Minister’s Message | December Services | Mitten Tree |2024 Babies | Board Update |UUA Bylaws | General Assembly | WORKING FOR JUSTICE: | Charities with Soul | Gun Safety Awareness | Teen Center Updates | HOLIDAY SEASON EVENTS: | Holiday Fair | Kids Craft Fair | Collective Contemplation on the Season| Advent Reflection Group | Christmas Circle Dinner | UPCOMING UUCB EVENTS: Wednesday Wisdom | Concerts For a Cause | Coffee Hour | Thanks from Kharma |Art Gallery | Parish Messenger Deadline
Minister’s Message
Befriending the Mysteries
When I was a very young child, my little brother called me a “Know-It-All.” While this was obviously rooted in some kind of truth (←sarcasm alert), I have never been as sure as I currently am that this label does not apply to me. In fact, I am most assuredly a “Don’t-Know- It-All” … and it’s been liberating to move further along the spectrum from denial about my ignorance towards full acceptance. The wide universe is vast, our ability to perceive and understand it limited. However, this is no cause for concern; quite the contrary, it creates the conditions for wonderment, awe, and discovery. I seriously regret that I didn’t learn this lesson earlier in my life. Just think of all the learning I might have experienced if my mind hadn’t been filled with so many certainties!
Our Soul Matters theme for the month of December is “The Gift of Mystery.” It’s no accident that the planners chose this month—chock full of so many competing holidays that we may find ourselves confused and overwhelmed—to focus on the mysteries. Most of our holiday celebrations point us to mystery, invite us to befriend it and receive its gifts. They also leave us without words to adequately explain exactly what we are celebrating. Is it a miracle of light illumining the shadows? Sure, maybe. Is it the embodiment of the sacred in the form of a vulnerable baby? Sure, maybe. Is it a time when joy and peace can ring out to the world even as we fearlessly face the reality of war and human suffering? Sure, maybe. Is it a time for family and togetherness? Sure, maybe. Is it a difficult time for some – reminders of loss, painful memories? Sure, maybe. Is it an invitation for contemplation and introspection, for discerning what is ours to do in the next year of our lives? Sure, maybe. In fact, it’s probably all of these things and more; and each of us has our own mix of thoughts, feelings, traditions, and expectations for this season.
Good news: We don’t have to have all of this figured out, now or ever.
No matter how we approach this season, our journey will be enhanced if we can learn to befriend the mysteries. In her classic poem, “Mysteries, Yes!” Mary Oliver observes, “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood,” and she concludes, “Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers. Let me keep company always with those who say, ‘Look!’ and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.” I hope we’ll be just this kind of company for one another during this holiday season.
May you be blessed in this season of mystery,
Kharma
December Services
Sun, Dec 3 — Mystery & Miracle
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma. Music by Derek Herzer
Unitarian Universalists list “direct experiences of transcending mystery and wonder” as “primary sources of UU inspiration,” experiences that “open our hearts, renew our spirits, and transform our lives.” This month, our Soul Matters theme is “The Gift of Mystery” and today, we’ll dive into the mysterious depths together. The rest of the service will be a mystery.
(Note: our Fire Drill has been rescheduled for this date)
Sun, Dec 10 — Mysterious Abundance: Sharing our Warmth & Light
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma. Music by Derek Herzer and the UUCB Choir under the direction of Heidi Neufeld
As we participate in some of our favorite holiday traditions, we invite you to enter more fully the Mystery of this season. This is the second Sunday of Advent, marked by another candle being lit on our wreath. We are also in the midst of Hanukkah when we recall the miracle of light burning well beyond reasonable expectations. And, we will celebrate our annual Mitten Tree ritual, whereby we share with our broader community (see next page). Each of these traditions offers us an opportunity to reflect on what can happen when we focus on sharing our resources of warmth and light with others.
Sun, Dec 17 — Winter’s Mysterious Wisdom
Led by Rev Dr. Kharma Amos, Music by Derek Herzer and the UUCB Intergenerational Orchestra
Later this week, nestled between the end of Hanukkah and the steady progression of Advent, we will observe the Winter Solstice. How appropriate, as we continue our thematic exploration of the Gift of Mystery, to consider the wisdom of the earth in winter! Today, our intergenerational orchestra will provide some of the soundtrack for our reflections, as we pause from the frantic-ness of the season to ponder the mysteries in good company.
(Note: We will also experience the mystery of the mash-up, as we hear some sounds of Advent, Hanukkah, Christmas, Pop Culture, and the season.)
Wed, Dec 20—Blue Christmas: Keeping it Real
Hosted by the Pastoral Care Associates, Harp Music by Louise Gephart
Blue Christmas is a gentle, contemplative service for those who are carrying pain or grief during this season of celebration. This service is especially for those who find this to be a difficult season or a reminder of loss or challenging times. The service will include readings, songs, and opportunities for reflection on how to manage the feelings that arise during this busy and often complicated time.
Sun, Dec 24—Christmas Eve Services
5 pm—Service designed for Children and Families
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos and Toben Cooney-Callnan, Music by Derek Herzer.
Gathering Music by the Caswell Family before the service
As we hear again the well-known story of the birth of Jesus, let’s ponder together the mysteries of incarnate love. More importantly, let’s take this opportunity to be intentional about how WE will incarnate/embody love in this world.
7 pm—Traditional Christmas Eve Service – The Mystery of Incarnate Love
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos , Music by Derek Herzer and the UUCB Choir under the direction of Heidi Neufeld
Gathering Music by Louise Gephart on the harp before the service
Sun, Dec 31—Music, Poems, and Readings that Warm the Spirit
Carrying them into the New Year
Led by members of the UUCB Worship Committee, Music by Ann Hartzler
The Mitten Tree Sunday – December 10
Mittens, Hats, and Scarves, oh my!
For several decades, the congregation has celebrated generosity with the joy of the Mitten Tree Ceremony. For those of you new to this tradition, we adorn a bare wooden Christmas tree with assorted NEW (handmade or purchased) hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves during our Sunday Worship service; this year on Sunday Dec. 10th. We have donated and shared these NEW items between many of our Charities with Soul. This year's warmth will be received with gratitude by Mid Coast New Mainers Group (MCNMG) and The Emergency Action Network (TEAN.) The New Mainers request items for infants, preschoolers and adults. TEAN serves students through the K-8 schools. We hope you will participate. You and your family can bring items for the Mitten Tree Ceremony on Sunday Dec. 10, or you can donate your time by helping to dress or undress the tree that day, and/or afterward, by helping sort/separate the collection for MCNMG or TEAN. FMI contact Lucy Ijams.
Babies Born in 2023
Has your family welcomed a new baby in 2023? At UUCB it is our custom to light a candle on Christmas Eve for each baby born into a family in our congregation during the year. Parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, please email the full name of the baby, birthdate, photo, and who they are related to in our congregation so that we can light a Christmas Eve candle in their honor. Send email to the church office at by Friday, December 15.
Poinsettias for Christmas Eve Service
It is a UUCB tradition for members and friends to purchase poinsettia plants to grace the sanctuary for our Christmas Eve service. Poinsettias are often given in memory of or to honor special people or life events. These statements are printed in the Order of Service on Christmas Eve. We will order and pick up the plants, and decorate the sanctuary. You can take your poinsettias home after the Christmas Eve service to grace your home.
Note: Please take your poinsettia with you after the Christmas Eve service, or have a friend take it for you if you won’t be there. Due to the difficulty of caring for these plants, all poinsettias left in the church after the Christmas Eve service will be donated to a local health care facility.
WHAT TO DO:
- Complete the order form (on the next page)
- Write the message you want to appear in the Christmas Eve Order of Service.
- Return form (along with payment) to church by Wednesday, December 6 at 5:00pm
UUCB Board Update
With the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine took it’s turn in a spotlight that no one wants. This affects us all differently – traumatizing some and leaving others feeling fearful, angry, or in despair. It has been helpful to me to hear from friends, family, and colleagues from around the country.
I want you to know that our church is hearing from other UU churches. Please take a look at a couple of the cards that we received. They remind me that we are not alone.
Have you noticed that on many Sunday mornings the chairs in the sanctuary are filling up? We have too. This is great news because this growth means that we are meeting a need in the community that makes you want to be here. At our November 16 meeting we discussed our desire to make sure that the sanctuary feels welcoming even if you arrive at 10:01 like I did the other day. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see us make some adjustments. You may see the aisles get a little smaller and your legroom shrink a bit. You can also help by making sure to use the seats at the front of the sanctuary.
At that meeting the safety committee joined us to discuss a grant that we have received from FEMA to improve the safety of our church. It includes everything from Red Cross first aid training to physical improvements to our building. We owe a huge thank you to our safety committee for the hours of work they put into developing a plan and then completing the FEMA grant process which will lead to over $19,000 in work and improvements at no cost to the congregation. Our bylaws require that all unbudgeted expenses greater than $5,000 be approved by the membership – even if the source of the money is a grant. Please join us at the special congregational meeting on December 3 at 11:30 to vote.
You’ll remember from our article last month that we’re asking all committees and groups at the church to explore the question, “How can your committee/task force/group contribute to our church being more welcoming?” The board of trustees discussed this at our meeting – which is in part what led to the discussion about adding chairs to the sanctuary. We also discussed the importance of coffee hour – see the link to the SignUpGenius in the This Week email or talk to Steve Martin or Linda Mallard if you’d like to help. We considered how we as individuals can make sure to greet newcomers. We’re looking into teleconferencing technology that would make in person meetings at church more inviting to remote attendees.
Lastly, by the time you read this, you’ll know that we awarded the Mike Heath Award for Extraordinary Service to Jud Caswell for his role in keeping us meaningfully connected during the Covid pandemic.
I can’t say strongly enough how fantastic it is for me to be part of a congregation filled with people like Jud. I want to wish you all a happy holiday season while recognizing that shorter days, lost friends and relatives, and so much of what we carry each day can sometimes make it hard to find that happiness. Know that you are part of a community that loves you and cares about you.
David Kew, Board Chair
UUA Bylaws
Article II Principles and Covenant
Below is the final revision of the Article II report that was presented, discussed, and passed at our General Assembly this past summer.
Section C-2.1. Purposes
The Unitarian Universalist Association will devote its resources to and use its organizational powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. Its primary purposes are:
- to assist congregations in their vital ministries,
- to support and train leaders both lay and professional,
- to foster lifelong faith formation and spiritual development,
- to heal historic injustices,
- to support and encourage the creation of new Unitarian Universalist communities, and
- to advance our Unitarian Universalist values in the world.
The Unitarian Universalist Association will actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love.
Section C-2.2. Values and Covenant
As Unitarian Universalists, we covenant, congregation-to-congregation and through our Association, to support and assist one another in our ministries. We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love.
Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.
Shared Unitarian Universalist Values
Interdependence—We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged
relationships.
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.
Justice—We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
Transformation—We adapt to the changing world.
We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity—We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity—We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.
We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.
Section C-2.3. Inspirations
Direct experiences of transcending mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration. These experiences open our hearts, renew our spirits, and transform our lives. We draw upon, and are inspired by, sacred, secular, and scientific understandings that help us make meaning and live into our values. These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which these sources were created and are currently practiced. Grateful for the experiences that move us, aware of the religious ancestries we inherit, and enlivened by the diversity which enriches our faith, we are called to ever deepen and expand our wisdom.
Section C-2.4. Inclusion
Systems of power, privilege, and oppression have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with particular identities, ages, abilities, and histories. We pledge to replace such barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect. We strive to be an Association of congregations that truly welcome all persons who share our values. We commit to being an Association of congregations that empowers and enhances everyone’s participation, especially those with historically marginalized identities.
Section C-2.5. Freedom of Belief
Congregational freedom and the individual’s right of conscience are central to our Unitarian Universalist heritage. Congregations may establish statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union so long as they do not require that members adhere to a particular creed.
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General Assembly: The UUA Annual Meeting
Holiday Season Events
UUCB Holiday Fair
December 2
Kids Holiday Craft Sale
December 10 after Church
The Kids Holiday Craft Sale was an annual event prior to the pandemic. We are excited to be bringing it back! Please stop by our craft tables in the Merrymeeting Bay Room after the service on Sunday, December 10th to purchase your very own ornament made by the kids during their time in Religious Exploration. This will be a cash only event. The proceeded from this craft sale will go to support a local non-profit of the children’s choosing. Thank you in advance for your generous support of the wonderful children of UUCB!
Navigating the Descent in the Dark
Collective Contemplation on the Season
December 10 at 4 pm
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Advent Reflection Group
We’ve been invited to join our friends at Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland for an online reflection group during Advent.
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Christmas Day Circle Dinner
Would you like to share Christmas dinner with your friends at UUCB? Circle Dinners are arranged by the Membership Committee and provide a great opportunity for both long-tme and new members to get better acquainted. The format will be planned potluck, with participants signing up for specific dishes.
The Christmas Day Circle Dinner will be held at the church on Monday, December 25, at 1:00 P.M., hosted by Judy Strano. More details will follow.
If you are interested in attending the Christmas Circle Dinner, sign up at the Visitor’s Table or contact Judy Strano, (732) 320-6093, or email
. All are welcome for this festive occasion!
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Upcoming UUCB Events
Wednesday Wisdom Gatherings
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Concerts for a Cause
KindKids Music
SUN, January 28, 3pm
KindKids Music is a dynamic duo with original music, puppets, an a highly interactive performance for all ages.
Wouldn’t a fun, interactive concert be a great gift
for your children or grandchildren?
ALL the proceeds from this season’s concerts go to
Midcoast New Mainers Group and Oasis Free Clinics.
Other Upcoming Concerts
Jud Caswell – Feb 24, 2024
Schooner Fare – Mar 30, 2024
Chris Smither – April 20, 2024
Renaissance Voices – May 11, 2024
John Gorka – June 1, 2024
Sally Rogers & Claudia Schmidt – Oct 19, 2024
Women in Harmony – Mar 15, 2025
James Keelaghan with David Woodhead Review
Saturday, November 18
What an incredible concert, beyond entertaining. James’ beautiful voice, songs, and soul wrenching stories, along with the most talented bass player made this a concert to remember .
Thanks to all who made it a success!
WORKING FOR JUSTICE
Charities with Soul
Contact: Stephen Wood
December Charity with Soul: Maine Gun Safety Coalition
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Gun Violence Education and Awareness
Brunswick Area Teen Center
The Teen Center visits and members continue to grow. The Brunswick Welcome Center and the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department invited the new coordinator, Taylor Carter, to discuss collaboration ideas.
Halloween activities were a huge success, and the teens are now focused on Christmas. Soon a teen gift wish list will be available.
The Back-to-School Letter has brought in over $27,000 to help keep the Teen Center going. Fundraising for Jordan Cardone-Ruwet Scholarship Fund has reached $3,100 of the $10,000 needed to support the Fund. Once established, the scholarship will provide $500 each year to a graduating member of the Teen Center to be used for post-secondary education.
Because of the teens’ interest in cooking and photography, a member of the Advisory Board found support for the two programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will provide funds for cooking classes.
A Substance Use Prevention Grant from the Community Health Department at Mid Coast Hospital will fund a photography class through the Photovoice Project.
UUCB Coffee Hour
We need YOU to make THE UUCB COFFEE HOUR happen every week.
Many of us hope to have this social gathering weekly following our Sunday service. Two or three volunteers are needed to prepare the coffee, set up the service and then clean up afterward. An instruction manual is available in the kitchen, and we will be arranging orientation sessions to teach anyone who wants to help.
Click here to visit the SignUpGenius website to enroll.
Alternatively, if you print The Parish Messenger, you may scan the QR Code below with your phone to access the online sign-up at SignUpGenius.
Click here to view videos on how to scan a QR code.
Detailed instructions for enrolling are provided on the SignUpGenius website.
Volunteers do NOT need to login or create an account. Contact us if you have any questions or need assistance.
Thanks from your Coffee Hour Coordinators,
Steve Martin, Mobile: 207-227-3270, Email:
Linda Mallard, Mobile: 207-729-2608, Email:
Installation Thank you from Kharma
Dear Members and Friends of UUCB,
I cannot thank you enough for the love you poured out on me and our larger community in the Installation Service held on September 23 of this year. Specifically, I want to thank you for your generous gift (pictured on the left here, alongside the companion gift given to me by my wife, Diane Fisher). These wall-hangings, made by local artist and member of our congregation, Catherine Worthington, are absolutely stunning. They capture some of the majesty of Maine, which has likewise captured my heart (as have you). I am so grateful for your generosity
Kharma
Art Gallery
December Artists: Ed McCartan and Steve Black
Ed McCartan
I like to experiment with different styles with nature as my subject. There is a lot to be seen in the tiniest seed pod or thistle, and also the land, the hills and woods. It’s an ongoing endeavor. Ed
Steve Black
This quote by an unknown source conveys the importance I have come to place in all forms of self- expression. It hints at my use of art as a means of addressing social, economic and political issues as well as matters of personal liberation.
I hope some of our shared grief and sorrow, our shared anger and dismay, our traumatization as citizens of a violent world will be reflected and lessened – however inadequately – by this work.
Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives. Most of the things that are interesting, important and human are the result of creativity. When we are involved in it we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life.
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Deadline for Parish Messenger Articles
Due to the holidays, the deadline for January Parish Messenger is Saturday, December 16th.
Send articles to