UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

To join using computer, tablet or smartphone:  https://zoom.us/j/94071188132  

To join by phone:+1 929 205 6099 US Meeting ID: 940 7118 8132

We showed a film on Sunday, May 3rd after the coffee hour entitled, "An Inspector Calls." It shows how everything we do or don't do affects others.

Hamilburgh: Along with John Newsome, we plan to screen the movie version of “Hamilton” over two weekends in June, (June 7 & 14) as part of the Newburgh 250th anniversary celebrations. On June 7, two local artists will perform as part of the presentation.

The Annual Young Families brunch in May was cancelled due to rain. It will be rescheduled for September.

The vote to change the name “Welcoming ministry” to the “Membership ministry” was tabledto the next Congregational Meeting.
-Jim Tarvin, Chair, Welcoming Ministry

The Unitarian Universalist Star Island summer retreat is nearing capacity, and a wait list will be available soon. The theme is " A More Perfect Union”, a week of learning , reflection, and community, which explores  the enduring promise -and unfinished work- of American democracy . Two preeminent scholars of early America will engage us with their storytelling, and invite us to reflect on our shared history to better understand our present,  and imagine how we might learn from the past to help build a more inclusive and "perfect" union- all within the beauty and tradition of the unforgettable Star Island community.

    If anyone is still considering it they should register as soon as possible. The fee is refundable until mid - July if you change your mind .   We have individuals and families from the 3 UU Hudson Valley congregations who have already registered.  Carpooling will be available. Any questions or concerns please reach out to Rev. Diane.   

    Here is the link for registration and more information about this conference - a unique summer vacation on this magical island!

https://www.lifeonastar.org/loas-1

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

On Thursday, June 18 we will discuss Walden by Henry David Thoreau. This classic is referred to often by Unitarian Universalists. It is considered one of the sources of living tradition on which UUs rely. We welcome your input into the discussion.

For those of you who like to plan ahead, the July 16 book will be Theo of Golden by Alan Levi. This book seems to be very popular so you might want to get on a wait list soon.

Join us via the Zoom link below:

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

Meeting ID: 966 3436 4686 Passcode: educate

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

For our Thursday June 4 meeting, we will watch and discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures on  Netflix, based on the book by Shelby Van Pelt that we read a while ago. This is the story of Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus, and Tova, the widow who cleans the aquarium where Marcellus lives. Both are lonely and facing the end of life but with a mystery to solve. 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

How are America’s democratic institutions faring at this, the 250th anniversary of its independence?

This is the question that the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern Arts Ministry hopes to illustrate with artistic viewpoints on the walls of its Sanctuary this July.

This is an invitation to UUCRT members and friends to bring posters and pictures that illustrate social justice, due process, civil rights, freedom of speech, and cultural events from other eras.

An example: the above 1960 poster of Ruby Bridges who was 6 years old when she was escorted to school by the National Guard to get an equal education. That event is rich with ideals about what our democracy is about.

What items might you have that are stashed away in dark corners that could shed needed light on our nation’s progress or lack thereof?

Please bring your items to the sanctuary by Friday June 26.

The Arts Ministry has frames for posters if needed. Questions? Contact Deborah Cashara - dacashara@yahoo.com

 Join Markly, Jim, and others, for breakfast on Sat May 16 at 9.00am, 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.

Next No Kings Rally: June 14. Looking to be
HUGE across the country. Check mobilize.us/nokings to find events.

Medicare Advantage: Nora Gallardo recently submitted a letter to the Editor, “Nurses” published in the Mid Hudson Times. The letter
highlighted the recent cancellation of some
Medicare Advantage plans for seniors. Insur￾ance companies are pulling out of the market
as they were not profitable enough.
Those seniors were left to find another Medi￾care Advantage Plan or to go to Traditional
Medicare which covers only 80% of costs leav￾ing 20% to be funded by a supplemental Medi
Gap policy around $200 or pay out of pocket
costs. See more details below.
https://timeshudsonvalley.com/sto￾ries/nurses,228480?
REST Act: Bridget introduced the Rent Emer￾gency Stabilization for Tenants Act, REST, which
has passed through the Housing Committees in
both the Assembly and Senate. She urged us to
make a call to Andrea Stewart Cousins and Carl
Heastie (legislative leadership) to bring the bill
to a floor vote before the end of the legislative
session on Friday.
ICE: appears to be seeking a new facility near
Stewart Airport according to federal leasing
documents. Requirements point to an enforce￾ment or detention operation. Information was
released by Project Salt Box, investigative re￾porting on the money and contracts behind im￾migration detention, grounded in the public
record.
Orange County Queer Collective: Kayne pro￾vided OCQC business cards to share. (OCQC) is
a queer and trans led nonprofit dedicated to
building community for LGBTQ+ residents and
allies through collective art experiences. Check
out their activities during Pride Month. Follow
on Instagram.
-Nan Dempster for Social Action
Ready for Action?
Here's the link to Indivisible’s Guide and Re￾sources. Something for everyone, and something
for every day!
https://indivisible.org/get-involved/take-action
Charles Isaacs, for UUCRT Social Action Together

Concert & Hip Hop Musical Hamilton Screening to Celebrate America’s 250th at the UUCRT

ROCK TAVERN, NY -- “Hamilton”, a hip hop musical film about America’s Founding Fathers, will be screened in June by a local congregation that traces its roots to direct descendants of Founding Father and President John Adams.

On Sundays, June 7 and 14, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern will host a free concert and film screening of the Tony Award-winning, Broadway play. The two hours and 40 minutes film will be presented in two parts - Part One on the 7th, Part Two on the 14th. The June 7 screening will be preceded by a concert featuring local Hudson Valley singers and hip hop artists.

On July 4th, Safe Harbors and Newburgh Lyceum  are partnering to host a larger, free concert and screening of Hamilton on the Safe Harbors Green, across the street from George Washington’s longest headquarters – America’s first, publicly owned historic site.

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In 2016, Hamilton made history by receiving 16 Tony Award nominations and winning 11 awards, including Best Musical, Best Director and Best Score. The website “Black Girl Nerds” explains: “It’s been ten years since Hamilton first graced the stage… and nothing’s been quite the same since... A musical about the Founding Fathers told through hip-hop? Performed by a majority-Black and brown cast? It was radical, to say the least, and immediately took its place in pop culture.”

A live stage performance of Hamilton was elaborately filmed in 2020; Entertainment Weekly gives the movie an A rating, explaining that “On film, Hamilton feels every bit as fresh, invigorating, intoxicating, and revolutionary as it did when it premiered [on stage]”.

Organizers hope the 250th Anniversary events spur dialogue about America’s rich and complicated social, economic, political, and racial histories; as well as spur future events that elevate Newburgh talent, while also bringing the best of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) arts & culture to the “Heart and Soul” of the Hudson
Valley.

For more information about any of the above Hamilburgh events, please contact John Newsome(jlnewsome@gmail.com; 646.729.5449) or Julian De Mayo (demayo.j@gmail.com  718.666.8397).

ROCK TAVERN -- Talented and popular New York City performer Debra Vogel will present a Benefit Concert – The Life and Times of An Adult Prodigy  at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern on Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m.

A talented character actress, she finds the soul of each song, exploring the ups and downs of living, loving and survival. The show features musical director Darryl Curry, Director Elfin Vogel and musical staging by Nora Brown. Suggested donation is $20. For further information call 845 774-9364.

Debra Vogel has performed her solo shows I Feel Lucky, Is It Now Yet?, Life, Love, and All That Jazz, Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries, and most recently The Life and Times of An Adult Prodigy in New York City and environs. She has also appeared with Brian Tom O’Connor in their two person musical revues, O’Connor and Vogel: Guy and Doll, O’Connor and Vogel: How to be Perfect, and O’Connor and Vogel: Found and Lost, all with Darryl Curry as musical director and Elfin Vogel as director. Theatre credits include George M., My Fair Lady, Rose Marie, The Vagabond King, Villa Lobos' opera The Girl from the Clouds, The Snow Queen, Dorian Gray: A Musical Fable, and You Can't Take It With You. She is very happy to be performing today at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern.

Darryl Curry is a New York City–based musical director, accompanist, composer, and arranger. His original musicals include Quitters, Dorian Gray, George Q, The Elephant Piece, and Glamour and Grit . His most recent musical, Jacob’s Room based on a Virginia Woolf novel, was presented in a successful staged reading in 2025.

His music has also been featured in The 46th Street Mass, the ballet My Shadow, and the 20th Anniversary production of The Elephant Man. A member of the Dramatists Guild and Manhattan Association of Cabarets, he is a Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference semifinalist and Golden Fleece Award recipient. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Temple University, and AMDA, Curry is based in New York City.

Elfin Frederick Vogel (Director) was born in Germany into a musical family. After high school, he studied violin and classical guitar first at Musikhochschule Trossingen, and completed his studies at the Musik Akademie Basel in Switzerland. Turning his interest to theatre after moving to New York, he has, over many years, produced and directed over 30 plays, musicals and cabaret performances. He continues to perform as a violinist and has a business selling fine and rare violins, violas, cellos and their bows.

Hello all!

Have you been wondering where you can drop off old paint, varnishes, cleaning agents, and aerosol cans?

There is a way to manage this waste responsibly! Orange County will be hosting a Household Hazardous Waste collection event this upcoming May.

On Saturday, May 9th, from 9am to 3pm, residents with a valid ID showing Orange County residency can bring household quantities of acceptable hazardous waste to Orange County Transfer Station #21, located at 21 Training Center Lane in New Hampton, New York. For a full list of acceptable waste to bring in for disposal, please visit https://www.orangecountygov.com/
This website will also give information on where todrop off paint or motor oil if you are unable to make the May 9th event. If you want to recycle something not accepted at the May 9th event, resources such as Earth911.com can assist with locating facilities to drop off materials.

Keep it clean and keep it green!
-The UUCRT Green Ministry: Elizabeth M., Michelle
D., and Anne D.

This month, June, the theme in our children’s program is Flourishing Together.

From the creators of the Soul Matters children’s curriculum:

“June is a unique time in UU congregational life. It marks the beginning of summer and often brings a slower, more spacious rhythm. Some children are already on summer break, while others are counting down the days. It’s also a month rich with UU traditions and celebrations. Recognizing that congregational focus in June is built around major religious and cultural observances, RE lessons this month are centered around four of the major observances in June:”

●One: Flourishing and Flower Communion

●Two: Flourishing and Pride Month

●Three: Flourishing and Juneteenth

●Four: Flourishing and Father’s Day

Ms. Bernie will choose 3 of the 4 topics to explore with the children this month. She is also planning an ice cream social on June 21st to celebrate the last day of RE! June is the last month of our RE children’s program before a 2-month summer break. There will be no RE classes in July or August. RE will resume in September. 

RE Play Day 

The last 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.

We hope your kiddos can join us this month as we explore the theme of Flourishing Together.

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

Many thanks to all for your generous support of our Annual Pledge Drive! Together we can make a difference in this confused, complicated world. As we sang on Sunday, we offer "Hope, when hope is hard to find!"

Please join us at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 17.

in service,
-Stewardship and Finance Ministry

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.

Our 2025-2026 Themes are:

• 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 is planning to meet on Saturday June 20, 2026, 1:45 to 4:30pm at the UUCRT, 9 Vance Rd., Rock Tavern, NY.

Doors open at 1:30pm 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

The UUCRT hiking group, some of whom are pictured above, kicked the season off with a stroll through the Arboretum at Thomas Bull Memorial Park. The group plans to hike every fourth Friday  of the month at 11 a.m. (venues are being determined). Contact Rose or Jan if interested.