WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, November 1, 2020, 10:30 am: "Break On Through"
Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
Note - Sunday is Daylight Savings!
Turn back your clocks and join us at our usual 10:30am worship time.
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Dear First U Friends,
It goes without saying that the week ahead will be full. Full of what? Full of everything - hope and fear, wins and losses, community and disconnection, peace and upset. I mean, honestly, what week doesn’t bring with it all of these opposing forces? This coming week, though, will surely bring them with extra vigor as they all will be felt collectively.
In the midst of the whirlwind, we at First U want to remind you simply that we are here. We are always here, and this week we will offer some special opportunities for care and connection this Wednesday, November 4th. Details are posted in this week’s Channels.
This Sunday, in honor of All Souls we will offer a litany of names of those who have died and those who we consider our beloved ancestors. If you have a name or multiple names you would like to have included on this list, please send them to me before Sunday morning: firstuminister@gmail.com.
My friends, this is a sacred time of year, a time when it is believed that the boundary between unconscious and conscious, the living and the dead, and the earthly and the spiritual is “thin.” In honor of All Hallows’, I invite you to seek out the guidance of an ancestor, either someone directly related to you or someone from history who you believe may have made your life, our lives, and this world more beautiful. Offer them gratitude, hold them with love in your heart and mind, and invite their spirit to be with you right now as you move through the days ahead with strength, centeredness, and care for all.
Yours in the liminality (with a bag of fun size Reese’s for comfort),
Rev. Hillary
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARE & CONNECTION ON NOVEMBER 4TH
No matter if your candidate wins or loses, no matter if election outcomes are even known yet, First Universalist will be providing numerous opportunities for care and connection on Wednesday, November 4th. Please feel warmly welcomed to any and all of these offerings taking place throughout the day.
Noon-2pm: Open hours at the First U picnic tables with Rev. Hillary.
Come by, say hi, check-in, stay for a while or just a few minutes with Rev. Hillary who will be sitting outside the church and happy to greet you in whatever state you are in. (Please wear a mask, social distancing rules will be honored.)
2pm-3pm: Zoom open hour with Rev. Hillary.
Sign-in to our open Zoom room if you’d like to check-in and stay as long as you like.
5:30-6:00pm: In person Candlelight Vigil for Peace on First U grounds
Come and join members of our congregation as we gather on our church grounds, pass the candle light, and offer a bright prayer of peace to our neighbors, our leaders, and our nation. (Candles provided, please wear a mask, social distancing rules will be followed.)
7pm: Virtual Vespers Service
Join us for our Zoom Wednesday Vespers service, a time of reflection, meditation, prayer, and sharing of joys and sorrows.
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GATHERING SUNDAYS: 4TH SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH!
The Worship Council and the congregation enjoyed seeing lots of our faces as we worshipped together last Sunday in our first Gathering Sunday. Things to know about this new monthly experiment:
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This service will always be live, not recorded, so that we may protect the privacy of those who share joys and concerns
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We are inviting creative and widely shared participation in leadership of this monthly experiment. We’d love to welcome any individuals, committees, councils, or small groups to consider presenting/hosting the worship service. If you have a topic or theme you’d like to explore with the congregation, please consider doing so. Rev. Hillary and Worship Council members will be available to support you or your group as you develop your Gathering Sunday plan.
- There will be tech support available; no need to be intimidated as a Zoom presenter!
- Please contact Anne Turner, Worship Council chair, (annelewisturner@gmail.com) if you are interested in participating in a service in any future month.
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SAFETY FIRST - FOR YOU & OTHERS
1. Wear a face covering when in the church building
2. Sanitize your hands upon entry
3. Securely LOCK and CLOSE door when you depart
Thank you - from the Covid Safety Team
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CHILDREN'S CHAPEL
9:45 - 10:15 am
Join Anna to learn more about the holiday, All Souls' Day.
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP
11:30 am - 12:10 pm
Join Gwen and Christy as we begin to explore social justice causes.
SOCIAL HOUR
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
This week there is an opportunity for fellowship following the service.
COMING OF AGE
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Join Joanna and Alexis for covenant and community building.
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FALL CLEAN-UP & BULB PLANTING
Sunday, November 8, 1 - 2 pm, Outside at First U
On Sunday, November 8, from 1 - 2 pm, weather permitting, we'll be cleaning up the church yard, getting the gardens ready to sleep for the winter, and planting bulbs for the spring. Please note:
- This is an all-ages event!
- Please bring your own gardening gloves, trowel, and rake, if you have them. We will provide the flower bulbs.
- We will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available.
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OUR HALF-PLATE THIS WEEK
In honor of our 2nd principle, justice, equity and compassion in human relations, our half plate this week supports Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC LT). Access to land is the number one barrier for people of color to feed our communities healthy, fresh food. NEFOC is advancing land sovereignty in the northeast region through permanent and secure land tenure for Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and Asian farmers and land stewards who will use the land in a sacred manner that honors their ancestors’ dreams – for sustainable farming, human habitat, ceremony, native ecosystem restoration, and cultural preservation. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
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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.
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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.
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