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Dear First Universalist Friends,

For Lent this year, after a lot of hemming and hawing - “Haven’t I given up enough during Covid?” - I decided to give up “mindlessly looking at my phone.” Sure, it’s a Lenten resolution that may pertain a bit more to someone of my Instagramming, Tik-Toking generation, but still, I feel safe saying that the vast majority of people in our country - of all ages - suffer from some form of internet addiction. 

Now that we’re on the other side of Lent, I can say that giving up mindlessly looking at my phone was extremely difficult. It had become a reflex to pick it up at all the spacious, boring, anxious, impatient points of my day. Often I was already scrolling before I even became aware of the fact that my phone was in my hand. Crazy! Once I got the hang of the mindfulness practice, however, my days became miraculously open and focused. What happened in all that open time? Well, I did a lot of First U stuff… and I read! I read voraciously! 

As both an attempt to find others who have read these books and want to talk about them, and as a way to offer you a suggestion for your next read, here are the books I read (or tried to read) in the past 40 days: 

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

One of the best books I’ve read in years. A sardonic, poetic, devastating, well researched and highly emotional account of the lives of undocumented people not only living in America, but making America function. My whole life went on pause while I read Villaviencio’s interwoven vignettes.

 

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

A post-apocalyptic story about a band of aesthetes trying to keep art alive in the aftermath of a pandemic that makes Covid 19 seem manageable. I couldn’t put it down. First work of fiction that I’ve read in a long time that held my attention. 

Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert 

Curious about the latest genetically modified approaches to saving the Great Barrier Reef? How to electrify a river to prevent the spread of invasive fish? Or what materials would work best to shoot into the atmosphere to block out the sun over the ice caps? Kolbert’s book is a meditation on how far humans should go to try to save the earth from the destruction humans have caused. It’s a giant face palm, and it’s all already happening. 

See No Stranger by Valerie Kaur

Part spiritual memoir of trauma and healing, and part instruction manual on how to be a decent human being, See No Stranger is one of those books you can just pick up, open to any page and start reading. Within five minutes of doing so you’ll be reaching for a pencil to underline one of Kaur’s many proverbs on courage, grief, anger, birth and revolutionary love. (Spoiler - this book is likely to be the basis of an upcoming sermon.)

One Goal by Amy Bass

As a senior at Lewiston High School the year when the first refugees from Somalia arrived in Lewiston, I’ve been meaning to read this book since it was published in 2015. Doing so brought back vivid, visceral memories of my hometown and the xenophobic strife that erupted when the homogenous city had to grapple with diversity and change. I couldn’t read it before going to bed because it agitated me too much, resulting in fitful sleep and weird dreams, but I found it an enthralling read. 

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

I know it’s not a popular opinion, but I just couldn’t get into it, even though I liked the cheetah conceit. If you loved it, I’m happy for you!

The Overstory by Richard Powers

I tried and failed for the 3rd time to read this book this past month. I got the furthest I have yet with it (p.82), but then, I just lost interest again. The Overstory has everything I love, I should like it, I don’t know why I don’t. 

What are you reading these days? What should I check out next? Did you know that we’re trying to re-organize and refresh our First U library? Did you know we’re pulling together materials for a children’s library? Would you like to be involved in those processes? What about joining a First U summer reading club? Do you want to give up iPhones forever with me?

Yours in words, words, words, and birdsong,

Rev. Hillary 

Each week, we'll introduce you to two councils, committees, or groups from First Universalist so that you can learn more and stay updated. Visit our website for the full list of councils, committees, and groups.

The Congregation Connections Committee aka CCC meets (via zoom) monthly on a Tuesday afternoons from 5 to 6:30 pm. This year we are trying to keep everyone connected, welcome newcomers, and increase our visibility in Yarmouth, so everyone knows what great stuff is going on at First Universalist! Think cookies, Easter eggs, Valentines, website, updated directories, etc. We welcome you to join in these truly fun projects and to reach out if you have ideas or questions. Contact Sarah at sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com. Cheers!

The Committee on Ministry (CoM) meets monthly and is composed of three members of the congregation chosen by the Board and the Minister. Our focus as defined by the Board is twofold: to advise and introduce Rev. Hillary to First U and to model healthy conflict resolution process as conflicts arise. Especially in this year of covid, our work has chiefly been in orienting our new minister to a congregation that is largely remote. Everything about this year is unlike any other. We have recently begun to explore the UUA evaluation process which is requested of new settled ministers. We anticipate completion by the end of this church year. The COM for church year '20-'21 is Ben Tupper, Emily Bogner, and Nancy Dix.

April 15 - April 18, 2021: Final Day to Register is April 10th!

First U is invited to join First Parish in attending the Revolutionary Love Conference, a virtual conference to build a just, antiracist society through the power of fierce love (about the conference). The conference is live but all ticket holders will also have access to recordings of the entire conference. Tickets to attend this four day conference are $50 - contact Rev. Hillary if you're interested in participating and receiving this group rate.

Through reflection, conversation and connection, First Universalist identifies goals for the calendar year for each council and committee.

This week we’re excited to share the goals of the BUILDINGS & GROUNDS COMMITTEE. The members of B&G are Ben Tupper (Chair), Pete Titcomb, Joe Dreher (Board Liaison), and John Vogt.

For more detail on these goals, please see the full 2021 Goals document at our website.

On Zoom with Anna where we introduce the theme for the month of April: Becoming. Click to join and enter password CHAPEL.

An online version of coffee hour plus a chance to connect and discuss themes that arose during the worship service. Click to join and enter password COMMUNITY.

Junior youth group's trip to Wolfe's Neck Center has been canceled for this week due to low attendance. Please join us instead on Sunday, April 25th, 1:00 - 2:30 pm for DIY Blue Man Instruments!

4:00 - 5:00 pm

A review of our time together during Coming of Age in preparation for writing our credo statements, with Rev. Hillary, Gwen, and Ben. Click to join and enter password SPIRIT.

Take two! After being rained out, we've reschedule our DIY Blue Man instrument making for our junior youth group members and any friends who would like to come along. If your RSVP status has changed (if you can no longer come when you initially RSVPed yes or now you can come when you initially couldn't), please reach out to Gwen at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com.

The vision: A small lending library for children and families, housed in the Kitty Corner, that focuses on books related to UU values. We'd start out small, maybe fifty books, and include books that highlight justice, diversity, peace, and inclusion. We'd curate books from our current collection and add new titles, too.

When we're back in the church building, children could find a cozy spot and read books during coffee hour, teens might volunteer to read-aloud, grandparents might discover new books to share with their grandchildren, and Peace Play could welcome families into the space during the week. Like other libraries, we'd also house some quiet toys in the section.

How to help launch: We need just a few good folks for a small number of roles to get this project launched. Do any of these appeal to you? Contact Gwen at gwenatfirstu@gmail.com if you'd like to get involved or have other ideas you'd like to share.

What is environmental racism and is environmental racism real? To answer these questions please click on the button below and explore in depth an example of environmental racism in Chicago.

In honor of our second principle, justice, equity and compassion in human relations, this week’s offering is shared with Equality Maine, working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration. EQME envisions the day when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of Maine people and in all areas of the law. In the words of Margaret Chase Smith, “Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.” 

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.

One of our First Universalist members is seeking a housing rental for herself and her two children in the Yarmouth area. If you have rental space available or know of someone who does, please make a connection! Contact Val Gifford at valredpath@gmail.com.