In-Person Sunday Service
Sundays at 9 and 11 am

Livestream Sunday Service
Sundays at 9:00 am 
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and click on the bell to receive notification of all livestream events.
Click HERE to view our channel
Click HERE to view previous livestream services

Coffee Hour
Sundays at 10:00 am
First UU Commons & Courtyard
A chance to interact with others from First UU for reflections on Sunday’s service!  Coffee, tea, doughnut holes will be provided.

Wednesdays

Walden Hill Wednesdays
September Through May

Join us Wednesdays for a shared meal, followed by opportunities for community for all ages.
 
5:30 – 6:15 pm – “Tupper” Supper provided by cook teams; free will donation
6:15 – 7:00 pm – Forum – A weekly community conversation on topics relating to justice, spirituality, church life and the wider community. Some forums include guest speakers from our justice partners or other community groups.
6:15 – 7:00 pm – Various Activities
6:00 – 7:00 pm – Choir Rehearsal

Proposed Article II Class
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8pm
April 23 – May 14
Virtual ~ Registration is Required ~ Register HERE
Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, Principles and Purposes is the foundation for all the work of the UUA and its member congregations and covenanted communities. This four session course from UU Wellspring provides a deep dive into revisions of Article II as proposed by the UUA. Updated to include the amendments passed at the 2023 General Assembly, this program engages you in the Purposes, Values and Covenant, Inspiration, Inclusion and Freedom of Belief of the proposed Article II which will be voted on at General Assembly 2024. Register HERE.
Facilitated by MUUSJA Executive Director Katie Kline.

Creative Arts Series
A Songwriting Workshop with Emily Whitcomb
Saturday, April 27 ~ 1-3pm ~ Commons
Register HERE
Dive deep into the art of songwriting with exercises that challenge and expand your abilities. From melody creation to lyric writing, you’ll get practical experience in every aspect of songwriting. What Will You Discover?
• The secrets to writing compelling lyrics that tell a story and evoke emotions. • Strategies for overcoming writer’s block and staying inspired.
• The ins and outs of song structure, from verse to chorus to bridge, and beyond. Who Should Attend? • Aspiring songwriters seeking to hone their craft.
• Musicians looking to add songwriting to their skillset.
• Lyricists and poets curious about setting their words to music.
• Anyone passionate about music and eager to explore the world of songwriting.

Donuts in the Park
Saturday, May 4 ~ 10am ~ Kutzky Park
Celebrate “May the Fourth be with you.” Come in costume (or not) and share fellowship with donuts, hot-chocolate, and coffee.

Rochester Reading Champions
A showing of The Right to Read Film
Monday, May 6 ~ 6pm ~ Rochester Public Library
The Right to Read is about the actions taken by an activist, a teacher, and two American families as they fight for equitable literacy instruction. The film will be followed by a short talk from the office of Instruction and Curriculum at Rochester Public Schools. 

One Woman Play “Ann“
by Holland Taylor
Performed by Laurie Helmers
Friday/Saturday, May 10-11, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 12, at 2 pm
First UU Sanctuary
Buy Your Tickets HERE
The legendary late Texas Governor Ann Richards is coming to our church on Mother’s Day weekend! Laurie Helmers will portray this complex, colorful and captivating woman in Holland Taylor’s inspiring and hilarious one-woman show, ANN.  You’ll be face-to-face with this impassioned icon who enriched the lives of her followers, friends, and family.
More information will be forthcoming on how to reserve your $20 ticket.

Movie and Popcorn
Friday, May 17 ~ 7pm ~ Commons
Join us for a movie and popcorn. The Followship team will show Journey to the Center of the Earth

Fill the Freezer
Saturday, June 8 ~ 10-11am ~Commons
Drop off your baked or bought goods to be stored in our freezer. We will use these for our Sunday services throughout the summer.

Rainbow Nature Walk
Sunday, June 9 ~ 2-4 pm
Thursday, June 13 ~ 9:30-11:30am
Viola Land
Celebrate Pride month and the colors of nature by walking trails on the Viola land. We will search for items that match the colors of the rainbow. Can you spot the red squirrel? Will the blue violets be blooming? Join us on one of these walks or both!
Anyone who enjoys nature (does not need to be a church member.) is welcome to join. Bring: long pants, sturdy shoes with socks, sunscreen, hat, and a bottle of water. Organized by Max Maurer and Patty Trnka.

UUA General Assembly
Online ~ June 20-23
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian
Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn,
connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic
process. This year’s theme is “Love Unites, Stories Ignite”. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to have voting delegates. Visit uua.org/ga for more information.

The State Parks of Southeast Minnesota
April – September
Register HERE
Join us for a series of day trips to picnic and walk around our local state parks.  Each month, for the next six months, Anna Lovrien (annalovrien@gmail.com) will lead a visit to a park about an hour’s drive from Rochester.  We will carpool from the church at 10:30 am.  Bring your lunch for a picnic in the park, followed by a 1-2 hour hike at a relaxed place.  Attendance is free, but if you might volunteer to drive in the carpool, please pre-purchase a state park parking permit (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html).  If you are considering attending, reserve the following Saturdays on your calendar!

April 27 Carley State Park. Spring Wildflowers in the woods.
May 25 Rice Lake.  Lake and marsh, hotspot for migratory birds.
June 29 Nerstrand Big Woods. Old-growth trees and a waterfall.
July 27 Forestville/ Mystery Cave.  Combo 1890’s historic “ghost” town & Cave tour.
Aug 24 Myre-Big Island. Lake Views and restored prairie.
Sept 28 Great River Bluffs. View of fall colors in the Mississippi river valley, from bluff prairie.
View the map HERE.

2024/2025 Church Year Offerings- Beginning September 2024

Small Group Facilitators – Do you have an idea for a faith development group at First UU or interested in facilitating an already existing group? Contact Amy Nelson or any First UU Staff member for more information.

Cook Team Leaders/Members  – Interested in leading or becoming a member of a Tupper Supper cook team? Contact Melissa Eggler or any First UU staff member for details on how to join.

Facilitators needed for 2024-2025 Chalice Circles

Chalice Circles, our small group ministry at First Unitarian Universalist Church, are small connection and discussion groups that use the church wide “Soul Matters” curriculum and meet our needs for belonging and meaning. These groups which meet monthly, build friendships and provide opportunities to contemplate the big questions of life. Chalice Circles are designed to enrich our community with the sort of conversation and attentiveness that can be difficult in the busy life of a growing congregation. When congregation members are having their needs for connection and spiritual deepening met, they want to give back to their faith community.

If you have enjoyed your experience as a member of a Chalice Circle over the years, OR are interested in learning more, we invite you to consider deepening your connection to this vital church program by serving as a Chalice Circle Facilitator for the 2024/2025 session.

A Chalice Circle Facilitator:

  • Holds the space for all members of the group
  • Keeps the process feeling safe and fair to everyone
  • Participates as a member of the group
  • Receives easy training, you choose the date/time of your circle

We are looking to add facilitators for:

  • Young Adult Group (Ages 20-30)
  • All female group
  • All male group
  • Co-ed group

For more information, inquire with Melissa Eggler
congregationlife@uurochmn.org