A religious community concerns itself not only with spiritual development; it also invites all people into a circle of connection, caring, fun, and friendship. We value and support each other through opportunities to both give and receive care and we develop treasured connections by gathering together for celebration and fun.
Upcoming Leadership Meetings…
Board of Directors: Wednesday, October 18, 7:00 pm
(meets 3rd Wednesdays)
Program Council: Wednesday, November 1, 7:15 pm
(meets 1st Wednesdays, every other month)
Save these Dates…
Sunday, October 15 – Installation of Rev. Luke Steves-Royer
Saturday, November 11 – Annual Service Auction
Friday & Saturday, December 1-2 – Handcrafted Bazaar
Sunday, December 24 – Single service at 10 am – Candlelight services at 4 & 6 pm with a reception between services
Upcoming Events…
Chalice Circles are forming for 2017-2018!
In Chalice Circles, we look within ourselves and find stories drawn from the wellsprings of our own lives. We bring forth stories of individual victories and defeats, personal fears and disappointments, private insights and concerns. Each person speaks, others listen. Everyone speaks. Everyone is heard. This small- group ministry is entering its 8th year at First Unitarian Universalist Church. Learn more or sign up in the Hearth Room and Commons September 24th or online, here: 2017-2018 Chalice Circle Registration Questions? Contact Melissa Eggler, Congregational Life Coordinator at 282-5209 or congregationlife@uurochmn.org
Fellowship Activity: UU Fall Wine Tasting
Saturday, September 23 / 6:30 pm / Commons
Feeling bottled up? Join us for our second UU blind tasting. Bring a bottle of wine and an appetizer/ food item to share. Paper products, water, and palate cleansers will be provided. We will “blind taste” for the first hour. Participants will then be invited to share impressions of the various wines. Finally, the producer, varietal and price point of each wine will be revealed. (You must be 21 years or older to attend.) Hosted by Jodi & Dave Edmonson Jodi Edmonson (edmonson6@charter.net or 288-2588) and Margo & Mike Stich (missmargo@charter.net or 288-5319).
Schedule of Events:
6:45-7 pm – Participants arrive & receive handouts on general wine evaluation. Please come directly to the kitchen where your wine will be bagged, numbered, and placed at one of four stations: Red Dry, Red Sweet, White Dry, or White Sweet.
7-8 pm – Uncorking and tasting
8-8:45 pm – The Unveiling: bags opened after tasting and a bit of conversation.
Fellowship Activity – Collect Seeds Together to Celebrate ‘National Public Lands Day’
Saturday, September 30 / 9:30-11:30 a.m. / Oronoco Scientific & Natural Area
Brian Lind will be your UU host for this relaxing and meditative outing among the birds and butterflies to collect seeds from native plants. This beautiful site is about six miles north of Rochester. Collected seeds will be used to diversify and restore plantings at Quarry Hill Nature Center and Indian Heights Park. Training and equipment provided. It is easy and fun! Wear long pants tucked into long socks, sturdy shoes, hats, and sunglasses. The outing will end with a picnic lunch. Contact Brian Lind for directions, questions, or carpooling: BJLindmn@gmail.com
Fellowship Activity: Did you travel somewhere interesting this year?Consider sharing your beautiful photos and unique experience via the Armchair Travelers series at church. Pick a Friday night in January, February, or March to show a power point presentation about your travels with fellow UUs. Questions? Please contact Robin Taylor at RobinESTaylor@gmail.com
UU Women’s Retreat
Friday-Sunday, October 27-29 / Cedar Valley Resort, Whalen, MN
Join us at a retreat for the women of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, October 27-29th. Less than an hour’s drive southeast of Rochester, you will find a welcoming community and a weekend of fun, reflection, and activities to nurture, nourish and renew you on your spiritual journey. Price per person Friday-Sunday $175 ~ Saturday only (no lodging) $50. Contact Melissa Eggler, Coordinator of Congregational Life, for registration and more information. (We want everyone interested to attend, a registration fee waiver is available thanks to the generosity of the Clara Barton Guild.)
Fellowship: Halloween Movie Night & Potluck
Friday, October 27 – Halloween-themed Potluck at 6 pm / Movie at 7 pm
Join us to watch the best Halloween movie ever – ‘Hocus Pocus’! Soup will be provided, bring a side dish, salad, or Halloween theme dessert to share. Feel free to wear your Halloween costume, and bring a blanket! Any questions, contact Beth Thompson at beth705thompson@yahoo.com , or 254-9218
Inter-generational Trivia & Dessert Night
Saturday, Nov. 4 / 6:30 pm / Commons
We will create mixed-aged teams to play three rounds of trivia questions in various categories. RE youth will be providing some of the Q & A’s, so every team will need a couple youth to level the playing field! Please bring a dessert or snacks to share Hosts: Lisa Talcott, Robin Taylor
Fellowship: Ethnic Lunch Series
Tuesday, November 7 / 1:00 pm / Location TBA
Take a tasting trip around the world with other UUs. There is no need to purchase an expensive airline ticket. In addition to enjoying foods from India, Somalia to Vietnam and more than 20 countries in between, discussion on the countries makes for lively fellowship. After the first lunch in November, participants take turns selecting, scheduling and hosting. Hosts on November 7: Sandy and John McLaughlin
Thanksgiving Dinner at First UU
Thursday, Nov. 23 / 1 pm / Commons
Our traditional holiday potluck dinner with all the fixings. Hosts: Judy and Jim Jensen
Christmas Cookie Exchange
Sunday, Dec. 17 / 10:35 am / Conference Room
Make the most of your holiday baking by exchanging some of your favorite treats for other people’s specialties. Bring 48 of your most delicious and delectable homemade cookies to exchange for different, delicious, and delectable homemade cookies! Bring your cookies and an empty container(s) large enough to hold 48 cookies. For more information or to RSVP, contact Rachel Froud (RachelCFroud@gmail.com or call/text 990-9049).
Sunday, Dec. 24 / 5-5:45 pm / Commons
Christmas Eve Cookie Reception
Between candlelight services at 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm. Hosts needed.
Sharing / Volunteering…
Outdoor Property Workdays
Saturdays – 9 am to noon: Sep. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 11
Please add these dates to your calendar to work on the church gardens and grounds. Be aware the dates may change depending on the weather. Contact Bill Thompson for more information.
Community Food Response
Wednesday, September 29 / Shifts 1:30-4:00 pm and 4:35-6:40 pm / Bethel Lutheran Church
Help sort or distribute food recycled from hospitals, restaurants, and bakeries for families in need. If any questions or want to help, contact Ella VanLaningham. Sign-up and a fuller description are available at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084eaea728ab9-uucfrdays
Saturday Noon Meals
Next dates: Saturdays – October 28
Shifts at 9-11:30 am & 11-1:30 pm at Christ United Methodist Church (400-5th Ave. SW).
A signup sheet is available in the Commons or online: Saturday Noon Meals. Contact: Roxanne Schlasner
Hawthorne Helps Project
Fall 2017 Blue Barrel Collection: Body wash, deodorant, toothpaste – barrel located in the Commons at the base of the stairs
Hawthorne Helps Mini-Store Dates for your calendar (shifts from 9:30-12:30 pm & 2:30-5:30 pm): Tue. 10/26; Tue. 10/11; Wed.10/11; Tue. 10/24; Wed. 11/8; Tue. 11/21; Wed. 12/6; Tue. 12/19 – Contact Sandy MacLaughlin for more information.
Family Promise: Hosting Week
Oct. 29-Nov. 5 / Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
We need 2 evening hosts as well as 2 overnight hosts each night. Volunteers are also needed to drive the van both morning and late afternoon-it takes just an hour. Those jobs require that you be trained. But there are other tasks you can help with without being trained, for example, prepare and deliver the evening meal for the families, help set up the rooms on Sunday afternoon, or help wash all the towels and sheets at the end of the week. Please call or email me to let me know how you are willing to help. Julie Gilkinson (289-2762/ jlgilkinson@gmail.com )
Groups…
UU Book Club – 3rd Tuesdays
Tuesday, October 17 / 6 pm / Commons
Book: Circling the Sun, by Paula McLain
Hosted by: Julie Gilkinson
Reviewed by: Ella VanLaningham
Potluck supper at 6 pm
Clara Barton Guild – Holiday Luncheon
Tuesday, November 14 / 11:30 am / Charter House
Great Books Club
1st & 3rd Tuesdays / 9:30 am / Conference Room
UUs and the community at large are welcome. For information about upcoming readings, contact Sandy Ramage.
UU Horton Bridge – Generally 3rd Saturdays
7:00 pm / Joyce Lewis’ home
Classes, Study Groups, Interest Groups…
Adult Religious Education – Articulating Your Faith
Sundays, October 8, 22, Nov. 5 / 6:30 pm
Presented by Maggie O’Connell Nolte & Leslie Redinger
The Articulating Your Faith series is designed to assist you in responding to the question, “Oh, you’re a Unitarian Universalist? What’s that?” It’s a simple question, but there is no one answer. In this series, you’ll define what your faith means to you personally, so you can, in turn, articulate that meaning to others. Please sign up in the Commons or on Facebook, providing your email address. You will receive a packet of handouts before the sessions begin. Questions? Please contact Maggie (maggieojk@gmail.com) or Leslie (lredinger@juno.com )
Class: “The Bible as an 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
Study Group: Chosen Faith
4th Tuesdays / 7 pm / Hearth Room
Contact: Anne Black-Sinak
Interest Group: Humanism
3rd Mondays / 7:00 pm / Hearth Room
Contact: Pat Calvert
Interest Group: Buddhism
4th Wednesdays / 7:15 PM / Clara Barton Room
Questions? Contact Frank Druktainis