UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORSHIP SERVICE
Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience is open to the public. Rev. Joan Javier-Duval will deliver the sermon at the 2020 General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship. She serves as Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT. She is the daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, mother of a kindergartener, and spouse of a proud Vermonter. Beauty, gratitude, and love are at the heart of her faithful striving for collective liberation and a thriving planet.
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SUMMER SERVICES
How will we stay connected this summer? How will we find spiritual nourishment? Plans are still developing, but expect opportunities for finding meaningful connections and ways to feed your spirit, your curiosity, and to engage with the mystery of the universe.
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WHEN WILL FIRST U RE-OPEN?
The Board is looking for a few people that will help us find the answer. We’ve gathered and organized the guidelines; now we have to wrestle with some questions and logistical details. For example, when opening for small gatherings:
- What will be our protocols for attending, for cleaning/sanitizing?
- How many could navigate our building following social distancing guidelines?
Following UUA guidelines, we do not expect to hold worship in the Sanctuary until May, BUT perhaps other uses would be okay – Sangha groups, AA meetings, our meetings, Vespers, and maybe even Village Nursery School (our biggest rental).
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THE PASSING OF A FORMER CHURCH MEMBER, ROGER COMSTOCK
Faith Comstock who now lives in Lincoln, Vermont, let us know that her husband Roger died at 86 on Tuesday, June 16 and was buried on June 19. Faith and Roger were both very active in our church from 1995-2001. Roger was in the choir, on the Board, and Treasurer for a time. Roger died peacefully, surrounded by family.
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RE-INSPIRE YOUR WEEK BOXES
Coming soon to your house: RE-inspire your week packages for children and youth! Packages will most likely arrive late June to those with addresses listed in the directory. If your address isn't listed, but your family would like a box, please email Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com with your address.
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#UUTHEVOTE: DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON JULY 14TH!
Reaching out to get out the Vote!!
Our Friend2Friends campaign has already reached out to 735 voters with information on absentee voting! We want everyone to help out on this important mission. Contact Pam Dyer(
jdyer2@maine.rr.com) to volunteer. It is easy and fun!
Vote absentee or in person?
Though you can vote in person July 14th, absentee voting is the safer option. It protects not only you but the poll workers. Request an absentee ballot by July 9th to get your ballot in on time. Our community town clerks have already begun sending out requested ballots.
Request Absentee Ballot
Use two stamps!
When sending in your absentee ballot, the postage cost is 65 cents, or two forever stamps. Your ballot may be returned to you if you only use one stamp.
State-wide Connections
You might not know that our own Sue Ellen Bordwell is coordinating the UUTheVote efforts of all of Maine’s UU 22 congregations through the Maine UU State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN). Thank you for your leadership, Sue Ellen!
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BLACK LIVES MATTER: A BANNER & A STATEMENT
As part of First Universalist's commitment to being an anti-racist organization, we have hung a Black Lives Matter banner at the church. This banner was raised in conversation with our tenants at 95 Main and the Yarmouth police department, both who were supportive of this public declaration on the side of love.
We have also updated the
welcome page of our website to confirm our commitment to ending racism wherever we find it, including in ourselves.
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ANTI-RACISM WORKING GROUP AT FIRST U
Ten church members who had read and discussed Ibram X. Kendi’s
“How To Be An Ani-Racist,” facilitated by Andrew Tonks, met and formally became a subcommittee of the Faith and Action Council. We have reviewed and accepted our mission: to work to dismantle racism in ourselves and our institutions.
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VOLUNTEERING AT PREBLE STREET
Our next first Tuesday to volunteer at Preble Street is July 7, 3 - 6 pm. At this time, Preble Street still really needs your support in putting together to-go meals for their clients who they serve daily. Help to feed some of Maine's most vulnerable people who continue to rely on Preble Street for food and other resources. Contact Ruth White (
rwhite7@maine.rr.com) with any questions or if you would like to sign up. Thank you!
Please note a few changes:
- There is now a limit of three volunteers per shift in order to ensure social distancing.
- Volunteers are asked to bring their own mask or face covering.
- The time for dinner shifts has altered slightly. It is now 3 - 6 pm (instead of 3:30 - 6:30 pm).
- You can view all of Preble Street's response information about COVID-19 on their website.
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The Church Office is Closed, But Minister and Staff Are Still Working!
Rev. Frieda, Gwen, Sam, and Andrea all continue to work from home to support the church community. You can reach them via email, call and leave a voicemail at the church office (messages are checked on Monday & Thursday), or call Rev. Frieda on her cell phone: 508-207-7566.
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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. Saturdays are typically her day off, but she will answer calls for pastoral emergencies.
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Submit Your Announcement
To have your announcement included in this newsletter please email the information to Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com
by Wednesday at 12 pm.
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