This Week at First Universalist

Join us this Sunday

January 07, 2018

10:30 am Morning Service: Fire Communion . We gather together on this first Sunday of the new year to look both backward and forward, to let go and commit, and to align ourselves with the forces that create, uphold, and renew life.

- The Reverend Peggy Meeker

Drop-In Discussion: UUs as Social Activists . Do you have to be a social activist to be a good Unitarian Universalist? That question is asked in an article in the Winter issue of UU World. We’ll share answers to these questions. Phil Ebersole will facilitate.

UU and You: 12 pm . An Introduction to our Church - held the first Sunday of every month in the Choir Room (room 25, second floor) at 12:00 pm. Join us for an informal informational gathering especially designed for visitors and friends who want to know more about us and our liberal religious movement. This roughly 45 minute get-together offers attendees an opportunity to get to know one another and this congregation better, and includes a quick overview of Unitarian Universalist history and principles. For questions contact Peter Perine at pwperine@gmail.com .

Upcoming Events

Minister’s Vacation

Rev. Peggy Meeker will be on vacation from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day, and she will also have the first of her cataract surgeries that week. She’ll be checking her email occasionally, but won’t be on duty except in the event of an emergency. The church office will be open Tuesday through Friday of that week.

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Luuunch Buuunch

The Luunch Buunch, our informal gathering of folks from The First Universalist Church, will meet on January 07, 2018 at Pita in College Town at 12:20 pm. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Joyce Gilbert at JTGilbert@frontiernet.net, with any questions.

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RAIHN

During RAIHN Week, January 7-14, 2018, we will turn our church into a home for temporarily homeless families by converting our classrooms into bedrooms, cooking meals, staying overnight, washing bedding, and providing help. To join our volunteer team, sign-up in the Clara Barton Lounge after church on Sunday, or contact Chris DeGolyer at chrisdeg@frontiernet . If you would like to learn more before volunteering, we have opportunities to "shadow" experienced volunteers. *Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: Keeping families together. Getting families home for good.

Cozy Night Supper

A COZY NIGHT SUPPER will be held Friday, February 2nd from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge. Our potluck dinner will be from 5:30-6:30 pm. The program is from 6:30-7:30 pm. A sign-up sheet is on the hall bulletin board or contact Kathy Russell at krussel6@frontiernet.net for more information. Please let us know that you will be attending, noting what you would like to bring - salad, dessert, main dish, bread, handheld fruits or vegetables. Your RSVP will allow us to know how many folks to plan for. Drinks, silverware and dishes will be provided. All are welcome!

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Book Group

January's selection is

" A World Lit By Fire "

by William Manchester,

February offers us

" The Reluctant Fundamentalist "

by Soshin Hamid.

March brings us “ La Rosa ”

by Louis Erdrich.

So … Just a reminder that one does not have to have read the book to come to the discussion group. We meet upstairs in the Chalice Room at noon on the Sundays indicated. For any questions please contact;

Shirley Bond ( bondshirl1@gmail.com )

Sarah Singal ( ssingal@rochester.rr.com )

Goodbye and Thanks ......

Our collector, Bill Jones, will be in Berlin for the first half of 2018. Bill has served the congregation as collector for many, many years, and he is the one who records pledges, deposits funds, and reports income to the treasurer and all donors. A big job! We are grateful that Jim Milch has stepped up to learn the collector’s job, assisted by Karl Abbott and Ann Rhody. Our deep gratitude to Jim, and to Bill for his years of faithful service in this role.

Thursday Lunchtime Concerts

Eastman at Washington Square. The Lunchtime concert will be January 11, 2018. The concerts will begin at 12:15 pm and end at approximately 12:45 pm. Brown bag lunches are welcome during the performances, and admission is free. See you in the New Year!

For more information visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community/events/lunchtime .

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Transport the Homeless

Would you like to drive homeless folks to--and/or--from appointments? REACH Home (102 North Union St, Rochester) staff and social workers set it all up, but needs drivers. You are not required to stay, just drop people off, or pick them up. Times and destinations vary, but offer your own schedule to make things smoother. If you'd like to volunteer as a driver, contact Jeannie Gloss: d.gloss@frontiernet.net or (585) 342-4605. Many thanks!

Service Auction

It's Coming: Auction 2018! Our annual service auction is scheduled for Sunday, February 4, 2018, after the morning service. Donation forms will be available on the church's website in early January 2018. Start dreaming of what you can bring to the auction table! Be part of the fun by donating a service, item, or experience, by volunteering to help, and of course, by attending the auction and participating! Contact

Paula Marchese at

pmarchese@rochester.rr.com for more information.

Service Auction 2018 Form https://uuroc.wufoo.com/forms/zu0y30212sb7y1 .

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Blue Recycle Tote

The church is looking for help moving the large blue recycle bin to the sidewalk on Monday afternoons, for pick up early Tuesday mornings. It helps to live or work near by. We have some people that take a month at a time, and it would be wonderful to add some more. Please see Sarah Singal or email her at ssingla@rochester.rr.com Thanks in advance!