CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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Creating Each Other
with Rev. Frieda Gillespie
Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 10:30 am
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LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX
The
Let’s Talk About series continues
THIS 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. Childcare provided.
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CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING: MARCH 24
Nursery Care (10:30 - 11:30 am),
just down the hall from the Sanctuary, is available for our littlest friends staffed with Red-cross certified teen caregivers.
In
Children’s Chapel (10:30 - 11:30 am), for kindergarten - fourth graders, we’ll be planting seeds to celebrate the new life and rebirth that happens in the Spring and discussing the way that nature tends towards harmony, or balance, and makes time for growth and time for rest. Are people the same—do we also need balance in our lives?
Our
Junior Youth Group (10:15 - 11:30 am), for fifth - eighth graders, will be continuing with the Our Whole Lives curriculum and will be welcoming in
GLSEN, an organization who strives to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Our
Senior Youth Group (4:00 - 5:30 pm), for ninth - twelfth graders, will be assisting with the 95 Main Project, helping to move furniture, clean, etc. in anticipation of New Mainer residents moving in this April.
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HOW WILL YOU LIVE OUR MISSION?
As a self-funded community each of us contribute as we can to provide the programs you value: worship, religious education, social justice, connections, and care. Oh, and to keep our building in reasonably good repair. Still pondering your role? No pledge is too small; no pledge is too large! Join in the joy pursuing our mission:
Explore, Embrace, Engage.
fact: We await commitments from 12 families to raise the last $10,000. We are at 92% of our goal, with $110,000 from 56 families, including 21 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.
You have a life- just imagine that!
― Mary Oliver, drawn from Evidence: Poems
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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, a prize wheel—and it’s all free and open to the public!
What we’re asking from you:
- Can you run a station? We can supply ideas and materials OR let us know if you have an idea for a child-friendly game or activity that relates to caring for our planet.
- Invite your friends and neighbors to attend! This Earth Day Carnival is a great way for children to have fun while learning about ways to protect and respect the Earth.
- Want to donate to the prize wheel? We are actively searching for eco-friendly prizes.
Questions? Ideas? Want to help with planning or organizing? Contact
Gwen Matthews or members of the RE Council: Christy Hayashida, Lauren Taylor, and Jen Civiello.
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CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
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.
If you would like to participate, please contact
Rev. Frieda Gillespie or
Gwen Matthews
by
Sunday, April 14, and let us know the name(s) of your child(ren) and if you will have grandparents or godparents participating. We also ask for you to prepare to read or have read the significance of your child(ren)’s name(s) and any wishes you have for their future.
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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?
April 1
—"The inherent worth and dignity of every person”
April 15
—"Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations”
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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HEALING CIRCLES
Sunday, March 31, 4 pm in the Sanctuary
Sunday, April 14, 4 pm in the Sanctuary
The Transition Team invites each and every one to one of two (or both) upcoming Healing Circles. A lot of good work is happening here at First Universalist to heal old wounds. A Healing Circle is a good place to begin if you have been injured or if you want to understand what happened to others. All are welcome.
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HEART IN HAND GALA
DINNER - LIVE AUCTION - CALL TO THE HEART
Saturday, April 6, 2019, 6-9 PM
by reservation until March 24
We invite anyone who is able to donate an
extra
$75 to church - you’ll be thanked with a delicious
Dinner
on April 6 as only our best gourmet UU chefs can offer complete with selected wines and other beverages. The options include vegan and gluten-free.
You’ll enjoy the
Live Auction
of a handful of spring/summer dinners & parties offered by our terrific chefs and hosts. And, we’ll finish up with our
Call to the Heart
– your opportunity to exercise your arms!
To reserve your spot, sign up in the Gathering Room or contact Jen Civiello at 207-232-2571 or Marge Titcomb 207-846-4765.
Heart in Hand Gala is for adults, but, by reservation, we offer childcare at the church for your young ones.
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YOGA IN THE SANCTUARY
Spring Yoga classes start this Saturday, March 23 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. Any questions contact the instructor, Lois Howlett, at
loishowlett2@gmail.com
or tel 847-3055.
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MUSIC ON MAIN: Fódhla
Friday, April 12, 2019, 6 pm
Join us for a night of Irish music now featuring a coffeehouse feel in the lower-level Gathering Room. Featuring, Fódhla, a local Irish trio made up of Maine-based flute player Nicole Rabatam Boston-based fiddler Ellery Klein, and Portland-based Bethany Waickman on guitar. Stop by for savory finger food and sweet desserts while you enjoy incredible live music. Tickets are $15 at the door by cash or check ($12 for seniors and $10 for youth).
Fun Fact
: Did you know the Music on Main concert series has welcomed over 250 guests from outside our congregation into our 97 Main Street home? Come welcome new friends into our community or consider inviting non-church friends along to experience the music and our warm community on April 12th!
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FOUR QUESTION SURVEY
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! We look forward to hearing from you about what social justice work you have been engaged in and what further ways you might envision for us as a congregation to put our faith into action.
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95 MAIN PROJECT UPDATE
This Saturday & Sunday (3/23 all day and 3/24 noon-5) are the days to drop off any donations you have offered on the Registry. Please notify Marge (846-4675) or Carla (251-8694) if special arrangements are needed.
The house is almost ready for occupancy, thanks to the tremendous outpouring of generosity from the whole community.
A celebration of generosity is being planned for Sunday March 31 from about 12:30 to 2:00.
There will be an opportunity to visit 95 Main, to meet our new tenants, and to find out about next steps in this exciting project to support and welcome New Mainers.
*95 Main is a project of YCHI (Yarmouth Compassionate Housing Initiative), a collaborative of St. Barts, First Universalist, and LDS to support New Mainers as they transition to life in the US.
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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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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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BLOOD DRIVE AT A2U2, March 30
A blood drive will be taking place on Saturday March 30th from 10am-4pm at Allen Avenue UU church in Portland. Donors get a free long sleeved t-shirt and will have their name automatically entered into a 50/50 raffle. People can sign up online at
www.redcrossblood.org under A2U2 or contact Jaime Eller, who is coordinating the blood drive, at 207-232-8705 or
jaimeeller@yahoo.com.
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STORY TELLER VALERIE TUTSON, March 30
Storyteller Valerie Tutson returns for an inspiring interactive afternoon of stories and songs for all ages celebrating the theme "A Change is Coming Soon." Valerie will share from history, folklore and her own life...and there may be time for you to share, too! Free! Saturday, March 30th, 2:00-3:00 pm. Congregational Church in Cumberland UCC
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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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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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LOST & FOUND
Silver band-style ring engraved with "You Are My Sunshine" found at church. Come to the church office to claim ownership.
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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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