Worship This Week
10 a.m. November 2nd, 2025
Nurturing Gratitude: Gratitude Means Passing it on
Led by Rev. Lori with Ben Veres & Matt Brown
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.
Sunday, Nov. 2nd @ 10:00 AM - Worship (Click Here to Live Stream)
Wednesday, Nov. 5th @ 10:00 AM - Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 5th @ 5:00 PM - Harbour Singers
Wednesday, Nov. 5th @ 5:00 PM - Finance Committee
Thursday, Nov. 6th @ 6 - SBGM Dine Out
Friday, Nov. 7th @ Noon - Brown Bag Lunch
Office Hours
Administrator
Brian Dustin
Mon/Wed/Fri 8-10 AM
Caring Needs
Message from Rev. Lori
Hello Good People,
This Sunday we will be joined by Ben Veres our new Religious Exploration Coordinator and by Matt Brown, cofounder of the Hope Squad. When the Worship Ministry planned the themes of the year and the share the plate partners, we used Soul Matters and also what we perceived to be the natural rhythm of need in the community. Nobody could have understood what November 2025 would look like and what the food situation would be for millions of families. So we welcome Matt today, and push out our share the plate with Hope Squad to December so that we can share this months plate..on a weekly basis, with an organization that is helping folks who have lost their benefits right now. Melissa Caminiti has stepped up to coordinate our Church’s response and one thing we are doing is sharing this month’s plate.
We had some ups and downs navigating the hiring process for an RE Coordinator. We had 16 candidates through Indeed, and one that was specifically referred to us. We offered it to 2 folks who ultimately did not work out. It was exhausting and sometimes heartbreaking. Randa and Wendy Crowell were rockstars through it all, and there were others who helped with the process as well. In the end, and after all the blood sweat and tears, Ben presented themself to us. Unlike our other candidates, Ben is a UU person. They spent some formative years in UU churches in Sanford, Maine and Portsmouth, NH. Ben gets us, Ben is us and is happy to be in community living into the principles once again. With extensive training and experience with youth, they are excited to step into this role and be in community with us. All of the challenges of the past months are melting away and a recognition that the spirit has actually been preparing us for Ben all along!
We welcome Matt Brown back as well. Even though we are pushing back our share the plate, if anyone understands how the current political situation is impacting folks in the margins, it is Matt. I expect to hear hard things and I expect we will be greatly inspired by the vision and implementation of Hope Squad. The mission of seeing those who often go unseen is profound beyond words. I am so glad to have him with us!
It being November, with the backdrop of Thanksgiving, it is fitting that Soul Matters chose Gratitude for the theme this month. Gratitude is not just a feeling—it’s a flow. When we recognize the gifts we’ve received, something inside us opens. We see how our lives are woven together with the kindness of others and the abundance of the world. True gratitude doesn’t stop at saying “thank you”; it ripples outward. It becomes generosity, compassion, and care. When we pass it on—through a kind word, a helping hand, a moment of listening—we keep that sacred current moving. In giving forward what we have received, we become part of gratitude’s endless circle. We can all be a part of this circle. We all are a part of this circle. Our faith, principles and values call us to live into this flow. Matt and the Hope Squad embody this for sure! We also do in the mission’s we undertake and in our service to our own community.
Gratitude is not just a feeling-it is a flow. Please reflect on that statement. Please say it out loud, and say it in your head. Let your mind’s eye rest on the words. Ask the sentence what it has to say to you specifically. How do the words gratitude and flow connect for you? Or not? What does it mean to pass it on? Go and do so today and tomorrow and always!
See you 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.
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!
Make it stand out
Jewelry needed for sale at the Fair. Please contact Odette D. or Pat S. if you can contribute. Thanks!.
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!
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:
November 12
It is a session of soul collage centered on images of sages. This session is open to all. After this session, the group will close to create more intimate and trusting circle experience for those who are participating. For more information or to rsvp, please contact rev. Lori.
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!
