VIRTUAL UU ROAD TRIP
This summer, we are excited to take a virtual UU road trip. Each Sunday we'll visit a UU congregation and have the opportunity to experience how they do worship services. Check your inbox on Sunday mornings for your next destination!
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FELLOWSHIP & VESPERS
Sundays at 7:30 pm & 8:00 pm
Join your church friends on Zoom on Sunday evenings first for a friendly time of fellowship from 7:30 - 8:00 pm, and then transition into a facilitated Vespers discussion, Adult RE style, 8:00-8:30 pm. We can share our thoughts about the morning's worship service, and also reflect on a reading that was included in the morning email. Readings will highlight the voices of UU ministers of color. Please join us for either or both! A link to attend will be sent out on Sunday mornings along with the virtual UU road trip.
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SUMMER CIRCLES: WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU!
At First U we witness each other’s lives as the years come and go. And USUALLY in the summer, we lose track of each other, right? If that’s where you are and want to be, we hope it’s beautiful and nourishing. However if you’ve been feeling a little isolated (!?!) and might like a bit more conversation, and to even make new friends, we have a place you can go: Summer Circles.
This is not a project, or a fundraiser, or even Small Group Ministries. There is no curriculum or agenda, unless you create one. It’s simply gathering (in Zoom space) with friendly curiosity, and sharing your day and thoughts. Maybe it’s asking others what they think about something. It’s just for July and August. It’s just for you and people who have time to share, sort of ‘front porch’ style.
To join, write to the Congregation Connections Committee via Sarah at
sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com. What blocks of the day and week would work best with you? We’ll try to get things launched on that basis, as soon as we can. Monday night people, Friday morning people, etc!
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WHAT WILL RE BE THIS FALL?
While we're still making plans, we want to hear your needs and your input. What do you or your family need for spiritual nourishment, exploration, and growth this Fall? What would fill up your cup rather than drain your tank? Please fill out this
four-question survey to help us better understand what you need.
Please note:
- This survey does NOT address what, if any, safe, in-person gatherings that may happen inside the church. We are still exploring that option.
- This survey is for all ages: adults, youth, and children. All are encouraged to respond!
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FUN FOR FAMILIES
We're fortunate in Maine to have an abundance of beautiful summertime activities, but sometimes families can still find themselves looking for something to
RE-inspire.
This week, we encourage you to check out
Tinkergarten where they have activities for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary aged kids to learn about the
superpower of empathy. In addition to the fun activities, you can watch/listen to the story
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain. Empathy is a crucial part of our UU values and connects with our 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th
and 7th principles.
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LOBSTER BAKE TO BENEFIT YCHI & NEW MAINERS
St. Bart's, one of our partners in the Yarmouth Community Housing Initiative (YCHI), presents
LOBSTER DINNERS TO GO!! Lobster, potato/corn salad, biscuit, and blueberry buckle all wrapped up in a basket. Saturday, August 22nd. Curb-side pick-up. $25 per dinner. All proceeds to benefit YCHI and New Mainers. To reserve your lobster dinner, please email:
stbartslobsterdinner@gmail.com.
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VOLUNTEERING AT PREBLE STREET
Our next first Tuesday to volunteer at Preble Street is August 4, with NEW TIMES: 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Help to feed some of Maine's most vulnerable people who continue to rely on Preble Street for food and other resources. Contact Ruth White (
rwhite7@maine.rr.com) with any questions or if you would like to sign up. Thank you!
Preble Street is changing, bringing new and different opportunities for volunteers.
- There will no longer be breakfast, lunch, or dinner given out at the Soup Kitchen door or served in the dining room.
- The Resource Center Soup Kitchen will transition to a permanent food production facility, creating and packing meals to be distributed to area shelters.
- A new program — Street Outreach Collaborative — will help caseworkers connect with people living outside. This program will deliver two meals daily to people experiencing homelessness who are not staying at a shelter.
- In addition to the three daily volunteer shifts — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — where volunteers help to create and pack meals, we will also need a contingent of volunteers to help deliver and distribute these meals.
- Clients will still be able to access emergency food pantry supplies Tuesday through Saturday, and volunteers will continue to sort donations and create food boxes.
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Pastoral Emergencies
If you have a pastoral emergency, you can contact Rev. Frieda Gillespie on her cell phone at 508-207-7566.
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Submit Your Announcement
To have your announcement included in this newsletter please email the information to Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com
by Wednesday at 12 pm.
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