Sunday, September 13, 2020
Worship Service at 10:00 AM
HOMECOMING!
Whether you're joining online worship for the first time, haven't missed a week yet, or somewhere in between, welcome home! Our church year begins by celebrating the merging of our waters in a ritual re-imagined so everyone can participate at home.
This all-ages service will be led by Rev. Margalie Belizaire, Sheila Schuh, Thommy Snell, Shannan Foos, Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan--and you!
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Meet us online (live-captioning also available there) or if you do not have access to the internet, call 646-876-9923, and use meeting ID #5852719070
Stay for connection and conversation following the worship service!
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*Next Sunday, September 20, 2020 Worship Service at 10 AM
Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan, preaching: “Here Be Dragons”*
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Dear Ones,
Do you remember when the choir sang to us in the spring: "In this Great Turning, we shall learn to lead in love"?
Perhaps, like me, you had a sense then some months into our season of COVID of how important these words were, and perhaps, like me, in the months since, these words have seeped into your bones, drenching your days with a sense of both urgency and importance. Or maybe in the emotional rollercoaster that many seem to be on right now, maybe in part because your kids just started “school,” you're worried and anxious and just plain tired. Either way, stick with me.
Today is the ninth day since we learned that Daniel Prude was killed by police officers in March while having a mental health crisis, which has sparked an uprising against police brutality and racial injustice that has taken the form of nightly protests and vigils. Thousands have come to the streets with face masks, food and water, songs and prayers, fear and anger, broken hearts and dreams of a new world. Our faith's affirmation that Black Lives Matter and that the death of Daniel Prude was, plainly, not as it ought to have been, leads us into and through the spiritual terrain of deep lament and paradise. When I say paradise, I do not promise perfection, but simply the rehearsal of a better world. It is our spiritual task to imagine a world where Daniel Prude could live and then act to make it so. And so, collectively and individually, we are feeling out the moment and learning to find our place in the movement. Continue reading...
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Gratitudes, Joys and Sorrows |
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The Immigration Ministry thanks you for serving those in our community who need our help. Refugees Helping Refugees (RHR) is reopening their office and they will need to clean the office space between clients’ visits. Thanks to our congregants’ generosity, a large amount of cleaning items and money was given last Friday and Saturday at the drive-thru Collection at First Unitarian.
Rev. Chester Freeman, who was a guest speaker at First Unitarian last summer, is asking our community to remember him in prayer however you define that. He has been diagnosed with inoperative colon cancer. Cards may be sent to Rev. Chester Freeman, 316 Winton Road South, Rochester, New York 14610-2960.
Make the First Unitarian Connection! Got a need? Can you offer something? Please use our First Unitarian Community Facebook page to post a need or an offering! Thank you for being the church! And being safe!
We’re here if you need us! Pastoral Care is available through our Pastoral Care phone line (585-270-0851) or email.
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Noontime Connections continue! Join the church’s Zoom room at noon each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for casual connection with other members.
Elder Tree will resumes on September 12 with guest Dick McNamara. Click here to join. All are welcome! If you’d like to share your story, contact Rev. Libby Moore.
Religious Education Kicks Off on September 13! RE is not the same! We have different choices and connection points for children, youth, parents, and families. To view the RE Fall Schedule, click here. Please register your child and help us know how your family may be participating. And reach out if you have any needs, suggestions, or questions whatsoever. In faith ~Sheila.
How do we feel and breathe in the good news of this precious moment of life, as we build our capacity to benefit a world that needs our love? This is the central focus of Meditation Classes with Jan Cook and the amazing community of class participants. Spaces are still available for sessions beginning next Wednesday, September 16 at 12 PM and Thursday, September 17 at 6:30 PM. If interested, contact Jan.
POC Family Homecoming Zoom Dessert! If you or someone in your family is black, indigenous, or a person of color, please come enjoy some dessert and a chance to connect! Friday, September 18 at 7-7:45pm Contact Pam Adams for zoom information.
UU Parenting/Grandparenting as a Spiritual Practice: Got family stress? Please join us for bi-monthly offerings for spiritual deepening and resourcing as we move through uncertainty and challenges together. Mindfulness, communication practice, and always some laughter for our imperfections included! These meetings will be held from 8:45 - 9:45 PM on September 21, October 5 and 19, November 2 and 16, and December 14. Click here to join.
The Immigration Ministry will be hosting a Zoom presentation by Fr. Sean Carroll, Director of Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. His presentation is titled, “Update from the Southern Border”. It will be passionate and engaging. We are fortunate that he has fit First Unitarian into his schedule. Watch the Weekly Connections newsletter for the date and how to participate in this “don’t miss” event!
Have a newsletter submission? Send it to announcements@rochesterunitarian.org. Deadline is each Tuesday at 10:00 AM.
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The Criminal Justice Ministry invites you to participate in “Rochester’s Summit to End Hate,” a day of online presentations and workshops led by national experts and local leaders, on Sunday, September 13, 2020, from 12 – 5 PM. For more information, click here.
Have questions about registering and voting in Monroe County? Check out the information provided by the League of Women Voters in their monthly newsletter “The Voter” (specific information on how and where to vote is found on page 4)!
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Missed a recent Worship Service, Children's Service, or Elder Tree? Check out First Unitarian’s YouTube Channel (and while you’re there, please click on subscribe!), where you will find recordings. We upload new videos weekly.
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