UU Congregation at Rock Tavern

A Time for All Ages

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

Ms. Bernie will choose three of the following  sessions to explore with the kids this month:

Session One: Using Imagination to Have Fun

Session Two: Using Imagination to Help & Find Hope

Session Three: Using Imagination to Think Outside the Box

Session Four: Using Imagination to Understand

From the creators of the Soul Matters curriculum:
"Life can sometimes seem locked in place and set in stone. Imagination helps us see that this isn’t true. We say that spring brings new life and new possibilities. May this month help you realize that imagination does the same!"

The last Sunday of this month, and every month, will be an unstructured "RE Play Day”. On this day, no official lesson is taught. Instead, 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

Your attendance is requested at our Annual
Congregational Meeting May 25, after a brief
service. Make your voice heard!

The agenda includes 2025-2026 Budget approval,
voting for new members to the Board of Trustees,
and more…….

Look for the meeting notice arriving in your email.

We meet the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. via Zoom. For our Thursday, May 1 discussion, we have selected Roma which is available on Netflix.

This film won the Academy award for the Best Foreign Language Film, and Oscars for the director Alfonzo Cuaron and for Cinematography in 2019. This is a story based loosely on the director’s growing up in Mexico during the political and domestic troubles of the early 1970s. We hope you can join us. For our Thursday, May 1 discussion, we have the director Alfonzo Cuaron and for Cinematography in 2019. This is a story based loosely on the director’s growing up in Mexico during the political and domestic troubles of the early 1970s. We hope you can join us.

Use the Zoom link below or on the uucrt.org website to join the discussion.

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

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

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

On Thursday, May 15, we will each talk about a couple books, perhaps something read recently or a favorite book that you’ve read many times or something else. These “book report” meetings introduce us to a variety of titles from which we often select books to read together at future meetings. 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

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.

We are very grateful to all who donated generously to enable our congregation to continue as a liberal religious voice in Orange County, NY.

Huge thanks to Linda for spearheading the Pledge Drive along with Sue Ann and Alan. And to Fred for creating a Treasure Chest to receive your pledge cards.

-Nan Dempster, on behalf of Board.

Charlie Isaacs was welcomed as a member on May 4th. Learn more about Charlie in Spotlight on our Speakers. Charlie has spoken to us on a number of occasions and recently led the March Sunday Forum.

Young Families Saturday Brunch in the Park will take place on May 24. Contact Jim or Michelle for more information.

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, May 9 at 2.30 pm.
Zoom Group on Wednesday, May 7 at 7pm

Contact Rev Diane for more information.

Join Markly and Jim, and others, for breakfast on Sat. May 17 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.

The Arts Ministry is looking for artists who would liken a space to display their work, i.e. the walls of our Sanctuary. If you know of someone, please refer them to Mike or Hollis.

Following the 5th Sunday service on March 30, Nancy Sears, Barbara Hultgren, Rose O'Neill, Brenda Jones, Facilitator Charles Isaacs, Patrick O'Neill, and (not pictured) Robin Bonne and Linda Mangelsdorf held a lively conversation about the pros and cons of congregational involvement in political affairs. There will be 3 more '5th Sunday Forums in 2025.

The Orange County Psychic Experiences Group is planning to meet on Saturday, May 17, 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