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password: WORSHIP

Dear First U Friends,

Why are we here and what are we supposed to be doing?

What is good, what is evil, and how do you know?

Does God exist? 

What makes something sacred? 

What are two things you believe happen after you die? 

What is the difference between a ritual and a routine?

Which value is more important to you: unity or individuality? 

What is the origin of the universe?

What makes something beautiful?

What is our responsibility to the earth and to non-human animals?

Friends, I assume as you read those questions you had a swift and simple response to each, right? An answer that you could give just right off the top of your head, right? 

Easy, peasy, no prob, right?

Those are only a handful of the BIG questions we asked our Coming of Age students this year in attempts to help them clarify what it is they believe about themselves, about the world, and about their spirituality. Remarkably, they almost always had an answer!

Coming of Age is a course that is typically offered to 9th graders in UU churches across the continent and it is considered by many to be a rite of passage in our faith. Our Coming of Age class, facilitated by Joanna Landsman, Gwen Matthews, Ben Tupper, Alexis Waller and myself, has met almost weekly since November and culminates this Sunday at 10:30 am. At this hour, our students will lead our Coming of Age service, a beloved and moving worship service in which they will share their credos aloud for all to hear. 

Like the questions I poised at the top of this message, writing a credo - a personal statement of belief - is no small feat! Just try taking a moment now to think of what the first line of your credo might be… As you listen to our youth this Sunday keep in mind this challenge of writing a credo, and the clarity, centeredness, and passion that a person - of any age! - needs to be able to state what it is they believe. 

Please note: Our service will be live this Sunday on Zoom at 10:30 am and will not be recorded in its entirety, so please join us on time to catch the full service. AND, please join us live, in-person after the service at noon on the church grounds for a special ceremony and celebration for our Coming of Age students.

To the wide diversity of mothers out there, a happy, comforting, love-filled, and peaceful Mother’s Day this Sunday. Great gratitude and celebration for you. 

Yours in nurture, nature, life, and faith,

Rev. Hillary 

As our church community considers reopening, we are committed to following the guidance from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and creating our own reopening team who considers inclusion and consent, the current science, flexibility of offerings, and the deep desire to gather together again in person. There will be many questions to consider as our faith-based community moves forward. At this time and while this work is being done, First Universalist does not anticipate reopening our church building until September 2021. We do anticipate being able to continue to hold some outdoor gatherings, again following guidance from the UUA. Please send any questions about the reopening plan to the Board or to Rev. Hillary. 

Each week, we'll introduce you to two councils, committees, or groups from First Universalist so that you can learn more and stay updated. Visit our website for the full list of councils, committees, and groups.

Buildings and Grounds primary role is to oversee the upkeep of the church's properties. We do this by scheduling regular maintenance, managing the unexpected issues, and planning for long-term care of the grounds and facilities. Oddly enough, our work is less about grabbing our tools and fixing things, but more about keeping church leadership informed, leaving a usable legacy of institutional "how-to" knowledge and making actionable plans. This spring we are focused on digitizing documentation and doing annual walk throughs of the various systems (heat, electrical, plumbing, storm-water, etc.) We have a regular meeting at 4pm on the third Thursday of every month. Want to join us or find out more? Contact Ben Tupper (ben.bighair@gmail.com or 207-699-9686).

In our shared ministry at First Universalist, the Minister and the Board of Trustees are each responsible for parts of congregational life. The Board of Trustees is elected by the congregation and is responsible for church finances, the upkeep of our physical spaces, and for developing and growing our congregation. Board members also act as liaisons to the committees the Board supports: Stewardship, Congregation Connections, Buildings & Grounds, and Leadership Development. Meeting every second Tuesday of the month from 5:30 - 7:00 PM, we enjoy thoughtful collaboration - sometimes about the nuts and bolts, sometimes about the big picture, but always with our Mission in mind. The current Board includes: Joanna Landsman (President), Jen Civiello (Vice-President), Marge Titcomb (Treasurer), Sarah Witte (Clerk), and Andrew Tonks, Joe Dreher, Nancy Dix, Stew Guernsey (At-Large).

Through reflection, conversation and connection, First Universalist identifies goals for the calendar year for each council and committee.

This week we’re excited to share the goals of the WORSHIP COUNCIL. The members of the WC are Anne Turner (Chair), Joy Ahrens, Lily Gilbert-O'Brien, Andrew Tonks, and Kai Fast.

For more detail on these goals, please see the full 2021 Goals document at our website.

On Zoom with Anna where we celebrate all of the special grown ups in our lives, especially the ones who mother us. Click to join and enter password CHAPEL.

Please join in this celebration of our Coming of Age participants in person, outside at First Universalist. There will be a small ceremony, a giving of gifts, and time for congratulations.

Our junior youth group and any friends will be in person and heading to the Community Gardens in Yarmouth to help assist with spring clean-up and preparation for the coming summer season. Please BYO mask, gardening gloves, and water to drink. Please RSVP by Monday, May 10th if you plan to attend (gwenatfirstu@gmail.com).

Our junior youth group will be meeting in person, outdoors, for a beach clean-up day to help our oceans and beaches stay clean and healthy by removing trash from the East End Beach in Portland. We will provide gloves, trash bags, and hand sanitizer. Please BYO mask and water to drink.

As our church year winds down and the weather warms and brightens, our RE programs come to a close for this year. Our service and celebration for Coming of Age on May 9th will mark the end for this year for our high schoolers. Junior Youth Group will conclude on May 23rd with a beach clean-up day. Children's Chapel will hold its last session on Zoom on May 23rd. Learning & Social Hour will conclude on June 20th.

About the film: There are many stories within the story of the film "Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek." One story is about the Boston schoolteacher who went home to MS after his ancestors' graves got bulldozed. Another story tells how Turkey Creek was founded after the Civil War by formerly-enslaved people. Then there's the story of how this community continues to fight for its existence by focusing on education, the environment, and social justice. All of these stories are woven together in this short film.

To watch: This film is available for us to watch in our homes--free--anytime on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday this week (May 6, 7, 8). Just click on this link and enter the password: Ch0WM77. The film runs for 56 minutes. Invite others to watch it too!

To discuss: Join in the discussion of this documentary, hosted by the Faith In Action Council, on Saturday, May 8th, at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Click to join the discussion (password: 020046). If you have any questions, please contact Mariana at catalpa.girl@gmail.com.

First Universalist’s worship theme for May is Stories.

 

Did you know that 90% of slaving voyages under the US flag were out of Massachusetts/Maine and Rhode Island? Did you know that Maine banks and insurance firms were deeply involved in the Atlantic world slave economy? Did you know that most prominent New England families of the 18th century enslaved people of African or indigenous decent? Do you know what the economic value of enslaving Africans was?

 

There are many stories that we do not know, have not been told or which have not been shared by previous generations.

 

For the first two weeks of May we are suggest that you watch the tale of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island’s connection to the Slave trade or what is more respectfully called the trade of Enslaved Africans. 

 

The Atlantic Black Box Project was created by five researchers and teachers, three college history professors, a staff researcher at the Smithsonian’s African American History and Museum, and an educator/story teller. Together these history nerds have created a crowd sourced history of New England’s connection to the Slave Trade. Through methodical reading of source materials these citizen researchers have rediscovered the scope and wealth made from this commerce.

 

Family names that those of us who have lived in Maine for many years would recognize created wealth through building, owning, captaining, transporting and selling enslaved Africans in Cuba, South America, and the American south.  

 

The Atlantic Black Box Project has estimated the monetary value of these activities both in dollars at the time and current projections that New Englanders derived from the trade of enslaved Africans.

 

You can watch the Atlantic Black Box Project on YouTube.

 

The video is 81 minutes plus but gives clear information plus asks questions such as How did we collectively forget what we knew about Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s role in enslaving Africans.

 

For further information visit atlanticblackbox.com where you can also sign up for their mailing list.

In honor of our first principle, the inherent worth and dignity of every person, this week's half plate will be shared with In Her Presence. Organized and led by immigrant women living in Maine, In Her Presence strives to bring together immigrant women from across communities and generations to ensure that Maine’s economic agenda includes the aspirations and needs of immigrant women. Toting the slogan "Out of the Shadow and Onto the Stage," the group hosts English language classes and a variety of educational workshops to provide a platform for Maine immigrant women to better integrate and succeed here in Maine. 

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