This Week at First Universalist

Join us this Sunday

10:30 a.m. Morning Service: December 24. Winter Solstice . Our morning service on Christmas Eve Day will be an informal gathering in the Clara Barton Lounge to celebrate the solstice with music (led by the Gathered Here Quartet), refreshments and opportunities for participation for all ages.

-The Reverend Peggy Meeker and Lisa Gwinner

7:00 p.m. Evening Service: December 24. Christmas Eve . This traditional 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service will feature Christmas carols and readings, including the singing of "Silent Night" by candlelight, plus the special pleasure of Christmas cookies.

- The Reverend Peggy Meeker.

Drop-In Discussion: December 24. No Drop-In Discussion.

Upcoming Events

LUUNCH BUUNCH

The Luunch Buunch, our informal gathering of folks from First Universalist Church will meet on January 7th at Pita in College Town. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Joyce Gilbert at JTGilbert@frontiernet.net, with any questions.

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COZY NIGHT SUPPER

Want a break from those Christmas cookies and fruitcakes, tasty as they are? A COZY NIGHT SUPPER held Friday, December 29th from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Clara Barton Lounge might be the answer. Our potluck dinner will be from 5:30-6:30 pm. The program from 6:30-7:30 pm will focus on Festivals of Light. And who couldn’t use a little light this time of year? A sign-up sheet is on the hall bulletin board or contact Kathy Russell at krussel6@frontiernet.net for more information. Please let us know that you will be attending, noting what you would like to bring - salad, dessert, main dish, bread, handheld fruits or vegetables. Your RSVP will allow us to know how many folks to plan for. Drinks, silverware and dishes will be provided. All are welcome!

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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Our Christmas Eve (Evening) Service will be on Sunday, Dec. 24 ^th starting at 7pm. If you are planning on attending and you can contribute a dozen Christmas cookies, please let Tom Williams know at busterdawg_1947@yahoo.com or call 585-663-4362.

BOOK GROUP

January's selection is " A World Lit By Fire " by William Manchester, and February offers us " The Reluctant Fundamentalist " by Soshin Hamid. Please contact Shirley Bond at bondshirl1@gmail.com or

Sarah Singal at ssingal@rochester.rr.com with any questions.

There will not be a Book Group on December 31st.

RAIHN

Sponsoring a RAIHN Family: The holidays are a time of extra joy and generosity. In that spirit our church will be sponsoring a RAIHN family of 5 from December who moved from the program into their new home. We welcome volunteers to shop for family members; your participation will make the season bright. Please see Paula Marchese in the Clara Barton Lounge for details.

During RAIHN Week, January 7-14, 2018, we will turn our church into a home for temporarily homeless families by converting our classrooms into bedrooms, cooking meals, staying overnight, washing bedding, and providing help. To join our volunteer team, sign-up in the Clara Barton Lounge after church on Sunday, or contact Chris DeGolyer at chrisdeg@frontiernet. If you would like to learn more before volunteering, we have opportunities to "shadow" experienced volunteers. *Rochester Are Interfaith Hospitality Network: keeping families together. Getting families home for good.

NEW SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

We want to start a new daytime SGM, and need to know who is interested and the day of the week that is best for you. When we get a critical number, a group would meet every two weeks in the afternoon of the selected day at the home of Connie Valk, located near the zoo. Contact Connie Valk at cvalk@frontiernet.net or Bob Remley at humans@rochester.rr.com with your interest and availability.

THURSDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

Eastman at Washington Square The last concert for 2017 took place here at First Universalist church on December 14th. Concerts resume January 04, 2018. The concerts will begin at 12:15 PM and end at approximately 12:45 PM. Brown bag lunches are welcome during the performances, and admission is free. See you in the New Year! For more information visit www.esm.rochester.edu/community/events/lunchtime/ .

SERVICE AUCTION

It's Coming: Auction 2018! Our annual service auction is scheduled for Sunday, February 4, 2018 , after the morning service. Donation forms will be available on the church's website in early January 2018, so you can spend your December dreaming of what you can bring to the auction table! Be part of the fun by donating a service, item, or experience, by volunteering to help, and of course, by attending the auction and participating! Contact Paula Marchese

pmarchese@rochester.rr.com for more information.

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Welcome

We would like to warmly welcome our new Office Administrator, Andrea Lewis.

Andrea comes to us with a strong administrative background, having previously worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Pentecostal Pilgrim Church of God for 6 years, and recently as an Interim Coordinator for Family Child Care Satellites of Greater Rochester.

Andrea enjoys being a mother to a strapping 27-year-old son who is on the executive board for PUSH Buffalo and to a gorgeous 12-year-old daughter who is certainly the joy of her heart; as well as joyously being “Nana” to an adorable 7-year-old grandson who “does no wrong.”

Please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself, or drop a note and say Hi!

Andrea is very excited to join the staff family of First Universalist, and looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone.

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Holiday Mitten Tree

Holiday Mitten Tree: We decorated our Christmas tree in the sanctuary with warm winter accessories for children and adults in our community who need them. Thank you for all the warm mittens, scarves, hats, socks, etc., that were donated. These items will go to School #7 and the REACH homeless shelter. Questions to Lisa Gwinner at wincourt@gmail.com.

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Blue Recycle Tote

The church is looking for help getting the large blue recycle bin to the sidewalk on Monday afternoons, for pick up early Tuesday mornings. It helps to live or work near by. We have some people that take a month at a time, and it would be wonderful to add some more. Please see Sarah Singal or email her at ssingla@rochester.rr.com Thanks in advance!