Join us this Sunday
10:30 a.m. Service: Sunday's sermon topic is Wrestling with God .

11:30 a. m. Holiday Poinsettias: O rders for Poinsettias will be taken following this Sunday's service and again next Sunday December 3. The cost is $8 each. If you provide an “in memory of” name when you purchase the plant, the names will be included in the December 24th Order of Service. Following the Christmas Eve service you can take your plant home with you, or leave it at the church to be distributed by the Caring Committee.

12:00 p.m. Book Discussion Group: This month's book is " Th e Winter of our Discontent " by John Steinbeck. The discussion group will meet in the Chalice Room at 12 noon this Sunday, November 26th.  
Upcoming Events
COZY NIGHT SUPPER THIS FRIDAY

Bring those healthy Thanksgiving leftovers!! A COZY NIGHT SUPPER will be held this Friday, November 24th  (the day after Thanksgiving) from 5:30-7:30 in the Clara Barton Lounge. Our potluck dinner will be from 5:30-6:30. The program from 6:30-7:30 will focus on our use of language and its racial implications.  A sign up sheet is on the hall bulletin board, or RSVP to Kathy Russell. All are welcome!
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
We meet in the Chalice Room at 12 pm on November 26 to discuss " The Winter of our Discontent " by John Steinbeck. January's selection is " A World Lit By Fire " by William Manchester, and February's is " The Reluctant Fundamentalist " by Soshin Hamid. Questions to Shirley Bond or Sarah Singal.
TRAIN, SHOP & DINE FOR RAIHN

Wondering what RAIHN is all about? Attend the orientation on Wednesday, November 29 , 6:30-8:30 PM, at Temple B'rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Ave. RSVP to Jen Canning, coordinator@raihn.org or 585- 506-9050.
Tuesday evening, December 5th, from 5-9 PM, is a fine time to do Christmas shopping at One World Goods in Pittsford Plaza. A portion of your purchase will benefit RAIHN as well as our global neighbors. While you're there, eat at Benucci's Italian Ristorante (reservations suggested: 585-264-1300), and 20% of your check (excluding tip and tax) will go to RAIHN. Questions? Ask Chris DeGolyer, Marti Eggers, or Sarah Singal after the Sunday service.
* RAIHN = Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network : keeping families together. Getting families home for good.

LUUNCH BUUNCH
The Luunch Buunch is an informal gathering of folks from First Universalist at a local restaurant about one Sunday a month. The December 10th gathering will be at Flavors of Asia, and on January 7th it will be held at Pita in College Town. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Joyce Gilbert with any suggestions for other restaurants.

NEW SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

  We want to start a new daytime SGM, and need to know who is interested and the day of the week that is best for you. When we get a critical number, a group would meet every two weeks in the afternoon of the selected day at the home of Connie Valk, located near the zoo. Contact Connie Valk or Bob Remley with your interest and availability.


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TIME TO ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY POINSETTIAS

Orders for Poinsettias will be taken following the Sunday service on November 26 th (this coming Sunday) and December 3. The cost is $8 each. If you provide an “in memory of” name when you purchase the plant, the names will be included in the December 24th Order of Service. Following the Christmas Eve service you can take your plant home with you, or leave it at the church to be distributed by the Caring Committee.
CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK SALE ON DECEMBER 10

Our September Cookbook sale was so successful that we plan to have another during coffee hour on December 10 . Jan Hickman and others will provide high-quality cookbooks for sale at bargain prices. The books will be available for sale one time only. Proceeds go to the church.                                                                                                                                        Also, remember the church bookstore has used books for sale for 50¢ each and new UUA Bookstore books for sale at half price. The bookstore also has a shelf of free children's and young adult books, a box of other free books and a magazine exchange.

UU & YOU
UU & YOU : AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR CHURCH

  Held the first Sunday of each month , at 12:00 pm in the Choir Room (room 25, second floor). 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. No registration required.
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THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

  Eastman at Washington Square Every Thursday, lunchtime concerts take place right here at First Universalist. The concerts begin at 12:15 PM and end at approximately 12:45 PM. Brown bag lunches are welcome during the performances, and admission is free. For more information and the Fall 2017 performance schedule visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community/events/lunchtime/ .
SERVICE AUCTION

Save the date! Our annual service auction will be held Sunday, February 4th , after the service. This event is fun for all --- and it's user-friendly, even for auction novices. Watch for more information later this Fall.
DROP-IN DISCUSSION

December 3 - Giving to Beggars . Is it right or wrong to give money to panhandlers? We'll share our thoughts. Phil Ebersole will facilitate. If you wish to have a topic discussed or, better still, are willing to lead a discussion, speak to Phil Ebersole.             
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STAFF BONUSES COLLECTION - December 3

Every year, at the holidays, this congregation chooses to honor our staff with a monetary gift to express our deep appreciation for all they do to support the mission or our church --- to Nurture the Spirit and Serve the Community. The December 3 collection will do that. Thank you for your caring generosity
Additional Announcements
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