LONELINESS AND DISCONNECTION
Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 10:30 am
Rev. Frieda Gillespie, Interim Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
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SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 18, HEART IN HAND GALA
First Universalist’s famous Heart in Hand Gala, a gorgeous prix fixe dinner and live auction, is returning on Saturday, April 18, 6-9 pm. This gourmet meal and opportunity to bid at the live auction has limited seating and is only available by reservation in advance with your kind contribution of $75/person. Gluten-free and vegan options available. Childcare available upon request.
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HINDSIGHT, HUMOR, AND HOPE: WHO, ME, AN ELDER?
This program helps people as they redesign their later years into a time of
reflection, discernment, soul stretching, and new life possibilities. This gift of extended years finds many people becoming elders with deep personal questions such as "Who am I now?" and "What will I do that is meaningful?"
Join in this six week course on aging, humor, and hope, co-facilitated by Rev. Frieda Gillespie and Sarah Witte on Monday nights beginning 3/16. Click for more details.
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CARING CONNECTION
Many years ago First U started a program called Caring Connection, by which we as members and friends at the church could support each other in difficult times, providing meals or rides or just friendly visits. Caring Connection has continued, but with many new friends and members who may not be familiar with its existence.
We maintain a list of names and contact info of people who would like to give help and support as it works with their availability, and at the same time, we are open to requests if someone is in need. When we receive a request, the information is sent to those on the list, and volunteers can sign up for a slot or two that fits their availability.
If you would like to be part of this network, please contact Joy Ahrens (jahrens1@maine.rr.com) or 207-807-6899, and we can add you to the list. It helps if we have both phone and email contact info. And
if you are in need of support, please also reach out by contacting Joy, Rev. Frieda, or the church office! Don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have further questions. Many thanks!
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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, MARCH 8
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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In
Children's Chapel
(kindergarten - fourth grade), the month of March is about
the fifth UU principle, all people need a voice, our UU commitment to democracy and allowing everyone to have a voice and a vote. This is one of the ways that we as UUs are people of open minds. We will explore this topic through games, activities, play, stories, and questions.
In
Junior Youth Group
(fifth - eighth grade), we are continuing with
Riddle & Mystery where we explore big questions and come up with our own answers. Next, we will be exploring what it means to be UU and try to determine what the differences are between faith, spirituality, and religion.
In
Senior Youth Group (ninth - twelfth grade), we will be working on our upcoming worship service on March 22. Please join us that Sunday morning!
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.
Save the Date: RE Happenings!
- Sunday, March 22, 10:30—11:30 am Senior Youth Group will help to lead our worship service
- Sunday, March 29, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (tentative) Junior Youth Group will be helping out at Portland's Free Clothing Closet
- Sunday, April 26, 4:00—5:30 pm Combined Junior/Senior Youth Group with Ministerial Candidate
- Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, May 25 Junior Youth Group Sleepover
- Sunday, May 31, 10:30—11:30 am Children and Youth Sunday, including Bridging of our High School seniors
- Sunday, May 31, 11:30 am—12:30 pm RE Family Picnic to celebrate our year together in religious education programs at First Universalist
- Thursday, June 18 - Saturday, June 20 Senior Youth Group Mission Trip to Portland, ME with Cultivating Community
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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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VOLUNTEER AT PREBLE STREET
First U has a standing 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. Sign up in advance by contacting Ruth White at
rwhite7@maine.rr.com (please remember to contact Ruth even if you sign up directly with Preble Street so that we can ensure we have enough
volunteers attending to meet our commitment to Preble Street—thank you!).
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FIRST TUESDAYS IN ACTION IS ON HIATUS
Due to staffing issues, First Tuesdays in Action (at First U) is currently on hiatus - we will let you know when it is able to start back up again.
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MUUSAN IS HIRING
The Maine UU State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN) is hiring a part-time administrative coordinator based out of Augusta, ME. Click for a full
job description
and details on applying.
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FREE PIANO & CELLO CONCERT, March 14
The Congregational Church in Cumberland presents a free Piano & Cello Concert featuring Matthew Mainster & April Reed-Cox performing Shostakovich’s wild and wonderful cello sonata, along with other selections from the romantic and modern repertoire. Saturday, March 14 at 2:00 pm. 282 Main Street, Cumberland Center.
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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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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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