CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.
— Heda Bejar
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This year we are planting the seed to consider a Perennial Commitment - an annually renewing commitment!
If you choose this option as you make your commitment, you are making things a bit easier for both yourself and our stewardship team. You will know that your commitment has already been thoughtfully considered. You will be a lead contributor in each annual campaign, and yet able to alter the commitment as you may choose to do so in the future.
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FACT:
This year's budget is $217,000. We anticipate $225,000 next church year to continue our programs and staffing even as we experience the opportunities and challenges of ministerial transition. 60% of our revenue comes from our annual financial commitments.
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Seeds of Peace
Guest Preacher: Tim Wilson
Sunday, February 11, 2018, 10:30 am
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You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
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FAITH FORMATION &
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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Winter 2018 Program Calendar
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THIS SUNDAY: FEBRUARY 11
9:30 am -
Guest Speaker Series: MUUSAN (Gathering Room)
9:30 am -
UU Games (Common Room)
9:45 am -
Junior Youth Group
- Neighboring Faith Communities Trip
10:30 am -
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
1:00 pm -
Parent Meeting for Senior Youth Group Trip (Gathering Room)
4:00 pm -
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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Guest Speaker Series: MUUSAN
THIS SUNDAY, February 11, 9:30 - 10:15 am (Gathering Room)
Are you interested in the moral and faith issues in governmental legislation and policy? The Maine Unitarian Universalist State Action Network's mission is to educate and organize for a more just society. They accomplish this mission through social activism and public witness. Learn more about MUUSAN and how you can get involved!
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Purchase and Plant on the Side of Love
This Sunday, February 11 during Coffee Hour
Our junior youth group of middle schoolers, as part of their Neighboring Faith Communities exploration, are planning a trip to Salem, MA to connect with neo-pagan communities and to learn from our past about religious intolerance. To help cover the costs of this trip, they are selling seed paper heart valentines for the next two Sundays during Coffee Hour. Each seed paper heart is plant-able and produces beautiful heirloom dark purple chalice-shaped poppies in the early Spring. Cards are available for a suggested donation of $1-$2 per card. Send your valentines the gift of flowers!
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PLAY IT SAFE: ARLGP Educational Visit
Sunday, March 18, during Children's Chapel
A humane educator from the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland will be visiting during Children's Chapel with Play It Safe curriculum that focuses on safety, compassion, and kindness in order to promote a healthy relationship between people and pets. All children are welcome to attend!
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Cupid's Cottage
In front of First Universalist, Open Most Days Until 2/14
Cupid’s Cottage is here just in time for Valentine’s Day with free Valentine making and writing supplies. Any visitor can sit and connect with the people in their life by writing on ready-made cards or making an original creation. A red shed will sit in front of the church until February 14th. If you have any supplies to donate or want to help by supervising please contact Rebecca Rundquist -
rebquist@hotmail.com.
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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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A SUCCESS STORY: ASSISTING NEW MAINERS
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Yarmouth Community Housing Initiative, a joint effort by local faith organizations including First Universalist, who supports New Mainers, refugees and asylum-seekers in Maine, want you to share in the celebration and birth of a new baby!
YCHI's carefully crafted plans to support a pregnant mom, who was to be induced this past Tuesday, changed suddenly when she was admitted to Maine Medical last Friday instead!
Fortunately, one of our volunteers came through like a champ and took in the pregnant mom's two-year-old while mom gave birth to a healthy baby Saturday evening. This mom was supported throughout the delivery by a doula and we think this was a big part of why the delivery went so well. We will continue to connect expecting moms with doulas through BirthRoots or the doula organization itself as moms express interest.
Mom and her two-year-old and baby were back at the shelter Monday afternoon. We supported the volunteer watching the two-year-old with food purchases and at Wednesday's new mom gathering, the volunteer was told that the two-year-old had gained weight over the weekend while in the volunteer's care!
At First Universalist, we enthusiastically support the work of YCHI with direct participation and partnership. If you would like to join the team that both hosts and plans, please contact Anne Turner (
annelewisturner@gmail.com
) or Rev. Jennifer (
revjemryq@gmail.com
). We are looking for a partner in this fun and life-giving justice work!
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The Poets and the Assassin
Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00 pm
Talbot Hall at USM—85 Bedford Street, Portland
This five-act play,
The Poet and the Assassin, written by Reza Jalali, offers historic and contemporary insight into the situation of women in Iran, a society shrouded in mystery. A carpool will be leaving from First Universalist at 6:30 pm to attend the play. The performance is free, but pre-registration is encouraged to reserve seats. Please contact Sue Ellen Bordwell if you plan on attending: 207-650-3858 or
sebordwell@gmail.com.
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First U member and author, Phyllis Chinlund, is holding a Valentine's Day book talk on her memoir,
Looking Back From The Gate: A Story of Love, Art, and Dementia on Wednesday, February 14, at 3:00 pm, at Avita of Stroudwater in Westbrook.
Click for more information.
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The Theater Project is putting on a production of Oscar Wilde's
The Picture of Dorian Gray which will run from February 8th - 18th.
Click for tickets and showtimes (link has been corrected!).
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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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