This Week at First Universalist

Join us this Sunday

April 1, 2018

10:30 am Morning Service: Through Death to Resurrection. The Easter story insists, along with all the major religions, that there is life on the other side of death. We’ll look for meaning(s) in this message of creativity, transformation, and hope.

—Rev. Peggy Meeker

9:15 am Drop-In Discussion: Open Forum Discussion . We’ll meet and talk without a set topic. Phil Ebersole will facilitate.

Upcoming Events

UU Common Read Book Discussion

Tuesday, March 27th

We meet on Tuesdays March 27th and April 10th at 6:30 pm in the Chalice Room. Please join us to reflect on Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want , by Frances Moore Lappe and Adam Eichen. This book is available through the church bookstore and library. Please RSVP to Rev. Michelle Yates at edu@uuroc.org . Our topic this week will be “Principled Democracy.”

Passover Seder

Our Passover Seder will be held in the Clara Barton Lounge this Friday, March 30th, at 6:00 pm. It will be a UU edition of the traditional family event with song and story in English and Hebrew and will include active participation by children school-age and above, and a potluck dinner served around 7:15 pm. Traditional ritual foods and beverages will be provided. All guests are welcome! For those planning to attend, volunteer help, or for more information please contact Lew Ward-Baker, via office@uuroc.org .

Stewardship 2018

Thus Do We Covenant: It’s Stewardship Time! It’s Stewardship Time! By now we hope you have received your pledge materials in the mail. If not, or if you have questions, please ask Ann Rhody or Richard Reed, or look for us during coffee hour. All members and friends are encouraged to make a pledge to support the 2018 - 2019 budget. Your pledge is important, no matter the amount. Please return your pledge card by Stewardship Sunday, April 8th, and enjoy a celebration of pie during coffee hour!

Illuminating Justice Film and Discussion Series

Our April 8th theme will be DREAMers Among Us . The film will last no more than 45 minutes to leave time for discussion.

2018 Seaway UU Spring Gathering

This is the event formerly known as DA. It will be held Friday and Saturday, April 13th - 14th, at the First UU Society of Syracuse. The theme is “You Can’t Spell Church without J-O-Y.” Come hear First Unitarian’s Sheila Schuh present the Gould Discourse, and enjoy worshipping, learning, and connecting with UUs from around the state. For more information see: https://www.uua.org/central-east/events/region/2018-cer-st-lawrence-seaway-spring-gathering.

*RAIHN Week - April 15-22

* R ochester A rea I nterfaith H ospitality N etwork

During RAIHN Week, April 15th - 22nd , we will turn our church into a home for temporarily homeless families by converting our classrooms into bedrooms, cooking meals, staying overnight, and providing other help. To join our volunteer team, sign up in the lounge or contact Chris DeGolyer via office@uuroc.org . If you would like to learn more before volunteering, ask about "shadowing" experienced volunteers.

Additional Announcements

MEMORIAL SERVICE: The service for Peter Lee Scott, Michael Scott’s father, will be held Saturday, April 14th at 2:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at Acacia Village, 2160 Bleecker St., Utica. Let Rev. Meeker know if you’re interested in attending and carpooling via office @uuroc.org .

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR : We need new volunteers!! If you like Coffee Hour, please consider serving at least one Sunday a year. Contact Bill Elwell for complete instructions.

CHURCH LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE: Books for Browsing, Borrowing and Buying. The First Universalist library and bookstore are open each Sunday during coffee hour. We have a lending library, a discount bookstore, a free children's bookshelf, a free magazine exchange, and sometimes free books.

I MPLEMENTING AN AED PROGRAM ( A utomated E xternal D efibrillator): Your friend next to you has just fainted and is now turning blue! What will you do next? Call for help or "Be the Help"? By taking the A utomated E xternal D efibrillator classes coming soon, your friend might be around to thank you. Signing up is not crucial, attending the class is. We need everyone. For more information see You Tube videos. To be part of the emergency team please contact Janine Casillo via office@uuroc.org .

EMAIL SCAMMING: There have been several recent email scamming attempts targeting email addresses at the church. Please assume that any incoming email message asking you to send the church’s money (or your own!) anywhere might be fraudulent. Do not reply to such a message, or click on any internet links appearing in the message; instead, forward it to suspicious@uuroc.org and delete it from your in-basket. It will be reviewed to determine whether any follow-up is needed. Thank you!

THURSDAY LUNCHTIME EASTMAN AT WASHINGTON SQUARE CONCERTS: 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 .

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. If you'd like to volunteer as a driver, contact Jeannie Gloss via office@uuroc.org . 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 represent the family or friend whose life has been taken by gun violence. Now through March 31st. For more information contact Lentory Johnson, chairperson, at (585) 749-3494, The Light the Way Committee.