Summer Office Schedule | August Services | Minister & RE Corner | Board Update | Membership | Committee on Ministry | WORKING FOR JUSTICE | Black Lives Matter | Midcoast New Mainers | Indigenous Awareness | Concerts For a Cause | Teen Center Updates | Charities with Soul | Holiday Fair | Art Gallery | Parish Messenger Deadline
Summer Office Schedule
If you have any pastoral care needs for the summer, please contact Julie Dahmer at or by phone at 207-865-9688. Our Pastoral Care Associates remain eager to support you if you need pastoral care, and several UU ministers have collaborated to ensure that our congregations have emergency support.
August Services
August 6 – Liminality
Rev Christine Sillari
Music by Nell Britton
What are the challenges and blessings of being in a state of unknowingness? We will explore the concept of liminality. How do we navigate these crazy times and embrace the liminality in our lives to thrive?
Rev. Christina Sillari discovered Unitarian Universalism in her late twenties after rejecting the oppressive religions of her childhood. While teaching and counseling through yoga, breath, sound, and shamanic techniques, she was called to the ministry. After serving First Parish in Portland Maine for 11 years, she now serves as a contract minister part time and has returned to her teaching and counseling work. Christina is passionate about food, beauty, water, consciousness, and non-human intelligence. She lives with her husband and daughter in Portland Maine.
August 13 – A Powerful Passage
Ann Spencer
Music by Nell Britton
Ann will relate her recent experience with the two UU congregations in Colorado Springs, both of which were in the midst of a significant transition. She witnessed them respond to a tragic event and a soul-searching decision, using UU values and principles to benefit the wider community in powerful ways.
During her 40 years in this congregation, Ann has served in several leadership roles. Prior to her sojourn in Colorado, she enjoyed singing in the choir and helping plan Concerts for a Cause.
August 20 – With Love at the Center
Grace Lewis McLaren
Music by Nell Britton
There’s a new image coming out of the recent work being done on behalf of all Unitarian Universalist congregations. The image is a chalice with an overlay of the word LOVE over the flame. Part of my reflection starts with this, but then goes on to consider some issues (is there any limit?) swirling around LOVE, a word fraught with wonder and risk. Stories, quotes, readings, and songs. Within the summer time frame. I promise.
Grace joined UUCB back in the 1970s. She was the Director of Music for several years. She is a musician, mythologist, auntie, mother & grandma. Her two daughters, who grew up in this church, live in the San Diego area where Grace spends the winter months. Her son, Will, lives in New York City. From 1986 through 2001 Grace was on the administrative staff of First UU Church of San Diego, where our former Interim Minister, The Rev. Justine Sullivan, is now the Senior Minister.
August 27 – Algorithmic & Implicit Bias
Steve Majercik & Pat Moore
Music by Nell Britton
- Steve’s reflection – Algorithmic Bias – Sometimes life-changing decisions must be made – which applicant gets a mortgage, which patient receives extra proactive medical care, which prisoner gets paroled – and fairness demands that these decisions be made in an unbiased way. Decision makers sometimes use Artificial Intelligence software to make these decisions, believing that the software will produce decisions that are free of bias, even implicit bias. That belief is sometimes mistaken. What can we, as people committed to fairness and equal treatment, do about it?
- Pat’s reflection – Implicit Bias – We must all acknowledge our unconscious biases, and listen with less bias when women, and others who are marginalized, speak out. A lot of change is possible by just acknowledging unconscious bias – that exhaustively documented but unpleasant reality many would rather ignore – and listening with less bias and acting on what we then learn. Tara Moss
Steve Majercik was a faculty member in the Computer Science Department at Bowdoin College from 2000-2023. His research area was Artificial Intelligence, and he is deeply concerned about the problems that AI is already causing in our society and the potential for worse problems in the near future.
Pat Moore has had a career as an oncology and cardiac nurse at Parkview and Maine Medical hospitals. She’s been a member of UUCB for over 12 years and has served as the chairperson of our Worship Committee. Pat currently volunteers at the library bookstore in Bath.
September 3rd – Working for Justice: Beyond a One-and-Done
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher
Music by Nell Britton
Rev. Fisher spent 50 years of her professional career involved in human rights and justice work. She will reflect on the 2nd & 6th UU principles, which articulate our commitment to “justice, equity, and compassion in human relationships” and “the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.” Through storytelling and sharing hard-earned wisdom, Diane will reflect on justice as something much more than one-and-done actions, but rather a lifestyle choice and ongoing spiritual practice.
If you were to ask Rev. Elder Diane Fisher to describe herself, she would likely say, “I am a retired lesbian Christian pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, and I am a mother of a fabulous daughter, Karli, and married to Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, who delights my heart.” In MCC, Diane has been a local church pastor, a district coordinator, an elder, and the Clerk of the Governing Board. She cares deeply about MCC and strongly believes that there is an ongoing need for a queer church in the world. Her passion is working to change systems that encourage or reinforce marginalization of those who have been caught “outside the system.” In her off time, Diane plays with various stringed instruments, creates stained glass pieces, and enjoys camping with her wife Kharma, dog Kady (a Shih-poo), and cat Téa (Maine coon). Along with two beloved “foster-failure kittens,” Annie and Tobert, they all live in Lisbon, Maine.
Minister & RE Corner
Since both Rev. Kharma and Tobin (RE Director) are both taking well-earned summer vacation & time away, they don’t have articles in this newsletter. But I couldn’t resist sharing these fabulous photos from their trip to General Assembly last month to help us keep them close in heart and mind.
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos at UU General Assembly
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos (UUCB Minister) and Toben Cooney-Callnan, Director of Religious Exploration at UUCB
having fun at the UU General Assembly
UUCB Board Update
The Board of Trustees will not have regular meetings in July and August and will next get together at our annual retreat in September. During the summer the executive committee will meet on an as needed basis.
While the steady rain in Maine this summer has put a damper on some of our plans, it’s been a downright disaster for some of our friends in Vermont. Here’s some information about a storm dumping unprecedented amounts of rainfall caused catastrophic flooding throughout Vermont and other parts of eastern NY and northern NE. Central VT was especially impacted, and the Unitarian Church of Montpelier in the heart of downtown Montpelier, was among the downtown establishments that experienced record-breaking flooding and severe damage. According to Rev. Joan Javier-Duval, some of their congregants are also facing immense personal loss having had their homes flooded and ruined. North Chapel in Woodstock also had some damage on their property, though their building was fine, and other UU congregations in the state were spared by this storm.
Please keep the Montpelier congregation and all the communities devastated by this recent flooding in your prayers especially as more rains continue. Below is a photo of the Montpelier church right after the flooding:
- You can donate to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund to help Montpelier and other congregations affected by disaster.
- To follow the recover process in Montpelier, go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurchofMontpelier/
Take care of yourselves this summer.
David Kew
Chairperson, UUCB Board of Trustees
Committee on Ministry
SAVE THE DATE!
On Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 2pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick, the Reverend Doctor Kharma Amos will be formally installed as the settled minister of our church. In a worship service followed by a celebratory reception, we will participate in the ceremonial recognition of Kharma’s role in our church community. Reverend Doctor Jim Mitulski, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California and one of Kharma’s mentors will preach, and music will be offered by Nell Britton and our UUCB choir.
Unitarian Universalist churches democratically call their ministers by voting for a Search Committee that discerns the needs of the congregation and finds the best candidate they can to meet those needs. The search officially ends with a congregational vote to call the recommended minister. From the minister’s viewpoint, accepting a call is a choice freely made after careful consideration. Hence, an Installation service celebrates the mutual choice of congregation and minister, honoring both the freedom our religious tradition has always heralded and the responsibility that being together in covenanted relationship
demands. The heart of the Installation service will be the covenant all of us take up as we enter into a relationship based on mutual trust, commitment, and vision.
The Installation Planning Committee is busy preparing for this momentous and joyful occasion. We are creating and planning for invitations, programs, music, flowers, food, ushers, photographers, and set up/cleanup crews. Some of you have already said yes to helping to make this exciting event a celebration for all of us. The energy and creativity of others will be needed as well. We’ll send out a call for help in late August or early September.
…In the meantime, save the date!
Irene Austin
Stephanie Bernier
Cathey Cyrus
Penny Elwell
Mary Larson
Betsy Roper
Tom Rumpf
Jessica Tracy
Members of the Installation Committee
Membership
Join us after church for “Brown Bag Lunch”
on the Brunswick Mall
Sunday, August 6th
- Bring your own lunch and chair.
- Beverages will be provided.
- We’ll have time for an informal gathering and a chance to socialize.
WORKING FOR JUSTICE
Contact: Jane Danielson
Black Lives Matter Introduces Sacred Ground
Race and racism are at the forefront of our national discourse, but these issues can be hard to talk about. We may hesitate to express our thoughts because we anticipate an argument, or fear saying the wrong thing, or have other concerns that influence our ability to enter openly into conversations about these issues. The Sacred Ground program provides a structure to have these important conversations in a safe and respectful way.
Sacred Ground is an interfaith program administered by St. Paul’s Church in Brunswick and offered to the wider Brunswick/Bath community. The curriculum of readings and videos include, in eleven sessions, the histories of Black, Indigenous, Asian-American, and Latino people. In small groups led by trained facilitators, participants reflect on the
narratives of those histories that we, as individuals, have acquired. This process provides opportunities for open conversation and a shared understanding of ourselves.
A few of us from UUCB have participated in Sacred Ground, and we are enthusiastic about more people experiencing it. That is why the Black Lives Matter group will introduce the program to the wider congregation in September.
To give you a sense of the impact of this program, here are quotes from some Sacred Ground participants:
“I never imagined how my heart would be opened”
“This has planted a seed of hope in me that we can do better”
“Having the chance to talk openly about race has been liberating”
“I wish I did this program 20 years ago!”
You will hear more about the program over the next few months as we move toward September. For questions, contact Jane Danielson .
Immigrant Justice
As of 7/18/23, the estimate for Brunswick Landing apartments to be ready for the first 12 of the anticipated 60 asylum seeker households is late August or early September. TheImmigrant Resource Center (IRC), with staff based at the Brunswick Landing Welcome Center, will take on the immediate settlement needs of these individuals and families for the first 30 days following their arrival. The goal is to stabilize people in a whole new community. The IRC will oversee the necessary address changes to assure continuation of General Assistance and other benefits as well as appropriate communication with USCIS (United States Citizen and Immigration Services) concerning the asylum-seeker application process. The IRC will also work to register children in school and familiarize families with the availability of basic services they will need to be relatively independent in their new community (town offices, food bank, bus transportation, etc.). The eventual creation of additional on-site (Landing) meeting space is being planned by the building developers who are providing the housing.
The Town of Brunswick anticipates that volunteer help will be needed to assemble furniture; collect other needed household items; partner with folks as they use the bus; pick up and deliver food from Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP); tutor in English; mentor families; etc. Maurice Namwira from Bath has been hired by Brunswick Department of Human Services to serve as a case manager/community worker. The town Go Fund Me effort collected $70,000 of their $90,000 goal to purchase needed household items. Faith groups will be notified by the town if further fundraising will be needed.
United Way of Mid Coast Maine is currently advertising for a Community Response Coordinator to broaden system-wide support of the asylum seeker community; to provide needed training and education programming; and to enhance communication among already active service groups/organizations. United Way will also assist with background checks of volunteers and funnel potential volunteers to appropriate organizations looking for more participation and support.
As we learn what local faith-based groups can best offer, Working for Justice will organize a meeting for all UUCB folks interested in being part of our congregation’s role in this comprehensive effort to welcome our new neighbors.
In the meantime, here are ways to volunteer, donate or help:
- Midcoast Literacy https://www.midcoastliteracy.org/index.php/our-programs/english-language-instruction
- Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Center https://www.mchpp.org/volunteer.
- To volunteer directly with the town of Brunswick, register at: https://www.brunswickme.org/FormCenter/Human-Services-13/Brunswick-Volunteer-Registration-Form-fo-77.
- Brunswick’s Go Fund Me campaign to fully set up 60 new units for the incoming new families at The Landing this August is still $30-20,000 short of it’s goal. Please do what you can to help them at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/zemnc3-brunswick-community-support-fund?fbclid=IwAR2T97loq9CtR98QbSBwEazhS2Ot1_7bSpE2o6SY9P9iiVrNJ11-QyAM_e0
- For information about becoming a mentor with Mid Coast New Mainers Group (MCNMG), contact Cathey Cyrus at .
Contact: Cathey Cyrus
CELEBRATION OF PROGRESS ON TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IN SPITE OF INABILITY TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR’S VETO
The leadership of the Wabanaki Nations in Maine models for all of us the power of persistence, resilience and goodwill in their response to the unsuccessful attempt in the legislature to override the governor’s veto of LD 2004. The link below is to Maine Public Radio’s report on the Wabanaki Alliance 7/13 celebration of their work this year. https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2023-07-14/at-wabanaki-rally-for-supporters-tribal-leaders-say-time-is-one-our-side
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Contact: Carol Briggs
The Teen Center is a bit quieter with some teens playing soccer and others at camp, but the first of the “going into 6th grade” kids have arrived. Sixth grade is the earliest the teens can begin coming to the Center. Some of the Teen Center “graduates” also stop by with updates and things to share with current teens.
The quieter summer months give the staff time to clean and organize the Center, to work on the fall “Back to School Letter” which helps gather funds for school supplies and other school related projects. An evening cookout/fun event will happen in the next few weeks.
Jordan, who has been Teen Center Program Coordinator for 14 years, is retiring this fall.
Charities with Soul
Contact: Stephen Wood
AUGUST’S Charity with Soul is Habitat 7 Rivers Maine
Three ways to give:
- At uubrunswick.org, click “Donate Online” Choose the “Plate” option
- Text the amount of your donation to (855) 962-0440, and follow the prompts to complete your donation
- Mail a check to: PO Box 129, Brunswick ME 04011, Memo Line: “plate”
Concerts for a Cause
Contact: Sue Michaud
Next Season’s Charities:
Holiday Fair Reminders
Cleaning? Downsizing? Simplifying? Making?
Please save these items for the holiday fair!!
- Unwanted tools (always popular at the Fair)
- A couple of jars of your canning creations like Pickles, Jams or Sauces
- Clean pint & quart canning jars & lids (for Eats and Treats packaging)
- Decorative holiday tins, boxes, ribbons, etc.
- Winter holiday decorations
- Your used/completed summer reads
- Children’s toys & books – clean and intact for the White Elephant Room
- Costume Jewelry (Box on Membership Table)
- And if you are a knitter…
Want to craft for the fair this summer?
Make a Couple or Three of these Book Angel Ornaments!
These would be so beautiful on a mantle or used in a creative centerpiece. They DO NOT require much skill – just some patience and tolerance for some gentle, repetitive movement (page folding). They are a PERFECT craft for sitting in front of the AC and listening to your favorite book, podcast, movie… etc.
Instructions HERE: https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/folded-book-angel-easy.html
Questions? Rebecca Waddle has made a couple and is happy to share tips for success with this craft: (207) 671-2734 or
Art Gallery
You are in for a treat! This summer our church Gallery Committee presents our Members and Friends Exhibit. Please take time to enjoy beautiful, powerful, and whimsical paintings, photographs, assemblages, drawings and more. The show started in early July and will be displayed through August. If you don’t make it to church on a Sunday (it is a Maine summer!) you can view the art Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00-4:00 when Shirley Bernier is in her office. Thank you to all the artists who share their work with us. Here are just a few examples from the display.
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Deadline for Parish Messenger Articles
