PDF version of the Parish Messenger

Minister’s Message

Rev. Justine Sullivan, Interim Minister 2020-2022

We are each other’s angels, and we meet when it is time.
We keep each other going, and we show each other signs.
~ Chuck Brodsky

I am writing to you from Portland, Oregon (the other Portland) where I am attending Ministry Days and General Assembly. It is good to see the friends and colleagues I have missed over the 2+ years of Covid. Next year GA will be held in Pittsburgh, PA; and I hope some of you from UUCB will consider attending. There is great music and worship, interesting workshops, helpful information – I always get nourished by attending, and I often leave with ideas for worship and lots of books to read. It’s good to be reminded that we are part of something larger, a faith community of about 1000 congregations all trying to live our UU values, all trying to help heal our beautiful aching world.

Dear Ones, I have loved being your minister over these past two years. You are faithful, kind, bright, committed, talented, and loving. I will never forget you (and that would be true even if we hadn’t begun our time in Covid lockdown!). As I have mentioned before, it is now time for me to take my leave of you and to offer what is sometimes referred to as a “ministry of absence.” I will delight in hearing news of you, but I won’t be in touch. This is part of the covenant we ministers have with each other, and it is not to be unkind; it is to make space for you to welcome your new minister into your lives and into your hearts. I leave knowing that you are in very good hands. I do promise to let the board know when Dale, Callie and I have all arrived safely in San Diego. We will be driving together over the first week of July (I’m shipping

my car, and Dale and I will share the driving. We plan to take our time, stopping to see interesting sites along the way). Your new minister Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos starts on August 1 st . Over the month of July, contact Julie Dahmer with any pastoral care needs. A local UU minister will be available as back up to Julie and the pastoral care team should anything arise that needs a minister.

Thank you for the wonderful send-off you gave me on Sunday, June 12 and for my beautiful stole. I will be wearing it here in Portland, Oregon at the Service of the Living Tradition, carrying you with me literally on my shoulders. Please know that I shall carry you with me in my heart always.

Thank you. I love you. Be well.
Justine

A Message from our Administrator

UUCB Services in July

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

JULY 3 – Interdependence Day: What Makes Me Come Alive
Guest Minister: Lora Powell-Haney So often, spiritual practices focus on individual awareness, which is important: you must deal with your own stuff before you can be present for other people! But what happens when we reach beyond our own inner work and practice mindfulness, meditation, and movement as a faith community. We’ll experiment with group practices and individual practices done in community, creating a sacred circle and web of healing and hope.

JULY 10 – The Human-Animal Connection
Lay Worship Leader: Charlie Evans; Music by Charlie Evans and friends

JULY 17 – My True Nature
Lay Worship Leader: Betsy Williams: Music by Glenn Williams and Derek Herzer.

JULY 24 – Fly Fishing
Lay Worship Leader: Chuck Verrill; Music by Louise Gephart

JULY 31 – Title TBD
Lay Worship Leader: Jud Caswell; Music by Jud Caswell

Religious Exploration

RE Sunday was Celebrated on June 5th

What a joy it was to once again have young people and voices in our sanctuary again! The energy was fresh and invigorating. We look forward to their return in the fall with renewed hope for more projects, events and gatherings to come.

Glorious PRIDE!

Youth from First Parish UU in Portland and UUCB came together at Pickwick Independent Press in Portland to print posters for the Portland Pride Parade. The phrase that we chose to print, “Glorious just as you are” comes from Prayer for the Queer Kids by Rev. Laurel Littlejohn Gray. If you have not yet seen it yet, UUs made videos of themselves reading the pray and they were assembled into a beautiful video that has gone viral on the internet.

The printing process itself reflected the message perfectly. Every poster came out just a little bit different. Some had technical imperfections. Some of the colors ran into each other and got “muddy”. Yet, every poster printed was GLORIOUS! It’s truly wonderful what we can create when we come together!

Toben Cooney-Callnan
Director of Religious Exploration

UUCB Board Update

When you serve as the Church Treasurer, each month takes on a rhythm: funds come in and go out each week; a few days after month end, I look harder to see where we are relative to the annual budget. The Finance Committee meets in the second week to review the previous month, and the Board gets its turn during the third week.

The church year has a similar rhythm: often a slow start in the summer, followed by lots of activity (financial and otherwise) in the fall, frequently a “rich” December when pledge payments get caught up and (pre-covid) we enjoy the proceeds of a well-run Holiday Fair. Throughout the winter and spring, we look ahead and begin planning the budget for the following year while we conclude the Pledge Drive. The culmination is our Annual Meeting, when, with luck, the congregation approves a balanced budget that allows for both equity and sustainability.

So, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review the parts of this year’s Annual Meeting that have an impact on our finances:

We approved a cautiously optimistic budget that counts on an additional $20,000 in pledges from members and friends who pledged last year but haven’t yet let us know their plans.
We stepped up to give our staff cost-of-living raises of 5.3% and identified several one-time expenses that will be taken from savings.
We acknowledged that this budget relies on robust fund-raising ($12,500) and rentals ($5000) which couldn’t happen during the pandemic. The Re-Opening Task Force has now given the go-ahead for rentals and hopes soon to give provisional approval for a Holiday Fair and other events.
We heard, loud and clear, the need for further conversation about safety in the sanctuary. The Board and the Safety Committee will take up this concern and report back with an opportunity for congregational input and discussion.

How can you help? If you haven’t yet pledged, remember that pledging is part of the covenant we make as members and get your pledge in. If you get a call to join a fund-raising effort, say yes! If you have an idea for fund-raising you’d like to lead, give someone on the Board a call and we’ll help you get going. We’re going to need the whole village to put this budget into action.

And finally, get ready to welcome Rev. Kharma. She begins with UUCB on August 1 and will preach for the first time on September 11. If you need to reach her in the interim, please give the office a call for direction.

Cindy Parker, for the Board

From the Pastoral Care Committee

Joys & Sorrows

To share your joys & sorrows:

Write them in the book in the fellowship hall when you arrive for Sunday service
Send them by email to
All joys & sorrows are read by a pastoral care associate during Sunday worship service.

Sylvia and Steve wish to thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts for the lovely sendoff organized for them on May 14. Everything meant so much–the gorgeous location, music, cards, poetry, reminiscences, video, delicious food and, above all, the chance to reconnect with so many of us. The two-year delay was worth the wait!
Mike Heath’s son, Ben, had a successful experience in a sailing course with the World Ocean School and was offered a job for this summer on the crew of the tall ship Rosemary. He is enjoying his role as a Ship Educator.
Marlene Oliver is pleased to announce that her older son, James Oliver, was married to Amber Matthews in Orlando FL on May 13. James participated in RE from Pre-K though Youth Group.
Cindy Parker and Steve Eagles welcomed a new grandchild, Simon William Garner, born May 20 to Cindy’s daughter Carley and her husband, John.
Dan Ellis was hospitalized in early June and is recovering with Lynn’s help. They welcome good wishes for a speedy recovery.
Louise Gephard and Bill Kunitz welcomed the birth of their new grandchild, Ruby Sunrise Wingerath Kunitz, born on June 8 to their daughter-in-law, Olivia, and their son, Christopher.
Ross & Nancy Crolius celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 10.
Ward and Catherine Clark celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on June 11.
The Waddle’s celebrated Sam’s elementary school graduation (5th grade) on June 15th.
Rob Stuart will celebrate his 80th birthday with family on July 25th.

Working For Justice Justice

Teen Center

The newly purchased van has been busy this month with grocery store and pizza pickups, Region 10 and Jr. high school pickups, and more students signing up for rides. Once school closes it will be more challenging deciding how the teens can be picked up easily and where.

One teen brought in 20 of his friends to help him celebrate his 13th birthday, which may be the only party he has. Another teen, the 4th or 5th so far, has benefitted from the “scholarship” to receive driver’s ed training.

Jordan, the Director, is very happy about the great group of kids coming to the Teen Center — mostly junior high-schoolers but some high schoolers, in all about 20 per day. It’s a diverse group — girls, boys, kids coming in with mental health agency workers, New Mainers, video gamers, giggling girls, basketball/dodgeball enthusiasts, honor roll students and some who are worried about passing –such a mixed group but they all get along so well. Jordan says, “I love that we can provide a place where all kids feel welcome! I am proud of that, and it really does make me happy. Is it effortless? No. Is it worth the effort? Positively, for sure!!!!!! Thanks to all who make this happen!”

Now to report some sad news. Nick Cardone, Jordan’s son, passed away in his sleep on June 5 th . Nick was 32 years old and was to be married in 2 weeks. If you’d like to send Jordan and her family a card you can send it to Jordan Cardone c/o People Plus and Stacy will make sure Jordan and her family get it.

Charities with Soul

Our Charities with Soul are supported exclusively with contributions to the “plate” passed every Sunday during the service or virtually.

Three ways to give:

At uubrunswick.org, click “Donate Online” Choose the “Plate” option
Text the amount of your donation to (855) 962-0440, and follow the prompts to complete your donation
Mail a check to: PO Box 129, Brunswick ME 04011, Memo Line: “plate”

July’s Charity with Soul: The Brunswick Area Teen Center

The Brunswick Area Teen Center provides a safe environment for young people to socialize, explore creative outlets, share their talents and gain exposure to diverse people and ideas, thus creating a well-rounded generation of youth in grades 6-12, regardless of race, religion, gender identification, social/income status or mental health diagnosis.”

The program provides snacks and meals, mentoring and a place to socialize free of charge to area youth who need it most. Many of our members are from low-income households and have a “difference” (race, gender identification, learning disability, mental health diagnosis) or have less than ideal family/living circumstances and very much appreciate (and need) having safe place to be when they are not at school.

From the Membership Committee

Brown Bag Lunches

Finally those lazy, hazy days of summer are here! The Membership Committee is coordinating a series of Brown Bag Lunches to provide several opportunities for us to gather.

Sign up at the Visitor’s table after church to attend or to host.
Guests will bring their lunch and a chair.
Hosts will provide cold drinks and a simple dessert.
The dates are:
- Tuesday, July 12
- Wednesday, July 27
- Tuesday, August 9
- Tuesday, August 23

Need more info? Contact Leigh Peranteau at 725-4874 or

Women’s Luncheon Recap

On May 5 this cheerful group of women from UUCB met for a lovely potluck luncheon at the Dipper Cove Clubhouse on Orrs Island.

Many thanks to Gretchen Kamilewicz for planning and hosting this event, as she has many years in the past. It was a great way to celebrate Spring and to remember what it was like to gather in groups pre Covid !

Concerts for a Cause

UUCB Art Gallery

During July and August, we will show Martha Lentz’s photographs in the church again. Martha’s family generously donated them to the UUCB. The work will be for sale and the money raised will all go to the church. The photographs will be priced, and will be identified as sold when they have been purchased. We ask that the art stay on the walls until the exhibit comes down at the end of August. Martha was a longtime church member and active on the Gallery Committee for several years. We miss her friendship, her warmth and her talent.

Legacy Giving

One of the elements of our church covenant states, “…Give generously of our time, energy, talent, and money.” Our love for our church community, the services and the social outreach work, move us to do whatever we can. This was true even in a year when we could not be together. Over the last year, we were increasingly aware of how much UUCB means in our lives. Our support of the church and its mission is one way to feel we are making the world a better place for all.

We all think about how to shape the world for the greater good during, and even after, our lifetimes. Now it is possible to make a legacy gift so that the work of our church is sustained even after we are gone.

Please consider making a planned gift to our UUCB Legacy Giving Program. A gift of any size will be added to investments which contribute to longer term needs including church programming and community outreach. This might be planned through a gift by will, through retirement funds, life insurance, a charitable gift annuity or a gift during your lifetime.

To receive a brochure, please contact

Carol Evans: or (207) 406-4417
– OR –
Shirley Bernier, UUCB Office Administrator: or (207) 729-8515

Classifieds

July Deadline for August Parish Messenger Articles

Copy deadline for the August Parish Messenger is generally the THIRD SATURDAY of the month. However, this month there is an extra week, so please submit articles for the AUGUST 2022 issue by July 23rd, 2022.