Ground Breaking, November 8, 2019:

Photo: Lincoln County News

Nancy Duncan’s Comments

Today is a day of grace. Of miracles. This church steeple, seen from the river and in many places throughout Waldoboro, stands as a marker for this historical downtown. This building was built by the members of the First Baptist Church in 1838. It has been modified over time and will be modified again. This modification will include rebuilding the foundation of the steeple, stabilizing the steeple, and installing 21st century ADA accessible bathrooms and a lift to make it easier for all people to enter and exit safely. It will include work that is unseen but critically important— foundation, perimeter drains and a new sewer lateral.

Today we celebrate a miracle—grace upon grace or miracle on top of miracles. The Broad Bay Church was formed 35 years ago by a group that sought to build a United Church of Christ Congregation in Waldoboro—a church where questions are welcomed as we follow the teachings and love of Jesus. What were they thinking, starting a church in Waldoboro, ME, one of the least churched states in the nation?

After years of meeting in the grange and seeking to maintain a presence downtown and after much deliberation and prayer, they purchased this building in 2002. They were a church of just over 20 members. What were they thinking?

We discovered issues in the building and clarified our thinking. We are A Place for All and the building was getting in the way of our mission. Through a series of chance relationships and a strong application, we received matching funds and technical support from the National Fund for Sacred Places; they matched the over $500,000 raised locally with a $250,000 grant and supported us through the process.

Many of you contributed to make this day possible. Thank you.

We found people to help us. Barba and Wheelock, H. E. Callahan Construction, Preservation Timberframe, Full Harvest Fundraising. Thank you.

Jesus hung out with people on the margins, crossing barriers of race, religion and economic differences. The Broad Bay church serves as a sanctuary and a platform for ministry not just for the worshipping community but for all who enter. “No matter who you are or where you are in life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

May this building be a place of God’s welcome and solace for years to come. Amen.

Ground Breaking: Ringing the Bell

Today, Nov. 8, 2019 we ring the bell in gratitude for the builders of this church building whose vision, faith and craftsmanship built this church in 1838.

We ring this bell in gratitude for the designers, builders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, excavators who are working today to make this church a Place For All. May their work here be a blessing.

We ring the bell in memory of those who taught us and loved us in faith. We remember the people of the Broad Bay Church who helped build the foundation for today’s ministry.

We ring the bell as a sign of welcome to all in this community. May this church serve as a beacon of hope, justice and compassion for generations to come. We ring this bell in praise to God! Amen