UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

April's theme is “The Practice of Joy” in children's  Religious Exploration (RE).

All month long, Ms. Bernie and the children will search for where joy can be found, like a treasure
hunt!

Ms. Bernie will choose three of the following sessions to dive into with the kids:

Session One: Joy Found in Foolishness (“For the fun of it!”)

Session Two: Joy Found in Music (“Make a joyful noise!”)

Session Three: Joy Found in Hard Times (Rise from the ashes!”)

Session Four: Joy Found in Nature (“Take time to smell the roses!”& “Nature is the best medicine!”)

From the creators of the children’s Soul Matter’s
curriculum: “As you can see from the session titles, we had a lot of fun building our theme angles around well-known sayings this month. Part of the reason we took this approach was to highlight how joy is all around us, just as these sayings are all around us.”

The last Sunday of this month, and every month, will
be an unstructured "RE Play Day”. On this day, the children are encouraged to connect and build community through child-led play, with parent
supervision / help to tidy up as needed.

Hope you can join us!
Warmly,
Michelle DiLorenzo, RE Chair

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

For our Thursday, April 3 discussion, we have selected Hoosiers which is available on Amazon Prime.

Remembering Gene Hackman and celebrating the end of basketball season, this 1986 film, based on a true story, tells of a small town team in Indiana that makes it all the way to the state championship. We hope you can join us.

Use the Zoom link below to join the discussion.

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

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 has been nominated for an Academy Award for a performance by an actor in a leading role. Watch for the announcement of this
showing later this spring.

We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 pm
via Zoom.

On Thursday, April 17, The Miraculous Journey of
Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo will be discussed. When a very smug china rabbit, the favorite toy of  a very rich girl, is lost, we are taken on a “miraculous” journey of love and loss and love again. This children’s book is beloved by adults too. We would welcome your opinions.

On Thurs May 15, participants will bring a “book report” on a favourite book to share. Join us via the Zoom link below.

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

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate

Reflections
(Editor’s Note: This column by Michael Kusen, an occasional attendee and friend of the UUCRT, was written for and published in Wildflowers Comings and Goings, a newsletter serving an over 55 community in the Town of Wallkill. It is offered by the editors to provide a newcomer’s insight into the UUCRT.)

If inclement weather forces the UUCRT to cancel services, a notice will be sent via eBlast Sunday morning. No notice will be posted on the website.

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.

UUCRT Annual Giving Campaign---2025-26
What’s it all about?

Each year members of the UUCRT are asked to pledge to fund the operating budget of the Congregation for the upcoming fiscal year. (July 1,
2025-June 30, 2026). Budget items include paying
for routine expenses, salaries, religious education,
social justice projects, and other important items such as the mortgage, maintenance and
membership dues to the UUA.

Who funds the budget?

We do!!! Ours is an independent congregation built on democratic principles, and all members accept the responsibility of contributing generously to the financial health of this spiritual home. This congregation provides a safe space for us to speak freely and work together for the things that are most important to us! Also gratefully accepted are financial contributions from Friends of the congregation!

Why Annual Giving?

As members we pledge to contribute all year long to the UUCRT to nourish our spiritual selves; to provide for our congregation and our community. This Annual Giving makes possible a place to gather, share our values, learn to live up to our aspirational UU principles; to help and love each other and receive love and help in return.

Our love and commitment, indeed our need for the connections we find in this congregation, informs our generosity. As we review the use of our financial treasures with our families, we also look to share with our congregation—joyfully, willingly, generously.

That is why we ask each of our members to make a financial commitment to the UUCRT. It is a promise, a pledge that is honored by you--and by all of us. It is a part of being a member or friend of this beloved community. Each person or family is responsible for arriving at their own definition of generosity. Peoples needs and circumstances differ….you decide.

Challenges:
From a congregational standpoint, this year we
face the age-related maintenance of our building,
as well as the challenges—emotional and
uncertain-- of the situation in our world.
We strive to live and work together—to do our
part to help preserve democracy.

With love and gratitude,

The Stewardship and Finance Ministry

Alan Horne, SueAnn Peck and Linda Mangelsdorf

We seem to be attracting more families with children. Many thanks to the congregation and especially those involved with Children’s RE to be a welcoming presence each Sunday.

If you have been attending for a while and are curious about membership, please contact Jim Tarvin or Markly Wilson.

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).

Sanctuary Group will meet on Friday, March 14 at 2.30 pm

Zoom Group on Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm
Contact Rev Diane for more information.

Join Markly and Jim, and others, for breakfast on Sat. April 19 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.

Jim Pospisil is a singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist from the Hudson Valley whose songs are marked by well crafted, sometimes quirky lyrics and themes from the personal to the profound. A mix of folk, blues, rock and more, his performances on guitar, mandolin, flute and harmonica can be soft and subtle, or wild and energetic. He blends it all with a wry sense of humor. His goal is to make you laugh, cry, or think. Sometimes all at once. He has released five solo albums and is currently preparing the next one, “Hidden Motifs” due out late Spring 2025.

The Rock Tavern Chapter of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild Coffeehouse meets Saturday, April 12 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, April 19, 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
Bherbst412@aol.com