CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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MUSIC ON MAIN CONCERT SERIES FEATURING OLD ELEVEN
TONIGHT, 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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The Peace of Wild Things
with Rev. Frieda Gillespie
Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 10:30 am
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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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ABOUT MINISTERIAL TRANSITION
Information and updates about the transition and search process will be posted on our website as it becomes available - just click the button below to reach the page on ministerial transition.
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ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP BEGINS: LIVING OUR MISSION
From thee I receive, to thee I give. To those who have made a commitment, thank you! To those still pondering, we invite you to join in the joy of participating in the ongoing pursuit of our mission: Explore, Embrace, Engage.
fact: We await commitments from about 20 families as we seek to raise the last $20,000. The good news is that we are at 85% of our goal, with $102,000 from 51 families, including 19 new ‘perennials.'
reflection: This world is not just a little thrill for your eyes…
It’s more than the beating of a single heart…
It’s giving until the giving feels like receiving.
― Mary Oliver, drawn from Evidence: Poems
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Program Schedule: March 10, 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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CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
What’s coming up in
Children’s Chapel this month? A dive into the way that nature teaches us about our worship theme, Balance, including a celebration of the Spring Equinox, seed planting, predator/prey games, making hand-dipped candles, discovering the balance point of objects,
balance-focused yoga poses, and more!
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We are blessed with a number of babies and young children at First Universalist. One of the most beautiful ceremonies in the UU faith is the
Child Dedication. It includes a naming ceremony and words from the parents about what they want for the child's future. A charge to the parents and godparents if there are any present, and a blessing of the child. The congregation is asked to affirm their support for their spiritual development as well.
Child Dedications will take place on May 5th which is our Children & Youth Sunday. If you'd like to participate, please contact
Rev. Frieda Gillespie.
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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 will continue 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.
Save the Date for our
Children & Youth Sunday on May 5
. This joyous and meaningful Sunday will include a baby/child dedication ceremony and blessing, high school senior bridging ceremony, senior youth group belief statements, and coffee hour celebration.
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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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ADULT PROGRAMS
Adult Conversation Circles happen the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 6—7 pm, with the next ACC on March 18. Facilitated by Rev. Frieda, ACC is a chance to more deeply discuss and explore worship topics and themes. Childcare provided on request.
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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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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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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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WHAT IS PIE/PI/SURVEY SUNDAY?
Sunday, March 17, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, following worship
1. Our annual celebration of faithful old pi (3.1416…) and our feast of sweet and savory pies. Please bring your favorite kind of pie to share, and plan on having a great time!
2. A great time to take a quick FUN survey on what your gifts and interests are, so we can see how you and First Universalist might explore-embrace-engage. Please take a few minutes (between slices of pie) to fill it out. Thanks! (We can email copies to anyone unable to attend.)
Happily Hosted by Congregation Connections
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HEART IN HAND GALA DINNER & LIVE AUCTION
Saturday, April 6, 6-9 PM
Please invite a friend or two and join us at the Heart in Hand Gala Dinner and Live Auction! This gourmet dinner is available for your kind contribution of $75 per person and features delicious vegan and gluten-free options along with select wines and other beverages. Childcare is available by request. There is limited seating and reservations must be made by March 24th. You can make your reservation by contacting Jen Civiello at 207-232-2571, Marge Titcomb at 207-846-4765, or by signing up in the Gathering Room after worship.
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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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CAN YOU HELP FURNISH 95 MAIN?
We have the opportunity, as neighbors, to connect and support New Mainers - refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants new to our state - right here, right now, through 95 Main.
95 Main, a YCHI* project initiated by First Universalist Church, is offering housing to newly arrived immigrants as they seek a safe, secure home base. We invite you to participate in furnishing their home.
Choose an item (or two or three)
from our lists
to donate to 95 Main.
Unless otherwise specified, items do not have to be new, but they should be in great shape. On these pages you will find items organized by room.
Once you have registered your donations through sign-up, you may drop items off Saturday, March 23rd or Sunday, March 24th, from 12-5pm.
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FREE CONCERT: DR. PATTY STOWELL & JENNIFER BATES, March 9
Congregational Church in Cumberland—282 Main Street—829-3419. Free concert begins at 2 pm. on Saturday, March 9. “As a pianist, Patricia Stowell’s performances are profoundly beautiful and masterful, covering a broad range of musical styles…It is as a teacher and mentor, however, that I believe she breaks new ground. The depth of her concern for the hearts, souls, and spirits of her students is inspiring…” —Artist/pianist Lorin Hollander. On Jennifer Bates: "...the songs were sung with such passion, such conviction that I thought I could never forget those words. —The Independent, UK
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FREE FILM SERIES: "READY FOR A CHANGE," March 10 - April 7
Congregational Church in Cumberland—282 Main Street—829-3419. Join The Social Justice and Green Teams for a series of films that will instruct, inspire, and challenge us to open our hearts and amend our thinking. Popcorn, beverages, and kid-friendly alternative films. Free and open to the public. Films are shown from 3 - 5 pm.
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CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE: CHERYL WHEELER, March 16
Folk icon Cheryl Wheeler will bring her beautiful songs & hilarious stories to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick on March 16, 2019 at 7:30 pm as part of their Concerts for a Cause series. Cheryl Wheeler is a renowned and gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice. If you are not familiar with her, you have probably heard her music. Cheryl's songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Dan Seals, Peter Paul and Mary, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Suzy Boggus, Melanie, Bette Midler, Kathy Mattea, and Holly Near.
Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, Students/Children: $10.
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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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RESPONDING TO MAINE'S OPIOID CRISIS, March 24
The Maine addiction crisis affects us all, directly or indirectly. To respond effectively, we are all called upon, in community, to become well-educated about this
subject and approach the challenge from a place of compassion. Sunday, March 24, 4-6 pm, "Paths That Created It, Paths That Heal," presentations, personal testimony, Q&A, at The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary Auditorium in Falmouth. This is a first in a series of presentations regarding Maine's opioid crisis.
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FAITH-BASED ADVOCACY DAYS, March 25-26
Prophetic voices of faith can make an impact in advocating for a culture of justice, compassion and peace here in Maine! Join leading policy analysts and theologians who will come together for this two-day event designed to inspire and equip people of faith to speak confidently and with conviction to legislators about key issues facing our state: health care and the opioid crisis, climate justice, hunger and poverty, and immigration and racism.
Register here.
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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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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S GOOD FRIDAY WALK & FUN RUN, April 19
Join us for our 33rd annual Good Friday Walk and Fun Run on April 19! Walk the route or run it! This is a fun run, without bibs or timing, but is a great way to see the course.
Enjoy the route with family, friends, and community members in Cumberland, Yarmouth, and N. Yarmouth, and fundraise for Habitat's mission. Every $100 in donations raised earns one ticket in the raffle filled with great gifts from local businesses!
Sign up as a fundraiser today to register as a walker!
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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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