This Week at First Universalist

Join us this Sunday

10:30 a.m. Service: December 17. The Light of Hanukkah. We will seek inspiration in this eight-day festival of lights that celebrates the successful revolt of a small band of faithful Jewish fighters against a great army and the rededication of their Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

- The Reverend Peggy Meeker

Reminder: 2nd Sunday Food Ingathering.

Drop-In Discussion: December 79. Christmas Past. Santa Claus, Christmas gifts, Christmas trees and many other familiar customs weren't always a part of Christmas celebrations in the USA and the UK. How did our present-day Christmas originate? What parts of it are meaningful? Phil Ebersole will lead a discussion, drawing on the The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum. There will not be a Drop-In Discussion on December 24th or December 31st.

Illuminating Justice Film and Discussion Series: Every second Sunday of the month through April 2018, one or several film clips on a justice issues will be shown in the sanctuary after service at 12:45 pm. Films 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. December 10th discussion was on Racism in Art & Media, and January 14th the discussion will be - Justice and Health Care. February 11th, March 11th, and April 8th, 2018 - Topics TBA.

Upcoming Events

LUUNCH BUUNCH

The Luunch Buunch, our informal gathering of folks from First Universalist Church will meet on January 7th at Pita in College Town. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Joyce Gilbert at JTGilbert@frontiernet.net, with any questions.

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COZY NIGHT SUPPER

Want a break from those Christmas cookies and fruitcakes, tasty as they are? A COZY NIGHT SUPPER held Friday, December 29th from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge might be the answer. Our potluck dinner will be from 5:30-6:30 pm. The program from 6:30-7:30 pm will focus on Festivals of Light. And who couldn’t use a little light this time of year? A sign-up sheet is on the hall bulletin board or contact Kathy Russell at krussel6@frontiernet.net for more information. Please let us know that you will be attending, noting what you would like to bring - salad, dessert, main dish, bread, handheld fruits or vegetables. Your RSVP will allow us to know how many folks to plan for. Drinks, silverware and dishes will be provided. All are welcome!

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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Our Christmas Eve (Evening) Service will be on Sunday, Dec. 24 ^th from 7pm – 10pm. If you are planning on attending and you can contribute a dozen Christmas cookies, please let Tom Williams know at busterdawg_1947@yahoo.com or call 585-663-4362.

BOOK GROUP

January's selection is " A World Lit By Fire " by William Manchester, and February offers us " The Reluctant Fundamentalist " by Soshin Hamid. Please contact Shirley Bond at bondshirl1@gmail.com or

Sarah Singal at ssingal@rochester.rr.com with any questions.

There will not be a Book Group on December 31st.

RAIHN

Sponsoring a RAIHN Family: The holidays are a time of extra joy and generosity. In that spirit our church will be sponsoring a RAIHN family of 5 from December who moved from the program into their new home. We welcome volunteers to shop for family members; your participation will make the season bright. Please see Paula Marchese in the Clara Barton Lounge for details.

During RAIHN Week, January 7-14, 2018, we will turn our church into a home for temporarily homeless families by converting our classrooms into bedrooms, cooking meals, staying overnight, washing bedding, and providing help. To join our volunteer team, sign-up in the Clara Barton Lounge after church on Sunday, or contact Chris DeGolyer at chrisdeg@frontiernet. If you would like to learn more before volunteering, we have opportunities to "shadow" experienced volunteers. *Rochester Are Interfaith Hospitality Network: keeping families together. Getting families home for good.

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 at cvalk@frontiernet.net or Bob Remley at humans@rochester.rr.com with your interest and availability.

THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

Eastman at Washington Square The last concert for 2017 will take place right here at First Universalist church on December 14th. The concerts begins at 12:15 PM and ends at approximately 12:45 PM. Brown bag lunches are welcome during the performances, and admission is free. Concerts resume January 04, 2018. See you in the New Year! For more information visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community/events/lunchtime/ .

SERVICE AUCTION

It's Coming: Auction 2018! Our annual service auction is scheduled for Sunday, February 4, 2018 , after the morning service. Donation forms will be available on the church's website in early January 2018, so you can spend your December dreaming of what you can bring to the auction table! Be part of the fun by donating a service, item, or experience, by volunteering to help, and of course, by attending the auction and participating! Contact Paula Marchese

pmarchese@rochester.rr.com for more information.

Holiday Mitten Tree

We will decorate our Christmas tree in the sanctuary with warm winter accessories for children and adults in our community who need them. Please bring your donations any Sunday between now and the 24 ^th and place them on or under the tree. We welcome warm mittens, scarves, hats, socks, etc., whether hand-made or store-bought. Donated items will go to School #7 and the REACH homeless shelter for the homeless. if you have any questions to Lisa Gwinner at .