WORSHIP
TOUCH THE EARTH, REACH THE SKY
Sunday, December 12, 2021, 10:30 am - online only this week!
Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
Gwen Matthews, Director of Education & Communications
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.
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Dear First U Friends,

Oh my joy - I received so many joys from you all! And I cannot tell you the joy it brought me to read your joys. I felt that many of your joy-lists read like poetry, some even like haikus. Beauty.

As promised, I am sharing our joys here as Part I of Our Collective Litany of Joy. I received so many messages from you good and joyful folks that I’m going to need two weeks worth of Channels (maybe even three!) to post them all! Thanks, joyful people, for giving me the go ahead to write them here. This is some wisdom we all need these days.

I hope you all en-JOY reading these as much as I did.

From Barbara W.
  1. My birthday (December 1st) – a delightful day of tool shopping, then lunch in Portsmouth, then ending with a birthday cupcake from European Bakery.
  2. Because I seldom relax during the day, watching “Escape to the Chateau” in the middle of the day with my two cats brings a feeling of contentment.
  3. Turning raw lumber into a functional item, especially when working with my friend Susan, makes me happy.  

From Marian
  1. The cat in my lap (nice and warm) in front of the woodstove, with my morning newspaper and coffee.
  2. Flannel sheets and comforter in a cool bedroom.
  3. Sinking into a hot bubble bath.
  4. Watching the ducks and geese on the Royal River-- lucky to have that beautiful nature walk right in the middle of town. 
  5. A nice chewy chocolate chip cookie.

From Nancy D.
  1. birds at the bird feeder
  2. anticipating a new grandchild
  3. a cold crisp walk
  4. listening to kind leaders
  5. a jelly donut
  6. watching the Pats win
  7. our unison benediction

From Sarah
  1. Books. I go through cycles of being a reader and then not. Recently I have read two books (The Lincoln Highway and CIRCE) and been just transported, blown away, lifted up. 
  2. Dogs. They are wonderful? I’m also reading On Animals by Susan Orlean, so maybe I’ll be able to articulate WHY I’m so in love with mine, besides the fact that we laugh and play and smooch a lot. 
  3. Christmas Lights. We have a tree on our front lawn that we planted the Christmas after Andy died, all lit up from December to March, and it’s a symbol of so many good things to me. Permission to be very sad, growth throughout the seasons even winter (!), unspoken connections with people I don’t know in my neighborhood…

From Toby
  1. The awe and peace of Winter Solstice and the sense of spring in knowing each subsequent day is a little longer
  2. Looking forward to seeing my children and then, finally getting to be with them
  3. Reminiscing with my brother about our parents and grandparents and the wonderful and funny times we shared
  4. Seeing the sun shining on the winter trees and, when it snows, seeing all of the sparkles

From Joanna
  1. Reunions: My brother, Andy, and my sister-in-law, Suzanne, will be meeting their daughter, Chloe (who lives in Australia), for a week in February, in Hawaii after nearly 3 years apart. I am SO happy for them!
  2. Waking up every day to Greta's wagging tail, cold nose and doggy kisses.
  3. Having a minister who finds joy in Alexia Tater Tots, which I now want to joyfully try!

From Sue S.
  1. Making my dog happy
  2. Feeding the birds
  3. Anything and everything that nature brings

From Dal
  1. Listening to a Samba/ Bossa Nova music in my car, very loud! :)
  2. Nice meal with my family.
  3. Talking to my family once a week that is abroad.
  4. Going for a walk in nature.
  5. Seeing the growth and reclaiming of self in my clients.

Thanks for opening to joy and sharing the joy you find, friends. Here’s to simple joys and the wonder, presence, gratitude they bring.

Yours in going from “oyyyy” to “oh my joy,”
Hillary
FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ICE SKATING SOIREE
December 12, 3 - 4 pm
Come one, come all, to an ice skating soiree at LL Bean's free ice skating rink. There's free skate rentals, free hot cocoa, heated benches, and festive decorations. Spend some time together with your First U friends and enjoy this outdoor activity on Sunday, December 12th from 3:00 - 4:00 pm. Questions? Email Gwen at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com.
INTERESTED IN JOINING A SMALL GROUP?
Small Groups are regularly occurring monthly or bi-monthly meetings of a small number of committed folks from our church who gather to check-in with one another, explore spiritual practices, and ponder theologically enriching questions. Our First U Small Groups are very meaningful to many people in our community and currently we have several openings in our current small groups for new members, as well as opportunities to create new groups.

Please email Rev. Hillary (Firstuminster@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining a group or learning more about Small Groups at First U. All are welcome to join!
UPCOMING CHANNELS DEADLINES
Due to the winter holidays, Channels deadlines will be changed slightly. For the Channels newsletter released on Friday, December 24th and Friday, December 31st, please have all announcements or notices you wish to have included by Tuesday, December 21st at 12:00 pm. Anything received after Tuesday, December 21st at 12:00 pm will be included in the Channels newsletter for January 7, 2022.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION:
ADULT PROGRAMS
ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION OFFERINGS
Our newly formed Adult Religious Exploration Council is up and running and hoping to provide you with opportunities to explore, embrace, and engage.

You can check out the Adult RE webpage for upcoming offerings.

Take the Adult RE Survey to let us know more of what you would like to happen in Adult RE this year and coming years.

Have a workshop or course you would like to offer? Fill out the Adult RE Proposal Form.

Have other questions or ideas? Contact members of the Adult Religious Exploration Council: Cathy McKenna, Anne Turner, Andrew Tonks, Dale Shields, and Director of Education & Communications, Gwen Matthews.
NEW GROWTH FROM OLD ROOTS COURSE
Four Sessions: Week of January 14th - Week of February 6th
Given the busy holiday season, we postponed the book group on pre-orthodox, early Christianity. We have also changed the book to be read. So, to continue the discussion of a non-orthodox look at the life and teachings of Jesus, please join an on-line, four-session reading of Karen King’s The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle. We will meet once a week from about January 14 to February 6 for an hour and a half on a day and time to be negotiated. Please email Andrew at andrewftonks@yahoo.com with your interest.
A CRITICAL EXPLORATION OF
THE THUNDER: PERFECT MIND AND THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Sunday, January 9, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
We will meet in person after church on Sunday January 9, from 12-1:30, to critically examine and creatively respond to excerpts from the earliest canonical gospel, Mark, and an extracanonical Coptic poem, The Thunder: Perfect Mind. Both texts feature powerful speakers who claim intimate access to the divine and speak to the complexities of life under the Greco-Roman empire in the ancient Mediterranean and North Africa. The excerpts we study will help us defamiliarize canonical Mark and open up questions about how both we and ancient people use story, poetry, and collective experience/gathering/experiences in community to question, confront, and negotiate with the powers that be.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION:
CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12th
In lieu of Children's Chapel this Sunday, please join us for the Time for All Ages during the worship service. And then please join us later in the day, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for the Ice Skating Soiree.

In lieu of youth groups this Sunday, please join us for the Ice Skating Soiree from 3:00 - 4:00 pm. More details can be found earlier in Channels.
DECEMBER TAKE HOME ACTIVITY KITS
Pick Up: Sunday, Dec. 19th & Wednesday, Dec. 26th
Take home winter activity kits (plus a few treats!) for children and youth will be available for pick up on Sunday, December 19th after the Solstice Service and Wednesday, December 22nd from 12:00 - 1:00 pm.
UPCOMING PLANS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
REGISTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
Please fill out this online registration form for all children and youth who will be participating in programs at First Universalist. Thank you!
FAITH IN ACTION
POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN MORAL MONDAY MARCH
Join virtually UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray, Dec 13 at noon. In this Holy Season, it is time to raise a prophetic moral voice for a just economic recovery and voting rights. Our UU Contingent at the Moral March will gather with Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray before the march and rally for fellowship, reflection, and a centering prayer circle as we head into the action. Click here to sign up for the event.
COMMUNITY NEWS
VACCINATION CLINIC: COVID, BOOSTERS, AND FLU
Date: Sunday, Dec 19, 2-4pm
Location: Yarmouth High School gym, rear entry off Portland St
Covid-19 vaccinations: Moderna, Pfizer, J&J, including boosters. Flu vaccinations also available.
Ages: For adults and kids 5+
Please note: Vaccinations are by appointment, although if time allows walk-ins will be welcomed. Click to sign up.
FREE WEEKLY COVID TESTING IN YARMOUTH
Need a rapid COVID test? The Yarmouth Community Coronavirus Task Force is conducting FREE rapid testing every Monday morning 8-10am at the Department of Public Works on North Road. It's drive-thru, so you don't even have to get out of your car. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The Task Force is using a new testing system called Carestart, which requires a paper registration form. Please fill in the paperwork beforehand to speed up the process. You can find the link to download the form at bewellyarmouth.org.

If your result is positive you will hear within a couple of hours. If it’s negative then you’ll hear back by the end of the day. The Task Force will provide you with an official state report as a PDF which you can use as evidence of a negative test result.

If you need your result so that you can return to school or work that day they will do their best to get your results to you ASAP. Remember, if you have symptoms you should not be at work or school. Stay home and rest. Once you have a negative test result and your symptoms are improving then you can return to work and school.

Call 603-252-5921 if you need transportation or to be tested at home.

Testing dates are: 12/13, 12/20 and 12/27. 
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Rev. Hillary: On Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 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!

Gwen: Once covid-19 numbers have moved down out of the "very high risk" zone, Gwen will be holding in person office hours from 1 - 3 pm on Wednesdays.
Pastoral Emergencies
If you experience a pastoral emergency please contact Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, who can be reached on her cell phone: 207-740-3753. Please note Rev. Hillary is in the office Tuesday - Friday for non-emergency opportunities to talk.
Submit Your Announcement
To have your announcement included in this e-newsletter please email the information to Gwen Matthews, Director of Education and Communications, at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com by Wednesday at 12 pm.
 First Universalist Church of Yarmouth | 207-846-4148 | office@uuyarmouth.org | www.uuyarmouth.org