Sunday, October 10, 2021, 10:30 am - online only!

Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister

Sam Chandler, Music Director

Gwen Matthews, Director of Education & Communications

Mack Jones, Children's Teacher & Youth Facilitator

To join online: To access the online service, please use this Zoom link and enter the passcode WORSHIP. A Sunday morning email will also be arriving with the Zoom link, order of worship, and a link to the offering.

Dear First Universalist Friends,

In honor of Indigenous People’s Day, I want to point you in the direction of three action and awareness-raising opportunities for Indigenous rights, sovereignty, celebration, and truth-telling.

Firstly, the Maine League of Women Voters has put together a fantastic line up of monthly events this fall to “promote a better understanding of the past and present of the Wabanaki Indigenous People.” Explore and sign-up for these events: Understanding Dawnland Today: The Wabanaki and the State of Maine (and see more info under the Faith In Action section of Channels).

Secondly, on November 5th facilitators from Wabanaki REACH will be leading an online workshop for our congregation entitled: Interacting with Wabanaki-Maine History. This workshop is an interactive experience in which we will engage with events in the 400 year history of the colonization of Wabanaki people in this territory now called Maine. This program comes highly recommended from all who have attended it in the past and we are honored and enthusiastic to offer it here at First U. Save the date, attendance will be limited. Sign-up coming soon.

And thirdly, this poem, by Joy Harjo, the first ever Indigenous US Poet Laureate. It’s on the longer side. I believe long poems are not meant to be quick reads, so take it slowly. A few lines at a time. Let it settle in you and just notice what happens to your understanding of self, other, law, and earth.

Yours in the struggle, the solution, and all that’s possible just today alone,

Rev. Hillary

After the service this Sunday, there are two opportunities for fellowship:

Come to an all ages family Halloween themed event on Sunday, October 24, 3 - 4 pm, where we’ll be painting and carving pumpkins. Consider painting or carving a chalice design and leaving the pumpkins as decorations at the church—or take them home for your own enjoyment. Please BYO pumpkin for carving or painting. We’ll have paint, paint brushes, carving supplies, tarps, buckets, etc. Come and bring your friends, too!

There are no RE programs being held this Sunday, October 10, both in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day and due to rising covid-19 case numbers that have resulted in our service being online only.

Please fill out this online registration form for all children and youth who will be participating in programs at First Universalist. Thank you!

This year, you can view a schedule of children and youth programs in advance and learn about timing of programs, topics/themes, and facilitators each week. Please also see below to view the newly updated October RE calendar.

Please note: These plans may be updated as the fall progresses.

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, take time to learn more about and support the Wabanaki people of Maine.

In 2019, Maine officially changed “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” — an overdue yet important milestone for our state. Now, it’s time to fully and authentically honor the Wabanaki Tribes by restoring their right to self-govern.  Join the Wabanaki Alliance and partners for the Rally for Wabanaki Rights: A Virtual Rally for Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, October 11 from 10 AM-12 PM. This event will be live-streamed through the Wabanaki Alliance Facebook Page. Click here to RSVP for the virtual Facebook Live event.

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, watch this brief video on the Wabanaki's Penobscot River claim "The Saga Continues," a 7-minute update to the full broadcast of "The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory" on MPBN Thur 10/14 10 am and Sat 10/16 2 pm.

This series dives into difficult truths about the colonization of Maine and how understanding Dawnland today can help us become better allies of the Wabanaki tribes. Thanks to the League of Women Voters of Maine for making these opportunities available.

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY FILM, DAWNLAND.

You can watch the Dawnland film and discussion event on demand. Use this link and type this password to gain access: green.five.swallow. You can also watch just a recent discussion of the film on YouTube.

UPCOMING DAWNLAND DISCUSSION WITH WABANAKI-REACH

Wabanaki-REACH is hosting a discussion of the Dawnland film on Indigenous Peoples' Day, Monday, October 11. Participants are able to view the full-length feature film prior to the event. Space is limited. Click here to register. 

The next event in the Dawnland series is on land acknowledgement. Dr. Darren Ranco from the University of Maine Department of Anthropology will join. Wednesday, October 13 at 6:00 PM: Click here to register.

You can help demand "truth in advertising" by supporting this citizen initiative that will prohibit foreign money being spent in Maine elections. Follow this campaign on Facebook to learn more and consider signing up to assist in collecting signatures.

The Maine UU State Advocacy Network is seeking a part-time administrative coordinator. You can view the job description for more information and instructions on how to apply.

The Maine Voices Beyond Prison Walls art exhibit which is part of the Freedom and Captivity Project.

The Freedom and Captivity Project is a statewide public arts and humanities collaborative conceived with the participation of people in Maine impacted by incarceration. The project aims to help the public imagine a future without prisons through exhibitions, workshops, webinars, a podcast series, research, creative production and public education materials.

The Freedom and Captivity Project art exhibit Maine Voices Beyond Prison Walls opened at the Union of Maine Visual Artists Gallery at the Portland Media Center, 516 Congress Street Portland Friday, September 3, 2021 and will run through through October 29, 2021.

Rev. Hillary is back in the Zoom and real life office this August and would like to catch up with you! On Wednesdays from 11 am - 1 pm she will be holding an outside drop-in space at our church picnic tables. All are welcome to come by and check-in. (Weather permitting.)

Throughout the week, Rev. Hillary will be holding office hours for individual conversations. These conversations can be on Zoom, over the phone, or in-person. Please reach out to Rev. Hillary directly to schedule a conversation, firstuminister@gmail.com. Note that Rev. Hillary is not available to meet on Saturdays and Mondays. See you soon!