CHANNELS
First Universalist's weekly newsletter
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Ordinary Heroes
with Rev. Frieda Gillespie, Interim Minister
Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 10:30 am
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP & PROGRAMS
This Sunday in
Children’s Chapel, all children and youth are welcome to participate in our annual tradition of a Memorial Day strawberry shortcake picnic and games. Please note the final
junior youth group of the church year will take place next Sunday, June 2nd!
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ADULT PROGRAMS
The next
UU Conversations, facilitated by Rev. Frieda, will take place on
Monday, June 3, from 6—7 pm in the Gathering Room, and will feature discussion about our 7 UU Principles. Members, friends, and newcomers all welcome to come to learn more and discuss what it means to live our UU principles.
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BE AN INFORMED VOTER
Informational Meetings on Sundays in May
Sundays in May at 11:30 Board members are enthusiastic about discussing with you details of the Budget and By-law changes that will be up for your vote at the Annual Meeting on June 2. The three informational sessions (May 12, 19, 26) are your opportunity to ask questions. As always, there are
budget challenges. There are also important by-law changes to align our bylaws to current best practices, helping the Board do its work more efficiently and effectively.
...and attend the Annual Meeting!
Sunday, June 2, 11:30 am, Gathering Room
Attend this year’s annual meeting to VOTE! (Members can vote, friends are welcome to attend, but unable to vote.) Votes this year include by-law changes and the budget, as well as voting for your representatives: members of the Ministerial Search Committee, and this year’s slate of Board and Leadership Development members. This is also your opportunity to get updates on programs, committees, and councils, and to learn more about the transition work that will be taking place next year. Childcare and a light lunch will be provided.
Learn more about proposed by-law changes
Below, click the buttons to review the summary of the proposed by-law changes and to see the by-laws in their entirety.
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ARE YOU READY TO BE A MEMBER AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST?
- Do you want to be with people who value compassion, justice, love and truth, though they have different thoughts and opinions about all sorts of things?
- Do you want to be with people who have many names and no name at all for God?
- Do you want to be with people who give of themselves, who share their hearts and minds and gifts?
You are invited to membership at First Universalist!
June 2nd 9:30 am: Info coffee, Q&A about membership.
June 9th 9:00 am: Book signing ceremony followed by New Member Recognition Service.
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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.
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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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PRIDE PORTLAND! PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 15, 2019
This year’s Pride events mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Pride Portland! is commemorating Stonewall with the theme of “Resist. Remember. Rejoice.” Unitarian Universalists have been long supporters and advocates of the rights of the LGBTQ community and are invited to march in the parade under MUUSAN’s banner.
Line-up for the parade begins at 11:30 am at Monument Square in Portland.
First Universalist members and friends are welcomed and encouraged to come to march! The parade itself begins at 1 pm and the festival is from 2—6 pm in Deering Oaks Park in Portland. Other Pride Portland! events begin on Friday, June 7 and continue through Sunday, June 16. Visit
prideportland.org
for a full schedule and for more information.
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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
Friends of Casco Bay
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Friends of Casco Bay has a big impact on the health of our beautiful bay through its many programs: Water Quality Monitoring, Baykeeping, Casco Bay Curriculum, BayScaping, and Pumpout Service. With just 9 expert staff, Friends relies on 310 dedicated volunteers and its 2400 members to
improve and protect the health of Casco Bay. Visit
cascobay.org
to learn more. Please be generous!
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YOUTH SERVICE TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA, August 17-24
The First Parish Portland Youth Group has three open slots to attend the Activate Youth Justice Journey: Appalachia in Transition this summer, August 17-24. This week long immersion journey is organized by the UU College of Social Justice and presents our youth with an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on learning experience while working with and learning from communities striving for a new, post-coal future. The cost of travel is $450 per person and the cost of the UUCSJ is around $450 per person for an approximate total of $900 per person. Youth must register for the trip by 5/31. Payment is not due until July 1st. I encourage all to apply for a scholarship through the UUCSJ. Please contact Toben Cooney-Callnan, DRE at First Parish at
dre@firstparishportland.org, if you are interested in going or if you have any questions.
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OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE BARN RAISING, June 6
In the tradition of barn raising, Opportunity Alliance is bringing together community leaders like you who share their belief that positive change is possible. The Barn Raising is on Thursday, June 6th, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, at the Family Center in the Brick Hill neighborhood of South Portland. This will be an event that celebrates the important efforts of many with fantastic food, live music, and drinks. Tickets are $35/person.
Learn more and purchase tickets.
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E-WASTE COLLECTION, June 8 & 9
Sacred Heart Church is holding an e-waste collection at 336 Main Street in Yarmouth on Saturday, June 8, 3 - 6 pm, and Sunday, June 9, 7 am - 12 pm. Acceptable items include computers, televisions, printers, microwaves, VCRs, and leftover parts from other electronics, including wiring. Boy Scouts and church volunteers will be there to help unload items curbside. Disposal of items is free, but donations are always welcome to benefit Catholic Charities of Portland. For additional information, please contact
Melissa Bagdon or
Mimi Rice.
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DAWNLAND FILM SCREENING, June 14
Maine-Wabanaki REACH presents Dawnland, a documentary about cultural survival and stolen children, on Friday, June 14, 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Greely Center for the Arts in Cumberland Center. This film screening is free, but donations will be accepted to support Maine-Wabanaki REACH.
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2020 CENSUS JOBS
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. The Census Bureau are hiring for a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and be a U.S. citizen. Pay in Maine starts at $16.50/hour.
Apply online.
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HOUSE FOR RENT IN FREEPORT
Furnished, 4-bedroom New England home for rent on Lower Flying Point Road, Freeport.
July 2019 – July 2020 negotiable. 2300 sq. ft. 2.5 bath. Close to water down quiet road with overarching oak trees. Water view and water access. Swim and paddle in summer and ski in winter in nearby field or Wolfes Neck Farm. 10 minutes from Bowstreet Market and Freeport outlets, 15 minutes to downtown Brunswick. Hardwood floors. Gas range. Washer and dryer. Canoe and kayak use included. $2200/month + utilities. Please email for info and pictures:
db.carlon@gmail.com.
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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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