Our Mission
To nurture the spirit and serve the community.
Join us Sundays at 10am
at our virtual Worship Service!
See Details Below
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What's Happening at First Universalist
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:
The Church Has Left The Building!
At this time we are not worshipping in our building, or having small group meet in our building. Please check below for links, updates, and more info!
Upcoming Services
Sunday Service:
Burdened with Glorious Purpose
10/17/21 at 10am
Life is a miracle, each day a gift unearned and yet granted. This is true even when times are hard, in times like these. So why are some people such jerks sometimes? Our theme this season is Savoring the Harvest, and this Sunday, we’re talking about the bad apple in us all.
Our church community will have both an in-person outdoor option with our sibling church, First Unitarian, as well as an online option over Zoom. People are invited to mask for our outdoor in-person worship services. Please join the church in these combined worship services. So looking forward to this new leg of worshiping together in a pandemic world!
We are asking folx who plan to attend in-person to RSVP. Here's the link to RSVP:
https://ucor.simplechurchcrm.com/external/form/67e733d5-7a93-44a7-b05a-c8d7827f0bf7
Sunday Service Link:
https://zoom.us/my/rochesterunitarian
Dial in via phone: Dial 646-876-9923,
and enter meeting ID #585-271-9070
To help with set up before and take down after the service, sign up here: https://signup.com/go/oDrSXYK
Other Events
October 16, 2021
Drop off Food for Others; Pick up Food for Thought!
On October 16 from 11am to noon the food cupboard volunteers and the Library Committee are combining to make the church parking lot into a gathering place for bringing food for the Nester Street food cupboard and picking up (for buying or borrowing) the Rochester Reads selection Book “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, who shares her indigenous wisdom.
October 22-23, 2021
NYS Convention of Universalists
Did you know that the NYS Convention of Universalists is meeting in Oneonta, NY on October 22 & 23, and that you are welcome to attend? The Keynote speaker is Dr. Gretchen Sorin speaking about "Bridges and Boundaries: African Americans and American Jews." There will also be two Workshop Sessions. Here is a link to the convention flyer.
Would you like to be a delegate from our congregation? You can attend meetings either in person, by Zoom or with a mail-in ballot. Our congregation can send up to four delegates, so please let the Nominating Committee know if you are interested by emailing nomcom@uuroc.org. The Board of Trustees hopes to select delegates at their October 13 meeting.
Please contact me at nomcom@uuroc.org with any questions.
-Charlie Courtsal
January, 2021
Eastman at Washington Square
Details TBA! Eastman at Washington Square concerts are back, streaming live and virtual on Thursdays at 12:15pm!
This Week's Concert:
Find the livestream here! https://www.youtube.com/c/eastmancommunitymusicschool/live
October 19, 2021
Drop-In Discussion: Political Cartoonists Frame the Issues
6:30-7:30pm virtual!
Let’s catch up on the political cartoonists’ takes on recent social and political issues: the Coronavirus pandemic, the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol, the situation with Afghanistan, critical race theory, and, of special concern to the cartoonists, freedom of speech. We’ll look at a wide variety of opinions on these issues. As cartoonist Signe Wilkinson (Philadelphia Daily News) says, “Let the controversies be the beginning of conversations, not the end.” Elaine Miller www.ekmillerproductions.com
October 24, 2021
The History of Eugenics in Rochester and at First Universalist Church
Shane Wiegand is coming to do a presentation about his recent research into the history of eugenics in Rochester and at First Universalist Church. This presentation is part of the educational work the church is doing to address racial injustice. Please join us virtually on Sunday, October 24 at 2pm for an engaging presentation and for the conversation that follows.
October 20, 2021
Midweek Meditation
First Universalist Church will be hosting Midweek Meditation services with Rev. Lane Campbell and Rev. Michelle Yates on Wednesdays from 11:30am-noon.
On second Wednesdays, an extra half hour of sharing and meditation will follow the traditional format. A time to connect for deep breathing, meditation, singing, and silence.
Regular Weekly Midweek Meditation returns on September 8!
November 6, 2021
Leadership Assembly
Are you a current church leader or perhaps a future church leader? Please plan to attend First Universalist’s annual Leadership Assembly from 9 to 11am on Saturday morning, November 6. (This date is different than previously announced to avoid conflicting with NYSCU’s annual meeting.) While our bylaws define leaders as committee chairs, your Board of Trustees welcomes a broader definition and seeks to nurture future leaders. We invite you to identify as a leader and come!
A note from the COVID Task Force
With much sadness we have concluded that at this time it is not safe to use our church building for group activities, including in-person worship.
As the virus evolves and our plans for our church’s response develop we will be in close touch with you. We are planning another Coffee Hour listening session on Sunday September 26, but you will hear from us before that though Sunday announcements and regular email updates.
Thank you for joining us in our efforts to find ways to be together while maintaining safe respect for the demands of this virus. Questions or feedback about this decision? Email covid@uuroc.org.
Steve Munson, Chair
COVID Task Force