We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.
|
|
October 13, 2018
10:00 am
Belonging
Rev. Christina Sillari
|
|
Upcoming Worship Services
|
|
Oct. 20 |10am
Connections
Laurie Hasty
|
|
Oct. 27 |10am
Call Waiting?
Rev. Barnaby Feder
|
|
Nov. 3 |10am
The Gospel According to Quiltee
Rev. Barnaby Feder
|
|
RE Announcements
Children will be sung out to their RE Classes on 10/13
Childcare for babies & toddlers is available in the
Nursery
every Sunday from 9:45-11:15am.
We ask that all families regularly participating in Nursery Care, RE Classes, and Youth Group fill out the
2019-20 Registration Forms
. Forms will be made available at the RE table during Coffee Hour.
Youth Group Halloween Party
October 27
| 6-7:30pm | | Youth Room
Grade 9-12 Youth Group- please plan on attending this fun event!
|
|
Join the Youth Choir!
11:15-11:45am
in the K-1 Classroom (upstairs)
Our Youth Choir is lucky enough to led by Scott Wheatley-- a professional musician with an exceptional ability to connect with his audience! Assistant director, Arne Gronningsater, will help Scott to channel raucous enthusiasm into beautiful music. Any young person is welcome to join. Our first song will be “Happiness Is” from Charlie Brown. FMI:
arne.gronningsater@gmail.com
.
|
|
The Poor People’s Campaign:
We Must Do
MORE
Tour
Over 400 people marched down Congress Street and filled the pews at First Parish on Thursday night in support of the PPC's
We Must do MORE Tour. Rev's Barber & Theoharis inspired the crowd with their call to action on behalf of poor people throughout the country. For more photos, videos, & reflections on the event, watch a great summary of the event
HERE, read the
Portland Press Herald article, and visit our
Facebook &
Instagram pages!
Read more about the PPC's
Moral Agenda
and call all people of conscience to engage in deeply moral civic engagement and voting that cares about poor & low-wealth people, the sick, immigrants, workers, the environment, people with disabilities, first nations, the LGBTQ community, & peace over war. FMI:
https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/.
Many thanks to all the Ushers and other volunteers who helped make this evening such a success!
|
|
Coffee Hour Snacks
Snacks for the coffee hour after the worship service are much appreciated by all! Please
SIGN UP
(or just bring a snack on Sunday) to bring a plate of cookies, crackers and cheese, or vegetables. Food should be brought into the church kitchen by 9:45am on Sunday morning before the service. Thank you!
|
|
"Why We Build the Wall"
There have been some questions about the song the choir sang this past Sunday so here's some background information. It was written by Anais Mitchell and is part of the score from the musical "Hadestown". This work premiered in 2006 in Barre VT as a DIY theater outreach. After a long period of development, it premiered this spring on Broadway to critical acclaim and won 8 Tony's, including Best Musical.
|
|
Security at First Parish
We are continuing our work to maintain our Sunday morning worship as a warm, welcoming, and
safe
experience for all. The Parish House doors will be locked between 10:15-11am. The Meeting House doors will remain open during service. Our security guard is able to contact Moe for access to the building up the ramp, if it is needed during this time. Thank you for your patience as we work towards making Sundays at First Parish a safe and secure experience for everyone.
|
|
Come join the fun…
Dinner for 2 ANYWHERE in the World-
Fall Fund Raiser Raffle!
October 6 - December 22
The raffle winner wins dinner for 2 at the restaurant of their choice anywhere (yes, anywhere) in the world! Read all about it by through the link in this week’s eNews! The Grand Prize includes:
- AIRFARE for 2 to any major international airport
- DINNER for 2 (excluding alcoholic beverages)
- HOTEL Accommodations for 2 nights*
- TOTAL PACKAGE VALUE IS NOT TO EXCEED $5,000
|
|
Celebration of Life for Nancy Burns
October 13 | 2pm | Meeting House
Nancy Burns
died peacefully in her home on September 26. Nancy
was a long time member of First Parish, and
spent many decades as our Treasurer.
There will be a reception in the Parish Hall following the service.
|
|
Herb Moulton
Herb Moulton left us on September 12, 2019. He loved First Parish and all of his friends here. Herb painted the church shutters, built the cedar closets for the Pageant costumes, chose the red color and painted the meetinghouse front doors, tended the garden with Eleanor Merrill and Roy Wilson. His wife of almost 60 years, MaryLou, and his three children - Bob, Pamela, and Thomas – would like you to remember Herb by taking some time for the people you loveand go for a walk with them.
|
|
Interfaith Climate
Film Series:
From Paris to Pittsburgh
October 13 | St. Luke’s |
143 State St.
Tomorrow
October 20 | St. Ansgar |
515 Woodford St
The Cathedral of St. Luke, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church and the State Street Church are hosting an interfaith climate film series: From Paris to Pittsburgh on October 13 at St. Luke’s and Tomorrow on October 20 at St. Ansgar. Following From Paris to Pittsburgh, Troy Moon, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Portland will speak about One Climate Future, a collaboration between the cities of Portland and South Portland. Following Tomorrow we will have a community conversation on what our various faith traditions have to say about care for our environment. FMI please contact Sarah Braik at
sbraik642@gmail.com
.
|
|
Make Shift Coffee House:
What is Freedom?
Oct 15 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Patriot Insurance
701 Rte. 1, Yarmouth
Facilitator Craig Freshley will coordinate a conversation about the meaning of freedom and help us learn from that conversation. Make Shift Coffee House’s seeks to provide practical tips and tools to use in discussions – not debates – across different points of view. To learn more visit,
https://makeshiftcoffeehouse.com/
. Attendance is free.
|
|
What’s Next After the Climate Strike?:
Webinar on 10/16
From the UU Global Climate Strike Organizing Team:
The sheer power of the people resisting at this moment is breathtaking. Millions mobilized around the world answering the call to demand that our governments address the climate emergency.
UUs came out in the thousands across the country
. Our movement is energized! We’re grateful to the youth who are leading this movement around the world and we’re dedicated to continuing to follow their leads and remain committed to fighting for their future now. THANK YOU. And as we celebrate what we have acheived, we know we have the capacity for more and we are preparing. Register now for the
What's Next? webinar planned for 10/16
.
|
|
Opportunity Fair
October 20 | 11am-12pm | Parish Hall
Meet representatives from a variety of teams to learn about all of the activities that our church offers and the opportunities to get involved in the life of First Parish. FMI: Laurie
Hasty
membership@firstparishportland.org.
|
|
Interested in Becoming a Member of First Parish?
Please join us for the next classe leading up to the
New Member Ceremony on November 24th:
Path to Membership Class
October 20 | 11:30am – 1:30pm | Community Room
Join Jason Shedlock, President of the Governing Board, to explore membership at First Parish. We will look at the benefits and responsibilities of membership, opportunities for spiritual development as well as community connections.
|
|
Religious Exploration
Volunteer Workshop
11:15am-12:45pm
10/20- Youth Room
11/3- Community Room
11/17-Youth Room
If you would like to learn how to support the RE Program by volunteering in the classroom please attend. Pre-registration is not required.
If you have any questions about whether this workshop is right for you please email Toben:
dre@firstparishportland.org
.
|
|
"To Make the Angels Weep":
The Fight to Make the Maine Constitution
(1819-2019)
October 21 | 7pm | Meeting House
A Bicentennial look at the surprising backstory of the struggle to make the Maine Constitution in October, 1819, held in the hall of the First Parish "Old Jerusalem" -- slavery, freedoms, and the rights of man argued out anew. Followed by a panel discussion with Herb Adams, Marshall Tinkle, Donald Soctomah, Anne Gass, and Mary Bonauto . With audience Q & A.
|
|
Minister Exchange
October 21 - November 11
Reverend Christina Sillari will be exchanging pulpits with Rev. Barnaby Feder (see below) from the Champlain Valley UU Society in Middlebury, Vermont for three weeks from October 21st to November 11th. Rev. Barnaby and Rev. Christina will be leading worship, attending meetings and community gatherings, and be available for pastoral care in each other's congregations. They hope their exchange is a learning opportunity for themselves as ministers and for both their congregations.
|
|
Rev. Barnaby Feder
Rev. Barnaby Feder is a native of San Mateo, Calif., where he grew up in a UU. He graduated from Williams College in 1972, and went to the Univ. of California at Berkeley School of Law. After graduating in 1977 with his law degree, he returned to journalism as a free-lancer in Scandinavia. From 1980 to 2008 for the New York Times as a business and technology reporter in New York, London, and Chicago. He entered Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ, in 2008, served his internship at the Morristown (NJ) Unitarian Fellowship and the UU Fellowship of the Poconos in Stroudsburg, Pa. before being called to the Champlain Valley UU Society in 2012. He has been married to Michele Lowy for 32 years.
Welcome Luncheon for
Rev. Barnaby & Michele Lowy
October 27 | 12-1pm | Community Room
Join us for a potluck luncheon to welcome our visiting minister and his wife. Please bring food to share (about 6-8 servings -main dish, sandwiches, soup, side dish, salad, vegetables, dessert). Beverages will be supplied by the Membership Team.
|
|
THE HUNGARIANS ARE COMING!
October 28 | 7:30-8:30pm | Meeting House
The Romanian Wild Rose Dance Troupe is coming to First Parish on Monday, October 28. The dancers and musicians rehearse at and are supported by the Unitarian Church in Szekelykeresztur, Transylvania. They are lively, colorful and great fun! Join us in welcoming them to America, and our UU church! Suggested donation $10 at the door to help cover their travel expenses.
FMI:
laurie@maine.rr.com, or watch this
VIDEO.
|
|
Memorial Garden Fall Clean-Up!
November 9 | 10am | First Parish Gardens
A great way to participate in community and steward our gem in the heart of the city. Bring garden gloves, rakes, shears or just come for the Tony’s donuts… The FP Garden Committee will meet at 9am inside briefly before we rake; if you’d like to consider joining the committee, you are welcome to attend the meeting beforehand. FMI: contact Linda Shary at lindashary3@gmail.com.
|
|
A Church for Every
Body
The Campaign for First Parish in Portland
First Parish has embarked on
A Church for Every
Body
Campaign
, a project that will make our space accessible to everybody. To meet this need, we have set a goal of $1.2 million. To date, we have raised over $820,500! Our thanks go out to all of those who have supported such a successful endeavor. We have more to do though, as we have yet to receive a decision from EVERYONE at First Parish.
Volunteers led by Reverend Christina are working to reach out to as many parishioners as possible by the end of November. Every family is invited to participate in this historic campaign. Please consider your support with an open heart and a wish for our success as we continue.
|
|
Instrumentalists Come Forth
!
If you are a “mature” instrumentalist looking to polish old skills or a “younger” player interested in more experience, the choir invites you to join us. Occasionally songs are enhanced with something more than the piano and our fledgling Folk Group would love to add a bass, mandolin or fiddle. If interested; please send your name, the type of instrument, and your contact information to
brendafraney6@gmail.com
.
We look forward to making beautiful music together!
|
|
New
Bulletin Board
for the Parish Hall
Many thanks to John Schaberg (overall guidance), John Tiedje (design work), the Trustees (funding), and Chris Beasley & Moe Blanchard (installation) for our beautiful new
MAGNETIC bulletin board! The magnets for holding posters will arrive next week. Please only use MAGNETS on our new board... no tape!
|
|
Library News
Thanks for making the Library book sale a success. Let us know if you have suggestions for new books. We have several new books which will be available to take out in October:
Becoming
by Michelle Obama,
Dream Big Dreams
by Pete Souza, and
Obama- an Intimate Portrait
by Pete Souza. Thank you to our anonymous donor! Check out the
Library e-Catalogue
!
|
|
Breathing and Meditation Class
Wednesdays | 8-9am
in the
Meeting 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.
|
|
Get Involved with
UU Go!
Join this informal group of folks
getting together for activities like walks, movies, lectures, dinner, bowling, etc. No meetings! Anyone can suggest an activity. Says member Val Blais, "
Even though I can't always go to the events, I love having the opportunity."
To join, email Patty Renaud at
prenaud301@gmail.com
.
|
|
Black Lives UU presents:
Harper-Jordan
Memorial Symposium
October 30- November 2 | St. Paul , MN
The Harper-Jordan Memorial Symposium responds to a longing on the part of many Black Unitarian Universalists to more fully understand how to live out a Unitarian Universalism that centers our Blackness. At this four-day gathering, we will break bread together, learn about and engage a Black Unitarian Universalism, spiritually connect, build community, have fun, and unapologetically proclaim a Black UU theology! For the first time, BLUU is hosting a gathering that is open to all. We know that a Black UU theology doesn’t just benefit Black people - just as our history isn’t isolated in its impact and relevance, the ways in which we think about and live out our faith are useful to anyone committed to lives of spiritual resonance and justice making. Register, book accommodations, and check out the schedule at
https://www.blacklivesuu.com/about
.
|
|
Volunteer
SIGN UP's
Updated for 2019-20!
There are so many ways to get involved at First Parish:
- Usher/Greeter
- Community Dinner
- Building Tours and more!
|
|
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101 207-773-5747
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community
and Help Heal the World
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
