We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community
and Help Heal the World.
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December 16, 2018
10:00 am
Hymn Sing
Rev. Christina Sillari & Scott Wheatley
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Upcoming Sunday Worship Services
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December 23 | 10am
Was Jesus a UU?
Rev. Christina Sillari
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December 30 | 10am
Trauma
Ayman Nijim
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January 6 | 10am
Power of Long
Rev. Christina Sillari
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First Parish Holiday Services
First Parish Pageant of the Nativity
| December 16
th
| 5pm
Winter Solstice Service
| December 21
st
| 5:30pm | Rev. Christina
Christmas Eve Service
| December 24
th
| 4:30pm
| Rev. Christina
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RE Announcements
On Sunday, 12/16, the RE Program will be making Gingerbread Houses! Come straight to the Pre-K/K/1 Classroom at 10am!
Childcare for babies and toddlers will be available in the Nursery (upstairs in the Parish House).
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TONIGHT!
VIGIL TO END GUN VIOLENCE
December 14 | 6-7 pm | Parish Hall
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition, Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in Maine, and Remembering Darien are proud to announce that Portland, Maine will serve as a local host of the nationwide Vigil to End Gun Violence. The vigil is in remembrance of the six-year mark of the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy, where 20 children and 6 educators were killed, as well as well as the 600,000 American victims and survivors of gun violence since December 2012.
Please join us!
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Hymn Sing Service
December 16 | 10am
This Sunday, we will be enjoying our annual Hymn Sing. There will be
no order of service
. When you enter the Meeting House, please write your name on a slip of paper and place it in the basket. During the service people’s names who get picked will choose a hymn.
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Nativity Pageant
December 16
th
| 5pm | Meeting House
Presented in its 92nd year, this event is quite different in the genre of nativity pageants. Non-denominational in nature, this service uses a combination of music, historic text, and tradition to honor the birth of one of history’s great prophets
.
It is a truly magical hour in which we gather in community, quiet our hearts, and remember the spirit that this holiday represents. It is our hope that this special candlelit worship service will be a meaningful part of your family’s holiday celebration.
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Winter Solstice Service
December 21
st
| 5:30pm | Meeting House
Join us at this sacred time of year for music, ritual, and prayers as we celebrate the turning of the year and the rebirth of the sun. All welcome!
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24
th
| 4:30pm
Meeting House
Join us for this intergenerational, candlelight service honoring and celebrating Christmas with stories, music, singing, and prayers. Come & explore the meaning of the birth of Jesus from a UU perspective, looking through the lenses of love, suffering, activism, mystery & peace.
Children are invited to participate in the Christmas Eve service
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Path to Membership Class-
New Date!
December 30
th
| 11:30am – 1pm | Community Room
Are you considering becoming a Member of First Parish? If so, please join
Janet Robinson, President of the Governing Board, to explore membership at First Parish. We will look at the benefits and responsibilities of membership, opportunities for spiritual development as well as community connections.
Light lunch provided- please register so we have enough food.
Participation is highly recommended for anyone considering membership.
New Member Ceremony
January 6
th
| 10am (during service) | Meeting House
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Breathing and Meditation Class
Wednesdays | 5:30-6:30pm
in the K-1 Classroom
(upstairs in Parish House)
December 26
th
class: Cancelled-
Resuming on January 2
nd
Come and explore breathing techniques to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Pranayama (increase and extension of the life force) is an ancient practice from India used to heal dis-ease, prepare for meditation, and access spiritual realms. All are welcome to join in these powerful tools of transformation. Taught by Rev. Christina. Free to First Parish Members; $10.00 non-members.
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Youth & Family Outreach (YFO)
Winter Clothing Collection
Many YFO children are in need of essential winter clothing-- coats, boots, hats, mittens and snow pants. (YFO is also collecting diaper donations for these families- sizes 3-5). Items should be new, unwrapped, and brought to First Parish by 12/16. Donations can be placed in the "YFO" box near the Parish Hall coat rack. Please be sure to write your name on the donated item so it can be matched up to the right child. P
lease
SIGN UP HERE
to buy a much needed item on the YFO Giving Tree,
or contact Stephanie Desrochers at
finance@firstparishportland.org
or 332-3881.
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Blankets, Gloves & Socks Collection
Faith in Action is collecting clean blankets, gloves and socks for the homeless. Please place your donations in the box in the Parish Hall, near the coat rack.
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Please join us for the next
MUUSAN Network Meeting
(Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network)
January 12 | 10am -12pm | UU Community Church of Augusta
69 Winthrop St, Augusta.
MUUSAN has received an exciting holiday gift in the shape of a new Governor and two houses of the Legislature much more sympathetic to our mission. We can expect Medicaid expansion immediately, after years of work!
Our January meeting will be filled with other good news and lots of exciting hopes and plans. Please come and join fellow UUs from 16 congregations to kick
off a great New Year! FMI, please contact Rev. Christina:
minister@firstparishportland.org
.
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Stewardship Committee
Seeking New Members
Each year we lead a Stewardship campaign to solicit pledges for the upcoming fiscal year. These pledges become the foundation of our self-funded budget. If you are willing to assist please contact Greg Dorsey
soulrnrg@gmail.com
or call (207) 691-2968.
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Is there a CPA in our
First Parish community?
The Finance Community is looking to consult with a CPA about a simple tax question. A one-time discussion is all that is needed. If you can help, please contact Stephanie Desrochers, Finance Chair, at
finance@firstparishportland.org
.
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Missing Hearing Aid Units
We are missing two of our hearing aid units, and wonder if they were taken home by mistake. If so, please bring them back to First Parish as soon as possible, as we have many services in December!
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Snow Shovelers Needed!
Buildings and Grounds is looking for a few stalwart snow shovelers to help our Sexton, Moe, when winter
storms arrive. Stipend available- call/email Chris Beasley FMI: 207-619-7588 or
rcbeasley@live.com
.
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New
Online Sign Up
for Sunday Greeters!
Please sign up to be a Sunday Greeter here at First Parish, and be a part of the team to help people feel warmly welcomed on Sunday mornings! Sign up through the link below. It’s such an
easy
way to sign up! Questions, comments please email:
membership@firstparishportland.org
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Stone Soup
:
Winter Edition
Click the link below to read the Winter edition of First Parish's
Stone Soup
Newsletter. Articles include: Letter from the Minister, Pageant news, updates from the Governing Board, Program Council & Auction, and reflections on self-care from the Staff. Click below to read
Stone Soup
, or pick up a copy in the Parish Hall.
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Flowers
for Sunday Service
Please help brighten up the Meeting House on Sundays! Sign up to donate flowers in the
Parish Hall- look for the poster on the coat rack .
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Office Notes
Be sure to ask for a
Bulletin when you pick up your Order of Service on Sunday, so you don't miss out on any First Parish news or events!
Large Print Orders of Service are now available every Sunday! Ask a Greeter, or look for them at both entrances to the from the Meeting House.
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425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101 207-773-5747
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community
and Help Heal the World
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