NEWS IN THE PEWS
April 26, 2026
WE WELCOME THE REV. BARBARA VANOLPEN as our Guest Preacher. Barbara is the New York Conference’s Associate Conference Minister for Clergy & Congregations and provides staff support for Committees on Ministry as well as search and call assistance to local church search committees based in Suffolk and Reformed Associations of the New York Conference, provides staff support to the Commission on Ministry and NY Conference Women, convenes and researches opportunities for spiritual nurture and continuing education for authorized ministers, works closely with NY congregations to assist them in engaging in conversations regarding healthy vital ministries. Barbara offered suggestions for making our Open & Affirming Statement more inclusive as we drafted our final statement.
THE ANNUAL PROGRAM MEETING will be held on June 14th immediately following the 10:00 A.M. Worship Service. All board and committee reports are due to Vicki Sherry no later than Monday, June 1st. Reports should be emailed to Vicki at vsherry.ucc@gmail.com.
SERVICE FOR HEALING & WHOLENESS will be held today at 11:15 A.M. in the Snow Room. All are welcome!
MEMBERSHIP: If you would like to join First Congregational United Church of Christ as an official member, please speak to Pastor Greg.
NEW EUCHRE EVENT Sun, May 3 4:30-6:30pm: Bring a snack to pass. Pizza and soda will be provided. Please sign-up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall.
AKOMA SUPPORT DRIVE: From now until May 3, we are accepting donations for our church to support AKOMA, the African-American Gospel Choir in Rochester. For those of you who pledged a donation for 5 years, it is time to donate again. Please give cash or a check (made out to First Congregational UCC with "AKOMA 2026" on the memo line.
THE PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE will meet at 11:15 A.M. in the Snow Room on May 3rd following the Sunday Service. The Pastoral Relations Committee supports the concerns of both the congregation and our pastor. If you have any concerns, please contact any of the members: Paula Boisvert, David Coon, Brad Bowersox, Karl Cedarleaf, Ava Grace Cedarleaf, Pastor Greg Rupright, or Jean Whitney.
CHURCH FUND RAISER - CANAL DAYS PARKING (June 6 & 7): Canal Days is approaching quickly. The church needs your help parking cars during canal days on June 6 and 7. Each day has a 8:30am – 1:00pm and a 1:00pm – 5:30pm volunteer session. If you are able to help, please sign up via one of the following methods: (1) Rolling bulletin board in fellowship hall; (2) Send an email to Brian Sherry at blsny05@gmail.com; or (3) Leave a voice or text message at 585-233-1010. Please include name, day and volunteer session availability when sending information to Brian. Each time slot has a limited number of spots. Be sure to sign-up quickly to guarantee your preferred time slot. Pizza will be served for lunch and water will be available throughout the day. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.
DISCUSSION GROUP: The After Easter Bible Study & Discussion Group will meet today at 11:30 A.M. in the Snow Room.
KNITTING CIRCLE will not meet in December. We will meet again on Monday, January 5th, at 1:00pm. Any questions contact Irene Utter at iutter@rochester.rr.com or call 585-425-7408
FIRST CHURCH BOOK CLUB will meet Monday, May 18th, at 1:00 p.m. to discuss James by Percival Everett. Any questions call Irene Utter 585-425-7408 or email iutter@rochester.rr.com. All are welcome.
SAVE THE POP TABS: Help Rochester Ronald McDonald House. Place them in the jug in Fellowship Hall.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP: The bulletin can be accessed via the QR code on your mobile phone or tablet. Prayer requests must be emailed to Pastor Greg at revgregrup.ucc@gmail.com by 8:00am on Sunday with the subject line Joy or Prayer Concern. You can view the Virtual Worship Service on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/First-Congregational-United-Church-of-Christ-Fairport-NY-174043249305098/. An audio Worship Service will be uploaded to our church’s website each week, usually on Monday.
PERINTON FOOD SHELF current list of most needed items can be found on their website at https://perintonfoodshelf.org/#needed. SMALL SIZES ARE PREFERRED.
LIGHT THE NIGHT: Thank you to Jean Whitney for “Lighting the Night” in April in memory of Douglas Whitney. Thank you to Barb Roscoe for lighting the steeple through the month of May in memory of Bill Roscoe.
THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH
Sunday:
11:15 AM Service for Healing & Wholeness
11:30 AM Discussion Group
Thursday:
7:00 PM New Life AA (SR)
Saturday:
3:30 PM Eagle Ceremony (FH & Sanctuary)
Rev. Gregory J. Rupright, Pastor
Rev. Dr. John N. Cedarleaf, Pastor Emeritus
Beatrice Benedict, Organist
Payton Dziekan, Director of Music
Vicki Sherry, Administrative Assistant
Christian Copyright Licensing International #2320160
Phone: 585-223-0224; Website: fairportucc.org
Office email: vsherry.ucc@gmail.com
