MID-YEAR MEETING
Sun., Jan. 26, 11:30 am Gathering Room
ALL ARE WELCOME - Members and Friends! Highlights include:
- Financial Update
- Minister's Reflections
- 2020 Goals
- Search Process Q&A
- Lunch provided
- Childcare provided
In case of inclement weather, the snow date for the mid-year meeting is the following Sunday, February 2nd, immediately following the service (11:30 am).
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3D (DINNER-DISCUSSION-DOCUMENTARY) NIGHT
Saturday, January 25, 5:30 pm, in the Gathering Room
The next 3D (Dinner-Discussion-Documentary) event is happening this Saturday! Be sure to sign up ahead of time for this home-cooked free supper with vegetarian options (
catalpa.girl@gmail.com) and stimulating conversation.
Our documentary film this time is a 2017 look at the Palestine/Israel situation. Whether we know a little or a lot about this topic, it presents an opportunity (like South Africa and Ireland did) to take a fresh look at communities trying to craft new responses to old conflicts.
This Is Palestine was released in June 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the occupation of the West Bank and the tenth anniversary of the blockade of Gaza. We hope that stimulating AND respectful discussion will follow this screening.
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SIGN THE BOOK to become a member of 1st U on our
Celebrating Membership Sunday, Feb. 2. We will have a coffee and book signing BEFORE the worship service in the Gathering Room (big space downstairs) at
10 am that day. You will then be eligible to vote on the minister we call in the spring.
Of course if you have already signed, or if you would prefer to have a conversation with Rev. Frieda and privately sign some time between now and Feb. 2nd, that’s completely fine. You can call or email her to arrange for that. We welcome you warmly whatever your pathway, and hope you’ll be there on Feb. 2nd for a bit of ceremony.
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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,
February 4. Sign up in advance by contacting Ruth White at
rwhite7@maine.rr.com.
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. This coming first Tuesday,
February 4, our acts of kindness will include making flower baskets to give to our local nursing home and beginning in March, we’ll start to plan out a new garden to grow at First U.
Questions or for more information, contact Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com.
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WORSHIP THEME: COURAGE
Young and UU
Sunday, January 26, 2020, at 10:30 am
Lily O'Brien, Worship Weaver
Sam Chandler, Music Director
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Making the world a better place.
We are proud to be part of the larger Unitarian Universalist movement of peace and justice for all. Together, we are welcoming New Mainers, feeding hungry people who come to Preble Street, supporting friends in Gyepes Romania, and growing a new generation of compassionate young UUs. May the way be found, and the courage to take it, step by step.
FACT: Each year our social justice program provides $15,000 towards these projects.
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. - Maya Angelou
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MAINE FARM SUPPER
First U's popular and delicious Maine Farm Supper is coming up on February 8th, 5 - 7 pm. This fundraiser supports both the church and the Yarmouth Food Pantry. Volunteer sign-ups are out now at church. Please share
this poster widely - invite all your friends and neighbors! For more information, please contact Cindy Guernsey,
cindyguernsey@icloud.com.
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YOGA IN THE SANCTUARY
Saturday mornings, 10 - 11 am
Set your intentions for the new year: Move your body, breathe in our beautiful Sanctuary, support First U, and give to a local charity of choice.
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, JANUARY 26
10:15 am -
Junior Youth Group (Common Room)
10:30 am -
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
10:30 am -
Nursery Care (the Nursery)
4:00 pm -
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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In
Children's Chapel
(kindergarten - fourth grade), this January is all about
being free to learn together, our 3rd UU principle. Each Sunday, we’ll try out a different spiritual practice and learn together which practices we connect with.
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?"
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.
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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OUR HALF-PLATE: GLSEN
This week’s half-plate is shared with GLSEN Southern Maine, a local chapter of the national GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) organization. This all-volunteer group was founded by Maine educators almost 25 years ago to ensure that LGTBQ students in our state could learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Working with high school and middle school clubs created by LGTBQ youth and their straight allies, GLSEN Southern Maine empowers students to take an active role in positively impacting their own schools to make them safer and more affirming learning communities for all students.
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PIHCINTU CHORUS: ONE JOURNEY MANY ROADS, Sat. Jan 25
Pihcintu Chorus will be performing a free* concert for all ages on Saturday, January 25 at 2:00 pm at the Congregational Church in Cumberland, UCC. Welcoming children from 16 countries including the US, the Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus helps restart young lives. Award-winning producer, musician, and songwriter, Con Fullam combined his passion for music with a deep concern for the effect of world issues on children - creating this unique chorus in Portland. Through the healing power of music, these vulnerable yet brave young women have learned to trust, hope, and laugh again. Being in their presence is a life-enhancing experience, and they touch the hearts of all who hear them! *Freewill donations will be welcome to support this program.
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UNA VOCE CHAMBER CHOIR PRESENTS "EVENSONG," Jan. 25 & 26
Join the Una Voce Chamber Choir as they present music by contemporary composers in their expressions of ancient texts often sung in traditional Anglican orders of worship. Mark your calendar for " Evensong" on Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 26 at 2.30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street, Brunswick, Maine.
"Evensong," adapted from the traditional Anglican service of prayers and praise at day’s end, presents living composers who give new voices to timeless liturgies. Meditations are sung in prayer, in praise, in love both divine and human. Advance tickets are $15 for adults ($20 at door), $10 for students age 16-21, and free for children age 16 and younger. There is also a Family Ticket (3+ members) for $35 in advance ($45 at the door). To purchase tickets online, visit
https://uvcc-evensong.brownpapertickets.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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