What's Happening at First Universalist Church
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:
2/25/26: The elevator in our building is currently working!
Upcoming Services
Sunday Service:
Easter Sunday - The Story of a Miracle
4/5/26 at 10:30am
It sometimes feels like we’re living at the end of things, like these times are unprecedented. But if we look back at stories from our spiritual ancestors and from people around the world, we can see that we humans have been telling stories about apocalypse for a long, long time. So how do we make meaning of apocalypse in a world that keeps…not ending?
Speaker(s): Rev. Eileen Casey-Campbell (she/her)
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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
April 4, 2026
Dog Rescue Panel Discussion: From Rochester to Ridglan - The Fight for Dogs’ Lives
This event bridges local efforts to hold the Rochester Police Department accountable for animal cruelty laws with a national mission to rescue 2,000 beagles from Ridglan Farms.
Admission is free and open to the public, and the event runs from 3-5pm!​
April 7, 2026
Fellowship Club
We invite you all to our newest gathering: Fellowship Club.
No need to RSVP. No expectation to show up every time. No pressure to explain if you are late or leave early. You are always welcome. Come as you are. There is a place for you here.
Coffee will be provided, but feel free to bring other snacks or refreshments you would like. Show up, socialize, get to know one another, play a board game - or don't! You'll still be welcome next month. We hope to see you there: First Tuesdays, 12PM-1:30pm in the Library/ Clara Barton Lounge.
April 12, 2026
Immigration Social Justice Committee Monthly Meeting
The Immigration Social Justice Circle is meeting at noon on April 12 in the Chalice Room to continue the discussion of possible action toward support of immigrants in our community.
Please join us if you have an interest in this important topic
April 19, 2026
Social Justice Plate Offering: The Center for Teen Empowerment Rochester
Our April Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for The Center for Teen Empowerment Rochester.
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Please contribute to support this important work. For more info visit teenempowerment.org/.
May 28, 2026
Homeless Outreach Team: Free Breakfast Plus Services
The Homeless Outreach Team and First Universalist Church will be hosting a free breakfast for unhoused people (plus clothing and access to representatives from housing agencies, case management, etc.).
See Bill Schubmehl or Elizabeth Osta if you would like to volunteer or for additional information.
April 5, 2026
In-Person Drop-In Discussion: Open Forum; Proposed Amendment to Drop-in Covenants
We will have an open forum combined with a discussion of a proposed amendment to the drop-in discussion covenants. Phil Ebersole will lead a discussion. ​
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​In-Person Drop-in Discussions meet at 9:15am in the Chalice Room, and will continue on the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome!
April 12, 2026
LGBTQIA+ Social Action Circle Meeting
The LGBTQIA+ social justice circle is having its meeting once again!
Both queer and ally individuals alike are invited to attend our meeting, as we plan on collaborating to make our congregation and Rochester even more fabulous!
Since we heard the EcoJustice committee has something going on during coffee hour after services, we pushed our meeting back to noon to give everyone time to check that out first.
Talk to Willow, or a committee member, if you want to help!
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Feel free to grab a snack from the coffee hour and head upstairs to the Gratitude Room (22) after service at noon! We hope to see you there!
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Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85214334476?pwd=Kpx5oUaiCItabp0rO4HlYyhqaQasq7.1
April 12, 2026
Save the Date: Clinton Ave. Vestibule Window Refurbishment Meeting
The Welcome Team and House Committee recommend refurbishing the windows facing Clinton Avenue to improve our building's ventilation and appearance.
This project includes retrofitting five of the nine reachable windows to open with seasonal storms and screens (similar to the Clara Barton Lounge) as well as repairing and repainting all frames.
Additionally, we plan to replace all of the badly weathered storms to restore natural light and improve the building's exterior.
We have received a quote for $11,715 to complete this work. We propose using the Beryl Haas Fund to finance the project.
We will seek congregational approval for this proposal during a meeting held after the service on April 12.
This meeting will be accessible both in person and via the Sunday Service Zoom. Hope to see you there!
April 19, 2026
Monthly Open Connection Circle
Looking to have deeper conversations about our faith? Want to connect with other congregants about spirituality? Or maybe you want to discuss the sermons and seasonal themes in more depth?
Every third Sunday at noon (following church service), join us in the Chalice Room (2nd floor) for this new open group series on dedicated spiritual topics and themes.
Open to all, attend when you can!
May 31, 2026
Book Club: The Lion Women of Tehran
Join us at noon in the Chalice Room (#23) to discuss "The Lion Women of Tehran" by Marjan Kamali.
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A coming-of-age story about two girls growing up in mid-20th century Iran who become friends, while facing family disruptions amid political upheaval. A National Bestseller that provides historical context to current events.
All are invited to attend – prior reading not required. Order your copy or place a hold at the library now – It is popular and could be on backorder!
April 7, 2026
Drop-In Discussion:
Big T, Little T
Trauma: There’s Big T, and little t. What triggers you? What calms you? Here are two tools you can use on the spot for soothing the soul and thriving through the tough times. Joy Leccese will present. ​​​
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​Drop-in Discussions meet via Zoom Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm.
April 18, 2026
Watch Party: Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary (BBCBB) Conference
Join our watch party for this LGBTQIA+ community event in the Clara Baton Lounge from 12-2:30pm, the Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary (BBCBB) Conference, featuring keynote speaker Logan Grendel.
RSVP is recommended, please contact conglife@uuroc.org, scan the QR code on our bulletin board, or click the button below!
Allies welcome!
April 19, 2026
Open Listening for All: Sponsored by Rochester Theater Organ Society
Bring yourself, family and friends to listen and watch members of the Rochester Theater Organ Society practice some of their favorite pieces on the pipe organ in our sanctuary.
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From 1:30-4:30pm on Sunday afternoon, March 1, community organists will sign up to play the Hope-Jones, just for fun. Usually they play on the Wurlitzer organ at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, but it is under renovation at this time. So, we invited them to come to First Universalist. Church members are welcome to come and go, walk up to the console and speak with the organists, and listen as well at this free event.
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They plan to return on May 17, so save the dates! Contact Charlie Courtsal with any questions.
Spring 2026
Eastman at Washington Square - Spring 2026
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!
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February 26
“A Woman’s Hand”
Lynn McGrath performs a program that highlights charming works of the 20th century by women guitarist-composers María Luisa Anido, Ida Presti, and Louise Walker.
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March 5
The Sound of Low Brass
Enjoy the magnificent sound of ESM Trombone Choir directed by Larry Zalkind and Mark Kellogg.
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March 12
She Plucks Her Pen
Harpist Sunshine Quan presents solo harp works by female harpist-composers Pearl Chertok, Sophia Dussek, Caroline Lizotte, and Ekaterina Walter-Kuhne.
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March 19
Virtuoso Trumpet
Demian Spindler performs a preview of his solo program for the upcoming International Trumpet Guild’s 50th Anniversary Conference, which will take place this May at the Eastman School!
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March 26
In Slavic Spirit
Violinist Mikhail Kopelman, cellist Rosemary Elliott, and pianist Irina Lupines perform the Piano Trio “Dumky,” a brooding and introspective composition with cheerful sections interspersed throughout.
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April 2
Piano Extravaganza I
The students from the studio of Professors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will dazzle you with piano masterpieces.
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April 9
Piano Extravaganza II
The students from the studio of Professors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will dazzle you with more piano masterpieces.
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April 16
Woodwind Chamber Music
Come and enjoy fabulous music for woodwind ensemble performed by ESM students.
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April 23
All American
Soprano Tyler Cassidy-Heacock and composer/pianist Daniel Pesca will present a program of vocal music by American composers using texts from American writers.
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April 30
Fulton Chamber Players
Violinist and ECMS alum Addison Teng and violist Amy Hess present works for violin and viola by Classical stalwart Anton Hoffmeister and little-known late-Romantic Emil Kreuz.
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May 7
Entre Tierra y Recuerdo (Between Homeland and Memory)
Tenor Pablo Bustos and pianist Priscilla Yuen will perform the program centered on themes of memory, love, and cultural storytelling, drawing on music from Argentina, Spain, and Chile.
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May 14
New Horizons Chorus
The New Horizons Chorus will journey through musical eras, sharing songs from medieval chant to Renaissance polyphony and a Bach chorale. They’ll also perform several contemporary pieces inspired by the classics.
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May 21
Honors Finale
Enjoy the final concert of the season, featuring more amazing young high school graduates from the Honors Program at the Eastman Community Music School.