UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

June’s theme in children's Religious Exploration is  “The Practice of Freedom”.

From the creators of the children’s Soul Matter’s curriculum: “All month long, we will be looking at and exploring some of the things we may be finding ourselves trapped in and needing to
get free from...

[We will explore] freedom from oppression and having to hide who you are, using the occasion of Pride Month as a focal point.” Ms. Bernie and the children will also celebrate the Summer Solstice.

We will have a water play day (if weather allows) to kick off the beginning of summer and the last month of RE classes before summer break! RE class will break for summer at the end of June, and restart when school commences in September.

Hope you can join us for our last few RE classes in
June before summer break!

Warmly,
Michelle DiLorenzo, RE Chair

Concerned about the state of our nation and what is to come?

Markly Wilson will facilitate a discussion on Sunday, June 1. You are invited to join and share your thoughts and feelings.

We meet the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. via Zoom.

For our Thursday, June 5 discussion, we selected Roma which is available on Netflix. This film won the Academy award for the Best Foreign Language Film, and Oscars for the director Alfonzo Cuaron and for Cinematography in 2019. This is a story based loosely on the director’s growing up in Mexico during the political and domestic troubles of the early 1970s. We hope you can join us.

Use the Zoom link below or on the uucrt.org website to join the discussion.
https://zoom.us/j/96634364686pwd=aklyNStYMVNT0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate
Join by phone: 1 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: 8282691

Sing Sing, the Movie
FYI: The movie group is planning a Sunday afternoon showing of Sing Sing, the 2024 movie about the prison’s Rehabilitation through the Arts program, (RTA) starring Colman Domingo. The person portrayed by Coleman was incarcerated, serving time for a crime he did not commit. As the lead in this movie, he was nominated for an Academy Award for a performance by an actor in a
leading role. Watch for the announcement of thisshowing later this spring.

We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm. via Zoom.

For Thursday, June 19 we selected The Outermost House by Henry Beston, a chronicle of a solitary year spent on Cape Cod beach, long recognized as a classic of American nature writing. All are welcome.

Use the Zoom link below or to join the discussion.

https://zoom.us/j/96634364686pwd=aklyNStYMVN T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate.

Join by phone: 1 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: 8282691

The Work of Citizenship: Of late, congressional switchboards have been flooded with calls. If you would like to add your thoughts on any topic, here is a link that will provide you with the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of all members of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/

Let’s keep our values alive in the world! Have some ideas? Join us as we jumpstart our mission into 2025. Contact Nancy or Nan

What we do! The Caring Ministry provides short-term, physical help to individuals and families within our congregation who are in need. While we cannot offer emergency or ongoing services, we can offer our collective love through support with:

-short term meals
-rides for medical appointments
-check-ins / for those who feel isolated
-cards for celebrations as well as hardships
-connection for those going through a difficult time

Because it is sometimes difficult to ask for help, the Caring Ministry relies upon our entire congregation to identify and communicate the needs of our parishioners. We work with Rev. Diane in confidence, to coordinate care.

If you, or if you know of anyone needing help, please reach out to Linda Manglesdorf or Rev. Diane, please contact: aa.uucrt@gmail.com or info.uucrt@gmail.com

Rev. Diane Diachishin is available to offer pastoral care for people who are struggling with loss, grief, or other challenges. Pastoral care differs from therapy or counseling in that it does not attempt to fix problems or address mental health issues. Rather, it provides a loving, accepting, hopeful presence, and, in doing so, makes it easier for people to get in touch with their own inner wisdom and strength. Most of all, pastoral care is simply being present for you. It brings the love and care of our entire congregation to those in need.

Contact Rev. Diane aa.uucrt@gmail.com or info.uucrt@gmail.com if you, or you know of someone who might benefit from pastoral care.

We are very grateful to all who donated generously to enable our congregation to continue as a liberal religious voice in Orange County, NY.

Huge thanks to Linda for spearheading the Pledge Drive along with Sue Ann and Alan. And to Fred for creating a Treasure Chest to receive your pledge cards.

-Nan Dempster, on behalf of Board.

Our congregation helped induct a new member May 4th, Charlie Isaacs.

We are looking forward to having other “Friends” become “Members” in the months to come.

Charlie Isaacs is welcomed as a member by President Markly Wilson (left) and Welcoming Chair, Jim Tarvin (right)

-Jim Tarvin, Chair, Welcoming Ministry

The UUCRT Board, in conjunction with Elizabeth Mehling, will produce a short video for our website and social media platforms to highlight why people visit and then decide to make UUCRT their spiritual home. Members and Friends are asked to think about their responses, and if so moved, to speak with Elizabeth or Nan. Elizabeth will set up her camera and recording devices on particular Sundays in Jan-Feb (TBD).

Zoom Group on Wednesday, June 11 at 7pm.

The Sanctuary Group will meet on Friday, June 13 at 2.30 pm.

Contact Rev Diane for more information.

Join Markly and Jim, and others, for breakfast on Sat. June 21 at 9 am in the Alexis Diner, Newburgh, corner of Rt 9W and 52. This is a time for fellowship and conversation. They look forward to getting together on what has become a monthly event.

The Arts Ministry is looking for artists who would liken a space to display their work, i.e. the walls of our Sanctuary. If you know of someone, please refer them to Mike or Hollis.

Our June hike will be on Friday, June 27 at 11 a.m. We will hike on the Walden Rail Trail. Bill Glass is familiar with this area. He will be our guide that day.

For more information contact Jan through ouradministrative assistant at aa.uucrt@gmail.com

HVFG to host New Middle Class, on June 14. New Middle Class is Barbara Borok (vocal) and songwriter Mike Borok (guitar/vocal). Their awardwinning music has been played on over 60 radio stations worldwide.

Intertwined musically and romantically, Barbara and Mike sing about relationships and current events gone awry, the origin of the universe, life, the afterlife and dessert. The songs span an eclectic range of styles, often speaking with the voices of different characters.

Their adventurously original songs walk a thin line between the funny and the serious. New Middle Class seduces with catchy melodies, distinctive vocals and delightfully unexpected lyrical twists and turns.

They were grand prizewinners in the Music To Life song contest at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival, and were featured in the Emerging Artists Showcase at the 2023 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Mike was first place winner of the 2024 Music For Humanity Songwriting Contest.

Songs streaming on all platforms. Website: newmiddleclass.com

The Rock Tavern Chapter of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild Coffeehouse meets Saturday, June 14 at the UUCRT, 9 Vance Road, Rock Tavern. Signup begins at 7 and open mic begins at 7:30. The featured performance is expected to begin at approximately 8:30. Admission is $7, $6 members and seniors.

The Orange County Psychic Experiences Group is planning to meet on Saturday, June 21, 1:45 to 4:30 pm at the UUCRT, 9 Vance Rd., Rock Tavern, NY.

Doors open at 1:30 pm for anyone who would like to come early and help set up. The group will share spiritual or metaphysical experiences, discuss any upcoming events of interest, break for refreshments and reconvene for a group meditation to send out positive energy to ourselves, each other and the universe.

We ask for a donation (suggested $5) to cover the use of the building and coffee/tea/supplies. Everyone is welcome to bring refreshments to share, if they wish. In the event of inclement weather that causes us to cancel, we will send out an email as soon as we make that decision.

Hope to see you there!
Thank you,
Brian Herbst