This Week at First Universalist

Join us this Sunday

February 04, 2018

10:30 am Morning Service: Six More Weeks of Winter? What does Groundhog Day tell us about ourselves and our connection with the Earth and the weather? What are the gifts and the needs? And how do we respond?

—Rev. Peggy Meeker

Service Auction 2018! Plan to stay after the service to enjoy lunch, pick up your Auction donation booklet, and then the fun begins! If you want to participate but can’t attend, proxy forms are available (see below), but we hope to see you all there!

Drop-In Discussion: The Poorhouse: America's Forgotten Institution . In early America, unemployed poor people were sent to an institution called the Poorhouse. Drawing on The Poorhouse , Shelley Adams will make a presentation and lead a discussion on questions such as: What were the Poorhouses of the past used for? Who stayed in them and for how long? How does the legacy of the Poorhouse live on in today’s institutions and attitudes?

Upcoming Events

Service Auction

The Annual Service Auction is Sunday, February 4th! Plan to stay after the service

to enjoy lunch and then participate. The booklet of Auction offerings is available at church or electronically by contacting the church office office@uuroc.org . Our Auction is lots of fun, with items for every price range and wallet size; and it’s user-friendly, even if this is your first time participating. And the best part is that every dollar raised goes to support our church’s programs. Can’t make it but want to participate? Contact Paula Marchese for a proxy form (also through office@uuroc.org ).

Chocolate, Coffee, and Coloring!

Need a midweek space to relax? This Wednesday, January 31st join Michelle and Peggy from noon to 1:30pm in the Clara Barton Lounge. We'll listen to some meditative music, enjoy a cup of coffee, some chocolate, and relax with the popular practice of mandala coloring. A variety of designs will be provided; no art experience is necessary. Church and community members are welcome .

UU Common Read Book Discussion

Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry , edited by Mitra Rahnema, focuses on the stories and insights of UU religious professionals of color. If understanding and appreciating the experiences of UUs of color is important to you mark your calendar for this discussion. We will meet on the Thursdays indicated below from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Chalice Room.

Feb 1st- reflecting on chapters "Call and Response" and "Representing"

Feb 15th- reflecting on the chapter "The Religious Educator of Color"

Cozy Night Supper

Our next Cozy Night Supper will be Friday, February 2 ^nd . This dinner, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge, will feature the Empty Bowls Project, a focus on hunger in our community. Soup (vegan option), bread and drinks will be provided along with wonderful camaraderie - hopefully including you! Please bring a salad or dessert to supplement our meal.

You may choose a handmade pottery bowl for a donation of at least $10 to Foodlink . You will take home your bowl with a full stomach and the knowledge you contributed toward making a difference in our community! A Foodlink representative will provide a brief program on the local hunger situation.

Let us know of your ability to attend by signing up on the Bulletin Board in the hall or by contacting Kathy Russell via office@uuroc.org .

Train for RAIHN

Four times a year, temporarily homeless families stay at First Universalist Church for a week. We provide a safe haven and tasty meals. To join the volunteers who make this happen, attend an orientation session which covers how RAIHN works, why it's needed, who are the families we serve, and what you need to know to volunteer.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 6:30 pm

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

2000 Highland Ave., Rochester

RSVP to Jen Canning, coordinator@raihn.org or call (585) 506-9050. Questions? Ask Chris DeGolyer, Marti Eggers, or Sarah Singal after the Sunday service.

Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN):

Keeping Families Together, Bringing Families Home

Eco- Justice

Due to the not-to-be-missed Annual Service Auction on February 4th, the Eco-Justice Group will meet at 12 noon on February 11th in the Chalice Room. All are welcome!

Illuminating Justice

Join us on February 11 ^th in the sanctuary after service at 12:15 pm for Accountability and our Police, a film clip on a justice issue. The film will last no longer than 45-minutes to leave time for discussion. Please email Rev. Michelle Yates with film, clip, or documentary ideas at edu@uuroc.org .

Book Group

The Book selection this month is “The Reluctant

Fundamentalist,” by Mohsin Hamid. A young man is chasing corporate success on Wall Street and finds himself embroiled in a conflict between his American dream, a hostage crisis, and a call to return to his family's homeland. One does not have to have read the book to come to the discussion group. We will meet upstairs in the Chalice room at noon on Sunday, February 25th.

Our selection for March will be "La Rosa," by Louis Erdrich.

For questions please contact Shirley Bond or Sarah Singal via office@uuroc.org .

UU & You

An introduction to our church is held the first Sunday of every month* in the choir room (room 25, second floor) at noon. 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.

* Due to a scheduling conflict with the Annual Service Auction on February 4th, the February UU and You meeting has been cancelled. Our next UU & You orientation meeting will be held on March 4th, at 12:00 in the Choir Room on the second floor.

Interfaith IMPACT of NYS (IINYS)

Rochester Chapter

is pleased to invite you to attend our

Annual Legislative Briefing

“A Better Prescription for Health Care in New York State”

Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm

First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road

Speakers

Harry Bronson, NYS Assemblyman

Carol Tegas, Executive Director Finger Lakes Performing Provider System

Rohith Palli, Rochester Campaign for New York Health

The health care issue is ever changing, and may be different in March than it is today. The current situation in New York State; status of health care in the legislature; and the case for single payer, universal health care will be discussed by the panelists.

Weekly Peace Vigils

Join us at Goodman Street and East Avenue for our weekly, Sunday noon, Peace Vigils from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC), where you can warm up and enjoy science too. Make your sign sharing views or choose one of many. Please dress appropriately.

Questions? Contact Hal Bauer, Springwater Farm: (585) 334-2325

Thursday Lunchtime Concerts

Eastman at Washington Square. These concerts are held every Thursday from 12:15 pm to approximately 12:45 pm. Brown bag lunches are welcome during the performances, and admission is free. For more information visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community/events/lunchtime .

Additional Announcements

Audio - Loop Headsets

The two audio-loop headsets that we used to provide in the sanctuary for the use of hearing-looped members or guests have gone missing. They disappeared late last Fall. Before we purchase replacements, we thought we'd ask if anyone had inadvertently put a pair in their coat pocket after a service and then forgot to return them. If so, please drop them off at the ushering station near the double-door sanctuary entrance near the stairs to the second floor. If you're really embarrassed, you can

wrap them in a plastic bag and quietly leave them on a

table in the Clara Barton lounge.

LGBTQ+ Caregivers

Lifespan of Greater Rochester is teaming up with the Out Alliance (formerly the Gay Alliance) to offer an educational series called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” at the Out Alliance specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals caring for a partner, friend, or family member and allies who are caring for LGBTQ+ individuals with a chronic illness. Classes will be held six consecutive Tuesdays starting January 23rd and ending February 27th, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Call Mara at (585) 244-8400, x239, or email mkouides@lifespanrochester.org to register.

From The Caring Committee

Last week, The Caring Committee received a thank-you letter from Jen at the RAIHN Center commending us on our sponsorship of a graduated RAIHN family. Thanks to everyone who donated to the Spare Change Drive, shopped and wrapped Christmas gifts for our designated family of five, we were able to fill most of their Christmas wish list. And we were able to add a few surprises, too. Jen overheard one mother say, “Now I’m really looking forward to Christmas.”

A Big Thank You

To all who signed letters and postcards on January 21st and January 28th for the Interfaith Impact Organization and the Harvesting Justice

Social Justice Circle! We Persist! Thank you for all your help!

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 need 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 via office@uuroc.org or call (585) 342-4605. Many thanks!

Remembrance Quilt Project

The Remembrance Quilt Project highlights the loss of life by gun violence, with an invitation to contribute a block of fabric to the quilt. This is an invitation to submit to the Remembrance Quilt Project that highlights those that have been lost due to gun violence committed either by homicide or suicide.

Now through March 31st, contribute an article of clothing to represent the family or friend whos life has been taken by gun violence. (ex. Including but not limited to a portion of fabric from a favorite shirt, pictures on fabric, words of inspiration, etc.) Submissions are limited to a 16x16 block per person represented. This will be included in the creation of the Remembrance Quilt.

Contact Lentory Johnson, chairperson, (585) 749-3494, The Light the Way Committee.

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 via office@uuroc.org .

Until further notice the blue recycle tote will remain inside the building. Thanks in advance!