Category Archives: Blog

Unitarian Universalism – who can claim it and who is claimed by it?

Rev. Kate Braestrup is an ordained UU Minister residing in Maine. She has helped countless people cope with acute trauma and navigate unimaginable grief. Her viral video on The Moth Radio Hour introduced millions to our Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. She has received many accolades and awards for her work in the mental health field. She has been given an award by the UUA recognizing her contribution to religious liberalism. Recently she has shared this blog post.

Two questions that are paramount: Who can claim Unitarian Universalism as their own…and who is claimed (or rejected) by Unitarian Universalism? What are the standards for UUs in general in regards to how we are to treat each other?

Why is this important? Because for years I (Twinkle) have been serving Unitarian congregations and groups. Lately I am beginning to wonder if the current leaders and most vocal in their ranks are aligned with my credo of Living Life as a Prayer, of treating others with compassion, and of leading with Love. If they (UUs) are amassing to expel or disassociate with such amazing ministers as Kate Braestrup, it is not an organization I can support. Time will tell the answers of these questions.

Anam Ċara & the Divine Echo – VIDEO

On Sunday, October 6th Twinkle led services at Starr King UU Fellowship in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The sermon is entitled: “Anam Ċara & the Divine Echo.” The service was crafted with the Soul Matters Sharing Circle Theme of Belonging+Mysticism in mind. Many thanks to musician Sarah Dan Jones and the SKUUF Worship Team. ((For TEXT click HERE))

Anam Cara & the Divine Echo – October 6, 2019 from SKUUF Plymouth NH on Vimeo.

Calendar Notes

UPDATE WINTER 2020:

Our schedule for 2020 has been updated and will continue to include additions for Twinkle’s Pulpit Supply and local retreats. Twinkle will be hosting a retreat in New Smyrna Beach Autumn 2020 in addition to her Moosehead Lake Retreats in Maine. While Twinkle is in a time of needed self-care and deep contemplation after the loss of her son, she is making herself available to our community in ways she feels best to serve. Grief is a tender process. She has only just begun. Yet it is a process that takes place within the ever-flowing rhythms of life and living. As Twinkle says, “May we continue to be blessings to each other.”

UPDATE AUTUMN 2020:

Due to the tragic death in our family, many of our 2019 Autumn-time events have been cancelled or postponed, including retreats in Pittsfield and on Moosehead Lake. If you were registered for an event, please see your inbox for details or message us. The monthly women’s book group at Twinkle’s Place will resume in December. Weekly silent meditations and Hygge teas will begin in November.

Events and speaking engagements that will remain as scheduled include:

  • Pulpit supply of previously scheduled Sunday mornings (see calendar for dates and times);
  • Maine Municipal Association presentation on October 3rd;
  • Orion’s Hallowe’en Party, Día de los Muertos crafts and storytelling, and our annual Samhain Ritual.

9/11 Again – 2019

Every year on 9/11 my services always include this song – played, sung or spoken. “If I Give Your Name” by Pat Humphries and Sandy O of Emma’s Revolution. As well as some version of Judy Chicago’s Merger Poem as prayer, as meditation, as wish and as dream. May the day come when we can all live in gentle compassion and peaceableness.

Turn the World Around

This Sunday many will gather for the Water Communion. The UU Singers choir in the congregation I serve this week will be singing “Turn the World Around” by Harry Belafonte/Robert Freedman. I adore this song! The reminder, and the call, of our unity. 

When Harry Belafonte performed this on The Muppet Show, he talked about what makes the world go ‘round, that we are here for a very brief time, and that if we take the time to understand each other that there is not really any difference in any of us. And that, if we get to know each other, to really care about each other, we can turn the world around. 

https://youtu.be/zEkyllSJte8?t=23m28s

May your Water Communions be beautiful calls to compassionately love one another.

“Turn the World Around” 

by Harry Belafonte/Robert Freedman

We come from the fire

Livin’ in the fire

Go back to the fire

Turn the world around

We come from the water

Livin’ in the water

Go back to the water

Turn the world around

We come from the mountain

Livin’ on the mountain

Go back to the mountain

Turn the world around

Oh, oh so is life

Oh, oh so is life

Oh, oh so is life

Oh, oh so is life

Do you know who I am

Do I know who you are

See we one another clearly

Do we know who we are

Oh, oh so is life

A ba tee wah ha so is life

Oh, oh so is life

A ba tee wah ha so is life

Water make the river

River wash the mountain

Fire make the sunlight

Turn the world around

Heart is of the river

Body is the mountain

Spirit is the sunlight

Turn the world around

We are of the spirit

Truly of the spirit

Only can the spirit

Turn the world around

We are of the spirit

Truly of the spirit

Only can the spirit

Turn the world around

Do you know who I am

Do I know who you are

See we one another clearly

Do we know who we are

Oh, oh so is life

A ba tee wah ha so is life

Oh, oh so is life

A ba tee wah ha so is life

YOU are invited to our Water Communion Service


Join Us!
Sermon: Gentle Ripples, a Water Communion Service to Gather The Beloved Community
Sunday, September 8th, 2019 (10:00 am)
The Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville
69 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine

Worship Leader: Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Porter-Manning

Thought for Contemplation:
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” 
~ Coretta Scott King
#PulpitOfPeace #BuildingTheBelovedCommunity #UUSermon

Come share this land

Most of our UU congregations are beginning their new service year in the next couple of weeks. When you reflect on this song, “We’ll Build a Land,” what is it you hope Unitarian Universalism (and your congregation) will help build in the world? I especially like the new verse in this version:

“We’ll build a land where the forests are fertile

Where the water and wind run clean and clear

And community matters more than positions

Come share this land

Let’s build it right here!”

Note: This song is by Carolyn McDade and is included in the primary Unitarian-Universalist hymnal. However, this version sung by Mo Mack in Concert with John and Cynthia Boeling as a benefit for the First Unitarian church of Portland in 2016 drops two original verses and adds a new one.