We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to 
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.

April 21, 2018
10:00 am

Easter Sunday:
The Cross
Reverend Christina Sillari
Upcoming Worship Services
April 28 | 10am
Youth Sunday:
A Single Step
FP Youth Group
May 5 | 10am
Beloved Community
Rev. Christina Sillari
May 12 | 10am
Isis
Rev. Christina Sillari
RE Announcements

Children will remain in the
Meeting House for
Easter service on 4/21/19.

Childcare for babies and toddlers is available every Sunday in the Nursery (upstairs in the Parish House).

FMI about RE at First Parish, please contact, Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Religious Exploration, at dre@firstparishportland.org.

Easter Flower Donations

Flowers this Sunday will be donated by

Jan Berlin in memory of Louise Berlin
and by

Bob Zager in memory of Nancy Juhlin .
Easter Bonnets, Bowties & Egg Hunt
April 21 st

Wear your BONNET, or decorate any old hat with flowers, ribbons, peeps, etc, on Easter Sunday, and we’ll see how colorful we can make the Meeting House on Easter! Or, bring out your BOWTIE for this festive Sunday! All children are invited to join in an Easter egg hunt in the Meeting House after service . Eggs will be hidden by the Youth Group. 
Please Welcome
LAURIE HASTY
as our Interim
Membership Coordinator!

Laurie is a third generation UU. She came to First Parish as a teenager when her father was called to be this church’s minister. She was married in our Meeting House and has raised her children in this congregation. In December, she coordinates our historic Nativity Pageant. Laurie believes deeply that personal connections are essential to growing a community within our church and healing our world.

If you have any questions about Membership at First Parish, you can reach Laurie at membership@firstparishportland.org . Laurie will be answering First Parish emails on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Thinking of becoming a Member of First Parish?

New Member Ceremony
May 5 th   | During Worship Service

Please be in touch with Laurie Hasty if you are hoping to become a Member of First Parish on May 5th: membership@firstparishportland.org. There will be a New Member Brunch, hosted by the Governing Board and Program Council Team, for new members and their families after service on May 5th.
Earth Day: Short Films and Discussion
April 22 nd | 6-8pm | Parish Hall  

Celebrate Earth Day with soul-stirring videos and discussion led by Dr. Marianne Hill. The three videos, each less than 15 minutes, are: “The Climate Kids”, a film focusing on the lawsuit brought by children against the federal government for doing too little to fight climate change, a CNN report “Greenland is melting”, and a National Geographic film on species at risk. Refreshments will be served.
UUA Earth Day /
Climate Justice Initiatives

Click HERE to read UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray's, newsletter highlighting a number of important Climate Justice initiatives sponsored by the UUA.

Spring Fling Dinners are Here!!
 
We are recruiting folks to host the upcoming Spring Fling Dinners. Spring Fling is where welcoming congregants open their homes to a small and intimate dinner party for a set number of guests. We charge $35 per seat for dinner and all the funds go to the church. It’s fun and it builds community.

Please email John Schaberg at johnschaberg@outlook.com (or call- 303-7203) with the above information if you would like to host, or if you have any questions. 
Breathing and Meditation Class

Wednesdays | 5:30-6:30pm
in the K-1 Classroom
 (upstairs in Parish 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.
Celebration of Life for
First Parish Member Robbie Robinson
Saturday April 27th | 10:00am
Meeting House 

All are welcome.  Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robbie's name to:
Maine Veteran's Home Activity Fund
290 US-1, Scarborough, ME 04074-8370.

Read Robbie's obituary HERE .
Chicago Children's Choir Concert
May 2 nd | 7– 8:30pm | Meeting House

Pihcintu, Maine’s multi-national immigrant and refugee girls chorus is celebrating their new cd release, One Journey Many Roads , with the Chicago Children’s Choir, the preeminent youth choir, organized in Hyde Park in 1956 as a direct result of the Civil Rights Movement. Please come and hear them join hearts and souls in song.
Memorial Garden
Spring Clean-up!
May 4th   | 9:30 am

Join the Garden Committee in gently raking, pruning and picking up after old man winter. A great way to participate in community and steward our lovely gem in the heart of the city... our First Parish garden. Also Tony’s donuts will be on hand! FMI contact  lindashary3@gmail.com.
Southern Maine AIDS Walk/5K Run
May 4 th  | 2 pm

The Southern Maine AIDS Walk/5K Run is Frannie Peabody Center’s largest fundraiser, raising over $100,000 in support of people in Maine living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. The event takes place on Saturday, May 4 on Ogunquit Beach, Maine at 2pm. Please join us!

For more information: peabodycenter.org/AIDSWalk
Share the Plate Nominations
for 2019-20
due before May 5 th

Every month a different nonprofit organization receives the proceeds of a special Share-the-Plate collection taken at First Parish's Sunday service. This is your opportunity to nominate an organization to be considered for this one-time contribution. The Faith in Action Committee will be selecting these share-the-plate organizations for the 2019-20 church year in late May. Please note that FIA will make the final selections and that state or local organizations will be given preference over national organizations. You are invited to attend the FIA meeting at which selections are made. Simply complete the form and return it to the BOX in the Parish Hall or email it to Marianne Hill, hillmarros@aol.com ,  no later than May 5. Thank you!
Family Matters Class Series

Class 4: Discipline: Teaching that Strengthens the Child
and the Relationship  
May 11 th | 10:30-12:00 | Community Room

Class 5: The Relationship between the Partners
May 25 th   | 10:30-12:00 | Community Room

Explore the nature of safe and nurturing relationships that facilitate curiosity, comfort, and joy among all family members. Future classes will explore: discipline, couple relationships and the role and importance of grandparents. (Click the link below to READ MORE about each class). Taught by new First Parish Member Dan Hughes. Free to members; $5 for non-members. Contact Dan for registration and class details: dhughes202@gmail.com or 717-673-6119. 
Do you love our
Stone Soup Newsletter?

We are looking for a volunteer or two to take ownership for First Parish's Stone Soup Newsletter , currently published twice a year. Please contact Sheila in the Office for more information: office@firstparishportland.org.
New!
SIGN UP to VOLUNTEER
at First Parish!

Check out and SIGN UP for a wide variety of volunteer opportunities --Community Dinner, Ushers, Sunday Drivers, Flowers, Tours, etc.-- at our new SignUp Genius site! Or link to the Volunteer Sign Up via the Volunteer Page on the FP website. If you have any questions about our online Volunteer Sign Up, please email Laurie Hasty, Membership Coordinator, at membership@firstparishportland.org .
Photography Show
by Moe Blanchard

Our very own Moe Blanchard has over 40 photographs highlighting Casco Bay displayed at The Works Cafe on Temple St-- a short walk from First Parish. The show will run until the end of April.
Rug Braiding Materials

Do you know anyone who braids rugs? 
Elaine Bonney is looking to give away her rug braiding wool.
If interested, please contact Elaine Bonney at 207-774-6920.
Trauma Intervention Program-
Volunteers Needed
Spring Training Program | 8 classes between April 25- May 4

Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) is looking for caring people to join our team! We are layperson volunteers trained to provide emotional & practical support to survivors and their families of traumatic events i.e. sudden unexpected deaths, accidents, etc. We are called by Greater Portland Police, Fire, Rescue teams as well as by Maine Medical Center personnel. For more information, Leslie Skillin 661-6478. 
Creating Healthy Relationships Workshop
Saturday, May 18 th

Casco Bay Conversations, a project of First Universalist Church in Yarmouth, is excited to be offering this dynamic one-day workshop is for those who want to see healthy organizations, communities, families, and individuals flourish. All who are passionate about justice, counseling, or human relationships will find this workshop illuminating. 
Click HERE for more information.
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 available every Sunday! Ask a Greeter, or look for them at both entrances to the from the Meeting House.
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101   207-773-5747  

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