SAVE THE DATE: NOW-APRIL 19: LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Our annual stewardship campaign is here! We will begin soliciting pledges next week and will conclude the campaign on April 19th with an old fashioned pie fest in the Clara Barton Lounge following the church service. Please watch for a stewardship mailing, and please let your voice be heard by making a financial contribution to First Universalist for 2015-2016. MARCH 20: EQUINOX VESPERS: On Friday, March 20th, at 7 pm, there will be an evening, contemplative service to welcome the coming of spring. This is a short (about 1/2 hour) service of singing and silent meditation. Candles of hope or intention for the spring may be lit throughout the service. Song leaders will guide us; all are welcome, no singing experience required. MARCH 22: LUUNCH BUUNCH: Sunday, March 22, 12:30 pm at Arnett Cafe, 322 Arnett Blvd. "Warm welcome, Southern food." (D&C July 2014) Everyone is welcome! MARCH 26: RAIHN is holding a special session at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Rd, on Wednesday, March 25th at 6:30 pm.This will be an interactive discussion for learning more about the issues our families are facing that shape their experiences, such as culture, trauma and poverty. It is also a chance to share your RAIHN stories and experiences with other volunteers. All are invited! RSVP to Jen Canning (coordinator@raihn.org, 585-506-9050 Day Center, 585-469-0912 cell) MARCH 27-29: DISTRICT ASSEMBLY will be March 27-28, 2015 in Niagara Falls. This year's theme is "Deep Roots, Broad Wings". If interested, please contact Tom Williams. MARCH 29: BOOK GROUP: The March book will be The Road From Coorain, by Jill Ker Conway. There are multiple library copies. This autobiography highlights growing up in Australia in the 1930's. We will meet March 29, the LAST Sunday in March, at noon, in the Adult Lounge. APRIL 1: TENEBRAE SERVICE: On Wednesday, April 1, at 7:00 in the Sanctuary. "Tenebrae" is Latin for "shadows." This is a contemplative service of readings, hymns, and instrumental music centered on the theme of sacred darkness-- the darkness that is the pathway to the hope and light of Easter. Lights are extinguished throughout the service, until at its close, only that of the chalice is left. (Please note, near the end of the service there is a sharp noise known as a strepitus -- a symbolic sound of lamentation.) This is an opportunity to honor the parts of our lives that are shadowed by loss, and the mystery of healing. APRIL 3: PASSOVER SEDER: Clara Barton Lounge, Friday, April 3 at 6:00 P.M. Based on tradition, it will have a distinctly UU flavor and be an open inter-generational participatory event with children and youth most welcome. (Prizes for whoever finds the Afikoman). Matzoh ball soup, a la Gilbert & Ward-Baker, traditional beverages, and ritual foods will be provided. Sign-ups will begin in March so we can prepare appropriately. A pot luck dinner will be part of the event so capacity will be limited. If you would like to help or have questions, please call Lew Ward-Baker at 244-6968 or email at patnlew@rochester.rr.com APRIL 5-12: RAIHN HOST WEEK: First Universalist Church will host temporarily homeless families with help from St. Mary's, Church of Love, and Aldersgate. If you haven't attended training for RAIHN, you can still volunteer to help with set up, clean up, and launder bedding. If you're unsure what a specific task involves, ask us about shadowing a seasoned volunteer. To volunteer or to ask questions, contact Chris DeGolyer (chrisdeg@frontiernet.net or 461-3616) or Marti Eggers. |