“A Litany of Gratitude”

These beautiful words by Rev. Mel Pine :

A Litany of Gratitude

Some came here looking for solace.
Some came here and gave it to them.

Some came here seeking music.
Some came here and gave it, joyfully.

Some came here seeking laughter.
Some came here and created it.

Some came here seeking learning, growth.
Some came here and provided it.

Some came here looking for a sense of security, a safe haven.
Some came here and provided it.

Some came here seeking an escape from hectic lives.
Some came here and enabled them to have it.

Some came here seeking the joy of community.
Some came here and created that.

Some came here wanting to serve.
Some came here and made it possible for them.

We thank them all

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Please visit Rev. Mel Pine’s website:

https://meltingpotdharma.com/

Tuesday Morning Message from UUA Interim Co-Presidents

This message from our Interim Co-Presidents is so key to the current macrocosm of our denomination, and within the microcosm of our congregational communities.
“These are times for us to engage and communicate out of our most faithful selves, mindful of our first principle, striving to maintain relationship even when deeply held opinions vary. We invite you to join us in embracing these moments of opportunity for finding a new way forward.”
May our best selves step forward to face these challenging times. May we strive to hear each other beyond our assumptions and ingrained beliefs. May our living tradition ever reflect our shared values. Amen 

Mother’s Day Blues Gathering and Ritual

If Mother’s Day is difficult for you, please join us Saturday, May 13th 7:00pm-9:00pm at Twinkle’s Place where all your emotions will be held in sacred space.

Mother’s Day is incredibly difficult for many women.

Women who have had challenging circumstances with their own mothers.

Women who have difficult situations with their children.

Women whose mother’s have died.

Women who carry pain in their hearts daily having had their child or children die.

Single or divorced mothers who share their children with another parent in less than ideal circumstances.

Single mothers who carry the full responsibility of sole-parenting all by themselves.

Stepmothers who struggle to live up to their stepchildren’s expectations.

Biological mothers who worry that they are being replaced by their child’s stepmother.

Adoptive mothers who carry concerns about biological mothers reappearing in their children’s lives.

Women who are estranged from their children.

Women who have miscarried children.

And all manner of modern day family situations that create complicated emotions for women.

And, also,

Women who would dearly love to have children, yet are infertile.

And,

Women who have chosen to not have children, yet mother in many ways.

Join us as we gather in ritual to honor who we are, and where we are, on our journeys.

Saturday, May 13th 7:00pm-9:00pm

September 11th Vigil in Manson Park

We Gather Together.
In honor of the lives of those who died as a result of the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001, and to promote peace in our world, a sacred and prayerful space near the beautiful Sebasticook River will be available for our BikeMaine visitors in Manson Park should any wish to pause for a moment and reflect on this day.
This vigil event is also open to the public for all who wish to attend.

The vigil space hosted by Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning will be open from 5:00am-8:00am and have a multi-faith clergy presence.

Additionally, at 7:00am, clergy will share in a collaborative prayer creating a tapestry of love and hope on this day.

If you are clergy and would like to participate, or should you want more information, please email:

TwinkleManning@gmail.com

 
Please VISIT THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE for updates.

Super heroes in our midst

Wherever you are on your path, you can be a super hero!  What gifts do you have, share them.  Regardless of perceived limitations, we can all make a positive difference!

A writer for Reader’s Digest magazine interviewed Christopher Reeve near the end of his life, in 2004, and asked him why he had joined a Unitarian church.

He answered,

“It gives me a moral compass. I often refer to Abe Lincoln, who said, ‘When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. And that is my religion.’ I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us. It may be God, I don’t know. But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do.”

Christopher Reeve showed what a real-life hero is: a person who listens to the voice inside them, and acts when that voice tells them the right thing to do.

“What makes Superman a hero is not that he has power, but that he has the wisdom and the maturity to use the power wisely.”

Reference resources:

https://uuwestport.org/sermons/rev-frank-hall-minister-emeritus/frank-hall/christopher-reeve-a-life-for-all-seasons-october-31-2004/

http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/journeys/session3/132246.shtml

The Gospel According to Christopher Reeve – Unitarian Universalism

The VUU Stories of Color

Did you see The VUU yesterday? Three people of color – each with different perspectives to share about race, unity, and our faith. I was most drawn to Chandra and Mike’s words. Yet I so love the way that their collaboration with Yuri creates sacred space for all voices and stories to be shared, even if they have different perspectives.

Click the image below to connect with Stories of Color Facebook page.