We Commit Ourselves and Our Resources to
Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World.
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ONLINE Worship Service:
Sunday
June 20th, 2021
10:00 am
Safe Harbor
Victor Mena
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Join Zoom Meeting:
(This link will work for all upcoming online services.)
Meeting ID: 895 0607 5636
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,89506075636# US (New York)
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Upcoming Online Worship Services
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June 27 | 10am
Goodbye in Good Hands
Rev. Christina Sillari
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July 4 | 10am
Growth Through Play
Carl Cappello
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July 11 | 10am
Transition
Mary Gelfand
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Welcome To Our
New Members!
We are so excited that nine people signed our historic Membership Book recently and joined First Parish! This week, meet Victor Mena. In August 2019, the Mena family arrived in Maine after a long journey from Angola and are seeking asylum in the US. Victor will be sharing their story during our worship service on this Sunday. We welcome Victor, his wife Mosalina, and children - Dorivaldo, Adelia, and Maravilla - to our First Parish community!
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Worship Service Update
July & August | 9am | online
Our worship services will be moving to 9am instead of 10am for the months of July and August! Our hope is that more people will be able to attend the services if they are earlier in the morning before weekend plans start. Please email the office with any questions or concerns.
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Saying Goodbye to
Reverend Christina
We will be celebrating Rev. Christina and saying goodbye to her at the Worship service on June 27th via Zoom. We will not be holding a large, in-person event. If you want to see her in-person to say goodbye, you must email the office to schedule a meeting with her. Rev. Christina's schedule is filling up quickly, so please keep this in mind when scheduling!
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Update From
Your Transition
Ministry Team
The First Parish Transitional Ministry Team interviewed four remarkable interim candidates in May. After lively debate and thoughtful consideration, we found a great candidate to serve First Parish and to guide us on our journey to our next settled minister. Following UUA guidelines, we are not yet able to release the name or specific details of our interim. In any case, please rest assured that we have a vibrant minister in place. You can read more about our Interim Minister here.
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The Communications
Team Needs
Your Help!
We are looking for 2-3 volunteers to assist with decision making and small tasks. We are looking for help with social media postings, editing documents and updating policies, and managing press releases. If this is something you would be interested in, please email the office for more information!
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Happy Pride Month!
For over 20 years, First Parish has been certified as a Welcoming Congregation, a program developed by the UUA to recognize a UU church's commitment to being accepting of people's gender and sexuality. Members and leaders of First Parish participated in an extensive program to explore LGBTQ issues regarding education, congregational life, and community outreach. For more information, click here.
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Church For
EveryBody Update
We have started moving some of the furniture back into the Parish Hall this week. Here is a sneak peek! We are so excited to be approaching the final stages of this incredible project. In July, we will be updating our security system, as well! We look forward to showing off the finished product in the Fall! You can read more about the project here.
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Check Out Our
Social Media!
Did you know that you can find First Parish on Facebook (First Parish Unitarian Universalist) and Instagram (First Parish UU of Portland Maine)? If you are on these platforms, please follow us, “like” or share our posts, and indicate your interest in attending our events. Your interactions with our posts will expand our reach and connections to others. Help spread the news of First Parish!
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Building Reopening Update
Our Safe Congregation Committee's Covid Task Force has been hard at work creating the guidelines for reopening our buildings. Our patience and vigilance as a congregation has paid off - and we are excited to announce that we have moved to Phase 4 of the Reopening Guidelines. Starting Monday, June 14th, we can now have indoor groups of up to 25 people and outdoor groups of up to 45 people. Masks are required when in the building, and are recommended (but not required) outside. There will be no food or drink allowed indoors at this time, but personal beverages are allowed outside. You must email the office to reserve a room. Please contact Jen Stenberg or Liz Wasilewski for more information or with any questions.
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Wayside Pulpit
Laurie Hasty
Membership Coordinator
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Pastoral Care
Breakout Room
Sunday Mornings after Worship
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.
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Breathing and Meditation
with Reverend Christina
Wednesdays | 7:30-8:30am | Zoom
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.
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Poetry Hour with Reverend Christina
Thursdays | 8-9 am | Zoom
We listen to poems, reflect on them, and share how they touch our beings. 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.
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Peaceful Harbor Sangha
Sundays | 6:30-8:00pm | online
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.
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Prayers for the People
Sunday Worship
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.
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COVID + Construction:
Getting in Touch with First Parish
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!
Reverend Christina Sillari
Minister
Hannah Gilman
Congregational Administrator
Scott Wheatley
Music Director
Toben Cooney-Callnan
Director of Religious Exploration
Laurie Hasty
Membership Coordinator
Moe Blanchard
Sexton
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Ongoing Meetings & Resources
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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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