Worship This Week
10 a.m. February 1, 2026
February 1st: Imbolc: An Intergenerational Service
Led by Rev. Lori
Music by Elisha Cicio
Elisha is a Maine native and life-long musician and creative artist who is often found creating, volunteering, or performing around Southern Maine in a variety of local businesses, choirs, or community theaters. She finds contentment and joy in service to others and is grateful to have found such a welcoming church community here at UUCSB.
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, Jan. 31st @ 1:00 PM - Saco/Biddeford Kit Making For The Unhoused
Sunday, Feb. 1st @ 10:00 AM - Worship (Click Here to Live Stream)
Sunday, Feb. 1st @ 11:15 AM - Friends of Religious Education Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 4th @ 10:00 AM - Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 4th @ 5:00 PM Harbour Singers
Thursday, Feb. 5th @ 4:00 PM Interfaith Prayer Service
Thursday, Feb. 5th @ 6:00 PM SBGM Dine Out
Friday, Feb. 6th @ 9:00 AM Worship Ministry Meeting
Friday, Feb. 6th @ 12:00 PM Brown Bag Lunch
Office Hours
Administrator
Brian Dustin
Mon/Wed/Fri 8-10 AM
Caring Needs
Message from Rev. Lori
Hello Good People,
The light is returning. In all the ways possible! I began noticing this week how it gets lighter earlier in the morning and stays light later. In spite of the bitter cold temperatures I feel some encouragement by the addition of the minutes. I feel like light is also returning on in other areas of my consciousness. As hard and sad as things can feel these days, the light of effective resistance is shining. Small wins are popping up in the nation and in our community. Talks have started in Saco for a more collaborative approach to offering warming to our unhoused neighbors. We donated more than 267 kits to be distributed in the Biddeford encampments and Britt LaShier says they are being recieved with great joy! This support holds up our flame and shines the light! Not just for our unhoused neighbors but also for those who sow up for this collaborative effort donating and spending time assembling. It has been delightful getting to know folks in service to others.
This week we will shine our light by celebrating Imbolc and honoring Brigid, Celtic Goddess of fertility and Irish Saint. In our cozy Parish Hall, we will hear Brigid's story and our youth will help facilitate a ritual that involves honoring the elements and getting ready for spring. It is not to be missed!
A Poem about Brigid
Brigid at Imbolc
In the thin light
between frost and thaw,
Brigid walks the fields
with a quiet flame cupped in her hands.
She is the warmth under snow,
the milk rising in the ewe,
the breath that says *not yet spring*
and still—*almost*.
Her fire does not roar.
It waits.
A candle on a windowsill,
a promise stitched into the dark.
At Imbolc we listen
for what is stirring—
the courage to begin again,
the faith to tend what is small.
Brigid teaches us this:
light does not hurry,
but it does not fail.
We will light our tiny flames this week in acknowledge of the returning light, the warmth it brings to thaw us and the reassurance that light always returns again!
See you Sunday!
Rev Lori Whittemore
(she, her, hers)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco Biddeford
Upcoming Events
These other 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!
Ongoing activities
Share the Plate: January
Each month, UUCSB chooses an organization to split weekly donations made by congregants during the course of Sunday services. As many of you attend virtually, we are providing an online venue for these donations.
This month, we ask for donations to be split between UUCSB's general fund and The Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford, Maine. From their website, https://www.seedsofhope4me.org/
At Seeds of Hope, we believe in the power of community and compassion. Our mission is to provide support, resources, and hope to those in need. Join us in making a difference, one seed at a time.
Make it stand out
Starting on Sunday, February 1st, we ask for donations to be split between UUCSB's general fund and IFKA Community Services. From their website, https://ifkacommunity.org/
Our founder recognized the necessity for increased representation of immigrant women. This realization gave birth to our organization: IFKA Community Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Lewiston, Maine. IFKA means Mother Earth in Somali. Since its inception, IFKA has been guided and fueled by the leadership of immigrant mothers. We came together to share our experiences, learn, understand, and make a difference in our community.
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.
Please note: Each Friday, the current Friday Flyer posts at 9 AM and the previous week’s Flyer is archived. Rev. Lori’s weekly messages remain online in the form of reflections. You can find the archive here.