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FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Dear Members and Friends of First U,
By now you’ve learned that Rev. Jennifer Emrich will be retiring from the UU Ministry at the end of this church year.
While we are saddened by this, and will miss her leadership and guidance, we are also hopeful, both for Rev. Jennifer’s future and for our beloved community.
We know that change isn’t easy, but it can be healthy and positive in the long run. So, what’s next?
Your Board of Trustees, along with other church leadership and the UUA, will guide us through the process of calling a new minister. The UUA has a very well-defined and successful process that we will follow. We will share more information about this process in the weeks to come, but know that it includes forming a search team, selecting an interim minister, and finally, calling a minister to join us. The search team will get going over the summer, and work through 2018-2019 while the interim minister is with us. A new called minister would begin around August 1, 2019.
For now, take a deep breath, and know that it’s all ok – we’ve got this! We have learned so much during Rev. Jennifer’s ten year-plus tenure, and we will continue to live our Mission: Engage – Explore – Embrace.
In the spirit of love,
Board of Trustees
Joanna Landsman, President
Lily O’Brien, Vice President
Marge Titcomb, Treasurer
Sarah Witte, Clerk
Lauren Akeley-Taylor
Jamie Brookes
Charlie Horstmann
Rebecca Rundquist
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All-Church Covenanting
Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 11:45 am
All members, friends, and newcomers of First U are called to participate in covenanting.
What is a covenant? A covenant is a promise that we make to each other, an understanding of how we will be together.
A covenant focuses on two questions: What do you need to fully participate in the group? What do you promise to the group?
Why covenant? A covenanted community is a healthy community, so please don't miss this very special one-time (at least for the next few years) event!
All ages are invited and welcome!
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What Does it Mean to Be a People of Welcome?
Rev. Jennifer Emrich, Minister
Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 10:30 am
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FAITH FORMATION &
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017
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Adult Conversation Circles: Soul Matters
Facilitator: Rev. Jennifer Emrich
9:30 am, Gathering Room
What does it mean to be a people of welcome? Delve more deeply into our worship theme of welcoming in a small and large group setting.
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UU Games
9:30 am, Common Room
All children are invited to join members of our senior youth group for games before worship.
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Children's Chapel
during worship, begin in the Sanctuary
Continuing our theme of bravery, Children's Chapel uses games, activities, movement, and candles of joys and sorrows to explore our worship themes.
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Senior Youth Group
4 pm - 5:30 pm, Gathering Room
High schoolers (9th - 12th grade) can join us for fun, faith exploration, snacks, games, the Our Whole Lives program, and social justice work.
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2017-2018 Program Calendar and Descriptions
Click below to view - includes information on programs for ALL ages!
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A Letter from Rev. Jennifer and the Board of Trustees on RE
Parents and caregivers, please read the letter linked below.
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NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017
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Junior Youth Group
10:30 am, meet in the Common Room
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Children's Chapel
during worship, begin in the Sanctuary
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All-Church Covenanting
11:45 am, Gathering Room
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Senior Youth Group
4:00 pm, Gathering Room
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We're Hiring!
Do you know someone who loves to teach and share UU values? We're searching for two part-time religious education teachers.
Please note: While First Universalist doesn't hire from within our own congregation, we know that our members and friends often are the right source for attracting great employees.
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Please Note: To sign up children or youth for any religious education programs, please fill out the form below and give it to the church office.
Copies will also be available on Sundays during coffee hour.
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First U's Music Series
The Hanz Arkai Band:
TONIGHT, Friday, October 13, 7:00 pm
Daymark:
Monday, October 30, 7:00 pm
Join us as we kick off our Fall Music Series with the Hanz Araki Band. Considered one of the most talented Irish musicians in America, Hanz Araki will bring his distinct sound to the First U sanctuary with band mates, Elly Marshall, Colleen Raney and Genta Fukue. Next in the series is Daymark, an international trio performing traditional Irish music infused with infectious energy, raw power, and Northern swagger. Fusing the talents of Will Woodson, Dan Foster and Eric McDonald, this is an evening that's not to be missed! Tickets: $15/adults, $10/youth or seniors, available at the door.
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Boo! It's First U!
Trick-or-Treating at First Universalist
Tuesday, October 31, Evening
Ready to have a scary good time? Dress up and hand out candy and other goodies to trick-or-treaters on Halloween and/or stop by to get your own treat. If you want to get in on the fun, head to the Halloween table (with Rebecca Rundquist and Kerry Kilcline) in the Gathering Room during coffee hour after worship.
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Hannaford Cards to Support First U
Your purchase of a re-loadable Hannaford card makes for convenient grocery shopping/budgeting AND earns the church money. (ex: your $100 becomes a $100 gift card, and Hannaford gives the church $5!)
Learn more!
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Dinner at Gather
Thursday, October 26, beginning at 5:30 pm
This Fall, come enjoy scrumptious local food at a local restaurant with your local church friends. A portion of the night’s proceeds are given to the church.
Reserve your place at Gather.
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Coffee Hour Hosting Calendar
Committees, councils, and groups at First U are signed up for a turn to host coffee hour. Mariana Tupper will be contacting your group a few weeks ahead of time with a reminder, but you can also
view the schedule here.
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PEACE AND JUSTICE WORK:
FAITH IN ACTION
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Preble Street Resource Center's Soup Kitchen
Tuesday, November 7, 3:30 - 6:30 pm
First Universalist is committed to sending six volunteers on the first Tuesday of every month to Preble Street's Soup Kitchen to help prepare and serve dinner. Up to 400 people are served at Preble Street where they can receive three meals per day, every day of the year. Deepen your commitment to your UU values and make new friends: sign-up to volunteer by contacting Phyllis Chinlund at
pchinlund@gmail.com.
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Appeal for Volunteers for the Yarmouth Food Pantry
The Yarmouth Food Pantry is seeking new volunteers to donate a few hours a week a couple of times a month. The Pantry is located in the basement of the First Congregational Church, just across the street. It is a Yarmouth organization, under the YCAN umbrella. It operates year round, and is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, and Wednesday afternoons/evenings from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The Pantry currently serve just under 80 families, and over 200 individuals per month. Most are Yarmouth folks from working families, many with children.
Please talk with Charlie Horstmann (at church or by phone 846-3985) about this opportunity to serve our community’s folks.
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Promoting Gleaning in Maine -
NRCM is proud to collaborate with the Maine Gleaning Network and our Food Recovery Coalition partners to raise awareness of and celebrate food recovery solutions, like gleaning. The First Annual
Maine Gleaning Week
is book-ended by the anniversary of the Feeding the 5000 event and World Food Day (October 7-16). As part of the week’s festivities, NRCM is co-hosting a film screening of celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain’s latest film,
Wasted! The Story of Food Waste
at the Portland Public Library from 4:00-7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 16th.
Learn more about the event and reserve your seat
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Village Nursery School
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who rents space at First Universalist, is holding their Fall Festival and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 21st and would like to invite the First U community to attend. It is a fun event and also a major fundraiser for the s
chool. In addition to inviting folks, they are also currently asking for donations, including baked goods, to be offered for sale or to be part of the silent auction.
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From the unique perspective of two careers, geriatric social work and documentary film, Phyllis Chinlund's memoir
Looking Back from the Gate: A Story of Love, Art, and Dementia, recounts how they "got through." Journals, photographs, and conversations bring the reader along on the rollercoaster of their lives. As Ray explores with his camera, the book's twin messages emerge: the saving grace of creativity and enduring love.
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The
Yarmouth Community Garden Harvest Dinner will take place on Wednesday, October 25, 5-7 PM at High School Cafeteria. This is the annual fundraiser for the work that we do in the garden which results in over 3000 pounds annually of beautiful organic produce that we donate to local seniors, the Yarmouth Food Pantry, and the Summer Lunch Crunch Program for children. Please come, bring friends, and help us support this effort, enjoying great local food (marinara sauce from garden produce) and a fun silent auction & raffle.
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Pastoral Emergencies
If you are experiencing a crisis, including needing a hospital visit, you may call Rev. Jennifer Emrich on her cell phone (207.356.1467) any time. Please note that Friday and Saturdays are typically her days off - Rev. Jennifer does not check email on these days, but will answer any crisis or emergency calls.
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Submit Your Announcement
To have your church or community event included in this newsletter or in print on Sundays
please fill out this form
or
email the information to Gwen at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com
by Wednesday at 12 pm to have it included in that Friday's edition of Channels or the Sunday Morning News.
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