September Services | Minister’s Message | Lifelong Spiritual Formation | Music Director | Membership | Board of Trustees | UUCB HAPPENINGS | Holiday Fair | Concerts for a Cause | Side Door Coffeehouse | WORKING FOR JUSTICE: | Charities with Soul | Immigrant Justice | ART GALLERY | Parish Messenger Deadline |
September Services
September 7th – Homecoming:
Celebrating the Benefits of Belonging
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos; Music by Will Bristol and the UUCB Choir
As we kick off the new church year on Homecoming Sunday, we also begin a new theme of reflection: Building Belonging. This contentious time in the world around us highlights some of the benefits that belonging to a spiritual community can afford. Let’s explore them together! Join us for this special service, which will include a Blessing of the Backpacks for those returning to school.
September 14th – Building Blocks of Belonging
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos; Music by Will Bristol
As we settle into our theme of Building Belonging, let’s explore some of the essential building blocks that make belonging possible, as well as some of the common blockages that get in our way. What could help us progress on our aspirational journey of building a truly inclusive beloved community?
September 21st- Belonging Builds Responsibility
Led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos; Music by Will Bristol and the UUCB Choir
When people experience a sense of true belonging in a community, they seem to grow a sense of responsibility for the well-being of the whole. As it turns out, this is a bit of spiritual magic that happens when belonging takes root. While this takes place quite naturally and below the surface, imagine what might happen if we cultivated this sense of mutual responsibility for this growing, evolving community?
September 28th- More on Belonging
Led by TBA; Music by Will Bristol
Please join us as the Worship Committee welcomes a guest to the pulpit.
Minister’s Message
What in the World?!
A lot of things have happened in the world this summer. Is it just me, or does it seem like the world has been spinning more quickly and chaotically than ever? I’ve kept up with the news these past two months, but it hasn’t been easy. Every day, there have been countless revelations of corruption that boggle the mind … and atrocities too extreme to leave an open heart untroubled. This is true across the globe, of course, and as true here in the US.
Summer routines provide some of us a necessary break for renewal and learning, but they alsod rupt some of the best bits about belonging to a spiritual community—the kind that can help us make it through times like these.
This partial list is just the tip of the iceberg, but I have missed:
- Regularly and intentionally breathing with you.
- Singing with you, and making music together.
- Being delighted by the wisdom and creativity of children.
- Hearing the sacred music of people chatting with one another before and after (and, let’s be honest, during) the worship service.
- Organizing for social justice and working with others in our community to make good
trouble. - Meeting more of our neighbors and responding with them and our many partner organizations to the needs in our community.
- Making mistakes together, and laughing our way to learning.
- Committee meetings (just kidding!)
I
have been reminded in many ways this summer just how valuable it is to belong to a spiritual community—and this one, in particular. As it happens, our Soul Matters theme for the first month of the year is Building Belonging. This seems like a perfect time to take a close and critical look at how we are building belonging here at UUCB.
I hope to see you at our Homecoming Service on the 7 th of September, and as many times after that as you are able to engage with us this church year! One thing is very clear—We need one another.
Blessings,
Kharma
Lifelong Spiritual Formation
Children’s Spiritual Formation
LEGO® ValUUes
Blessing of the Backpacks
What Will the Kids Be Doing?
Adult Spiritual Formation Fall Programming
Chalice Circles- Taste and See
What is a Chalice Circle?A Chalice Circle is a small group of people, including a trained facilitator, who gather monthly for two hours in a safe setting to speak from our lives and experiences. In Unitarian Universalism, we recognize that each person has learned some share of truth and each has gained some hard-won wisdom. In small groups, Chalice Circles offer safe settings in which to speak from our lives and experiences with the expectation that our words will be heard and respected–without criticism. These small groups provide an opportunity for individuals to make deep and meaningful connections by sharing their own stories and deeply listening to the stories of others. Through the spiritual practices of deep listening, authentic sharing and respectful silence, Chalice Circles support us in our quest for acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. A Chalice Circle is:
- A way to deepen our spirituality through shared practice.
- A way to share our thoughts on life’s big questions.
- A way to connect across age, gender, ethnic, economic and other differences.
- A way to bring together the newer and the long time members in our community.
- A way to deepen our practice of shared UU principles.
- A way to practice fellowship as each circle performs a service project for the congregation or larger community.
Meditation for Everybody
Music Director
We start this new church year off with the month-long Souls Matter worship theme of Building Belonging in September. As I write this, I have just returned from my time with many UU music colleagues in Atlanta at the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries’ national conference. I’d like to share that during this conference I felt a sense of belonging with colleagues I had never met—or never met in person.
For me, as well as others—I’m sure, singing together every day during worship felt like an activity that immediately provided us a sense of belonging while still supporting individual differences. It seemed to me that, while singing, all attendees were comfortable enough to differentiate themselves from the group while still engaging with the spiritual mission of what we were doing. Some would sit and sing, some stand, some clap along, and many would make up their own parts to whatever song we sang—a joke was made by a long-time member that, at AUUMM, instantaneous 4-part harmony is a given. After all— all god’s creatures got a place in the choir 🙂
I guess I share this picture with you all since it’s something I wish for us here at UUCB to also experience on the regular—a sense of belonging that doesn’t feel superficial but that can be based on our covenantal value of truly loving each other in spite of our differences. Music can be a great vehicle for immediately feeling, practicing, and/or being in alignment with this ideal; and I hope to provide enough congregational experiences this year so that every single person can feel at least one of these unifying-through-music moments.
Should you like to practice achieving nirvana (partially kidding) all while being a part of one of these additional musical groups below—which will mostly all be starting (back) up in September—please just send me an email at and I will get you oriented:
- Join the UUCB choir!—we meet from 7-8:30pm in the sanctuary every Thursday. All experience levels are encouraged.
- Be a part of a pop-up choir—I will be starting a once-a-month pop-up choir people can join, especially for those who aren’t able to commit to Thursday night practices with the UUCB choir. We will meet at 9:30 the morning of the worship service to be participated in, and will sing music that doesn’t necessitate a whole lot of rehearsal time. Contact me to join an email list—which will be my means to assembling people for these Sundays. All experience levels are encouraged.
- Join the drumming circle—which meets every third Friday of the month from 5-7pm. This group incorporates those from the greater community with those from our church thanks to the co-facilitation of John Kootz and Susie Hanley. All experience levels are encouraged.
- Join the recorder ensemble (jokingly also known as the fantastic plastic fipple flute ensemble). This group meets in the Youth Group Room from 11:20am-12pm following worship services on the first Sunday of the month. All experience levels are encouraged.
- Join the 4th Sunday All-Stars—this group is primarily open to children and meets every 4th Sunday of the month following worship from 11:20am-12pm in the Youth Group Room. All experience levels are encouraged.
- Join the intergenerational orchestra—which will begin rehearsing for a December worship service a few Sundays before. All experience levels are encouraged.
- Start your own group that has a mission of providing music for worship! All experience levels are encouraged.
Membership
Getting to Know You
John O’Connor
I grew up in South China, Maine. After 18 years in other states, I returned in 2022.
I’m the Associate Dean of Students for Community Standards at the University of Southern Maine and work part-time for the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and at LL Bean. I am also working on my PhD in leadership.
I like playing with my two cats, Clover and Norman. I also enjoy spending time with family and being in nature.
My interest in UUCB had been growing since November 2024. I was looking for community and have really enjoyed being part of this one. In December I played cello in the intergenerational orchestra.
Willow Whitehouse
Born in Connecticut, Willow has lived in nine different states and now lives in Brunswick.
She works part time as a therapist and has studied dance movement therapy. Willow is ever conscious of the mind/body/spirit connection.
A lifelong seeker of spiritual community, Willow is very grateful to feel at home at UUCB amongst the nurturing, loving, mindful and socially active community that our church fosters. She is a member of the Pastoral Care Associates and has facilitated a Chalice Circle. Willow hopes to become more involved in social justice work.
Dave Downes
Dave grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and did all his academic work in Baltimore, Hanover NH and Ithaca NY. He then moved west to join the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley. Shortly before retiring in 2003, he married Jane Thompson, and they relocated from Berkeley to Flagstaff, AZ, where they spent the next twenty years. In 2024, they decided to return to the east coast, which brought them to Brunswick and UUCB. Dave volunteers at the food bank in Brunswick. He is on the UUCB finance committee and helps in the AV booth. Dave’s two daughters and 5 grandkids are spread across the globe, from Oakland CA to Tbilisi, Georgia.
Jane Thompson
Jane grew up in Central New York. After graduation from Wilkes College, she returned to her hometown of Sherburne, where she taught grade school. She then returned to graduate school to pursue a degree in university administration.
Jane spent her career at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California, Berkeley and Northern Arizona University. Her focus was the delivery of graduate business school (MBA) academic programs.
Midway through her career Jane met her future husband, Dave Downes, who was working at UC, Berkeley. They have been married 23 years and have lived in Berkeley, CA, Flagstaff, AZ and now Brunswick. They share five college aged grandchildren.
Jane’s interest in diversity runs deep. She has visited over 35 countries. She is part of the UUCB social justice steering group.
Community
Board of Trustees
Welcome back to our new church year!
We eagerly anticipate seeing you at our In-gathering Sunday on September 7 th . The Board is hosting a Gathering on the Green after the service. Please bring a lunch and a chair. Desserts will be provided. We look forward to catching up with you. No outdoor picnic if it rains.
Catharine (Cuffy) Chase () and I () are organizing a Holiday Fair Advisory Committee for this year. Please address any questions to us. A Holiday Fair meeting will be held soon and information about the meeting and HF preparations will be in our This Week at UUCB announcements. We know that many of you are creating crafts, making jams, collecting jewelry, and finding items for the White Elephant sale. As always, this year’s HF is about community building, fundraising, and fun.
We are thankful for our growing community of members and friends. It’s a delight to see our young families and children. Because we are growing in numbers, the Board is working on accommodating everyone comfortably. We are working with a UUA representative to find the best solutions. We will continue to use the May Sarton Room as an overflow space, complete with a televised service.
Sincerely,
Joanne Allen
Board of Trustees
Community Happenings
Holiday Fair – Join the Fun
Remember to put on your calendars!
What is the Holiday Fair? It’s a major church event which builds Friendships and Funds (with Frivolity!).
When is the Holiday Fair? Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 9AM-3PM.
How does this happen? During the fall, UUCB’ers, longtime and new, join together with their creativity and energy to organize this amazing festive day.
Ways you can help:
For the White Elephant Table:
FMI: Mary Larson or Erika McKenney
Please save:
– Your summer reads, popular fiction, and mysteries
– Winter holiday decorations
– Children’s toys and books
(Note: No CD’s, DVD’s, or electronics this year.)
For the Jewelry Room:
FMI: Lisa Durrell,
Gently-used costume jewelry is welcomed all year long so that the team can start readying it for finding a new home. Donations may be left on the membership table.
For the Tool Table:
Don’t toss your used tools that are in good condition. They’ll be sought-after items at the Holiday Fair. (no gas-powered)
For the Handcraft Table:
FMI: Rebecca Waddle or Betsy Williams
To all crafters, sewists, & artists of all abilities: We would love your help building our supply of crafted items ahead of our December fair. We have project ideas for most ability levels as well as project ideas, instructions, and materials, if needed. If you have great ideas for new or unique items, please share. Donations of 1.5-2 yd. of fabric for aprons would be welcomed.
Things you can help us make:
– Aprons, aprons & more aprons!
– passport holders & small organizer “wallets”
– recipe holders
– potholders
– fabric games
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. This season’s charities will be Oasis Free Clinics and Immigration Legal Advocacy Project.
Don Campbell Trio
Saturday, September 20 at 7:30 pm
Maine Singer-Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist Don Campbell brings his award-winning voice, heartfelt original songs, and down-to-earth personality to the UUCB stage on September 20th at 7:30 to raise money for Oasis Free Clinics and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project,
A national grand-prize winner at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and recent inductee into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, Don is known for his remarkable vocal range—from the tenor tones of Vince Gill to the deep resonance of Johnny Cash. For this special performance, Don is joined by longtime friends and bandmates Andy Happle (violin, harmonies) a concert violinist and fiddler who has shared the stage with symphonies, pop stars and country music luminaries; and Tonya Shevenell (bass, harmonies) who has performed hundreds of shows with Don and is also a Maine children’s book author, penning regional favorites, including The Maine Birthday Book.
Don has written and released 12 CDs. Additionally, he has been commissioned to write songs for specific organizations and occasions including “A Friend Right Here,” as the National Theme Song for Visiting Nurses Association of America.
This special concert will feature a mix of Don’s beloved originals alongside fan-favorite covers from artists like Dan Fogelberg, Eddie Rabbitt, John Denver, and more!
Soggy Po Boys
Saturday, October 18th @ 7:30 pm
New Hampshire-based Soggy Po Boys explore the vast musical traditions of New Orleans. This young septet plays traditional New Orleans jazz, the kind with fluttering clarinet solos and swingin’ shout-along choruses, and playful bursts of brass. But they’ve also got the soul, the spirit and the swing of street-parade chants, classic blues, Meters funk, rocking rumbas, and even calypso.
Side Door Coffeehouse
REOPENING ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025!
Featured Performers: T-Acadie
T-Acadie is a folk trio and dance band from central Maine, part of the region including the Canadian maritime provinces known as Acadia. Pam Weeks (fiddle, mountain dulcimer), Jim Joseph (button accordion, concertina, banjo), and Bill Olson (guitar, bass) have been happily playing music together for almost thirty-five years. Right from the beginning they discovered their common love for French Canadian and old time Southern dance tunes, Cajun music, and for singing in 3 part harmony. Pam, Jim, and Bill’s 3 voices blend as one in a cappella numbers which include sea chanteys, 1950’s doo wop, as well as songs from Maine and New England, French Canada, southwest Louisiana, southern Appalachia and the British Isles.
DOORS OPEN at 6:45 pm
Open Mic signup at 6:45 pm
Open Mic at 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
15-minute Break with refreshments – 8:15-8:30 pm.
T-Acadie, featured performers – 8:30-9:30 pm.
Admission is $12 for adults and free for children under 17.
Working for Justice
September’s Charity with Soul: Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)
The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only statewide immigration legal services organization. We work to advance justice for immigrants and their families through free legal services, community legal education, and systemic advocacy.
ILAP’s legal team supports individuals and families across Maine with a range ofimmigration cases, including asylum, family reunification, and protections for immigrant youth and survivors of violence. We help clients achieve safety from persecution, build more secure futures, and make Maine home. ILAP also works with partners to advocate for immigrant justice on the local, state, and federal levels.
This year, immigrants across the country are facing an alarming wave of anti-immigration policies, including federal legislation that threatens basic rights and due process. In Maine, ILAP stands strong with our immigrant communities—resisting these attacks, defending our clients, and continuing to push for a more just and humane immigration system that centers dignity and fairness.
Your support sustains this vital work. Together, we can ensure Maine remains a place of welcome for all. On behalf of the entire ILAP community, thank you for your steadfast support and unwavering commitment to justice for immigrants in Maine.
Learn more and get involved—through donations, volunteering, advocacy, or staying informed—at www.ilapmaine.org/join-us.
Marjorie Hankla (She/Her)
Development Director
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)
IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
Mid Coast New Mainers Group (MCNMG)
MCNMG continues to provide services and assistance to fulfill the needs of new asylum-seeking families in our area. The services include transportation to classes and medical appointments, job coaching, family mentoring, teaching someone to drive, and obtaining U.S. passports for their U.S. born children. MCNMG also works closely with the Welcome Center to furnish and outfit the homes of newly arriving families, as well as many local volunteer organizations to assist these families. MCNMG connects with staff at the Maine Immigrant Resource Center and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project to get updated information on issues that impact immigrants in our area of Maine. MCNMG does have Know Your Rights cards in English, French, Portuguese and Lingala.
If you are interested in volunteering with MCNMG please fill out the volunteer application on their website or by clicking here. If you’d like more information, please see me at church or email Carol Kalajainen at
Midcoast Literacy
There continues to be a great need to assist members of our community to learn how to read. Upcoming fall in-person trainings will be held in September and October. Training for children and Youth – Read Together 3-Day Tutor Training September 22, 24, and 26, 9:00-1:00 each day
For volunteers who want to help children (ages 6-14). We provide support for English language learners and fluent English speakers who are below grade level in reading. Tutors meet with students twice a week, year-round. A minimum 12-month commitment is asked of both students and tutors. (Yes, people do take short vacations, but this program is not a good fit for people who travel frequently or spend several months out of state.) It is a great fit for full-time residents who want to make a big difference in a young person’s life. For further information or to register for this training please contact Katie Clarke, Program Director at
Training for Adults – Adult training will be October 14, 15, 16 at the Bath office, 9-2 each day. Tutors meet with tutees once a week, year-round. A minimum 12-month commitment is asked of both tutees and tutors. For more information or to register, please contact Diana Krauss, Adult Literacy Services Coordinator at
Little Sparrows Clothing Closet
FREE Clothing & Shoes to anyone in need!
OPEN: Wednesdays 1pm-5pm For Clothing & Donations
94 McKeen Street, Brunswick, Corner of McKeen & Baribeau
Near the Brunswick LINK Bus stop at Mallard Pond
Volunteers are needed to sort clothing donations and to staff the clothing closet.
- Monday: Sorting and restocking ONLY -12:30pm-5:30pm
- Tuesday: Sorting and restocking -8:30am-1:30pm Open for patrons -9am-1pm
- Wednesday: Sorting and restocking -12:30-5:30pm Open for patrons -1pm-5pm
For more information please contact Katya Rogers at 207-509-4236 or .
Find the Volunteer Guidebook and forms by clicking this link: LSCC Volunteer Guidelines 4.pdf
Monthly UUCB Community Activities
MAKE A MEAL FOR TEDFORD HOUSING – Friday, September 5 – UUCB provides a meal for Tedford Shelter on the first Friday of every month. For more details or to sign up, send an email to the office at and your message will be forward to the meal coordinators.
TEEN CENTER SNACK COLLECTION – Sunday, Sept. 7 – The Teen Center Support Team collects snacks for the Teen Center the first Sunday of the month. Fruit snacks, small bags of chips or cookies, juice boxes or pouches, all appreciated. Monetary donations accepted too!
Art Gallery
AUGUST ART SHOW: Diana Mullins
I am a writer and artist exploring expressions of nurturing, healing, and freedom in watercolor, poetry, and ceramics. I’ve been contemplating the imminent and the transcendent, the internal and external, the mysterious and whimsical. My inspirations come from local artists as well as the watercolors of Georgia O’Keefe, Andrew Wyeth, and the poetry of Jane Hirshfield.
I’m seeking publication for my poetry manuscript entitled, Tidings. My poetry, creative nonfiction, and short stories appear in Ruminate Magazine, Bridge Eight, The Razor, Common Ground Review, and Porcupine Literary. My in-progress writing projects include an adult novel, a middle grade novel, and a children’s picture book.
For seventeen years, I taught special education, writing, reading, theater arts, and was a Literacy Coach in middle schools in Maine. I am a National Writing Project Fellow and taught undergraduate education courses in California. My research on collaborative writing and revision
practice was published by Harvard Education Press. I currently facilitate writing workshops for adults. This fall, I’ll begin ChIME’s Interfaith Ministry program.
Artwork by Diana Mullins
Deadline for October Parish Messenger
Please send your content to: on or before Sat, September 20. Thanks!