CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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Children and Youth Sunday
with Rev. Frieda Gillespie, the Senior Youth Group, and Joanna Landsman
Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 10:30 am
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EARTH DAY CARNIVAL
Sunday, May 5, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Our Earth Day Carnival returns for its second year! Featuring planting, activity stations, games, popcorn, and prizes—and it’s all free and open to the public!
Visit all of the stations and go home with a prize:
- Bumble Bee Bean Bag Toss
- Trash, Recycle, or Compost Game
- Fairy House Building
- Seed Matching Game
- Clay Boats & Water Conservation
- Nature Face Painting
- Seed Planting
- Invasive and Native Species Wheel
- Maypole
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BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Currently, the vast majority of the Buildings & Grounds work has fallen on Pete Titcomb's capable shoulders. Pete, and the Board, feel that a more comprehensive & longer-term solution is required and requested the formation of an active B&G committee by the end of this church year. Pete Titcomb and Joe Dreher will be available during the coffee hour/Earth Day Festivities after church today to discuss the workings of B&G Committee with anyone who might wish to be involved in any capacity. Please come join us to keep the First U Church beautiful and functioning well.
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ADULT PROGRAMS
We will be starting a series of conversations about Unitarian Universalism, starting with the Seven Principles, facilitated by Rev. Frieda. These
UU Conversations will take on the first and third Mondays of each month from 6—7 pm. How do we live into our principles?
May 6
—"Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations"
May 20
—"A free and responsible search for truth and meaning"
June 3
—"The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large"
June 17
—"The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all."
July 1
—"Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part."
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OUR WHOLE LIVES FACILITATORS WANTED
Are you interested in being trained to become an
Our Whole Lives facilitator? The church has funding available (
thanks to our amazingly successful Call to the Heart) and we would love to expand and be able to offer more sessions of OWL for all age groups.
What we need from you:
* A commitment to teaching a minimum of two OWL class cycles
All OWL facilitators must:
* Be 25 years old or older
* Have been attending First U as a friend or member for 6+ months
* Be comfortable discussing sex and sexuality
* Consent to a background check if working with children/youth
What you get back:
* An incredibly fulfilling volunteer experience
* An opportunity to positively influence children, youth, or other adults and promote justice, inclusivity, consent, and healthy relationships
* Cross-generational connections
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INFORMATION MEETINGS
First Universalist’s Annual Meeting is set for June 2. To be an informed voter, attend one of the information meetings being held on upcoming Sundays in May: 5/12, 5/19, & 5/26
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Join us in the sanctuary for a night of Middle Eastern music with Portland-based Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble. This group presents music from the richly varied contemporary and historic cultural traditions of the Middle East including Arabic classical and folk music, Ottoman Turkish Classical compositions, rural Turkish folk and devotional songs, and dance music from the Armenian and Turkish immigrant diasporas.
Music on Main exists to bring world-class music to our small-town community, welcome new and old faces into First U's beautifully renovated space, bring in funds to support the projects and programs of First U, and support a diverse group of talented musicians. Tickets by cash or check at the door. $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for youth. Funds received from tickets are split between the musicians and the church.
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When you join First Universalist in membership, you will become a part of this vital, liberating institution that stands for the worth and dignity of all people, the health of our planet, and the conscious care of our neighbors.
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SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Interested in delving more deeply into being a member of our beloved community and "finding the access point to spiritual awareness (Thandeka, 2018)"? If yes, consider joining in small group ministry. Small groups are great places to get to know other people and to get to know yourself. Over time, participants build deep connections with one another, with the congregation and with the sacred.
A small group is seeking new members. This group meets the first Monday of the month, from 1 pm—3 pm. The group has used the UUA publications
Hand to Hand and
Soul to Soul to guide our meetings and discussions. June begins a new series of discussions for us. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Frieda at 207.846.4148.
Interested in a small group but not free on Monday afternoons? Contact Rev. Frieda or the church office to see if we can connect you with an existing or new small group.
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YOGA IN THE SANCTUARY
Spring Yoga classes continue on Saturdays in the church Sanctuary 10:00 - 11:15 AM. This is a multi-level yoga class. You can modify or stop at any time. Newcomers welcome. Ten dollars donation suggested per class. Half the funds go to a charity agreed with the class and half to the church.
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OUR HALF-PLATE
First Universalist donates half of its collection plate directly to organizations and missions that live and promote our shared values. This week's half-plate will be shared with
Hopeful Links, a volunteer project of the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination
. This project brings hope, stability, and permanency to unaccompanied minors and young adults who arrive in Maine from war torn countries, mostly those in Central Africa. They are connected with caring adults and safe housing, assisted in accessing medical care, gotten legal appointments, and ensured mentoring and material support they need to be successful in school or as they enter the working world. Please give generously to help young people who have lost that comfort and security, find a new home in our community.
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MAINE-WABANAKI REACH
In response to requests, Maine-Wabanaki REACH, an organization that envisions and prepares for a future where Maine and Wabanaki people join together acknowledging truth, promoting healing, and creating change, is holding a number of educational workshops and presentations including events on April 27th in Sanford, May 11th in Belfast, May 19th in Freeport, and May 30th in Orono.
Visit their website to learn more and to RSVP to events.
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STAR ISLAND, NH: UU PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES
Star Island, off the coast of Portsmouth, NH, offers all-inclusive Unitarian Universalist programs for families that focus on a particular theme or topic such as art, history, climate change, birding, writing, spirituality, and yoga. Star Island is also open to the public from mid-June through September.
Visit their website for more information.
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SILENT & LIVE AUCTION: NAUTICAL CRUISE NIGHT, May 4
The Congregational Church in Cumberland is having its 18th annual auction at the Yarmouth AMVETS Hall on Saturday, May 4, from 5-9 pm. There will be light fare, desserts, a 50/50 raffle, a cash bar, and auction items (art, handmade goods, home and garden items, gift baskets, gift certificates, recreation and leisure activities, health and fitness items) Complimentary tickets available for First U members and friends!
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MULTICULTURAL FAIR, May 5
Celebrate and support New Mainer entrepreneurs with artisans and chefs from around the world, including foods from Syria, Italy, Latin America, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, and the Middle East, and artisans with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, baskets, wood burning art, scarves, bags, clothing, and other artwork. This multicultural fair takes place on Sunday, May 5, 3 - 6 pm, at St. Mary's Church, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth.
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MULTICULTURAL MUSIC FEST, May 14
Furniture Friends is holding their Multicultural Music Fest on Tuesday, May 14, from 6-9 pm at the Portland House of Music. This celebration of Maine's eclectic musical heritage includes performances by Primo Cubano (traditional Cuban dance music), Jean Paul Samputu (songwriter and musician from Rwanda), and Geraud Ng and Jake Hoffman (performing Americana-International fusion).
Tickets are $20 in advance online and $25 at the door. Complimentary international snacks included.
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CALL OF THE WILD, May 17
Join the Center for Wildlife for an inspiring evening dedicated to raising funds for the future of our environment. At Call of the Wild, you will immerse yourself in the lifesaving work you make possible. You can bid on extravagant silent and live auction items, meet animal ambassadors and immerse yourself in a panel discussion with Center for Wildlife experts Kristen Lamb, Sarah Kern and Shelley Spanswick. A barbeque style dinner will be served with vegan, vegetarians and gluten-free options.
Purchase your seats now through May 1, 2019, to receive the Early Bird ticket pricing of $55 per person.
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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 Matthews, Program Assistant, 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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