The Board of Trustees wants to hear your thoughts about the search for our next minister.

Please come to a listening session after the Sunday service in the sanctuary on February 23, 2025.

Come with your hopes, concerns, and dreams. 

The Book Group will meet at noon in the Chalice Room to discuss "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead

​

"The Nickel Boys" is a gripping, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel inspired by true events. Set in Jim Crow-era Florida, it follows Elwood Curtis, a boy full of hope and ambition, whose life takes a tragic turn when he is unjustly sent to the Nickel Academy— a reform school hiding horrifying abuses behind its walls.

Through Elwood’s story and that of his friend Turner, Whitehead delivers a haunting but necessary reflection on systemic racism, survival, and the enduring fight for justice.

​​​​​​

You do not need to have read the book to participate. Questions? Contact bookgroup@uuroc.org.

Our March Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for The Center for Youth.

​

In 1971, a group of students from Brighton High School had an idea to create a “center” that would meet the needs specific to youth in Rochester, NY. The philosophy supporting the vision was quite radical for the time: that young people, given information and support, could make their own positive life choices. They founded The Center to be informed by youth, for youth. The Center for Youth continues with this as our core principle. We are committed to empowering and advocating for vulnerable youth while always elevating their voices. Our mission is to provide comprehensive programs completely free, voluntary, and confidential.​​

Please contribute as generously as you can to support this important work. For more info, visit their website https://www.centerforyouth.net/.​

This year's UU Common Read is Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families.

Retired minister and member of the church, Rev. Peggy Meeker, has offered to facilitate a discussion of this important book where we come to know the  "real lives--revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support" of trans and nonbinary peoples along with their families.

​

Starting March 6th or 7th, we are looking at offering 3-4 sessions on Thursdays or Fridays either in the afternoon (1-2:30pm) OR evening (7-8:30pm) on Zoom.

​

If you are interested or have questions please email Rev. Michell Yates at  edu@uuroc.org with your time and date meeting  preferences.

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!

​

Concerts begin around 12:15pm, and run until 12:45 to 1pm. We hope to see you there!

January 9
Jazz at Noon

Join Eastman jazz faculty Bob Sneider, guitar, & company for a fabulous laid-back lunch hour.​

​

January 16
Paris is for Flutists

Come and enjoy French music performed by flutis, Sophia Gibbs Kim, and pianist, Irina Lupines.

​

January 23
“H & G, a Great and Terrible Story”

Eastman Opera Theatre is excited to feature a preview of an opera by A. Shawn/Hong & Randich that offers abstract reinterpretation of Grimm's fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. ​

​

January 30
Evidence of Things Not Seen: Songs of Ned Rorem

Come hear songs of Ned Roren with lyrics drawn from the works of various poets presented by Eastman Opera Theatre.​ 

​

February 6 

Hungarian Motifs 

Eastman Violin professor Mikhail Kopelman and pianist Anna Gourfinkel will perform music by Brahms and Hubal. 

​

February 13 

Love All Around 

Come and enjoy music from the heart as Jessica Ann Best and Irina Lupines present love songs from different parts of the world. 

​

February 20 

Violin and Piano Showcase 

Eastman professors David Bowlin, violin, and Tony Cho, piano, will perform music by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Debussy, and Sarasate. 

​

February 27 

Piano Extravaganza with Alexander Kobrin  

Professor Alexander Kobrin will join his students performing fabulous works for solo piano. 

​​

March 6

The Sound of Low Brass   

Enjoy the magnificent sound of ESM Trombone Choir directed by Larry Zalkind. 

​

March 13

Women in Music 

Cellist Jennifer Carpenter and pianist Gina Lee perform music by French female composers Lili and Nadia Boulanger.

​

More to come as they are announced!

On the day in history when Pope Pius the Fifth excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I, Enrico Caruso and George Harrison were born, and the Cold War officially ended, let’s have another Open Topic discussion about where we are and where we might be going. All are welcome to participate. ​​

​

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

... to strike out homelessness at Family Promise's Bowl-a-thon. Every $300 we give shelters a family for two weeks!

When: Sunday, March 9th. Registration starts at 12:45; bowling starts at 1:30.

Where: Bowl-a-Roll Lanes, 1560 Jefferson Rd, Henrietta.

​

To bowl:  (no bowling skills necessary)

Go to fpgroc.org/bowl and buy a ticket. Sign up as an individual bowler, crediting the First Universalist team. Your ticket covers a bowling ball, shoes, two games, and pizza! After signing up, please email housingforall@uuroc.org so we can add you to the First Universalist team. If you have problems signing up,  please contact Chris DeGolye.

To donate:

Go to  fpgroc.org/bowl and click  "Purchase Tickets Here". On the next page, click  "Tix/Sponsor/Donate", then on "No thanks, I'd just like to donate".

Let's see how many weeks of shelter we can support!

Join in a four-part series exploring the history, theology, and lived practice of Unitarian Universalism.  A great course for people new to Unitarian Universalism or who have been Unitarian Universalist for years.

Sessions will be both informative and participatory. People can participate in-person and online on Tuesday evenings at 7-8:30pm from March 18 through April 8.

​

Dates:

• Tuesday, March 18

• Tuesday, March 25

• Tuesday, April 1

• Tuesday, April 8

​

Please email Rev. Lane-Mairead Campbell to register at minister@uuroc.org.

Come to a potluck, share a fun memory, and get to know someone better!

Noon-1:15pm in the Sanctuary

​

Please join us to view, consider and discuss the second part of "Welcoming Neurodivergent Children," a webinar from the UUA. You don't have to have attended Part I to participate. Rev. Michelle will facilitate.

In the USA, the number, wealth and influence of billionaires increases while average citizens find themselves beset by higher prices and increasing insecurity. Are billionaires the problem?  Should there be a ceiling on wealth? Phil Ebersole will present info and lead a discussion.​

We will meet at 9:15am in the Chalice Room. Drop-in discussions will continue on the first Sunday of the month through June 2025.  If you have a topic you would like discussed or, better still, would like to lead a discussion, please speak with Phil Ebersole. ​​

​

All are welcome! 

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!

More info TBA!​

Please come enjoy a traditional Seder for all ages.

The Seder begins at 5pm, and we will enjoy a buffet meal at 6pm. Please bring a dish to share. Sign-ups begin March 16.

Tableware, soup, wine, grape juice, and matzoh will be provided.

Questions? Contact Lew Ward-Baker or Richard Reed.