HIDDEN DISABILITIES
THEME: JOURNEY
Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 10:30 am
Rev. Frieda Gillespie, Interim Minister
|
|
THIS SUNDAY 9/22 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)
OWL Parent Orientation at 3:30 pm (Common Room)
Senior Youth Group at 4:00 pm (Gathering Room)
|
|
TAKING IT HOME
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
PLEASE JOIN THE SEARCH COMMITTEE AS WE TAKE OUR NEXT STEP!
This is the last weekend to complete the
Congregational Survey. There will be paper copies and laptops at church on Sunday, but please don't wait until the last minute. After church we will be asking you to sign up for the Search Circle discussions, which will focus on issues highlighted in the survey data, so that we can get deeper input from each of you on what matters most to you about First U. There are lots of choices for times, and we hope to have most of the congregation participate. Please join us!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
YOGA CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY
Saturdays, 10:00 - 11:15 am, in the Sanctuary
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.
|
|
CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP? NOW IS THE TIME!
You can
join as a member of First Universalist and vote on our ministerial candidate in June! Your vote and your voice will help determine who becomes our called, settled minister.
|
|
FIRST TUESDAYS IN ACTION
Coming Up: Tuesday, October 1
Starting this Fall, First Tuesdays of the month will be 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.
AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST
First Tuesdays of each month, 3:00 - 7:00 pm*
People of all ages are invited to take part in justice-making activities. Programming, games, and dinner will all be provided. Children (ages 5+), youth, and adults can all participate by themselves - or whole families are welcome to attend.
On October 1, the activities at First U will be about supporting shelter animals by making cat toys, dog toys, and dog biscuits to donate to the animal shelter. 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
LE BON TRUC AT PORTERSFIELD CIDER, Sept. 21, 2 - 4 PM
Portersfield Cider is celebrating on Open Winery Day - family friendly, picnic-like ambiance. Open tasting room (outdoors) and orchard, with fresh cider pressing, all afternoon 1 - 5pm. Live music from 2 - 4 pm. 255 Elmwood Road, Pownal, ME 207-233-5534. Le Bon Truc (The Good Stuff) is Gary Chapin (diatonic accordion), Steve Gruverman (clarinet) and Barbara Truex, (dulcimer, banjo uke, tenor guitar and percussion). Between them they have decades of experience playing world and folk music, with a particular passion for the music of rural France and Brittany. Guest musician Betsy Hooper on hurry gurdy.
http://www.portersfieldcider.com/tasting-room/
http://www.mainewineryguild.com/maine-open-winery-day/
|
|
LE BON TRUC - HOUSE CONCERT & BARN DANCE, Sept. 22, 2 - 4 PM
Freeport - Desert of Maine. Le Bon Truc - House Concert and Barn Dance. Tuttle Barn at 95 Desert Road. Le Bon Truc (The Good Thing) is a unique and dynamic trio that is breathing new life into off-the-beaten-path French folk music. They’ve been performing together for five years, ever since discovering their shared fascination with the diversity of French dance music. Le Bon Truc treats audiences with tunes from many different regions of France including the valse, mazurka, chanson, bourree, and more. Their performance starts with appreciation of the traditional and will expand to include original compositions and interesting instrumental and vocal textures.
But it's even more fun to dance to this music! The second half of the performance will be for dancing (if you want) - for kids as well as grown-ups. Experienced dance teacher, Marie Wendt, will have you kicking up your heels and twinkling your toes in no time. Le Bon Truc is: Gary Chapin playing many accordions (just one at a time), Barb Truex playing Appalachian dulcimer, banjo ukulele and tenor guitar and Steve Gruverman playing a variety of woodwinds. Sliding Scale donation. $10 per person, $25 per family recommended. All donations go to the hard-working musicians.
https://www.desertofmaine.com/post/house-concert-with-le-bon-truc
|
|
TAKE UP THE SONG; FORGET THE EPITAPH, Sept. 25 at 7 pm
A celebration of the life and work of Edna St. Vincent Millay, written by Ramona Barth and presented by (First U Member) Ann (Foskett) Miller and Suzanne Rankin. One performance only! September 25, 2019 at 7 pm at the Footlights Theatre in Falmouth, ME. Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in Rockland, ME, grew up in Camden, and was one of the first women to win a Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Pay what you can. For reservations, call 207-747-5434.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
