SEARCH COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION - IN TWO WAYS!
Please
click on this link and fill out the
Congregational Survey.
This must be completed by September 22nd in order for us to create a comprehensive picture of our church for the candidates who may be considering us. We really need to hear from all of you about who you are and what your hopes are for First U. Paper copies of the Survey will be available at church for those who prefer. Please contact Anne Turner with any questions at
annelewisturner@gmail.com.
Starting this week, there will be sign-ups for the
Search Circles, small follow-up discussion groups where we will listen more closely to whatever ideas have come up for you as you complete the Survey. We have scheduled six times for these groups; more will be added as these fill. Please consider which times work for you, and sign up as soon as you can. There will be four consecutive Sundays (10/6 and 10/13 before church, and 10/20 and 10/27 after church), and a Wednesday morning (10/9), a Tuesday evening (10/15), and a Wednesday evening (10/23). These listening circles should take a bit more than an hour, and provide us with a deeper look at the issues we care most about.
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DEVELOPING COMPASSION
THEME: JOURNEY
Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 10:30 am
Rev. Frieda Gillespie, Interim Minister
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FROM THE WORSHIP COUNCIL
Welcome to the start of another Church year. We are entering into our second year of Interim Ministry with Frieda Gillespie continuing with us, grateful for this time to explore our way forward. After a day and a half retreat, we have decided to experiment a bit with the order of worship over the next several months, hoping it will make us all more aware of our words and silences. We are looking for ways to deepen our worship experiences and our connections with each other. As you are greeted by changes in parts of the service, we hope that you will welcome this opportunity to explore and grow! At the same time, PLEASE feel free to give feedback to the Worship Council members during coffee hour or by email. -- Anne Turner (
annielew@maine.rr.com) Joy Ahrens (
jahrens1@maine.rr.com) Brenda McKee (
bjymckee@gmail.com) Cheryl McGilvery (
nitna@maine.rr.com) Lily O’Brien (
lily.c.obrien@gmail.com)
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THIS WEEK IN FAITH EXPLORATION
Junior Youth Group on Sunday, 9/15 at 10:5 am (Common Room)
Children's Chapel on Sunday, 9/15 at 10:30 am (begin in the Sanctuary)
Nursery Care on Sunday, 9/15 at 10:30 am (in the Nursery)
Senior Youth Group on Sunday, 9/15 at 4:00 pm (Gathering Room)
UU Conversations on Monday, 9/16 at 6:00 pm (Gathering Room)
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UU CONVERSATIONS
Monday, September 16, 6 - 7 pm in the Gathering Room
UU Conversations returns on
the first and third Mondays of each month from 6 pm - 7 pm. Join Rev. Frieda as she facilitates a deeper dive into our
UU principles. This coming Monday, will focus on the fifth UU principle: "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large." Please contact the church office if you need childcare.
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NEW! IN CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
We have some exciting new programs happening this Fall that we'd like to share with you:
- In the Nursery, beginning later this Fall, we will have books, coloring pages, and activities relating to our UU principles. Little ones visiting the nursery will have the opportunity to play and learn.
- In Children's Chapel (K - 4th grade), we will be going on a Faithful Journey, learning how Unitarian Universalism translates into every day actions and life choices. On this faithful journey, we will be learning about the Seven UU Principles.
- In Junior Youth Group (5th - 8th grade), we will be focusing on community building, small group faith exploration, and faith-in-action.
- In Senior Youth Group (9th - 12th grade), we will be partnering with other local yoUUth!
- First Tuesdays of the month will be open to families from 3 pm - 7 pm with faith-in-action activities for people of all ages. Parents will have the option of going to serve dinner at Preble Street Soup Kitchen while their children engage in faith-in-action programming, play games, and eat dinner.
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REGISTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS ONLINE
This year, there is the option to
register online for children and youth programs! There will also be paper copies available at the church. Please register your children soon to participate in church programs.
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SEEKING HOMESTAYS: OCT. 4 - 6
Do you live within 10-15 minute drive from the church and have a comfortable guest room or spare room and access to a bathroom that will be free for the weekend of October 4 - October 6? We're seeking a few spaces for homestays for fellow UUs who are attending our OWL facilitator training here in Yarmouth. We would ask for you to limit the charge to $50 per night. Please contact Gwen Matthews at
gwenatfirstu@gmail.com to discuss!
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FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY
Do you have an artistic eye or a love for bringing the outside inside? Do you appreciate the flowers, greens, and other decorative elements in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings? Be part of the small team that freshens up and beautifies the Sanctuary. There is a minimal time commitment with lovely results. Contact Jeanette Newton at
medfordjen@maine.rr.com.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO THE HOLIDAY FAIR
The Holiday Fair team is starting to look ahead and invite you to collaborate! In particular, they're searching for:
- Handmade crafts, jewelry, knitting, or any other creative ideas to be sold at the fair
- A volunteer to assist with advertising the Holiday Fair (this can be done from home!)
- Greenery, holly, pine - don't trim your holiday greens just yet, save them to donate to the fair
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TRANSITION TEAM NEWS: LISTENING CIRCLES
Rev. Frieda and your Transition Team will be hosting two Listening Circles (formerly known as Healing Circles) coming up this Fall.
Please note the name change does not signify a shift away from healing. We simply want to broaden our scope going forward in the interest of honest and open communication. Any and all are welcome to come and share past or present hurts or concerns. You are also welcome if you simply want to listen and understand your fellow First Uers better.
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YOGA CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY
Saturdays, 10:00 - 11:15 am, in the Sanctuary
This is a multi-level yoga class. You can modify or stop at any time. Newcomers welcome. Ten dollars donation suggested per class. Half the funds go to a charity agreed with the class and half to the Church. Any questions contact the instructor, Lois Howlett, at
loishowlett2@gmail.com or tel 847-3055.
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CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP? NOW IS THE TIME!
You can
join as a member of First Universalist and vote on our ministerial candidate in June! Your vote and your voice will help determine who becomes our called, settled minister.
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PREBLE STREET RESOURCE CENTER
Coming Up: Tuesday, October 1 & Tuesday, November 5, 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Let's recommit our church to be part of our partnership with the Preble Street Resource Center in Portland. The start of a new church year is a good time to remember the folks at Preble Street where up to 400 people are served three meals per day every day of the year. Our church has been sending volunteers to help for nearly eight years!
New volunteers will be gladly welcomed. We are committed to filling at least six slots (of prepping, serving dinner, and/or cleaning up) on the first Tuesday of every month. This is not only a chance to be of service but to do something for ourselves as well. Joining together, we have a chance to make new friends and deepen our commitment to UU values. To volunteer, sign up on the list in the Gathering Room downstairs at church or contact Phyllis Chinlund at
pchinlund@gmail.com.
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FAITH-IN-ACTION FIRST TUESDAYS
Coming Up: First Tuesdays this Fall, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Starting this Fall, First Tuesdays of the month will be about Faith-In-Action!
From 3—7 pm, the church will have justice-making activities* for people of all ages. Faith-in-action programming, games, and dinner will all be provided. Children and youth, ages 5+ can participate by themselves—or whole families can attend. Come for all or part of the afternoon and evening! Parents, caregivers, adults, and teens over age 14 will also have the opportunity to sign up to prepare and serve dinner at Preble Street Soup Kitchen in Portland (from 3:30—6:30 pm) and could carpool from the church.
*Activities like making move-in kits for New Mainer families, putting
together art supply kits for homeless kids and teens, writing
encouraging letters to those on the frontlines of justice, and crafting toys and treats for animals at shelters.
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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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