Join us next Sunday
August 2, 2020
10am Summer Services have begun!

Do you ever feel weighed down with responsibility to others? Does it ever feel as if you can never do enough? You may not be as important as you think you are.
Speaker: Peter House

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 10am (our regular summer worship time).
Upcoming Events &
Additional Announcements
Tuesdays | Drop-In Discussion: " Cheaters Always Win"
A social history of cheating and how American history–through relationships, sports, finance, academics, of course politics–has had its unfair share of rigged results and widened the margins on its gray areas. Shelley Adams will present some of the high points of this book and lead our discussion. Drop-In Discussions are back with a virtual spin! We are meeting on Tuesday night, from 6:30-7:30pm. Contact DropInDiscussion@uuroc.org for the Zoom link!

Saturdays | Sidewalk Support Table
The FIRE Team will coordinate the continuing sidewalk support of ongoing protests on Saturdays during July and August. Thank you for your time in keeping this support going. So very appreciated!
Volunteer Slots:
  • 11am-1pm (4 slots)
  • 1-3 pm (3 slots)
  • 3-5pm (3 slots)
Table Dates:
  • August 1
  • August 8
  • August 15

  • August 22
  • August 29
Please contact FIRE@uuroc.org to sign up for your time and date.Please include contact info, such as your phone number, in your email as this is a fluid experience. We will contact you to confirm as each date approaches. Your volunteer shift will make a huge difference!
Congregational Meeting on August 2
The Board of Trustees of the First Universalist Church is requesting a congregational meeting to be held on Sunday, August 2 immediately after church service. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on using Beryl Haas Building Funds to pay for the replacement of the flat roof over the minister’s office. Because any withdrawal from our endowments requires congregational approval, the board is calling this meeting. The House Committee has estimates for the cost, which will be presented for discussion and a vote.

Such trying times! We so miss being together physically at church. Yes, we have made an amazing transition to virtual services, midweek meditations, Small Group Ministries, Board meetings, FIRE meetings and the beautiful virtual choir performance of Draw the Circle Wide...but...it is hard! We want to know how you are feeling, how you are doing, and what you are feeling and thinking about church. There is much to be considered when making a decision about if and when to re-open the church. We will, of course, be guided by the best guidelines and science available to us in the coming months. But we need the input of our church community, as well. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. Your feelings and creative ideas will be so helpful to our ministers and church leadership. Please respond by Friday, July 31.
Help Our Summer Garden!
Call for garden watering. The front garden is blooming and we will need waterers starting in July. Please contact Sarah at garden@uuroc.org .

RAIHN Match Met!
The matching donation challenge has been met in support of the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network! As a result, more than $6000 will be donated to RAIHN to shelter temporarily houseless families in a cost efficient hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many thanks go to the generous donors from First Universalist and our supporting congregations: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Mary's and Aldersgate United Methodist. We give special thanks to our anonymous challenge match donor and to Connie Valk for driving this fundraising program.

First Universalist continues to provide food and supplies for RAIHN families. If you missed out on this challenge but still want to support RAIHN's ongoing needs you can donate online at www.uuroc.org or by check. Please note RAIHN Food in the memo line.
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 are giving us permission to read it aloud at our Sunday service and possibly publish it in this weekly email. Thank you!

Joys:

  • A Joy from William & Becky Elwell: We celebrated 57 years of marriage on July 27!

  • A Joy from Linda Chamberlain: Her husband, Don Fradenburgh is turning 90 on July 30. Cards are welcome. Don’s address is in the church directory.

  • A Joy from Ava Ciliberti: My son Nicholas has returned to Rochester, in good health and plans on staying here. Thanks to all for the prayers on his behalf.

Sorrows:

  • A Collective Sorrow: We join with people across our nation and out world mourning the deaths of two central civil rights organizers and leaders- Representative John Lewis and Rev. CT Vivian. May they rest in power and may we continue to be inspired by their lives.
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)   
Staff:

Peter House ,
Summer Minister


*Rev. Michelle Yates ,
Minister of Life Span Faith Development
(585) 310-2484
*off for the Summer


Brock Tjosvold ,
Director of Music


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