Tuesdays | Drop-In Discussion: Statehood for Washington D.C.?

There are common sense reasons why it obviously SHOULD be a state, but some compelling, historical reasons why not. What do you think? Beth Ares presents. Drop-In Discussions are virtual! We meet on Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm. Look on the First Universalist homepage for details and a link, or click the Zoom meeting link on the title of this description!

Wednesdays | Midweek Meditation

First Universalist Church will be hosting Midweek Meditation services with Rev. Lane and Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays from 11:30am-noon. A time to connect for deep breathing, meditation, singing, and silence. On second Wednesdays, an extra half hour of sharing will follow the traditional format. Look on the First Universalist homepage for details and a link, or click the Zoom meeting link on the title of this description!

Please join members of your Board of Trustees for small group conversations to be held during the Coffee Hour after the March 7 service. We will invite you to join a random breakout room for 30 minutes to discuss issues including reopening the church, renewing our RAIHN commitment, our connections with Rochester Street Medic Collective and any topics you wish to bring forward. Notes will be taken to be compiled into a report to the Board.

Join us for the next installment of our RAICA Virtual Summit: Words of Spirit: Ways of Action on March 10 at 7pm. We are proud to present Grupo Latino Catolico (The Latinx Catholic Action Team) of the Citizens Climate Lobby and “On Care for Our Common Home; Reaching Out to Engage the Rochester Area LatinX Community in a Discussion about Climate Change”. This is an interfaith discussion open to all people. It will be bilingual, in Spanish with English subtitles. The webinar will engage participants in a personal discussion about Climate Change in the context of their Latinx identity and will include practical solutions that anyone can take, from getting a free home energy audit to supporting the Energy Innovation Act. For info and registration click here!  

Join members of the EcoJustice Group as well as Rochester Area Interfaith Climate Action in urging Governor Cuomo to incorporate the funding in the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA) in next year’s NY State budget. The CCIA provides funding for climate measures already passed and also provides good green jobs and benefits communities most affected by climate change, making the biggest polluters pay. To find out more and see how easy this action can be, follow the link: Support the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA) (raica.net)

Please join RAICA for an inspiring and hope-filled movie screening and panel discussion. Narrated by and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is a groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis.

Our free screening is sponsored by grant funds and available to registered participants. For more info and registration go to: www.raica.net/events

Dialogues with Verdis L. Robinson | Dialogue #4: "Enduring the Long Night: A Meditation"

Mr. Robinson will share an interpretation of Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” What does it take for the joy to come? We will create a collective meditation on enduring the long night of racism to get to that glorious morning together. This series of dialogues creates a brave space to learn, grow, and act toward antiracism, especially concerning the inherent worth and dignity of every person. All sessions will be virtual from 7 to 8:30 pm. Look on the First Universalist homepage for more details and the Zoom link!

Mar. 20 | This Day in Recovery Book Launch

Join co-authors Revs. Lane Campbell and Katie Kandarian-Morris as we launch and celebrate the new Skinner House publication, "This Day in Recovery: 365 Meditations". This book seeks to be a resource for Unitarian Universalists and spiritual seekers whose lives have been touched by addiction. We will share some of the stories as to how this book came about, read some excerpts from the book, and have some time for questions and answers. For folks in Rochester, NY and in Durango, CO there will be opportunities on Sunday, March 21 to order and pick up signed copies of the book. For Rochester folks, sign up for a signed copy here! If you would like to order the book directly from the inSpirit bookstore through the Unitarian Universalist Association, here's the link. So excited to share this book with all of you and to continue honest dialogue in our denomination about recovery!

Mar. 21 | The Jim and Eunice Eckberg Racial Justice Memorial Film Series| "Selma"

This unforgettable true story chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Please preview the film: It can be found on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Look on the First Universalist homepage for more details and the Zoom link!

Forward through…. a pandemic?! YES! Throughout this strange year, our church has been there for us with virtual services, pastoral care, outreach, and social justice work, all done safely. We’ve had 175 years of challenges, and here we are! All thanks to our congregation members, who have carried out the mission of the church, and pledged their financial support as they are able. We’ll soon have the opportunity to pledge, too! Stewardship Sunday is April 11.

Rev. Lane Campbell,

Rev. Michelle Yates,

Brock Tjosvold,

Emma Barry,