Sunday, October 31, 2021, 10:30 am - online and in person!

Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister

Sam Chandler, Music Director

Gwen Matthews, Director of Education & Communications

Mack Jones, Children's Teacher & Youth Facilitator

If you're joining in person: Please review our covid-19 safety guidelines on our website. Please also note: In-person worship plans are subject to change dependent on covid-19 case numbers in Cumberland County. We will alert you quickly if such changes occur prior to Sunday. For more information on our re-opening decision process please see our Re-Opening Phase Chart.

To join online: To access the online service, please use this Zoom link and enter the passcode WORSHIP. A Sunday morning email will also be arriving with the Zoom link, order of worship, and a link to the offering.

Dear First Universalist Friends, 

A few years ago I had a daily practice of drawing a monster. It was inspired by a former congregant, Nancy, who is a multimedia artist and creator. She designed and stitched my ordination stole - the bright green you’ve likely seen me wearing on Sundays. So I think of Nancy often, and when I do, I usually think of her monster friends, too. 

Nancy could sculpt all kinds of beautiful creations, but when I knew her, one of her favorite things to sculpt were monsters: monsters of all shapes and sizes, monsters with varying numbers of eyes, varying lengths of teeth and claws, varying degrees of ghoulish-ness and glee. Creating the monsters was an extemporaneous practice for her and undoubtedly a spiritual practice as well. 

I loved Nancy’s monster practice and I loved the monsters. I was honored when she gave me one as a gift. I still have it to this day and keep it on an altar in my home. (I don’t think it’s a great coincidence that it bears some resemblance to a greyhound.) 

When I explored this monster-making practice myself by drawing a daily monster, I found the practice to be akin to making mandalas. The monsters I drew were often a reflection of my state of mind: they cried crocodile tears, got wide-eyed with excitement, burned with flames of rage, and more often than not, were some combination of sleepy, hungry, and in need of a haircut. 

Creating the monsters was a form of cultivating relationships with my monsters, the shadowy parts of myself that I either wanted to indulge or avoid with all my might. Monsters can be that way, right? They like to take up space and make their presence known whether we want them to or not. It feels like a good practice to get to know our monsters, have a daily check-in with them, and then carry on knowing who is accompanying you through your day. 

This Halloween Sunday, the last Sunday of our month of Cultivating Relationships, we will spend our morning together honoring the inherent worth and dignity of our monsters. The service will be interactive, so come ready to meet and greet your monsters in a handful of creative ways. (They say monsters also love it when people wear costumes to church on Halloween Sunday, so feel encouraged to honor your monsters in that way as well.) 

Yours in a monster within who loves fun size Reeses,

Rev. Hillary 

This year's reimagined Maine Farm Supper is a personal pot pie takeaway dinner. Visit https://uuyarmouth.org/maine-farm-suppers/ for more information or to preorder. Preorders are due by November 1st!

Citizens of the Penobscot Nation bring families to Boston to read their ancestors’ death warrant made in 1755 by the colonial government. They step into the colonizer’s hall of injustice, to read their hateful words and tell the truth about what was done to their ancestors. They exercise their power by sharing the horrors of this hard history as an act of resistance, remembrance, and a step toward justice.

Showing includes conversation after the film with Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana and others.

Learn more about the film at bountyfilm.org where you can also sign up to view the film at home. Please note: The documentary film Bounty is for people over 18.

First Universalist will be having a mini fair on Dec. 4. Proceeds will be for the Wabanaki Garden Trust in Brunswick. The Chamber of Commerce will be advertising. We have solicited soups, Joy's jams and some craft items will be sold. If anyone has done crafts that they would like to donate, please let Dorothy McAloney know at dmcaloney48@gmail.com.

First Universalist will be participating in today's Trunk or Treat event, Friday, October 29th, 4 - 6 pm, through Yarmouth Community Services. Stop by to say hello and pick up an official First U sticker and some candy. Costumes encouraged!

Please fill out this online registration form for all children and youth who will be participating in programs at First Universalist. Thank you!

This year, you can view a schedule of children and youth programs in advance and learn about timing of programs, topics/themes, and facilitators each week. Please also see below to view the November RE calendars.

Please note: These plans may be updated as the fall progresses.

This guided interactive experience engages us in a story of particular events in the history of 400-years of colonization of Wabanaki people by Europeans in this territory now called the state of Maine. Explore what it means for current descendants and future generations, and what story we are writing for our grandchildren. For 30 First U members and friends (appropriate for ages 15+), please register with Marge Titcomb (mjtbean@aol.com or 207-272-9345) to receive the Zoom link.

Created by Wabanaki REACH; brought to First U by Faith-in-Action Council

You can help demand "truth in advertising" by supporting this citizen initiative that will prohibit foreign money being spent in Maine elections. Follow this campaign on Facebook to learn more and consider signing up to assist in collecting signatures.

The Maine Council of Churches in partnership with Maine Equal Justice are working to raise awareness about the Child Tax Credit—up to $3,600 per year for each child.

Folks who did not file a 2020 income tax return can still be eligible to receive the remainder of these payments for 2021, and between now and November 15, there’s an easy-to-use portal (works on computer or cell phone) to apply: https://www.getctc.org/en

In order to qualify for the 2022 child tax credit, people do need to file a tax return—even if they wouldn’t file otherwise. Your local chapter of CA$H Maine is a great resource for those who need free help with how to file (https://www.cashmaine.org/ ).

To be eligible, the children do need to have a Social Security number, but the parent or grandparent who is applying does NOT. Receiving the Child Tax Credit does not impact or reduce any other benefits a family may be eligible for, like SNAP or TANF.

The Maine UU State Advocacy Network is seeking a part-time administrative coordinator. You can view the job description for more information and instructions on how to apply.

On Wednesdays from 11 am - 1 pm Rev. Hillary will be holding an outside drop-in space at our church picnic tables. All are welcome to come by and check-in. (Weather permitting.)

Throughout the week, Rev. Hillary will be holding office hours for individual conversations. These conversations can be on Zoom, over the phone, or in-person. Please reach out to Rev. Hillary directly to schedule a conversation, firstuminister@gmail.com. Note that Rev. Hillary is not available to meet on Saturdays and Mondays. See you soon!