PARENTING WITH INTENTION
Sunday, January 23, 2022, at 10:30 am - online only!
Members of the Parents' Small Group
Sam Chandler, Music Director
Joanna Landsman, Worship Council Member
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Dear First Universalist Friends,
I went to Popham Beach a few days ago to check out the waves after that big storm we had on Monday. As I walked along the marsh grasses to the beach, I was struck with amazement by these perfect circles. The tips of the grasses had traced them in the sand while being tossed in the wind. I watched the blades continue to carve out these curved lines as they blew back and forth.
What a mandala! And what a metaphor, right?
In the midst of the wild, rough, and spontaneous gusts of wind, the grasses naturally drew a clear circle, a whole, a boundary, an enso.
In this, our month of “Living with Intention,” I invite you to trust yourselves, my friends. You may feel tossed hither and thither these gusty days, but you are creating something clear, beautiful, and whole amidst these winds.
Hope to see you at our “Care for Ourselves and Others Retreat” this Saturday, where we will explore our paths, circles, our wholeness, and where we draw our lines in the sand.
Yours in the circle game,
Rev. Hillary
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MIDYEAR MEETING
January 30, 2022, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
First Universalist's midyear meeting, held annually in January, is our opportunity as a church to check in on how things are going and look forward to the rest of the church year and beyond. This midyear meeting will take place virtually on Zoom following the service on Sunday, January 30th.
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VALENTINE'S DAY LOVE-IN
Sunday, February 6, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
All are welcome to come stop by by the church on Sunday, February 6th between 2:00 - 3:00 pm for this pre-Valentine's Day Love-In.
Our Love-In will feature:
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Postcard packets to participate in First U's second annual Valentine's Day exchange - with new and improved postcards! Each packet will include a list of names and addresses, postcards, postcard stamps, and colored pencils.
- A chance to decorate our Sanctuary with statements of our love.
- Warm fellowship and sweet treats.
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FINANCIAL TIMES OF FIRST U |
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Have you contacted your legislators yet? Please see the "Faith In Action" section for more details on #StandWithWabanaki. |
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION:
CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
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VIRTUAL CHILDREN'S CHAPEL
Sunday, January 23, 9:30 -10:00 am
This Sunday, join in for a virtual Children's Chapel with Mack Jones, Children's Teacher, on our monthly theme "Living with Intention." Click here to join on Zoom.
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CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILY RE CALENDAR |
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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! |
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NEWS FROM MUUSAN
Two important bills will be heard by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee of the Maine State Legislature this week. Yarmouth Representative Art Bell serves on this committee. You are encouraged to tune in to these hearings and/or contact Art Bell for more info.
Click to tune into the Public Hearing on Monday, January 24, at 9:00 am.
These two bills will be part of the hearing:
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LD 1875 An Act to Address Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution from State-owned Solid Waste Disposal Facilities. This bill would require pretreatment of any leachate coming out of Juniper Ridge Landfill for PFAS to limit toxins getting mixed in with sludge or discharged into the river. MUUSAN is partnering with the Penobscot Nation on this bill since it address contamination of the river and the fish.
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LD 1911 An Act to Prohibit the Contamination of Clean Soils with So-called Forever Chemicals. This bill would close an existing loophole regarding sludge use on farmland. Even if sludge tests above the allowable limit, this loophole allows it to be shipped to composting facilities and then sold as commercial compost which means that toxins can end up on gardens and farmland. LD 1911 requires commercial composting to meet the same standards as other allowable sludge.
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DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: LD 1626 - WHAT CAN I DO?
Why bother? LD 1626 addresses the most pressing systemic racism issue we face in Maine today, as identified by progressive legislators and social justice organizations. Hear that sound? It’s tribal justice calling. Go ahead, take that call! No act of good is wasted!
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CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS: it’s easy and it matters. MUUSAN offers great action tools to voice your support of LD 1626 at http://www.muusan.org/stand-with-wabanaki.html and scroll to What you can do where you’ll find a LINK to a sample letter that includes a link to find your legislators, and a link to reasons to support LD 1626 – just pick one or two that matter to you. Copy, Paste, Print, Sign, Mail - letters are more powerful than email. Your action matters! Oh, and be sure to use the “I’m taking action” button so MUUSAN knows if its work has been successful!
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Write letters to the editor in support of the bill.
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Talk with friends, family, and neighbors about why this legislation is important for the tribes in Maine and for the entire state.
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FILM SCREENING: "FOOD FOR THE REST OF US"
Wednesday, January 26, 5-8 p.m.
MOFGA is pleased to present, in partnership with Eastern Woodlands Rematriation Collective, a virtual evening of film and discussion. “Food for the Rest of Us” is a feature film that presents the stories of an Indigenous-owned, youth-run organic farm in Hawaii, a Black urban grower in Kansas City, a female Kosher butcher in Colorado and an Inuit community on the Arctic coast. Following the screening, a virtual panel discussion with Wabanaki food producers will take place. This event is free but registration is required. A link will be sent out ahead of the live screening and panel event. |
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Rev. Hillary: On Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 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!
Gwen: Once covid-19 numbers have moved down out of the "very high risk" zone, Gwen will be holding in person office hours from 1 - 3 pm on Wednesdays.
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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.
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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.
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