We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to 
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.
ONLINE Worship Service:

Sunday
December 5th
10:00 am

Hanukkah: More
Than The Oil
Rev. Elaine Peresluha
Upcoming Worship Services
Dec. 12| 10 am
Something's Coming:
Reflection on Advent
Rev. Elaine Peresluha
Dec. 19 | 10 am
Honoring Tradition:
Our Nativity Pageant
Rev. Elaine Peresluha
Dec. 21 | 5 pm
The Longest Night:
A Solstice Celebration
Rev. Elaine Peresluha
Holiday Services
At First Parish!

First Parish will be opening for limited in-person worship services starting on December 5th! We miss you and we want to be together, safely! To balance caution and our need to be together during our current Covid high risk phase, we are going to limit the capacity of our in-person gatherings to 30 people. Our expectation is that those who sign up are fully vaccinated. We will have forms to fill out for contact tracing. Masks are required at all times, as well as social distancing. We will have one pod seated per pew box. The first 30 people to sign up here will be welcomed into our Meeting House. All others, please join us via the Live Stream on our website. The dates and times of the worship services are listed below.


December 5 at 10 am
Hanukkah: More Than The Oil 
December 12 at 10 am
Something’s Coming: Reflection on Advent 
December 19 at 10 am
Honoring Tradition: Our Historic Nativity Pageant 
December 21 at 5 pm
The Longest Night: A Solstice Celebration 
December 24 at 5 pm & 7 pm
Traditional Unitarian Candlelight Service
Sunday Plate
Needs Help! 

Sunday Plate donations are currently less than half of pre-pandemic levels. Weekly donations are an important revenue source keeping our church on sound financial footing. For more information on how you can give to First Parish, please click here.
Newcomer Coffee
Dec 5 | 11:30 am-12:30 pm |
Parish Hall

Newcomers and visitors to First Parish are invited to chat informally in person with Rev. Elaine and Membership Coordinator Laurie Hasty to learn more about what makes this church unique. We look forward to meeting you at the church! For more information, please email Laurie Hasty.
First Parish
Book Group
Dec 7 | 7-8 pm | online 

If you love reading, join us on Zoom to share and discuss books that we have recently enjoyed! This group meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Members free; $5 for non-members. To register and receive the Zoom link, contact Betsy Garnett at ekgarnett@yahoo.com.
Save the Date!
UU History Classes
January 23 & 30 | 1-3pm

Join us for this 2-session workshop on what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. We will explore the history and theology of this liberal religious faith tradition and First Parish. For newcomers, this is also an opportunity to meet other newcomers, ask questions, and explore your own religious journey and is a requirement for new members. Current members are also invited to participate and deepen their understanding of our history. On January 23, Rev. Elaine and Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Faith Formation, will talk about the history of Unitarian Universalism. January 30, Kristina Minister and Charlie Micoleau will lead a session on the long history of First Parish. Please contact Laurie at membership@firstparishportland.org to register and receive course materials.
Thanksgiving
Food Baskets

Thank you for generously contributing to the Membership Team's Thanksgiving Food Drive. With assistance from the Pastoral Care Team, five festive baskets of non-perishables were assembled to share with households within our congregation. We are so grateful for the support of the First Parish community!
Wayside Pulpit

Guest At Your Table

The UU Service Committee's Guest at Your Table program advances community-led human rights programs around the globe. This year, First Parish Portland and UU Brunswick are teaming up with UUSC to fight injustice together! Please help us reach our goal of raising $500 by January 1st. Donations can be made here. Thank you for your generosity!
Church For
EveryBody Update
We have installed brilliant new lights in the Meeting House! The pulpit is really shining under the lights. We could not have completed this project without the incredibly generous donations of our members and friends. A huge thank you to all involved! You can watch the news coverage of the ribbon cutting ceremony here. You can read more about the project here.
 Pastoral Care Needs
 
If you wish to speak confidentially with a member of the Pastoral Care Team following our streaming services on Sundays, please send an email to team leader Judy Micoleau and a member will get back to you as soon as possible.
Getting In Touch
With First Parish

It may take a few days to return phone messages, so email is the best way to reach all First Parish staff. Please keep in mind that Scott, Toben and Laurie work part-time, and will return messages when they are able. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Rev. Elaine Peresluha
Interim Minister

Hannah Gilman
Congregational Administrator

Scott Wheatley
Music Director

Toben Cooney-Callnan
Director of Faith Formation

Laurie Hasty
Membership Coordinator

Moe Blanchard
Sexton
425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101   207-773-5747  

 Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community 
and Help Heal the World