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Coming this Weekend
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Monthly Worship Theme: Evolution
 "It's Tough in the Hallway:
The Evolution of the Unitarian Universalist Soul"
Rev. Tina Simson, Minister of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Development, preaching
This is Greater Good Weekend. Join us as we present our gifts to the Coffee Connection and the Micro-Finance and Community Development Task Force.
Saturday Service, February 22, 4:30pm
ASL Interpretation provided
Music by our in-house band, "Orange Sky"
Sunday Services, February 23, 9:30am and 11:15am
9:30am - Music by our Early Service Choir
Tim Burns, piano
11:15am - Music by our Late Service Choir
Tim Burns, piano and Zachary Zwahlen, organ
Our plate collection this week goes to the Calvary St. Andrew's
Emergency Food Cupboard.
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Your G.I.F.T. - Generously Investing For Tomorrow
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Eileen Casey-Campbell shares why she is Generously Investing For Tomorrow
I'm here to express my gratitude, today, for this church. I'm grateful to have the chance to spend time with your amazing children as a Religious Education volunteer. I'm grateful for the love and laughter of my Soul Matters group. For Rev. Tina's incredible grounding presence when she officiated our wedding last summer. For meaningful worship. But if this church were a restaurant, where we came in and paid for whatever we ordered, I couldn't afford it. You heard Dave Burnet and Nora Walter explain that the average pledge needed to sustain the ministries of the church is $1,700 per household. Even though we're pledging about 4% of our income, my husband and I are still below that. But because church functions like a cooperative community, and not a consumer product, many of you who are able to give more generously are helping pay some of our share. And I am, truly, so grateful to you for that. Thank you.
You can pledge online: click here. Thank you for Generously Investing For Tomorrow!
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Making a Difference...by tutoring children! by Chris Farnum
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As I turned over the coordinator role last week to my successor, Vicki Robertson, I felt grateful and in awe of our more than 100 wonderful volunteers who tutor students at least weekly at School 22 and Children's School 15. Our volunteers are making a difference for kids - and, I think, for their own lives. To read more, click here; copies also available in our church lobby.
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Caring Notes
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Let us keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Please contact Rev. Tina Simson, Minister of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Development, if you have a joy or concern to share, so that it can be included in the Order of Service: tsimson@rochesterunitarian.org or 585-330-9177. |
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Fundraisers and Financials
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Pay your Pledge with a Credit Card
We have partnered with Simple Give to allow us to take pledge payments via credit card. With Simple Give, you can set up recurring payments: click here. You can also make a payment before or after worship on the kiosk in the lobby. The fees will no longer be charged back to you. We hope you enjoy this new feature, and you can rack up airline miles, cash rewards, or Disney Dollars with your credit card!
Shopping on Amazon
If you are shopping on Amazon, please use this link for all of your purchases. A percentage, up to 15%, will be donated to our church! click here. |
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The Week Ahead
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Welcome Rev. David Blanchard 
The Transition Team, in collaboration with Rev. Kaaren, is thrilled to announce that Rev. David Blanchard will be joining our staff team at half-time beginning July 1, 2014. Rev. David is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and was ordained in 1986 by the UU Church of Lexington, Kentucky. During his ministry he has also served congregations in Syracuse, Canton, and Utica. He has been published in a number of meditation manuals, including his own collection from 1997, entitled Temporary State of Grace. Rev. David brings 28 years of experience, and we have been fortunate to have his presence in the pulpit once a month since September. He is a virtuoso in the pulpit, enhancing our exceedingly high standard for preaching excellence that our congregation is known for around the country. If you have missed his sermons, click here. Rev. David will serve our congregation by preaching, supporting Adult Spiritual Development, and Pastoral Care.
Pictured with Rev. David are his daughters, Emily (L) and Julia (R). Rev. David can be reached at: dblanchard@rochesterunitarian.org.
Meditation Opportunity
This weekend marks the completion of the Winter Feast for the Soul 40-day practice period. We will have a final sitting and dedication to the practice this Saturday, February 22 at 3:30pm in the Thoreau Room (Room 200, second floor). Come and join us whether you have participated every day of the season, or just want to be in the company of others as we dedicate the energy of these 40 days to peace and wisdom in our world. Please confirm your attendance with Jan Cook at jancook@frontiernet.net or 585-381-6757.
Church Member Art Show - Opening Receptions Saturday & Sunday
The Church Member Art Show will be on exhibit in the Williams Gallery February 20 - April 6. Come see this diverse show and the impressive talent among our church members. Opening receptions will be held after church services this Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23. The show is sponsored by the Williams Gallery Art Exhibit Committee.
First Unitarian Food Cupboard Collection
Help us contribute to needs greater than our own with a small weekly donation to the Brighton Food Cupboard. Please put items in the basket in the lobby. No glass containers, please. Non-perishable items only. Contact Pat Swinton for more information: nereid7@frontier.com or 585-288-8112.
UUs Reading Non-Fiction
If you've ever wondered what CDOs and CDSs are, and how they're connected to the financial crisis of 2008, then The Big Short, by Michael Lewis is the book for you to read and find the answers. You may also find food for thought about the possibility that such a thing might happen again. All are welcome to join our in discussion on Monday, February 24, 7:00-8:30pm.
February Knitting Circle Planned
Update for our Uknitarian project to keep the children at Schools 15 and 22 warm this winter: Our next knitting circle is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26 at 6:30pm in the Williams Gallery. Please join us if you are interested in learning how to knit, or to enjoy good conversation and yummy snacks while you work on projects already underway. We have patterns and yarn available to use and take with you. As always, we are collecting warm outer clothing, especially mittens and gloves. Items may be dropped off any time in the Uknitarian bag hanging on the metal shelves in the workroom, or bigger items can go in the UU/Schools Partnership clear bin under the table by the workroom window. We deliver all of these items to the school nurses who distribute them to the children. Questions? Ask Jenny Cos, joncos@frontiernet.net.
Writing from the Heart
Join a Soul Matters writing circle dedicated to creating a safe space for finding your inner voice and sharing your gifts with others. Writing experience, proper spelling, and good grammar are not required. Critiques, advice, judgments, and red correction pens are strictly forbidden. Here you will find a simple and loving gathering of Spiritual Alchemists, learning more about ourselves and growing closer to each other by spinning the fragile stories of our lives into solid gold on the page. Join us Thursday, February 27 from 7:00-9:00pm. This will be the last open meeting for new members. Facilitator is David Pinto, djpinto@live.com or 585-953-3385.
Café Veritas Concert March 1
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 1, at 7:30pm in our Sanctuary, when Joe Crookston will appear in concert. Fred Vine will open the evening. Tickets are available at the door or www.cafeveritas.org. See you at the café! |
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Upcoming Events and News
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Thank You Honduras Project Sponsors
The Honduras Project wants to thank our sponsors for children who have finished 7th grade and are continuing their educations-this is important support that makes a difference in children's lives. Sponsors include: Judy and Rick Fuller (and friend Allison Smith), the extended Wiltse family; JoAnn Deblinger; Marcia Blackin; Paul and Robin Suwijn, Lindsay Phillips, Ruth and Gary Meyers, Joy Collins, Kirsten Nagel, Matt Malek, Moritz Wagner, Carol Ann Britt, MJ Curry, Nancy and Stefan Nagel, Kaaren Anderson and Scott Tayler and family, Ingrid and Brian Watkins and family, and the First Unitarian Youth Group. If you are interested in sponsoring a student, please contact Barbara Gawinski (barbara_gawinski@urmc.rochester.edu), Task Force Chair. Gracias!!
In the History Case:
Our Gift of Frank Lloyd Wright's Rare Book to the University of Rochester
Be sure to check out the history case in the Susan B. Anthony Lounge, which currently tells the story of a most unusual gift from our congregation to the University of Rochester and through the U of R to future generations: In 1886, a new Unity Chapel was built in Spring Green, Wisconsin, under the aegis of Rev. William C. Gannett, a minister-at-large for the Western Unitarian Conference. The exhibit shows that Rev. Gannett secured a summer job for the troubled 18-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright that led directly to his employment by a Chicago architectural firm. Only 10 years later, Wright had his own firm, and with a friend, designed and printed on a hand press a book titled The House Beautiful. He borrowed the title and text from his friend and, by then, our minister, Rev. Gannett. Only 90 copies were printed, and we see in #24 that he mailed to Rev. Gannett the profound influence that Japanese art was making on Wright's ideas and work. Some 80 years later, Ruth Gannett Kahn gave copy #24 to First Unitarian Church, her grandfather's beloved church and congregation. She is in the photos taken at the University of Rochester's Rare Books Library during the recent presentation ceremony. For 35 years we cared for this rare, iconic book and with this gift ensure its proper conservation and exhibition. At the University, it joins the collections of our church's early papers and those of Rev. William Channing Gannett. If anyone has questions or anything to add, contact Colleen Hurst at cchurst@frontiernet.net.
Grants Panel is Taking Applications
The Grants Panel will be taking applications for the Social Justice Fund grants and the Paul Wenger Fund grants for 2014, until March 21 at 4:00pm. Please find the forms and instructions in folders in the Workroom or on the First Unitarian website: click here. Grants Panel members will be in the Williams Gallery after services on February 15 and 16 to provide information and the application and sponsor forms. You may bring questions to Ron Johnson at rjmfrep@rochester.rr.com or phone 585-967-4946.
FirstLight Players Announces Pre-Show Speakers for Death Takes a Holiday
When you come to the FirstLight Players production of "Death Takes a Holiday" on Friday, March 21, be sure to arrive by 7:00pm for a pre-show conversation with Ralph Meranto, Artistic Director for CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center. If you're a GEVA fan, you'll want to attend on Sunday, March 23 at 7:00pm when the speaker will be Jean Gordon Ryon, dramaturg and new plays coordinator at GEVA. For a very familiar face, come on Saturday, March 22 at 7:00pm when Rev. David Blanchard is the speaker. "Death Takes a Holiday (Musical)" is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston; Book by Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan. Purchase tickets after services ($15) or online (click here). If you wait to get tickets at the door, the price will be $20 and last year we sold out two of the evenings.
Organ Concert with Zachary Zwahlen
On Sunday, March 30 at 3:00pm, our organist, Zachary Zwahlen, will bring us a program of wide ranging, beautiful organ music. This program honors Edward T. Schell's legacy bringing music and more to our church from 1978 to 2012. It also honors the foresight, dedication and work of over 300 of our members who brought about the Great Organ Transplant of 1981. It promises to be a delightful program with Zachary skillfully showing off the many sounds and colors of the organ. The program is free and open to the public, and will be about an hour long, followed by a reception honoring Ed Schell and Zachary. There will be a free will offering, and contributions to the Crescendo fund would be welcome. Plan to come and bring along all your music-appreciating friends.
Recycling Opportunity
We collect old printer cartridges, PDA's, cell phones, MP3s, and external hard drives. There is a box just inside the door to the Workroom where you can drop off your items for recycling. Thank you for being green.
Where Do I get a Name Tag?
If you would like a permanent name tag to wear each week, you can request one at the Welcome Table before or after worship. The name tag will be printed and available for pick-up the following week at the Welcome Table. Everyone can have a name tag, and it is helpful when everyone wears them!
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How to Communicate and Connect with Us
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