In 2025, both NYSCU and the UU Church of Canton turn 200—come celebrate with us! Join the NYSCU Annual Meeting at the Canton church, Oct. 24–25, with bonus events on the 26th.

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We’re thrilled to welcome Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, UUA President, as our keynote speaker!

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Our church can send 6 delegates—registration is free and hotel costs are partially covered. Interested? Contact Ann Rhody or Michael Scott. Guests welcome!

Those of us who have or do foster dogs will have an opportunity to share some of the pros and cons, but also some of the benefits, of fostering dogs. John Lukes will moderate.  

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​Drop-in Discussions meet via Zoom Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm.

Our monthly food ingathering for the Community Food Cupboard! Low-sodium non-perishable food, toiletries, paper products, and cash are always needed and deeply appreciated!

Holiday gift 'shopping' has never been more fun or easy!

Instead of shopping at the big box stores, shop homemade goods from your fellow congregants.

Step 1 - Make it:

Whether you knit it, carve it, print it, fold it, sew it, paint it, glue it, or a verb that hasn't been invented yet, bring it in! Starting Sunday, November 23, a table will be set up in the Clara Barton Lounge. Bring in your handmade crafts to donate by placing them on the designated table with a suggested donation value anytime between November 23 and December 21.

Step 2 - Shop it:

On Sundays starting November 30 through December 21, you can purchase any of the handmade items by making a thoughtful donation, which will be used to fund church social justice projects in the coming year.

Step 3 - Gift it:

Wrap your gifts and give them to those in your life who deserve something unique.

Are you interested in learning more about our faith?

Our minister, Rev. Eileen, and our Congregational Life Coordinator, Justin Wilson, will be leading a UU & You session after the service on Sunday 10/19/25 in the Chalice Room.

This brief discussion is designed for visitors or newcomers who are looking for a general introduction to help decide if First Universalist Church would be a good match for them.

The Board is considering the addition of a Trans Lives Are Sacred banner to join our Black Lives Matter banner on the front of our building.

Please join us at the back of the sanctuary after worship for a listening session about this decision.

An alternate listening session will take place via Zoom on 11/6/25 at 6:30pm!

Join us for a fun Halloween event right here at First Universalist, from 6-8pm!

Puzzle Swap!

Bring your gently used, complete puzzles to swap with others. For each puzzle you bring, you can take a different one home. Just in time to stock up on indoor fun activities for the coming winter.

Pumpkin Decorating!

We will have pumpkins to decorate with a variety of art supplies, safe for the whole family.

Scavenger Hunt Hallway!

For older youth, sleuth out clues in our spooky second floor hallway to earn prizes.

Food and Treats!

We will have a buffet assortment of healthy finger foods, enough for a dinner! Pumpkin flavored desserts too.

Spooky Stories!

Join us for spooky stories in the lounge in between our decorating and puzzle swapping.

Our November Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for Rural and Migrant Ministry. 

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"We put our mission into action through five main program areas: Accompaniment (Standing With Others), Rural Academy of the People (Nurturing Leadership), Youth Empowerment, Immigrant Legal Rights Project, and Community Good Federal Credit Union (Financial Equity)."​

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Please contribute to support this important work. For more info, visit their website, ruralmigrantministry.org. 

The Eastman Community Music School is proud to present free weekly concerts featuring artists from the Eastman School of Music and ECMS. Faculty and Student Performances from both schools offer an excellent opportunity to hear some of the best musicians that Rochester has to offer and all performances are absolutely free!

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Concerts begin around 12:15pm, and run until 12:45 to 1pm. We hope to see you there!

October 16

Chronicles Narrated on 6 Strings

Gerardo Miranda, classical guitar, will present a repertoire that spans a variety of elements of guitar and its history over the centuries.​​

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October 23

Fall in Love

Join us for a delightful afternoon of vocal romance presented by Cecile Saine and Friends, featuring Howard Spindler at the piano.

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October 30

Eastman Harmonie

Enjoy the harmonious sounds of the Eastman Harmonie, wind chamber ensemble comprised of selected Eastman students, as they perform music by Mozart and Berger.

November 6

Piano Extravaganza I

Immerse yourself in the world of piano music with a captivating performance featuring students from the studio of Professor Alan Chow.

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November 13

Early Music

Travel back in time to the enchanting world of early music. This concert is presented in conjunction with Rochester Early music festival.

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November 20

The Stories of Animals I

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of music and storytelling. Pianists Tony Cho, Soojin Kang, Irina Lupines, and Priscilla Yuen will perform Saint-Saens’ Carnival of Animals, narrated by Professor Kathryn Cowdrick.

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December 4

The Stories of Animals II

Embark on a journey through the enchanting world of Peter and the Wolf, presented by pianists Tony Chow and Soojin Kang, narrated by Professor Katherine Ciesinski.

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December 11

The Stories of Animals III

Join us for a heartwarming performance of the story of Babar, the little elephant, featuring Priscilla Yuen and Irina Lupines, narrated by Professor Sylvie Beaudette.

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December 18

Holiday Jazz

Get ready to be entertained by the soulful tunes of Bob Sneider and friends as they bring us the spirit of the holidays.

Interested in advocating for LGBTQ+ social justice? Help us launch our new social justice group!

We will be meeting on 10/28 at noon sharp in the Clara Barton Lounge and on Zoom for a hybrid session to launch this new group.

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We hope to see you there!

Join us in stewardship and community for our Fall Cleanup Day! On Saturday,9am to noon, we'll roll up our sleeves to tend to our shared spiritual home—tidying, fixing, and caring for the spaces that nurture us all year long.

Whether you have a handy heart or just a willing spirit, there's something for everyone. Come for the work, stay for the fellowship!

Join us for an afternoon of community, conversation, and delicious plant-based dishes, from noon to 2:45pm.

Rochester Vegan Society suggests, for vegan potlucks, bringing enough to serve 8 people (if you can)  (RochesterVeg.org). 

List EVERY ingredient on a card, or recipe if you prefer, as our church always does for our gatherings. Some folks have specific food allergies or sensitivities, ie: gluten. On your Ingredient Card, IF yours is both "Vegan and GF", please be sure to write that on it.  Also, keep in mind, we are a peanut-free church.

Vegan means NO animal products, so NO: honey, dairy, milk, egg, butter, fish, gelatin, casein, whey, meat, chicken broth... If any ingredient came from an animal, then the dish is not vegan. 

A few vegan alternatives for some common foods, found in coolers at your grocer:

• *Vegenaise (for mayo)

• Earth Balance (butter)

• Violife or Daiya cheeze

• Tofutti (sour cream or cream cheeze) 

• Silk soymilk, oat milk

• Nutpods (creamer)

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Why vegan? The vegan diet is a great way to support the health of the planet and every animal on it. As more people embrace the vegan ethic, everyone needs to have tasty dishes in our repertoire to bring to potlucks such as this. 

Can’t/won’t cook? Bring carrot or celery sticks (be sure the dressing is Vegan). Or you could get something prepared from Red Fern, Natural Oasis, Hollycake House, Vegan Butcher, or other local vegan businesses.

Note: the marketing term "plant-based" does not guarantee it's vegan ... only that its base is plant; but then anything can be added to that!

Join us: schmooz, eat vegan, do good! All are welcome. Let's have fun.

First Universalist Men's Group meeting, all who identify as he/him or they/him are invited! We shall meet from 10am to noon in the Clara Barton Lounge at First Universalist. We hope to see you there!