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We Commit Ourselves
And Our Resources
To Nurture the Spirit,
Grow in Community,
And Help Heal the World.
| | For centuries, music has rallied the masses into fighting for causes of justice and freedom. Over the years, millions have joined in solidarity to sing about civil rights, women's equality, worker's rights and many other causes. Join us in singing a sampling of these songs; and be inspired to continue the work that forever lies before us. | | Upcoming Worship Services | | |
August 30 | 10:00am
Songs of Solidarity
Tony Lacertosa
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September 6 | 10:00am
A Labor Day Sabbath
Informal Meet & Greet
BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee)
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September 13 | 10:00am
One Great Bundle: Ingathering & Water Communion
Rev. Norman Allen
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Childcare and Live Streaming to Pause for Summer
As in previous years, we pause live streaming, childcare, and Religious Exploration classes over the summer. All programs will resume on Sunday, September 13.
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First Friday with First Parish: 200th Anniversary Kickoff
September 4 | 5:00-7:00pm
Join us for this anniversary kick-off event with historical displays and activities, including a model of “Old Jerusalem” (the Meeting House’s predecessor), tours of the gardens and Meeting House, and, for those willing and able, a climb up to the historic bell tower steeple that holds the 1802 Simon Willard clock.
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Rainbow Reflections: An LGBTQ Discussion & Support Group About Faith & Spirituality
August 30 | 11:30 am | Fuller Classroom
Come meet new people of all ages as we share and explore our unique spiritual pathways and seek to heal any wounds of the past. This fun and thought-provoking group provides a safe, confidential space for all LGBTQ community members, including atheists/agnostics, on the final Sunday of each month.
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First Parish Book Group
Tuesday, September 1 | 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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Newcomer Conversation
September 6 | 11:15am | The Harper Classroom
Welcome to First Parish! Newcomers and visitors to First Parish are invited to chat informally with our Membership Team after the worship service, upstairs in the Parish Hall. They look forward to answering your questions about our church's activities and membership process.
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Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of our Beloved Meeting House
September 20-September 27
First Parish will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of its historic Meeting House with a weeklong celebration, September 20-27. Events include a panel discussion of leading historians in partnership with the Maine Historical Society and Longfellow Books; a benefit concert titled “History through Performance,” featuring top local artists; and a collaboration with State Theatre and Portland Ovations to present “Travesty” with celebrated drag artist Sasha Velour.
There will also be a First Friday kick-off event on September 4, a gala garden party, the placing of a time capsule, and worship services that look back to the congregation’s 350-year history and forward to its bright, justice-focused future. Click HERE for a full schedule of events and ticket information. Mark your calendars and get your tickets now!
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Community Dinner
September 6 | 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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Join the Women’s Circle!
Second Tuesdays | 6-8pm in the Parish Hall
First Meeting This Year: September 8!
The Wonder Women’s Wisdom Circle is an opportunity for women to connect with one another and explore practices which nurture our spirits. The group follows a rotating leadership model, and activities vary each month. Activities can be anything that intrigues us, inspires us, or brings us joy - readings, discussion topics, games, crafts, shared food, meditation, movement, or anything else that we can think of! We are an open group; new members are welcome at any time, and regular attendance is not required. We welcome all who identify as women.
For more information or to be added to our group contact list, please contact:
Mary Wheeler (maryalisonwheeler@yahoo.com) or Drea Michaud (dreamichaud@gmail.com)
| Tickets for the 200th Anniversary Benefit Concert are now available in the Parish Hall every Sunday between now and the concert (Wednesday, September 23). Tickets will also be available at the door! Ticket price is $25 per ticket - Donations are welcome. If you prefer, you may also purchase them online through Eventbrite HERE. Note: there is a service charge when purchasing tickets through Eventbrite so the total cost of the ticket is $28.52. | |
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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200th Anniversary Garden Party
September 26 | 6:00-7:30pm
Join us for a Garden Party Celebration! Our Famous Chef, Janet Puistonen, has planned a delicious menu to be served under a beautiful tent set up in the Memorial Garden. There will be no charge for the dinner, but you must sign up in advance as there is only space for 80 guests. Please sign up after church in the Parish Hall with Lynne Beasley or email Lynne at lynnebeasley19@gmail.com. Adults and children are all included as welcomed guests. The dinner will be followed by a dance in the Parish Hall with DJ John Schaberg. It should be great fun!
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200th Time Capsule - Your Ideas Wanted!
September 13 is the deadline for contributions to the time capsule that will tell the story of First Parish today, to members 50 years from now! Do you have any SMALL, DURABLE, representative items from any of our social justice, youth or community activities that can help illustrate our current times? If so, please put them in an envelope with a description and place them in the mail slot next to Beka's office. We greatly appreciate your thoughtful gifts to the future!
| | Moments in First Parish History | | |
Sing Out Love - Tips and Tricks
This month, Sing Out Love featured "The Northern Cardinal" in their e-newsletter. Some of you may recognize this piece as part of the Songbird Antiphons, which was commissioned by our very own Molly Schen and premiered by the Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and which the First Parish choir performed in April 2025. This beautiful work was created to draw attention to the beauty of birds and the threat to their survival by climate change. The First Parish choir just might be performing this piece again soon - stay tuned!
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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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!
| | 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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