UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

Children’s RE classes are on summer break and will start again in September when school resumes. Our RE teacher, Ms. Bernie, became a grandmother a few weeks ago (congratulations Ms. Bernie!) and is taking some time to focus on her family. A big thank you to Mr. Keith, who stepped up in Ms. Bernie's place to teach the remaining RE classes in June!

  During the summer months, the playroom is available as an option for children to use during service (with a sound system for adults to listen in on the service). Simple arts and craft materials, games, and outside toys are also available for children to use with their adults' supervision and help to tidy up as needed.

 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, July 6. 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/96634364686?pwd=aklyNStY-MVN1T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

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/96634364686?pwd=aklyNStY-MVN1T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate.

Join by phone: 1 929 205 6099

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: 8282691

Suggestions Needed for Social Action Committee. Let Nora Gallardo know your ideas and suggestions. Following your input, we will meet briefly after a service (to be announced). Also messages can be left: info.uucrt@gmail.com

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.

Greeters play a crucial role on Sunday mornings, welcoming both familiar faces and new visitors. They provide a friendly greeting, name tags, newsletters, and contact information to help us stay in touch with newcomers.

We are arranging the schedule for Sunday Greeters for the upcoming congregational year. Current and potential new Greeters should contact Nan in person or info.uucrt@gmail.com to express interest or obtain more information. Training for Greeters will be available in August.

Young Families Brunch to be scheduled in August.

-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.

A few years ago, the congregation used very few disposable products. Our cupboards are stocked with lots of dishes. We received those as a gift from a fellow UU congregation as we replenished our kitchen when our building was rebuilt after the fire.

Over the years we have gotten out of the habit of using regular crockery and utensils during coffee hour and Pot Luck Lunches.

Our 7^th Principle, “The respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the environment, recognizing that our actions have far-reaching consequences within this web.

To promote sustainability and reduce waste, we are turning the page and wish to re-establish the practice of using our crockery, utensils and mugs, currently hanging on pegs to the left of the kitchen hatch. (Pick a mug, Make it yours for Sundays!!)

To facilitate the dish washing tasks, we will need a few volunteers on Sundays. Please see Sign Up sheet hanging near the coffee.

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.