50th Anniversary of Stonewall Uprising
Sunday, June 23|11:15 am Potluck|12:30 pm Movie|Commons
2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a historical milestone of the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement. Join us for a potluck brunch and a showing of the film, “After Stonewall,” a documentary film about the years of gay rights activism since the 1969 Stonewall riots. It is narrated by musician Melissa Etheridge.

General Assembly 2019
June 19-23|Spokane, WA
General Assembly  is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.
If you are planning to attend this year’s General Assembly, please contact Rev. Luke at  revluke@uurochmn.org.
If you would like to participate off-site, please follow this link.

Meet at the church parking lot at 11:15 am to carpool to Oxbow Park, Byron, MN (or meet us at Oxbow Park – 2nd bridge picnic area at 11:45 am). Bring your own picnic lunch and beverage and a snack to share.

Join us for this free event. We’ll meet up at 6 pm to picnic and socialize.

Join us for this multigenerational tubing adventure down the Root River. Meet in the church parking lot at 10 am with a picnic lunch. We will arrive in Lanesboro by 11 am. We will float the river a few times, have a picnic lunch, and then stop for pie in Whalan before coming back home. We will return to Rochester around 3 pm.

Come with your favorite fur-babies to have fun and fellowship at the dog park.

Join us for a relaxed walk to check out the masses of migrating Monarch butterflies and bunches of late summer prairie flowers. Email Sue or Phil Wheeler to sign up.

Come for music and fellowship. Bring a picnic or order a wood-fired pizza. There is something for everyone at Squash Blossom Farm. Hosts – Lyn, Steve, and Chip Smith. Contact Lyn to let her know you are coming.

 

Sharing | Volunteering | Social Action

Hawthorne Helps Blue Barrel Collection
Contribute to the blue barrel in the Commons, (Accepting only new and unused items…thank you!!)

Volunteer Opportunity – AARP Low Income Tax Assistance
One of our social justice outreach programs is to help lower income taxpayers fill out tax returns so that they can meet their obligations and maximize any refunds. We need volunteers who can help clients fill out tax returns and other volunteers who can help schedule appointments and welcome taxpayers to their appointments. Classes will be provided, November-January, in addition to mentoring where needed. Your “working” schedule is very flexible. Please call or email Ella VanLaningham for information (egvanlaningham@gmail.com).

Seasonal Reminders

2019 Pathway to Membership
TBD|11:30am-2pm|Commons
Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist of Rochester: A Class for Newcomers

Join us as we explore how wonderful being a member of the First UU Church of Rochester can be!  If you have been visiting and time of discussion. You will meet others who are exploring our church as their spiritual home and together we will have an opportunity to share our religious journey. We will explore the principles, mission, and vision of this church, as well as historical and contemporary Unitarian Universalism.

To attend, please sign up on the clipboard on the Guest Table or contact Melissa Eggler, Coordinator of Congregational Life, at 282-5209 or congregationlife@uurochmn.org. With at least one-week advance request, childcare will be provided.

Affinity Groups

Sundays

Class: “The Bible as a Historical Document”
2nd Sundays | 7 pm | Hearth Room
Lecture and discussion facilitated by Frank Druktainis & Jim Olson. All are welcome!

Study Group: Principle 4
4th Sundays | 7 pm | Hearth Room
The Principle 4 Study Group is centered around a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Contact: Anne Black-Sinak

Mondays

Course in Miracles
Every Monday | 10:00 am | Commons
This weekly study group reads and discusses the text of “A Course in Miracles (ACIM)” which offers a system of metaphysical thought, based on unconditional love and forgiveness. Participants discuss the challenges of trying to “live the Course.” Contact Peggy Marchesani for more information.

Tuesdays

UU Zen Meditation Group
Tuesdays|7 pm|Thoreau Room
A weekly group practice of zazen: a meditation as it is taught in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition. The group will focus on practice, with some time for discussion. Group members will have the opportunity to shape the direction and focus of the meetings to best support their own practice. Bring an open mind and a cushion or pillow. Contact Darin Podulke-Smith for more information.

Clara Barton Guild
June 11|11:30 am|Hearth Room

Great Books Club
1st & 3rd Tuesdays | 9:30 am | Chapel
UUs and the community at large are welcome. For information about upcoming readings, contact Sandy Ramage. 

UU Book Club
3rd Tuesdays | 6 pm | various locations
Tuesday, February 19 | 6 pm | Commons -December’s book is, “Just Mercy”, by Bryan Stevenson. Potluck & reading list planning meeting. Contact:  Barbara Wijdicks

Study Group: Chosen Faith
4th Tuesday | 7 pm | Hearth Room
The Chosen Faith Study Group invites you to come and discuss Rethinking Religion: Finding a Place for Religion in a Modern, Tolerant, Progressive, Peaceful and Science-affirming World, by Barbara O’Brien.  The Study Group reads and discusses Unitarian and Universalist leaders’ views of the past and present, as well as other significant liberal theologies. All are invited for a lively discussion.  For more information please contact Anne Black-Sinak (charyut@gmail.com)

Wednesdays

Interest Group: Buddhism
1st Wednesdays | 7:00 pm | Clara Barton Room
Questions? Contact Frank Druktainis

Thursdays

Caring Crafters
2nd Thursdays | 1 pm | Hearth Room
The Caring Crafters use their talents to bring comfort or joy to members of our congregation.  We knit, crochet, quilt, and weave items for the minister to give to people facing challenges, crisis, or grief; make tied fleece blankets to give to our Coming of Age graduates and knitted or crocheted baby blankets for infants and young children being welcomed into our congregation; and make cards to send to those who are grieving or celebrating.  The work brings us together; the fellowship keeps us together. Meets 3rd Thursday each month.  Contact: Sarah Rothwell 

Saturdays

UU Horton Bridge
Generally 3rd Saturdays | 1-5 PM | Joyce Lewis’ home