CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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All change is a miracle to contemplate, but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant.
- Henry David Thoreau
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Ministerial Transition
: Read the brochure linked below for Frequently Asked Questions about a Ministerial Transition as well as saying a Good Goodbye to Rev. Jennifer and welcoming an Interim Minister.
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Were you unable to make it to the Midyear Meeting last Sunday? Check out the meeting notes and then follow-up with any of the
members of the Board
with questions or comments.
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The practice of true generosity is an exchange in which both giver and receiver are enriched.
— Judy Lief
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Our Annual Campaign is coming to your mailbox
, inviting your commitment to participate in First U in our next church year, which begins in July. Please consider carefully. Your commitment defines our First U capacity to serve your needs and to do good in our community and the world. You will be hearing more in the coming weeks and into March.
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FACT:
Average commitment is $1200; range of annual giving is $100 to $12,000. We seek to raise average to $1260.
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The Edict of Torda
Rev. Jennifer Emrich
Sunday, January 28, 2018, 10:30 am
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FAITH FORMATION &
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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Winter 2018 Program Calendar
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THIS SUNDAY: JANUARY 28
10:30 am -
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
10:30 am -
Junior Youth Group (Common Room)
4:00 pm -
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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Children's Tea & Games with the Minister
First Sundays from 11:45 am - 12:30 pm: February 4 & March 4
Calling all children - there are snacks and fun and games to be had after worship on the first Sunday of the month. Rev. Jennifer and one of our teens will host with a snack, a chance to chat, and games. New children are always welcome!
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Guest Speaker Series: MUUSAN
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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Maine Farm Supper
Saturday, February 10, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
February 10th marks our 9th Maine Farm Supper, and we want YOU to get involved with preparing, serving, and hosting our local feast!
Here are just a few ways you can help, while enjoying getting to know each other and having some laughs:
Event promotion - Flower arranging - Setting up - Selling tickets -
Prepping, cooking, plating food - Serving food - Cleaning up
Or, if you enjoy baking and would rather help from home:
Making individual pot pie crusts - Baking apple crisp
Sign up in the Gathering Room at church or by contacting Cindy Guernsey (cindyguernsey@icloud.com) or Sarah Coffin Witte (sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com)
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Thank You
from Jane Cleaves' Family
“The family of Jane Cleaves sends a huge thank you to all that made her Celebration of Life possible. There were the organizers, bakers, choir,
ushers, greeters, set up and clean up crews and everyone else — especially Rev. Jennifer for always being there for Jane and us."
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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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#TakeAKnee in Prayer Event
Saturday, February 3, from 4:30—5:30 pm
Portland International Jetport Baggage Claim Area
Participate in the
#TakeAKnee in Prayer event to demonstrate our fervent prayer that our black and brown sisters and brothers will be treated with justice and kindness. Taking a knee, in body or in spirit, is a symbolic, quiet, spiritual show of support for those who are oppressed, vulnerable, marginalized, or discriminated against based solely on the color of their skin. All are invited to this interfaith event, including athletes and veterans,
clergy and lay people, and those who worship, pray, meditate, or reflect in many forms. Please dress in black.
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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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THREE OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST NEW MAINERS
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Affect Immigrant Rights: Be a Professional Mentor
Seeking professional mentors to befriend and guide New Mainers who are seeking ways to secure employment in their field. There are doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, journalists and others, from countries around the world, who need your input and support as they look to transfer their skills and education to jobs here in Maine. If you are interested in being a professional mentor, please contact Rev. Jennifer at
revjemryq@gmail.com. We will meet together as mentors, review our cultural consideration skills, and then work with Opportunity Alliance to connect with New Mainers chosen for this program. We need you!
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Become A Volunteer Housing Coach
A volunteer housing coach helps New Mainers to navigate the U.S. rental housing system and assists with things like learning to use unfamiliar kitchen equipment or answers questions about landlord/tenant issues. This volunteer role requires no financial commitment and would be only a few hours per month.
Read more about this program
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Volunteer Teacher Needed
Parkside Community Center is seeking a volunteer teacher to guide intense English as Another Language learning for New Mainer adults. These adult students are highly educated and motivated. The position is for 2 days per week, speech therapy background is a plus. If you are interested please contact Claudette Ndayininahaze at
ndayininahaze@opportunityalliance.org for more information and a chance to interview for the position.
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YOGA: The last yoga class of the winter session is this Saturday, January 27th at the Church from 10:00 - 11:15 AM. We’ll be in the Library (Common Room). Ten dollars donation requested per class. One-half of the proceeds to a charity agreed with the class, and one-half to the Church.
The spring yoga session will start in about a month. Stay tuned. Any questions contact the Instructor, Lois Howlett, at
loishowlett2@gmail.com or tel. 207-847-3055. Every body is welcome! You can modify or stop at anytime.
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Being Mortal, a movie night and discussion, is at Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth on January 29th, 5-7 pm and includes a presentation and movie focused on end of life issues, especially the hard conversations when medical options are limited to help our loved ones.
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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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