We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to 
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.
December 15, 2018
10:00 am

Hymn Sing

Rev. Christina & Scott Wheatley
December Worship Services
Dec. 15 | 5pm
Nativity Pageant
& Vespers Service
Rev. Christina
Note New Time!
Dec. 21 | 5:30pm
Winter Solstice
Rev. Christina

Dec. 22 | 10am
You are the
Light of the World
Rev. Christina
Dec. 24 | 4:30pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Rev. Christina
Dec. 29 | 10am
Climate Change Update
Allen Armstrong
Many thanks to Kristen Bailey for donating flowers on 12/15.
Prayers for the People
December 15

Once a month, Reverend Christina will share "Prayers for the People" during Sunday service. If you would like her to share your prayer of joy or sorrow with the congregation please contact her at  minister@firstparishportland.org before 12/14 .
RE Announcements
12/15 & 12/22- Holiday Activities for children; 12/29- No RE.  
Childcare for babies & toddlers is available in the Nursery
 every Sunday from 9:45-11:15am.

FMI about RE at First Parish, please contact, Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Religious Exploration, at  dre@firstparishportland.org.

Mitten Tree

The RE Program will be taking collections of new or gently used gloves, hats, scarves, and mittens for Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services. They are in high need of men’s items. Donations should be placed in the boxes below the tree in the Parish Hall. Thank you!
Come join the fun…
Dinner for 2 ANYWHERE in the World-
Fall Fund Raiser Raffle!
Drawing Date: December 22

Here we are – one week to go until the drawing – the excitement is building! Have you decided where you want to go if you win the drawing? 

If you have money and ticket stubs to turn in, or tickets you need help selling, or need more tickets, please stop by the Raffle table after the service this Sunday, December 15th. Contact Bill Adams with questions: (207) 939-8766 or wadams5071@gmail.com. Thank you, The Raffle Committee
NATIVITY PAGEANT
and
VESPERS SERVICE
December 15 | 5pm
Meeting House

Please join us on Sunday, DECEMBER 15, at 5 p.m. for the PAGEANT OF THE NATIVITY. It is truly a magical experience! The meetinghouse will be lit by candles. The choir is preparing some very lovely music. And by the end of the story, there will be over 50 participants gathered on the chancel. Some of their costumes are over 80 years old with fabrics from the Holy Lands. If you are interested in being involved in the cast or behind the scenes, please contact Laurie Hasty laurie@maine.rr.com .
Death of Two First Parish Members

Joy Larrabee
Joy and Tan Larrabee were members of First Parish for ten years. Joy passed away on October 27, 2019 attended by both Tan and their daughter Jenine. Joy graduated from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing and later received her B.S. with Honors from The Ohio State College of Nursing. She then received her M.A. in Women’s Studies at the Ohio State University.


Ginnie Wing
Virginia “Ginnie” Roberts Wing, 98, of Portland, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2019 at Birchwoods at Canco, surrounded by her loving family. Ginnie was born in Dorchester, Mass. on May 15, 1921 to Florence MacCallum and John Roberts. A long-time resident of Portland, she attended Cummings Grammar School, where she first met the love of her life, George Wing, to whom she was married for over 65 years, until his passing in 2008.
National Vigil to Remember
Victims of Gun Violence
December 16 | 6pm | Parish Hall

December 14, 2019 marks the 7-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. We urge you to join the gun violence prevention community in our collective effort to continue to shine a light on the devastating epidemic of gun violence in our nation until these gun deaths and injuries are reduced. The vigil will bring together survivors of gun violence, victims’ family members, concerned citizens, faith leaders, lawmakers, and many more. Sponsored by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
FMI: Geoff Bickford geoff@mainegunsafety.org.
1619 Slavery Project
December 17
7- 8:30pm | Pre-K Classroom

The Racial Justice Team invites you to a slavery study group based on The New York Times Magazine's  1619 Project . Let's learn why slavery lingers in our culture, institutions, and dwells in our behavior.  For details and reading assignments, leave your name and contact info on Kris Minister’s phone 207-415-8274 or   email krisminister@me.com .
Christmas Bells:
A Holiday
Handbell Concert
December 19 | 7pm
First Parish Meeting House

Ring in the season with MHS and The Pine Tree Academy Bell Ringers with a program of seasonal music, including arrangements set to the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem,  Christmas Bells . $10 for MHS members, $15 general admission. Purchase tickets online at  www.mainehistory.org  or at the door. Sponsored by the Maine Historical Society. 
Breathing and Meditation Class
Wednesdays | 8-9am
 in the Meeting House
No Class on 12/25 or 1/1

Come and explore breathing techniques to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Pranayama 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.
Please Welcome the following
NEW MEMBERS to First Parish!
The New Member Ceremony will be held during service this Sunday, November 24th.
Richard Barrali recently relocated to Portland with his partner, Maryellen McCone. He has been a certified yoga instructor for 12 years and co-facilitates workshops in mindful self compassion. He loves riding his bicycle all over the peninsula, exploring Maine, and taking his dog, Chauncey, to the beach.
Trudy Baylock now lives in South Portland, moving here from New York to be closer to three of her five children. After 25 years in teaching, she is semi-retired from the classroom but works in the office at Cheverus High School. She enjoys restoring furniture, travel, and gardening.
Emily Dupraz lives in Portland with her son, Wilder (age 2). She practices environmental law at Pierce Atwood LLP and enjoys yoga, hiking, knitting, visiting her family’s farm in South Dakota, and exploring the Maine coast with Wilder and her dog, Eleanor.
Markis Larrivee currently lives in Lisbon Falls. He works in advertisement sales at the Sun Journal in Lewiston. He loves to sing, cook, and be active in his community helping others. Markis has joined First Parish’s choir!  
Jake Kulaw lives in S.Portland with his partner Carolyn, a sweet rescue beagle, Major, and an adorable cat, Gracie. He enjoys nature, hiking, the great outdoors and the beach. He is a health teacher at both Portland HS and Deering HS and football coach at Deering HS. He has been a fierce advocate for most of his adult life, fighting oppression and injustice. He feels a deep connection with First Parish's values and mission.
Taryn Friedman lives in South Portland with her dog Bea. For the past nine years she has been Co-owner of Mad Science of Maine. Recently, she stepped back to see where life takes her. She has been enjoying backpacking throughout New England, volunteering at the Preble Street Teen Center and Resource Center, with Hardy Girls Healthy Women, and becoming involved at First Parish. 
Maryellen McCone moved to Portland in August with her partner Richard Barrali. She is a licensed counselor and Certified Daring WY Facilitator™️ and along with her partner, Richard, she co-facilitates workshops on mindful self compassion as well as vulnerability and shame resilience. She loves living in Portland and is enjoying getting to know her new home and all the wonderful people who inhabit the city.
Jaimie Mulligan lives in Portland, Maine with her partner, Michael Brooks, pet dog and rabbit. Jaimie enjoys any excuse to travel and enjoys exploring new places. She moved to Portland after visiting during a road trip. A perfect weekend is cooking for her friends, going for a swim, and enjoying the company of others
Eric Sharpe and his wife Lisa Hallee recently moved from Oakland to Cape Elizabeth with their Springer Spaniel Jenny. Eric is retired from the Concord, New Hampshire Fire Department. He has been a member of the Waterville UU Church for 15 years. He likes camping, singing, and golf. Lisa prefers yoga to golf.
Kate Stenberg lives in Portland after a long time away. She worked as a teacher in primary schools, and currently she is a graduate student of Linguistics at Boston University. In her free time she enjoys reading and writing and spending time with her family and she serves on the Worship Committee here at First Parish.  
Ginny Weill: Growing up, First Parish was Ginny Weill’s second home - from being a heavenly host to an associate member, to being the pianist for the summer services. She has moved back to Maine and is a speech language pathologist in the NICU at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. She’s so happy to be home!  
Bob Zager lives in Portland with his wife, Molly, and cat, Hugo. Bob moved to Maine in March from the Boston area and started work at Greater Portland Health as their CFO. He is originally from St. Louis (go Cardinals!) and enjoys running, biking, camping, and hiking.
Carolyn Tkach  wants to be part of this community which shares her values and make a commitment to living in a world where we all matter. She is a social justice activist, a member of the LGBT+ community, and a practicing Buddhist. She lives in South Portland with her partner Jake, their beagle and cat. She loves to write, make music, and organize for justice. 

Flowers
for Sunday Service

Please help brighten up the Meeting House on Sundays! Sign up to donate & dedicate flowers on our SignUp page HERE !
Security at First Parish

We are continuing our work to maintain our Sunday morning worship as a warm, welcoming, and safe experience for all. The Parish House doors will be locked between 10:15-11am. The Meeting House doors will remain open during service. Our security guard is able to contact Moe for access to the building up the ramp, if it is needed during this time. Thank you for your patience as we work towards making Sundays at First Parish a safe and secure experience for everyone. 
Volunteer
SIGN UP's
Updated for 2019-20!

There are so many ways to get involved at First Parish:
  • Usher/Greeter
  • Community Dinner
  • Flowers for Sunday Service and more!
Contact Sheila in the Office if you have any questions about signing up online: office@firstparishportland.org.
Office Notes:
Sermons

We receive many requests for copies of Rev. Christina's thought-provoking sermons. You can now find her sermons in this Shared Sermons Folder. Please allow up to a week for sermons to be posted here.
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101   207-773-5747  

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