MAINE FARM SUPPER
First U's popular and delicious Maine Farm Supper is this Saturday,
February 8th, 5 - 7 pm. This fundraiser supports both the church and the Yarmouth Food Pantry. Please share
this poster widely - invite all your friends and neighbors!
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MORAL EVOLUTION
Sunday, February 9, 2020, at 10:30 am
Rev. Frieda Gillespie, Interim Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
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ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP
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From thee I receive, to thee I give.
Our Annual Campaign follow-up begins. To those who have made a commitment, thank you! To those still pondering, we invite you to join in the joy of participating in the ongoing pursuit of our mission: Explore, Embrace, Engage.
fact:
We await commitments from about 15 families as we seek to raise the last $20,000. The good news is that we are at 85% of our goal, with $100,000 from 52 families.
This world is not just a little thrill for your eyes…It’s more than the beating of a single heart…It’s praising. It’s giving until the giving feels like receiving.
― Mary Oliver, drawn from Evidence: Poems
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EQ
UU
AL ACCESS: NEW FRAGRANCE POLICY
As part of First U's continuing commitment to radical welcome and inclusion, we are implementing
fragrance-free
worship. Please refrain from using perfumes, colognes, lotions, etc. with fragrances on Sundays. By using unscented products, you help to create a welcoming space for people with sensitivities and allergies to fragrances. Thank you!
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The church office hours are changing slightly. Andrea, Administrative Assistant, will be in on
Mondays 9:30 am - 4:30 pm and
Thursdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Rev. Frieda, Interim Minister, continues to be available for in-person appointments Sunday - Tuesday, and Gwen, Program Assistant, is available for in-person appointments Monday - Wednesday.
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BREAKING OUT OF THE BOXES
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THE WORSHIP COUNCIL WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Last summer when we had our Worship council retreat, one of our thoughts was to try some different things in Sunday worship during this interim year: we have used a couple of unison affirmations which are different from the one we used for quite a long time; we removed the plastic laminated cards so that all that you need for the flow of the service is actually right there in the weekly paper; had the solstice service in the sanctuary; Christmas services; different voices in the pulpit and different leaders of time for all ages.
We would love to get feedback on how you feel about those and any other changes you have noticed. What has been good? What have you missed? What changes would you like us to try in the remainder of this transition year? And any thoughts that you want to send our way.
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YOGA IN THE SANCTUARY
Saturday mornings, 10 - 11 am
Yoga classes continue at the First Universalist on Saturdays led by our new yoga teacher, Marni Prince. She replaces Lois Howlett, our long time yoga teacher, who is moving to North Carolina. Marni is a trained Vinyasa Yoga teacher who has recently moved into Yarmouth. Cost: $10. Classes will be 10:00 - 11:00 AM. Any questions, please contact Marini Prince at
marniprince@gmail.com or Sarah Witte at
sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com.
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PROGRAMS THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2
10:30 - 11:30 am -
Junior Youth Group (Common Room)
10:30 - 11:30 am -
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
10:30 - 11:30 am -
Nursery Care (the Nursery)
4:00 - 5:30 pm -
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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SILKY SCARVES FOR PEACE PLAY FOR LITTLES
Do you have lightweight silky scarves that you no longer wear? Our littlest ones (ages 0 - 3) would love to play with them! Please drop off your donations at the church office. Thank you!
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In
Children's Chapel
(kindergarten - fourth grade), the month of February is about
searching for truth and meaning, our 4th UU Principle. One way to find meaning is by helping others. We can also find truth and meaning in community with our family, friends, and neighbors. Through games, activities, music, and discussion, children at First U are encouraged to search for truth and meaning in our world.
In
Junior Youth Group
(fifth - eighth grade), we have just begun
Riddle and Mystery, an opportunity to ask and find our own answers to some of life's big and meaningful questions like "where do we come from?" and "what happens when we die?" Our activities, games, and discussions take us to some deep places -- and to some good jokes.
In
Senior Youth Group (ninth - twelfth grade), we are planning our next fundraiser,
Scrambled Trivia Night on 2/29, in order to support our local June mission trip in partnership with
Cultivating Community. It's not too late to join in! High schoolers are invited to join senior youth group and be part of our mission trip.
During
Peace Play for Littles
(ages 0 - 3 and their big person) on Wednesdays, 10:45 am - 11:15 am, our stories, songs, rhymes, and play will relate to the themes of community, peace, kindness, justice, and caring for our planet.
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REGISTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS ONLINE
This year, there is the option to
register online for children and youth programs!
Please register your children if they participate in any programs.
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THE NOVEMBER ELECTION - WHAT CAN WE DO STARTING NOW?
Recently, The Faith in Action Council (FIAC) sponsored a webinar to introduce a new UUA initiative to “UU the Vote." Those in attendance were interested in forming a team to explore ways we can implement this program in our Congregation. Our focus is likely to include voter registration and education opportunities aligning with our values.
Please notify Pam Dyer:
jdyer2@maine.rr.com if you would like to join this team or attend a meeting to learn more.
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Book Donations Wanted for Children of Asylum-Seekers
As part of our First Tuesdays in Action we’ll be collecting and sorting books to build home libraries for children of asylum-seekers as part of the Reading Refuges project. With money tight, often asylum-seeking families have none to spend on building home libraries. Books in English are welcome and wanted, but especially needed are books in students’ first languages. Please bring books to the church office for donation. Thank you!
Volunteering at Preble Street Soup Kitchen
First Tuesdays | 3:30—6:30 pm | Preble Street Resource Center
Part of First Tuesdays in Action is our commitment to staffing Preble Street Soup Kitchen for their dinner service as they feed homeless and low income people who rely on Preble Street for a hot meal. Help prep and serve dinner with your fellow UUs from 3:30—6:30 pm on this coming first Tuesday of the month,
March 3. Please sign up in advance by contacting Ruth White at
rwhite7@maine.rr.com.
Even if you sign up with Preble Street directly, please also let Ruth know you're coming so she knows how many spots we still need to fill with volunteers from the church. Thank you!
Building a Garden at First U
First Tuesdays | 3:00—7:00 pm | Gathering Room
First Tuesdays in Action at First U welcomes all ages to participate in justice-making programming.
These coming months (February—June) will be dedicated to learning about and supporting our nature and our planet. On
March 3, the coming first Tuesday, we’ll start to plan out the new garden to grow at First U.
Questions or for more information, contact Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com.
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WEATHER CANCELLATION INFORMATION
First Universalist service and public event cancellations are announced on WSCH Channel 6, WMTW Channel 8, and WGME Channel 13, as well as on Facebook.
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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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