While our newsletters, Sunday Announcements and this website’s “Learn More” section give the most current information about our activities at First Universalist, this page lists some of the on-going things we do outside our Sunday service to build community within our congregation. Some are educational, some are purely social and some are both. Some activities are inter-generational, meaning children are included, while others are for adults only.

These areas of interest are in addition to the eight ministries that comprise our Ministry Council. To learn more about our Ministry Council, please visit Our Ministries page.

We hope you’ll join us in one or more of these activities.

Bookstore and Library

The Clara Barton Library and Bookstore operates from September to June. Books may be bought or borrowed during coffee hour following each Sunday’s service.

Our bookstore and library get books from two sources: orders from the UUA Bookstore and donations from members. UUA Bookstore books are sold at our cost or slightly below; discounts can be as much as 40 percent. Donated books are sold for 50 or 25 cents, and donated magazines are free. If there are books you think we should order, please let Phil Ebersole or a member of the Library Committee know. We can obtain any book listed in the Beacon Press, Skinner House and UUA Bookstore catalogs. These catalogs are available for examination on the library desk.

Books may be borrowed from our library for four weeks. All church members and all who have been attending long enough to have a name tag are eligible to borrow books from our library.

Drop-in Discussions

Co-Moderator Phil

We hold informal Drop-In Discussions on Sundays during the school year from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. preceding Sunday services, in the adult lounge on the second floor of our church. During the summer, these discussions are often held after the Sunday service.

Sometimes our discussions are based on books or articles, but you don’t have to read anything or do any advance preparation to participate. People of all viewpoints are welcome to join in the discussions and make presentations. If you have a topic you’d like discussed during the school year or, better still, would like to lead a discussion, speak to Co-Moderators Phil Ebersole or David Damico.

Get Involved!

If you’d like to participate or have questions or wonder what other opportunities there may be for involvement, please try one of the activities below or contact our Office Administrator – at email or phone (585) 546-2826.

• Like Coffee? Consider signing up to help at Coffee Hour. Detailed directions and treats are provided. Set treats out, replenish during coffee hour after the Sunday service, clean up and meet lots of nice people.
• Outgoing? Become a greeter and welcome folks to Sunday service.
• Like to get your hands dirty? Plant, weed and water our church garden with other nature lovers.
• Looking for a deeper connection? Small Group Ministry may be for you.
• Like to sing? Come join the choir. We rehearse at 9 a.m. Sunday and are always looking to welcome new members. Contact Alden Gatt, our Music Director, at music@uuroc.org
• Like to reach out to others? The Caring Committee helps provide such things as rides to church and occasional means to members of the congregation.
• Have a knack for making things look beautiful? Help our Keepers of the Flame dress up the sanctuary for Sunday service.
• Are you a Mr. or Ms. Fix-it? Give our House Committee a hand as they help maintain our beautiful building … from changing light bulbs to more ambitious projects.
• Interested in reaching out to those in need in the Rochester community? The Rochester Area Interfaith Network (RAIHN) helps families who are working their way out of homelessness. There are many ways to help, and training is provided.
• Like to start your Sunday with a good discussion? Our Drop-in Discussion Group meets on the second floor each Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Upcoming topics are listed in the order of service and Our Outlook.

Newsletters

We have two church newsletters, each with its own flavor and news. Our electronic newsletter, the  e-Outlook, is sent every Friday to those who sign up for it on the Home page of our website. It includes the announcements for the coming Sunday service as well as the church calendar for the coming week. The e-Outlook editor is Kris McCarty-White.

Our hard-copy newsletter, Our Outlook, is sent monthly to those who request it when they visit our church. The Our Outlook editor is David Damico.

Small Group Ministry

The Small Group Ministry program at First Universalist is designed to foster connections, to provide an avenue for personal growth and spiritual development in a small setting and, ultimately, to strengthen the fabric of our community.

Details of our Small Group Ministry (SGM) program can be found on our Small Group Ministry page.

Watch for announcements or visit our Calendar page for information on upcoming SGMs such as one based on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism that began meeting fall 2008 on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Social justice

Descriptions of our social justice activities are found on our Social Justice page.