UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

To join using computer, tablet or smartphone:

https://zoom.us/j/94517509695pwd=7FRtOQB7NPandWL1n2WQFu1eVWQgdg.1

Meeting ID: 945 1750 9695
Passcode: 177334

One tap mobile: +16469313860,,94517509695#,,,,*177334# US

We held a Brunch in Beacon, on a Saturday morning, for young families and attracted one new family.   Some young families who are already attending UUCRT got to know each other better.  That is a successful activity! 

  --Jim Tarvin

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

On Thursday, October 15, we will read and discuss Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. “Eleanor Oliphant is a quirky loner and a model of efficiency with her routine of frozen pizza, vodka and weekly phone calls with Mummy. [She’s] a woman beginning to heal from unimaginable tragedy, with a voice that is deadpan, heartbreaking and humorous all at once.” –NPR.org.

Join us for this spirited discussion.

For November 19, we will read the first half of The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. We will read the second half for the December 17 meeting. website to join the discussion.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/99384060600?pwd=Z3bvBoT1of1QhpvgGRuqCQeLzNekV4.1

Meeting chat link
https://zoom.us/launch/jc/99384060600

Meeting ID: 993 8406 0600
Passcode: educate

We meet on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. via the zoom link below.

For our Thursday, November 5 discussion, we will discuss “I’ll See You in My Dreams” which is available on Netflix. A former singer “grapples with solitude, unexpected relationship and the bittersweetness of aging” 20 years after her husband dies. Join us.

Use the Zoom link

Use the Zoom link below:

https://zoom.us/j/99384060600?pwd=Z3bvBoT1of1QhpvgGRuqCQeLzNekV4.1

Meeting ID: 993 8406 0600 Passcode: educate

  Join Markly, Jim, and others, for breakfast on Sat Nov 21 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.

The October hike is planned for October 30 at 11 am. It will be in Schunnemunk State Park in Salisbury Mills. Bill Domanico will lead this hike. This will be the final hike for 2026. Rose will be the hiking coordinator for 2027.

-Jan Kinney

November’s Theme: Healing

This month the theme in our children’s program is Healing.

From the creators of the Soul Matter’s curriculum:

“This month, we are exploring the theme of Healing and the many ways we can help ourselves, one another, and our world heal. Healing can take many forms. Sometimes we heal by remembering and honoring the people and experiences that have shaped us. Sometimes healing happens through kindness, inclusion, connection, or simply taking time to notice and appreciate the good things in our lives.”

Ms. Bernie and the children will be exploring 3 out of the 4 following sessions this month:

Session One: Healing Through Memory

Session Two: Healing Through Kindness

Session Three: Healing Through Inclusion

Session Four: Healing Through Gratitude

Session Five: Healing Through Self-Care

RE Play Day

The fourth Sunday of the month is an unstructured RE Play Day for the children. On this Sunday, there is no formal lesson or official teacher. Children are encouraged to connect with one another and strengthen their sense of community through child-led play. They may use the playroom and games available in the RE room (this includes limited access to craft supplies: play-doh, markers, crayons, and paper). Parents provide supervision and support with cleanup as needed.

Gratitude!

We are so grateful to the many members of our UU congregation who have stepped up to support and volunteer with our Religious Exploration (RE) children’s program this congregational year! Thank you to everyone who helps make our RE children’s program possible at UUCRT!

Warmly,

Michelle DiLorenzo

RE Chair

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

Concert for Gift of Music to  Children 

  Trio Tonalis is returning to UUCRT on Nov. 14 at 3pm, with a varied concert of works by Handel, Clara Schumann, Satie, and Piazzolla.  The performers are Elfin Vogel, Claudia Reynaud, and Hollis Kellogg. 

    This concert will be a benefit for Open String, a foundation that donates string instruments to children in under-resourced communities across the world. This gives the gift of music to schools that would be unable to teach without decent instruments.
Suggested donation is $20. 

-Hollis Kellogg

Social Justice Display Kudos and New Gallery Exhibition by Susan Baldwin

   Thanks for Your Social Justice Contributions; Susan Baldwin’s Work Will Now Grace Our Sanctuary

A loud shout out to all who participated in mind, spirit, actions, and words in our Social Justice Exhibition.

  Please be on the lookout for a documentary filmed by Elizabeth -- How we value Social Justice. It will be part of our historical archive. Future

generations will know what we did to bring about justice and how we tend our earth.

New Art Exhibition: Nov. 8 – Dec. 27, 2026

   Our Sanctuary Gallery will be filled with paintings by Susan Elizabeth Baldwin. Her artist reception will be on Sat December 5, 2-4pm

-Deborah Cashara

Questions? Contact Deborah

 info.uucrt@gmail.com

ARTIST BIO & STATEMENT

   My name is Susan Elizabeth Baldwin, born in the early 1950’s, raised in a blue collar household in NJ, currently living in the beautiful Hudson Valley of NY. Since the 1960’s I have been an artist, spending my teenage years on the floor in our family room drawing charcoal pictures out of National Geographic and Life magazines, working as a model in exchange for art lessons in NYC. After taking a decades long leave to raise a family, I opened my old box of art supplies, dusted off my Rembrandt and Grumbacher pastels, and started again, with renewed passion and guidance from some of the best pastelists in the country.

   I don’t allow myself to become restrained by any one category of subject, or to label my work inspiration, as my interests range from landscapes and seascapes in Plein air, to still life and portraits. Subjects that encourage me to take that second, more discerning, look make it to my queue in

studio from my own references, and those that have interesting atmosphere and light inspire me in plein air. Always learning from my own mistakes and from the masters, I strive to create my own process and style through experimentation, practice, joy and perseverance, to present works which convey the beauty of the world surrounding us.

   My practice utilizes the vibrant, tactile properties of soft pastels to investigate and immortalize specific visual ‘screenshots’ which capture my attention within my lived experience. Spanning landscape, seascape, figurative, and still life genres, my work functions as a visual representation of a particular moment which causes me to take that second, more discerning look. I am driven by a desire to capture these transient instances that prompt physical and emotional pause, translating them into detailed, representational paintings.

October 2026

   -The Social Action Together Ministry meeting began by sharing feelings regarding Robin Bonne’s death. His ashes were interred at the Veterans Cemetery after a miliary funeral. 

His memorial service took place Sunday, Oct 11th after our regular  UU service.

   -Three people volunteered to write postcards supporting the right to vote, if Marcia is able to obtain the time sensitive postcards.

   -Deborah and Elizabeth invited those interested in being filmed on the 18th, or 25th Oct following Sunday services to share  their responses and

remembrances of the many aspects of social justice portrayed in our Sanctuary Gallery.  

   -Rebecca O’Brien to be contacted to address congregation regarding the "Newburgh Holiday Meal" and gift wrapping again this year.

  -Report back regarding the Newburgh Episcopal  Church meeting sponsored by "For the Many" where local candidates spoke. Contact "For the Many "or Bridget for dates and times to make phone calls if you wish to support candidates

- No King Day rally was Saturday Oct., 17th from 12 noon -1:30 at Water Street behind Newburgh Library. All invited.

  -Discussed the feasibility of future candidate meetings,  open to the public, at the UU.

  -Thank-you Elizabeth for completing the UUCRT bulletin board to the left as one enters the foyer.

-Thank-you Charles for your ongoing piece written for the Chalice Light.

Announcement: 

The telephone number if you know of someone thinking of ending their lives:

National Suicide Prevention Hot Line;  988

Also: NAMI-National Alliance for Mental Illness has hot lines in each county and mobile crisis teams and free classes for those involved in mental health issues: Look up yours for County in which you live.

-Nora Gallardo, SAT Chair

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 planning to meet on Saturday, Oct 17,
2026 from 2- 4:30pm at the UUCRT. Doors open at 1:45 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 individuals to donate $5 to cover the use of the building and coffee/tea/supplies.

Everyone is welcome to bring refreshments to share, if they wish.

Hope to see you there!
Thank you! Brian Herbst
bherbst412@aol.com

If you look closely at the Peace Pole near the entrance to the UUCRT you will note a slight warping.  That is a result of the September 2006 fire that leveled the congregation's building.

The inscription, in English, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish — reads "May Peace Prevail on Earth". Fire took the building but not the pole and the spirit of the congregation. A new building, dedicated in 2010, now stands next to this symbol of peace. Note the flowers — from seeds   planted by member Bridget Morrey — that, like the congregation, embraces this symbol of peace.

We’ll meet for our weekly Friday happy hour and join together to celebrate our fellowship and friendship. Make yourself a cocktail, a cup of hot chocolate or pour a glass of your favorite. Pop in weekly and say hello!!

https://zoom.us/j/95153026746pwd=r0XepiVbOl7Gyc3jAnBIMjF5I6vRky.1

Join us by phone: +13052241968,,9515302646#,,,,*698373#

Meeting ID: 951 5302 6746

Passcode: 698373

Soul Matters is now meeting on Zoom on second Fridays at 2pm.

Anyone interested please contact Rev. Diane at info.uucrt@gmail.com

In September, members Elizabeth M., Bridget M., and Brenda J. participated in the training for the Citizen Preparedness Corps in Goshen, with the goal of preparing our congregation and community for emergencies.

-Elizabeth Mehling, Safety team

Hudson Valley Folk Guild, Saturday, 10/10/2026 Open mic sign-up at 6:30, music begins at 7. Featured artist: Sharon Klein

Sharon Klein is a prolific, life-long songwriter and accomplished finger style guitar player based in Stone Ridge. She is a veteran of the Greenwich Village and NYC music scene of the 80's and 90's.

Sharon has worn many hats in her long music career, both as record producer, composer and staff songwriter. She has toured and brought her music to over 40 countries and self-produced a CD entitled "The Way Back Home". She is currently working on a new album of songs which she hopes to release in the Spring. Renowned singer/songwriter Joe Crookston says: "OMG! Sharon Klein is an absolute seasoned songwriting gem! Masterful songs in the most direct and honest way. A cinematic song painter and lyrical storyteller, her songs are conversational, impeccably phrased, and profoundly compassionate. She captures the landscape of the human heart: struggle and triumph."

The Hudson Valley Folk Guild is a member-run not for-profit organization dedicated to generating and maintaining interest in Folk Music. New performers are invited to join our community and will find encouragement and support.

Website: SharonSongs.com