Welcome VISITORS! To receive more information about First Parish, please fill out the Visitor Card linked HERE or email our Membership Coordinator, Laurie Hasty, at membership@firstparishportland.org. We look forward to connecting with you!

Meetings & Events

First Parish Book Group | First Tuesday of Every Month | 7-8pm | online 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. Members free; $5 for non-members. To register and receive the Zoom link, contact Betsy Garnett at ekgarnett@yahoo.com.

Newcomer Coffee | Sundays | 11 am-12 pm | Online

Join Rev. Elaine and members of the Membership Team after worship services on the first Sunday of every month to meet other newcomers and to learn more about what makes this church unique. For more information, please email our Membership Coordinator.

What’s Going on in Faith Formation (Formerly Religious Exploration)?

For more information about the Faith Formation program, please email Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Faith Formation, at dre@firstparishportland.org.

Grades 1-7: Zoom Meetings most Sundays 9-9:45 am.
Grades 10-12: Youth Group Sundays 6-7:15 pm

Storytellers Invited! We can always use storytellers to tell stories or read books for our messages to younger kids and for the Time for All Ages part of our online worship services. Email Toben at dre@firstparishportland.org for more information.

Pastoral Care Needs

All are welcome to email Judy if they wish to speak to a Pastoral Care Team member. They will respond to you in a timely fashion with an open heart. For any questions or concerns please contact team leader Judy Micoleau.

Breathing and Meditation Class | Wednesdays | 8-9 am | Online

The practice of pranayama is essential to a calm mind, a healthy body, and a free spirit. Through breathwork, kriyas, mudras and sutras we prepare for silence and stillness. Please email Susannah for information about payment. Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96586136052.

Poetry Hour | Fridays | 8-9 am | Online

We listen to poems, reflect on them, and share how they touch our beings. Some of us have begun to write and share our own poems. All are welcome! Donations are gratefully accepted but not required. Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99801024214.

Peaceful Harbor Sangha | Sundays | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | Online

Peaceful Harbor Sangha meets weekly for shared Buddhist practice. Meetings include sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma reading and discussion. Come experience the calm in the storm! Meetings are now held on Zoom, and all are welcome; donations are gratefully accepted but not required. To receive the Zoom link, contact Susannah Ristine at ristinesusannah@gmail.com.

Announcements

Notice of invitation to bid for Historic Restoration of windows for National Landmark in Portland, Maine. Bids shall be submitted no later than November 29, 2022, and work should be scheduled for a Spring 2023 installation. A complete description of the scope of work and applicable bid criteria are available upon request to “Historic Restoration, First Parish in Portland, 425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101.” Site visits and a mandatory bidders’ conference will be scheduled Submit bids to above address. Late bids will not be accepted. Proof of insurance and bonding required. This project is funded with U.S. Department of HUD, City of Portland Community Development Block Grant funding. Federal wage rates and regulations apply. For more information, please click here.

Sunday Plate Needs Help! Sunday Plate donations are currently less than half of pre-pandemic levels. Weekly donations are an important revenue source keeping our church on sound financial footing. Even though we can’t gather in person, there are still ways to contribute during or after Sunday worship. Click here to learn all the ways to give to First Parish.

Join a Chalice Group! Chalice Groups are a great place to get to know other people and to get to know yourself. Groups of approximately 10 people meet monthly to reflect upon and discuss significant life topics. The conversations are respectful and caring. Currently we are going strong and making connections using Zoom. For more information, please contact: Barbara DeSerres, Chalice Group Coordinator, at chalice@firstparishportland.org.

Phishing Emails: Please be aware of an emails you receive from Rev. Elaine asking for help, money, or a return email, as there have been many recent phishing emails. These scams are an unfortunate reality for many churches these days. The UUA published an article on this issue titled, “Phishing: Don’t Take the Bait!” As a reminder, Rev. Elaine will only ever email from minister@firstparishportland.org.

Need Help Getting Started on Zoom? Thanks to Kate Stenberg and the Worship Committee, we now have our very own First Parish Zoom Guide linked HERE! Or, watch this helpful video to make sure you are up and running for Worship Service on Sunday, as well as other Zoom offerings!

Watch Previous Online Services: Did you miss a service recently? You can watch all of our online services on our FaceBook page , or read the transcripts of the services HERE.

Text to Give: You can now make donations to First Parish via TEXT by following these steps:

Type in (833) 763-0068 in the “To:” field of a text
Type in the amount you want to give in the text box
Click on the link to enter your billing information
For subsequent donations, simply text the amount you want to give to the (833) 763-0068 & hit SEND.

OR… Mail Your Pledge Check! Many of our parishioners usually pay their pledges with a check placed in the Offertory, and may prefer not to give online. If this is YOU, please mail your pledge checks to the church office at 425 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101. It is essential for us to maintain a smooth cash flow in these difficult times. Thank you for your generosity!

Weekly eNews Tips: Are you receiving our weekly eNews email? The eNews is filled with valuable information on how to get involved at First Parish. Email Hannah in the Office to sign up: office@firstparishportland.org. We hope the following tips will help you get the most out of this important mode of communication:

- - CLICK on the rectangular buttons & blue underlined words throughout the eNews to link to more information.
  - Click on the “ORDER of SERVICE” button above to get more information on readings and music from each service.
  - Wait…there’s more! Click on the “View Entire Message” link at the end of this email to read the full eNews!
  - Is someone you know not receiving the eNews even though they signed up? Encourage them to check their Promotions or Junk folders, and then move the eNews into their Inbox.