​May 2026​

Tuesday, May 5:  Daily Walks with Andy: Homeless Outreach

Since the beginning of COVID, we have walked the streets of Rochester−same day, same place, same time, year round. We have learned an immense amount about the neighborhoods: both the people living indoors and outdoors. Andy Carey will present.   ​​

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Tuesday, May 12:  Tire Mom 2.0

We are taught only two elements of tire safety—but there are actually six. When I set out to buy a set of tires for someone in every single state, I didn't just learn about the road; I learned how to save lives on it. I’m sharing my journey born from loss and fueled by a mission to keep families safe. Tune in to hear the stories from the road and the safety essentials every driver needs to know. Presented by Diana Hubner. ​​

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Tuesday, May 19: Approaches to the Sermon on the Mount

With the four or five different interpretations of Matthew 5-7 or Luke 6, we could have titled this presentation as "The Long and Winding Road" or "Twist and Doubt: What to Do with Matthew 5-7?". But leaving references to The Beatles aside, this talk could be titled, ”How to Apply or Not Apply Jesus' Sermons on the Mount/Plain”. It’s not as simple and direct as some might assume. Come, let’s explore the differences and nuances of these sermons. Presented by Daniel Chadwick.

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Tuesday, May 26: The Empowerment Controversy & Modern “Gadfly” Movement 

You can tell a lot about a family or system by its controversies. The "family secrets" that are frequently sources of gossip and shame, but if we don't learn from them we may be doomed to repeat them. Let's "spill the tea" about these two controversies in the UU family, separated by about 50 years, but I believe closely connected. If you want more details before we meet online, check out "Revisiting the Empowerment Controversy: Black Power and Unitarian Universalism" among other books by one of our former ministers, Mark Morrison-Reed, which are in the church library.  Presented by Rev. Michelle Yates.​

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June 2026​

Tuesday, June 2:  Where Is Liberalism and Where Is It Heading?

I am interested in where "liberalism" is heading. What makes a liberal? Can liberals change? Have the main liberal voices changed and how have they changed? what makes a liberal? Am I a far-left liberal, a centrist liberal, or a right-wing without even knowing it? Let’s ruminate on these and related questions in the hopes of seeking clarification and better understanding. Bill Elwell will present.   ​​

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Tuesday, June 9:  Eternal Life?  Who wants it, Who needs it?!

Over millennia, our ancestors developed various ideas about the existence of life after death,  including a variety of ideas about the possibility of ‘Eternal Life’.  And while some of these ideas regarding ‘Eternal Life’ offer reassurance and hope, other ideas have been known to generate varying degrees of fear, foreboding, and a compounding fear of death. Let’s discuss our thoughts and feelings about the concepts of ‘Eternal Life’.  John Lukes will moderate. ​

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Tuesday, June 16: Surprise Guest Sermon

Tonight we’ll watch and discuss a sermon which I’ve handpicked and share with full permission, but it’ll be a surprise. My only hint is that it might have something to do with last week’s topic. John Lukes will moderate. 

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Tuesday, June 23: Open Topic Session with Rev. Eileen Casey-Campbell

Rev. Eileen would like for us to ask whatever questions we've got at the end of the church year about the state of the congregation, the plans for the upcoming year, and what we're dreaming of doing together going forward.  All are welcome.​

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Tuesday, June 30: Christian Zionism

In the USA, there are an estimated 30 million Christian Zionists, more than the total number of Jews in the world, who believe God wants the land of Israel to be a Jewish homeland. Who are they? Why do they believe this? What is their impact? Phil Ebersole will make a presentation and facilitate a discussion.

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In-person Drop-In Discussions:

Sunday, June 7 at 9:15 am in the Chalice Room *In-Person* - Ancient History Mysteries

Scientists are discovering that ancient history is older and more complicated than anyone thought. For example the Sphinx in Egypt is 5,000 years older than the pyramids. What? Then who built it, and what happened to them?  As we consider what comes next for human civilization, it may be helpful to expand our thinking beyond the stories and assumptions of our time. Hank Stone will lead the discussion.

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Sunday, May 3, at 9:15 am in the Chalice Room *In-Person* - The Humanist Manifesto of 1933

Is it possible to be religious without believing in God?  Signers of the Humanist Manifesto of 1933 believed so. The 34 signers included 15 Unitarian ministers and one Universalist. What did they believe? Were they right? What was their legacy? Phil Ebersole will present and facilitate.​​

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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!

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Phil Ebersole is the facilitator unless otherwise mentioned. Topics are subject to change. If you have a topic you would like discussed or, better still, would like to lead a discussion, speak to Phil Ebersole.​