This Week at First Universalist
April 25, 2016
This Week's Service
Sunday, May 1:
10:30 a.m. Service - A Kind Word for Kindness. On this Sunday we will also recognize our RE teachers, and celebrate our youth who are beginning new chapters. Rev. Celie Katovitch.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion - Life of a UU ChaplainCome hear from Rev. Sarah Gillespie, our affiliated community minister, about what’s it’s like to be a hospital chaplain and a UU minister.  Bring your questions about community ministry, chaplaincy, and more to this open conversation.
Upcoming Events
Curious about Community Ministry?

I've been sitting in the pews with you all since September with this name tag that says "Rev. Sarah Gillespie, Community Minister." Many of you have expressed your delightful curiosity about this. And I am glad you have! Community ministry is a term our association uses to refer to ordained ministers whose work lies outside the parish or congregational setting.  

My work and calling is healthcare chaplaincy. Many of you who've met me during greeting time or coffee hour know that I work as a Chaplain Resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center full time. Other community ministers serve in social justice settings, the non-profit world, the military and beyond. 

I wanted to host an open time of discussion, questions, and conversations around community ministry, chaplaincy, and how the congregation plays a role in supporting folks like me (and how I play a role in the congregation). Please join me with your open hearts and minds for the Sunday Forum on May 1st at 9:15am to learn more. Otherwise I'll see you during worship or coffee hour sometime soon. Looking forward to more conversation together! 

Blessings,

Rev. Sarah

Spring Clean-up Day

Saturday, May 7th, starting around 9:00 AM.  If you have ever wanted to volunteer for the church or to just get to know the building as well as other members a little better, this is a perfect opportunity! There will be all kinds of cleaning, fixing, painting, etc. jobs to be completed – something for all skill levels.  Bring along your favorite tools or cleaning products.  Breakfast snacks and a light lunch will be provided.  Socializing and fun will also be part of the agenda.  For more information, please contact Tom Ruganis at 746-7796 (cell) or 442-2968 (home) or email to [email protected].  

Nominating Committee News

Are you interested in attending this year's UU General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, June 22 to June 26? The theme will be “Heart Land, Where Faiths Connect,” and the meeting will celebrate our multi-faith world. We are looking for three delegates. Please let Shirley Bond or Marcy Klein know by May 15th if you are interested or if you need further information.

Have you thought of serving on our Nominating Committee? We are looking for two new members to join us. Committee members must be active members of the church for at least two years. This committee does not require a huge time commitment; we meet 4 to 6 times a year when needed. We work together to select nominees for all elective offices, and official delegates to denominational meetings. Any Nominating Committee member will be happy to give you whatever information you need. Please let Shirley Bond or Marcy Klein know by May 15th if you are interested. Thanks for thinking of us! – Shirley Bond, Glenda Brayman, Marcy Klein, Virginia Sykes and Howard Spindler

Church-wide Contest!

We are renaming the Adult Lounge!  The contest for renaming is open to all members and friends of First Universalist.  Youth are encouraged to suggest names, too.  How do you participate in this creative endeavor?  Here are the simple rules:

  • Complete a form from the Communications Bulletin Board, and place it in the envelope there.  --OR--
  • Email your suggestion to our Office Administrator at [email protected].

The deadline is June 26th.  The winning name will be announced in September, after the Communications Committee sifts through the entries and carefully chooses the one that fits best.  

Additional Announcements

THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PLATE collection for Sunday, May 15th will support young readers and writers via the organization called Writers and Books. We are hoping to be able to give a scholarship to a couple of students so they can attend the summer program.  

THE BOOK CLUB meets Sunday, May 29th at noon in the discussion room.  This month's  selection is "The Garden of Evening Mists" by  Tan Twan Eng. The story takes place in Malaya in 1951 and is filled with all the components  that draw readers to books. The author writes eloquently and captures 'stillness on paper.' You do not need to have read the book to join us. Any questions please see Sarah Singal or Shirley Bond.

RAIHN CAR CITY 2016: Help Put the Brakes on Family Homelessness.  Car City is a fundraiser as well as a way to shed light on homelessness in Rochester. Families, youth groups and other teams are invited sleep in their cars at Asbury Methodist Church on Saturday night, April 30th. Click here to register.  If you don’t want to sleep in your car but want to support RAIHN Car City, join Team VirtUUal by clicking here The rest is up to you. Your donation in any amount will be gratefully received and will directly help families get home for good.

CLEAN SWEEP:  Join First Universalist as we take part in the city's annual clean-up day on Saturday, April 30th.  This is a fun day that includes free food, t-shirt, and ticket to a Red Wings game for all volunteers.  To sign-up with the church, contact Richard Reed (467-3739).    .   

BECAUSE BLACK LIVES MATTER:   Teen Empowerment (TE) is a non-profit youth organization working in Rochester’s southwest neighborhood. This amazing and highly effective organization is having its Annual Community Luncheon on Thursday, May 5th from 11:30AM to 1:30PM at the Riverside Convention Center. Tickets are $40.  If you are interested in attending and learning more about how TE is making a difference to the youth in Rochester, contact Eric Van Dusen at [email protected].

JUDICIAL PROCESS COMMISSION LUNCHEON May 11th. This is another opportunity to explore issues and organizations tied to BLACK LIVES MATTER.  The Judicial Process Commission Annual Fundraising Luncheon is on May 11 at Temple B’rith Kodesh. UUs will have a table, with representative from all the UU churches.The cost per person is $45. Checks should be made out to First Unitarian Church, with a memo line 2016 Judicial Process Commission Luncheon. Mail a check to the First Unitarian representative Ron Johnson at 21 Sutherland Street, Pittsford, NY 14534.  The deadline is April 22 for checks/reservations.

BEGINNING  MEDITATION PRACTICE  will take place in the rear of the Sanctuary each Wednesday from 5:15 - 6:30pm through May 25th.  All are welcome - no experience necessary.   Please contact Kathy Russell at   [email protected]  for more information.
This Week's Calendar of Events
Tuesday, April 26
  • Paper Our Outlook Production, Volunteer Office, 2 pm
Wednesday, April 27
  • Communications Committee, Volunteer Office, 1 pm
  • Library Committee, Clara Barton Lounge, 2 pm
  • Beginning Meditation Practice, Sanctuary, 5:15 pm
  • Board Meeting, Second Floor Lounge, 7 pm

Thursday, April 28

  • Deadline for Weekly Announcements, noon 
  • Eastman Lunchtime Concert Series, Sanctuary, 12:15 pm

Saturday, April 30

  • SNYP AA, Clara Barton Lounge and Adult Lounge (rental), 8 pm 

Sunday, May 1

  • Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 9 am
  • Drop-In Discussion, Adult Lounge, 9:15 am
  • Sunday Service, Sanctuary, 10:30 am
  • Coffee Hour, Clara Barton Lounge, 11:45 am
  • Social Justice Retreat, Second Floor Lounge, 12 pm
Thank you for keeping us updated, both when you schedule events and when you need to cancel one!  Please continue to do so.  Send news of your events to [email protected]; or call 546-2826.
STAFF:
Minister:   Rev. Celie Katovitch 
   
Director of Music:   Carol Xiong [email protected] 

Director of Life Span Faith Development:   Michelle Yates 
[email protected] 
  
Office Administrator:  Melissa Davies [email protected]
Contact Us
150 S. Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 546-2826

Office Hours:   Monday-Friday,  9:30-2:30