Holidays at First UU Church

We are glad to gather throughout this season to celebrate many traditions and rituals. We hope you can join us to find ways to nourish your spirit with the gifts of connection, peace, and joy for the holidays.

Services:

Winter Solstice Celebration
Wednesday, December 21 ~ 7 pm
Sanctuary & Courtyard
An annual marking of the longest night of the year, with music, poetry, and stories, ending with a fire in the courtyard. Join us for our weekly supper before the service at 5:30.
 
Christmas Eve Services
Saturday, December 24 ~ 4 pm (in person & livestream) and 6pm (in person only)
Traditional services with readings, reflections and carols, including music from the choir, ending in candlelight and singing Silent Night. Half of the offertory plate will go to Rochester Crisis Nursery.
 
Christmas Eve Cookie and Bar Reception
Saturday, December 24 ~ 5 pm
Commons
Bring your favorite cookie and/or bar to share. Label any that contain nuts
 
No Sunday Service on December 25
 
Ritual of Change and Growth
Sunday, January 1 at 10:00 am (One Service only)
An annual service with music, readings, and a fire ritual to mark the threshold between the old and the new year. Each year, we bring to this service things to let go of and intentions to set. 

Giving:

December Monthly Justice Partner is:
Family Promise of Rochester
Providing shelter, case management, and support to families experiencing homelessness in Rochester.

December 24 – Half of the plate will go to Rochester Crisis Nursery

Guest At Your Table Boxes
Sunday, December 4 through December 24
Guest at Your Table (GAYT) is UUSC’s annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. Since UUSC works in more than 20 countries, with over 50 grassroots partners, there are thousands of individuals involved in and who benefit from the work that our members make possible. The program is an opportunity to celebrate grassroots partnership, support human rights, and learn about just four of these individuals – the “guests” in Guest at Your Table.

Making a Gift to Guest at Your Table

Donations to Guest at Your Table help advance community-led human rights initiatives around the world. Donations of $150 or more are eligible to be matched by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY.

To donate online, please use this secure donation page, which can also be accessed via the shortcut uusc.org/givetoguest. To donate by mail, please make checks out to “UUSC” with “Guest” or “GAYT”  in the memo field, and send to: UUSC •  PO Box 808  •  Newark, NJ 07101-0808.

Donate to the 2022 Guest at Your Table

Events:

Twelfth Night Christmas Tree Bonfire
Saturday, January 7 ~ 4:30-6:30 pm
Come light up the night at Squash Blossom Farm
Let’s gather to celebrate a belated Twelfth Night, the final day of the Christmas season, and the beginning of Epiphany, commemorating the arrival of the Magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. It is the day that Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, and in many parts of the world bonfires are part of the celebrations. (Our celebration will be two days after the actual date this year.) Register HERE.