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We Commit Ourselves
And Our Resources
To Nurture the Spirit,
Grow in Community,
And Help Heal the World.
| | Due to an extensive COVID outbreak at First Parish, we're playing it safe this Sunday and canceling worship in the Meeting House. However, the Memorial Garden will be open for anyone who would like to gather and chat in that breezy outdoor space. As with other garden services, no refreshments will be served. This will be a BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee) affair. | | Upcoming Worship Services | | |
October 4 | 10am
A Sabbath
Informal Meet and Greet
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October 11 | 10am
Sovereignity + Allyship
Maulian Bryant,
Exec. Dir., Wabanaki Alliance
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October 18 | 10am
Human Animals
Caleigh Grogan
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Changes for October 4th
As Rev. Norm wrote in his Letter from the Minister, this Sunday's worship service is cancelled. The Memorial Garden will be open for those who would like to gather outdoors, and Rev. Tara Humphries has kindly invited us to join Allen Avenue on their Zoom link for Sunday worship. You can do so HERE at 10am. The Community Dinner is on as usual for Sunday - our volunteers are monitoring themselves for any health changes.
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Trans Justice Vision Goal Ready to Launch!
First Parish is launching a new vision goal for this church year: rooted in our Unitarian Universalist values, the goal is to cultivate respect, safety, and justice for transgender and nonbinary people. Through education, affirming worship and pastoral care, cultivating safe spaces, and partnerships with trans-led organizations, we'll deepen and strengthen our role as an affirming and supportive faith community. A Task Force launches this fall — if you are interested in joining, please send a note to Mark Tappan (mark.tappan@colby.edu).
Of particular relevance to this work, Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church is partnering with Pink Haven Maine and the Equality Community Center to sponsor the 2026 Trans Faith & Justice Weekend. This educational opportunity is aimed at advancing support for trans justice in and beyond our UU congregations. Join in-person at events in Portland on Friday, October 23th and Saturday, October 24th.
The schedule, details, resources, and contact information can be found on the 2026 Trans Faith & Justice Program Calendar & Details.
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Community Dinner
October 4 | 5pm | Community Room
The first Sunday of every month, we host a free dinner in the Community Room. Our guests include people in all circumstances. Dinner prep begins at 12 pm, setup at 2 pm, and dinner service at 5 pm. Volunteers are welcome at any time. To volunteer, please email Janet.
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Screening of "Dawnland"
October 11 | 12:30pm | Parish Hall
Join the Wabanaki Ally Team for a film screening of the documentary Dawnland, followed by a conversation with guests from Wabanaki REACH.
Dawnland is an award-winning documentary on the work of Maine's Truth & Reconciliation commission that confronted the harm caused by indigenous child removal. Free / donations to Wabanaki REACH. The WAT will serve a light lunch between worship and the event in the community room. For more information click HERE.
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First Parish Book Group
Tuesday, October 6 | 7 pm | Zoom
If you love reading, join us on Zoom to share and discuss books that we have recently enjoyed! This group meets on the first Tuesday of every month. To register and receive the Zoom link, please email Judy Halstead (halstead@skidmore.edu).
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Wabanaki Fall Fundraiser Begins October 11
The Wabanaki Ally Team (WAT) is excited to announce that once again they will be partnering with Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness (WPHW) in our fall fundraiser to benefit Wabanaki elders, and this year for the first time, items for Wabanaki youth.
They will be collecting donations so WPHW can purchase specific items for keeping their elders safe in their homes and also items their youth have requested.
Come by their Parish Hall table after the service to see examples requested by our Wabanaki partners and help make it their most successful kickoff ever of our fundraiser for WPHW on Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
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UUtheVote at First Parish
There are many ways to get involved in First Parish Faith-in-Action election efforts this October! Let Jake Fahey know what events you plan to attend at fiacoordinator@firstparishportland.org.
every Sunday in October from 9-10am in the Parish Hall - Postcard Writing Center for Common Ground national writing campaign [more info here]
Saturday October 17 - Canvass Get out the CARE Vote with Maine Women's Lobby and First Parish community
10am - 1pm in Raymond | learn more and sign up here
Tuesday Oct 27 - Phonebank Get out the CARE Vote with Maine Women's Lobby and First Parish community
4:30-6pm At Coffee By Design in Portland | learn more and sign up here
Connect with Aura Russell-Bedder for First Parish community and carpooling for either or both CARE Vote events: arussellbedder@gmail.com
You can sign up for other canvass and phonebank efforts through the Maine Women's Lobby website here.
| | Friends - See below for upcoming opportunities closely related to our Vision Goal regarding Trans Rights and Self-Learning. These are great opportunities to get started on the work ahead! - Rev. Norm | |
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Sing Out Love - Tips & Tricks
If you’d like to browse our familiar hard copy hymnals directly rather than searching for a specific song, simply hover your cursor over "Song Library" at the top right of the virtual hymnal page and select either Singing the Living Tradition or Singing the Journey. This direct access allows you to explore the collections page by page, making it easy to rediscover old favorites or discover new ones at your own pace.
Sing Out Love is the free-to-access virtual offering of the UUA's music ministry, helping to build a living collection of song resources through an accessible, equitable, online platform grounded in UU values. If you'd like to participate by creating an account or are just curious to learn more, please reach out to Ian Murray at virtualhymnal@firstparishportland.org.
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Share the Plate Nominations
Each month, First Parish shares the offering received during one Sunday service by making a contribution to a nonprofit organization whose work advances the mission of First Parish, to Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community, and Help Heal the World. Click HERE to nominate an organization to be considered for that one-time contribution.
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Online Giving Updated
The First Parish online donations and pledge payments process just got easier and better looking. Check out the updated online giving page HERE using your current log-in information, or, if you’re a new user, set up your account, and see what the buzz is all about.
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Register Children for Religious Exploration!
Parents and Caregivers, please take a few moments to register your children for Religious Exploration programming through the link HERE. If you forget to do this before Sunday, you can scan the QR code at our new RE Welcome Table in the vestibule or on the doors of the classrooms. This helps us keep kids safe while they are here. Thank you!
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Flowers are a Living Chalice
Consider donating flowers for the chalice table for Sunday morning services. Instructions are on the sign up sheet posted by the stairs in the Parish Hall. You may dedicate your donation as a memorial or to honor an event such as an anniversary. For more information, please contact Elissa Armstrong or phone 207-761-1704.
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Come Sing With Us
If you enjoy the music that you hear on Sundays, come be a part of it. The choir always welcomes anyone who loves to sing and can carry a tune. The ability to read music is not a requirement. Rehearsals are on Mondays from 6:45PM to 9PM.
Do you prefer a short term commitment? Join the choir for the 100th anniversary of our Nativity Pageant. Singing in this magical event brings great joy to all!
FMI contact Benjamin at musicdirector@firstparishportland.org or Tony at music@firstparishportland.org.
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Join Weekly Protests
Saturday at 11am!
Gather in Monument Square with the First Parish community and others to speak up for justice and democracy. Enjoy music and bear witness on our open mic.
To get involved and for more information, email Angus Ferguson HERE.
| | Moments in First Parish History | | |
One-and-Done Volunteer Opportunity
Bring Food for Coffee Hour!
Did you know that the delicious snacks we enjoy during coffee hour are donated by community members every Sunday? Bringing snacks for Coffee Hour is a great way to contribute to the First Parish community. Snacks can be as simple as a bunch of grapes or a pack of store-bought cookies (of course, you can get as creative as you want!). All contributions are greatly appreciated. No need to sign up; just drop your items off in the Parish Hall before the service on any Sunday.
The Membership Team is also looking for occasional volunteers to help set up Coffee Hour. This means arriving at 9:30 on a Sunday of your choice. To sign up, contact the Membership Team Chair.
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Large Print Hymnals Available During Services
Large Print Hymnals (teal and gray) are available at First Parish for anyone who would benefit from using them during services. They are at the back bench to your right as you enter the Meeting House from the Congress Street entrance. Feel free to ask ushers for assistance wherever you enter the building.
| | Ongoing Opportunities at First Parish | | |
Security Review
Please review this brief video from Rev. Norm about how to respond in the highly unlikely event of an active shooter on the property. Our Trustees have been working hard to increase security measures throughout the building. Please be sure to thank them for their efforts!
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Volunteer with Religious Exploration!
We are thrilled to welcome kids back to Religious Exploration. With the new program year, it's time to sign up to volunteer. Religious Exploration simply cannot run without volunteer support from the community. Please note, the sign-up process looks a little different this year as we are adding a background check. Once you've completed that process you're all set to volunteer for the year AND former State Street Shelter volunteers are grandfathered in with your previous background checks! Thank you for taking this extra step as we come into alignment with best practices as outlined by the UUA! Sign up to volunteer HERE.
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Make Use of Member Resources!
If you're a First Parish member, the Member Resources page on the website has helpful links for all things First Parish. From getting events into the eNews to volunteering at First Parish to diving into Faith in Action opportunities, the Member Resources page is here for you! If you're looking to book spaces for First Parish-related activites, fill out this form. For support with FP’s Google Workspace environment, please contact google@firstparishportland.org.
| | MUUSAN’s Weekly Action Points call for contacting legislators to support three key climate bills heading to floor votes this week, prepare for upcoming action on immigrant justice and Wabanaki sovereignty legislation, and urge the Governor and Appropriations Committee to fund LD 1474 to strengthen Wabanaki Studies in Maine schools. | | |
Chalice Groups at First Parish - The gift of spiritual connection
These tumultuous times call for action but they also call for self-care. Chalice Groups provide some of the spiritual sustenance we need to help heal the world.
Chalice Groups are close-knit groups of five to ten people. They meet once a month to create a sacred space for conversation that is supportive and confidential. Chalice Group members practice deep listening, develop deep connections, and learn and grow together.
For more information, contact the Chalice Group Coordinator at chalice@firstparishportland.org or visit https://firstparishportland.org/get-involved/chalice-groups/.
| | If you are not feeling well, tested positive for Covid, or have been exposed to Covid, please stay home! | | |
Is Stewardship Part Of Your
Long-Term Financial Planning?
Remembering First Parish in your long-term financial and estate plans helps ensure the on-going well-being of our church. Please consider a bequest to First Parish in Portland as you undertake your charitable and end-of-life planning. Our Trustees accept all bequests on behalf of a grateful congregation and are the fiduciaries responsible for ensuring that your gifts to the church are held in trust and used to support the church’s good work. There are many ways to make legacy gifts to First Parish. If you would like to know more, please email Austin Farrar, Chair of the Trustees at TrusteesChair@FirstParishPortland.org.
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Pastoral Care Needs
If you wish to speak in confidence with a member of the Pastoral Care Team, please send an email to the office and a member will get back to you as soon as possible. The Pastoral Care Team is also recruiting additional members! If you are a compassionate listener, we would love to meet with you. Please email Drea Michaud, PCT Chair, if you are interested!
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What's Going On
Within The UUA?
If you are interested in learning about what is happening within the UUA, check out these regional and national websites!
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