WORSHIP
"Resolution Revolution"
Sunday, January 3, 2021, 10:30 am
Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director

Watch the service live on YouTube
Or use the same link for the recording of the service after
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NO LUUNCH TODAY
Please note that there is no LUUnch happening today, January 1st. Rev. Hillary is on holiday for New Year's Day, but will still be on-call for pastoral emergencies.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
Dear First Universalist Community,

What a year we had. Even as we look forward, let's glance backwards, to root ourselves in the past and recall the strength and resilience it's taken to get here, and to celebrate where we've come from, what we've managed to do.

For our religious education programs, we are steadfast, opting to be a tether for those who need it, a connection point and an opportunity for grounding. Know that even as things continue to shift, we'll keep providing programming, a chance to connect, to learn, and to grow.

Children's Chapel continues to be facilitated by Anna Bianconi, who has been our Children's Teacher for the past two years. Most Sundays, she connects with children over Zoom to celebrate holidays and to engage with our worship theme of the month. This small group of children are resilient, inquisitive, and eager. We also are offering once monthly Time for All Ages during the worship service, co-lead by Anna, Rev. Hillary, and/or Gwen.

Junior Youth Group has happily welcomed Ben Tupper as a new facilitator. Gwen continues to co-facilitate and Christy Hayashida is offering occasional facilitation support. Rev. Hillary joins the group as a facilitator once per month, as well. Our small group is creative, considerate, and interested in social justice causes. Right now, we are focusing on learning about the environment and ways we can support environmental justice.

Coming of Age is a fantastic group of seven committed, intrepid, deeply thoughtful young people. The group is co-facilitated by Joanna Landsman, Alexis Waller, Gwen, and Rev. Hillary. Ben Tupper acts as a mentor and attends group sessions about once per month. The youth in Coming of Age are tackling big questions, discerning their beliefs, and participating in and creating rituals. This session will conclude in May when the group leads a worship service and shares their credo statements.

Learning Hour has changed and morphed a few times over the course of this past fall. Primarily, the Anti-Racism Working Group has been offering facilitated, reflective discussions of the 8th Principle. In the coming months, we hope to offer an adult version of Coming of Age.

The RE Council is invaluable with their wisdom and insight and commitment to having high quality religious education programming for all ages.

In addition, I feel fortunate that we managed to have a number of safe, socially distanced gatherings this fall: apple picking, pumpkin carving, and bulb planting all were great opportunities to connect and have fun.

Grateful for this steadfast, resilient community.

Gwen Matthews
Director of Education & Communications
January 3rd, 9:45 - 10:15 am: Children's Chapel
Join Anna on Zoom as we welcome in the new year together this Sunday.
Click for Children's Chapel and enter password: CHAPEL

January 3rd, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Social Hour
Join in for chatting and fellowship, a virtual version of coffee hour.
Click for Social Hour and enter password: COMMUNITY

January 3rd, 4:00 - 5:00 pm: Coming of Age
Coming of Age continues with Alexis and Joanna facilitating as we start to think about God - what do you believe and don't you believe?
Click for Coming of Age and enter password: SPIRIT
BIRDSEED ORNAMENT KITS
This January, we'll be delivering and/or mailing birdseed ornament making kits to First U children and youth. If you're not in our current directory and would like a kit, or if you have grandchildren or other children in your life you'd like a kit for, please contact Gwen (gwenatfirstu@gmail.com) with the number of children in your family and your address. Thank you!
FAITH AT HOME
This year of virtual church offers constraints but also opportunities. How can you build discussions of values, beliefs, and faith into each day? How can you really live the Seven Principles? Why does it matter to you and your family to have a grounding in this liberal religion? With these questions in mind, we've developed some opportunities for exploring your faith at home focusing on January's theme of Imagination.

This packet contains ideas for families of our youngest friends (ages 0 - 3), younger children (ages 4 - 7), older children (ages 8 - 10), middle schoolers (ages 11 - 13), and high schoolers (ages 14 - 18).
PEACE & JUSTICE WORK
OUR HALF-PLATE THIS WEEK
This week’s offering is shared with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. This nationwide movement organizes and mobilizes poor and impacted communities, along with moral witnesses, to become agents of change as they confront systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and religious nationalism. Its work aligns closely with the UU principles that call on us to promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person and justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

Please offer your gift by clicking the "Make Your Offering" button below (to contribute via GiveButter), dropping a check or cash in the mail, or sending via your bank's bill pay feature.
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE
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.
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.
 First Universalist Church of Yarmouth | 207-846-4148 | office@uuyarmouth.org | www.uuyarmouth.org