PLEASE NOTE: This service will be in-person only. If unable to attend in person, please consider joining the First Universalist Church of Auburn virtually at 10 AM that day. Go to http://www.auburnuu.org/online/ for the Zoom link.

All are invited to attend Rev. Hillary's Installation Ceremony. If you are planning to attend the Installation Ceremony and Reception, please RSVP by Tuesday, May 31st. Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no morning service on Sunday, June 5th.

Friends,

This past Sunday, after Sam held silence following singing of “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall,” I I discussed the “reverse ministry” of Malidoma Somé. Somé was a healer and teacher from Burkina Faso who spent his life creating opportunities for people to share their innate gifts: “the gifts that build, maintain, and restore communities.” In my homily I quoted this excerpt from one of Somé’s teachings. You can watch the full excerpt here, and I encourage you to continue listening to and reading his teachings from there. 

“In my culture they say that if you witness a crisis somewhere that’s because ancestors have brought you to that specific intersection simply because the ancestors know that you have what it takes inside of you to tend to that problem. They don’t bring you there just to be a reporter. Always finger pointing at the thing that isn’t working, complaining that this is why life is not as good as it should be. Instead the capacity to see these problems, is an offer to let loose the gifts and healing powers that we all carry inside of us.” 

I remind you of this perspective today, following the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, TX, following the grocery store shooting in Buffalo, NY, following the church shooting in Aliso Viejo, CA, on the two year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. These are events that defy adjectives. No words can express fully the visceral response these acts of ultra-violence evoke. No words. 

And so, at this moment when it is simply impossible to turn away from this pain, we find ourselves collectively witnessing a crisis; collectively standing at an intersection.

And so I ask you, what gifts are you called to let loose at this moment. 

What gifts do you possess that can build, maintain, and restore community in this broken country? Don’t get knotted up about it, don’t think too long about it. 

The world calls for you - for us - now.

With you now,

Rev. Hillary 

Join Rev. Hillary, Rev. Kate Dalton of First Parish, and Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson, of St. Barts, for a contemplative service of prayer, lament, and love at 7:00 pm on June 8th at First Universalist Church. This service will be open to the community and will serve as a time to honor the tragedies of the past weeks, months, and pandemic years. All are welcome to bring their sorrows, their needs for change, and their prayers of hope and resilience to this interfaith gathering. More details forthcoming. 

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!

The elevator at church has been repaired and is operational again! Thanks to Buildings & Grounds for facilitating and coordinating this repair work.

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.

Save the date to join fellow UUs from across the state of Maine to march in the Pride Portland! parade on Saturday, June 18th. The parade begins at 1:00 pm and details for meeting up to march in the parade will be coming soon.

A recent Maine election and a ruling by the FEC have exposed a dangerous loophole in Maine’s campaign finance laws that allow foreign government-owned entities to influence the outcome of Maine elections. The Protect Maine Elections referendum would close this dangerous loophole. MUUSAN is looking to collect another 35,000 petition signatures by September 1st to put this vital reform on the Maine ballot. If you can participate in collecting signatures on just one day - the statewide primary election on June 14th - it would be a game-changer for this campaign. MUUSAN invites you to come together again to qualify the Protect Maine Elections referendum to close this loophole and preserve Maine elections for Maine people!

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.