Change is Good...
There's been a change ~ the format of Channels will be revised over the next few weeks. The feedback we'd received indicated that the length of the newsletter combined with the narrow columns made for cumbersome reading.
The column now utilizes the entire width of the page, a "Table of Contents" now directs the reader to sections of interest and content pages appear in white for easier reading. In the coming weeks, in order to further reduce the length of the newsletter, lengthy articles will be given a link to a blog created specifically as an addendum to the newsletter. The blog will give additional space as needed and will help keep the newsletter brief and to the point. As we move through the process of change, please feel free to send your feedback by clicking here. Thank you. Suzanne
Announcement re. ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!
What's happening? When? Where? Starting on Sunday January 15th, an Announcer will stand up a few minutes before our service begins, and deliver any current news and announcements. After Announcements, we will have a Quiet Sanctuary so that people can meditate or enjoy the Musical Prelude to Worship.
Sarah Witte has volunteered to be the Announcer for 2012. Announcements can be emailed in advance or handed to Sarah on Sunday mornings, or even left on the pulpit. sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com Please try coming a few minutes earlier so you can get the news and enjoy the music. Many thanks in advance! |
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Channels Newsletter
January 6, 2012
Mission Statement of the First Universalist Church of Yarmouth
Connected by Unitarian-Universalist principles,
We join hands in open-minded and caring community
To support spiritual exploration and growth,
To celebrate and honor life's journey,
And to inspire engagement in an evolving world.
Religious Exploration
Check out our WEBSITE.
"We are a Welcoming Congregation"
Channels Newsletter Table of Contents
1. Worship
2. Programs
a. Religious Exploration
b. Faith-in-Action
c. Denominational Connections
d. Library
3. Governance & Stewardship
4. Community Announcements & Events
5. Church and office information
6. Blog links
7. Storm Closing information
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 In the Middle of Miracles
Sunday, January 8th, 10:30 am
Happy New Year! Join Rev. Jennifer today as she completes our exploration of miracles, exploring what Rabbi Harold Kushner calls "the big ones": the miracles human beings can create for one another, and themselves. And don't forget, after the service today there are 3 great things going on in our fellowship hour:
1. Coffee hour! Come one and all. New to our church? Take a blue mug so that our Welcoming Committee knows to seek you out and help you make connections.
2. Children's Tea - Children of all ages are welcome to spend this hour with Rev. Jennifer. Please meet in her office at 11:45 and we'll talk and play until 12:45.
3. Tea Talk for RE Parents - in the Common Room, immediately following the service. While Rev. Jennifer hosts the Children's Tea, parents of all RE students are invited to join a discussion on "What fills your cup?"
Worship Calendar
January 8, 2012 - In the Middle of Miracles
January 15 - February 12 Our Worship theme will be "The Call" - How do we understand amd embrace vocation in our lives and our faith?
January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday
This wonderful worship service includes special music from our Choir, and singer and music educator Diana Hansen. Hear and participate in the music and the passion that has informed and liberated African influence in America, the African-American life and struggle for freedom, MLK's hope for us, and how that hope lives on in the world in artists like Ysaye Barnwell.
January 22 - Guest preacher D'vorah Kelly is back with us to offer her thoughts on vocation and faith. Join us!
January 29 - Stranger and Traveler - the vocation of Dorothea Dix
Join Rev. Jennifer and Worship Weaver Kate Connelly in their exploration of the life of one of our great Unitarian foremothers, Dorothea Dix. Come find out what Dorothea's passion, courage, and sheer stubborn brilliance has to teach us about our own desire to answer "the call".
And remember, our Mid-Year Meeting is today after the service. Members and friends, please stay for this important chance to speak together as a community. (Our Sr. youth will be selling a delicious and inexpensive lunch as a way to fundraise for the their 2012 Romanian Mission Trip - it's another great chance to talk to them about what they're up to and why they're so excited!)
F ebruary 5 - Further exploration with Rev. Jennifer about the paths we choose, how we know we're on the "right one" and what to do when we know we're not!
February 12 - We're happy to welcome back guest preacher Lyn Betz as she shares with us her views on vocation and life's journeys.
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Religious Exploration
TEA TALK (for grown-ups) ~Jan 8th
Sunday, January 8th, in the Common Room, immediately following the service.
While Rev. Jennifer hosts the Children's Tea, parents of all RE students are invited to join a discussion on "What fills your cup?" Please contact Mariana or Ben Tupper with questions.
KIDS IN ACTION PROJECT.... Please contribute stuff!
 Hey everyone, the RE program kids have come up with some awesome ideas for their monthly KID-IN-ACTION projects. In December they made housekeeping kits for families whose budgets can't stretch to include soap and sponges, etc. On January 8th they are going to make care packages for troops away from home. So cool! If you can contribute any of the following, THANKS SO MUCH! Please email Leslie Livingston llivings@maine.rr.com to let her know, and BRING IT IN on January 8th, ok?
- Magazines, good paperbacks
- Canned goods..like soups
- Coffee that is instant
- Funny stuff
- Candy but not any that can melt
- Gum
- Toiletries
- Games
- Fun stuff
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Hungarian Dinner to Support Sr. Youth Mission Trip
 6 PM Saturday, January 21st in the church Gathering Room
Join us for a very special fundraising event to benefit the Summer 2012 Senior Youth Mission Trip to Gyepes, Romania.
Enjoy delicious Transylvanian-style appetizers, dinner and desserts, graciously served by our Senior Youth. Tickets: $20 Adult, $10 Youth, No charge for kids under 10. Childcare available upon prior request. Look for senior youth selling tickets during coffee hour. All proceeds will benefit the 2012 trip to Transylvania. For more information, please contact Marge Titcomb, 846-4765. This fundraiser is co-sponsored by the Partner church Committee and the First Universalist Senior Youth Group. |
Faith-in-Action
Half Plate ~
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be the recipient of half our plate collection on January 8th and January 15th. The NAACP is more than one hundred years old; a Unitarian minister, John Haynes Holmes, was one of its founders. It is the oldest and largest civil rights organizaton in this country. Its accomplishments are many, but it continues to work for "justice for all Americans," as in its current campaign to see that voters' rights are not restricted by new requirements. This congregation has long supported the NAACP through membership, contributions, and attendance at the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast. Please help us continue this tradition.
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Denominational Connections & the First U Library
FILM FORUM ~ January 6th at 7 pm
Save the date of January 6th! That's Friday night at 7:00 pm. The FILM FORUM of First Universalist Church will be showing a remarkable film about one of our most important Unitarian heroes - one who became a martyr, thanks to the Inquisition. Michael Servetus is the hero of this film, called LONG STRANGE TRIP. He was a scholar within the Catholic Church who questioned the Church's doctrines and was willing to debate anyone on this subject; however, that made him a hunted person who often had to change his name and move to a new place to save his life. Besides arguing for a new interpretation of scripture, he practiced medicine and made important discoveries about the circulation of the blood and the action of the heart. His books were burned with him at the stake, but a few survived so that we now know what he wrote. You will be glad to have seen this film and will appreciate the sacrifices made so that we can believe as we do. The FILM FORUM, sponsored by the Church Library and Denominational Connections Committee, will be a regular event on the first Friday of each month. Plan to make it a regular event for you. |
Denominational Connections
Time to Return Guest-at-your Table Boxes: If you have a Guest At Your Table box at home in which you have been collecting change (or bills!) to support the wonderful work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) around the world, this is the time to return it to be added to the total proceeds we will soon send to the UUSC. You can leave your box on the table in the back of the sanctuary. If you would like your contribution recognized by the UUSC, be sure to fill in your information on the back of the box. (And if your donation totals $40 or more ($75 for two) or $20 if over 65 and $10 if college student or younger, you qualify for UUSC membership and can sign up on the box.)
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
31ST ANNUAL CELEBRATION BREAKFAST: If you would like to join
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| 3. Governance & Stewardship |
Interviews with History ~ Digital video camera needed
Church members will be conducting some "interviews with history" in celebration of Unitarian Universalism's 50th Anniversary. We are in need of digital video cameras to borrow for up to a month. Do you have a digital video camera we could borrow? Thanks! Mariana and Ben Tupper ben.bighair@gmail.com or 699-9686Snow Shoveling for Church The church and parsonage driveways are professionally plowed, but we rely on volunteers to clear the 5 church entrances. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Gathering Room. Please pick a day of the week that you could do this winter. I'll bring over my snow blower if it gets really deep. Let me know if you can't sign up for a day, but would be willing to be on a call list. Thanks, Pete Titcomb (846-4765)
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4. Community Announcements & Events
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Winter Yoga Classes
The Winter Yoga Session will now start this Saturday, January 7th from 10:00 am to 11:15 am in the Church sanctuary. We had to cancel last Saturday's "Jump Start" on 2012 because of ice. This is a mullti-level yoga class. Suggested donation $10 to drop-in. Funds collected go half to the church and half to a charity selected with the class. Questions? Call the Instructor, Lois Howlett at 847-3055 or email Loishowlett@yahoo.com. All welcome. Class canceled in poor weather conditions. If in doubt, call Lois.
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Music in the Cathedral 2012
The Cathedral Church of St. Luke,143 State Street,Portland
The Very Rev. Benjamin A. Shambaugh, D. Min., Dean; Albert A. Melton, Cathedral Musician
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 4:00 PM, The First Sunday after the Epiphany,The Baptism of our Lord Epiphany Lessons and Carols: A Meditation on Christ's Nativity, sung by the Cathedral Choir Music of Palestrina, Meyer, Adelmann, Carter, Schweizer and Lovelace
Readings from scripture and the poetry of Auden, Hall and Arndt
Akeelah and the Bee First Parish Congregational Church in Yarmouth is sponsoring a Community Movie Night on Sunday, Jan. 22nd at 5PM. Doors open at 5 and the movie will start at approx. 5:15. It has a run time of just under two hours. Please spread the word - all are welcome to join us.
In this heart-warming film, precocious eleven-year-old Akeelah from south Los Angeles is found to have an affinity for spelling. Despite her mother's objections, Akeelah enters a contest and eventually finds herself at the National Spelling Bee. A mysterious teacher and a cast of colorful characters from her neighborhood help her along her journey.
Rev. Karen Foley offers two "AGING with SPIRIT" Retreats: Tuesday, February 7, at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, Massachusetts (9:30-3:30, coffee at 9:00) $53 early registration, $60 after January 31. Includes lunch.
Friday-Saturday, March 2-3, at Living Water Spiritual Center, Winslow, Maine (7 pm-4pm)
$85 (includes Sat breakfast & lunch)
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Professional Parent Program at the Opportunity Alliance
50 Lydia Lane, South Portland.
Coach - Advocate - Mentor - Cheerleader - Guide
Established in Maine in 2005, there is no other program like this in our state. Take a teenager into your home for just 9 to 12 months. Kids learn the new skills needed to get home to their parents and you help a community, a family, and a child right in your neighborhood. $525 per week tax free plus mileage reimbursement. Professional Parents in The Opportunity Alliance program must live within a 35 minute drive from South Portland.
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5. Church and Office Information
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CHANNELS deadline:
The deadline for submissions
to Channels is 9 am on Thursday.
Submit news & photos to:
office@uuyarmouth.org
DID YOU KNOW THAT: 1. You can access the church's calendar of events from our website? Click here.
2. Minutes from Yarmouth First Universalist Board Meetings can be found on
our website? Click here.
3. You can access back copies of CHANNELS on our website? Click here.
4. Upcoming Events are regularly updated on our website? Click here.
Church Office Hours
9:30 am - 1 pm ~ Tuesday-Friday
Rev. Jennifer's office hours are on Mondays and Thursdays starting at 10 a.m.. She is also happy to meet outside of office hours whenever necessary. Please call her at 356-1467 or email at yarmouthminister@yahoo.com to make an appointment.
WEBSITES:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
First Universalist Church
97 Maine Street
Yarmouth, Maine 04096
(207) 846-4148
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 Here's how we're going to handle storm closings this year at First U: If Yarmouth has declared a village-wide ban on all street parking because of the weather, church is closed. You can find out about parking bans by calling the Yarmouth police department - non-emergency number.
- If the Sunday service was going to rely heavily on children and youth involvement and there's been a massive amount of snow and ice overnight, the service is most likely cancelled and church closed. It's our policy not to put that kind of pressure on families to put their children in the car and drive in bad weather.
- We post all closings on Channel 8 by 7 a.m.
- If in doubt do not call the church phone, the outgoing message of which is nearly impossible to change on short notice and which won't be working anyway if the power is out.
- Do call Rev. Jennifer's cell phone and listen to the outgoing message. That number is 207/356.1467. Please do not leave a message if that's all you needed to know :)
- Please DO leave a message for Rev. Jennifer on her cell phone if you've lost power/heat and need assistance, including, perhaps, a warm place to be for the day!
Thank you - We're looking forward to a wonderful, safe winter together.
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