Meeting ID: 895 0607 5636

Or watch the livestream service on our Facebook page.

Upcoming Online Worship Services

Newcomers and visitors to First Parish are invited to chat informally with Rev. Christina to learn more about what makes this church unique. To join the conversation, use the Zoom link posted above for this week's online worship service or just stay online after the service. We look forward to meeting you! For more information, email Laurie Hasty.

This time of renewal may bring us the hope of safety and connection. As more people are vaccinated and more of us can spend time with family and friends, gratitude has a different color. The earth is a strange and beautiful place to be right now, amidst the pain and fear that has clouded our spirits over the past year. Although many of us have experienced significant losses, we still rise to the hope of spring. Please read Rev. Christina's full, wonderful letter here.

As you know, our beloved Rev. Christina Sillari has notified the congregation of her intent to leave her First Parish ministry to discover her next vocation, effective June 30th. There is currently a six-person team in place that is tasked with facilitating the first step in the journey of finding our next called minister. It is important for our congregation to be informed of and understand the process going forward. Please read the full letter here.

The wonderful UU Book of the Year is now available at our church's Library. Email the office to arrange to pick up a copy on Tuesdays-Thursdays from 12-4pm. It can be borrowed for 2 weeks and then returned to the office during those times or left in the church mailbox. It is also available through the public library system and can be ordered on Amazon.

If you haven’t done so already, please make your annual Stewardship pledge online, or return the pledge card that is in the pledge materials sent by mail. Also available online are instructions for making an online pledge or setting up an automatic payment schedule and pledge FAQs. NOTE: when you set up an automatic payment for this pledge, enter the periodic amount in the field “Pledge Payments after July 1, 2021.” To make your donation continuous, do not enter a Donation End-date in the schedule of payments. For more information, or if you need a set of the printed materials, contact Susan Cook, Stewardship chair. Thank you!

Jan Froehlich, MS OTR/L (First Parish Member) and her colleague, June Thornton-Marsh, MSW, are pleased to announce the December 30, 2020 publication of their book Transforming Racial and Cultural Lines in Health and Social Care: Listening, Loving, and Lifting Spirits When You Can.  They invite you to view the book here. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, use this code to receive a 20% discount: FLR40.

The Church for EveryBody campaign needs you! We are on the verge of taking our campaign to improve the accessibility of First Parish to the greater Portland community for donations to get us over the top of our fundraising goal. We've secured a matching gift challenge, so now we need someone who can help us with media relations, advertising, etc. Please contact Austin Farrar if you can help!

Three volunteers to help Moe move the large furniture being stored in the Meeting House back where it belongs! We will be needing these volunteers within the next few weeks, once the construction is complete. If you are able to help, please email Hannah at the office for more information.

The Southern Maine Workers Center invites you to their Cantastoria Workshop to discuss healthcare using five panels of compelling art as the entry into these discussions. For more information, and to learn more about cantastorias, click here.

Reverend Christina will be holding Pastoral Care calls and Office Hours for meetings by phone or Zoom every Monday & Tuesday for members and leaders of First Parish. Please email the Office to schedule a call.

 Pastoral Care

All are welcome to join a confidential pastoral care breakout room each Sunday after worship. Please send a chat message to the worship tech person during the service if you would like to join. A member of the Pastoral Care Team will be present with an open heart. For any questions or concerns please contact team leader Judy Micoleau.

The practice of pranayama is essential to a calm mind, a healthy body, and a free spirit. Through breathwork, kriyas, mudras and sutras we prepare for silence and stillness. Free to members. $10.00 per class for non-members. You can find the Zoom link here.

Some of us have begun to write poems. All are welcome. Free to members. $10.00 per class for non-members. You can find the Zoom link here.

Peaceful Harbor Sangha meets weekly for shared Buddhist practice. Meetings include sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma reading and discussion. Come experience the calm in the storm! Meetings are now held on Zoom, and all are welcome; donations are gratefully accepted but not required. To receive the Zoom link, contact Susannah Ristine.  

Prayers for the People 

Once a month, Reverend Christina will share "Prayers for the People" during Sunday service. If you would like her to share your prayer of joy or sorrow with the congregation please contact her at minister@firstparishportland.org or 207-773-5747.

With the combined challenges of COVID and the CFE construction project, business is anything but normal at First Parish! It may take a few days to return phone messages; email is the best way to reach all First Parish staff. Please keep in mind that Scott, Toben and Laurie work part-time, and will return messages when they are able. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

UUA.org: Braver/Wiser, Fortification, Practices of Self-Care & Resilience