Worship This Week
10 a.m. October 12 th
From Compassion to Action
Led by Rev. Lori joined by Sam Rogers
Music by the Pick-Up Chorus
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, Oct 12th @ 10:00 AM - Worship (Click Here to Live Stream)
Sunday, Oct 12th @ 11:15 PM - RE Salon
Monday, Oct 13th @ 8:00 PM - The Gathering: Fortifying Ourselves for the Road Ahead (Virtual Event)
Tuesday, Oct 14 @ 2:30 PM - Membership Committee
Wednesday, Oct 15 @ 6:30 PM - Harbour Singers
Wednesday, October 15 @ 7:00 PM - Claiming Our Power to Fight for a Clean Energy Future: Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting (virtual)
Thursday, Oct 9th @ 5:15 PM - SBGM EQME NOA
Saturday, Oct 18th @ All Day - No Kings Day of Mobilization
Office Hours
Administrator
Brian Dustin
Mon/Wed/Fri 8-10 AM
Caring Needs
Message from Rev. Lori
Hello Good People
Action. Political action. Cultural action, Community action. Action. I think about that word a lot lately. I am constantly wondering what my part is in the world right now. I am compassionate towards most. I am an advocate for so many. And yet I wonder what is effective for me to participate in. Where will my limited energy even make a difference. I do believe a well of compassion must overflow to satisfy need or suffering. Whatever that means. I am confessing that it all has felt disheartening to me, so much so that I have had to step away from news feeds and social media as much as possible.
The Tao Te Ching teaches us that true strength is not found in force, but in yielding—like water that nourishes all things yet does not strive. Compassion, when put into action, embodies this wisdom. It is not loud or showy, but quiet, persistent, and transformative.When we act from compassion, we do not push against the world; instead, we flow with it, meeting suffering with presence and gentleness. Laozi reminds us that “the soft overcomes the hard, the weak overcomes the strong.” Compassion is this soft power: it bridges divides, eases pain, and reshapes the world not by domination, but by care.
To turn compassion into action is to live in harmony with the Tao—it is to recognize that we are not separate, but part of the same unfolding whole. Each small act of kindness ripples outward, quietly reshaping the world, as water wears down stone. How absolutely counterintuitive to the “powers” right now. Putting our principles into action in the form of kindness, persistence, honoring one another where we are at, honoring the world and the interdependence of all things; these are the soft powers. These are our powers. Our superpowers actually. It is the power that creates grand canyons. It is the life force that turns compassion into action.
Two sentences from a passage that stuck with me are:" influence is shaped by gravity, not grasp". And, "greatness follows depth not height.” It is not the tallest, or loudest, or most powerful that will shape or change the world. It is the most persistent, consistent, committed, and principled. I invite you to spend some time with those words.
Persistent
Consistent
Committed
Principled
Bring to mind each word individually. Write out a sentence for each one that addresses your life personally right now. How do these ideas integrate with your faith journey? Where do you persist and what gives you the strength to do so? Where is the soft but strong sense of consistency present for you? What are absolutely committed to? How do your principles keep you grounded in all of this right now?
Rev Lori Whittemore
(she, her, hers)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco Biddeford
Ongoing activities
Share the Plate: October
Portland Treatment Center
At Portland Treatment near Portland, Maine, we understand that every individual’s path to recovery is unique. Whether you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol dependency or a substance use disorder, our compassionate team is here to guide you toward lasting hope and healing. From day one, our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming environment where you feel empowered to take the first step toward a healthier future. With programs tailored to your needs—like our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and referrals for detox services —we’re committed to helping you reclaim control of your life.
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
TOMORROW: Saturday, October 11th join UUCSB community member, Deborah, for a guided forest walk in Baldwin Maine from 11-1. Deb will share her knowledge with folks as well walk her wooded trails and nature preserve. She will share why different tree species dominate different wooded parcels, how to identify and date logging stumps and roads, the role of the “nurse” tree and so much more. Share kinship with the community and lunch and something to share. Click on the forest walk picture below for more information!
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!
