This Week at First Universalist
March 7, 2016
This Week's Service
Sunday, March 13:
10:30 a.m. Service - Poetry of Winter and Spring.  When the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow, it means an early spring?  Sharing the poetry of winter and spring might move the seasons along.  Bring a poem to share and maybe we’ll say goodbye to winter and hello to the geese and robins.  Led by Patti Goodwin and the Worship Associates.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion - The Four Elements of SuccessRobert L. Remley will discuss the ideas in The Four Elements of Success by Laurie Beth Jones, and lead a discussion.  Jones describes human personality types in terms of the four elements (earth, water, wind and fire) and tells how you can determine what type you are, how to work with people of different personality types and better resolve conflicts in all types of situations.
Upcoming Events
Monthly Food Ingathering

Consider donating a non-perishable food item on Sunday, March 13th.  A collection will take place during the service and donations will go to the Community Food Cupboard.  Most needed items include peanut butter, canned beans & proteins, hearty soups & stews, brown rice, canned vegetables, whole grain pasta, and whole grain cereal. Just a friendly reminder to check expiration dates on donated items. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!  

T-shirt Sale
First Universalist has a new T-shirt available for purchase!  The sale begins March 13th in the Clara Barton Lounge.  You can also find the order form on our website.  Youth and Adult sizes available for $15 each.  All orders must be placed by April 3rd.
Easter Plants
Help decorate the sanctuary for Easter by purchasing a plant for $8.00.  The order deadline is Sunday, March 13th.  Ruth Fitzgerald, Eileen Fernandez, and Katherine Flynn will be taking orders in the Clara Baron Lounge after Sunday's service.
Additional Announcements

CHILI COOK-OFF:  Join us for our annual Chili Cook-off after the service on March 13th!  If you signed up with Bill Elwell to participate, don't forget to bring your prized chili dish on Sunday.  Everyone is welcome to savor them all and vote for their favorite recipe!  

GATHER THE SPIRIT continues this month, Wednesdays at 5 PM through March 16th, in the back of the Sanctuary.  This is a midweek moment of renewal, beginning with open meditation and continuing with shared reflection upon a poem.  All are welcome to drop in.  

COZY NIGHT SUPPER:  Join us for the last Cozy Night Supper of the church year on Friday, March 18th, at 5:30 PM when we will consider the fourth source of our faith: “Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.”  Sign up on the Faith Development bulletin board or email Michelle Yates at [email protected].

SOCIAL JUSTICE PLATE:  The recipient of the Social Justice plate on March 20th will be Rural and Migrant Ministries. This organization works to bring justice to farmworkers and their families.  Although farmworkers are the backbone of New York State's $4 billion agricultural industry, they are being exploited. Many farmworkers earn little more than minimum wage, with no overtime pay.  Since farmworkers are not included in the present labor laws of NYS, they are not entitled to a day of rest, nor are they eligible for workers' compensation when injured on the job although exposed to many safety hazards in their work. The organization also helps to send the children to summer camp and involves youth in an economic project. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Our own Connie Valk is on the Statewide Board, and chair of the annual fundraising dinner in October. She would be happy to add anyone from the church to the committee in charge. 

THE BOOK CLUB  selection for the month of March is Breakfast With Buddha, by Roland Merullo.   Roland's writing style is a witty and joyful one.  Please join us March 20th at 12 noon in the discussion room on the second floor.  All are welcome and it is not necessary to have read the book.  The April 24th selection is The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander.  For questions contact either Shirley Bond at [email protected]  or Sarah Singal at [email protected].

ANNUAL SLD ASSEMBLY:   The nominating Committee is pleased to announce that delegates for the annual St. Lawrence District Assembly have been nominated. For further information regarding the District Assembly please visit:
http://www.sld.cerguua.org/conggrowth/districtassembly.html .  Please consider attending this important event April 1 & 2 in Syracuse NY.

MEMBERSHIP AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST is always possible.  If you feel that you have found a spiritual home here with us, contact Reverend Celie ( [email protected] ) or Nancy Gaede ( [email protected] ) and we will make arrangements for you to sign the membership book.    On Saturday, April 9th, we will hold a Path to Membership class that we hope all new members and those considering membership will attend.  On Sunday, April 10, we will welcome all new members during the church service.

TRAINING FOR EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEERS:   Interested in learning more about how poverty, trauma, and culture affect our RAIHN guests? Attend the training for experienced RAIHN volunteers on Wednesday,  March 9th , 2016, 7:00 – 8:30pm, at Temple Sinai, 363 Penfield Road, Rochester. RSVP to Jen Canning,   [email protected]  or 506-9050.

DEATH WITH DIGNITY:   Interfaith IMPACT of NYS (IINYS) is pleased to invite you to attend their Annual Legislative Briefing on Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road. The program title is: Death with Dignity: Compassionate or Unethical?  For more information contact Judy Schwartz at 585-442-5111 or [email protected]  

FIGHT FOR $15 Buses to Albany on Tuesday, March 15th!  Join a state-wide coalition of those advocating for an across-the-board $15 minimum wage.  MetroJustice buses will leave at 6:00 am on the 15th, returning from Albany the same evening.  Add your voice to the growing movement for a living wage for all New Yorkers.  Reserve your no-cost seat by contacting [email protected] or calling 585-397-3534. See bulletin boards or talk with Lyle Jenks for more info. 

OUR NEXT RAIHN* WEEK:   Please join us in welcoming RAIHN families at First Universalist during the week of April 3-10th. Even if you haven't been trained, you are welcome to help with set up, clean up, or laundry.  Sign up in the lounge after church on Sunday, or contact Chris DeGolyer,  [email protected] .  * Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence           
This Week's Calendar of Events
Wednesday, March 9
  • Gather the Spirit, Sanctuary, 5 pm
  • Board Meeting, Second Floor Lounge, 7 pm

Thursday, March 10

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

Saturday, March 12

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

Sunday, March 13

  • Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 9 am
  • Drop-In Discussion, Adult Lounge, 9:15 am
  • Sunday Service, Sanctuary, 10:30 am
  • Food Ingathering, Sanctuary, 10:45 am
  • Chili Cook-off, Clara Barton Lounge, 11:45 am
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