September 9, 2021
WEEKLY CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER
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Happening this Sunday, September 12 |
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ALL AGES WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM |
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For all ages! This Sunday's service will be held both online AND in-person (outside). Childcare is available during service for 6mos-5yrs on the playground, if needed. If you’re attending in person, kindly RSVP. Plan to arrive between 9:30-9:55 AM so you can stop in the Sanctuary to pick up some water for our annual Water Communion. Or feel free to bring your own water with you, from a place meaningful to you - perhaps a neighborhood creek, or a hospital room. Please also bring your own chairs or blankets if you can. Masks and social distancing are required. If you're joining online, be sure to have some water with you as well and connect with us via Zoom or dial in at 646-876-9923, meeting ID 5852719070.
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For those in our RE community, check your RE newsletter about what is happening for your child! Intro sessions for Spiritual Survivor, Coming of Age and Youth Group will happen after the service at various times/locations. Questions? Contact Sheila. |
For those attending online, we invite you to stay after to connect with friends and visitors. |
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Paul Law Memorial Reception & Service Saturday, September 11
Reception 9:00 AM / Service 11:00 AM
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Friends and family are invited to gather to remember and celebrate the life of beloved church member Paul Law, this Saturday on the East Lawn at the church, or attend online via our usual Zoom link. Reception from 9:00-11:00 AM, with the service starting at 11:00 AM.
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Elder Tree - Next Meeting is Saturday, September 18 at 10:00 AM |
So that people can attend Paul Law’s service this Saturday, we are cancelling this week’s Elder Tree, and will resume next Saturday, September 18 at 10:00 AM. If you’d like to tell your story, please contact Libby Moore.
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Caring for each other in times of joy, sorrow and transition is a priority at our church. In these uncertain and anxious times, we want you to know that First Unitarian is here for you. If you need support in any way, we hope you'll reach out. Whatever the need or concern, reach us at 585-270-0851 or click on the link below. |
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This Week in Religious Education |
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This week in RE, families met outdoors for a “Blessing of the Backpacks” for our children and youth returning to school of any kind! Thank you to all of the families and volunteers who have participated in this, and the two soft-landing RE events!
Homecoming Sunday Schedule for RE on September 12!
10-11:00 AM Intergen (all ages) Worship; Childcare available if needed for tots/PreK
11-11:45 AM Coming of Age Meet Up (9th/10th) with parents in the Council Ring
11-11:45 AM Spiritual Survivor Meet Up (6th-8th) on the West Lawn
11:45 AM-12:30 PM Youth Group Meet Up (9th-12th) with parents in Council Ring
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Other News and Calls to Action |
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From Soul Matters to Wellspring to Anti-Racism to Buddhist Fellowship to Book groups and more, we're so excited to offer many ways for you to go deeper this fall! Groups will meet in person when possible and will default to Zoom if COVID numbers in Monroe county suggest that virtual gatherings are more prudent.
We are updating these offerings regularly, and working hard to update the online events calendar with the most current information. We greatly appreciate your patience and grace as we faithfully navigate through this together! Check out the ASD webpages for more info!
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If you haven't already done so, please send a note of thanks to sexton John Grego, who is leaving his staff position at our church to pursue his own cleaning business. John has served in the sexton role for nearly 10 years, and we are truly grateful for his dedication.
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Action Center Launch - this Sunday! |
Our faith calls us to act in solidarity, understanding that interdependence means “None of us are free until all of us are free.” Our lives and future are bound together, and together is how we move forward toward living out our faith in a just and loving world. This Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 PM, the UUA's Side with Love Action Center will have its official launch (on Zoom) and ALL are invited! Even if you can't attend this Sunday if you register you'll receive a link to the recording!
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Anti-Racism Programming
Tuesday, September 28 at 6:00 PM
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This year we will offer monthly anti-racism programming. We will start this work with a presentation on Microaggressions on Tuesday, September 28 at 6:00 PM. More information coming soon on this and future programs. Join us in this vital work.
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Ongoing Meditation
Thursdays at 6:30 PM starting Sept. 16
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Taught by Jan Cook, this 10 week in-person class is for those who have completed at least one prior class (or equivalent) with Jan. This is a wonderful meditation community focusing on heart cultivation for these times. Class size is limited and registration is required. Please contact Carolyn with questions and to sign up.
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Climate Change, Trees & Carbon Sequestration, oh my! Let’s start the new church year with an ecological quiz! Make an educated guess at some startling statistics that will help you grasp the severity of climate change that we have already achieved. Also you will find some ideas for slowing global warming. Remember to Reduce, Reuse, Re-purpose & Recycle!
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Buddhism 101
Mondays at 12:00 PM via Zoom
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This class will introduce you to basic Buddhist teachings including mindfulness practice, tolerance for suffering, sitting meditation, and setting intention. We will be reading and discussing Gil Fronsdal’s book, The Issue at Hand, Essays on Buddhist Mindfulness Practice. Each session will include time for meditation and small group discussion. To learn more and register contact Gail Wilder Once you are registered you will be sent a zoom link.
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Unirondack at Home - October 2-3, 2021 |
Welcome to our new rendition of a Fall Intergenerational Retreat! For many years, this has been a weekend at Unirondack, the Unitarian-Universalist camp in the Adirondacks. It has been a great end of summer opportunity to get to know families at First Unitarian – from the youngest babes in arms to the oldest grandparents. We hoped to go back this Fall but then the Delta variant surfaced! Since we can’t go there, we’ve decided to bring a piece of our annual gathering home to us! Come and spend an evening (or all night!) with your UU family to share some time, space, food, and fun. Unirondack at Home also welcomes people who are new to our church! Together we’ll create a safe space where we can capture some of the Unirondack magic here at home. It is a great opportunity to have fun, get to know other UU's and become familiar with the 8 UU principles. Times are Saturday, October 2, 3:30 – 9:00 PM, and for those tent camping overnight, we’ll have a light breakfast before departing at 9:00 AM. Stay tuned for more details and how to register in next week’s newsletter! Photo credit: Ira Srole
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