From the Ministerial Search Committee:

The Search Committee is delighted to announce that we have a candidate for minister. Once contract negotiations and background checks are complete, and we don't foresee any issues with these, we will announce the name of the candidate, hopefully Sunday, April 13.

Candidating week has been scheduled for April 26 to May 4th. During this week the candidate will participate in two Sunday services, and there will be many opportunities for the congregation to meet and get to know the candidate. After the service on May 4th, members of the congregation will vote to call the candidate. Please keep your calendars open during candidating week and stay tuned for our next exciting revelation.

Stewardship 2014:  Thanks for your GIFT!

Thanks to so many of you who returned a pledge card by Stewardship Sunday!  Your timeliness allows your Finance Team to make informed choices for the 2014-15 budget.  If you missed out or forgot, we are still taking pledges!  Contact Ann Rhody ([email protected]) for a pledge card. Everyone is important!

On Stewardship Sunday, we had an impressive array of pies, and safe to say no one went away hungry after indulging.  Thanks to all who contributed a pie and helped with set up and clean up- special thanks to Bill and Becky Elwell and Ginger Sykes for their help.

Earth Week Outreach

Our Contract Minister of Religious Education and Executive Board Member for Lots of Food Rev. Lori Staubitz will facilitate dialog and discussion of Will Allen's book "The Good Food Revolution".  In addition, she will share how Lots of Food is addressing food justice issues here in Rochester. Books on loan are available first come, first serve.

Please join us in the Adult Lounge on Wednesday, April 23 at  2 pm. RSVP to Lori at [email protected]. 

This Week at First Universalist

Thank you for keeping us updated, both when you schedule events and when you need to cancel one!  Please continue to do so. Send news of your events to [email protected]; or call 546-2826.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR APRIL 13, 2014:

NEXT SERVICE: Sunday, April 20: Miracles! A multi-generational service for Easter Day.For people of all ages; bring your family and friends, children and grandparents. Rev. Martha Munson and friends.

NEXT DROP-IN DISCUSSION: Sunday, April 20: Milk... good or bad? Many people have asked "why choose vegan? ... I could never give up cheese... Isn't vegetarian or lacto-ovo diet healthy and helpful to the planet?" These questions and more will be answered with informative quotes from leading doctors and researchers, and scientific facts from the book, Milk - The Deadly Poison by Robert Cohen. Cohen has researched milk's links to diabetes, cancer, leukemia, mad cow, and heart disease. Today's dairy products are not what our forefathers had! Facilitated by Shelly Adams.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Kids ages four and older join us every week in the sanctuary for the first portion of our worship service. Children's Worship begins after the Message for All Ages.  Nursery care for babies and younger children is provided throughout the service on the second floor.  We also have seating in our second floor foyer, where parents can hold their little ones and listen to the service via speaker.

ARE YOU NEW TO FIRST UNIVERSALIST?  Have you come a few times and want to find out more about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation?  Then stop by the Welcome Table  in the Clara Barton Lounge during coffee hour.  You'll find friendly folks there every Sunday who are eager to talk with you!

FOOD INGATHERING is TODAY Sunday, April 13.Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected to benefit The Community Food Cupboard on Nester Street. There is a particular need for canned vegetables, soup, and mac and cheese.

EASTER PLANTS: Please help decorate the sanctuary for Easter by ordering a plant for $9.  Ruth Fitzgerald and Marcy Klein will be taking plant orders through TODAY Sunday, April 13th.  Please specify whether you want to take the plant home with you after the Easter service or want to give it to a member of the home congregation.  If you'd like to dedicate the plant in memory of or in honor of someone, we'll list his/her name in the Easter Sunday order of service. Also, if you'd like to deliver a plant to someone, we could use your help!

STEWARDSHIP 2014:  Thanks for your GIFT! Thanks to so many of you who returned a pledge card by Stewardship Sunday!  Your timeliness allows your Finance Team to make informed choices for the 2014-15 budget.  If you missed out or forgot, we are still taking pledges!  Contact Ann Rhody ([email protected]) for a pledge card. Everyone is important! On Stewardship Sunday, we had an impressive array of pies, and safe to say no one went away hungry after indulging.  Thanks to all who contributed a pie and helped with set up and clean up- special thanks to Bill and Becky Elwell and Ginger Sykes for their help.

KEITH STOTT will give a concert in the sanctuary TODAY Sunday April 13 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. He will play some of his piano compositions and read some of his poetry, short stories, and selections from his recently completed novel. All are welcome to attend. Suggested donation is $10.

LADIES WHO LUNCH will meet Wednesday, April 16 at noon at the Henrietta location of Aladdin's Natural Eatery at 200 Park Point Drive, near RIT. All women are welcome. Interested? Contact Newcomb Losh at (585) 377-0532.

NURSERY: Help is needed in the nursery on Sunday mornings.If you're interested, please contact Carol Williams.

EARTH WEEK OUTREACH: Wednesday, April 23, 2 pm at First Universalist Church. Discussion of Will Allen's book "Good Food Revolution". Rev. Lori Staubitz will share how Lots of Food is addressing food justice issues in Rochester. RSVP.

WOULD YOU GIVE UP YOUR BED for one night if it could change a homeless child's life?  Car City 2014 - the signature fundraiser for RAIHN - is happening May 3-4 at Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Avenue.  Car City welcomes families, students, youth groups, scout troops and individuals to spend the night in their car, raising awareness of homelessness and funds that will go directly for services to homeless families working to achieve sustainable independence.  You can help your community and support this cause as a sleep-over participant, a parking pass participant (come for evening entertainment only) or a Car City donor.  Participants who raise $50 or more in pledges will receive a Car City T-shirt.  Learn more about Car City, form a team and sign up on line by following the Car City link on the RAIHN website.   Thanks!

EASTMAN LUNCHTIME CONCERTS: Concerts are held on Thursdays in the sanctuary from 12:15 to 12:45, are free, and open to the public. 

A CARING COMMITTEE REMINDER: When a family member enters the hospital, needs emergency meals, needs transportation to church, or wants home visits; please contact Ruth Fitzgerald [email protected] 225-0555,or Eileen Fernandez, [email protected].

HEARING LOOP IN SANCTUARY: Please use the T setting on your hearing aid or see an usher for a receiver.