $$$ for Nestor Street. If you are at church during the week, you may leave a donation in the Volunteer Office, if that is easier for you.
If you are interested in becoming a member of First Universalist Church or are a frequent visitor who isn’t yet sure of joining, but want to find out more about our church and its many facets, join our virtual Path to Membership two-hour session on October 17 at 9:30am. RSVP to Rev. Lane at
minister@uuroc.org so you can be sent the Zoom link to participate. As some information will be screen-shared, it is best to participate via computer rather than by phone. After the session, if you decide to join, an appointment will be made to have you safely sign the Membership Book.
Oct. 18 | Eckberg Racial Justice Memorial Film Series| "A Tale of Two Schools"
Held on select Sundays from 2-3:30pm. To register email
FIRE@uuroc.org with your selection of films to receive the Zoom link to the discussion.
"A Tale of Two Schools" (2017, 61 min, YouTube): An intimate and compelling documentary about children at risk and the parents and teachers who care about them. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, it features a dedicated superintendent, a novice teacher, and a first grader overwhelmed by the challenge of learning to read—all captured during a tumultuous year in two struggling schools. This series features films that address racial justice through history, music and spiritual avenues. This event is a facilitated discussion of ways to further the message of racial equity in our city and world. Films are to be viewed on your own prior to discussion. It is requested that you view the film BEFORE the discussion to assure a quality experience. Free-will donations will be greatly appreciated, and money received will support other activities toward achieving racial equity. RSVP to
FIRE@uuroc.org
