Ralph Waldo Emerson believed in religion without churches or creeds.  He believed in a religion independent of churches, creeds or majority opinion.  He was a major influence on Unitarian Universalism and on U.S. American culture generally.  Phil Ebersole will briefly present his core ideas and lead a discussion. ​​

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​Drop-in Discussions meet via Zoom Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm.

Our February Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for Family Promise of Greater Rochester. 

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Family Promise of Greater Rochester (FPGROC, formerly RAIHN) assists families at risk of or experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence by providing person-centered, holistic services in collaboration with the greater community.​

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Please contribute to support this important work. For more info, visit their website, fpgroc.org. 

The Book Club is BACK!  We will be discussing the UUA Annual Read, "Social Change Now!". This book is available for rent in our library, or purchase at inSpirit: uuabookstore.org.

Even if you haven't read the book, you are welcome to attend and learn about this practical guide and the lessons within for us all. We hope you can join us: 3/29 at noon (after church service) in the Chalice Room (Rm. 23).

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!

January 8

Spanish & French Renaissance Guitar Music

In a historically oriented performance played on a replica historical instrument presenting the earliest printed guitar music ever published, Pedro Sperb brings to modern audiences the first original Spanish and French Renaissance guitar music ever written specifically for the instrument.​​

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January 15

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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January 22

Janus Trio

The Janus Trio is named after the Roman god depicted with two faces – one looking backwards and one looking forwards. In that vein, Logan Wadley, tuba and serpent, Benjamin Kim, trumpet and baroque trumpet, and Ethan Pound, trombone and sackbut, will bring to life both archaic and new music for brass chamber ensemble.

January 29

Piano Extravaganza

The students from the studio of Professor Alan Chow will dazzle you with piano masterpieces.

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February 5

Korean and Taiwanese Art Song

Join us for a celebration of the Lunar New Year of 2026! We’ll be featuring beautiful Korean and Taiwanese art songs performed by soprano Joanna Hyunji Kim and Yu Jen Tsai, with Samuel Ka-Ming Leung at the piano.

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February 12

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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February 19

Music for Violin and Piano

David Bowlin, violin, and Tony Cho, piano, perform William Grant Still’s Pastorela and Sonata for Violin and Piano by Francis Poulenc.

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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.

Do you have your 2026 calendar yet? And have you marked Sunday, February 1 as a special day? 

Our Annual Service Auction will be held in the Clara Barton lounge after our worship service. Mark the date and be sure to participate! More info to come!

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?

Starting Sunday, January 18, we will be launching a new drop-in connection circle. 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!

Members of the Rochester Theater Organ Society will practice their favorite pieces on our Hope-Jones organ—just for fun! Usually performing on the Wurlitzer at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (currently under renovation), they’ll be playing at First Universalist instead.

Bring your family and friends! Drop in anytime to listen, chat with organists, and enjoy this free event.

First Universalist Men's Group meeting, all who identify as he/him or they/him are invited! We shall meet from 10am to noon in the Clara Barton Lounge at First Universalist. We hope to see you there!

Our newly forming LGBTQIA+ social action circle is dedicated to serving the Rochester Queer community, and we would love for you to join us! Feel free to grab a snack from the coffee hour, and head upstairs immediately after service!

Our monthly food ingathering for the Community Food Cupboard! Low-sodium non-perishable food, toiletries, paper products, and cash are always needed and deeply appreciated!

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. 

Note: Guests and volunteers are invited to stay for the Eastman at Washington Square concert at 12:15pm.

Are you interested in learning more about our faith?

Our minister, Rev. Eileen, and our Congregational Life Coordinator, Justin Wilson, will be leading a UU & You session after the service on Sunday 10/19/25 in the Chalice Room.

This brief discussion is designed for visitors or newcomers who are looking for a general introduction to help decide if First Universalist Church would be a good match for them.