What's Happening at First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY
Find out what's going on and join us for one of our upcoming events.
Weather & Emergency Updates on this week's service will be posted here:
Upcoming Services
Sunday Service:
Liberation into Wilderness
10/5/25 at 10:30am
Like crossing the Red Sea into the wilderness, moments of liberation often seem to move us toward more chaos, not greater order. Does liberation always look like chaos to the status quo? What do we do when we find ourselves wandering in the wilderness?​
​
Speaker: Rev. Eileen Casey-Campbell
​​
This will be a hybrid service, with the in-person portion being held in the sanctuary of First Universalist, and the virtual portion being held on Zoom.​
Other Upcoming Events
September 30, 2025
Drop-In Discussion: Rev. Kirby: Con Man, Reformer, or Prophet?
Rev. Kirby Hensley founded and led Universal Life Church, which offered mail-order ordinations coupled with an all-inclusive creed: “Universal Life”. Was this a purposeful challenge to what is considered a legitimate church—or a con? Let’s discuss what may apply to our experiences in faith communities. John Lukes will present and moderate. ​​
​
​Drop-in Discussions meet via Zoom Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm.
October 19, 2025
October Social Justice Plate Offering: Metro Justice
Our October Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for Metro Justice. Metro Justice is an organization of progressives in Rochester, NY working towards social and economic justice for all people.
​
Founded in 1965, Metro Justice is Rochester’s leading grassroots, member-driven, progressive organization working for social and economic justice. Metro Justice is led by an elected body of members, our Council. The Council makes most of the major decisions of the organization, both politically and financially. Council members are some of the most active members of the organization and are elected every year at their Annual Members Meeting. Metro Justice also has three Task Forces that work on specific projects that are member-driven: The Rochester Committee on Latin America (ROCLA), Ciudad Hermana, and Peace Action and Education. ​
​
Please contribute to support this important work. For more info, visit their website, metrojustice.org.
November 22, 2025
Vegan Potluck Lunch
Join us for an afternoon of community, conversation, and delicious plant-based dishes, from noon to 2:45pm.
Whether you're a long-time vegan or just curious, all are welcome to bring a vegan dish to share.
Let's nourish body and spirit together in a welcoming, inclusive space.
Come hungry—and bring a friend!
Fall 2025
Eastman at Washington Square - Fall 2025
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!
​
Concerts begin around 12:15pm, and run until 12:45 to 1pm. We hope to see you there!
Date TBA
Title TBA
TBA​​
​
More to come as they are announced!
October 5, 2025
In-Person Drop-In Discussion: Have We Voted For The Last Time - Is Trump’s Presidency Permanent?
Bill Elwell will lead a discussion on whether elections will be cancelled and Trump successfully assumes all power as a full-scale dictator. He said he’d only be a dictator for the first day, but maybe he was using the term ‘day’ as used in the Genesis Creation Story.​​
​
We will meet at 9:15am in the Chalice Room. Drop-in discussions will continue on the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome!
October 24-26, 2025
NYSCU: Celebrating 200 Years of “Love at the Center”
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.
​
We’re thrilled to welcome Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, UUA President, as our keynote speaker!
​
Our church can send 6 delegates—registration is free and hotel costs are partially covered. Interested? Contact Ann Rhody or Michael Scott. Guests welcome!
Starting November 23
Homemade Holiday
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.
October 29, 2025
Puzzles and Pumpkins!
Join us for a fun Halloween event right here at First Universalist!
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.
