Worship This Week
10 a.m. November 23rd, 2025
This Is My Song: an Anthem Of Dreams For My Country
Led by Rev. Lori with Charlie
Music: The UUCSB Pick-Up Choir
For our Sunday security, we lock the doors at 10:05. Ushers will monitor the doors until 10:15.
Church Activities This Week
Unless indicated otherwise, these activities welcome all members and friends.
Full calendar below with links to these & other upcoming events.
Saturday, Nov. 22nd @ 8:00 - Holly-Day Fair
Sunday, Nov. 9th @ 10:00 AM - Worship (Click Here to Live Stream)
Tuesday, Nov. 25th - Deadline for Messenger Submissions
Thursday, Nov. 13th @ 7:00 AM - SBGM Movie Night
Office Hours
Administrator
Brian Dustin
Mon/Wed/Fri 8-10 AM
Caring Needs
Message from Rev. Lori
Hello Good People,
I have happy to join you this Sunday after 2 weeks away! I was contacted by beloved member, musician, and cellist, Anne Wilkinson several weeks back about doing a service about the hymns that come out of the music known as Finlandia. For those who dont know me, ITS MY FAVORATE CHURCH MUSIC AND FAVORSTE HYMNS! I first heard it in the context of the United Church of Christ Hymnal expressed as "This is My Song". Loved it immediately. When I became part of this community, I became familiar for the UU variation, "We Would Be One". Both of these so resonate with me and make me tear up. So of course I said yes to Anne. That is the context of this weekend’s service.
We will join together to appreciate the hymn in its many variations, learn closely the underlying tone poem, and explore UU theology. That may sound boring but it won’t be. (I hope) One of the greatest tools for teaching theology is hymnody or music. Music has a pathway into the soul not access by other paths. It buries things deep within us that is accessed differently. It brings us comfort when we can’t remember who we are in the chaos of life. It unites us in ways through harmonies that are unparalleled. The words affirm our believes while the music feeds and fills our souls. As you all know, it doesnt have to by a hymn to touch your soul. Through the years different songs have served as soul anthems to me. Let It Be, by the Beatles, Losing My Religion, by U2, One Love by Bob Marley all come to mind. Those became especially important to me at times when I needed my life grounded and connected or reconnected to my values. Of course sacred music does that for our belief systems and theologies. And these hymns capture our principles and Universalist spirit like no other. If you are a newcomer, please enjoy this musical adventure with us! For the long timers, you get me here. Join us to bathe in these words and melody that remind us so beautifully of who we are!
I also invite you to think about a song or songs that you have loved throughout the years that reflect back to you your own priorities and beliefs. Listen to it/ them this weekend, in between the fair and the service. Reflect on the words that have given you comfort and courage. Sing it to yourself a few times. Come to Sunday prepared to learn new lyrics and the origin of the music and its connection not only to our theology, but also to times when political reality required resistance through music. We will consider together that message for ourselves in this time and in this community.
Rev Lori Whittemore
(she, her, hers)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco Biddeford
Postponing New Member Sunday Recognition
Recognition of new members is postponed to the spring. We want to offer 2-3 more opportunities for conversation for people considering joining us officially. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Edite Kroll at edite.kroll@gmail.com, or Rev Lori at revlori@uuchurchsacobiddeford.org. We would love to share more about our beloved community and welcome you. You also can sign the book at any time to make it official!
Anniversary of UUCSB
As you sit down to your dinner on Thanksgiving remember to be thankful for the UUCSB. On Nov. 27, 1827, the Second Parish Unitarian Meeting House – our sanctuary– was dedicated. Happy Anniversary to us!
Maine Needs Winter Gear – A Collection Drive
We need warm coats, warm hats, waterproof boots & Gloves, snow pants, warm socks for adults and kids. Gently used or new welcome. A drop box will be available at the church.
SCAMS!
Most of you have been contacted by “ME” by phone or email asking for your to buy
gift cards. THIS IS A SCAM! I would never send you a text asking for money. The
scammers often create a believable gmail account using my name so it really seems
real. When you receive this kind of text from me, and I believe they will continue to do
this, please check with me by my official email to see if I sent
it.
revlori@uuchurchsacobiddeford.org.
Once you buy gift cards and send the scammers those numbers, there is no way to
get your money back. Dont get hooked. If you get a text, email me or reach out to
someone else in church or call the church office. We would never ask you to comment
resources in this way! I will continue to share this message in all of our media to remind
you!
Ongoing activities
Share the Plate: November
When we picked the share the plate for this month, we had no idea of what was to come. Given the suspension of SNAP, we are in the process of creating a community wide response. The first thing we did was swap out the share the plate, so we can split our plate with an organization supporting feeding programs. Many have approached me to ask what we can do or offer assistance. Melissa Caminiti has stepped forward to gather information about what things are being done community wide, and helping us identify an unmet need that we can fill. We will post more in the coming week when we have more to share. We will rise to the occasion!
SNAP, support includes:
Soft snacks are being collected to distribute to the unhoused. There is a box in the
hallway to place them. They will be brought to Hope Squad on Wednesdays to go out
with Matt Brown on Thursday outreach.
School Street Coffeehouse Fundraiser
School Street Coffeehouse is pleased to offer special edition stickers, donated by Thomas Clukey, as part of a $1 fundraiser.
Stickers will be available at Coffeehouse events, open mikes, and during Social Hour on Sundays. For those of you at a distance, stickers can be obtained by mail with a $1 donation and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Every sticker purchased will support and give visability to the Coffeehouse, helping sustain this brand new tradition at UUCSB.
Hannaford Gift Cards
Would you like to donate to the church in a way that doesn’t cost you anything? If you buy your weekly groceries with a Hannaford gift card purchased from UUCSB, the church gets 5%. Our church depends on this fundraiser to contribute to its operating budget. Cards are available in $100 or $50 denominations. Gift cards are for sale in the Parish Hall every Sunday after the worship service. If you are worshiping virtually, just call or email Jane P. and make arrangements to pick them up at another time. Thank you for participating in this fundraiser in support of our church.
Save the Date! Upcoming Events
November Highlights:
These UUCSB meetings, community events, and important deadlines are just around the corner.
Learn more by clicking on a square or check out our full calendar over here!
