Chalice and Chimes. Worship Services

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1 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Newsletter December 6-10:00 am Worship Services In Honor of Human Rights The Reverend Arthur Vaeni On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, asserting that Human Rights Day was to be observed on December 10th each year. How are we to understand the relevance of these rights to our lives and to people throughout the world? December 13-10:00 am Hanukkah and the Quest for Freedom The Reverend Arthur Vaeni Behind the Jewish festival of Hanukkah is a story about the quest for freedom. The inscription on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia came from the Hebrew Bible s Book of Leviticus, Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. Has the crack on the Liberty Bell widened? December 20-10:00 am Annual Solstice Ritual Celebration We will mark the longest night of the year (December 21st) with ritual, music, candles, and blessings. The service will be led by Rev. Louise Shorette from the Temple of the Feminine Divine. December 24-7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candelight Service The Reverend Arthur Vaeni In this season of darkness, we gather to celebrate and honor the light of life s sacredness and to share the light of Being with one another. Like the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor on Facebook. It s one more way to stay connected.

2 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 2 You don t need a graduate degree in loving-kindness to more fully engender loving-kindness within yourself or within your congregation. On the one hand, it s so simple. You just need a willingness to let your heart rest in loving-kindness. That, however, brings us to the other hand. On the other hand, letting your heart rest in loving-kindness isn t always easy. We have this condition known as just being human that often gets in the way. While it s true that when we re just being human, we can be quite endearing, it s also true that we can be quite un-endearing and far less than wonderful. That makes it difficult for mere mortals to consistently rest in loving-kindness. Here s another thing about loving-kindness, though: It s most resilient when accompanied by good humor, tolerance and a sense of ease with life (not to be confused with poor boundaries), for those qualities help with sustaining loving-kindness even in difficult times. The good news is that when one s heart more often rests in loving-kindness, those accompanying qualities tend to be nurtured there, as well. If the spirit of loving-kindness is going to thrive in your congregation, it needs to begin in each of your hearts. Yet, it doesn t require all of you to rest in loving-kindness in order for it to pervade your congregational culture. It just needs a core group. The holiday season with its focus on deepening our experience of sharing with others, as well as caring for others seems like an opportune time to simultaneously deepen one s ongoing experience of fostering and sharing loving-kindness. The two best parts are: first, it is not that difficult to do; second, when you share loving-kindness, it s astounding how often it gets reflected back to you. Here is one way to approach it: Shortly after arising each morning, allow yourself to relax for a few moments. Let your eyes close gently, again. You may wish to let a slight smile spread over your lips, for even as a sense of well-being may evoke a smile, so, too, may a smile evoke a sense of well-being. Bring an image of yourself to mind, and offer yourself loving-kindness by silently repeating these phrases (Or use your own phrases.) 1. May I be free from ill-will and fear. 2. May I be healthy and happy. 3. May I be at peace with my sorrow and pain. 4. May I be filled with loving-kindness. After offering those phrases to yourself for several minutes, bring to mind a loved one and silently offer the phrases to him or her for a while. Next, offer them to someone you don t know so well. Then, you may wish to offer them to someone you experience as a difficult person. Finally, offer them to all people, then, to all beings. Whether or not you engage with this practice, may loving-kindness fill your holidays and the coming year. In love and peace, Arthur Along the Ministerial Way

3 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 3 Treasurer s Report - Rosemary Parsons

4 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 4 Coming Up in December Wreath Decorating and Gift Baskets Attention all Cookie Bakers!!! December 5, 8:00-11:00 AM. You, too, can be an elf and join in the fun of holiday wreath decorating and Gift basket designing! We decorate over 70 wreaths for sale that Saturday and Sunday (if we don t sell out on Saturday). Wreaths sell for $17 fully decorated. The wreaths originate from Piper Mountain Tree Farm, and our elves create the bows and decorations. These bountiful wreathes, decorated primarily with natural flowers, cones, and dried fruits, go on sale from 11:00-12:00 Saturday and before the service on Sunday. The elves get first pick!!! December 5, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM. Gift Baskets are assembled Saturday morning from donated new and gently used items and packaged by theme. They are placed on display in the Dorothy Memorial Fellowship Hall as a silent auction. Make a UUSB basket part of your December holidays gift shopping experience. Ask any of our team members for details. This is one of our largest FUNd Raisers. Come, join in the fun! Once again, Saturday, December 19th will be our annual traditional "Holiday" (Christmas) cookie bake. We ll meet in the Dorothy Kitchen from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with your pre-chilled dough, sprinkles, frosting and icing, rolling pins, aprons, etc. for this SPECIAL cookie bake. We are going to be making SOLSTICE cookies for the December 20th Solstice celebrations, and hopefully enough for both the morning Sunday worship service and some leftover for the Winter Solstice Songs Circle Ritual Sunday evening. Bring moons, stars, and suns, (circles to be iced in white/ yellow or half and half) and your imagination and creativity. Contact: Phyllis at with any questions. A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual Every Tuesday Night! UUSB Coffee House / Open Mic Night The UUSB choir is joining with Women with Wings to put on a Winter Solstice Singing Ritual here on Sunday, December 20th, 7:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend!! Join us from 7pm-10pm in the Vestry. Open to all UUSBers and to the Public. There will be coffee, tea, and snacks for purchase. Come sing and play with us! FMI: contact Susan and Eric Olson, Karen Childs or LyAnn Grogan; or, visit: Coffeehouse-Open-Mic /

5 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 5 Marlene s Cuddles for Kids A Community Holiday Effort On February 13, 2015, Marlene Ziemer was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor at Eastern Maine Medical Center. She was transported on Lifeflight to Boston Children s Hospital where she died on February 23, 2015, just ten days after her diagnosis. Marlene was 10 months old. As a tribute to her life and to the care she received at both facilities, her family is collecting stuffed animals to be given to children at both EMMC and Boston Children s. If you would like to send your love to these children during the holiday season, donations are being accepted November 15 th through December 13 th. New stuffed animals can be dropped off at these locations: Waterville - The Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, 69 Silver St., Mon-Fri 2p-5p, Sun. 11a-12p Newport - High Street Congregational Church, 26 High St., Tuesday 9a-2p; Newport Cultural Center, 154 Main St., M-F 9:30a-5:30p and Sat. 9:30a-1:30p Pittsfield - Pittsfield Town Office, 16 Park St., M-F 8a-5p Bangor - Pepino s Mexican Restaurant, 49 Park St. Sun. 11a -8p; Mon -Wed 11a 9p; Thurs -Sat. 1a 10p Augusta - University of Maine at Augusta, 46 University Drive; Office of Student Life; Randall Student Ctr. #204 M-F 8a-5p Or, contact Morgan and Ariel Ziemer: Sending best wishes to all, The Ziemer Family (Sangerville UUs) Sangerville - Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft at corner of Church and Main Sts., Wed. and Fri. 8:30a-4:30p, Sun. 10:30-11a Winter Market Info Bangor area localvores will be able to eat local all winter long thanks to the Winter Farmers' Market: 11am - 1pm every 1st & 3rd Sunday, December - April inside at the Sea Dog (Banquet Room) Dec. 6 & 20 - Jan. 3 & 17 Feb.7 & 21 - Mar. 6 & 20 Apri. 3 & 17 The Sea Dog Brewing Company is located on the Waterfront, at 26 Front Street in Downtown Bangor. Hannaford Grocery Cards A Church Fund-raiser Sold every Sunday during fellowship time in the Dorothy. Convenient to carry! No fees! Every card purchase helps UUSB!! Cards are available in increments of $25, $50 or $100. Cash, or checks made out to UUSB are accepted. Buy cards for your own grocery shopping, or buy cards for gifts, or even donate a card to a local food bank. Do you have a CLYNK Bag??? Be sure to have one handy, so you can easily be collecting bottles and cans that help raise money for our upcoming service trips. The bags are in the Dorothy. Please see Laura, Amelia, Meredith, or Karen for details. Thank you!!! UUSB Church Cancellation Guidelines For FY (Revised October 2015) In the case of bad weather, the most important thing is for everyone to be safe. Please do not travel to the UUSB for morning worship if you feel that doing so would be unsafe. UUSB may need to be cancelled due to no lights, no heat, no water, disasters, and other unforeseen circumstances. The decision to cancel worship and religious education will be made by Sue McKay, Rev. Art Vaeni, and Laurie Cartier, who will reach such decision by 7:00 AM Sunday morning. An announcement will be put on the outgoing phone message of the church office ( ), and announcements will also go out to the local network television and radio stations; and, if possible (power permitting), an announcement will be sent out via , on the UUSB Facebook page, and posted on the UUSB website uubangor.org.

6 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 6 Yes on 1 - Mission Accomplished! There were so many people involved here that I won t make a list, but special thanks do need to go to Nancy Jacobson for overseeing phone banking at the church and putting in many, many hours at Y es on 1 headquarters. I m including Joannah s and Jensen s ( Yes Organizers) comments about their amazing UUSB helpers here: Joannah: "Few things make me happier than seeing UUs walk the talk and show up to do the hard work that it takes to build a strong community. Whether it was making phone calls or bringing food and support to the volunteers, UUs were a (peaceful) force behind Bangor's Clean Election efforts this year and I am so grateful." Jenson: "It takes a lot of people to pas any political issue, and the UU volunteers have brought a tremendous amount of support in the past few months. This issue wouldn't have passed without people coming in to make calls and feed other volunteers, because that's how the work gets done." November: Ride the Bus! Month. Double Holy Cow here! On October 28, we UUs had a Press Event in the UUSB Sanctuary along with F.L.I.A. (Faith Linking in Action) members to kick-off plans for The Month. Rev. Vaeni, Karen Childs and I spoke about the importance of the Community Connector to the Bangor community and how it supports our 2nd principle: justice, equity and compassion in human relations. All people who need public transportation to get to work and appointments should be able to get where they need to go when they need to get there. Laurie Linscott, Community Connector Director, was there, along with three of the television stations. Since I was a no-car family in November, after the event, Ted Rippy, a regular rider and one of the Bus Ambassadors trained by the Connector staff, and I had training coupled with a ride on the bus so I could learn the ropes. I won t expound further here, except to say check out the bus map and route information at the Social Justice table, learn how you can ride the bus and pick up an I Ride the Bus! sticker to wear in support of the Connector. You can ask Lee Giles (a Bus Ambassador and F.L.I.A. member) and myself about all of the goings on. I may not ride 100% of the time after November but, aside from walking, it will be my main form of transportation. How about you? Support our UU principles. Social Justice Committee Holy Cow! The Social Justice Committee was Very Busy in November! There is plenty of energy here and we re all doing our part, so here goes... Solidarity Harvest is Food AND Medicine s annual preparation of over 1000 Thanksgiving Dinner baskets for families in need across the state: Nov th. It was a perfect way for us to work on our mission of food security. We had sign-up sheets at our table during the month and numerous ways we help: Cindy Todd signed up to pick up food from farms, several R.E. classes worked there on Sunday, November 22nd, a group of UU Women rode the bus to help on the 20th. I m sure there are others who pitched in. Guest at Your Table and other UUSC ventures. The Guest at Your Table program started on Sunday, Nov. 15th with a presentation by Natalie Norton to the children during the service. Contribution boxes and Stories of Hope pamphlets were passed out to all. This program is an annual fundraiser of the UUSC. Let's all support the just works that the UUSC does around the world! The program will end the Sunday after New Year's Day with a gathering of the contribution boxes. The UUSC is sponsoring a petition to Secretary of State John F. Kerry asking the United States to take a stand and welcome more refugees into our country for resettlement. The United States admitted merely 105 Syrian refugees in 2014 and 36 in The United States should allow at least 200,000 refugees from Syria, as well as Afghanistan and other countries in crisis. Copies of this petition for signature will be on the Social Justice Table in Dorothy Memorial Room for the month of December. The UUSC has partnered with UUA to form a separate Refugee Crisis Fund. Those who wish to contribute can attach a check made out to "UUSC - Refugee Crisis Fund" to their own signed petition. Check Out our UUSB Social Justice: Do It! table (with thanks to Patty Alcott for keeping it up-to-date) for more ongoing and upcoming opportunities to put our principles into action, including becoming a member of our committee. Our regular meeting is the 3 rd Sunday of each month at 11:30 A.M. in the Vestry (downstairs). Watch for (and be part of) what we want to do in 2016 starting with Black History Month, the Bangor Area Shelter Hike for the Homeless, and the Peace & Justice s H.O.P.E. Festival. Not to mention the issue of immigration and how the escalating violence impacts what we choose to do as UUs. Ballot measures to get involved in for the 2016 election may include: Rank-Choice Voting (check in with Natalie Norton or Nancy Jacobson), Raising the Minimum Wage (see Lee Giles or Patty Alcott), Universal background checks for gun buyers (at least in Maine). Bring them to our next meeting.

7 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 7 Accessibility Project Dedication On October 18, UUSB dedicated our new elevator and two additional handicapped accessible bathrooms. This project, over a decade in the planning, is a testament to importance of making our historic building welcoming and accessible to all. The addition was designed by architect John Gordon. The total cost of the project, just under $300,000, was funded from a variety of sources including grants, contributions from members and friends, and gifts given in memory of past members. The UUSB congregation extends an invitation to everyone to join them on Sundays and know you can truly "enter, rejoice and come in". Special thanks to the Newell Family whose generosity provided the seed money, Charlie Boothby who insisted their money be spent on the elevator, the late Rev. Connie Huntley who served as an inspiration, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, our treasurer Rosemary Parsons, Women With Wings, AUW Guild, Trustees and all those who believed, donated and made it happen. The names below are noted on the plaque with a chalice to recognize the $1,000-$10,000 donors. Thanks again! Francois Amar, Charlie and Judy Boothby, Laurie Cartier and Family, Wendy Erickson, Janet Hamel and Marty Mendis, Bob and Suzanne Kelly, Marj Lawrence, Mark McCollough and Cathy Elliott, Jane McGlauflin and Bonnie Wood, Sue McKay and Patti Woolley, Connie McVey and Mike Socolow Family, Karl and Libby Norton, Natalie Norton, Sue and Bucky Owen, Rosemary Parsons, Joan and Evan Richert, Vyvyenne Ritchie, Cindy and Don Todd. There were also two households that wished to be listed as "anonymous". Respectfully, Your Accessibility Team The Winter Heart Wish but one wish when winter comes, Dream but one dream of the past. The light from a fire is in all our homes But the flames from the hearth won't last. For faint and few are the embers, Snuggle up and keep on your gloves; What the Winter Heart always remembers Is the warmth of a heart that loves. - Author Unknown

8 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 8 Ministerial Search Committee What an amazing process it is to bring everything together to call a new minister! We have been putting together the Congregational Record, which is an online resource that will first introduce interested ministers to our congregation. Then we have been putting together a Packet, which is the printed and online resource interested ministers will view next when they want to find out more about us. We've had wonderful help from Karen Cashman from the Marketing Committee in putting it all together in a beautiful way. These resources are what will help prospective ministers know if UUSB is right for them. The process of pulling all this information together is taking place through the month of November. This process has touched us all deeply. We've been blessed to be able to take advantage of the work of the last Search Committee. We each took a section of the earlier packet and brought it up-to-date. It's a great experience to be reminded what an amazing history we have, what is being done now, and even what is no longer a part of our community. We have a lot to offer a new minister, and we're striving to be sure that is clear to all prospective ministers who take a look at our information. As always, if you have questions or want to talk to us we are available by or phone, or in person at Fellowship Hour! Your Search Committee: Joanie Ellis (chair), Laurie Cartier, Sue Ann Gaitings, Bob Kelly, Linda Koehler, Mark McCollough, Anne Perkins Important PCT Updates: Pastoral Care Team The Pastoral Care Team will no longer be using a separate phone line to call when a member has a need or request for care. We have given up our Tracfone and ask all who need to contact someone to first call Susan Vernal at the church office "anytime" and leave a message on her voice mail, as Susan will be checking in daily; OR, anyone can call Phyllis Havens' cell phone ( ) and leave a message with a return phone number. Someone WILL get back to you. The Pastoral Care Team also continues to extend a welcoming invitation to all interested in joining us to contact the church or Phyllis Havens or Gail Bickford, if you would like to volunteer with our team or have your name put on our list of UUSB members willing to provide rides to church or medical appointments, or meals, or visit people in hospital as needed. We meet the first Sunday of each month after church, around 11:30 am in the Sanctuary. Our next meeting will be December 6th. Shawl Ministry UUSB s Shawl Ministry has been creating and giving shawls for over 10 years. Shawls are knit or crocheted, then given to members and friends to wrap them in a symbolic hug and hold them in our hearts in times of joy, illness, grief, and celebration. Until recently, we met twice a month to create shawls together and bless them before they were given away. From now on, we will be meeting quarterly for a potluck as well as time to knit, crochet, and bless shawls. Our first potluck gathering will be from 6:00 to 9:00 at Cathy Elliott s home (contact Cathy for the date). We always welcome new members, and we offer lessons to anyone wishing to learn to knit or crochet shawls. We can supply you with patterns, yarn, and sometimes needles or hooks as well just ask to see our stash, it is beautiful! Being part of Shawl Ministry is a wonderful way to support the UUSB community, with the blessings of the shawls reflecting back on the creator many fold! Please contact Cathy Elliott, cathyelliott25@gmail.com or , for more information about Shawl Ministry, the potluck, requesting a shawl, or making a donation to support our work. Thank you!

9 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 9 December 2015 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT Please check the website for calendar updates! Coffee House 6:30pm Meditation 6:30pm Worship Cmte E-newsletter Deadline 5:30pm Choir Rehearsal Women with Wings 12:30pm Knitting Circle 8:00am Annual Wreath Decorating & Sale 9:00am Gift Basket Creating 6 Worship Service 11:00am Fellowship 7 (Office Closed) 9:00am Soup Kitchen Cook n Serve 8 Coffee House 9 6:30pm Membership Cmte Bldg. & Grds Cmte 10 E-newsletter Deadline 4:15pm Executive Cmte 5:30pm Choir Rehearsal 11 Budget & Finance Cmte 12 Women with Wings 13 Worship Service (Food Cupboard Collection) 11:00am Fellowship & Gift Basket Auction 14 (Office closed) 12:00 noon Article Deadline for January 2016 Newsletter 15 Coffee House 6:30pm Meditation 16 11:00am AUW Guild 6:30pm Council Mtg. 17 E-newsletter Deadline 5:00pm Staff Meeting 5:30pm Choir Rehearsal 18 12:30pm Knitting Circle Penobscot Contradancers 19 9:30am Cookie Bake! Women with Wings 22 Worship Service (Personal Care Items Collection) 11:00am Fellowship 11:30am Social Justice Cmte 21 (Office closed) 5:00pm Temple of Fem Divine Event 22 Coffee House 23 E-newsletter Deadline 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 25 Merry Christmas 26 Bag Lunch Prep 2:30pm Bean Supper Winter Solstice Singing Ritual 27 Worship Service 11:00am Fellowship 28 (Office closed) 29 Coffee House 30 E-newsletter Deadline 31 New Year s Eve 12:00pm Drumming Circle

10 December 2015 The Chalice and Chimes Page 10 Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor 120 Park Street Bangor, ME Worship: Sunday, 10:00 AM Secretary s Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday,10:00 AM-12:00 PM Telephone: (207) uubangor@gmail.com Website: Our Mission Statement The Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor is an historically liberal religious community, celebrating diversity and supporting spiritual growth and social responsibility in each child and adult. We are A Welcoming Congregation We welcome individuals and families of all religious upbringings, racial and ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations. We, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We are A Green Sanctuary The UU Society of Bangor, recognized as a Green Sanctuary by the Unitarian Universalist Association, endeavors to incorporate care for the Earth into its worship and religious education while working to promote environmental justice and sustainable living. We covenant to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part. Contacts Interim Minister: Rev. Arthur Vaeni Minister Emerita: Rev. Becky Gunn Music Director: Nancy Lewis Religious Education Director: Karen Childs Church Administrator: Susan Vernal For Pastoral Care Team, call Church Office (207) & leave message; alternate: call Phyllis Havens (207) (cell) & leave message. Someone will return your call. Church Council ( thru ) Chris Packard, Chair cspackard@gmail.com Bridgette Chalila, Vice Chair bchalila@aol.com Rosemary Parsons, Treasurer roxemary@gmail.com Michele Caitlyn-Strout, Clerk Michele.G.Caitlyn-Strout@usps.gov Charles Boothby charlesboothby35@msn.com Valerie Carter vcgardener@gmail.com Catherine Foxson Cary Jenson sylvester_cat@roadrunner.com Ted Pierson tedpierson1@gmail.com About Our Newsletter The Chalice and Chimes is published ten times a year (Sept-June). The deadline for submissions is the 14th day of each month. Contributions are solicited and should be sent to the Administrator/Editor at the church office. An reminder is sent out to all member and friends on the church s database mailing list when the newsletter has been posted to the church website, where it may be viewed or down-loaded. It is also available in paper format on the table by the sanctuary entrance and by US mail (request from the Church Office). Editorial Policy Articles submitted for publication in the Chalice & Chimes must strive to include, in an unbiased way, only that information that is consistent with the UU faith. Articles should deal with issues of a spiritual nature meant to inspire, encourage, educate, or inform. Although every effort will be made to be inclusive, the Editor reserves the right to determine which articles are accepted for publication. The Editor has the right to edit for space, availability, libelous remarks, or unwarranted personal attacks. The Editor also reserves the right to refuse any item that may affect our Tax Exempt Status.

11 The Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor 120 Park Street Bangor, ME First Class Postage The Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor 120 Park Street Bangor, ME Tel. (207) Interim Minister: Rev. Arthur Vaeni Church Administrator: Susan Vernal Music Director: Nancy Lewis Director of Religious Education: Karen Childs Council President: Chris Packard Church Office Hours The church office is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Please call to make an appointment outside of office hours.