May Services | Minister’s Message| Lifelong Spiritual Formation | Music Director | Membership | Board of Trustees | Annual Reports | Pledge Drive | Pastoral Care| COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS | Online Auction | Holiday Fair | Concerts for a Cause | Piano Recital | Circle Suppers | Community Song Circles | WORKING FOR JUSTICE: | Charities with Soul | WFJ Fair | Teen Center | Indigenous Awareness | Immigrant Justice | ART GALLERY | Parish Messenger Deadline |
May Services
May Theme: Imagination
May 4th – The Practice of Imagination
Led by Rev. Dr. Khama Amos, Music by Will Bristol and the UUCB Choir
As we turn our focus to the practice of imagination, let’s reflect on how we are using our imagination–for better (imagining the world as we wish it to be) or worse (imagining worst case scenarios)? Imagination can open us to creativity and possibilities beyond our current realities, or it can conjure monsters that keep us hiding in fear. What if we used the spiritual practice of imagination purposefully and for the common good?
May 11th – Mothers of Imagination
Led by Rev. Kharma Amos, Music by Will Bristol
May 18th – INTERGEN: Children’s Sunday: Pure Imagination
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos and Toben Cooney-Callnan, music by Will Bristol and the UUCB Choir
May 25th- Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum
Led by Derek Volk (Maine businessman and author), Music by Will Bristol.
Derek shares some experiences of raising his high functioning autistic son, Dylan. This was not what he imagined parenting his first child would be like. Derek will highlight significant challenges, heartfelt triumphs, and some of the strategies that his family employed throughout Dylan’s 33 years.
Minister’s Message
The Practice of Imagination: For Better or Worse?
In the month of May, we’ll be reflecting on the spiritual practice of Imagination. It occurs to me that most of us use our imaginations constantly, albeit often without purposeful intention. On any given day, for example, we may imagine what our day will hold. That act of imagination may fill you with anticipatory feelings of delight (for things you look forward to) or dread (for things you would rather avoid). In other words, our imaginations can tilt us in the direction of hope or horror (as well as all the places in between).
What’s your imagination doing for you lately? Is it helping or harming you? How is it impacting the people around you – those you love, those you struggle to tolerate?
I’m observing quite a lot of folx engaging in “Slippery Slope” imagination exercises … as individuals and groups. This is the logical fallacy that occurs when we imagine all of the terrible, awful things that could happen if that one domino falls. For example, I’m sure you’ve heard a sentence or two that begins in this way (followed by predictions of doom):
If we regulate fossil fuel emissions, …
If we permit marriage equality, …
If we open our borders, …
If we let transgender girls play sports in school, …
If we approve Wabanaki sovereignty, …
If we restrict firearms, …
The imagined worst-case scenarios that follow these phrases (often rooted in fear of personal impact or loss) are the very things that obstruct collective progress. When we imagine that we cannot <fill in the blank>, we end up becoming prophets of our own failure.
On the other hand, imagination exercises that lean into possibilities (no matter how far-fetched) expand our capacity for creativity, inspiration, and generative actions. This is the kind of imagination artists like John Lennon (author of the classic song “Imagination”) and Timothée Chalamet (composer of “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka) invite us into. Imagine what might be possible, they implore us, if we weren’t constrained by outdated rules, fear and division, or the calcified containers others created for themselves! Rather than accepting the limiting visions of those who cannot imagine another way of being, what if we turned the world upside down and re-fashioned it with a blueprint designed by Love?
Which imaginings brings you hope, peace, joy, inspiration, purpose and/or meaning?
Consider this an invitation, one and all, to spend some time this month being aware of how your imagination is at work … for better or for worse. And, after noticing, take the opportunity to reflect on ways you might engage your practice of imagination with more intention.
Blessings,
Kharma
Lifelong Spiritual Formation
Children’s Spiritual Formation Sunday
Each year, towards the end of the church year, the children in the Spiritual Formation program create and lead a worship service together. This service offers the congregation a chance to get to know the minds and hearts of our beloved children. Our theme for CSF Sunday is Pure Imagination. The Pre-school and Elementary school children will share with us what they imagine this world could be. Our Middle School youth who have participated in the Neighboring Faiths program will offer reflections about their visits to local faith homes and share with us what they have learned through this opportunity. We will also honor the dedicated volunteers who help lead the CSF meetings and the CSF Committee members who work hard throughout the church year to support the various different programs and activities offered. We look forward to seeing you there!Learning Opportunities
How to Be a Great Cis Ally
May 31 | 9 am – 1 pm
Workshop Leader: Evangeline Weiss-
A social change instigator with a twinkle in her eye, Evangeline has over 24 years of community building and organizational development experience working with clients such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, Leadership for Educational Equity, Ipas, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Highlander Education and Research Center, Guilford College, and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Evangeline is a white queer anti-racist jew facilitating values-based change work that sustains leaders and organizations on a path towards greater wholeness, intentionality and purpose.
Queer History
Wednesday, June 4 | 5 pm – 7:30 pm
As part of the opening of Queerly Maine’s Photo Directory show at the UUCB Gallery, Rev. Kharma will offer a Queer History talk that explores the history of the word queer in America and how American queer culture has developed and evolved throughout time. All are welcome!
Music Director Update
When I think of May’s worship theme of Imagination, I immediately think of kids. When I worked especially with younger children in the Waldorf schools, it was common practice for all teachers to respond to children of a certain age with an “I wonder” or “we’ll see.” This is one of the most successful tenets of this pedagogy in my opinion as it allows children to still live in their imagination for longer than our modern society usually allows for. What a gift this experience might also be for adults these days…
One of the UU principles I try to live into—especially during choir practices—is the fourth principle which reads like so: “A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Rev. Paige Getty (from the UU congregation of Columbia, Maryland) explains this principle, saying “This privilege calls us not to be isolated and self-centered, believing that our single perspective trumps all others, but rather to be humble, to be open to the great mysteries of truth and meaning that life offers.”
I often actively do not give information about a piece of music before the choir sings it for the first time. It is my opinion that on these occasions, doing this allows everyone to live more into their imaginations through their own, individual freedom. Coincidentally, or perhaps not so, June’s worship theme to put into practice will be Freedom.
Music happenings this month:
- Choir rehearsals—every Thursday (7-8:30pm) in the sanctuary
- Recorder ensemble—Sunday May 4th 11:20am-12pm in the Youth Group Room
- Drum Circle—Monday May 5th (7-8pm) in the sanctuary
- A Cappella—Sunday May 18th 11:20am-12pm in the Youth Group Room NOTE THE CHANGE OF WEEK
- Fourth Sunday All-Stars—Sunday May 25th 11:20am-12pm in the Youth Group Room
Best,
Will
Will Bristol will be presenting a joint piano recital at UUCB with his friend Mark Rossnagel on Saturday, May 10th at 7 pm to benefit the local Laureen Swanson Music For Youth Fund. Click HERE for details.
Membership
Getting to Know You
Allen & Jacqueline Cressy
Allen and Jackie Cressy live in Topsham. Allen was born in Damariscotta; Jackie in Massachusetts, but both grew up in Rhode Island. They met at the University of Rhode Island and will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this June.
Allen worked for many years as a systems engineer. Jackie has worked as a teacher. Over the years they have lived in Italy, Germany and Belgium. For 15 years they ran an inn in Bethel, Maine.
Allen enjoys hiking, genealogy, travel and volunteering. Jackie likes to read, knit, walk, do NYT word games and Sun style tai chi.
Both came to UUCB through a neighbor’s recommendation.
Heather & David Lowe
We are the Lowe Family. I am Heather and my husband is David. Our children are Nora (almost 5), Sean (just turned 3), and new baby, Andrew, born on April 3. We’ve lived in Brunswick for 7 years. I grew up in Chelsea, Maine and David grew up in Acton, Massachusetts. I teach English at Brunswick Junior High School and David teaches Math at Brunswick High School. Our family enjoys visiting local playgrounds, reading, visiting the library, baking, hiking, swimming, and going to the beach. We believe that children thrive in community. Before having kids we knew that it was important for us to have a community of people who shared our values and who could support us in teaching our children these values. We briefly “church shopped” around Brunswick, but as soon as we heard Sylvia quote Mary Oliver, we knew UUCB was our place!
Elizabeth Forrest
I grew up in Lexington, MA, and have spent time in all the New England states and 3 years in Viet Nam. I have been: an early childhood teacher, a librarian, a mother and a gardener (to name but four of many). I am “artsy”, “catsy” (2 at present) and I love music, gardens and reading, and most recently contra dancing. Fun detail: I am one of the very first U.U.’s by birth, born one month after the two groups consolidated in May
Helene McLaughlin
I am originally from Philadelphia but have spent my entire adult life in Maine. I am a retired school counselor-40 years! Currently, I am a yoga and meditation teacher and a writer of poetry, nonfiction and fiction. I like to hike, read, swim and do many contemplative practices. I came to UUCB for the freedom of thought and spiritual practice, and for the community of like minded people. I am a parent of two and grandparent of four and live with my husband of 43 years Bruce in Brunswick
Board of Trustees
Spring is just around the corner! I swear it is! At least, I hope it is. The calendar is telling me so. We certainly can’t tell by the weather we’ve had this past month, but then again, we are all hardy Mainers (no distinction between home-grown or transplant Mainers here), so we know that April is a tough weather month to get through. On the bright side, I have been hearing and seeing the birds returning to my feeders and I have a few daffodils trying to poke their heads up through the dead leaves in my flower beds. Welcome signs of not-too-far-off spring, for sure!
The Board of Trustees recently met and here are a few updates of what we have been working on:
We continue to work on solutions to the “space crunch” we are all experiencing at our Sunday worship services. We are exploring several options to expand our ability to accommodate all the folks who wish to come and celebrate, worship, and commune with our great congregation. Clearly, we have a message that many want to hear, and we want to be as welcoming and open for all those who want to participate in it. While some changes may be quite evident and implemented quickly, others will take time with significant planning and investigation before they can be realized. The Board is setting up another meeting with Erica Baron of the UUA to help guide and counsel the Board on some of the next steps we can take to keep this process moving in a fruitful and productive manner. Please have confidence in the Board that we take this issue very seriously and we are diligently working to improve accommodations at our services. As always, please reach out to any Board member or Kharma with direct feedback, suggestions, questions, or comments
We acknowledged that the pledge drive has concluded, but that the work continues “behind the scenes.” The pledge team has done a tremendous job in engaging our congregation to help support the needs of this church. Thus far, the drive has been very successful, and we are encouraged with the funding for the next fiscal year.
You’ll soon notice that coffee hour is “back to normal.” With the change in our seating limitations, the need to change the location of coffee wasn’t needed, so we are back to the way it was!
Reviewing the financial report from the finance committee shows that the church is in a good financial position for this time of year. 2024 pledge payments continue to come in at a strong rate. A mailer will be sent out to members in the next few weeks with a reminder of what they pledged/paid for fiscal year 24/25 as well as what they’ve pledged for fiscal year 25/26.
And don’t forget about some exciting events coming up this spring such as the Social Justice Partner Fair and the annual Silent Auction! Spring really is just around the corner… I promise!
For the Board of Trustees, Nathan Haynes
It’s Annual Report Time
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 2024-25 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.
All reports are due by Tuesday, May 20 to give the office staff time to prepare the Annual Report for the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 8th.
2025 Pledge Drive
WE DID IT!
Our Pledge Drive to fund the 2025-2026 Church Year has raised $349,540 as of April 17! This is 92%% of our ambitious goal of $380,000. So far, 146 units (families or individuals) have participated. This is already an increase of 4 families over the total who pledged last year. And it includes 29 new pledgers! We asked and you responded. This is truly an impressive show of generosity and demonstrates that as a community We Care!
Thank you to everyone who stepped up to pledge! Whether you increased your pledge or not, whether you are a new or long-standing member or friend of UUCB, you played an important part in this extraordinary effort to meet our financial goal which will allow our church to continue to grow and thrive during the next Church Year.
And if you haven’t pledged yet, pledges are still welcome! Just click on the Pledge button takes you to the online form where you can make your pledge.
You showed that you want our Lifelong Spiritual Formation under Toben to continue and expand! That you love the musical experiences provided by our music director Will! That you are inspired and comforted by the religious services led by our minister Kharma! That you are eager for our church to continue to provide a place where all are welcome and to be an active presence in the Greater Brunswick Area to provide the comfort, hope, and inspiration that our current times call for! And that
WE AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COMMUNITY CARE TOGETHER!
With gratitude, Your Pledge Team
Al Cressy, Walt Harris, Di Kew, Nancy Kurtz, Cindy Parker, Kristen Pett, AND Vicki Simpson
Pastoral Care
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Program
This past year, UUCB Pastoral Care Associates took part in an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness program to understand more about memory issues. We appreciated it so much we would like to share it with you.
On Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 Amy Angelo, Senior Program Manager at the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter will be presenting a program on the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s including the 10 warning signs and the importance of early detection. She will
discuss new advances in research and therapies, explain what the Alzheimer’s Association does and how to get involved. She will also talk about general ways a caregiver can help and will be available for questions.
We hope to see many of you there for this excellent program.
We would appreciate you registering for the program by this link https://forms.gle/iJ7Cf6VAnPD64rM27 or by emailing or calling Shirley Bernier at or 207-729-8515.
Community Happenings
UUCB Community Online Auction
The 2025 UUCB Community Adventures, Events, and Services Auction Online Bidding Runs May 1-16
Donations have rolled in during April and now we are ready to begin the fun! The online auction site goes live on Thursday, May 1 and concludes in a flurry of activity on Wednesday, May 16. Keep reading for a peek at how the auction comes to its conclusion with an exciting rush of final bids!
But first, have you checked out the great variety of auction “items”? UUCB’s online-only fundraiser highlights new adventures and good eats as well as opportunities to foster new or renewed friendships within our church community. Generous donors are offering Dinners, Special Events and Parties; Food and “Special Delivery” items; Outdoor Adventures; Services & Lessons; and Tickets & Subscriptions.
The auction site is available even before it opens for bidding on May 1. Go to the UUCB Online Auction Catalog (auctria.events/UUCBfun) and browse for entries that spark your imagination.
Before you can bid on any item, you will need to register: follow the prompts to set up your account. After that let the games begin! The site keeps you informed by email about the status of your bid and when you have been outbid. When you enter a credit card in the registration form, your winning bids are a done deal (you will be notified of the winning items and the cost.) If you choose not to enter credit card information, you will get an email asking you to pay by check at church before the items are officially yours. If you have any questions, please email the Auction Team at .
The End Game: As the auction winds down on April 16 and closes at 8:00 pm (that’s EDT for all of you who are travelling and don’t want to miss your chance to win the event of your dreams) you will be notified about any bids you’ve made where you may have been outbid – with a link back to the site where you can try to get in a winning bid.
Thanks to all the generous donors, and good luck to all the bidders. We are looking forward to a very successful auction. As they say, “Bid high…Bid often!”
The UUCB Community Adventures, Events, and Services Online Auction Organizational Team: Mike Heath, John Robert O’Connor, Cheryl Martin, Sue Michaud, Eric Root, Suzanne Sargeant, Carl Smith, Rich Strano, Betsy Williams
Holiday Fair
HOLIDAY FAIR MEETING – MAY 4, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Come one, come all! It’s never too early to start planning the Holiday Fair, scheduled for Saturday, December 6th. Bring your ideas, energy, and a friend. Ho, Ho, Ho!
Wanted: An organized someone with computer ease to co-lead the marketing effort. Weekly task list available, starts in October. No prior marketing experience needed.
Don’t forget, we’re collecting jewelry each Sunday at the Welcome table.
Questions? Contact Debbie Atwood,
Concerts for a Cause
The mission of Concerts for a Cause is to hold a series of concerts to raise money for the church and local charities while sharing a variety of quality music with the Brunswick area community. The 2024-25 season’s charities will be Brunswick Area Teen Center and Maine Family Planning. See the entire lineup of concerts and more details about each performer at https://www.uubrunswick.org/concerts.
Guy Davis a Big Success
At the Guy Davis concert on April 12th, we had a crowd of 180 people and a lot of fans who enjoyed Davis’s music, even singing along with him on several of the numbers. They also loved his humor and his commentary on the state of the world. We’re happy to report we earned over $1,200 for our charities.
Next…
House of Hamill – Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 PM
UUCB Concerts for a Cause presents the Celtic folk trio House of Hamill at UUCB on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. to raise money for Brunswick Teen Center and Maine Family Planning.
Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill features Brian Buchanan and Rose Baldino of the Celtic folk-rock band Enter the Haggis. They are both accomplished traditional fiddle players and classical violinists with over 25 years of writing and performance experience between them. They write unusual new fiddle tunes and exciting, unpredictable original songs while breathing new life into traditional and contemporary songs. A third full-time member, Caroline Browning, recently joined the duo, playing bass, mandolin, and vocals. Their music occupies a space between traditional Irish and sophisticated indie folk.
House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Their original song “Banks of the Brandywine” was a Grand Prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and the video for their all-violin cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” amassed over 16 million views on Facebook, where it was shared over 400,000 times. In 2024 they had the #1 album, “Wildfire,” and #1 song, “Highway Man,” in the FAI Folk Charts and were a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards..
Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note.
House of Hammil Music:
Bully of Skidmore town
Shine
Banks of the Brandywine
The Highway Man
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $10 for students/children and will be available at the church office, Gulf of Maine Books, or online at ticketstripe.com/houseofhamill3.
Piano Recital
Benefit the Laureen Swanson Music for Youth Fund
UUCB’s own Music Director will be presenting a joint piano recital at UUCB with his friend Mark Rossnagel on Saturday, May 10th at 7 pm to benefit the local Laureen Swanson Music For Youth Fund.
Will Bristol and Mark Rossnagel will take you on a journey through colorful keyboard music written in different centuries. This concert will include selections from Rachmaninov’s earlier sets of Etudes Tableaux and Preludes for the piano, as well as short selections of music by Liszt, Rameau, Couperin, as well as transcriptions of music by Bach.
Besides being the music director at UUCB, Will also directs the Highlands Chorale and teaches piano privately in Brunswick. Will studied piano at the USM School of Music. Since his studies he has performed solo piano concerts throughout New England, New York, North Carolina, and in France. He has worked as an accompanist, music teacher, singer, organist, conductor, and composer/arranger.
Mark Rossnagel holds degrees in organ and piano performance from Binghamton University and the University of Southern Maine. After several years of working in music, he went back to school for nursing and is now an RN in the emergency department at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He still enjoys playing the piano and sharing his love of piano music with others in concert.
To see the recital program click here: https://www.uubrunswick.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Piano-recital.pdf
Circle Suppers Coming up – Saturday, May 31
Circle Suppers are planned for Saturday, May 31. These suppers are arranged by the Membership Committee. This is a great opportunity for both long-time and new members to get better acquainted in a comfortable small group setting of 6 to 8 people in someone’s home. Meals are informal, “pot-luck” style with the host providing the main course and others bringing appetizers, sides and desserts. Beverages may be provided by both the hosts and guests. Timing will be arranged and communicated by the hosts.
We can have several Circle Suppers happening at the same time. All we need are hosts and participants. A sign-up sheet is at the Visitor’s Table. For questions or to sign up to host or attend as a guest, contact Laura Piampiano, , (207) 751-0466.
Circle Suppers are a great way to feel part of the UUCB community. Be in touch and join a group for an enjoyable evening.
You Are Invited…
Community Song Circles
WORKING FOR JUSTICE
May’s Charity with Soul: Maine Family Planning
Maine Family Planning: Bringing Care to Where You Are Since 1971
Contact: Stephen Wood
Our mission is to ensure that all people have access to high-quality, culturally relevant and affordable sexual and reproductive health care services, comprehensive sexual health education, and the right to control their sexual and reproductive lives.
CHARITY OF SOUL BALLOT FOR 2025-2026
DUE THURSDAY, MAY 22
Ballots have been sent out in the “This Week At UUCB” email! Please vote for Six of the organizations listed on the ballot to become Charities with Soul in UUCB FY July 2025–June 2026. Return your ballot to the church by Thursday, May 22 via mail (P.O. Box 129, Brunswick, Me. 04011), in person to the box at the visitors’ table at Sunday services, or by scanning to church secretary, Shirley Bernier, at .
Legacy charities included each year are: Four Directions Development Corporation, The Gathering Place, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, The Tedford Shelter, Midcoast Hunger Prevention, Oasis Free Clinic.
There are 17 organizations on the ballot that have been nominated by our UUCB community. If you have any trouble finding the ballot, be sure to let Shirley know.
Child Abuse Prevention Month and Transgender Children
In recognizing April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention month, the President issued a proclamation in part noting ‘American children are the foundation of our families, the heirs of our freedom and the stewards of our national promise. This National Child Abuse Prevention month we commit to empowering every child in America to lead a fulfilling life of dignity and love, and we pledge to bring every abuser, predator and evildoer who threatens the health and safety of our children to swift justice.’
The President then went on to threaten and disparage transgender children, their families, schools and medical providers. The President has previously issued Executive Orders negatively impacting all these groups.
The Unitarian Universalist Association responded with a strong statement noting in part, “Let us say it unequivocally and without hesitation: affirming the inherent worthiness and belovedness of transgender people is an expression of our Unitarian Universalist faith. The safety and well-being of trans and nonbinary beloveds is not someone else’s work, it is ours: both those of us whose gender identity makes us most acutely vulnerable and those of us to whom allyship is central to our being. We are all part of one family. We are parents, children, siblings, chosen kindred, and we are one another’s people. Unfortunately, this foundational understanding within our faith is not universally recognized. On April 3, 2025 the Trump Administration released a presidential Proclamation for child abuse prevention month that included myriad bigoted, unsubstantiated claims about trans and nonbinary children and youth and their families, including the spurious claims about trans that “the sinister thread of gender ideology” is one of the gravest and widespread forms of child abuse in our nation. This assertion is not only patently false; it is deadly.”
Please read the full UUA response at uua.org
https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/fierce-unshakable-love
It is critical that we support and celebrate the worthiness and belonging of all our children, families and other individuals.
Find your Social Change Partner Fair, May 17
Enthusiasm is building for our upcoming “Find Your Social Change Role” Partner Fair on May 17. WFJSG met recently and decided to extend our invitation to the local community. Flyers will go up in Brunswick, Topsham and Bath. Focus group leaders have begun inviting representatives from partner organizations, and many of them will be there. This is an unusual, unpressured opportunity to learn about the many facets of social justice work inside and outside our church. You will have a chance to speak with not only our own volunteers, but our dedicated partners who work for social change day in and day out. No commitment is being asked for at the fair, just your presence, curiosity and a listening ear. If you find that you wish further interaction with a particular group, you may leave your contact information, and someone will reach out to you later.
Brunswick Area Teen Center
The Brunswick Area Teen Center is THRIVING! And we are looking for your help to keep the ball moving and plan for upcoming activities.
Of immediate interest is their enthusiasm about creating garden space and “beautifying” their outdoor area. To that end we are working with them to supply planters, help create an actual garden area, and repair and update the outdoor equipment and furniture. They are also hoping to create an asphalt walkway from the parking lot to the building itself…avoiding many feet tramping through the mud and snow. If you can in any way help facilitate the “outdoor area” process through physical labor, providing of materials or funds, or simply providing volunteer support to move these projects forward, we applaud you and look forward to you contacting one of us for more information.
We are the UUCB Teen Center Support Group (Joanne Allen, Carol Briggs, Cuffy Chase, Pat Moore, Susan Snow, Donna Tompkins and Betty Wertz). We plan to continue our “First Sunday of the Month…Snack Collection” and would like to ask you to switch your brain cells to think in terms of “hygiene grab bags” for the June 1 collection. This would include toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, floss, body wash, conditioner, etc. Should you get your brain to cooperate with this “one time” change, please consider “sample size” containers (except for the toothbrush, of course).
Indigenous Awareness
Contact: Cathey Cyrus
The Working for Justice (WFJ) Indigenous Awareness Focus Group is looking ahead to next year as we discuss how best to further our goal to raise UUCB awareness of Wabanaki presence across Maine – particularly in our Brunswick community. We wish to focus on the present as we also learn more about the untold Wabanaki stories of our shared and difficult past.
Most immediately we call your attention to the evolving words of acknowledgement that are spoken at the beginning of each UUCB Sunday morning service:
UUCB is located on the ancestral homelands of the Wabanaki people, who have deep, enduring and ongoing relationships with Brunswick’s lands and waterways. We acknowledge the painful legacy of the region’s colonial history and commit to better understanding it. We will work to recognize and welcome the presence and concerns of the Wabanaki whose people and culture live within and contribute to the vitality of this community we share.
Please reach out to one of us with your interest and concerns. We look forward to working together to deepen our collective knowledge and understanding.
Members of the WFJ Indigenous Awareness Focus Group: Cathey Cyrus, point person; Diane Friese; Di Kew; Nancy Kurtz; Steve Majercik; Tom Rumpf; Faith Woodman
Upcoming May Wabanaki Events
Saturday, May 3, Second Annual Bowdoin Powwow
Family friendly event with ceremony, drumming, dancing, food and music
Bowdoin College Main Quad; 255 Maine Street, Brunswick
Site opens 12 noon; Grand Entry 1pm; Closing Ceremony 5pm.
State of the Tribes Address in May
(Date still to be determined.) Augusta State House
Immigrant Justice
Transportation
- Transportation needs to English classes for New Mainers have declined as many of them are working at full time jobs. Midcoast New Mainers does not provide transportation to and from job sites. It appears that families or individuals who need transportation are working with small groups of drivers who know each other and develop a trusting relationship with the New Mainer.
- Now that more New Mainers are working, their need to provide their own transportation to work has increased. As a result, there is a need for licensed drivers to provide driving practice to New Mainers. If you are interested, please reach out to Carol Kalajainen at .
Job Coaches
There are no current needs for job coaches to be paired with new Mainers still looking for work. However, there is a need for ongoing communication between employers and New Mainers. Job coaches can be helpful in that area. Employers may reach out to a job coach if they cannot reach the New Mainer directly. Additionally, employers have been advised to communicate with their New Mainer employee via WhatsApp and email. Several employers are offering English classes onsite. Midcoast Literacy is working to increase the number of employers who provide English classes onsite.
Workforce Discussions
The Welcome Center has offered workforce discussion groups in which they address a particular issue such as how to read a pay stub. Upcoming topics include personal finance and financial literacy.
Know Your Rights Cards (Red Cards)
UUCB has Know Your Rights Cards in English/Lingala, English/Portuguese, English/French, English/English. If you or someone you know needs Know Your Rights Cards in one of these languages, please reach out to Faith Barnes at .
Other events
- March 13 – ILAP offered another webinar entitled Immigration Updates: Guidance for Service Providers & Allies – it was well done but did not have much new information.
- April 11 – Maine School of Law and Maine Immigrant Resources Council held a listening session for community leaders and social service agencies.
- ILAP is working with Maine School of Law to relieve ILAP of some of its workload.
- Different topics being addressed now – green card holders – what’s legal what’s not. Green card holders who are here less than 2 years can be deported; green card holders who are here more than two years can be detained but not deported. Immigrants are advised to always carry their green cards and copies of other pertinent documents.
- Attorney Ben Tucker will be addressing the New Mainer community about driving issues and the importance of proper paperwork such as a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit, valid registration, valid inspection, and valid title. Minor traffic violations could result in unwelcome attention from ICE.
Midcoast Literacy
There continues to be a need for English language tutors. Upcoming training sessions will be offered in late May or early June. Please contact Katie Clark at or Diane Krauss at if you are interested in working with children or adults, respectively.
ILAP Updates & Calls to Action
Please click on this link for calls to action and other pertinent information regarding issues for the immigrant population. https://mailchi.mp/271cf2f0ab58/04-11-2025?e=a41933ec47. Or go to their website https://ilapmaine.org/
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Art Gallery
MAY ART SHOW: Dianne Dolan
My work is centered in my everyday life. It is a synthesis of human experience and perception. Color has always been a major focus. I experiment with color that defines my personal experiences with my subject matter.
I frequently use photographic images in my work. I crop and manipulate these images digitally, and combine them with under paintings and other nontraditional materials to express my personal point of view.
The Artist Book format allows me to continue this narrative in a more playful manner. I experiment with structures that allow me to merge image, narrative, and autobiography. It is my hope to further the dialogue by engaging the viewer in a more intimate way.
Please take some time to enjoy the artwork in Fellowship Hall. Contact: Joanne Allen,
Announcement from the Art Gallery Committee
Framed Wendell Berry Print on view
The Art Gallery Committee recently purchased a print portrait of Wendell Berry which is now framed and hanging in the Wendell Berry Room. Robert Shetterley, a Maine artist, has painted over 260 portraits of “Americans Who Tell the Truth”. It is an extraordinary body of work. They can be seen at this link:https://
Berry’s biographical statement at the site includes the following: “For decades, Berry, as poet, essayist, fiction writer, and farmer, has advocated personal activism on behalf of the environment..” Please visit the Wendell Berry room to view the portrait and read the quote. The Art Gallery Committee appreciates the cooperation of the Building and Grounds Committee in this small but worthwhile effort.
Deadline for June Parish Messenger
Please send your content to: on or before Sat, May 17. Thanks!