We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to 
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.
November 17, 2018
10:00 am

Seeing People:
A Call to Grapple with Unconscious Bias

Kathy Vezina
Upcoming Worship Services
Nov. 24 |10am
Cornbread
& Cider Service
Rev. Christina
Dec. 1 |10am
To Be or Not To Be ...Conscious
Rev. Christina
Dec. 8 |10am
Spirituality
Worship Team

Many thanks to Francesca Galluccio-Steele for
donating flowers for worship on Sunday, November 17th.

RE Announcements
Children will be sung out to Children's Chapel (in the Community Room) on 11/17


Childcare for babies & toddlers is available in the Nursery
 every Sunday from 9:45-11:15am.

A Reminder From the Director of Religious Exploration- 
I’m so glad to have you all back for the 2019-20 RE Year! Registration information is needed for all children and youth from Nursery to Grade 12 who regularly attend the RE Program so, if you have not yet done so, please stop by the RE table during coffee hour and pick up registration forms!

FMI about RE at First Parish, please contact, Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Religious Exploration, at  dre@firstparishportland.org.
Come join the fun…
Dinner for 2 ANYWHERE in the World-
Fall Fund Raiser Raffle!
NOW through December 22

We are at the best time of year for selling our Raffle tickets. Thanksgiving is fast approaching when many of us will gather with family and friends. What better time to offer them an opportunity to win a Dinner for 2 anywhere in the world! Great stocking stuffer! Or, you can share the Raffle announcement with your Facebook friends and list your contact information – you’ll be amazed at the response. 

Please remember, we can make our goal if we all sell 10 tickets –
Stop by the Raffle table following the service and pick up your share!

Thank you, The Raffle Committee
A Church for Every Body
The Campaign for First Parish in Portland

Commitment Sunday | November 17

This Sunday is  Commitment Sunday ! Reverend Christina, the Campaign Launch Committee, and the Campaign All Gifts Committee invite you to join this momentous occasion during service. To date, 100 families have participated in  A Church for EveryBody Campaign , and we hope that everybody has a chance to be a part of this historic endeavor.
 
If you can’t be at Commitment Sunday, but want a committee member to reach out with more information or if you have any questions, please email Emma at ehutchinson@ccsfundraising.com .
Religious Exploration
Volunteer Workshop
November 17 | 11:15am
Youth Room

The Director of Religious Exploration, Toben, will be offering opportunities to participate in a Religious Exploration Volunteer Workshop this Fall for anyone who has thought about helping out in the RE classrooms and would like to learn more about volunteer possibilities and/or teaching tricks and tips.  FMI, please email Toben:  dre@firstparishportland.org .
1619 Slavery Project
November 19
7- 8:30pm | Pre-K Classroom

The Racial Justice Team invites you to a slavery study group based on The New York Times Magazine's 1619 Project. Let's learn why slavery lingers in our culture, institutions, and dwells in our behavior.  For details and reading assignments, leave your name and contact info on Kris Minister’s phone 207-415-8274 or  email krisminister@me.com .
Breathing and Meditation Class
Wednesdays | 8-9am
 in the Meeting House

Come and explore breathing techniques to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Pranayama is an ancient practice from India used to heal dis-ease, prepare for meditation, and access spiritual realms. All are welcome to join in these powerful tools of transformation. Taught by Rev. Christina. Free to First Parish Members; $10.00 non-members.
Happy Feet!

On October 29 our Parish House was enlivened by a group of young people from Transylvania. As soon as they arrived in their vans from Concord, MA, music filled the room with improvisations on the piano, two violins, and a cello. ( Click the link below to read the full article.)
The Original Meaning and Intent of the Maine Indian Land Claims:
a presentation by Maria Girouard, 
Penobscot Nation tribal member and historian
November 21 | 6-8pm
USM's Hannaford Hall, Abromson Center | 88 Bedford St, Portland

In this talk, Maria will examine intentions and contentions associated with the land claims and the historical context in which the act was framed, and describes ripple effects that have rocked the boat of tribal-state relations ever since. It is free and open to the public. 
EAT, LAUGH,
TALK JUSTICE & DANCE!

Justice Bean Supper Dance

November 23 | 6-8:30pm | Parish Hall

Come join us and bring family and friends for good food, community, and fun to benefit the Poor People's Campaign (PPC) . Baked beans, hot dogs & fixins, sides, salads, and desserts! $10 per person/$20 for a family. Carl Cappello will lead us in song and Marcy Makinen will share about support for the Poor People's Assembly in Washington D.C. on June 20, 2020. 

HELP WANTED: potluck dishes, setup and cleanup volunteers. Contact   angus@angusferguson.com  or 749-6618 to RSVP and volunteer.
Cornbread and Cider Communion and
New Member Ceremony
November 24 | During Sunday Service
 
Join us for this intergenerational autumn service before Thanksgiving celebrating our wider community through a communion ritual which honors the Native People of this land. Please also help us welcome our newest Members on 11/24! Contact Laurie Hasty if you are hoping to become a Member of FP:  membership@firstparishportland.org . There will be another Membership Ceremony and round of classes in the spring.
Thanksgiving Feast
November 24 | 11am- 12:30pm Parish Hall
$5 per person; $10 for families (to help cover costs)

We will provide the turkeys, fixings, and drinks.  Please bring a contribution of a side dish or dessert.  Sign up in the Parish Hall this Sunday to come, bring a dish, and/or volunteer. We will need lots of volunteers (especially for clean-up) to help with this special community event! P lease SIGNUP HERE, to bring a dish and to let us know you are coming, or email Jennifer at jbell6083@gmail.com .
Congregational Vote on Updated Bylaws December 8 | 11am | Meeting House
First Parish Members will be asked to vote on our updated Bylaws. Aside from technical cleanup and modernization, revision of the Bylaws are necessary in light of our recent adoption of the Policy Governance model. The Governing Board, in consultation with Reverend Sillari and others, have updated the Bylaws (last revised in 2015) to best suit the needs of our church. See eNews for link to read the updated Bylaws. 
Join the Youth Choir!
11:15-11:45am
in the K-1 Classroom (upstairs) 

Our Youth Choir is lucky enough to led by Scott Wheatley-- a professional musician with an exceptional ability to connect with his audience! Assistant director, Arne Gronningsater, will help Scott to channel raucous enthusiasm into beautiful music. Any young person is welcome to join. Our first song will be “Happiness Is” from Charlie Brown. FMI: arne.gronningsater@gmail.com . 
Security at First Parish

We are continuing our work to maintain our Sunday morning worship as a warm, welcoming, and safe experience for all. The Parish House doors will be locked between 10:15-11am. The Meeting House doors will remain open during service. Our security guard is able to contact Moe for access to the building up the ramp, if it is needed during this time. Thank you for your patience as we work towards making Sundays at First Parish a safe and secure experience for everyone. 
Volunteer
SIGN UP's
Updated for 2019-20!

There are so many ways to get involved at First Parish:
  • Usher/Greeter
  • Community Dinner
  • Flowers for Sunday Service and more!
Contact Sheila in the Office if you have any questions about signing up online: office@firstparishportland.org.
Office Notes:
Sermons

We receive many requests for copies of Rev. Christina's thought-provoking sermons. You can now find her sermons in this Shared Sermons Folder. Please allow up to a week for sermons to be posted here.

Phishing Emails

Please be aware of any emails you receive from Rev. Christina asking for help, money, or a return email, as there have been many recent phishing emails that claim to be her.  "I would never ask Members or Friends of First Parish for money, gift cards, or help in any way, other than regular FP business," says Rev. Christina.

These emails are always sent from fake email addresses that look real. Rev. Christina only uses the following email addresses:
  • minister@firstparishportland.org
  • cmsillari@gmail.com

These scams are an unfortunate reality for many churches these days. The UUA published an article on this issue titled, " Phishing: Don't Take the Bait! "

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101   207-773-5747  

 Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community 
and Help Heal the World