We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to 
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.
January 5, 2018
10:00 am

Ichabod Nichols:
Beloved First Parish Minister,
1809-1855

Rev. Christina Sillari
December Worship Services
Jan. 12 | 10am
Becoming Whole
Rev. Christina

Jan. 19 | 10am
Moral Injury-
MLK Sunday
Rev. Christina

Jan. 26 | 10am
Mental Health
Kate Stenberg, Jaimie Mulligan & Mo Nichols
RE Announcements
1/5 & 1/12- RE Classes
1/19- Children's Activity
1/26- Children's Chapel
Childcare for babies & toddlers is available in the Nursery every Sunday from 9:45-11:15am.

FMI about RE at First Parish, please contact, Toben Cooney-Callnan,
Director of Religious Exploration,
Raffle Wrap Up

We are happy to report that we sold 1745 tickets which generated a new revenue stream of $34,900 for First Parish. Given our conservative estimates of $7,000 in expenses, we will make $27,900 – three times what we made on the auction. Yippee!
 
In addition to our 3 raffle prize winners, we also awarded prizes for selling the winning ticket and selling the most tickets:
  • Winning ticket sold by Greg Dorsey – cash prize of $200

People who sold the most tickets – I have to mention these heavy hitters: 
  • Nancy Berges sold 50 tickets
  • Stone McFarquhar sold 55 tickets
  • Stephanie Desrochers sold 60 tickets
  • Paul and Mary Block sold 76 tickets
  • Patty Renaud sold 78 tickets – Patty gets the cash prize of $300
 
We asked all of you to sell 10 tickets. 109 people accepted the challenge – they averaged 16 tickets per person. So, it can be done! Just think what we could do if more of you joined in on the fun. You have a year to think about it. Congratulations to all! Bill Adams, Raffle Chair

Winter Newcomer
Coffee Dates
11:30-12:30 pm
in the Youth Room
(upstairs in the Parish House)


January 5 | Newcomer Coffee
Join Rev. Christina and members of the Membership Team after service for coffee and conversation. This is a great way to meet other newcomers and to learn more about what makes this church unique. Grab a cup of coffee from Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall and join us upstairs in the Youth Room. Hope to see you there! FMI: Laurie Hasty  membership@firstparishportland.org

February 2 | Newcomer Coffee for FAMILIES
Come learn more about what makes this church unique especially for children and families. Grab a cup of coffee from Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall and join us upstairs in the Youth Room.  Childcare is provided.  Hope to see you there! FMI: Toben  dre@firstparishportland.org  or Laurie  membership@firstparishportland.org.
Warming Center Meeting
January 5 | 12:30 pm | Pre-K Classroom

Please join Rev. Christina for a discussion about the possibility of creating a warming center at First Parish. 
Community Dinner
January 5
Meal Prep in Basement Kitchen
& Dinner in the Community Room

Please join us as a volunteer or guest! Prep volunteers: 12-4:30pm; Serving and clean-up volunteers: 4:30-7pm. Meal served: 5-6pm.
FMI: Noel De Young at noeledey@yahoo.com or phone 939-3118.
1619 Slavery Project
January 7 | 7- 8:30pm
Pre-K Classroom

The Racial Justice Team invites you to a slavery study group based on The New York Times Magazine's  1619 Project . Let's learn why slavery lingers in our culture, institutions, and dwells in our behavior.  For details and reading assignments, leave your name and contact info on Kris Minister’s phone 207-415-8274 or   email   krisminister@me.com .
Justice Bean Supper & Dance 
January 23 | 6-8:30 pm | Parish Hall   

Come join us and bring family and friends for good food, community, and fun, benefiting the First Parish Minister's fund to help immigrants, asylum-seekers and others ub need. Baked beans, hot dogs & fixings, sides, salads, and desserts! $10 per person/$20 for a family. HELP WANTED: potluck dishes, setup and cleanup volunteers. Contact  angus@angusferguson.com  or 749-6618 to RSVP and volunteer.
Breathing and Meditation Class
Wednesdays | 8-9am
 in the Meeting House

Come and explore breathing techniques to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Pranayama 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.
MUUSAN Network Meeting
(Maine UU State Advocacy Network)
January 11 | 10-Noon | UUCC Augusta

Please join us and bring the good word back to your congregation and help mobilize UUs statewide for legislative action on our targeted bills as they become identified! January's guest speaker will be Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham. Seth's bill-- LD 1646- to establish a consumer-owned utility to replace Emera Maine and Central Maine Power-- is another way to support the national Poor People's Campaign, as it will return the "power to the people" (vs. corporations), and help to reduce electric bills in Maine (by an estimated 15%). FMI: admin@muusan.org.

Mitten Tree
 
Thank You! The Religious Exploration Program gives a big THANK YOU to all who helped with the Mitten Tree!! We collected 101 articles of warm winter clothing including hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, jackets, and sweaters. All items collected go to the Refugee and Immigration Services at Catholic Family Charities.

Volunteers Needed for Window Dressers Community Build Workshop
January 23 | 8:30 am- 12:30 pm | Allagash Brewery

Our offices on the 2nd floor of the Parish House will be cozier this winter thanks to new window inserts from Window Dressers! Join Sheila Sullivan & other volunteers on January 23rd in learning how to build the inserts. Each simple job is taught, and all tools and materials are provided. No experience necessary. Please email Sheila Sullivan in the Office if you are interested- office@firstparishportland.org.
Exciting news about
First Parish Member
Israel Buffardi 

Israel and Abigail had a baby!
Nicola Chance Buffardi was born on December 6th, 2019! 

And...

Israel is getting
ordained as a
Unitarian Universalist Minister
on February 2, 2020 at 2:20 pm at the
North Parish of North Andover
UU Church!

All are invited.

Interested in Becoming a
Member of First Parish? 

For more information on Membership at First Parish, please email Laurie Hasty at  membership@firstparishportland.org . Please join us for the next classes leading up to the next New Member Ceremony on May 10:

New to UU Class | March 8 | 11:30-2:30 pm | Youth Room
Join Rev. Christina as we explore the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism, its liberal faith tradition, and First parish. This is an opportunity to ask questions and explore your own religious journey.  Childcare is available!

Path to Membership Class | April 5 | 11:30-1:30 pm |Youth Room
Join members of the Leadership Team 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.  Childcare is available!

Flowers
for Sunday Service

Please help brighten up the Meeting House on Sundays! Sign up to donate & dedicate flowers on our SignUp page HERE !
Security at First Parish

We are continuing our work to maintain our Sunday morning worship as a warm, welcoming, and safe experience for all. The Parish House doors will be locked between 10:15-11am. The Meeting House doors will remain open during service. Our security guard is able to contact Moe for access to the building up the ramp, if it is needed during this time. Thank you for your patience as we work towards making Sundays at First Parish a safe and secure experience for everyone. 
Volunteer
SIGN UP's
Updated for 2019-20!

There are so many ways to get involved at First Parish:
  • Usher/Greeter
  • Community Dinner
  • Flowers for Sunday Service and more!
Contact Sheila in the Office if you have any questions about signing up online: office@firstparishportland.org.
Office Notes:
Sermons

We receive many requests for copies of Rev. Christina's thought-provoking sermons. You can now find her sermons in this Shared Sermons Folder. Please allow up to a week for sermons to be posted here.
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101   207-773-5747  

 Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community 
and Help Heal the World