BLESS THE ANIMALS AND FLOWERS

Sunday, June 14, 2020

will be delivered via email at 6:00 am

Rev. Frieda Gillespie, Interim Minister

Sam Chandler, Music Director

In a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world, what does our faith ask of us?

We know there is work to be done.

How can we build the better beloved community?

Let’s go to GA! Thurs June 25 - Sunday June 28 .

IT IS JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY!

The Unitarian Universalist Association’s Annual General Assembly (GA!) is always the last weekend in June, and while it’s usually a challenge to leave work-family-home, get there, stay there, etc., this year with the pandemic GA is all VIRTUAL and the price is incredibly reasonable: $150 for everything Thursday-through-Sunday.

The fee covers all courses, workshops, the Saturday night WARE LECTURE , and all worship services. For every topic that UUs care about, there’s a course, there’s a workshop or conversation: conflict resolution, leadership, stewardship, social justice, indigenous people, environmental action, music, worship, lifespan RE, and more.

The Board of 1U encourages everyone to attend! We will be sending specific course suggestions to folks who have been or are serving in all of the topics. (If the cost is a stretch, please let us know – Faith in Action can help with that. Write to Joanna at [email protected] or Marge at [email protected] .) 

Here is a little sample of three courses with relevance to our work and our community:

·         Having Anti-Racist Conversations - How can we connect, listen, and build up anti-racist power?

·         Collaborative Planning of Highly Interactive Family Worship - What are the building blocks of this format? How can ministers and religious educators collaborate effectively on family worship?

·         Individual Salvation/Collective Liberation - Who matters and who belongs? Embrace a faithful, fearless vision of collective liberation and systemic change.

Please CLICK HERE for a PDF of 50 other courses that we think you might like to attend. The full program will be found here. As virtual registrants you will be able to watch and ask questions in live sessions, and registration will also give you access to recordings of all the courses and lectures. 

Major Events

·          Ware Lecture – Naomi Klein , author of “On Fire: The Burning Case for the Green New Deal” (Saturday evening)

·          Sunday Morning Worship  (registration not required) - the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship and song. 

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT IS HAPPENING? FIRST U ROCKS!

Yes, there is sorrow and worry all over, but in our Peace Garden, especially up at the sidewalk sign, there are signs of hope, peace, and love. Feel free to bring a rock (painted or not) and leave it to brighten and enlighten the day of passers-by. Thanks! (from the Wednesday morning Conversation Circle with Rev. Frieda)

A WING AND A PRAYER

On a wing and a prayer, 12 families have stepped up to fully fund the Wing Project! Carpenter is scheduled to begin work June 22. Thank you to our donors!

RE-INSPIRE YOUR WEEK BOXES

Coming soon to your house: RE-inspire your week packages for children and youth! Packages will most likely arrive mid to late June to those with addresses listed in the directory. If you aren't, but your family would like a box, please email Gwen Matthews at [email protected] with your address.

VIRTUAL YOUTH GROUPS

Both junior and senior youth groups are now meeting online. You can download the Zoom app in advance to your smart phone, tablet, or laptop. Not getting the email but your youth would like to participate and/or you have other questions about youth programs? Contact Gwen Matthews at [email protected].

Virtual Junior Youth Group is on for 11 - 11:45 am on Sunday, June 14. Details about how to connect will be arriving in a separate email.

Virtual Senior Youth Group is on for 4:30 - 5:15 pm on Sunday, June 14. Details about how to connect will be arriving in a separate email.

#UUTHEVOTE: DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON JULY 14TH!

You can vote safely by absentee ballot:

Here is the link to request the ballot online: LINK. Ballots will be mailed out mid-June. Give yourself ample time to mail it back to your town clerk.

Encourage your friends to vote with information about absentee ballots:

The congregation’s Friends2Friends campaign is offering links, tips, and sample messages for encouraging others outside the congregation to vote safely too. We have already reached out to hundreds of friends and neighbors and can reach many more with your help. To participate email Pam Dyer at [email protected].

VOLUNTEERING AT PREBLE STREET

Our next first Tuesday to volunteer at Preble Street is July 7, 3 - 6 pm. At this time, Preble Street still really needs your support in putting together to-go meals for their clients who they serve daily. Help to feed some of Maine's most vulnerable people who continue to rely on Preble Street for food and other resources. Contact Ruth White ( [email protected]) with any questions or if you would like to sign up. Thank you!

Please note a few changes:

The Church Office is Closed, But Minister and Staff Are Still Working!

Rev. Frieda, Gwen, Sam, and Andrea all continue to work from home to support the church community. You can reach them via email, call and leave a voicemail at the church office (messages are checked on Monday & Thursday), or call Rev. Frieda on her cell phone: 508-207-7566.