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 can be found in the "Rev. Hillary is Here!" email that was sent out on Thursday, 8/6.

excerpt from “When Giving Is All We Have” by Alberto Rios

It is good to be here and, despite the distancing rules, good to know that we are close. At last.

I write to you in the early morning hours of my third official day as the minister of First Universalist Yarmouth - my third day as minister of our church. As it goes in the initial days of a job, my mind has been firing on all cylinders as I settle in, get my bearings, and wrap my brain around what parish ministry looks like in this wild, anxious and spirited age. To ground myself in the midst of it all, I’ve been leaning hard on my own spiritual practices - time in nature, time with animals, and time reading. This morning I woke, grabbed a book, and came across the poem “When Giving is All We Have” by Alberto Rios. I was struck to see it, as the poem served as my reading during my pre-candidating service with the Search Team way back in February.

I remember I chose it because, despite being written in the past tense, the poem, especially the lines I excerpted above, felt like a prayer. An intention setting prayer. Returning unexpectedly to Rios’ lines this morning, this prayer feels even more compelling. I read it as a hope, a blessing, and a resolution as we begin this shared ministry - of giving and receiving, creating and upending - together.

So, on the topic of togetherness, what is at the forefront of my mind right now is the necessity of meeting and knowing you - and there are numerous ways this can happen!

Ok, here we are. The beginning. How wild, how wonderful. What greatness will we make?

Let’s see.

Yours in blues, yellows, and simple green,

Rev. Hillary

On Wednesdays from 10am-12pm and Fridays from 3pm-5pm I am holding “office hours” through the end of the month. During these hours, you can schedule a 30 minute time to meet with me in person (masked, outside) or over Zoom/phone. Just email me at YarmouthMinister@gmail.com to schedule a time. If these times don’t work, let me know and we’ll figure an alternate plan.

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

While we're still making plans, we want to hear your needs and your input. What do you or your family need for spiritual nourishment, exploration, and growth this Fall? What would fill up your cup rather than drain your tank? Please fill out this four-question survey to help us better understand what you need.

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:

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.

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.

Our next first Tuesday to volunteer at Preble Street is September 1 with NEW TIMES: 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Help to feed some of Maine's most vulnerable people who continue to rely on Preble Street for food and other resources. Contact Ruth White (rwhite7@maine.rr.com) with any questions or if you would like to sign up. Thank you!

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 YarmouthMinister@gmail.com. Thank you!