We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to 
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community 
and Help Heal the World.

January 13, 2018
10:00 am

Coming of Age Service
Rev. Christina Sillari
Upcoming Worship Services
January 20 | 10am
MLK Service
Rev. Christina Sillari
January 27 | 10am
Empowerment
Claudette Ndayininahaze
February 3 | 10am
Rev. Christina Sillari
RE Announcements

Children will stay in the Meeting House for the Coming of Age service on 1/13/19. Childcare for babies and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Nursery (upstairs in the Parish House).

FMI about RE at First Parish, please contact, Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Religious Exploration, at dre@firstparishportland.org.
This Sunday:
Bowling with the Minister
Jan 13 th | 1-3pm | Bayside Bowl
58 Alder Street, Portland

Want to beat the January chills? Come join us for our popular bowling event & witness Rev. Christina’s fancy bowling moves! Come early- limited to the first 24 people that show up! FMI, please email Dee Pecoraro, Membership Coordinator, at  membership@firstparishportland.org . $5.00 per person | $10.00 per family | $4.00 shoe rentals. 
WOMEN'S MARCH PORTLAND
January 19 th | 11am | Congress Square Park &
11am-2pm | First Parish

The March  will start 11am at Congress Square Park (High & Congress) and walk to City Hall. Rally for Justice will open our Parish Hall from 11am to 2pm to provide warmth, refreshments and restrooms. 
Help needed- contact  angus@angusferguson.com   or 749-6618. 
FMI re March  maine@womensmarch.com  . 
Flaming the Fires:
The Art of Intention in the New Year
January 26 th | 10am- 4pm | Youth Room

Make art, have fun, create a deeper perspective of the past year and what you hope for in the next. Here's a chance to put what's cherished and what's challenging together using a variety of tools to create real vision for 2019. Co-facilitated by Kali Bird Isis and Anne Gresinger. For more info call Kali at 207-208-9995 or email   abrushwithfire@gmail.com
Interpersonal Intervention
in Racist Behavior
January 27 th | 11:30am- 1:30pm | Community Room

It takes good judgment and practice to confront racist talk and behavior. Acquire the skills of nonviolent confrontation that help heal the world on Sunday, January 27 th . The Racial Justice Team will lead a workshop in the Community Room from 11:30 to 1:30. Snacks and drinks provided. Limited to 20 persons. Reserve your place by emailing Carl Cappello:  CCAPPELLO@MAINE.RR.COM
Snow Shovelers Needed!

Buildings and Grounds is looking for a few stalwart snow shovelers to help our Sexton, Moe, when winter storms arrive. Stipend available- call/email Chris Beasley FMI: 207-619-7588 or rcbeasley@live.com .  
Breathing and Meditation Class
Wednesdays | 5:30-6:30pm
in the K-1 Classroom
 (upstairs in Parish House)

Come and explore breathing techniques to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Pranayama (increase and extension of the life force) is an ancient practice from India used to heal dis-ease, prepare for meditation, and access spiritual realms. All are welcome to join in these powerful tools of transformation. Taught by Rev. Christina. Free to First Parish Members; $10.00 non-members.

Child Dedication Service
February 3 rd | During Service 

The Child Dedication Ceremony at First Parish is a special time set aside for us to offer our blessings and support to new children, and to celebrate the blessings each new child offers to our community. Please contact Toben at dre@firstparishportland.org if you would like your child(ren) to be included in this service.
Please Welcome the following
NEW MEMBERS to First Parish!
The New Member Ceremony will be held during service this Sunday, January 6th.
Barbara Brown grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. She met her husband, a native New Englander, while they were both working in Washington, DC, and fell in love with New England on visits to his family in Worcester. Both engineers, she and her husband both recently retired after 25 years working in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. They then sold everything and bummed around the world for much of 2017. Since moving to Portland last July, Barbara has enjoyed exploring Maine and settling into her new home. She enjoys reading, cooking, and ferreting out great local places to eat out.
Tracy Concannon I was born in Washington D.C., and raised in Fairfax, VA, by a Catholic and an atheist. I've worked as a grade-school teacher, a Polaris Industries Rep, a sail-making apprentice, a P&C insurance agent, a traffic flagger and an ADT Sales Representative. Since 2016 I've been delivering mail for the United States Postal Service. I enjoy movies, music, reading, dancing, socializing and art. I want to be a member at First Parish Church because the minister and members seem to accept my unfinished spiritual perspective with understanding, compassion, and lightheartedness.  
Liz Crane  lives in Portland with her husband Tom, who has been an active member at First Parish for several years. Liz and Tom have two daughters who live in New York City. Liz is a social worker and has a private practice in South Portland. She is an avid squash player, meditates and works out regularly and she is interested in holistic alternatives in both mental and physical health care.

Brenda Franey, along with her husband, moved to Maine 4 years ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren. After living 40 plus years in the beautiful “Bluegrass” of Kentucky, she has found Maine to be beautiful in other special and unique ways. She enjoys spending time hiking, kayaking and birding. Brenda also enjoys music and has found the First Parish choir to be a “warm and welcoming” place to sing!
Bob Fowler lives in a 1790 farmhouse in Cumberland. Bob works as Executive Director of Milestone Recovery, a nonprofit organization in Portland serving people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders. He has Master’s degrees in Social Welfare and in Public Policy. Bob is passionate about gardening, beekeeping, playing music, and he recently started playing tennis! He is excited to join the First Parish community. 
Jamie Howard grew up in Oklahoma and went to college in Kansas, Missouri, & Oregon. Jamie settled in Portland 14 years ago with her son, Holland (15), & then partner Amy. She also has a daughter, Mollie (3). She works as an IT Implementation Consultant for Vermilion Software/Factset Research Systems of Boston & works remotely from her home. She lives with her cat, Muffin, & part-time with her children, Holland and Mollie. 
Dan Hughes was born in Pittsburgh and spent much of his adult life raising his three daughters in Central Maine. He left Maine 15 years ago but moved to South Portland two years ago to live near his children. Dan is a psychologist who founded a model of therapy for abused and neglected children, which has become a model of therapy for all families. He continues to write about and train many therapists in this model of treatment and care. He is semi-retired and loves Maine for all that it offers. He is excited about the chance to become active in the First Parish community.
Mo Nichols (they/them/their) was born and raised in Machiasport, Maine and now resides in South Portland. A graduate of Carleton College ('12) and the University of Maine ('14), Mo is the principal harpist of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and has played the harp since the age of eight (having just turned 30!). By day, they are the dough maker for The Holy Donut in Scarborough. On their days off, they can probably be found in a bookstore, rowing, or singing musical theater tunes with their new tenor voice!
Susan Egerton Griggs has spent much of her adult life travelling around or living in Maine. Armed with an Art Education degree from UNH, Susan has had a wide-ranging career, from creating an art program at the US Naval Prison to running advertising agencies and a printing plant. She was privileged to participate in a UNIDO assignment in Burma as part of the Water Decade. Her marriage to George in 2001 allowed her to pursue a new path as a certified yoga instructor and artist. She is also active as a gardener and equestrian. She is deeply concerned about climate change and inhumanity in all its forms.
Lois Winter has lived in Portland with her life partner, Val, for 27 years. Lois spent her career working as a National Park Service park naturalist and as an outreach specialist and conservation biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in coastal Maine. She holds a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology and continues to be passionate about the importance of land protection, restoration and stewardship. Now retired, Lois enjoys outdoor adventures-- sea kayaking, downhill skiing, biking and hiking. She is also dedicated to learning and practicing the mandolin, gardening, reading good books, and seeking new ways to do good in the world. 
John Rasor moved from Pittsford, NY to Stroudwater Lodge in Westbrook last summer to be near a son and granddaughters in Yarmouth. He worked as a journalist & then as a writer & public relations manager for a major international business until retirement in 2006. He is a member of the Westbrook Writers Group as well as a Skype member of the Writers Group at the 1st Unitarian Church Rochester, N.Y. He has been a Unitarian for 20 years & counting.
Kerry Walls moved from Portland, Oregon after 32 years to be closer to her daughters in NYC and Boston, and to live by the water. She is a business and executive coach for almost 20 years and works with her clients remotely. She’s both excited and trepidatious about her first East Coast winter on Peaks Island.
Blankets, Gloves & Socks Collection

Faith in Action is collecting clean blankets, gloves and socks for the homeless. Please place your donations in the box in the Parish Hall, near the coat rack.  
Stewardship Committee
Seeking New Members

Each year we lead a Stewardship campaign to solicit pledges for the upcoming fiscal year. These pledges become the foundation of our self-funded budget. If you are willing to assist please contact Greg Dorsey soulrnrg@gmail.com   or call (207) 691-2968.
Social Justice Update
from the UUA

Click below to read more about what the UUA has been up to on the social justice front in 2018. Just Acts: In Resistance There is Joy--
Missing Hearing Aid Units

We are missing two of our hearing aid units, and wonder if they were taken home by mistake. If so, please bring them back to First Parish as soon as possible, as we have many services in December!
New Online Sign Up
for Sunday Greeters!

Please sign up to be a Sunday Greeter here at First Parish, and be a part of the team to help people feel warmly welcomed on Sunday mornings! Sign up through the link below. It’s such an  easy  way to sign up! Questions, comments please email:  membership@firstparishportland.org
Office Notes

Be sure to ask for a Bulletin when you pick up your Order of Service on Sunday, so you don't miss out on any First Parish news or events!

Large Print Orders of Service are now available every Sunday! Ask a Greeter, or look for them at both entrances to the from the Meeting House.
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101   207-773-5747  

 Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community 
and Help Heal the World