First Tuesdays of the month are all about Faith-In-Action!
PREBLE STREET SOUP KITCHEN
First Tuesdays of each month, 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Adults and youth ages 14+ can volunteer to help prep and serve dinner at Preble Street Soup Kitchen in Portland. Sign up in the Gathering Room at church or contact Phyllis Chinlund at
pchinlund@gmail.com
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AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST
First Tuesdays of each month, 3:00 - 7:00 pm*
This coming Tuesday, October 1, we will be making cat toys, dog toys, and dog biscuits, as well as collecting donations, to give to the Midcoast Humane Society. Staff from Midcoast Humane will be joining us at 6 pm to talk about the shelter and collect our donations. The dinner will be a spaghetti supper (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available).
*Can't stay for the whole time? Can't make it to the church by 3 pm? No problem! Come when you can; leave when you need.
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DONATIONS FOR MIDCOAST HUMANE SOCIETY
On October 1, between 3 pm - 7 pm, we'll be collecting donations for Midcoast Humane (in addition to our First Tuesday activities described above). If you would like to donate any items, Midcoast Humane has a
wish list that includes items you could purchase from pet food and collars and leashes to paper towels and laundry detergent. They also are interested in items you may have already at home like empty tissue boxes, toilet paper rolls, or paper egg cartons.
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A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH
THEME: JOURNEY
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 10:30 am
Worship Leaders: The Search Committee
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THIS SUNDAY 9/29 IN FAITH EXPLORATION
Junior Youth Group at 10:5 am (Common Room)
Children's Chapel at 10:30 am (begin in the Sanctuary)
Nursery Care at 10:30 am (in the Nursery)
7th - 9th Grade OWL at 1:00 pm (Gather)
Senior Youth Group at 4:00 pm (Gathering Room)
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FAITHFUL JOURNEY IN CHILDREN'S CHAPEL
For the next few weeks In Children’s Chapel, we’ll be
focusing on our shared value that
each and every person is important. As we explore our First Principle, we’ll ask ourselves the questions: What does it mean to believe each and every person is important? How do we behave and treat each other if we believe all are important? How does this value relate to advocacy and inclusion for people with disabilities? To continue the discussion with your family, take a look at the suggestions in
Taking It Home.
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NEW YOUTH GROUP FACILITATOR
Please join us in welcoming
Fred Prown to First Universalist as a new youth group facilitator! He will be spending time both with our junior youth group and senior youth group. Fred is currently in college at USM studying psychology with plans to become a teacher, has spent time working one-on-one with youth with autism, and is a former marine where he trained others as both a squad and team leader.
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UU CONVERSATIONS
UU Conversations returns on
the first and third Mondays of each month from 6 pm - 7 pm. Join Rev. Frieda as she facilitates a deeper dive into our
UU principles. The next UU Conversations will be held on October 7.
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REGISTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS ONLINE
This year, there is the option to
register online for children and youth programs! There will also be paper copies available at the church. Please register your children soon to participate in church programs.
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THE SEARCH TEAM IS READY TO LISTEN TO YOU
Now that the Surveys have been completed (thanks everyone!), the Search Committee will be holding small group conversations so that we can hear whatever you want to tell us about our congregation, your aspirations for the future, your thoughts on the next minister, etc. Please sign up as soon as you can for one of the
Search Circle Conversations at the following times:
- Sun. Oct. 6th 9:00—10:15 am
- Wed. Oct. 9th 10:00—11:15 am
- Sun. Oct. 13th 9:00—10:15 am
- Tues. Oct. 15th 6:30—7:45 pm
- Sun. Oct. 20th 11:45 am—1:00 pm
- Wed. Oct. 23rd 6:30—7:45 pm
- Sun. Oct. 27th 11:45 am—1:00 pm
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TRANSITION TEAM NEWS: LISTENING CIRCLES
Sundays, Oct. 6 at 4 pm and Nov. 3 at 4 pm, in the Sanctuary
Rev. Frieda and your Transition Team will be hosting 2 Listening Circles (formerly known as Healing Circles) in October and November.
Please note the name change does not signify a shift away from healing. We simply want to broaden our scope going forward in the interest of honest and open communication. Any and all are welcome to come and share past or present hurts or concerns. You are also welcome if you simply want to listen and understand your fellow First Uers better.
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SAVE THE DATE: A RETREAT FOR ALL
Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 am - 5 pm
As congregants of First Universalist, we are part of an intentional, chosen community. A community supported by a minister and staff, but created and maintained by the members and friends of First Universalist. We minister to each other, learn from one another, support, celebrate, and grow with each other.
All are invited to a day-long retreat focused on our growth as leaders and as interconnected and interdependent persons. The day will include a UUA workshop, information from the Search Committee, and discussions facilitated by the Leadership Development Committee. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
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FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY
Do you have an artistic eye or a love for bringing the outside inside? Do you appreciate the flowers, greens, and other decorative elements in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings? Be part of the small team that freshens up and beautifies the Sanctuary. There is a minimal time commitment with lovely results. Contact Jeanette Newton at
medfordjen@maine.rr.com.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO THE HOLIDAY FAIR
The Holiday Fair team is starting to look ahead and invite you to collaborate! In particular, they're searching for:
- Handmade crafts, jewelry, knitting, or any other creative ideas to be sold at the fair
- A volunteer to assist with advertising the Holiday Fair (this can be done from home!)
- Greenery, holly, pine - don't trim your holiday greens just yet, save them to donate to the fair
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YOGA CONTINUES ON OCT. 5
Saturdays, 10:00 - 11:15 am, in the Sanctuary
There is no class this Saturday, September 28. Class resumes Oct. 5, and following Saturdays. 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. Any questions contact the instructor, Lois Howlett, at
loishowlett2@gmail.com or tel 847-3055.
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OUR HALF-PLATE WILL BE SHARED WITH FOUR DIRECTIONS
Each Sunday, we donate half of our collection plate directly to projects and organizations that live and promote our shared values. This week’s half-plate is shared with
Four Directions, a Maine organization working with tribal members to help finance housing for tribal members in Maine. Faith in Action selected Four Directions in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day on October 14. First Universalist has supported this program for nearly 20 years.
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TRANSYLVANIAN DANCE TROUPE & BAND TO VISIT MAINE
Monday, October 28 & Tuesday, October 29
For two days in late October, 15 young dancers and musicians, and 10 adult companions from Romania will visit Southern Maine. The travelers, all ethnic Hungarians, are from the Transylvanian region of Romania. The dancers and musicians are members of two performance groups, the
Vadrózsák Néptánccsoport
(Wild Roses folk dance group) and the
Lelkes Zenekar
(Enthusiastic Band). The groups were founded by two teachers at the Unitarian School in Székelykeresztúr, Romania who are passionate about keeping their ethnic Hungarian folk music and dance traditions alive.
Monday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 pm: Traditional Hungarian Dance Performance
at First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist, 425 Congress Street, Portland
These Transylvanian Youth Dancers and Musicians, all ethnic Hungarians from the Transylvanian region of Romania, are touring New England for two weeks. Their performance will be followed by an invitation to learn some simple Hungarian dances. $10 at the door. FMI: Contact Laurie at
laurie@maine.rr.com
Tuesday, Oct. 29: Traditional Hungarian Dance Performance, Workshops and Community Dance Party
at Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center, Rowland Hall, 5 Morris Avenue, Saco, ME
Come to beautiful Ferry Beach for an exciting afternoon and evening of cultural exchange. These Transylvanian Youth Dancers and Musicians, all ethnic Hungarians from the Transylvanian region of Romania, are touring New England for two weeks.
1:30 pm
Music for Folk Dance: Workshop/Jam Session for musicians, singers and dancers.
3:30 pm
Transylvanian Dance Workshop (beyond the basics) Led by the visiting dancers, $15 at the door.
6:00 pm
Dinner at Ferry Beach (available by advance reservations only, before 10/15, $20)
7:30 pm
Performance and Community Dance (a dance party for everyone featuring simple dances (all will be taught) from Transylvania, USA, Canada, England, France, Israel or others. Suggested donation $10 - $25.
The performances and workshops are fundraisers to help finance the group’s visit to New England. Your participation is important in welcoming the visitors to Maine, to continuing our Partner Church work, as well as in helping to support the costs of the tour and to ensure similar opportunities in the future. Come meet these talented youth and experience the rich culture of Transylvanian Hungarians. For more info contact Marie Wendt,
mwendt@maine.rr.com
, or 207-688-2293.
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WE MUST DO MORE NATIONAL TOUR, Oct. 10, 5:45 - 8:30 pm
Who: Maine Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival & Campaign Co-Chairs: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis
What: We Must Do MORE National Tour | Portland, ME march and mass meeting
When: Thursday, October 10th, 2019 from 5:45 - 8:30pm
Where: 5:45: March Meet-Up at Lincoln Park (350 Congress Street) and 7:00: Mass Meeting (immediately following the march) at First Parish UU Church (425 Congress Street)
Why: Join poor and directly impacted people, and faith leaders with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival as we challenge the nation to do MORE! We are committed to mobilizing, organization, registration, and education to address systemic racism, poverty and inequality, the war economy and militarism, ecological devastation, and our nation's distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. RSVP
here and find the
event on Facebook.
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INTERFAITH FILM SERIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE, Oct. 13 & Oct. 20
The film
From Paris to Pittsburgh will be shown at St. Luke's on October 13, 2:45 - 5:00 pm. The film
Tomorrow will be shown at St. Ansgar's on October 20, 2:45 - 5:30 pm. For more information, contact Sarah Braik at
sbraik642@gmail.com.
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CANDLELIGHT CONCERT, Oct. 19, 7 pm
UUnited in Words and Song is the title of a candlelight concert to be performed in the Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford, 60 School St., Saco, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. Featuring the words and songs of talented, creative church members, this concert will bring together soloists and ensemble singers, poets, musicians, and storytellers. Suggested donation at the door $10-‐$20; $5 for children; $30 max for family.
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THE GREAT PUMPKIN BALL, Oct. 26, 7 pm - 1 am
The Great Pumpkin Ball, hosted by Equality Maine, returns to the State Theatre in Portland! Get ready for their largest event of the year... and the biggest Halloween dance party in Maine! Last year's event had over 1000 attendees and this year promises to be even bigger, don't miss your chance for early bird ticket pricing! They'll have dancing and entertainment all night, a costume contest with killer prizes, live performances and special guest performances by Peppermint, the Season 9 Runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race. Hosted by Blake and Eva from Coast 93.1. Ages 18+. Tickets can be purchased
here.
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UU JOURNEY TO PERU, April 2020
As a service and not a business, the UU congregation of Toronto offers one pilgrimage a year to a sacred site on the earth. Since 2006 they have traveled with a small group (15-20) fellow UU’s to; India, Vietnam, Peru, Turkey, Belize, Romania, Italy, Portugal, Cambodia and New Mexico. The pilgrimages are led by Rev. Wayne Walder, a full time minister in Toronto Ontario with his partner Joan Walder. They call them Mindful Journeys and each day they meditate and reflect in the presence of beauty.
The UU congregation of Toronto invites you to travel with them in April 2020 to Peru and the wonders of Machu Picchu. Over the years Rev. Walder has developed friendships with several of the Shamans in the area. This gives us a unique and often private access to some of the most beautiful places on the planet. These journeys are fully insured and guaranteed by Worldwide Quest, a Toronto licensed travel agent For information and a full itinerary contact Joan Walder at:
walderj358@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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