UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

Check your Inbox for the meeting invitation andagenda.

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

For those of you who like to plan ahead, the December book will be Emma by Jane Austen. Read
Emma for December.

On Thursday, November 20, we will discuss 2 books, Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout and Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. Tell Me Everything follows Lucy Barton to Crosby, Maine, where she sat out the Covid pandemic with her ex-husband. We find the familiar characters dealing with a shocking murder and Lucy’s finally meeting Olive Kitteridge.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is a  psychological thriller set on an island in the sub-Antarctic where a seed bank is located. The complex characters are clearly drawn as they seek to solve a mystery while in a breathtaking natural setting which is vividly described. We welcome all to join us.

Join us via the Zoom link below:

https://zoom.us/j/96634364686?pwd=aklyNStYMVN1T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate

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

On November 6, we will discuss Join or Die which isavailable on Netflix. This documentary examines Robert Putnam’s theory as written in his book “Bowling Alone” that the loss of community engagement has created a crisis in civil behavior and civic understanding in America. All are welcome to join us in what should be a lively discussion.

Use the Zoom link below:

https://zoom.us/j/96634364686?pwd=aklyNStYMV N1T0RoSFZsL0NON0l2dz09

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate
Join by phone: 1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 966
3436 4686 Passcode: 8282691

Join Markly, Jim, and others, for breakfast on Saturday Nov 15 at 9 am at 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.

Our November hike will take place on Friday, Nov 14 at 11 a.m. at Goosepond Park in Monroe. Meet at the Monroe Theater.

Note: This is the final hike for 2025.  See you in the Spring.

For more information contact Jan at info.uucrt@gmail.com

UU hikers at Awosting Falls on the October hike at Miniwaska State Park.

The Orange County Psychic Experiences Group uses the UUCRT fellowship Hall and is planning to meet on Saturday Nov 15 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

Greetings all!
Have you heard about the Green Sanctuary? We have chosen to participate in the initiative titled Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice.

According to the UUA, this program “provides structure, and support, in broad collaboration, for the UU faith community to engage in an ambitious environmental and climate justice movement that seeks to live fully our principles and achieve our vision of a sustainable and just world for all.” The process lays out essentials and approaches, and the only requirement for yearly recognition is to update on our progress. We are even given a poster and are presented with stickers for when we meet a goal! Our current Green Ministry team is planning to have one or more members attend the upcoming virtual orientation (this November), and congregational materials for support have been sent to us if anyone wishes to review.

To learn more, please notify Elizabeth Mehling, or log on to: uua.org/environment/green-sanctuary. We are hoping that once we get moving we can find ways to bring different ministries together to obtain recognition and work towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly community!

-Elizabeth M., Michelle D., and Anne D.

Time for All Ages during service November's theme is "Nurturing Gratitude" in children's Religious Exploration (RE). This month, Ms. Bernie and the children will explore all the ways we can say "thank you" and notice the good around us.

From the creators of the Soul Matter curriculum: "In Unitarian Universalism, we believe gratitude helps us grow kinder hearts and stronger connections with each other. This connection between gratitude and growth is central to our journey this month. Each session offers different ways to explore what gratitude nurtures and makes possible in our lives."

Ms. Bernie will choose 4 of the following 5 sessions to dive into with the kids:
Session One: Gratitude & Ancestors - How Gratitude Helps Us Remember
Session Two: Gratitude & the Ordinary - How Gratitude Helps Us Notice Small Things
Session Three: Gratitude & Happiness - How Gratitude Gives Us Hope
Session Four: Gratitude & “Reciprocity” - How Gratitude Asks Us to Respond
Session Five: Gratitude & The Power of Thank You - How There Are Many Ways to Say Thank You

The last Sunday of each month is an unstructured “RE Play Day” for the children — and a planning day for our RE team. Children are encouraged to connect with one another and strengthen their sense of community through child-led play. They may enjoy
the playroom, outside time, and various games available in the RE room, with parents' supervision and assistance with cleanup as needed.

Hope you can join us!

Warmly,
Michelle DiLorenzo, RE chair

Social Action Together
Our congregation is diverse geographically, with folks living in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess Counties as well as NYC. This was evident on October 18, when many members and friends showed up to the NO KINGS protests and rallies in Cornwall, Goshen, Kingston, Newburgh and Beacon.

Bridget volunteered to pick up and return the banner and several people stopped to ask about our congregation. The banner can be seen in a photo taken by a journalist for the Mid-Hudson Times in the Oct 23 edition.

At the following Sunday service, one person who could not attend reminded us that we were standing up for all those others who were with us in spirit.

Nan Dempster for UUCRT Social Action Together

The Beacon Prison Rides Project is a volunteer-run effort providing free rides between the Beacon train station and state prisons located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties, timed to their visiting hours. It's a welcome alternative to costly taxis or prison vans, offering visitors much appreciated relief on long, grueling, expensive days. Volunteer drivers sign up at its well-organized website to drive visitors either to or from prisons but are not asked to drive both ways.

Questions? Email the project at BeaconPrisonRides@gmail.com.

Charles Isaacs for UUCRT Social Action Together

WOMEN IN BLACK is a worldwide network that conducts vigils promoting peace and social justice. Its local chapter gathers every Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 in front of Elting Library, 93 Main Street in New Paltz, currently protesting Israel's war on Gaza.

Mostly, it's women dressed in black, but everyone wearing anything is welcome.

Charles Isaacs for UUCRT Social Action Together

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.

Concert for Habitat for Humanity
On Nov 8, at 3 pm, the UUCRT will host a benefit concert for the Habitat for Humanity. It will be classical selections performed by Claudia Reynaud, cellist, Hollis Kellogg, pianist, and Elfin Vogel, violinist. This is a newly formed trio, called “Trio Aurora”.

Habitat for Humanity is a charitable organization with many charity shops. Their mission is selling donations of furniture, appliances and many other things, and using the money to help people to build a house they could otherwise not afford.

Suggested admission is $20, but any donation is accepted. Hope you can come!

We continue to have visitors coming to our services and they seem to enjoy our services and our community—some have come back the following week! Members should remember to invite any of their friends who might enjoy our services. If a particular topic of a sermon is especially appropriate for someone you know, please invite that person. A big Thank You to Sarah and her daughter who are our newest Greeters. They will welcome you every third Sunday.

-Jim Tarvin, Welcoming Ministry Chair

Watch your mailbox…As we complete the first quarter of our 2025-26 fiscal year, our Treasurer, Alan Horne, is creating update messages for us all with 2 questions:

• Did I complete my 2024-25 pledge? (And if not, can I?)

and

• How am I doing this year, as of the end of September?

OK, that is 3 questions, and you get the idea…

Thank you to each member and friend for steadfastly supporting our very special House on the Hill—sometimes known as the ‘Little Congregation that Could.”

Also, as a reminder, at our November 9 Congregational Meeting, you will have an opportunity to hear about each of our Ministries—- and see if, and where, your heart leads you to contribute! Sign up sheets will be available!

With gratitude,
Alan Horne, Linda Mangelsdorf and SueAnn Peck
Stewardship and Finance Ministry

UUCRT President Markly Wilson drums for Climate Justice. In September Markly and Linda Mangelsdorf joined the Climate Pilgrimage (Taina Asili and Fever Pitch--walkers from Albany to NYC to raise concern about Climate Justice). Photo taken by Linda aboard the sloop Clearwater as it stops at Cold Spring.

Our 2025-2026 Themes are:

• September: Building Belonging
• October: Cultivating Compassion
• November: Nurturing Gratitude
• December: Choosing Hope
• January: Practicing Resistance
• February: Embodying Resilience
• March: Paying Attention
• April: Embracing Possibility
• May: Awakening Curiosity
• June: Flourishing Together

The Soul Matters experience does not only give one a way to practice spirituality, It provides a deeper understanding of what it means to practice. These themes offer opportunities for reflection, personal growth, and building connections within the UUCRT community.

We meet the second Friday of each month at 2:30pm in the sanctuary. The first meeting is Friday, September 12. For those who wish to attend via zoom we have a joint group with the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie. They meet the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm. First meeting is on September 10th.

Please contact Rev. Diane aa.uucrt@gmail.com or info.uucrt@gma il.com, if interested. There are a few spaces left; the groups tend to fill up very quickly.

The Orange County Psychic Experiences Group uses the UUCRT fellowship Hall and is planning to meet on Saturday Nov 15 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