We Commit Ourselves
And Our Resources
To Nurture the Spirit,
Grow in Community,
And Help Heal the World.
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April 2 | 10 am
Peace with Palms
Rev. Elaine Peresluha
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April 9 | 10 am
Forgiving Ourselves. Redeeming Ourselves.
Rev. Elaine Peresluha & Sandra Greenfield
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April 16 | 10 am
Time is A God of Its Own
Rev. Elaine Peresluha
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We Need Your Input on What
Our Safe Congregation Looks Like!
Please join our Security Assessment expert, Regan Goan from RJ Goan & Associates, on Sunday, March 26th at 11:30am in the Parish Hall to have a congregational conversation on what we want our safe congregation to look like, what your concerns and suggestions are, and to listen to what Regan has to offer from his experience. This session is made possible through a FEMA grant that the Trustees procured to ensure a comprehensive assessment on our safety and security. Please email Linda Shary if you have questions or would like to attend.
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We're Fired Up!
First Parish
Stewardship 2023
Stewardship is the growing, nurturing, promoting, and building of connections, commitment, and mission. We want to see you in person at one of our Food for Fellowship gatherings, to hear your dreams, fears, frustrations, appreciation, and hopes! This year, First Parish steps into a new era of vision, strength, and abundance. We are changing our relationship to each other, this institution, and with money! No pledge cards in the mail. We will bring pledge cards to you at these gatherings. Check out the openings, addresses, and the menu details in the link below.
- March 29 from 6-8pm at the Caswell’s in Cape Elizabeth - dinner
- March 31 from 6-8pm at the Runser/Roger’s in South Portland - dinner
- April 2 from 11:30am-1:30pm at First Parish - brunch
- April 8 from 6-8pm at Runser/Roger’s in South Portland - dinner
- April 11 from 6-8pm at Runser/Roger's in South Portland - dinner
- April 12 from 6-8pm at Beasley's in Cape Elizabeth - dinner
More options will be added as needed. Please sign up for a dinner here!
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Tonight: Music Coffee House!
Friday, March 24 | 7-9 pm | Parish Hall
Please join us for this free, family friendly event on Friday evening. The musical entertainment includes our Una Voce, the Bob & Deena duo, and the Common Bond Barbershop quartet singing favorite standards. Warm beverages and snacks will be available. There’s no better way to spend a March evening than with music, friends and good food. The only fee to this event is your presence!
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Portland Freedom
Trail Walk
April 1 | 10 am | Casco Bay Lines
The Portland Freedom Trail is dedicated to the thousands of men and women who fled the bonds of slavery but were recaptured or died at the hands of their pursuers before they reached the safe embrace of the Underground Railroad. Please join Jen Caswell and Susan Payne in walking the trail on Saturday April 1st. We will be meeting at the corner of Commercial and Franklin, the entrance to Casco Bay Lines, at 10 am and then embarking on the self guided walking tour that consists of 13 stops, including the Barber Shop of Jacob C. Dickson, the Abyssinian Church, Eastern Cemetery, Friends Meeting House, First Parish, and Mariner's Church. Please sign up here.
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Chair Yoga & Meditation
April 2 | 8:30-9:30 am |
Community Room
Join Sheila Sullivan for gentle movement and time to quiet the mind before gathering for Sunday service. Open to everyone- no yoga experience or special clothes needed! Please sign up here .
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Ministerial Search Committee Update
The Ministerial Search Committee is getting close to the finish line! We are excited about this final stage of the search process and are looking forward to the future for First Parish. We are grateful to the church community for your interest and support throughout this process and appreciate all of your questions, comments, and thoughts along the way. If you have questions or comments, speak to a MSC team member at church on Sunday, or send an email.
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First Parish
Book Group
April 4 | 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.
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Attend General Assembly!
General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. Please join us Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and/or online for this 5-day immersive experience where we participate in inspirational worship services and informative workshops, reconvene with friends and colleagues, and explore our bustling exhibit hall. GA is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of UUs who attend. Meet us online, or in Pittsburgh, and you’ll leave with renewed energy and innovative ideas to share with your congregation and community-at-large! For more information, contact our Membership Coordinator, Laurie Hasty or Governing Board President, Taryn Friedman.
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Invitation to Envision
Religious Education
At First Parish
April 7 | 5:30-7:30 pm | Community Room
Sandra Greenfield will return to meet with parents and all those motivated to re-envision a relevant religious community for children, youth and their families. This conversation will be concurrent with the Spring Community Event: Pizza & Game Night. Come for supper! Bring the family! Children can play together and with other members of our community while we dream with Sandra. We will imagine the world today’s children and youth live in and think deeply about important social and spiritual questions. Sign up here or email Membership Coordinator, Laurie Hasty.
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Path to Membership Class
April 10 | 6-8 pm | Zoom
Lay leaders from the Governing Board, Ministry Leadership Team (MLT), Finance and Stewardship Committees, Trustees, and our Membership Coordinator explain the benefits and responsibilities of membership, and opportunities for spiritual development. This class is an important step to joining First Parish and is highly recommended for anyone considering membership. Current members are also invited to attend and learn more about our church. Please email our Membership Coordinator, Laurie Hasty to register and receive the Zoom link or with questions.
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UUA Common Read
The UUA Common Read for this year is Mistakes and Miracles by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin. It's an exploration of 5 UU congregations' experiences in their journeys toward Beloved Community and shares the joy, disappointments, and growth that they found on the way. This book or audiotape can be ordered from the UUA website at this link. We will also be taking orders after services until April 9th. The books and shipping are $25 and can be picked up at the church when they arrive. There will be two Zoom discussion meetings in May to explore the Common Read with other UU congregations. For more information, please email Betsy Garnett.
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Personal Care Kits
For People
Experiencing Homelessness!
Thank you to the Pastoral Care Team for their generous donation of 10 personal care kits! These kits are so appreciated by people who are struggling with homelessness. If you would like to donate a personal care kit, click here for some ideas of items to include. Please email Hannah at the office to learn more or to schedule a time to drop off kit(s). Thank you!
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Is Stewardship In Your
Long-Term Plans?
The Trustees of First Parish gratefully acknowledge the bequest of the late Nancy McKusick. First Parish was remembered by Nancy and her husband, former Maine Chief Justice Vincent McKusick, who were long time members of the church, in their estate plans. Such legacy gifts are an important source of lasting support for us. If you would like to know more about ways you can make a future gift, please email Austin Farrar, President of the Trustees.
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Online Chalice Circles
If you are interested in participating in a Chalice group, but find it difficult to get to in-person meetings, there is at least one group that meets by Zoom and would welcome new members. Lots of warmth, growth, and connection is shared with confidentiality and kindness in our interesting topical conversations. If you haven't used Zoom, we can arrange an in-person or on-line coaching session. Please email Barbara DeSerres for more information.
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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!
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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!
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425 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101
207-773-5747
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community,
and Help Heal the World
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