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Join us next Sunday
April 11, 2021
10:30am Sunday Service | Forward Through the Ages
First Universalist is 175 years old!! Come celebrate in a spirit of generosity, story telling, and singing. This is also Stewardship Sunday, where we will be celebrating all of the pledges and gifts we have received over the past month.

Speakers: Rev. Lane Campbell

Due to COVID-19 we will be holding our worship services online
for the foreseeable future. We will hold on-line services
each Sunday at 10:30am (our regular worship time).
Upcoming Events &
Additional Announcements
Tuesdays | Drop-In Discussion: What would a just New York look like?
Dick Gilbert will lead a discussion of issues in Albany as prioritized by the new social action group, New York UU Justice: criminal justice, environment and medical aid in dying. Learn about democracy in action and what you can do. Drop-In Discussions are virtual! We meet on Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm. Look on the First Universalist homepage for details and a link, or click the Zoom meeting link on the title of this description!

Wednesdays | Midweek Meditation
First Universalist Church will be hosting Midweek Meditation services with Rev. Lane and Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays from 11:30am-noon. A time to connect for deep breathing, meditation, singing, and silence. On second Wednesdays, an extra half hour of sharing will follow the traditional format. Look on the First Universalist homepage for details and a link, or click the Zoom meeting link on the title of this description!

From the Caring Committee
COVID-19 Vaccines are here. Many of us have already scheduled or received our COVID-19 vaccine; however, getting an appointment can be frustrating. If you are having trouble with the system, these numbers may be helpful: Lifespan: 585-232-3280; Office of the Aging: 585-325-2800—their offices can provide assistance. The good news is that more vaccine is becoming available and more vaccination venues are opening including Wegmans, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.

Apr. 11 | Stewardship: Forward Through the Ages
Next week is Stewardship Sunday! And this coming Saturday is our “Park and Pie” event! Have you returned your pledge card, or pledged online yet? We are hoping to have pledges in by this Sunday, April 11, when we’ll celebrate Stewardship Sunday AND our church’s 175th anniversary! When you look at the “pie chart” of our church’s budget, pledges are the biggest piece of the income “pie.” That’s why we like to celebrate with real pie! So get that pledge in, and come join us in the church parking lot this Saturday, April 10, 2021, 11am to noon for “Park & Pie.” You can:
  • Pick up a memento to celebrate our 175th anniversary
  • Drop off your pledge card if you haven’t already done so
  • Pick up a Whoopie Pie (or vegan/gluten/allergy free treat!) to celebrate Stewardship
  • Drop off food donations for Nester Street Food Cupboard
  • Enjoy a little socially distanced human contact!
Hope to see you there! Check out our Stewardship 101 video here! Stewardship Sunday is April 11.

Apr. 10 at 11am | Food Ingathering
On Saturday, April 10, from 11am to noon, food will be collected for Nester Street in the Church parking lot. Save gas! Pick up a pie and drop off some food—not to be missed!

Apr. 18 at 2pm | The Jim and Eunice Eckberg Racial Justice Memorial Film Series| "What Happened, Miss Simone?"
Classically trained pianist, dive-bar chanteuse, black power icon and legendary artist Nina Simone lived a life of brutal honesty and musical genius. There are jarring insights into the mother, the activist and the tortured soul at the root of Simone's career, but it's the legendary songstress who ultimately shines through. Please preview the film: It can be found on Netflix and Amazon Prime, then join the virtual discussion! Look on the First Universalist homepage (uuroc.org) for more details and the Zoom link!

Grief Support Group - 8 Weeks Beginning May 5
A semi-structured support group for congregation members who are experiencing grief, following the loss of beloved family members. The group will be limited to 12 members who are asked to commit to attending all sessions. Facilitated by Theo Munson, Rev. Lane Campbell & Rev. Michelle Yates virtually via Zoom. The group will meet for 8 weeks on Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30pm beginning May 5, 2021. To sign up, please email Rev. Michelle at edu@uuroc.org.

Annual Leadership Retreat - Save the Date!
The annual Leadership Retreat will be held the morning of Saturday, April 24. More details to follow soon! The Leadership Retreat is open to anyone serving in a leadership role, interested in exploring a leadership role, is involved in the church or would like to learn more about ways to be involved.
Joys & Sorrows
Joys:

  • A Joy from Marti Eggers: It's a joy to welcome Helen Ripley Eggers, my 7th grandchild, into the world. She was born in Oxford, UK, on Thursday, March 18. All are doing well, including 4-year-old brother Russell.  
Spotlight on
Social Justice Circles!
Animal Ministry
Leader: Lois Baum

Animal Ministry (Rochester) is a chapter of the national UU AM. We examine how our personal choices affect the sentient lives of every nonhuman. We embrace the Vegan Ethic, share the joy of delicious vegan meat, egg, dairy analogs, explore wearing compassionate alternatives to animal skin such as wool and leather, learn how to avoid being tricked into buying from a puppy mill or a breeder, study how a vegan lifestyle helps save the environment, and our own health, and so much more.

Join us when it's COVID-safe, as we visit nearby animal sanctuaries, dine together at local vegan restaurants, and share in joy and laughter at our annual vegan snacks and games event. You do NOT have to be vegan to join us, just open to exploring caring and compassionate ways to grace other-than-human species on earth.

Contact our Faith In Action Council at FIAC@uuroc.org for more info or to express your interest in joining our Social Justice Circle! Thank you for caring.
To submit an item for 'This Week' at First Universalist
please e-mail it to: office@uuroc.org 
(no later than noon on Wednesday of the week prior to publication)

Joys & Sorrows: Please send your Joys and Sorrows to be read at our Sunday Worship service to JoysandSorrows@uuroc.org.
Note: When you email a joy or sorrow to us, you give us permission to read it aloud at Sunday service and possibly publish it in this weekly email.
Thank you!
Staff:

Rev. Lane Campbell,
Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates,
Minister of Life Span Faith Development
(585) 310-2484

Brock Tjosvold,
Director of Music

Emma Barry,
Office Manager
150 S. Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 546-2826 | office@uuroc.org