CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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FAITH IN ACTION: ACTION ALERT
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We're hosting New Mainers this weekend!
At the request of the Yarmouth Compassionate Housing Initiative, we have agreed to host 20-35 New Mainers in our building this weekend.
The fact of the matter is that even the new Family Shelter has run out of room, and it's a "blackout" weekend at the Salvation Army shelter, so, there's no where in Portland for these folks to sleep! We will be welcoming them to our Gathering Room and Kitty Corner, and they'll have cold-storage and microwave access to our kitchen. These are mostly families with young children, so there will also be teens from area schools in and out of the building on Saturday to play and lead games. We believe that hosting these folks is a great way to put our Faith In Action, and if you are in the building for yoga, or just as you arrive on Sunday morning, be prepared to give them a warm welcome.
And yes, Sunday morning might not look as quiet and pristine as it usually does when you arrive early for Dream Circle or Choir practice or a few moments of contemplation before Worship, but it will be full of the energy generated when we take the opportunity to create a little justice in the world, and expand our circle of neighbors and friends. Enjoy any chaos you encounter - it's a spiritual exercise!
P.S. As a reminder, we don't take any photos of our New Mainer guests out of respect of their privacy.
See you at church!
Rev. Jennifer, with the Board of Trustees, and the Faith In Action Council
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REMINDER:
This Sunday we celebrate pi(e)!
Bring a sweet or savory pie to share and come enjoy some pie
during Coffee Hour following worship services.
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The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.
- Joseph Campbell
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This week is LAST CALL for your Annual Campaign commitment.
Your pledges determine what we can do in the coming year in living our mission at the core of our church life – exploring our faith, embracing our community, and engaging in our world as a spiritual seeker.
Together with our generous hearts we can do so much!
Be sure your financial generosity is included in this campaign!
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This Sunday we recognize Pi(e) in its many forms. Pies to eat, circling up in community, and the big pie chart tracking our various income sources. The biggest slice - 75% - is your generous participation in our Annual Campaign and our various fundraisers: Gala, Maine Farm Supper, Holiday Fair, Clam Fest, Hannaford cards, and more. The leftover quarter of the pie is gratefully received from rentals and endowment income.
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Discovering the Foundation of Balance
Guest Preacher: Rev. Sarah Siegel
Sunday, March 11, 2018, 10:30 am
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FAITH FORMATION &
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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ADULT CONVERSATION CIRCLES
Please note that Adult Conversation Circles and UU Games at 9:30 am will be canceled on 3/18 and 4/1.
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NEW Spring 2018 Program Calendar
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THIS SUNDAY: MARCH 11
10:30 am -
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
10:30 am -
Nursery Care (Nursery)
10:30 am -
Junior Youth Group (Common Room)
12:15 pm -
Junior Youth Parent Meeting (Gathering Room)
4:00 pm -
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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Exciting Things are Springing Up in RE!
With Spring on the horizon, it’s a great time to bring your children or grandchildren to First U! Join us for:
- March 18—PLAY IT SAFE (for animal lovers and kids who want to gain more confidence around animals)
- March 25—Palm Sunday (we'll be using palm fronds made in Children's Chapel during the service)
- April 1—Easter Sunday (with an Easter egg hunt!)
- April 22—Earth Day
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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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Ask A Teen: Smartphone Questions & Consultations
Sunday, March 18, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Do you have questions about how to
use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram),
operate your smartphone camera,
download and use various apps,
or adjust your phone settings?
Then come see our 'genius' senior youth group members for assistance and one-on-one guidance! Just $15 for 15 minutes.
Come with questions about your iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle, or Other Devices! To make good use of your time, consider preparing a list of questions. If our geniuses get stumped, we’ll pause the clock and do our best to look up answers to your questions. We will have 5-6 teens available to help, so get a cup of coffee and then come say hello.
This senior youth group fundraiser will support their attendance at the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Kansas City, MO this June where they'll be able to meet, worship with, and address social justice issues with youth from across the country and around the world.
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Our Junior Youth Want Your Old Clothes...
...to give them new life as dog toys! Old t-shirts, fleece blankets, or socks are the most helpful (and holes or stains are no problem!). We’ll cut them up, braid them, or stuff them to make chew or cuddle toys for dogs at the local animal shelter, ARLGP. We have a box downstairs in the Gathering Room for you to put any donations (we'd love for any donations to show up by Sunday, March 11!).
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The LAST Gather Dinner of this Church Year!
Thursday, March 22, seatings at 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Come enjoy scrumptious local food at a local restaurant with your local church friends. You get to enjoy great company and food and Gather donates a portion of the night’s earning to First U. You can reserve your spot at Gather online or sign up downstairs in the Gathering Room during Coffee Hour. Also, consider making it a night on the town and follow your dinner with Irish music by Daymark at First U!
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A Night of Irish Music with Daymark
Thursday, March 22, 7:30—9:00 pm, Sanctuary
Tickets are sold at the door, $15/person
Daymark is an international trio performing traditional Irish music infused with infectious energy, raw power, and Northern swagger. Fusing the talents of Will Woodson (flute, border pipes), Dan Foster (fiddle) and Eric McDonald (guitar, vocals) the group presents a classic blend of wind and string as driving flute meets virtuosic fiddle, underpinned by well-considered and expertly delivered guitar.
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Our Spiritual Journeys
Sunday, March 25, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
All those who are new or new-ish to First U are invited to attend the Our Spiritual Journeys lunch and conversation, facilitated by Rev. Jennifer Emrich. It's an opportunity to connect, share your spiritual journey, and learn more about how Unitarian Universalism may fit in your life. Childcare is available. Please RSVP to Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com.
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Coffee Hour Hosting Calendar
Committees, councils, and groups at First U are all 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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Cooking Oil for Yarmouth Food Pantry
Our Faith-In-Action Council have signed up to meet the challenge of a continuing need at the Pantry. Check out the big bottle poster in the Gathering Room - drop a few bucks in, and we will transform your donation into the cooking oil the food pantry so desperately needs to meet the needs of Yarmouth families. The pantry needs about 25 bottles a month—please help if you can!
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SUPPORT, MENTOR, AND EMPOWER NEW MAINERS
TEMPORARY HOUSING SUPPORT:
Yarmouth Community Housing Initiative supports New Mainers, refugees and asylum-seekers in Maine, by providing temporary emergency housing assistance, meals, rides, childcare, and more. If you would like to join the team that both hosts and plans, please contact Anne Turner (annelewisturner@gmail.com) or Rev. Jennifer Emrich (revjemryq@gmail.com).
PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP:
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. Contact: Rev. Jennifer Emrich (revjemryq@gmail.com).
HOUSING COACHING:
Housing coaches spend a few hours per month with New Mainers who recently moved into apartments. As a housing coach you might, for example, help the tenant learn to use unfamiliar kitchen appliances or utilities such as heat, and help with occasional questions or issues between the tenant and landlord. If you’re interested, please contact Jane Makela (janemakela@earthlink.net).
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Footlights Theatre in Falmouth presents
APPELL: The Other Side of the Fence, March 8 - 24. This production is a haunting account of a small gathering of Holocaust prisoners, brought to life with brutal honesty, recognizing that the stories of those who died - and those who survived - must never be forgotten. Tickets are $18/adults, $15/seniors, $10/children under 17.
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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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