CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U
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Be in the Know! - Vol. 22, March 1, 2019
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Eros and Psyche: Lessons in Love
with Rev. Frieda Gillespie
March 3, 2019 at 10:30 am
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HOW DO WE LIVE OUR MISSION?
What does it mean to be a spiritual seeker? HOW will we BE the hands, hearts, and voices of our mission to “explore—embrace—engage”? We offer connections, compassion and intelligent discourse in partnerships with New Mainers, the 95 Main Project, Preble Street, Gyepes, workshops, and more.
Each of our partnerships offer opportunities for personal growth, even as you connect with others.
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fact: Here ends the 2019 Annual Campaign, but that doesn’t mean our work ends. We will be following up with the 30 families who have not yet offered a commitment to the next church year, as we seek to raise the last $25,000. The good news is that we are at 80% of our goal with $95,000 from 45 families, including 19 new ‘perennials’.
reflection:
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave. — Dakota Proverb
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Program Schedule: March 3, 2019
10:15 am
Junior Youth Group (Common Room)
10:30 am
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
10:30 am
Nursery Care (the Nursery)
4:00 pm
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR ALL AGES!
Curious about schedules or what's coming up for children, youth, and adults? Check out the program calendar for March - June 2019.
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THE PARENT GUIDE TO OUR WHOLE LIVES
This
session-by-session companion guide for Our Whole Lives walks parents through the tough questions children often ask about sexuality including information on puberty, body image, relationships, and gender identity. Useful for all who care for children, 0-12 years old.
Now for sale at First Universalist for $15! Available for preview, as well. Checks or cash can be given to the church office. Contact Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com for more info.
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CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
During our 10:30 am Children's Chapel time, most Sundays will now feature two program offerings for children (kindergarten - fourth grade) in a pick-your-own-adventure style. For kids who are interested in a relaxed experience, the
Blue Group will try out meditation, do yoga, read books, make crafts, and engage in acts of service. For kids who are feeling like more movement-based activities, the
Green Group will play games, do hands-on projects, spend more time outside, and engage in acts of service. Come check it out and choose your own path each Sunday!
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YOUTH PROGRAMS
Our junior youth group continues the
Our Whole Lives program, a human sexuality and relationships curriculum, on Sundays from 10:15 - 11:30 am. This OWL session started on Sunday, February 24 and will through Sunday, April 7. Please contact Gwen at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com for more information.
NEW!
Our
senior youth group
has chosen to do an ultra-local mission this year and will be assisting with, and raising money to support, the 95 Main Project, providing housing to New Mainers right here in Yarmouth.
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FAMILY
PROGRAMS
The
Let’s Talk About series continues on
Sunday, March 24, 3:30—5:00 pm with Let’s Talk About Sex, a primer for parents, grandparents, and all who influence children ages 0-9, with Jennifer Wiessner, LCSW, CST ("Raising Sexually Healthy Children" workshop coordinator). This series is free and open to the public.
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YOUR SEARCH PROCESS QUESTIONS, ANSWERED!
Sunday, March 17, during coffee hour
Curious about what goes into selecting our next called minister? Please join us on Sunday, March 17 (Pi/e Sunday) to meet Rev. Margaret Beckman, our UUA-appointed Transition Coach. Rev. Beckman will be in the pulpit that day and will also lead a Q&A session during coffee hour. Members, friends and newcomers are all welcome! Afterwards, she will meet with Rev. Frieda and the Board to kick off the search process.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM MINISTER
As we enter the home stretch of winter (at least we hope), we begin to feel a little weary. If that is you - do listen to your body and mind and take advantage of the slower pace of winter cold to conserve your energy. I say this because this is a very active congregation and it may seem way over the top to try and keep up with all the offerings. I say DON'T. Much as l love the enthusiasm of First U, I know we aren't all up for everything. Nor are you meant to be. Choose what works for you what speaks to your heart and let the rest go. We are not taking care of ourselves by trying to do it all. Remember the words of Walt Whitman: "I loaf, and invite my soul."
- Blessings, Frieda
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MUSIC ON MAIN CONCERT SERIES FEATURING OLD ELEVEN
Friday, March 8th at 7:00 pm
Music on Main Concert Series exists to bring world-class music to our small-town community, welcome new and old faces into First U's beautifully renovated space, and bring in funds to support the projects and programs of First U. This month, join us for a night of traditional bluegrass music with Old Eleven. You might recognize many of the musicians if you've been to Gather for Bluegrass Brunch on Sunday mornings or taken an acoustic music lesson at 317 Main Community Music Center. Tickets by cash or check are $15 per adult, $12 for seniors and $10 for youth. Funds received from tickets are split between the musicians and our church. See Lily O'Brien after church to reserve your ticket!
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CONGREGATIONAL PHOTO
Our congregation has grown and changed since we last took a photo - so let's get together for a new one!
Sunday, March 17
directly following the service. Many thanks to Steve Thomas, photographer!
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CIRCLE SUPPERS
We are rolling with monthly circle suppers! Why? Because it's great to get to know each other, new and longtime friends. Here's what you do: (1.) Check out the suppers offered - more info is in the Gathering Room at church. (2.) Sign up for one. (3.) Get a call or email from the host to set up the potluck supper. (4.) Show up with your food. (5.) Eat, laugh, and be happy. (6.) Know a few more people at church!
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EXPLORING WABANAKI MAINE HISTORY
As a follow-up to the screenings of the powerful documentary,
Dawnland
, St. Bart’s will be hosting an interactive story-telling experience, “Exploring Wabanaki History” on Saturday, March 2, 12:30pm - 2:30pm. A second exercise has been added for 3:30pm - 5:30pm on the same day. Maine-Wabanaki REACH facilitators will guide us in learning about the events in the colonizing history of Wabanaki people and its impact on Indigenous people. The event is interactive, with participants representing both the Wabanaki people and Europeans and their descendants.
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FOUR QUESTIONS FROM THE FAITH-IN-ACTION COUNCIL
The Faith in Action Council knows that the members and friends of this congregation are deeply engaged in and committed to the work of social justice, both through our church’s projects and through individual activities in the wider community—but we’d like to know just where that work has taken you!
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Please complete the survey online,
or on paper at church and leave your response in the basket or the church office, about the social justice work you may have been or are now engaged in, wherever and of whatever kind, and what further ways you might envision for us as a congregation to put our faith into action. We look forward to hearing from you!
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IMMIGRANT LEGAL ADVOCACY PROJECT, March 22
ILAP is proud to present their spring fundraiser,
CeleSoirée 2019
, a musical performance by Palaver Strings at Ocean Gateway in Portland. Tickets may be purchased at
https://ilapmaine.ejoinme.org/celesoiree2019
.
CeleSoirée
supports ILAP’s direct legal services, educational outreach, and advocacy throughout Maine.
100% of funds raised from this event are put to work providing legal guidance and representation to our immigrant neighbors and their families.
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NNED SPRING ASSEMBLY, April 5-6
With Nurturing Connections as our underlying theme, we invite you to the NNED 2019 Spring Assembly and Annual Meeting Friday evening April 5th and Saturday April 6th at the UU Church of Concord, NH. Registration opens February 1st –
contact NNED Administrator Ann-Marie.
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What do we want Unitarian Universalism to be? It is a time when we are asking big questions in our faith, and GA 2019 will be focused on digging into those questions together. It is a critical chance for congregational leaders and passionate UUs to set new goals and aspirations for our religious community.
General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates. The 2019 General Assembly will be June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington.
Learn more at
www.uua.org/ga
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WEATHER CANCELLATION INFORMATION
First Universalist services and event cancellations are announced on WSCH Channel 6, WMTW Channel 8, and WGME Channel 13, as well as on Facebook.
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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. Please note that most weeks she will be in Yarmouth Sunday - Tuesday and working from her home office in MA Wednesday - Friday. Saturdays are typically her day off, but she will answer calls for pastoral emergencies.
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Submit Your Announcement
To have your church or community event included in this newsletter or in print on Sundays please 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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