WORSHIP
FLOWER COMMUNION
Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 10:30 am
In person and online
Please bring a flower to exchange at flower communion this Sunday.
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Dear First U Friends,

Are you, like me, still pondering, remembering, and reciting the wise words charged, preached, and prayed for us during last Sunday’s Installation Ceremony?

“Surrender.”
“Seek blessings.”
“Keep going, don’t stop.”
“Be revolutionary in your meaning making.”
“Is this a fallen world? How could it be?”
“Love is an action.”
“Communication is listening.”
“Not a settled ministry, but a present ministry.”

I imagine I’ll be pondering these teachings for a long time ahead. Wowza - what an afternoon that was, my friends. I feel as though I am still twirling in a whirlwind of rose petals from all the love, wisdom, and chocolate cake shared on Sunday. I’m so curious to hear your experiences of the Installation Ceremony and the proverbs shared that have stayed with you.

This Sunday, the joyful - and floral! - rituals continue with our annual Flower Communion Service. The Flower Communion is a ritual unique to our UU faith that celebrates our individual and collective beauty. All are welcome to bring a flower - or several! - to place in our communal bouquet vases and at the end of the service, take a different flower home with you. We will share more about what Flower Communions means and how it came to be this Sunday, but if you want to do some homework in advance, here’s a lovely video called “The Story of the Flower Communion” by the Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO.

Our Annual Meeting will directly follow our service this Sunday.

My goodness these weeks are full, aren’t they!
Yours in wowzas,

Rev. Hillary
FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U
A JOYOUS INSTALLATION
This past Sunday, as many of you know, was Rev. Hillary's installation as minister of First Universalist. What a joyous celebration! As Rev. Hillary said above, "wowza!" If you missed the installation or just want to take it all in again, the service was recorded and is posted on our website.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, June 12, 11:30 am
Our annual meeting is this Sunday! Please join us on Sunday, June 12, right after the service. The meeting will be both in person and on Zoom (please use the same link for the worship service and the meeting). Members will be voting on the Board of Trustees slate for the church year that begins on July 1 and on the FY23 budget. We'll see you on Sunday!
CHANNELS SUMMER SCHEDULE
Channels will be on hiatus the following Fridays: July 1, July 8, and August 5.
Channels will be published on Fridays, as usual, all other summer Fridays: June 24, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 12, August 19, August 26, and September 2. As always, please have any announcements for Channels sent to Gwen on Wednesdays at 12 pm. Thank you!
CLAM FEST ACCESSIBLE PARKING OFFERED AT FIRST U
July 15 - July 17
First U is ONLY offering parking for those with physical disabilities who need accessible parking spaces during the Clam Fest (July 15-17). We seek teams of 2 for short shifts who would like to just be a friendly face and guide, collecting $10 per car. It's really EASY duty - no fryers, no fridges. Interested? Call Marge 207-272-9345 or email mjtbean@aol.com or sign up in the Gathering Room on Sunday. Thanks for considering!
YOGA FOR UUs AT RIVERBEND YOGA STUDIO
Marni Prince is leading a yoga class just for First Universalist members and friends on Saturday mornings, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm, at Riverbend Yoga Studio in Yarmouth. This is a very gentle yoga class focused on healing and restoration. Classes cost $10 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the church. To get on the email mailing list for more information, please contact Marni Prince at marniprince@gmail.com.
FAITH IN ACTION
REMINDER TO VOTE ON JUNE 14TH!
Remember to vote on June 14th (or before, via early or absentee voting)!
Here's a quick resource on Maine elections from our partners at the League of Women Voters of ME.
PRIDE PORTLAND PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 18
Join fellow UUs from across the state of Maine to march in the Pride Portland! parade on Saturday, June 18th.

Meeting to line up for the parade begins at First Parish Portland at 11:15 am and the parade starts at 1:00 pm. Please come by no later than 12:00 pm to find a spot in line. The parade lasts about 45 minutes and ends at Deering Oaks Park where the festival will be held.

MUUSAN, who First Universalist will be marching with, suggests wearing yellow (the color for the "Side with Love" campaign). We'll be bringing First U banners - including the "Love is an Action" banner! - to the parade. You can also bring your own signs!

The festival takes place from 1:00 - 5:00 pm in Deering Oaks Park. If you can't make it to march in the parade, come watch or come to the festival!
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE
MEET WITH REV. HILLARY
On Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 pm Rev. Hillary will be holding an outside drop-in space at our church picnic tables. All are welcome to come by and check-in. (Weather permitting.) Throughout the week, Rev. Hillary will be holding office hours for individual conversations. These conversations can be on Zoom, over the phone, or in-person. Please reach out to Rev. Hillary directly to schedule a conversation, firstuminister@gmail.com. Note that Rev. Hillary is not available to meet on Saturdays and Mondays.
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. Please note Rev. Hillary is in the office Tuesday - Friday for non-emergency opportunities to talk.
Submit Your Announcement
To have your announcement included in this e-newsletter please email the information to Gwen Matthews, Director of Education and Communications, at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com by Wednesday at 12 pm.
 First Universalist Church of Yarmouth | 207-846-4148 | office@uuyarmouth.org | www.uuyarmouth.org