WORSHIP THEME: LIGHT
Unafraid of the Dark
Sunday, December 29, 2019, at 4:00 pm
Rev. Dr. Kristen L. Harper, Guest Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
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find your ______ at first u
THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN: KICK-OFF CELEBRATION EVENT
Saturday January 4th, 5:30 - 7 pm
All members and friends are warmly invited to come to First Universalist to launch our Annual Campaign. (Yes, it’s earlier this year!) We’re having an informal wine and cheese party with an array of finger-foods and beverage options. Enjoy a bit of humor as only our own Nancy Dix can deliver!
The Board and Stewardship Committee are organizing this early campaign to be fully confident in our ability to make a compelling offer to minister candidates considering us in the coming months. let’s talk about our commitment to the world of justice and hope we are building together.
Find (and express) your faith.
Children are welcome too - there will be kid-friendly mac & cheese available among the food/beverage offerings.
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way.
On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”― Arundhati Roy
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CLAM DROP DROPPED: STEAMER ON HOLIDAY
This year, Steamer is enjoying a well deserved tropical vacation and has had to drop being dropped meaning First U's New Year's Eve Clam Drop won't be held this year. Bon voyage, Steamer!
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TRANSITION TEAM NEWS
Rev. Frieda and your Transition Team are inviting everyone to a LISTENING CIRCLE on Jan. 12 at 12:30 PM. We changed the name from Healing Circles to signify our openness to expanding the conversation. Listening Circles are facilitated, confidential meetings for the purpose of keeping our conversation open and honest. You are welcome if you are happy or unhappy about congregational life or have questions about anything here at First Universalist. Come if you have something to say or if you just want to listen. We really are open to all.
We will provide a light lunch so after the holidays we will put out a sign up sheet where you may also indicate your need for child care.
We also will be presenting a workshop from 9-11 AM on Feb. 8. This will be a hands on visioning project - a fun exercise to help us imagine the ways that First U might be in the world in the future.
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UU PATHWAY TO MEMBERSHIP
If membership calls to you, or you have questions about this faith and our community, you are warmly welcomed to attend the following events. Of course you always have the option of exploring and discussing your spiritual journey with Rev. Frieda, solo style. May a way be found, and the courage to take it step by step!
What is First Universalist Church? on
January 20,
6:30 -9:00 pm
We will share our own stories. What brings us together here? Why become a member? (Besides being able to vote when we have a new ministerial candidate?!) How do we belong and how does First Universalist belong to us? Childcare provided. Hosted by the Board of Trustees and Congregation Connections.
Membership Celebration Sunday on
Sunday, Feb. 2, 10 - 10:30 am
Come at 10 am for coffee, treats and book signing before worship. Worship service that morning includes words of welcome and commitment, spoken in unison by congregation and new members. We welcome, celebrate and thank you!
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CHILDREN'S CHAPEL & YOUTH GROUPS ON WINTER BREAK
Sunday, Dec. 29: This will be a multi-generational service. There will be no Children's Chapel or Youth Groups this Sunday, due to the winter break. The Nursery will be open and staffed from 10:30 - 11:30 am.
Sunday, Jan 5: Children's Chapel and Youth Groups all return in the new year!
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A COVENANT FOR RE PROGRAMS AT FIRST U
To create a healthy and thriving partnership and community, Unitarian Universalists develop covenants, or promises, to one another about how we will behave together. Contained in the attached letter is our religious exploration program covenant.
We ask that you share this covenant with your family and commit to these shared values and promises of how we will treat one another.
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PARENT GUEST VOLUNTEERS ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
Curious about Children's Chapel or Junior Youth Group? Want to get a better sense of what's happening downstairs during the service? Now you can
sign up for a Sunday to visit with and help out in Children's Chapel (K-4th grade) or Junior Youth Group (5th-8th grade)! No requirement to volunteer; just an opportunity for interested parents, grandparents, or guardians.
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REGISTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS ONLINE
This year, there is the option to
register online for children and youth programs!
Please register your children if they participate in any programs.
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FIRST TUESDAYS IN ACTION
First Tuesdays are all about Faith-in-Action!
PREBLE STREET SOUP KITCHEN: January 7, 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Adults and youth ages 14+ can volunteer to help prep and serve dinner at Preble Street Soup Kitchen in Portland while working alongside their fellow UUs. Your help is needed and appreciated to serve folks in need of a hot meal. Sign up in advance at the church or contact Marge Titcomb at mjtbean@aol.com.
AT FIRST UNIVERSALIST: January 7, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
People of all ages are invited to take part in justice-making activities. Children (ages 5+), youth, and adults can all participate by themselves - or families are welcome to attend together. Come for the whole time or just drop in for any part! The general schedule for each monthly First Tuesdays at First U is:
3:00—4:00 pm Games and Getting-to-know-you
- 4:00—5:00 pm Justice-making Activities for All Ages
- 5:00—6:00 pm Dinner (Free!)
- 6:00—6:30 pm Justice-making Activities for All Ages
- 6:30—7:00 pm Games and Clean-up
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DONATIONS OF COLD WEATHER CLOTHES BEING COLLECTED
For the next First Tuesday on January 7, 2o20.
We'll be collecting donations at the church of cold weather clothing (hats, gloves, coats, boots, etc.) and personal care items (toothpaste, tooth brushes, sanitary pads, shampoo, etc.) for Preble Street Resource Center. Please drop off your donations during office hours or on Sundays before/after church. Thank you!
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OUR COLLECTION PLATE
Your generous contribution during the holiday season supports bringing the programs of First Universalist Church into the wider community, such as Healthy Family Workshops, OWL (Our Whole Lives curriculum), and public Maine Farm Suppers supporting local farmers. Your gift is greatly appreciated.
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WhaleCoast Alaska 2020
Have you ever dreamed of visiting Alaska? If so, WhaleCoast Alaska 2020 is for you! 4 Alaska UU congregations invite you to experience our unique environmental/ cultural/spiritual program this summer. See Alaska through the eyes of local UUs, with friendly homestays and unique tour activities. See wildlife, including moose, bears, caribou, whales, bald eagles, sea lions, etc. Visit Denali National Park. Experience Native Alaskan culture. Forget the cruise ships -- our program is truly the best way to visit Alaska! Tours led by Dave Frey, member of the Fairbanks UU congregation and Alaska travel expert. Find out more about this Alaskan trip of a lifetime. For complete info go to:
www.WhaleCoastAK.org
, email dfrey@whalecoastak.org or call 907-322-4966. Discount for groups of 8 or more. We would love to share our Alaska with you!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS SCHEDULE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Please submit your announcement by the deadlines below to ensure its inclusion in Channels, the Sunday Morning News, or to be posted to the website.
- For Friday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 5: All announcements were due by December 23, at 10 am. Any announcements that missed this deadline will be published on Friday, Jan. 10 and Sunday, Jan. 12.
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WEATHER CANCELLATION INFORMATION
First Universalist service and public event cancellations are announced on WSCH Channel 6, WMTW Channel 8, and WGME Channel 13, as well as on Facebook.
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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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