Join our watch party for this LGBTQIA+ community event in the Clara Baton Lounge from 12-2:30pm, the Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary (BBCBB) Conference, featuring keynote speaker Logan Grendel.

RSVP is recommended, please contact conglife@uuroc.org, scan the QR code on our bulletin board, or click the button below!

Allies welcome!

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?

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!

Our annual Spring Work Day is Saturday, May 2, 9am to noon!

 

We'll get the church and grounds ready for warmer weather, and do some minor repairs and some spring cleaning.

 

Please join us if you can. There will be tasks for all skills and talents, and the opportunity to mingle with fellow members and friends. 

We invite you all to our newest gathering: Fellowship Club. 

No need to RSVP. No expectation to show up every time. No pressure to explain if you are late or leave early. You are always welcome. Come as you are. There is a place for you here.

Coffee will be provided, but feel free to bring other snacks or refreshments you would like. Show up, socialize, get to know one another, play a board game - or don't! You'll still be welcome next month. We hope to see you there: First Tuesdays, 12PM-1:30pm in the Library/ Clara Barton Lounge.

Our May Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for Verona Street Animal Shelter.

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​​​Verona Street Animal Shelter is an organization that supports Rochester Animal Services (RAS). Rochester Animal Service is a municipal animal care and control organization. It serves Rochester’s people and animals by creating safe neighborhoods, supporting the human-animal bond, and saving and enhancing lives. ​

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We hope you will give generously to support all our furry friends! For more info, visit vsas.org/.

Join us at noon in the Chalice Room (#23) to discuss "The Lion Women of Tehran" by Marjan Kamali.

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A coming-of-age story about two girls growing up in mid-20th century Iran who become friends, while facing family disruptions amid political upheaval. A National Bestseller that provides historical context to current events.

All are invited to attend – prior reading not required. Order your copy or place a hold at the library now – It is popular and could be on backorder!

The Immigration Social Justice Circle is meeting at noon on April 19 in the Chalice Room to continue the discussion of possible action toward support of immigrants in our community.

Please join us if you have an interest in this important topic

Bring yourself, family and friends to listen and watch members of the Rochester Theater Organ Society practice some of their favorite pieces on the pipe organ in our sanctuary.

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From 1:30-4:30pm on Sunday afternoon community organists will sign up to play the Hope-Jones, just for fun. Usually they play on the Wurlitzer organ at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, but it is under renovation at this time. So, we invited them to come to First Universalist. Church members are welcome to come and go, walk up to the console and speak with the organists, and listen as well at this free event.

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They plan to return on May 17, so save the dates! Contact Charlie Courtsal with any questions.

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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​In-Person Drop-in Discussions meet at 9:15am in the Chalice Room, and will continue on the first Sunday of the month. 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!

Ready to join our church?

You can join any time, but our next celebration of new members is during our Sunday, May 17 service.

See Justin Wilson, Congregational Life Coordinator, or email at conglife@uuroc.org to learn more about membership and belonging to our congregation.

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!

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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.

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March 12

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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March 19

Virtuoso Trumpet

Demian Spindler performs a preview of his solo program for the upcoming International Trumpet Guild’s 50th Anniversary Conference, which will take place this May at the Eastman School!

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March 26

In Slavic Spirit

Violinist Mikhail Kopelman, cellist Rosemary Elliott, and pianist Irina Lupines perform the Piano Trio “Dumky,” a brooding and introspective composition with cheerful sections interspersed throughout.

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April 2

Piano Extravaganza I

The students from the studio of Professors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will dazzle you with piano masterpieces.

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April 9

Piano Extravaganza II

The students from the studio of Professors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers will dazzle you with more piano masterpieces.

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April 16

Woodwind Chamber Music

Come and enjoy fabulous music for woodwind ensemble performed by ESM students.

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April 23

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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April 30

Fulton Chamber Players

Violinist and ECMS alum Addison Teng and violist Amy Hess present works for violin and viola by Classical stalwart Anton Hoffmeister and little-known late-Romantic Emil Kreuz.

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May 7

Entre Tierra y Recuerdo (Between Homeland and Memory)

Tenor Pablo Bustos and pianist Priscilla Yuen will perform the program centered on themes of memory, love, and cultural storytelling, drawing on music from Argentina, Spain, and Chile.

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May 14

New Horizons Chorus

The New Horizons Chorus will journey through musical eras, sharing songs from medieval chant to Renaissance polyphony and a Bach chorale. They’ll also perform several contemporary pieces inspired by the classics. 

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May 21

Honors Finale

Enjoy the final concert of the season, featuring more amazing young high school graduates from the Honors Program at the Eastman Community Music School.

Our April Social Justice Plate Offering is designated for The Center for Teen Empowerment Rochester.

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Since 1992, The Center for Teen Empowerment has worked to transform communities, create safe spaces, and invest in the power of youth and adult partnerships to build stronger and more socially just communities.

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Please contribute to support this important work. For more info, visit teenempowerment.org/.

Our guest presenter, Rev. Richard Witt, has been at the forefront of fighting for the rights of farmworkers and rural workers as the Executive Director of Rural & Migrant Ministry. For two decades he was a powerful force in gaining passage of the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, and is well-known throughout New York State and across the country for his longtime advocacy for marginalized workers and their families. ​​

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

Are you interested in learning more about our faith or becoming a member?

Our Congregational Life Coordinator, Justin Wilson, and Rev. Eileen will host a discussion session after the service on Sunday, 5/3/26, in her office, and via Zoom on 5/7/26 at 6:30pm at this link.

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.

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We hope to see you there!

The LGBTQIA+ social justice circle is having its meeting once again!

Both queer and ally individuals alike are invited to attend our meeting, as we plan on collaborating to make our congregation and Rochester even more fabulous!

Since we heard the EcoJustice committee has something going on during coffee hour after services, we pushed our meeting back to noon to give everyone time to check that out first. 

Talk to Willow, or a committee member, if you want to help!

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Feel free to grab a snack from the coffee hour and head upstairs to the Gratitude Room (22)  after service at noon! We hope to see you there!

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Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85214334476?pwd=Kpx5oUaiCItabp0rO4HlYyhqaQasq7.1

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.