TIME AFTER TIME
Sunday, November 14, 2021, 10:30 am - online and in person!
Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Minister
Sam Chandler, Music Director
Gwen Matthews, Director of Education & Communications
Mack Jones, Children's Teacher & Youth Facilitator
|
|
If you're joining in person: Please review our covid-19 safety guidelines on our website. Please also note: In-person worship plans are subject to change dependent on covid-19 case numbers in Cumberland County. We will alert you quickly if such changes occur prior to Sunday. For more information on our re-opening decision process please see our Re-Opening Phase Chart.
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,
Do you know that song by Emma’s Revolution, “Never Turning Back?" It goes:
“We’re gonna keep on moving forward,” clap, clap, clap, clap-clap
“Keep on moving forward,”
“Keep on moving forward,” clap, clap, clap, clap-clap
“Never turning back,” clap, clap, clap, clap-clap
“Never turning back” clap, clap, clap, clap-clap
I think of all the hymns and spirit lifting songs we sing in our UU faith tradition, this is the song I’ve sung more than any other. Why? Well, two reasons:
In my years of being a Minister of Religious Education, this song was one of the best spirituals to teach, clap, and sing along with children.
And secondly, this is the song I always find myself singing when I’m out walking my dog. (Contrary to popular belief, greyhounds can be slow, reluctant walkers who just want to turn around and go back home the whole time. We gotta keep on moving forward, though.)
Despite loving “Never Turning Back,” and finding it stuck in my head at some point every week, I disagree with the message. I mean, understand what it is saying - the arc of the universe bends toward justice and we must always continue forward on the path to liberation for all. Yes, absolutely, I agree. But you know what, I think in order to move forward, we actually have to turn back fairly regularly.
Just think of all the turning back white people have had to do as we’ve reckoned with our racialized ways of seeing the world and how our ingrained biases came to be. Think of the history we are re-visiting these days as we come to know all the stories left out of the narrative. Think of all the times you’ve had to turn back over the course of your life in order to learn from your mistakes, honor your teachers, heal from your traumas, and seek healthy relationships.
We have no choice but to move forward, and so, yep, we’re definitely gonna keep on doing that, but my friends, in this month of holding history, I invite you to spend some sacred time turning back. This month, let’s honor how far we’ve come, consider what we still need to learn, and celebrate the miracle that we are still alive.
(Unless you are a greyhound, in which case, please, let’s just try to keep on moving forward this month.)
Yours on the path, the arc, and the way home,
Rev. Hillary
|
|
FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U |
|
CARING FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS: AN ALL CHURCH RETREAT
Join us on Saturday, December 11th for a day long retreat in which we will learn and remember how to offer compassion towards ourselves and others. During the day, Rev. Hillary, Gwen, and lay leaders will facilitate exercises and spiritual practices that will strengthen and soften our skills of speaking, listening, giving, receiving, and being with care.
The retreat will take place in the church Gathering Room and Sanctuary and will be comprised of two sessions: a morning session from 9:30-12pm and an afternoon session from 1-3:30pm. . Members and friends of First Universalist are welcome and encouraged to attend both sessions, but if only one session is possible, you are still welcome and invited.
|
|
CHANNELS ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR NEXT WEEK
All announcements for inclusion in Channels on 11/19 and/or the Sunday Morning News on 11/21 are due by Tuesday, 11/16 at 12:00 pm. Please send any announcements to Gwen Matthews at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com. |
|
MINI-HOLIDAY FAIR ON DECEMBER 4TH
First Universalist will be having a mini fair on Dec. 4. Proceeds will be for the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust for the Wabanaki Garden Project. The Chamber of Commerce will be advertising. We have solicited soups, Joy's jams, and some craft items will be sold. If anyone has done crafts that they would like to donate, please let Dorothy McAloney know at dmcaloney48@gmail.com. |
|
FIRST UNIVERSALIST TUMBLERS FOR SALE
Ready for some First U branded swag? Share your enthusiasm for our church with this promotional tumbler. These double wall stainless steel insulated tumblers are now for sale for $20 each (cash or check made out to First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, please bring exact amount) during coffee hour on Sundays. Please note: These were printed in a limited run and may sell out.
Features:
- First U's logo on the front and the name of the church on the back. The background color is gray with a silver lid (the pictures are different colors based on indoor vs outdoor lighting).
- 22 ounce capacity.
- Keeps drinks cold for 48+ hours and hot for 12+ hours.
- Screw on, spill proof lid.
- Stainless steel hand loop for carrying.
- Please hand wash.
|
|
BOUNTY DISCUSSIONS
Following the recent screening of the documentary film, Bounty, we'll be having two opportunities for discussion at First Universalist:
-
Bounty discussion, Wednesday, November 17th, 7:30 - 8:30 pm, held on Zoom. Please register to receive the Zoom link.
-
Bounty discussion, Friday, November 19th, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, held in person at First Universalist in the Common Room, with covid-19 safety measures in place. Please register to attend.
|
|
NEW GROWTH FROM OLD ROOTS COURSE
Are you interested in the evolution of Christianity and how we can reclaim and renew meaning from the life and teachings of Jesus beyond literal orthodox readings and beliefs? To follow up on Andrew Tonks' talk about looking at Jesus from new perspectives, please join him to read and discuss Elaine Pagels’ Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas. We’ll meet once a week on Zoom from the week of November 28 through the week of January 2 (but not the week of December 19)—day, time and duration to be negotiated. Please contact at andrewftonks@yahoo.com as soon as you can so we can plan together. |
|
UPCOMING PLANS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
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 November RE calendars.
Please note: These plans may be updated as the fall progresses.
|
|
REGISTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
Please fill out this online registration form for all children and youth who will be participating in programs at First Universalist. Thank you! |
|
CHILD TAX CREDIT
The Maine Council of Churches in partnership with Maine Equal Justice are working to raise awareness about the Child Tax Credit—up to $3,600 per year for each child.
Folks who did not file a 2020 income tax return can still be eligible to receive the remainder of these payments for 2021, and between now and November 15, there’s an easy-to-use portal (works on computer or cell phone) to apply: https://www.getctc.org/en
In order to qualify for the 2022 child tax credit, people do need to file a tax return—even if they wouldn’t file otherwise. Your local chapter of CA$H Maine is a great resource for those who need free help with how to file ( https://www.cashmaine.org/ ).
To be eligible, the children do need to have a Social Security number, but the parent or grandparent who is applying does NOT. Receiving the Child Tax Credit does not impact or reduce any other benefits a family may be eligible for, like SNAP or TANF.
|
|
REV. HILLARY'S OFFICE HOURS
On Wednesdays from 12 - 1 pm Rev. Hillary 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! |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
