Sunday, October 11, 2020, 10:30 am: "Discoveries"

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

Please click here to join on Zoom and enter password: YUM.

To join via phone, dial: 1-646-558-8656, 

enter the meeting ID: 917 0538 2202, and pass code: 075311.

Join Anna for this week's Children's Chapel where we honor Indigenous People's Day and continue our monthly theme of Deep Listening.

Please click here to join on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 749 7091 3592 & Password: CHAPEL.

This Sunday we will be looking at themes related to Indigenous People’s Day. Following the service, we will have a Zoom discussion to discuss the sermon and a relevant quote. The sermon will provide a context for discussing the quote, but, to give you additional time to think about it, the passage is linked below along with some questions we may address in the Zoom discussion.

Please click here to join on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 942 2648 9936 & Password: COMMUNITY

Please click here to join on Zoom and enter password: PEACE.

To join via phone, dial: 1-646-558-8656, 

enter the meeting ID: 967 3935 7220, and pass code: 211161.

Soul Matters Team

Dear First Universalists Friends,

We have reached the one month mark!

For one month we have been offering all of our church programming live online. Council, committee, and Trustee meetings, Small Groups, book groups, Choir, Children’s Chapel, Sunday Worship, Vespers, Friday Luunch - all of it is up and running virtually. Whew.

In line with our October theme of “Deep Listening,” I have three questions for you and I’d love to hear your answers:

I look forward to reading your responses, listening deeply to what it is you are feeling and needing this fall, and continuing this conversation through the year. 

Everything right now is a grand experiment - and - everything we do is done with the firm intention of building and sustaining our connection to one another, our connection to what we believe is sacred, and our connection to our own hearts and minds. 

Thank you for being along for the ride, thank you for sharing your words so that I may listen.

Yours in opening my ears to hear a lot of rustling leaves outside,

Rev. Hillary 

On Sunday, October 25, 2 - 3:30 pm, we'll be holding an all-ages family pumpkin event with carving, painting, and more. More details coming soon!

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.

Dinner: Chef John is still on pandemi-vacation, but consider the source “Native Recipes with Natural Ingredients" for some enticing menu ideas to try at home. These come from the Tribal College Journal, Vol. 22, No. 3.

Documentary: Our film this time is “Urban Rez,” a documentary about the cultural resiliency of modern Native Americans. This 56 minute film is available free on Youtube. We suggest watching it at 6:00 so that it’ll be fresh in our minds for the discussion at 7:00. In the 3D tradition, enjoy dessert while watching?

Discussion: Please join us at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Email Mariana for the link at catalpa.girl@gmail.com.

The Fifth Principle of Unitarian Universalism is: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. Today our half plate is for the League of Women Voters of Maine. The League believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation in government, that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote and that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. The League is a critical partner with First U and MUUSAN’s UUtheVOTE efforts.

We are all used to almost instantaneous election results from the past. This election will be different because:

1. Unprecedented absentee ballot voting will take time to count. Though Maine Town Clerks can start counting 7 days before November 3rd, many states nationwide do not permit counting to start until Election Day.

2. Security of the voting process is a vital aspect of this year’s election and will take some time.

3. Election officials want to be sure that EVERY Vote is counted.

4. Election officials need to observe social distancing during the entire process.

It may take up to a week or more for the election results to complete, particularly at the national level. Patience!!

You can still apply for an absentee ballot: Request Absentee Ballot. Don’t wait! You must apply by October 29th. On the same page to request an absentee ballot, you will find a link to track your ballot (see below).