Join us this Sunday
10:30 a.m. Service:  Our Foremothers. On Mother’s Day, we remember the words and deeds of Universalist women.  - Rev. Celie Katovitch.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion:  The Supernatural.  Have you ever had a paranormal experience—ghosts, miraculous healing, telepathy, foreknowledge of the future?  Has a friend ever told you about such an experience?  What was your attitude?  Why?  Can you be religious without belief in the supernatural?  Phil Ebersole will lead a discussion.
Upcoming Events
Spring Clean-up Day - May 13

The 2017 Spring Clean-up Day has been scheduled for Saturday, May 13th, starting around 9:00 AM.  If you have ever wanted to volunteer for the church or to just get to know the building as well as other members a little better, this is a perfect opportunity! There will be all kinds of cleaning, fixing, painting, etc. jobs to be completed – something for all skill levels.  Bring along your favorite tools or cleaning products.  Breakfast snacks and a light lunch will be provided.  Socializing and fun will also be part of the agenda.  For more information, please contact Tom Ruganis at 746-7796 (cell) or 442-2968 (home) or email to tom.ruganis@frontier.com.  
Monthly Food Ingathering - May 14

Consider donating a non-perishable food item this Sunday, May 14th.  The Community Food Cupboard is in need of low sodium and low sugar items. Thank you for your continued support of this important community resource!
Mindfulness and Meditation - May 20
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"Back by popular demand” – More exploration of Mindfulness and Meditation, and why Buddhist psychology is taking westerners by storm. Why it’s not about religion or faith, it’s about how we think. We’ll explore some of the world’s leading thinkers and luminaries who can guide us through troubling mindsets to a place of inner peace: it’s not your grandmother’s chicken soup, but it’s close! Saturday, May 20th, 9:30–noon.  Sign up on the bulletin board in the Clara Barton Lounge, or email Joy Leccese at coachingjoy@gmail.com. 

Congregational Vote - May 21

On May 21st the congregation will vote to accept or not accept the Faith In Action Council recommendation that we work with the social issue racism as our project for Social Justice the next two years.

The FIAC team (Joy Leccese, Heather Jones, Becky Elwell)  encourages you to step up - determine and participate in the activities that help us to better impact individual, institutional and systemic racism.  By understanding our history, we can better understand the present.

When the social justice issue is accepted by the congregation a project team will be assembled to plan the effort.  As stated by Martin Luther King Jr., “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” We plan on our beloved community to help begin building the staircase.
Additional Announcements

EXTENDED OFFICE HOURS:  In addition to my regular community office hours at Java's Cafe on Gibbs Street, Thursdays from 1–2, I will be offering extended community office hours on Wednesday, May 17th, 10-noon at New Roots Coffeehouse in Greece. It is okay to come with something in particular that is on your mind, or just to talk without any specific agenda. Please know that I am available to meet one-on-one as well.

UU COMMON READ BOOK DISCUSSION: Continues May 18th from 6-8pm in the Chalice Room. The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement, by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Facilitated by Rev. Michelle Yates, Phil Ebersole, and Suzie Gutierrez. Please contact Rev. Michelle at edu@uuroc.org with questions and interest.

FLOWER COMMUNION: This year, our beloved UU ritual of Flower Communion will take place on Sunday, June 4th. The same Sunday, there will also be an opportunity for a Child Dedication. Dedication is a beautiful UU ritual of blessing that welcomes children into the life of the congregation. If you would like your child to participate, please let Rev. Celie know (minister@uuroc.org) by May 21st.

SPECIAL BOOK SALE ON MAY 21st:  There will be a special sale of three boxes of high-quality books donated by David Markham in the Clara Barton lounge during coffee hour on Sunday, May 21.

SOCIAL JUSTICE PLATE OFFERING:  Our collection on May 21st will go to GIRLS ROCK! Rochester. This organization is a rock n' roll camp geared towards empowering girls and trans youth through music and using creativity and performance as tools for cultivating self-confidence. The committee checked this organization out via an art exhibit and was amazed and inspired by their work. Further information can be obtained by visiting girlsrockrochester.org.  The committee wishes to thank the whole congregation for their support. We ROCK too!

SAVE THE DATE:  May 21st - Please support Roc/ACTS by attending the Roc/ACTS "Fun-raiser" at  St. John the Evangelist Church Hall. For details, please see Becky Elwell or Shirley Bond.

INTERFAITH ALLIANCE OF ROCHESTER:  Annual Celebration - "Deportation, the Ban and the Wall: Unwelcoming the Stranger."  Panel Presentation and Discussion.  Sunday, May 21, 3-5 p.m. at the Linehan Chapel, Golisano Academic CEnter, Nazareth College.  Free and open to the public.

BOOK GROUP: The book group has chosen The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan as our choice for the May 28th book discussion. It is the untold story of the WOMEN who helped win World War II. If you have not heard of the Manhattan Project, you will be pleased to know that our very own Ruth Fitzgerald worked on the project and has graciously agreed to tell us about her experience.

FUNERAL PLANNING WORKSHOP: Wednesday, May 31st, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Clara Barton Lounge. Join Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Rochester (FCAGR) President Marcy Klein, board members Reverend Peggy Meeker and Elizabeth Osta, and Reverend Celie Katovich for an evening of suggestions and support for these difficult conversations. You'll even get to fill out a form you can provide to next of kin with your plans in place. Reserve your place now and look forward to checking this niggling need off your bucket list. Sign up in the Clara Barton Lounge or by contacting Elizabeth Osta (elizabethosta@gmail.com) or 585-451-5822.

UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The UUA General Assembly will be held in New Orleans this year from June 21st ‒ 25th. Details are on the UUA website at www.uua.org/ga/program/schedule. Everyone who has gone raves about what a wonderful experience it is. If you are interested in attending, please speak with Shirley Bond and she will answer your questions or point you in the right direction.

To submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist", e-mail  office@uuroc.org no later than Thursday at noon.  
Staff:

Rev. Celie Katovitch, Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development

Stacey Yang, Director of Music

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