BLESSING OF GRATITUDE, CELEBRATION, AND SUPPORT
Today, we're thankful for you and what you bring to our church.
Your spirit, talents, generosity, imagination, and dedication reaffirm our fellowship and create our Beloved Community. Our heartfelt thanks to you on this day and for all days to come.
For those who embrace Thanksgiving as a day to honor the gifts of family, friendship, abundance, security, we celebrate with you and join our voices to hold aloft all sacred blessings.
For those who hold Thanksgiving as a day of sadness, who mourn for the hurt and loss of native peoples, who are lonely, who grieve the loss of those dear and beloved, we hold your heartache and sorrow so you do not have to carry the burden alone.
Blessings be upon you.
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THE HOLIDAY FAIR IS JUST
ONE
WEEK AWAY!
Is there something you could contribute to the silent auction?
The deadline to submit your contribution is this Sunday, December 1. Bright green forms will be available at the church to submit your idea, talent, or treasure to be part of the silent auction or you can email the Holiday Fair team.
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YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE HOLIDAY FAIR
We are especially seeking baked good items to sell as treats at the holiday fair. Sign up in the Gathering Room to bring baked goods or donate crafts, handmade jewelry, birch logs, volunteer time, holly, soup, bread, etc.
Let us know what you would like to do to contribute to the Holiday Fair.
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INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS TO THE FAIR!
There will be crafts and gifts available for purchase, a delicious soup lunch, gingerbread house making for children, a silent auction, a second time around shop, and more!
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FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U
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MEET & GREET COOKIES: THIS SUNDAY
We welcome you to First Universalist every Sunday, and on the first Sunday of the month (this coming Sunday!) we would love to have any newcomers (or those who still feel new, or have any questions) join us for cookies in the Kitty Corner right after the Worship service. The Kitty Corner is right at the bottom of the stairs. We’ll be there just a while for a friendly hello. No other agenda and not a formal meeting of any kind! Please stop by! Happily hosted by Congregation Connections.
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YOGA IN THE SANCTUARY
Yoga class continues this Saturday, November 30 from 10:00 - 11:15 AM in the Sanctuary. No class next Saturday December 7, because of the Holiday Fair. Any questions contact Lois Howlett, at
loishowlett2@gmail.com or tel 847-3055.
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PROGRAM SCHEDULES FOR THIS SUNDAY, 12/1
10:15 am -
Junior Youth Group (Common Room)
10:30 am -
Nursery Care (Nursery)
10:30 am -
Children's Chapel (begin in Sanctuary)
1:00 pm -
7th - 9th grade OWL (Common Room)
4:00 pm -
Senior Youth Group (Gathering Room)
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CHILDREN'S CHAPEL: DECEMBER UPDATES
In the beginning of December, we will continue to learn about racism and prejudice through the lens of our second principle,
“We believe all people should be treated fairly and kindly.” Later this month, our focus will be on the winter holidays and three multi-generational services. For more information and ideas for things to talk about or try at home, check out Taking It Home for December.
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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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PREBLE STREET SOUP KITCHEN: December 3, 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Adults and youth ages 14+ can volunteer to help prep and serve dinner at Preble Street Soup Kitchen in Portland while working alongside their fellow UUs. Your help is needed and appreciated to serve folks in need of a hot meal. Help us to fulfill our first Tuesday commitment and feel good about helping to feed hungry people. Sign up in advance at the church or contact Phyllis Chinlund at
pchinlund@gmail.com.
AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST: December 3, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
People of all ages are invited to take part in justice-making activities. Programming, games, and dinner will all be provided. Children (ages 5+), youth, and adults can all participate by themselves - or families are welcome to attend together.
This month, our activities include making crafts to be sold at the Holiday Fair, writing letters to be sent to troops who are stationed away from home during the holidays, and finger-knitting scarves for folks in need at Preble Street, and collecting donations for Preble Street. No pre-registration is required, but we ask for parents to provide registration information for any children who are dropped off and not previously registered. Come for all or any part of the afternoon/evening!
Our schedule of events:
3 pm: Games and Covenant
4 pm: Activity Stations
5 pm: Dinner
6 pm: Activity Stations
6:30 pm: Free Play
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OUR HALF-PLATE
Each Sunday, we donate half of our collection plate directly to projects and organizations that live and promote our shared values. Embracing our 5th UU principle, we covenant to use the democratic process in our congregation and society at large. The recipient of our half-plate this Sunday, the
Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (or MUUSAN) helps us do just that. Connecting Maine’s 25 UU congregations to amplify our influence in social justice policy in Maine, MUUSAN focuses on four areas to: strengthen our democracy; achieve healthcare for all; slow the effects of climate change; and advocate on behalf of racial, native and immigrant populations. Please give generously to support the work of this important collaboration.
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THIRD ANNUAL DAY OF HOPE IN YARMOUTH, Dec. 7
The Day of Hope is a TED-style conference featuring Maine leaders speaking about where they find hope and how they use hope to make a positive impact. This is a community event created entirely by Yarmouth High School students. Saturday, December 7, from 11am to 1:30pm at the Yarmouth Performing Arts Center (YPAC). Learn more at
Day of Hope.
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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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