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If your device displays only part of this issue, be sure to click on "View Entire Message" at the bottom to see all of this week's news.
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Jen Chapin in the Atrium Saturday
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 Join us this Saturday, August 20, at 5:30pm in the Atrium for an amazing concert. Singer-songwriter Jen Chapin, Harry Chapin's daughter, brings her acclaimed trio to Providence. Doors open at 5:30, and music will happen 6-7pm.
Grammy-nominated upright bassist Stephan Crump and NY Times–acclaimed electric guitarist Jamie Fox will accompany Jen on some new music and old favorites. From the New Yorker: "Chapin brings a jazzy edge to the folk form. Sometimes she explores a fleeting emotion, sometimes she weaves a solid narrative—not at all surprising from the daughter of Harry Chapin, a master musical storyteller.” Click here for a taste of their music.
Masks are required. Bring refreshments to share outdoors if you can. This concert is brought to you by the Community Life & Heritage Ministry. Optional donations will be split between musicians and the Kelley Smith Memorial Fund.
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'Letting Love Guide Us' with Rev. Mary Margaret Earl
 We are deeply connected to some animals and compassion and kinship guides those relationships. But modern systems have broken our connection with other animals. Here, we consider how we can reawaken our connection and widen our circle of compassion.
The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl is a longtime UU minister whose ministry has focused on social justice. She served for a decade in the homeless community in Providence – during which time she was a community minister affiliated with First U - and currently serves a faith-based organization in Boston committed to racial justice work. She also is a longtime vegan and received the 2021 Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, MA for her work for nonhuman animals. She serves on the board of Rhode Island Vegan Awareness.
Music will be provided by Janice Okoomian. Everyone will be invited to join an Armenian dance while Janice sings a folk song about a vegan-stuffed pumpkin dish.
We are worshiping in person, expecting all to be masked and fully vaccinated. If you cannot join us in person, click here to watch on our YouTube channel at 10am.
Click here to access the order of service.
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Let's get together over lemonade after worship service
 In the summer, we share refreshments and fellowship in the breezeway after worship. Gather with friends and family after our 10am worship for cool summer treats and a time for socializing.
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'Up From the Ashes' text available
We apologize for the technical failure that caused the August 7 service about the 1966 First U Meeting House fire not to be live-streamed to YouTube.
Rod Haynes has made the text of his remarks available. Click here to access them. And feel free to stop by the church office to see some of the large photos Rod had mounted and sent to us to commemorate this historic event.
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Antiques & Uniques indoor yard sale set for September 10
 It’s back! The Women's Alliance Indoor Yard Sale returns on Saturday, September 10, 10am - 2pm.
Please put aside now things to donate. Let us have those items you don’t use or need anymore but that are too good to give away. Donating them to the Alliance will insure that they find a good home and will provide financial donations we give to local charitable organizations that support women and families.
You can donate home goods, small working appliances, toys, furniture, tools, books, art, and more. Items can be dropped off at the church Monday through Thursday the week before the sale - No Sooner! The Alliance would welcome help with moving heavy items on Friday.
Questions? Click here to contact Janet Downing Taylor.
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Welcome to First U, Mandy!
 We are excited that Mandy Neff, our Interim Director of Religious Education, will begin her official employment with us on Monday, August 22. Mandy will jump right into the deep end with a staff meeting that afternoon and planning for the new Spiritual Pathways year.
Everyone will be able to meet and greet Mandy on September 11, our Homecoming and Water Communion multi-generational service. In the meantime, feel free to stop in and welcome Mandy. She will generally be in the office Sunday through Wednesday, working from home Thursday, and taking Friday and Saturday as her days off. Her email address is dre@firstunitarianprov.org.
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Thank you from Community Food Share
 A GIANT thank you to all this month's Community Food Share volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who purchased, delivered, and bagged produce. Thank you to everyone who filled the 108 boxes with food.
Thank you to Afonso and Karen for assisting first-time guests in completing the required paperwork. New guests were roughly half of our guests on Monday.
Thank you to Arn, Brian, and Theo for depositing 108 heavy boxes into our guests' cars.
We gave away all of the 108 boxes and 10 gift cards to Price Rite. We had additional people who came, but we were unable to give them anything. This is the highest number of guests we have had since before the pandemic.
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Summer at First Unitarian
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Church office open 9 to 4 weekdays
 During the summer, the church office is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, September 6.
The office staff wishes everyone a safe and happy summer.
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Summer services winding down
August 28, "Growing Through Grief and Gratitude" with Sorrel Devine.
Sorrel will weave together her experiences growing up in a Scottish community in Oregon, the loss of her husband last year, and the insights gained on the pilgrimage to Scotland this spring. Music by "Sally Racket."
September 4, "Just Do It!" with Anne Connor. The UU fifth principle says that we believe in the power of democracy. Specifically, we affirm "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Anne believes that our commitment to democracy has never been more important, and she'll tell us why we should always make the effort to vote. Music by Nancy Nicholson.
Looking ahead
September 11, Homecoming Sunday and Water Communion
September 18, with PruComm President Joan Richards
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Lay Ministry team available during summer months, new email address
 We all experience challenges in our lives from time to time. If you become ill, suffer a loss, or experience a difficult life transition or celebration, call on us. Our Caring Crew, Lay Ministry Team, and First U Buddies want to help.
If you have a pastoral concern during the summer months, click here to contact one of the Lay Ministers; they check email often.
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Let us know if you test positive for COVID-19
 If you test positive for COVID-19 and have attended a worship service, a meeting, or made some other visit to First U in the previous five days, please let the church office know immediately so that we can continue to follow our safety protocols and offer you any support you need.
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Tuesday noon deadline
Deadline for submitting materials for each week's First U Times is noon on Tuesday at the latest. Much earlier is better. To submit your article and photo or graphic to Nancy Forsstrom, click here.
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