INGATHERING: SAND COMMUNION

Sunday, September 11, at 10:30 am

Our first worship service together after the summer is known as Ingathering and will take place the Sunday following Labor Day. During this Ingathering service, we'll also be holding our beloved tradition of sand communion. Please bring some sand with you in a container to this service. 

COVID-19 SAFETY UPDATES

Please review our website for details about our covid-19 safety policy.

WELCOME BACK CLEAN UP PARTY

Sunday, September 4, 9 - 11 am

Before we officially begin our new church year with Ingathering on the 11th, we’re going to have a little clean up party this Sunday morning 9/4 (SEPTEMBER?!?!?) from 9-11 am. Coffee and muffins will be there to help you get going! 

We will make sure the Sanctuary, Kitchen, Gathering Room, and bathrooms are all AOK, and if there are enough of us we will do a bit of weeding in the gardens too. Come with work gloves and tools if you like. 

If you can’t do Sunday morning but have a few hours between now and the 11th, feel free to weed the brick areas! Or give me a call and I’ll connect you to an indoor project. Thanks so much! - Sarah Witte (sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com or 207-415-2973)

CHOIR PRACTICE BEGINS

Come, Come, Whoever You Are: Choir practice begins for this church year and is held on Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, in the Sanctuary. Our choir is open to everyone! No worries whether or not you can read music, and if you aren’t sure which part to sing. This is a low-pressure, no barriers choir. If you like singing, you are welcome. 

We will remain masked during rehearsals and performances as it continues to be best practice for choral groups.

Thanks everybody, I’m so excited for a year of quality music making with you all. - Sam Chandler, Music Director

USHERS WANTED

An easy way to get to know others and to practice our open and welcoming spirit is to sign up to usher at First U on Sunday mornings. This simple, joyful task involves welcoming, greeting, and passing the offering plate. Questions? Contact Gwen Matthews at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com. 

SEPTEMBER RE CALENDAR

Above is our Religious Exploration calendar for the month of September. For more details about RE programs this year, please check out the most recent issue of the RE Sun. 

PEACE PLAY FOR LITTLES

Peace Play for Littles happens on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month, 10:15 - 10:45 am, beginning September 15. It is a mixture of stories, rhymes, songs, and play for little ones (0—4 years old) and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers that introduce and encourage the values of justice, inclusivity, kindness, and caring for our planet. Learn more about peace play happening at First Universalist this fall. Contact Gwen at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com with any questions.

OUR WHOLE LIVES PROGRAM

Sundays, Sept. 25 - Dec. 11, 12:30 - 1:45 pm

Our Whole Lives programs are about the wonderful, complicated parts of being human. This sexuality education embraces ALL of the facets of our sexuality. Sexuality education is more than “sex ed,” a class on puberty, or learning about human anatomy. Some of the questions and topics covered include:

• What is consent? How do I ask for consent? How do I communicate with friends or partners?
• How do I navigate the internet and social media and the ways it relates to sexuality?
• How do I talk to future partners about sexual decision making, contraceptives, and STIs?
• What is essential in building healthy relationships based on mutual respect? 

Learn more about the our whole lives program or register for the program. For more information, contact Gwen Matthews at gwenafirstu@gmail.com. 

NEW MAINER & WABANAKI GARDENS TOUR

Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2:00 pm

We've been invited to visit the New Mainer & Wabanaki Garden Projects that we supported last year with our Joy & Justice fundraising. The Gardens are projects of the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust and are located at the Tom Settlemire Community Garden in Brunswick.

We can carpool from church; details later. Space is limited to 20.

To participate, contact Marge mjtbean@aol.com or 207-272-9345.

UU THE VOTE

Can't wait until Ingathering? Here's a chance to meet with other UU activists who are already working to Get Out The Vote in Maine. There will be plenty of inspiration and information about ways you can join the effort to mobilize voters. No commitment necessary, just an interest in keeping democracy real and getting in on the action.

MUUSAN Network Meeting

Saturday, September 10, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, on Zoom

Attend the September Zoom MUUSAN Network Meeting to learn about how we’re working to UU the Vote here in Maine, why this state election matters so much for reproductive justice, and how UU the Vote National is helping our congregations get involved in this critical election. Register here.