May Services | Minister’s Message | Midcoast Woodbank | Religious Exploration | Music Director| Board Update | Annual Report | Pledge Drive | WORKING FOR JUSTICE: | Charities with Soul | Midcoast Literacy | MUUSAN | Teen Center |UPCOMING EVENTS | Bowdoin Powwow | Habitat Walk | Comedy for a Cause | Circling for the Final Approach | CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE: | Renaissance Voices| John Gorka | Church Picnic| Last Hoorah ART GALLERY | June Parish Messenger Deadline
May Services
MONTHLY THEME: PLURALISM
Sun, May 5 — Better as a Bouquet: The Gift of Pluralism
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, Music by Will Bristol and the UUCB Choir
As we kick off our reflections on the new monthly theme of Pluralism, what better time to participate in our Flower Communion Ceremony? Just as a bouquet of flowers delights our senses with the diversity of colors, shapes, sizes, and smells; the differences between us in background, identity, preference, theology, and pretty much everything else … enhance the beauty of our community. Everyone is invited to bring a flower to worship, as we include the quintessentially UU ritual of flower communion. (Not sure what we’re talking about? Bring a flower and find out!)
Sun, May 12— Musical Multiplicities of “Mother”
Led by Will Bristol, Music by Will Bristol an others
Motherland, Mother Earth, Mother: These are concepts which have different meanings to each one of us. By holding our unique and powerful definitions of these concepts with respect for others—and by realizing that we are all different—we embrace pluralism. We will find that in this service music acts as a vessel to take us from one experience to the next. It will also provide our primary means of expression and communication—a fabric held together by three main musical key centers: those of E, F and D.
Sun, May 19 — RE Sunday
Led by Toben Cooney-Callnan. Music by Will Bristol and the UUCB Choir
Come celebrate the amazing students and teachers in our Religious Exploration Program.
Sun March 26— Hot and Bothersome
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos. Music by Will Bristol and Robin Jellis
Sometimes, our experiences of Pluralism can be annoying (not to put too fine a point on it). The differences between us are interesting and have so much potential to expand our hearts and minds; AND they require things of us like humility, patience, grace, and a willingness to compromise. Some days it’s easier to summon those gifts than others. Let’s reflect on some strategies for using love, respect, and the gifts of spiritual community to help us out when our differences become hot and bothersome.
Minister’s Message
Pluralism | You Be You and I’ll Be Me
This church year, many of the themes we’ve been focusing on in worship, religious exploration, and some chalice circles are the newly proposed UU values from the revision of our foundational documents (Article II of the UUA bylaws, to be precise). The final value we’ll be exploring is Pluralism. Here’s the language in the new Article II revision that will be voted on this summer at our General Assembly:
Pluralism
We celebrate that we are all sacred beings diverse
in culture, experience, and theology.We covenant to learn from one another in our free
and responsible search for truth and meaning.
We embrace our differences and commonalities with
Love, curiosity, and respect.
For most of my life, I have had the privilege of living, learning, working, and playing in diverse communities that view diversity as a strength rather than an obstacle to overcome or an annoyance to ignore. Based on my experience, this proposed bylaw language seems perfect and natural. However, I forget sometimes how radical it is for a religious organization to name pluralism as a value. One of our new members reminded me of that just today. Valuing pluralism means that we appreciate the value of differences, and that we try not to propose, suggest, or enforce only one right way of thinking, being, or doing things. It means we are content (not to be confused with comfortable) to allow differences to co-exist without trying to harmonize or minimize them so we can pretend we’re all the same. As the quote famously attributed to Francis David (Founder of the Unitarian Church of Transylvania) claims, “We need not think alike to love alike.”
Our value of pluralism is an important distinguishing characteristic of Unitarian Universalism. It offers us tremendous gifts as we learn from one another’s perspectives, experiences, theologies, and philosophies of life. It can also be difficult. We have only to look at the broader world for a moment to see painful examples of what happens when differences are not allowed to co-exist: war, violence, exploitation, and oppression are realities that arise when pluralism is not valued. However, when pluralism is intentionally valued, we can begin to imagine and create together different realities in which differences are appreciated and used as resources for potential growth and progress.
As we reflect on pluralism this month, our reflections will be richer if we all show up as authentically as we can. Each one of us has gifts to offer that are unique—natural gifts and talents the universe has given us, experiences of life that have seasoned us, and wisdom wehave acquired in many ways (and sometimes very slowly). Our community is enhanced when we each bring all of that to the relationships that sustain us and the tasks that give us meaning.
As we explore and enjoy our value of pluralism, please consider this invitation/charge: You be you. In fact, be as you as you can be. I’ll be me. And as the saying goes, “Together, we’re a genius.”
Sending you so much love,
Kharma
The Midcoast Woodbank is Looking for Volunteers
We are an all volunteer community organization providing free firewood as heating assistance to our neighbors in need. We collect clean hardwood logs and firewood from landowners, tree companies, developers, and homeowners then cut, split, and stack the firewood to dry. Volunteers are needed for processing logs (training and safety equipment provided), as well as administrative tasks.
More information at https://midcoastwoodbank.org/
Religious Exploration
Religious Exploraion Sunday
I can’t believe how quickly time has gone by this church year. It seems like just last week I was announcing our plan for a volunteer led Religious Exploration Program and asking you all for help. Yet, we are just weeks away from RE Sunday which, besides our End of Year Party, is our last event for the church year. I want to take a moment to thank you all so much for the way that you show up for these children and for the RE Program at large. I asked for volunteers, and you showed up with excitement! It’s because of you all that the kids were able to have age based groups that allowed the opportunity for deeper connection with their peers. That valued connection brought kids back week after week and this year we had the highest and most consistent attendance of my tenure at UUCB! We invite you to join us on May 19th to support our RE children once again as they take of the pulpit and share their minds and hearts with us!
On April 1st the Coming of Age youth, accompanied by Rev. Kharma, Toben, and COA mentor Sam Caswell, took in the challenge of freeing themselves from The Getaway at Escape Room Brunswick. This team building task was challenging at times but always a lot of fun and filled with great laughs!
Toben Cooney-Callnan
Director of ReligiousExploration
A Note From Our Music Director
May is shaping up to be a busy month for our congregation—many different things are happening and we are going in many directions at once. The natural world is also busy as she gears up for summer. Let’s all take a moment to breathe and while holding this increase of activity in a positive light…
As an active and growing congregation that encompasses many dimensions, it’s wonderful to have so much happening! Often churches I have served at in the past feel lonely or abandoned; that is not the case here! I’m also happy that with so many different people in our growing congregation, it is as appropriate as ever for us to celebrate this year’s Soul Matter’s theme for May of Pluralism.
The choir is starting to rehearse some quite varied music, which will continue during this month of May—from a Renaissance madrigal, to “by rote” folk songs, to Broadway show tunes, with some Dolly Parton and Carly Simon arrangements mixed in along the way. The worship services are indicative of this variety also—with a flower communion service starting us off, RE Sunday, and a service at the end of of May involving cello and piano music. In the middle of all of this will be a fairly unique all-music service I’ll be leading on May 12th. This service will be about the music, with nearly no spoken word involved. You, the congregation will be involved in much of the music-making for this service as we create together playfully and in real time throughout.
I’m also excited during this month to start working again with the children of all ages during RE time, to be bringing more small group vocal contributions to the services, and to be featuring the UUCB recorder ensemble on a service for the first time. As we look ahead to June, other unique, “pluralist” events will be happening then: such as the pop-up Brunswick Pride Choir event (sign up through the link posted below) which will rehearse at our church on 6/6, and a coffee house style event on 6/15 (see Last Hurrah on page 9)! Looking forward to experiencing all of this variety along with you and in seeing what comes of it. Happy Spring!
Pride Choir signup: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zgqgYr767CR2lAfmmWhMAEqsynR7YlO-HkZmrV0JFV0/edit
Private Piano Lessons
Dear UUCB community,
In combination with my position as Music Director at UUCB, I plan to begin offering private piano lessons at the church. I am accepting all ages and abilities for 1⁄2 hour or 1 hour lessons. The lessons will be in one of the beautiful and spacious RE rooms in the back of the church on my well-maintained Yamaha U3 piano.
A summer semester will begin from late June through the beginning of August. A full fall schedule of teaching will begin the first week in September. For students interested in performance opportunities, there will be bi-annual recitals, and group lessons where students can play for each other.
Please email me at for more information or to schedule a trial lesson if interested in starting this summer or in the fall.
My background and teaching approach:
I have experience teaching private students from age five to late adulthood and have taught lessons in a private studio in Maine, as well as at private schools in New York and France. As part of my Music degree at USM School of Music, I spent several years studying piano pedagogy. I also have pedagogical experience as a K-12 general and choral music teacher as well as a Kindergarten teacher.
I enjoy working with a variety of students, including beginning and advanced learners of any age, whether interested in classical, jazz or popular music. Part of my approach is to include music theory and composition. I find that learning to play piano is not only a great lifetime skill, but also an excellent way of integrating sensory-motor reflexes. My style of teaching varies widely based on the student and I enjoy the opportunity of tailoring lessons to the student as opposed to a rigid curriculum. As a former Waldorf teacher, my approach to learning comes from a place of understanding human development and trying to meet the specific individual where they are. I try to balance out each students’ skill sets while keeping in mind their specific goals and interests.
UUCB Board Update
Although the first day of spring was March 19, it sure did take a while for the “spring” weather to follow along. Days of rain, wind, snow and more rain and wind kept most of us from getting to work on the usual spring chores. Finally, last week gave us some proof that welcome warm and dry weather was in the works. Time to put away the snowblower and snow shovels and get out the rakes and the lawn mower.
The Board was greeted at its meeting on April 18 by Board Chair, David Kew, who announced he turned “28 times 2” that day and provided us with celebratory cupcakes…a delightful late afternoon snack!
The Pledge Drive has almost completed its official role and we were all very pleasantly surprised that the goal of $300,000 was nearly reached. It is likely that when all pledges are in that goal will be surpassed. The Heartfelt Pledge goal of $40,000 was not quite achieved but nonetheless, a figure of roughly $26,000 is a substantial commitment for RE. We thank the congregation for its support throughout the pledge drive and beyond. We are grateful that our congregation continues to grow with 23 new members being officially welcomed in the past year.
We were delighted with the Art Exhibit in April that featured work by Barbara and Craig Snapp and look forward in May to showcasing the artwork of children from UUCB. June will feature abstract painting by Joanna Pool. July and August will be a bit different…The Art Gallery Committee is asking the UUCB congregation to submit pieces using a variety of media – think quilting, tapestry, weaving, embroidery, knitting, felting, paper craft, rug hooking – anything that is fiber based and can be hung on a wall.
The Board continues to work with the Safety Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee to ensure the safety and security of our congregation.
Our Annual Meeting will be held immediately after the service on June 9th and we hope many members new and old will be present. You will get a flavor of how the congregation works together with the Board and the staff to make UUCB a “destination” on Sunday mornings.
Beware of ticks but enjoy the out of doors!
Catharine(Cuffy)Chase
Member of the Board of Trustees
It’s Annual Report Time
Deadline: May 24
If you are the Chairperson(s) or the person(s) in charge of a committee, group, task force or the like, it’s time to think about your UUCB Annual Report for FY 20243-24 If you need a copy of last year’s report, please contact the Church Office.
Please consider including the following in your Annual Report:
- List committee members with year each person joined the committee/task force/group etc.
- Identify committee chair and indicate the year that person assumed leadership.
- State the charge to (purpose of) the committee.
- Describe the committee goals set for the past year.
- Summarize those goals accomplished and those still needing attention.
- Anticipate issues/changes that impact ongoing functioning of committee.
- Express appreciation when/where appropriate.
Once your report is completed you can……
- E-mail your report to the church office
- Mail it to UUCB, PO Box 129, Brunswick ME 04011
- Hand Deliver it to the Church Office Tue – Fri 10am-4pm
- Leave it in the mail box outside the church office.
In Preparation for the Annual Report
Send us your Milestones.
It is time for us to be working on our Annual Report for this church year, which will be presented at our congregational meeting in June. The Minister’s Report includes a list of congregational milestones (e.g. births, deaths, marriages, child dedications, graduations, retirements, etc.). If you have something that has taken place this fiscal year (July 2023 – June 2024), please email the details to .
PLEDGE DRIVE
In Gratitude, from your Pledge Drive Committee…
Every year during the pledge drive, we have an opportunity to take stock of UUCB and what it means to each of us. As we move out of the public phase of our pledge drive, we still need a few more pledges to meet our BIG goal of $300,000 for the annual fund and an additional three year $40,000 heart gift commitment for the expansion of our Religious Exploration program. Impressively, we have raised over $320,000 combined so far! Thank you, everyone, who has made or renewed their pledge for the 2024-25 fiscal year!
We encourage you to consider what UUCB means to you. What exactly is our own richness? Generosity begins with taking care of ourselves. When we take care of ourselves, we can take care of others. And as our congregation continues to grow, so do our goals.
If you haven’t already done so, making or renewing your pledge is easy!
- Your pledge can be made by clicking on this link.
- Go to uubrunswick.org and click on the “Pledge Online” link.
- Email or call Shirley Bernier, at 207-729-8515 with your contact information, total amount for annual pledge that includes the heart gift for RE expansion, frequency and type of payment.
- Complete a pledge form and mail to: UUCB, P.O. Box 129, Brunswick, ME 04011
What comes next? How to pay your pledge.
- Pledges are paid in the next fiscal year, July 2024 – June 2025.
- Direct Bank Withdrawal: Make a one-time or recurring payment via the “Bill Pay” option on your bank’s website.
- Cash or Check: Write your name and “2024/25 Pledge” on an envelope and deliver via the offertory plate, administrator, or postal mail: UUCB, P.O. Box 129, Brunswick, ME 04011
- Online Giving: Go to uubrunswick.org and click on the “Donate Online” link. (Note: a processing fee applies)
- RMD/QCD Payment: Use your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by having your brokerage company send your pledge amount directly to UUCB as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
Bonus: For tax purposes, a QCD counts towards your RMD but not your income!
Our final numbers determine what the finance committee and board of trustees bring to us for a possible budget next year. With your support, we hope that every member and friend of UUCB will help us continue to meet our goals and build the next ten years. Our collective gifts are innumerable, and when we pledge and give from the heart together, we make UUCB a strong, visionary, beloved community.
In gratitude,
Joel Austin, Nathane Haynes, Diane Kew, Cindy Parker, and Kristen Pett
Your Pledge Drive Committee
WORKING FOR JUSTICE
May’s Charity with Soul
Wabanaki REACH
Wabanaki REACH is a cross-cultural, Native-led organization working toward truth, healing, and change. REACH provides educational programming about shared history, trauma (personal, intergenerational, and historic), and their continued impacts today. Wellness work in Wabanaki communities focuses on restorative practices, healing strategies, and supporting food sovereignty. The most visible piece of work to date was the establishment of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission whose work is documented in the award winning documentary, Dawnland: A Documentary About Cultural Survival and Stolen Children (2018) (www.dawnland.org) Currently, we are in the final year of a second truth-telling initiative called Beyond the Claims: Stories from the Land and the Heart focused on stories of people’s lived experiences during the historic Maine Indian Land Claims. “Wabanaki” in the language of the indigenous people refers to both people and place – Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Mikmaw, Maliseet, and Abenaki people located in their ancestral homelands of present-day Maine. REACH work is carried out in workplaces, universities and other schools, prisons, faith communities, tribal communities; and in civic, political, conservation, environmental, and peace and justice groups. For more information regarding Wabanaki REACH, visit www.wabanakireach.org
Immigrant Justice
Midcoast New Mainers Group (MCNMG) reports the following specific volunteer needs. To learn more about MCNMG in general, contact Faith Barnes .
Volunteer Drivers
More volunteer drivers from Bath are needed because more families are moving to Bath and there is no public transportation between Bath and Brunswick. Volunteer drivers are needed to get adult immigrants to English classes in Brunswick. If you can help with this, please email Carol Kalajainen at .
Midcoast Literacy
The next literacy training for volunteers, who would like to work with either adults or children, will be at the end of May or early June. The date depends on the availability of the speakers and the numbers of interested folks. If you are interested in working with adults, please email Diana Krauss at . If you are interested in working with youth, please email Katie Clark at .
Mentors and Job Coaching
Mentors for both families and individuals are needed. Also needed are job coaches. The next training for becoming a job coach will occur in the late spring. Many New Mainers now have work permits and need help finding employment. If you are interested in being a mentor or a job coach please email Carol Kalajainen at .
Midcoast Literacy
Casual Conversation with English Language Learners
Midcoast Adult Literacy is looking for volunteers to fill summer slots in the Conversation Cafes at the Welcome Center on The Landing this summer. All you have to do is show up and do your best to chat with an English language learner. The clients want to practice their English. Discussion prompts are provided.
Right now, conversations are scheduled for:3:45-5 pm on
June 12 and 24
July 10 and 22
August 14 and 26
at the Welcome Center (in the Brunswick Recreation building)
Access from parking lot at: 24 Venture Avenue, Brunswick, ME 04011
Please contact Jennifer Burgess, Office Manager or 207-443-6384 to get on their list. You only need to volunteer or 1 or 2 sessions!
p.s. Also, Diana Krauss is offering a 3-day training on becoming a regular Literacy Tutor on June 4,5, & 6, and is looking for more willing volunteers. This commitment is only for 1 hr per week and the training is awesome!! Just contact Jennifer in the office if you’re interested.
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MUUSAN
The legislative year has just ended. A big thanks to everyone who advocated for these bills with calls, postcards, testimonies and letters to the editor. We were a force this year! Here is a summary of the disposition of our priority bills.
Climate:
LD 2077, An Act Regarding Customer Costs and the Environmental and Health Effects of Natural Gas. This bill attempted to limit the expansion of gas utilities. After major amendment, it passed as “Resolve, to Study the Role of Natural Gas in an Equitable Clean Energy Transition for Maine.”
Wabanaki Sovereignty:
LD 2007: An Act to Advance Self-determination for Wabanaki Nations. This bill also underwent radical changes and became an act granting tribal courts greater jurisdiction over crimes committed on tribal land, recognizing tribal authority over regulation of drinking water, and restoring tribal rights stripped by past legislation. The bill passed both houses with bi-partisan support and was signed into law by the governor.
Housing & Homelessness:
LD 1710 An Act to Establish the Maine Rental Assistance and Guarantee Program and Amend the Laws Regarding Tenants and the Municipal General Assistance Program. This ambitious bill was referred for further study.
The good news for housing is that the Appropriations Committee included money in the budget to increase state aid for low-income renters.
Democracy:
LD 1578 An Act to Adopt an Interstate Compact to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote. This bill passed both houses and after the required 10-day period for the Governor’s action on the bill. It became law without her signature. Maine now joins 16 other states giving the Compact a total of 209 electoral votes so far. Only 61 more electoral votes are needed for the Compact to go into effect.
A big win!
Gun Safety:
LD 2238 An Act to Address Gun Violence in Maine by Requiring a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases. This bill passed both houses on the final day of the legislative session. It has been sent to the Governor.
LD 2086 An Act to Ensure Safe Disposition of Forfeited Firearms (with an added amendment to address the definition of a machine gun and devices often called bump stocks that turn a semi-automatic into an automatic weapon) This bill passed both houses on the final day of the legislative session and now goes to the Governor.
The MUUSAN and UUCB Gun Safety Action Teams together prioritized these two bills. Other gun safety bills are making their way through the legislative process. Contact Lynn Ellis () for more information.
Brunswick Area Teen Center
- The partial solar eclipse visible in Brunswick provided enormous excitement and enjoyment at the Teen Center with everyone experiencing the event with protective glasses.
- On alternate weeks, the Art Van provides an hour-long session with the teens.
- On May 4 the Center will host a formalwear giveaway with clothing or accessories for prom.
- Teens have been informed about the Midcoast Community Prevention initiative on graduation night. This event will provide a safe place to celebrate after graduation.
- An upcoming Teen Center Open House for interested parents, including New Mainer families, will inform them about the Center and summer activities.
- The possibility of moving the Center to a larger space in the southern wing of the Coffin School has been presented to the Teen Center Advisory Board.
Upcoming Events
Indigenous Awareness
Bowdoin PowWow
May 4
The Native American Students Association (NASA) at Bowdoin College enthusiastically invites the greater Brunswick community to their first Powwow on May 4 from 12 noon to 6pm.
In their words…”a powwow is a community celebration that is open to all walks of life. It is a time to connect; a time to celebrate; to come together in ceremony; and to honor traditions that have been passed on through generations with dancing, singing, and drumming. All are welcome to attend. And we look forward to hosting you, the local Brunswick community, and Bowdoin alumni for this historic event.”
Hopefully some of us will enjoy sharing this time together with the students and many others interested and knowledgeable about Indigenous ways. Please click on the link below for some important information about appropriate powwow etiquette.
https://www.bowdoin.edu/…/community-and…/powwow.html
Habitat for Humanity Walk
May 5
The May 5 Habitat for Humanity Spring Walk is almost here. The following 14 UUCB Walkers are collecting donations for this important fundraiser: Joanne Allen, Carol McCoy, Gretchen Kamilewicz, Dexter Kamilewicz, Cuffy Chase, Betsy Williams, Mike Heath, Anne Spencer, Brigitte Swinston, Pat Moore, Kharma Amos, Louise Gephart, Mary Larson, and Susan Snow. Donate to your favorite Walker or to the entire UUCB team, either in person or by mail to: Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers Maine, Attn: Spring Walk, 11 Elsinore Avenue, Bath, ME 04530. Checks should be made out to HFH/7RM with the Walker’s name or Team UUCB in the memo line. You can also donate online by going to the Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers website (habitat7rivers.org) and clicking on the Spring Walk to Build logo (shown above) and clicking on the red donate button to continue. (Do not check the box next to “I want to make this a monthly donation” unless you intend to).
Donations for the Walk will be received through June 28.
Comedy for a Cause
Friday, May 10, 7:30pm
Stand-Up for MCC
Featuring Social Media Sensation Chip Leighton
Chip Leighton is a Mainer from Cape Elizabeth a Bowdoin alum, and Vice President of the Board at Preble Street. He’s hilarious…and he shares our values—love of neighbor, justice, compassion, peace. And this amazing comedian, who has 1 million followers on social media (!), wants to support the Council’s progressive voice of faith that counters the messages of far-right conservative faith groups in Maine. So Chip will be doing a benefit performance for the Maine Council of Churches and will be donating 100% of the proceeds from his performance to MCC!
Over the past couple of years, Chip has struck internet gold with highly relatable and hysterically funny viral videos about marriage and parenting. His deadpan observations prove that teenagers and husbands do say the darndest things!
He’s gone viral on social media and received media coverage on NBC, ABC, CBS and The New York Times. Last summer he toured around Maine with TV star and comedian Caroline Rhea doing comedy shows.
He is a very funny guy, and he believes 110% in MCC’s mission: speaking with a prophetic voice of faith, connecting people within, through, and beyond the church to create a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world—a world that Chip helps to fill with laughter and joy!
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Circling for the Final Approach
Saturday, May 14
On Tuesday, May 14, we have an opportunity to be together as a caring community with a particular focus: preparing for our own death. For many of us this was a taboo topic. No longer. Come and share your wisdom, your stories, your compassion in listening and sharing. Plan to gather at 4 pm in the sanctuary. We’ll have a BYO snack/sandwich break at 5:30, and end our gathering by 6:30. Kharma and I will both be there to facilitate. Please call Shirley in the church office if you plan to attend.
Grace Lewis-McLaren
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Concerts for a Cause
Renaissance Voices
Saturday, May 11
Renaissance Voices is a Portland-based a cappella chorus singing music from the Middle Ages to the present day. The theme of this spring concert will be “Love Songs, Old and New.” The group will be doing works by John Dowland, Thomas Morely, Edward Elgar, Selections from the Great American Songbook and more.
Renaissance Voices was founded in 1995 by a group of Maine singers on tour in London. The original idea for an auditioned, Portland-based, a cappella ensemble still guides their choices today. Although their emphasis is the a cappella performance of early European music, in recent years they have broadened their repertoire to include other origins, including many works by women composers. Concerts also feature short readings that complement the themes of the musical selections. Renaissance Voices is comprised of both professional and experienced amateur musicians and enjoys an ever-widening fan base throughout Maine.
Harold Stover has been their conductor since 2001. He is a Julliard graduate, a distinguished composer, organist/choirmaster of many prestigious choirs in New York City, and he has played critically acclaimed organ recitals all over the U.S. and Europe. He also served on the faculty of the New York School of Liturgical Music, and at the Portland Conservatory of Music.
“Bravo, bravo! When music-making is so technically mastered, the beauty offered is Grace; one is not sure where or when she is going to be had. I was had many times.” —Audience feedback, Portland Press Herald
$20 in advance, $25 at door, $5 Students & Children
Available at the Church office, Gulf of Maine Books, or online at https://ticketstripe.com/renaissance.
There will be no intermission at this concert, SO… We do NOT need refreshments.
Tickets for Renaissance Voices
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Concerts for a Cause
John Gorka
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Back by popular demand!
John Gorka is an honored icon of folk tradition, known for his stunningly soulful baritone voice and his uncanny ability to work every nuance of language. He captures a wide array of topics and experiences and weaves them into memorable melodies. His versatility on guitar and piano keeps his sets musically interesting and he’s never short of the sly comment or clever joke that invariably ignites his audience.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement,” John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential singer-songwriter of the 90’s folk scene. The old songs ring as true today as they ever did, and the new ones are just as good.
With 14 critically acclaimed albums and countless national and international tours, he has collaborated with the likes of Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ani DiFranco, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin and many more. The Boston Globe extols, “Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs.”
Many well-known artists have recorded and/or performed John Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown and has appeared on CNN. His song “Where No Monuments Stand” was featured in the documentary Every War Has Two Losers.
Tickets: $25 in advance and $30 at the door. $10 Students/Children .
Available at the church office, Gulf of Maine Books, or online at https://ticketstripe.com/johngorka
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Membership
All-Church Picnic
Saturday June 1, 2024
12:00 – 3:00-ish
923 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell
Janice Thompson and Jeremy Jones are again inviting us to hold our all-church picnic on their beautiful property. There is plenty of parking. Come and enjoy the food, music and community spirit as we welcome the return of warmer weather and hopefully a day filled with sunshine!
Everyone brings:
- Something to grill, if you like
- A pot-luck side dish – salad or desert – all cold
- A chair
- Musical instruments for sing-along
- Tick/insect repellent, sunblock
Mark your calendars!
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Last Hoorah & Ha-Ha!
Featuring our Staff and YOU!
Sat, June 15
Open Mic, Snacks, 50/50
How do I sign up to share my talent?
You can sign up the night of the event. Doors open at 5:40 pm, and signups will begin immediately. Showtime starts at 6:00 pm. We will (more or less) use the order in which you sign up, with some priority for younger performers who may need to leave early.
Want to Sing? Wil Bristol can Support you.
We welcome singers of all sorts (solos, duets, ensembles). You can sing a cappella, accompany yourself or Will can provide piano accompaniment. If you would like accompaniment, please contact Will at and provide shsheet music in your desired key.
What is a 50/50 Raffle?
A 50/50 Raffle is the easiest raffle ever. You purchase tickets for chance to win 50% of the raffle proceeds. If we raise $100, you wil $50; if we raise $300, you win $150.
Performers of ALL Ages Welcome
Art Gallery
May Artist: The UUCB Children
Welcome to the Art Gallery Children’s exhibit! Please enjoy the variety and energy in their creations. The joyful colors and designs express the children’s ideas in paint and markers.
Thank you to all of the children who are sharing their work with us this May.
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Deadline for Parish Messenger Articles
Deadline for April Parish Messenger is Saturday, May 25. Send articles to