WORSHIP
WINTER SOLSTICE SERVICE
Sunday, December 19, 2021, 4:00 pm - in person only this week!
Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
Gwen Matthews, Director of Education & Communications
Mack Jones, Children's Teacher & Youth Facilitator
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Dear First U Friends, 

Our Collective Litany of Joy continues this week - and will conclude next week. You all simply sent me too many joys to fit into just two week’s worth of Channels. This is not a bad thing.

Thank you all for keeping us in the present moment, and the simple joys that often abound when we but pause to notice them.

From Phyllis C.
  1. Chopping vegetables under the bright light on my kitchen counter.
  2. Trying to read "Braiding Sweetgrass" with little-dog Joy stretched out in my lap.
  3. Deep conversations with 3 people brought joy, even when they were about problems.

From Nancy R.
  1. Pampering my feet in NEW leopard print slippers
  2. Making soup on a cold dark day
  3. Watching the sky change at sunrise and sunset
  4. Being absorbed in a good book

From Mary 
  1. Watching clouds
  2. Playing cards with friends
  3. The auto check feature on the NYT crossword puzzle app
  4. The little white lights we string throughout the inside of our house every winter
  5. Waking up each morning next to my wife

From Kelsey 
  1. Writing! I've been able to write often lately and it feels great
  2. Christmas lights!!!!
  3. My new weekly winter farm share - full of squash and cranberries, farmstead cheeses and purple kale, fresh bagels and mixed greens; it forces me to incorporate the bounty into mealtime instead of just throwing together something boring and quick
  4. A pottery ring holder made by my sweet daughter
  5. Music by Esperanza Spalding

From Andrew
  1. My greatest joy is Love: Carla, our children, our grandchildren, the rest of our family, friends and the Ground of All Being, Love.  
  2. Oh, and biscuits from Tandem Bakery.

From Gwen
  1. Four square. Have you played four square recently - or ever? I hadn't in decades until this past Sunday's youth group, and I had forgotten how fun it was. One of the things I love about it is that no one ever really wins or loses; you just cycle in and out of the game in different positions. I think there's a metaphor for life in there somewhere. 
  2. Sharing holiday magic. Getting to experience the holidays with a newly three year old breathes a whole new magic into these winter traditions. I hadn't realized before that these holiday experiences would be even better when you get to be the one to create a lot of the magic for a tiny person. 
  3. Fluffy novels. Since the start of the pandemic, I've been reading a number of fluffy books with guaranteed happy endings. I used to reject this type of book out of hand as not being serious or thoughtful enough, but now I've started to embrace it as a comfortable, soothing, before sleep ritual. Maybe you're like me and sometimes need to be reminded that it's okay to do things just for enjoyment. 

From Brenda
  1. The refreshing, woodsy smell of balsam every time I pass my wreath and press a branch between my fingers.
  2. The joy of Joy's juicy jams -- always a reminder of a dear friend
  3. White lights that seem to float among tree branches 
  4. Listening to Christmas carols though aching to sing them with my choir family
  5. Your big bright smile!

Yours in all these joys and a pause, to stop and notice even more,
Rev. Hillary 
FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Come All Ye Faithful, Quasi-Faithful, and Questioning - Come to one of the First Universalist Church of Yarmouth's many holiday celebrations.

There are virtual and in person offerings, quieter times and more spirited. We hope that however you choose to celebrate these last weeks in December, you'll find a way that's meaningful to you.

Linked above are more details on each event. Links to participate virtually will be provided on our website and in future emails. Merry Festivities!
SEEKING SOME MERRY HELPERS!
We're looking for a few merry helpers for this holiday season. Check out the ways you can contribute below and email Rev. Hillary (firstuminister@gmail.com) if you can help!
  1. Poinsettias to decorate our Sanctuary and make it look festive. Can you purchase a poinsettia or two for the church Sanctuary? Let Rev. Hillary know and then drop them off on Sunday, December 19th between 10 am - 11 am, before or after the Solstice service at 4:00 pm, or on Wednesday, December 22 between 12 - 2 pm.
  2. Cocoa servers and clean up crew for Christmas Eve. Can you help serve hot cocoa on Christmas Eve from 6:30 - 7:00 pm and/or stay to help clean up afterwards? Let Gwen or Rev. Hillary know if you're available. Thank you!
  3. Muffins for Boxing Day. We need a few dozen muffins baked for boxing day breakfast boxes that will be handed out on Sunday, December 26th. Let Rev. Hillary know if you can make some muffins and then drop them off anytime between now and Dec. 26th (we'll freeze them so they stay fresh if you're baking early!).
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
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
FOCUS ON LD 1626 - WHAT IS LD 1626?
 LD 1626 is proposed Maine legislation to recognize Sovereignty for Maine’s Wabanaki Tribes. At its center, LD 1626 is about fairness and equity. It will pass or fail in the legislative session which reconvenes in January. Fail is not an option for UUs who honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

The legislation would place the tribes in Maine on similar and equal footing to the other 570 federally recognized tribes in 49 other states. This bill would restore the inherent right of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to self-govern within their respective territories in accordance with the same federal laws that generally govern tribal lands everywhere else in the United States.

Maine UUs are organizing to support LD 1626. Go to MUUSAN.org to register for the January 8 MUUSAN Network meeting that will focus on tribal sovereignty and feature Rep. Rena Newell (Passamaquoddy representative) as guest speaker.
MUUSAN MEETING
Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network is having their next network meeting on Saturday, January 8th from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm via Zoom. There will be a special focus on the Maine Tribal Sovereignty bill (LD 1626) with guest speaker Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative Rena Newell. Sign up to attend.
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