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

The Welcoming Ministry is planning its annual Young Families' Brunch in the Park to be held on Saturday May 23 at 10-12 in Memorial Park in Beacon. Entrance is on Rt 52 opposite Ron’s Ice Cream.

The Welcoming Ministry, with board approval, is going to ask the Congregation at the May Congregational meeting to change the name from “Welcoming” to “Membership” Ministry because it does more than just welcome visitors.

We still seem to have more visitors than usual—a good sign. With the support of Steve Deutsch, we now have two new signs directing people to our Meeting House, one by Route 207 and one at the foot of the driveway.

Have you been visiting for a while and are curious about membership? Please contact Rev. Diane or Jim Tarvin and explore how our congregation can support you on your spiritual journey.

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

On Thursday, May 21 we will discuss Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. This winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature is the story of a butler who has served “a great gentleman” for three decades. On a drive through the country, he entertains troubling thoughts about his “gentleman” and his own life.

For those of you who like to plan ahead, the June18 book will be Walden by Henry David Thoreau.
All are welcome.

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 7
pm. via the zoom link below.

For our Thursday May 7 meeting, we will discuss 3 short films available on Netflix.

The Singers is an Oscar-winning short film about an impromptu singing contest in a dive bar that will touch you. The Only Girl in the Orchestra is the Oscar-winning documentary about Orin O’Brien, a double bassist with the New York Philharmonic. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is the Oscar-winning adaptation of Roald Dahl’s short story about a rich gambler who cheats at cards. All are welcome.

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

 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.

Meeting Highlights – Social Action Together

• Kayne shared the existence of the Orange County, NY Queer Collective. This group began in 2024 “welcoming all LGBTQ+ residents and allies in order to build community and creating space to celebrate our authentic selves.” Their mission and vision statement are online. https://www.ocqcny.org/
• Marcia spoke about a powerful play, “Hide,” depicting a church member who goes to extremes to “wake up” his congregation to the actions of ICE when a beloved, undocumented church family were detained for deportation. Marcia will explore other venues for this play to be performed.
• Bridget reported on the Newburgh March 28th “No Kings” rally in the City of Newburgh where she reports 700 hundred gathered plus UU representatives with our banner. Michelle reported that a “sign up to vote table” was present, a good idea for other rallies.
• John N announced he is developing a play called Hamilburgh, a take off of the musical Hamilton. He is interested in piloting it in the sanctuary, more to follow.
• Markly suggested that since SAT members expressed interest learning about the present US/Iran conflict during our last meeting, that they check on YouTube where Professor Syed Mohammed Marandi (Professor at the Tehran University) is interviewed and discusses the history of Iran.
• Thanks everyone for being a part of this group and contributing. Please see “Resistance: As An Act of Faith” in the UU World magazine Spring/Summer 2026 for nationwide actions.
-Nora Gallardo, SAT Chair

• What: Free Concert and Screening of the Hip Hop Musical “Hamilton” (pilot for City of
  Newburgh “Hamilburgh” July 4th US 250th celebration)
• When and Where: Sun June 7 and Sun June 14 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern, 9 Vance Road, Rock Tavern, NY 12575 (Greater Newburgh NY)

• Sun June 7 @ 12:15: Community concert featuring Hudson Valley singers & hip
  hop artists; 1pm Hamilton film screening (Part 1)
• Sun June 14 @ 12:15: Hamilton film screening (Part 2)

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.

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 and 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).

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, the theme in our children’s program is Awakening Curiosity. From the creators of the Soul Matters children’s curriculum:
“We are diving into this theme by exploring how curiosity can be a bridge to other worlds, to what isn't yet but could be—a bridge to new ideas, new experiences, and even new ways of seeing ourselves and others.”

Ms. Bernie, her helpers, and the children will be exploring 4 out of the following 5 sessions this month:

• Session One: A Bridge to a More Just World
• Session Two: A Bridge to a More Diverse
  World
• Session Three: A Bridge to a More Exciting
  World
• Session Four: A Bridge to a World With
  Wiser People
• Session Five: A Bridge to the World of Our Future Selves

More from the Soul Matter’s curriculum:
“Our first session gives us the opportunity to explore Star Wars Day and our UU Value of Justice.

It’s a chance to think about how our curiosity can help us notice unfairness and imagine ways to make the world better.

In our second session, we lift up the UU Value Pluralism (“We embrace our differences and commonalities with love, curiosity, & respect.”)

Session three invites us to reach back in time to the childhood of many of our adult members so that we can introduce our RE kids to the world of The Jetsons. From there, we’ll imagine exciting new possibilities for the future and let our curiosity guide us to worlds that do not exist yet!

In our fourth session, we’ll reflect on the idea that curiosity is not just a fun pastime, but a lifelong practice. We’ll lift up our UU Values Purpose Statement that calls us “to foster a life of curiosity” and lean into the UU belief that no one has the whole truth. It’s a wonderful reminder that we grow wiser when we stay curious and humbly learn from others, especially others who don’t think like us.

And finally, in session five, we explore how curiosity is a bridge to the world of our future-self."

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 Awakening Curiosity 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

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.

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.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

The OCPEG meeting for May 16th has been cancelled.

........................................................................

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.