click here to watch the service LIVE on YouTube on Sunday morning

Our Sunday worship falls upon the last day of Rosh Hashanah and the eve of the week leading up to Yom Kippur, known as the Days of Awe. In the Jewish tradition, these days are set aside for introspection, honesty, and reconciliation. Whether or not you are preparing for the High Holy Day of atonement that is Yom Kippur, the world right now seems to naturally be conspiring with the Days of Awe, asking us to reflect, seek out, and resolve ourselves to acts of goodness. So, in these crazy times, how do we actually pull it together and meet this awe head on? Well, let’s figure it out. 

From “To Manage,” by Naomi Shihab Nye

Dear First Universalists,

Well, we gave it our best shot this past Sunday, but so it goes in these unprecedented times, we faced some unexpected challenges in our first attempt to offer a virtual worship service live from our sanctuary. Though, sure, I was a little bummed we didn’t broadcast crisp and clear to all who tuned in, I was admittedly pretty grateful that the reason we didn’t was because so many folks tuned in! Our beloved tech crew is hard at work this week troubleshooting and we hope that you all will tune in again this Sunday for what will hopefully be a crisper and clearer service. 

If you missed the service, or missed pieces of it due to glitches and freezes, please know that we’ve posted the full audio of the service on the website, as well as a more succinct and ear-friendly version of the readings and homily. I recorded the latter from my home post-worship. This “podcast-esque” version of weekly words and melodies from our Sunday worship will be something Sam and I explore this fall - and perhaps throughout the year. It will be a way you can hear the words of the service again, listen “off-screen,” or share parts of our service easily with friends. Check it out and let us know what you think. 

Despite the differences in their practices, nearly all the Buddhist teachers I’ve had in my life have used a common colloquialism: “Slowly, Slowly.”

“Slowly, slowly,” they say, “you will settle down.” 

“Slowly, slowly, don’t force it.” 

“Slowly, slowly, just this.” 

“Slowly, slowly, you will begin to understand.” 

Slowly, slowly, is my mantra right now. 

I want everything to be up and running! I want to know all of you! I want us to all be comfortable with all this tech stuff! I want to have the rhythms of this ministry down!

But no, that’s not what the practice of living is about - I, we, are not living the whole thing at once. Slowly, slowly, I’ll remember this goodness, this goodness of this collective process, this strange beginning, this moment right now. 

Yours in trying new things, and trying again,

Rev. Hillary 

Would you like to help boost turnout this Election Day among voters of color in voter suppression states? Can you print legibly? Then join Rev. Hillary and friends from Faith in Action for a postcard-writing party on Saturday, September 19 from 10:00-noon outdoors at the church. Tables and chairs (socially distanced!) and snacks provided—or you can bring your own. (Special arrangements possible for those who want to participate but cannot stay for the party.)

Learn about this new year's church budget in advance of the vote to happen at the Annual Meeting happening on Sunday, September 27. This is your chance to ask questions and be informed! A link to participate will be sent out in advance of the meeting. The button below gives you the opportunity to preview the church's financial documents in advance of this meeting.

The church's Annual Meeting, rescheduled from this past June, will take place on September 27. At this meeting will be a vote on the budget and updates about the church year. A link to participate will be sent out in advance of the meeting.

Join Anna, Rev. Hillary, and Gwen for the first Children's Chapel of the church year! We'll be live on Zoom for this multi-generational time. This week will feature Rosh Hashanah, the world's birthday!

Children’s Chapel precedes the worship service on Sundays, and can be accessed on Zoom by clicking here and entering the password: CHAPEL.

For youth in grades 8 - 12, the Coming of Age program is a UU rite of passage for youth who are moving away from childhood and toward young adulthood. It is a special, sacred way that UU youth work to develop their faith identity. Please save the date for the parent and youth introductory meeting on October 18th, 4 - 5 pm. To find out more, please email Gwen at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com.

Please note: the Coming of Age program is separate from both the senior and junior youth groups. Senior youth groups (for 9th - 12th graders) will be happening opposite Coming of Age sessions, approx. two Sundays per month. Junior youth groups (for 5th - 8th graders) will be happening most Sunday mornings each month from 11:15 am - 12:00 pm.

If you haven't picked up your take-home supplies yet for your K-4th grader, please contact Gwen at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com to arrange for pick up.

Junior and senior youth groups are invited to launch their youth group year with apple picking at Thompson's Orchards in New Gloucester. Families are welcome to accompany their junior and senior youth group members to pick apples, too - but please know that our youth groups will be using that time to bond and connect. Masks and social distancing will be required.

Wabanaki Food Pantries. This month, in honor of our 1st principle recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person, we are sharing half of our offering with Maine Wabanaki Reach. Wabanaki Reach provides food and supplies to the 5 Wabanaki community food pantries through their “Grandmother’s Love” initiative based in values the Grandmothers teach - that love is sacred and to always help one another. One thing that Indigenous people have is collective resilience and a call to respond during crises. They are grateful for all who respond to this call!

The Anti-Racism Working Group have purchased, for the use of First Universalist members, friends, and attendees:

Recommended donations for bumper stickers are $5 each, yard signs with a metal stake are $12, and copies of AntiRacist Baby are $12. Checks should be made out to the First Universalist Church and sent to the church with a note on the line for bumper sticker, yard sign, or book - or some combination of the three.

Anyone interested should contact Sarah at sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com and she can arrange with you to pick up or drop off the bumper sticker, yard sign, or book. If we run out of bumper sticker or yard signs we will order more.

You can now submit your online request for an Absentee Ballot for the November election! Don't wait, put in your request now: Request Absentee Ballot - NEW fixed link!

Ballots will be mailed out about 30 days before the election; but putting in your request now helps your town clerk’s office anticipate the absentee ballot volume they will face in the month before the election.

Worried about the Mail? Those of you in Yarmouth or Falmouth can drop yours off at your town hall. In North Yarmouth and Cumberland, you can drop yours off in the drop box located at each town halls' entrance.