Worship This Week
10 a.m. January 4, 2026
Jan 4th: Gird Your Loins For The New Year
Led by Rev. Lori & Teague
Music by Patrick Freeman
Patrick was born in Fort Kent, Maine in 1948. He lived with foster care from the ages 3 to 18. He had some music lessons when he was young but at about the age of 9 he did not have a piano at the house so had to discontinue the lessons. Around age 20 he had private music lessons for about a year. In his late twenties he moved to Bangor and found employment selling organs, receiving free music lessons from the owner for a year. He continued to play organs and became self-taught. Patrick graduated from UMaine in 1976 with a teaching degree. After several teaching and other jobs he settled in Portland working at Maine Medical Center for 16 years. He continued playing the organ and keyboard during those times. He retired from MMC in 2013 and started playing music in Nursing Homes throughout Southern Maine. He usually plays music from way back in early 1900 to the present day. He has started a music recording studio in his apartment which continues to be a learning process. Patrick says “I enjoy playing music. I have been playing music by ear for many years. I guess that is a God gift.”
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.
Friday, Jan. 2nd @ Noon - Brown Bag Lunch
Sunday, Jan. 4th @ 10:00 AM - Worship (Click Here to Live Stream)
Wednesday, Jan. 7th @ 10:00 AM - Monthly BOT Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 7th @ 5:00 PM - Harbour Singers
Thursday, Jan. 8th @ 7:00 PM SBGM Online
Office Hours
Administrator
Brian Dustin
Mon/Wed/Fri 8-10 AM
Caring Needs
Message from Rev. Lori
Happy New Year Good People,
I hope you have entered 2026 well, leaving behind what doesn’t serve, with fresh eyes on what may come. Fixing your eyes on what I hope is our constant question, “what would love ask me to do in this moment?” This month’s Soul Matter’s theme is Practicing Resistance. Perfect for the month of January and perfect for this day and age.
January is the month we recognize Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday, Roe versus Wade, and the signing of the emancipation proclamation. Practicing Resistance in honor of these very dear remembrances is not only timely but hugely important. We need to regularly consider how we keep the meaning and messages of these occurrences in the forefront as we navigate. How do we prepare for this month and prepare ourselves to practice resistance? I believe it starts with considering what resistance means to us given our faith and our place in the world, literally and figuratively.
First, in order to ground ourselves in our identity so that we face this year with love, I share with you a parable:
A Modern Parable of Readiness
There once was a traveler who set out with nothing but a thin cloak and a determined heart. Whenever the winds changed, she gathered the cloak around her. When storms approached, she cinched the cloth tight at her waist so her hands were free—free to build, free to shield, free to lift others up. When asked why she always prepared herself so deliberately, she said, “The world is full of work that requires both strength and tenderness. I gird myself not for battle, but for love.”
May we, too, prepare our spirits so that our hands are free for justice.
We are sharing our plate with Seeds of Hope this month. An organization that has risen up girded with love to provide community space for the unhoused in Biddeford. As we contemplate girding our loins for 2026 and for helping in our own community, we will hear from Vassie Fowler of Seeds of Hope about what the needs look like right now and how they are rising to me the need. Join us Sunday!
Peace and Blessings,
Rev Lori Whittemore
(she, her, hers)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco Biddeford
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.
REMINDER: We will be making kits on the 11th & 25th.
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.
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
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!
