WORSHIP
beach-fence-grass.jpg
VESPERS SERVICES
Sundays, 7 - 8 pm, over Zoom
Led by Rev. Hillary, this will be a spiritually nourishing time of quiet, centering, and prayer. It will be followed by a time for fellowship. All are welcome to join! A link to participate will be sent out on Sunday morning.
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
“On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
Praise song for walking forward in that light”
Elizabeth Alexander, excerpt from “Praise Song for the Day”

Dear All,

When a minister begins serving a church it is advised that she (or he or they) pay attention to their new congregation’s “process of welcoming.” This process includes the ways and means that large ingathering events occur and how a church starts-up a new year. For me, though, paying attention to a congregation’s welcome means paying attention to the little things: responsiveness, punctuality, story sharing, recommendation sharing, offering help, willingly participating, expressing curiosity, accepting thanks, giving thanks.

Ministers are advised to pay attention to their welcome not only because it demonstrates how a congregation has come to relate to their minister, but more importantly, this welcome demonstrates the way a church welcomes a newcomer!

First U, I want you to know that as of day 12 of my ministry, I feel very welcome here. From the flowers and baked goods (that meet all my weird allergen needs!), to the willing renovators of my office, to the bright, active participants in council retreats, to recommendations for dog walks and dentists, to conversations and messages that have made me laugh, tear up, and just pause and be grateful. I’ve been pausing to be grateful a lot for you all, for this beautiful freshly painted place, and for this ministry.

So, it seems like your welcoming skills are pretty darn strong!

Thank you for the warm welcome. (And speaking of warm, I can’t believe some of you are baking in this heat.) Onward.

Yours in brown-eyed susans and gluten free blueberry muffins,
Rev. Hillary
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
REV. HILLARY'S OFFICE HOURS
On Wednesdays from 10 am-12 pm and Fridays from 3 pm-5 pm Rev. Hillary is holding “office hours” through the end of the month. During these hours, you can schedule a 30 minute time to meet with her in person (masked, outside) or over Zoom/phone. Just email her at FirstUMinister@gmail.com to schedule a time. If these times don’t work, let Rev. Hillary know and you can figure an alternate plan.
WHO ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE? YOU/US!
Remember my call for photos last spring? Here is the promised product: the Faith in Action bulletin board has been updated. We may not be going inside First U much these days, but when people do visit they can see that we are still active!

Posted is information about ongoing activities including: volunteering at Preble St. Resource Center, Small Group Ministries, religious education, legislative issues, book groups, partner church projects, and UUA activities. -- Mariana Tupper
PEACE & JUSTICE WORK
GRATITUDE FROM GRACE STREET MINISTRY
"Thank you so much for your kind and generous donation. Although the
corona virus has largely failed to sicken the homeless, it has
none-the-less upended services, closed bathrooms and soup kitchens, and
left a swath of folks essentially out on their own. Through it all, the
Pastors of GSM have continued to be out with the homeless, wherever they
land. Thanks for helping to make that possible." -- Pastor Jeff, Executive Director
SUPPORT OUR UN-HOUSED NEIGHBORS IN PORTLAND
For decades, First U has supported our unhoused neighbors by volunteering and supporting Preble Street Resource Center. Due to many challenges, our unhoused neighbors are having an extra difficult summer due to the pandemic and they are voicing their concerns by camping out at City Hall. This encampment is organized by unhoused youth and it is important that we show up as housed allies.

Please visit the Maine People's Housing Coalition for more information on how to donate or learn about their demands.

You can also donate supplies at City Hall. Just wear a mask and bring them right to the supply tent and volunteers will help you. The most needed items are currently:
  • Small bottles of hand sanitizer 
  • Hygiene items: shaving cream/razors, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc. 
  • Summer clothing (no children's clothing at this time) 
  • Duct tape 
  • Notebooks/pens/pencils/art supplies (this is actually a popular ask) 
  • Boxers & underwear 

Questions? Contact Lily O'Brien Gilbert at 207-415-7609 or lily.c.obrien@gmail.com.
Of almost 20 million college and university students across the country, more than a quarter were unregistered in 2016 and only half voted. Let’s do something to change that picture on November 3, 2020!

Ask the president of your (or your kids’) college or university to join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a nationwide effort to get college students registered and engaged by enlisting the support of their schools and specifically targeting the presidents of those institutions. All it requires from you is a letter (we have several samples you can use) asking the college or university president to get involved personally and have the school join the 600-plus schools already participating  or, if the school is already on that list but the president has not yet joined over 180 leaders pledging personal support, asking him or her to do so. For sample letters or more information, contact janemakela@gmail.com.
LOBSTER BAKE TO BENEFIT YCHI & NEW MAINERS
St. Bart's, one of our partners in the Yarmouth Community Housing Initiative (YCHI), presents LOBSTER DINNERS TO GO!! Lobster, potato/corn salad, biscuit, and blueberry buckle all wrapped up in a basket. Saturday, August 22nd. Curb-side pick-up. $25 per dinner. All proceeds to benefit YCHI and New Mainers. To reserve your lobster dinner, please email: stbartslobsterdinner@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
LOOKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Rev. Hillary and her family, Alexis and Smokey Jo, are happily settling into their life in Maine, but need your help! They are seeking recommendations for a veterinarian, chiropractor, dentist, and a mechanic. They also gladly welcome any guidance regarding the best place to take Smokey on a walk, get some good take-out, or have some covid-safe fun in southern and midcoast Maine.

You can email Rev. Hillary with any and all recommendations at FirstUMinister@gmail.com. Thank you!
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE
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.
Submit Your Announcement
To have your announcement included in this newsletter please email the information to Gwen Matthews at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com by Wednesday at 12 pm.
 First Universalist Church of Yarmouth | 207-846-4148 | office@uuyarmouth.org | www.uuyarmouth.org