We Commit Ourselves
And Our Resources
To Nurture the Spirit,
Grow in Community,
And Help Heal the World.
Order of Service
Watch the Live Streamed Service Here!

Upcoming Gatherings

Dec. 11 | 10 am

Beyond Categorical Thinking

Rev. Elaine Peresluha

Dec. 13 | 7 pm

Blue Christmas Vespers

Rev. Elaine Peresluha

Dec. 18 | 10 am

Hanukkah: Miracles

in the Dark

Rev. Elaine Peresluha

Sign Up Here to Usher on Sunday Mornings
Sign Up Here to Bring Flowers For Sunday Service

Help us Decorate the

Meeting House for the Holidays!


We will be purchasing poinsettias for the Meeting House and Parish Hall. Please consider making a donation to honor or remember a loved one. Look for the envelope in your Order of Service! All gifts will be acknowledged in our Christmas Eve service program. Donors may take their poinsettia home after this candlelight service. For more information, please email the office.

Nativity Pageant and Vespers Service

Sunday, December 18 | 5pm |

Meeting House


We are looking forward to presenting our historic Nativity Pageant again, after a 2 year hiatus. This year marks the 96th anniversary since its beginning. There is a place in the Pageant for everyone from First Parish who wishes to participate in any way. It is our hope that our church’s Pageant of the Nativity will be a meaningful part of your family’s holiday celebration - in the congregation, behind the scenes, or in the tableau. There is a cast of more than 50 people, adults and children. Backstage crew is also needed setting up the church and preparing the costumes. There is only one rehearsal - the morning of Saturday, December 17. Please contact Laurie Hasty (797-5661 or pageant@firstparishportland.org) if you or your family are interested in participating.  

Newcomer Conversation

December 4th | 11am-12pm | Classroom

 

Newcomers and visitors to First Parish are invited to chat informally with our Membership Coordinator to learn more about what makes this church unique. Bring your coffee and join us upstairs in the Parish House following the worship service. We look forward to meeting you! For more information, please email our Membership Coordinator, Laurie Hasty.

First Parish

Book Group

December 6th | 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, email Betsy Garnett.

Ministerial Search Committee Workshop

December 11th | 11:30am - 2:30pm | Parish Hall


On Sunday, December 11th, the Search Committee is hosting a Beyond Categorical Thinking program with a trained UUA facilitator. It is designed to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent unfair discrimination in the search process for a new minister. In the workshop, we will explore our hopes, expectations, and concerns for a new minister and how thinking categorically sometimes interferes with choosing the best candidate. All congregational leaders, members, and friends are invited to this workshop to be held at First Parish after the service. A light lunch will be provided for all participants and childcare will be available. RSVP via email to Sue Cook to receive workshop materials.

Please join Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick to remember those who have lost their lives to gun violence. This service has been planned by many organizations and will be a time of shared reflection. Speakers include Senator Anne Carney, Chair of the Maine Legislature’s Gun Safety Caucus; Camilla Shannon, chair of MGSC; board member Judi Richardson; Nacole Palmer, developer of the Show Up Network, Veterans for Peace Maine Chapter President Doug Rawlings and others.

Holiday Food Drive


The Membership and Pastoral Care Teams are creating holiday baskets to support some of our member households. Your contributions will help us to care for our First Parish community. Dry and canned goods will be collected in the Parish Hall through December 11th. Click here for a list of requested foods. Thank you!

MUUSAN News


MUUSAN passed a Resolution in Support of Wabanaki Sovereignty and is urging the 131st Maine Legislature to pass legislation to amend the 1980 settlement acts accordingly. You can read it here. You can send it to your legislators by finding them here. Tell them you are a Unitarian Universalist and that you support Wabanaki Sovereignty. You can also join MUUSAN at the State House in Augusta for the Convening and Swearing in of the Legislature on December 7. Please email Meret, the Wabanaki Ally Team Chair, for more information.

Wayside Pulpit

 Pastoral Care Needs

 

If you wish to speak confidentially with a member of the Pastoral Care Team, please send an email to team leader Judy Micoleau and a member will get back to you as soon as possible. The Pastoral Care Team is also recruiting new members! If you are a compassionate and astute listener and have a desire to support FP members who are experiencing spiritual and emotional needs, we would love to meet with you. Please email Judy Micoleau if you are interested!

Come Sing With Us!



The First Parish Choir has resumed weekly rehearsals every Thursday evening from 7:00pm to 8:30pm and we're looking for new members! For more information please email our Music Director, Benjamin Holbrook.

What's Going On

Within The UUA?


If you are interested in learning about what is happening within the UUA, check out these regional and national websites!

MUUSAN
Side With Love
New England Region
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
Website
Library Catalogue
Donate
Calendar
Live Stream Recordings
Annual Report

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 remember that Laurie and Benjamin work part-time and may not respond to emails every day. Thank you for your patience and understanding!



Rev. Elaine Peresluha

Interim Minister

minister@firstparishportland.org



Hannah Gilman

Congregational Administrator

office@firstparishportland.org


Benjamin Holbrook

Music Director

musicdirector@firstparishportland.org


Laurie Hasty

Membership Coordinator

membership@firstparishportland.org


Moe Blanchard

Sexton

office@firstparishportland.org

425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101
207-773-5747  

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