Join us this Sunday
10:30 a.m. Service:   Welcoming the “Stranger .” In this first of a series of sermons on spiritual practices, we’ll take a look at what some call radical hospitality—opening the heart to strangers as well as friends—as a practice of both serving others and nurturing your spirit.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion:   Jim Milch Rediscovers His Roots . In 1883, Edward Milch, the great-grandfather of Jim Milch, traveled from a small village in Hungary (now Slovakia) to New York City. He was part of a mass migration from central Europe to America.  Jim Milch has been uncovering this history over the past few years. He’ll tell us of a trip by his brothers, his wife and himself to Slovakia to see this village and look for traces of his family’s past. 
Upcoming Events
Check your Email for a survey from the MSC!

If the church has an email address for you, you will soon receive an email from the Ministerial Search Committee inviting you to fill out an online survey. If you don’t get an email by October 5 th , please contact Christina Witkowski at office@uuroc.org, or
546-2826. (If you have a Gmail account, the email may be hidden in your Promotions folder.) If you prefer to fill out the survey on paper instead of online, pick up a paper form at the church and return it to the church office. The completed surveys are due on Sunday, October 15 th . Please help us by completing the survey promptly. We need your input to accurately describe our congregation to ministers in search, and so that we can choose a minister who is the best fit for our church. All information gathered will be confidential. Thanks for your help!
Leadership Assembly
The First Universalist Leadership Assembly will be held on Saturday, October 7 th , from 9:00 am - noon in the Clara Barton Lounge. One important item will be to set the church calendar for the year. It would be wonderful if each committee has at least one person attending. See you there!
Free Books!
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The church library and the bookstore have a shelf of free children's books. We have a box for free books, representing overflow from our bookstore. And we have a rack of donated magazines, also free for the taking. You may take free children's books, free magazines and free overflow books at any time, but please wait to buy or borrow books until we have a library committee member on duty during coffee hour.
Additional Announcements
FACING RACISM OPPORTUNITIES: Debby Irving, racial justice educator and the author of the book Waking Up White , will be speaking at First Unitarian on Sunday October 8th at 7:00pm. Her book, subtitled Finding Myself in the Story of Race , explores "her own long-held beliefs about colorblindness, being a good person, and wanting to help people of color." First Unitarian is also currently hosting an exhibit on racism, "Faces of Racism," which includes historical photos of black peoples' experience in Rochester as well as the RMSC's "Take It Down" exhibit about the farm scene panel that was removed from the Dentzel Carousel at Ontario Beach Park. The exhibit runs through October 23rd.

FILM VIEWING AND DISCUSSION:  On Tuesday, October 10th , from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, the film, Grief Walker , will be viewed and discussed. The subject is end-of-life care and bereavement, and much more! The star, Stephen Jenkinson, uses parables and Algonquin ways of life to persuade us to live in a state of praise and appreciation - because we know life will come to an end.

UUA FALL LEADERSHIP DAY: Saturday, October 14th, 2017, at the UU Church of Buffalo. Leadership as a Team Sport : This leadership conference is designed to address a number of common areas of shared ministry for congregations. The day features a keynote by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, followed by workshops on various areas of shared ministry and networking time. Register by Oct. 13th at https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/k189inbl1wo40go/ .

NYSCU CONFERENCE:   The New York State Convention of Universalists (NYSCU) invites you to attend its conference on Friday, October 20th , and Saturday , October 21st . It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Albany. The Reverend Dr. Richard S. Gilbert will be the keynote speaker. We are entitled to send 6 delegates to the convention. Please let Shirley Bond know by Tuesday, October 10 th , if you would like to be one of our delegates. Registration information is posted at nyscu.org . Information about the conference can be found on the bulletin board outside of the church office.

BOOK GROUP:  Our Book Group selection for the month of October is "Saving Faith" by Elizabeth Osta. She has agreed to lead a discussion of her wonderful memoir. Elizabeth is an accomplished storyteller, so this should be an event too good to miss. The Fairport library has a copy as does First Universalist. We will meet in the Chalice Room on Sunday, October 29th at 12 noon. You do not have to have read the book, but try to fit it into your schedule as it is delightful. If you have any questions, please see or e-mail Shirley Bond at bondshirl1@gmail.com or Sarah Singal at ssingal@rochester.rr.com.
To submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist", e-mail  office@uuroc.org  no later than Thursday at noon.   
Staff:
The Reverend Peggy Meeker, Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development

Stacey Yang, Director of Music

Christina Witkowski, Office Administrator
150 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14604 | (585) 546-2826 | office@uuroc.org