https://zoom.us/j/98906899336

Meeting ID: 989 0689 9336

Or watch the live stream service on our Facebook page.

Upcoming Online Worship Services

The Worship Committee wants to gather your feedback about our Summer services to help us make plans for next year. Please fill out this survey, even if you weren't able to watch any services this Summer. Please email Jenna Nunziato, Chair of the Worship Committee, if you have any questions.

As a reminder, Rev. Elaine only sends emails from minister@firstparishportland.org. Please never open or respond to any other email claiming to be Rev. Elaine! Scam emails are on the rise again - so please be vigilant and double check that any email claiming to be Rev. Elaine comes from her official email.

The Wabanaki Ally Team is coordinating a food drive that will run from Sept. 13th to the 30th. For a list of suggested foods, click here. Please bring canned and dried food items only. Items can be dropped off in the Parish Hall on Mondays and Fridays from 9-2 and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9–5. To gain entrance to the building, please ring the buzzer at either the Parish Hall door or new back entrance.

As of right now, Rev. Elaine is working remotely from Islesboro until our Covid guidelines allow us to resume in-person worship. She will be in Portland on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Her office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11am-3pm. She will not be available on Mondays, and will be writing her sermons on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to schedule an appointment during her office hours, please email Hannah. You can reach Rev. Elaine by phone (207-773-5747) or by email.

The new Audio/Visual Committee is looking for volunteers who will help promote excitement around the equipment and for interns or volunteers who are willing to be a backup if needed to help livestream our worship services. Volunteers must be skilled in effective communication, as coordinating with other committees will be a necessity. You can read more about the committee here. Please email Charlie Micoleau if you are interested in volunteering with this new committee!

As many of you know, I came to Maine from New Orleans in 2007, after losing my first husband in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. My daughter, Katie Sivani Gelfand, still lives there and serves as DRE to First UU of New Orleans. Her roommate, Jordan, is a First Nations man with deep connections to the Louisiana tribes. The Houma Nation in southern Louisiana was badly impacted by Hurricane Ida, which struck 2 weeks ago. Katie and Jordan came through the storm in relatively good shape and have been devoting their energy to helping support the Houma Nation. As she posted on Facebook: “My house is a collection hub for hurricane recovery supplies for Houma Nation.” They are soliciting financial donations to help fund the supplies that will go directly into the hands of Houma Nation people. If you are able to, please consider making a donation. Katie is collecting donations through her Venmo account: Sivani-Gelfand, memo “Houma-Ida.” Alternatively, you may send a check to Katie Gelfand, 2322 Valmont Street, New Orleans, LA 70115. In the memo line please write "Houma-Ida." For more information, please click here.

EveryBody Update

We repurposed the old sign and moved it inside the building. See if you can spot it next time you're visiting the church! We look forward to showing off the finished product in the Fall! You can read more about the project here.

 Pastoral Care

All are welcome to join a confidential pastoral care breakout room each Sunday after worship. Please send a chat message to the worship tech person during the service if you would like to join. A member of the Pastoral Care Team will be present with an open heart. For any questions or concerns please contact team leader Judy Micoleau.

We read poems, reflect on them, and share how they touch our beings. Some of us have begun to write and share our own poems. All are welcome! Donations are gratefully accepted but not required. You can find the Zoom link here.

The practice of pranayama is essential to a calm mind, a healthy body, and a free spirit. Through breathwork, kriyas, mudras and sutras we prepare for silence and stillness. Please email Susannah for information about sliding scale payment. You can find the Zoom link here.

Peaceful Harbor Sangha meets weekly for shared Buddhist practice. Meetings include sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma reading and discussion. Come experience the calm in the storm! Meetings are now held on Zoom, and all are welcome; donations are gratefully accepted but not required. To receive the Zoom link, contact Susannah Ristine.  

It may take a few days to return phone messages, so email is the best way to reach all First Parish staff. Please keep in mind that Scott, Toben and Laurie work part-time, and will return messages when they are able. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Rev. Elaine Peresluha

Interim Minister

UUA.org: Braver/Wiser, Fortification, Practices of Self-Care & Resilience