Sunday, February 13, 2022, at 10:30 am - online only!

Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister

Sam Chandler, Music Director

Gwen Matthews, Director of Education & Communications

Mack Jones, Children's Teacher & Youth Facilitator

Dear First U Friends,

About a month ago I got my yearly postcard in the mail from Llu and Kate, two dear and queer friends of mine. Every January they find a meaningful quote from a meaningful teacher. They carve the quote into a linoleum block and make postcard sized prints of it that they send to all kinds of folks in their ever-widening circle. Some years the card is a kick in the pants, some years it’s like a little hug, and sometimes it makes you guffaw. Always though, it’s a quote that’s meant to energize and get people on board with something good. I’ve saved every card Kate and Llu have sent me over the years; and now have a wonderful collection of proverbs from such teachers as Desmond Tutu, RuPaul, Pema Chodron, and Glinda the Good Witch - to name only a few.

Around mid-January this year, a card with a quote from the recently departed, brilliant bell hooks, showed up in my mailbox. “Love is an action,” it read.

I put it on my bureau and have been reciting the line on a daily basis since.

Love is an action. Love is an action. Love is an action.

(Or as her full line reads, “Love is an action, never simply a feeling.”)

What does that mean to you, “love is an action?”

When did you last act with love? And like, were you aware at the time that whatever it was you were doing “with love” - you were doing with love?

Friends, in honor of bell hooks’ spirit of life, as we approach the complicated, divisive holiday of Valentine’s Day, I offer a simple, non-divisive practice for us: Let’s practice consciously acting with love.

Ok, it’s not a simple practice, but as I said, it’s a good one. And I know you are all just full of love that’s just waiting to be enacted - so, I really think we’ve got this. Let your love emerge as in action, let it be with you, let it surprise you.

As Glinda the Good Witch said - “You had the power all along my dear.”

Yours in mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day but very positive feelings about flowers and chocolate,

Rev. Hillary

We invite you to state an honest intention that suits you and your family, and expresses what First U means to you. Every gift matters! Participation at our church is… a… touchstone! There’s info on our website to inform you of typical giving (though every situation is unique), how to state your intention, and how to fulfill your intention (monthly, quarterly, annually, weekly). Most annual commitments are in the range of $500 to $10,000; the average commitment is $2000. More guidance is on the Giving Guide on the webpage. Please know that we all understand situations change, so if you find yourself unable to fulfill your pledge, you only need to let us know. Reach out to a Board member or Stewardship if you’d like to have a conversation about this. EACH gift matters and is deeply appreciated. Watch the video to learn more about our touchstones.

This year's reimagined Maine Farm Supper is a personal pot pie takeaway dinner. Visit Maine Farm Suppers for more information or to preorder.

Come with your First Universalist friends to the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine on Sunday, February 27, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Families are welcome, bringing friends is encouraged, and grandparents with grandchildren are invited, too. Tickets are normally $15/person, but through a group rate, we can book at $10/person. Please contact Gwen (gwenatfirstu@gmail.com) by Monday, February 14, if you would like to attend or if you have any questions.

Please fill out this online registration form for all children and youth who will be participating in programs at First Universalist. Thank you!

Beginning March 4th, Rev. Hillary is excited to offer a six week Adult Coming of Age Course. The class will meet on Zoom from 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm weekly on Fridays through April 15th. (No class on 3/18.)

“Coming of Age” is not just for youth – as we age, as our relationships change, develop, or end, as we switch careers or retire, each time we “come of age” all over again. Over the course of the class, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their spiritual autobiographies and the evolution of their faith, as well as consider on the ethical values that shape their actions, the foundations upon which they build relationships, and explore their beliefs about God, love, evil, life, and death.

True to the Coming of Age form, our course will culminate with each participant writing their own credo, which they will then have the opportunity to share with our congregation at large.

The course will be limited to 25 participants, with the expectation that each participant will make the commitment to attend every class (to the best of their ability) and complete weekly assignments with due diligence and care. There is no cost to the course. All are welcome.

Register for the class here.

Some bills have been voted out of committee which means that both houses of the State Legislature will be voting on them soon. Please contact legislators to support these Climate Change bills. For more information on them go to this link to the Environmental Priorities Coalition.

Voted out of committee.

Rep. Art Bell is on the Environment and Natural Resource Committee which will hear this bill. Sign a letter in support by going to this link.

This is likely the most important climate change bill before the legislature this session, as it will lower the cost for expanding renewable energy in Maine.

Go to https://www.nrcm.org/take-action/ and find the title that reads: "Add Your Voice: Support a Free-Flowing Kennebec River" and click on the "Add Your Voice" button. This petition and your signatures will be shared with all Maine legislators by the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Read more at wabanakialliance.com/ld1626-faq/

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. See you soon!