Rev. Justine’s Message

Into the challenge of my anguish
I throw the strength of all my hope:
I match the darts of my despair with the treasure of my dreams;
~ Howard Thurman

As I write this message, I have spent time with many of you in the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop, held over the weekend of 11/19-20. I am so appreciative of the work your search committee did to make this training happen, and I am grateful to all of you who made time to open your hearts and minds to this important work of considering who we mean when we say “we.” In the move toward greater justice in the world, we need a more expansive sense of we and a greater trust that there will be enough to go around if we are willing to share.

It is easy to focus on what is missing, what Covid has taken from us, and I do share with you the loss of singing together, of breaking bread together; and yet technology, creativity, and effort have made it possible for us to gather in new ways.

On Christmas Eve, we will gather for worship at 5PM (and we will add a second service at 7PM if needed). Please answer the survey as soon as you can so that we are sure to have enough room for everyone who wants to gather in person on Christmas Eve.

The holiday season can be filled with joy, a time for reconnecting and reminiscing, and it can also be a time of sadness, especially as we consider the terrible losses associated with this global pandemic. In community, we can hold both joy and sorrow, and may we hold each other close in all the ways that we can.

Those of you who were present for worship this morning, Nov. 21, (in person or online) witnessed a bit of excitement; we had invited Rev. Keith Kron to offer some recorded components for the service: a time for all ages, two readings, and a sermon. The first three elements went off without a hitch, but when the time came for the sermon, it was nowhere to be found! It had somehow been left out of the slide prepared for worship. There I was, in that nightmare scenario, finding myself with nothing prepared because we had planned for a virtual guest preacher. I took a breath and asked a few questions to prime the pump, and together we (you and I together) filled the time with meaningful conversation. It all went fine, and what made it fine, truly, was that I knew you were with me and willing to go with the flow. At a time when there is so much harshness in the world; you were kind and patient. Thank you.

Wishing you all the blessings of this holiday season and a new year filled with peace.

Justine

UUCB Services in December

Dec 5 at 10 am — Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. Rev. Justine Sullivan

Dec 12 at 10 am — Ending Gun Violence. Rev. Jane Field
Jane Field is the Executive Director of the Maine Council of Churches.

Dec 19 at 10 am — ‘Tis the Season. Rev. Justine Sullivan

Dec 24 at 5 pm — An all-age Christmas Eve Service. Rev. Justine Sullivan
Reservations may be required. If needed a second service will be added at 7 pm.

Dec 26 at 10 am — A simple yuletide-themed gathering with music. Rev. Justine Sullivan

Join us in the sanctuary or watch us live on youtube at UUCB AV .

Religious Exploration

Every time we come together for a Religious Exploration meeting, we light a chalice at the beginning of our time together and extinguish it at the end. This ritual is a sacred part of our RE time and we use the same words each week. Here are the words we use when we extinguish the chalice:

Though we extinguish this flame, we carry in our hearts
The warmth of love
The light of truth
And the energy of action
Until we are together again!

These words always feel particularly important to say together at the end of Daylight savings time. We humans, adaptable though we are, rely on certain things, like sunlight, to keep us happy and healthy. Exposure to sunlight helps increase our brains’ release serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. As the yellow, reds, and orange of Autumn turn gold and brown, and the air chills as the hours of sunlight decrease, our bodies can’t help but notice. In our recent in person Religious Exploration gathering, we made Autumn inspired luminary lanterns to help remind us that we carry the light of truth, the warmth of love, and the energy of action in our hearts. These shine as brightly through us when we are together as they do when we are apart and they are there to sustain us just as the sunlight sustains us.

Winter Break – Office Hours and Deadlines

The office needs to prepare three Orders of Worship, Green Sheet Announcements and PowerPoint presentations and one final All Church Email by noon on Thursday, December 23 in addition to the
regular work load. Your assistance is needed to meet this goal.

Holiday Church Hours

Sunday, December 19 Worship Service 10:00am

Monday, December 20 Sexton Cleaning Day Office Closed

Tuesday, December 21 Office Open 10:00am to 4:00pm

Wednesday December 22 Office Open 10:00am to 4:00pm

Thursday, December 23 Office Open 10:00am to 2:00pm

Friday, December 24, Winter Break Begins Office Closed

Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship Service 5:00pm

Saturday, December 25 Christmas Day Closed

Sunday, December 26 Worship Service 10:00am

Monday, December 27-January1, 2022 Winter Break Office Closed

Sunday, January 2, 2022 Worship Service 10:00am

Monday, January 3, 2022 Sexton Cleaning Day Office Closed

Tuesday, January 4, 2022 Office Reopens 10:00am-4:00pm

(Winter Break for UUCB Employees – December 24, 2021 to January 3, 2022)

Deadlines

Below is a schedule for submitting items. Whenever possible, please submit materials via email at or Please indicate which service the materials are intended.

WORSHIP SERVICE

(Order of Worship, PowerPoint Presentations, and Announcements)

Deadline Is Noon On

Tuesday, December 14 for Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve service

Wednesday, December 15 for Sunday, December 26 service

Thursday, December 16 for Sunday, January 2, 2022 service

THIS WEEK AT UUCB

Deadline Is Noon On: Wednesday, December 22 for Thursday, December 23 email

JANUARY PARISH MESSENGER

Because of the holidays, the Parish Messenger will be published shortly AFTER the New Year.

Deadline is Sunday, January 2 (Earlier if at all possible).

Joys and Sorrows

Joys

Steve and Sue and Loebs are grateful that the trial drugs for their daughter Sarah’s pancreatic cancer are keeping the tumors from growing and allowing her to feel well enough to enjoy life.

Pat Gardiner underwent surgery on Nov. 8 to diagnose heart irregularities. She went home Nov. 9 after a successful cardio catheterization. No blockages! Pat is a former RE Director at UUCB.

Sorrows

Irene Austin is asking for prayers for her sister, who had a stroke and is being moved into rehab.

March to the Mitten Tree

Sunday, December 19

On December 19 we will resume our traditional March to the Mitten Tree during our in-person service. This is our annual tradition of decorating our tree with gifts of new mittens, scarves, hats, and socks to warm the hands, heads, and feet of our neighbors who need them. The items collected will be donated to community programs that help homeless families and adults in need. Hand-knit and “store bought” new items are welcome. If you choose not to attend the service in person and wish to donate items, please contact Louise Gephart at (207) 737-9889 to arrange pick up.

Membership

Holiday Circle Supper

CHRISTMAS DAY
December 25

A time for laughter and friendship on this magical day. Making new friends and nurturing old with lots of experiences to share. A “pot luck” Holiday dinner, in a comfortable small group setting, with your host providing the main course and others bringing appetizers, sides, desserts and beverages. A wonderful opportunity to gather and enjoy a Holiday meal together.

We’ll be looking for both hosts and participants. For questions and to sign up to host or attend as a guest, contact: Leigh Peranteau, 725-4874, or Donna Tompkins, 798-4638, .

UUCB’s “SoUUps On” Cookbook

Just a Few Days ‘til Christmas!

A Great Gift Idea

Something for all. Soups, salads, breads, main dishes, appetizers, desserts etc., etc., etc. Created from tried and true recipes shared by the members of our congregation. A perfect gift for holiday giving, a special “thank you” or maybe a new addition to your cookbook library. A keepsake you will enjoy for years to come! Buy your copy for only $10.00 or e-mail Shirley in advance at 729-8515, . Cookbooks can also be bought from Donna Tompkins, 8 Hovey Lane, Brunswick. Just call ahead or e-mail her for an appointment at 798-4638, . Mailing is available thru USPS – $13.50. Send a check (made out to UUCB) to Donna Tompkins, 8 Hovey Lane, Brunswick and she will mail a cookbook to you or to the person of your choice.

UUCB Board Update

Diane is blessed with the ability to sleep late on Saturdays. For me the aches and pains win over the desire to sleep at about 6 or 6:30 in the morning, no matter the day. This allows me some quiet time in the house on Saturdays to do things like write an article for the Parish Messenger. This morning as I was revving up the coffee machine, I looked out the kitchen window to the West at a bright moon as the rays of the rising sun in the East came through the living room. It is beautiful and helps remind me how good life can be.

For some reason, the angle of the sun today reminds me of sitting in the kitchen with my father-in-law drinking his strong coffee while my mother-in-law, my small children, and Diane dozed a bit more. I miss those early morning conversations and the guidance that can only come from the wisdom of many years. There are others that I will think of and miss as the holiday season moves forward. I imagine many of you are thinking about your loved ones that have moved on too. If it feels too hard or too lonely for you, please reach out to our pastoral care committee and Reverend Sullivan who are always ready to lend an ear. https://www.uubrunswick.org/our-work/committees/pastoral-care-committee/

Heidi Neufeld stepped down from her position as our Choir Director in November after over 15 years in the position. Heidi’s enthusiasm and talent helped our choir grow and improve tremendously over that time. Please thank her for her service when you see her.

Stephanie Bernier has stepped back from a slightly less visible role of Music Coordinator to take a spot on the search committee. While Stephanie’s musical involvement didn’t have her standing in front of us each month, she ensured that we had music each week and that it fit the theme of the service. Please also thank Stephanie for her many years in that position.

These changes gave the congregation the opportunity to vote on November 14 to support a new position of Director of Music. Nell Britton will start in this position on December 1. Nell will lead the choir, play the piano each Sunday, and work with the Music Committee to ensure that our music program continues to thrive and grow. The ability to consolidate these roles and create a new half time position is a great step for UUCB as we grow as a congregation.

Last night I, along with 40 of you, took part in the first half of a Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop that was scheduled for the congregation by our search committee. I’m not supposed to tell you this, but after a long work week and several evening meetings, I was not looking forward to spending Friday night in a Zoom workshop, no matter the topic. I am so glad I did though! While I consider myself accepting and open as I’m sure many of us do, this workshop reminded me that we all have biases and that working to see them helps us to move toward being the people we want to be. I’m looking forward to the second half of this workshop this morning.

At our meeting this past Wednesday, the board of trustees talked about putting a pledge committee together. By the time you read this, that committee may well be holding meetings and starting to talk about our stewardship campaign that will start in early 2022. While many organizations have suffered due to the pandemic, your support of the church has been consistent all along. Thank you for your financial support. That said, with the creation of the Director of Music position, our continued desire to be a beacon in our community, and the prospect of a new minister in 2022, your support will be absolutely vital going forward as we continue to grow.

Well, the moon has faded away and the sun is fully up now. It’s time for me to finish my coffee and make at least the top half of my body look presentable for the Beyond Categorical Thinking Zoom workshop that starts in a few minutes.

Thank you for putting your faith in me and your board of trustees.

David Kew

Legacy Giving: Ways to Sustain our Loving Church

Our love for our church community, the services and the social outreach work, move us to be as generous as possible with our time, talent, and treasure. This was true even in a year when we could not be together. Over the last year, we were increasingly aware of how much UUCB means in our lives. Our support of the church and its mission is one way to feel we are making the world a better place for all.

But have you thought about how you can have an impact after your life is over? It is easier than ever now to leave a bequest to UUCB to do just that. UUCB now has a Legacy Giving Program which you can explore. To receive a brochure, please contact Carol Evans ("> or 207/406-4417) or contact Shirley Bernier, UUCB Office Administrator at (207) 729-8515 or ">

Planned giving is a sensible way to allot your assets, small or large, to reflect your values.

A gift of any size will be added to investments which contribute to longer term needs including church programming and community outreach. There are many ways to give:

Gift by Will: You may specify either a dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to be left to the church.
Life Insurance: You may make UUCB a beneficiary on a life insurance policy.
Retirement Funds: There can be tax benefits to leaving retirement accounts (such as IRAs) to the church and other assets to family members.
Real Estate: You may wish to consider leaving your home or other real estate to the church (Please see the UUCB Gift Acceptance Policy).
Charitable Gift Annuity: A CGA is an agreement between you and the church, administered by the UU Common Endowment Fund. You are guaranteed an income for life, based upon your age and contribution.
A Gift During Your Lifetime: This is the easiest method and provides a charitable tax deduction in the same year.

We hope this list sparks some options for your consideration.

Ministerial Search Team Update

The Ministerial Search Team wishes to thank everyone who participated in the congregational survey and October cottage meetings. Your input has become part of the Congregational Record that will be sent to the UUA and will be available for prospective ministerial candidates to read. Also, we thank those signed up to attend the Zoom workshop, Beyond Categorical Thinking, on November 19th and 20th. Those registered received information from Stephanie Bernier containing a link to a questionnaire requested by our trainer, Keith Kron. The questionnaire helped Keith tailor the training to us.

Below is a summary of the narrative questions that were part of the congregational survey. Thank you to David Juhlin for compiling the responses.

If you would like to see a complete version of the survey results, please contact Tom Rumpf at .

Irene Austin

Working for Justice

Indigenous Awareness

As Thanksgiving approaches, consider reading and sharing the recently published children’s book, If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving. The book is written in simple language for young readers (and adults) by Chris Newell, citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township and former director of the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor. The illustrations are by Winona Nelson, member of the Leech Lake Band of Minnesota Chippewa. Written and illustrated with indigenous perspective and understanding, the book offers historical context to the creation of the current Thanksgiving “myth” which had long erased the tragic reality of disease and aggression that were part of the settling of European colonies in New England.

MidCoast Indigenous Awareness Group (MIAG) continues its Friday, 12-2pm Zoom book discussions that invite deepening exploration and understanding of Indigenous issues. The group is about to begin reading Snowshoe Country by Thomas Wickman. For more information or to register for the group, contact Mia Beale at .

Gun Safety

Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network

Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network has recently undergone a re-evaluation through a strategic planning process. Goals have been identified and will be put into action for the upcoming 3 years: 2022-2025 (see below).

MUUSAN Goals

(1) Increase the effectiveness of our Legislative Ministry.

Determine/Identify indicators of effectiveness and figure out how to track them. For example, If you have written a letter to the editor, testified at a public hearing or contacted your legislator in 2021, please let us know and how many times.

(2) Strengthen MUUSAN’s connections with UU churches and individual UU’s:

Create a well-developed, functioning system of communication with UU congregations that will

transmit MUUSAN information and enable better understanding of the priorities and justice issues

in congregations. Find people to participate in MUUSAN network and other meetings:

We invite you to sign up on the statewide website and get direct messages: sign up at www.muusan.org

Teen Center

Another busy month for the Teen Center – the kids doing the usual things — basketball, video games, eating, watching silly You Tube and Anime shows, playing the keyboard loudly and rolling around the room on the wheeled chairs.

The Back to School Fundraising letter has brought in just over $l0,310 with a goal of $12,000 by Christmas. Jordan and her team are also applying for grants.

UUCB’s Teen Center support team has begun providing a monthly meal once again. The October meal provided by Joanne Allen was a feast! The TC support group is also collecting snacks once a month before and after church.

For some teens the Center is a place to talk about their stress and depression and get some relief. In director Jordan Cordone’s words: “Thank you for helping us help our youth!”

Charities with Soul

December’s Charity: Habitat for Humanity

Your support fuels Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers Maine’s work to create successful homeownership opportunities for families and individuals with limited incomes by building sustainable housing, and repairing, weatherizing, and modifying existing homes in 31 southern mid-coast Maine towns.

New Home Construction

We have completed the construction of 48 new homes. On each new home build we engage over 100 volunteers whose contributions of labor and support provide an estimated value of over $50,000. Plus, our Habitat homeowners provide 200 hours of “sweat equity” while their home is being built. It has always been our goal to provide folks with a hand-up to safe affordable homeownership, and never a hand-out. Everyone works. Everyone benefits.

Last November we completed a home for a family of 4 in Boothbay Harbor and are gearing up to build our second home on Federal Street in Wiscasset. Your generous contributions will help get another family into a new home in 2022.

Critical Home Repairs

Habitat’s Weatherization & Repair Program has helped over 600 low- income homeowners decrease energy costs and complete other critical improvements to make homes more affordable, safer, and healthier. Elderly, disabled homeowners are helped with much needed repairs and modifications to improve mobility and independence.

Volunteer teams provide the labor for these critical repair projects, greatly reducing the overall cost of completing the work, but material costs are steadily going up. Your thoughtful contributions make it possible for folks to remain living where they want to be, at home

ReStore

Your contributions of time are just as valuable as dollars. We are currently seeking volunteers to help Staff our ReStore Tuesday through Saturday 9a to 5p. If you have a couple of hours where you could help at our front counter or out back receiving and preparing the donations for sale, please contact Katie at or call 207-280-1900.

Habitat’s ReStore sells donated building supply and home staples like furniture and appliances. The proceeds are used to fund our mission and programs and volunteers receive 25% off every day. The resale of our inventory has prevented over 4 million pounds of garbage in landfills.

What your support means to those we serve in their own words

“From start to finish, I never had to worry as the volunteers took care of ensuring the materials, the tools, the skilled work force, the paperwork and a myriad of details that I do not know were in place. As the actual work progressed over the two days, I was astounded at how seamless the range of small and large projects got accomplished. From the shingle that needed to be replaced on the roof, to the new grab bars (even ones I had not thought of), the accessible new shelf, the repaired smoke alerts, the functioning dryer vent (with how-to-clean instructions), the easy to open windows, the beautiful new window in the guest room to replace the broken one, the huge project of bright and clean new sliders on the second floor, as well as the much needed strong supports for the balcony. The team was always working together to solve the problems and finish the project.”

Concerts for a Cause

First Concert Since Covid-19 a Great Success!

After almost 2 years, Concerts for a Cause finally had a concert to raise money for the church and for this year’s charities: Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program AND Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project.

With about 100 paying guests, the church was full of happy people from all over the Midcoast. Everyone felt safe because of the vaccination and masking requirements, and chairs were comfortably separated.

The audience loved Novel Jazz Septet, and the band was so grateful to have such a appreciative audience.

Future Concerts

The Covid Task Force is making sure that each concert is safe, and it is understood by all parties that changes to the concert schedule can be made at any time. But at this time, the upcoming concerts are: Jud Caswell in January, Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations in February, Pretty Girls Sing Soprano in March, Paul Sullivan in May, and Heather Masse in June.

Save the Date

Jud Caswell

Saturday, January 8 at 7:30 pm

We’ve all seen Jud and his family sing and play at our church services, not to mention all the technical services he provided behind the scenes. BUT, have you seen him in concert? I promise you’ll be impressed by his musical talent, his song-writing skills, and the variety of his repertoire.

Covid-19 has not slowed Jud down one bit. His answer to the pandemic was to post daily videos on his Facebook page, calling the clips the “Morning Cordial. Since that time Jud has also released two albums. “Live at the Seagull Shop Restaurant.” went to No. 1 on the Folk Alliance International chart. In June Jud released “Morning Cordial Vol. 1.” The single, “The Great Divide,” from the album was the #2 song of October on Folk Alliance International’s Charts.

We are SO lucky to count Jud as our friend and fellow congregant. Tickets go on sale in December.

Tickets make a Great Holiday Gift!!

Art Gallery Committee

This December please come and enjoy The Gang of Five’s art exhibit at UUCB. We are very excited to share work by five of our own! The Gang of Five is an ad hoc collective of church members who use art in their personal interactions. The artists are Dick Brown, Steve Black, Steve Eagles, Bill Kunitz and Paul Peranteau. You may see the art on Sunday mornings starting on December 5^th.