REALIZED: ANIMATING A YOUNG PEOPLE'S TOMORROW

Disconnected

Many of us were captivated by Sophie Davis and Luke Fatora's animation at the Halcyon Concert.   

Take a moment to watch this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pumc0ceENvQ
Then put down your phone or device and enjoy the day.  

About the concert:

Join Halcyon and pianist Margarita Rovenskaya for an evening of beautiful music, film, and story. Realized combines Halcyon's stop-motion animations with live string quartet music to imagine our collective future. With animated films and stories inspired by workshops with students from Medomak Valley High School, Realized amplifies the artwork and voices of young people as they reflect on the present and imagine what a resilient, sustainable, and equitable future on this planet could look like 50 years from now. The program will feature Dohnanyi's beloved first Piano Quintet alongside folk tunes and music by Caroline Shaw and Philip Glass. Realized is a creative, honest, and hopeful multimedia program exploring the potential we all have to enact meaningful change in our communities.

ABOUT HALCYON

Halcyon is a Maine-based artist collective and string quartet that designs and presents multimedia performances that combine live music with science, film, art, and spoken word. These performances celebrate Maine's ecosystems and reflect on the challenges and opportunities we face in a climate-changed world. They draw attention to the daily rewards, difficult choices, and transforming reality facing our communities – acknowledging the need for creative and diverse
communication that harnesses the power of cultural traditions, storytelling, music, and visual art to translate numbers and facts into something tangible and human. Halcyon partners with scientists, musicians, artists, and composers to present 4-5 multishow performance projects throughout Maine each year. Their films have been screened at the Maine International Film Festival and Reel Teal Film Festival. For more information about Halcyon and to learn about upcoming performances, visit: halcyonstringquartet.org.

Glimpsing God through the lens of Queer Faith Stories

On Sunday, June 16 at 10 a.m. the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ, Waldoboro, will center the worship service on the realities of a few queer faith journeys.  

Each person views the divine through one’s religious traditions and lived experiences.  LGBTQ people have lived and shared personal stories of faith for generations but have often been excluded from the sharing of these experiences of God within faith communities.  Furthermore, some have faced condemnation from the church.

"Queer Faith Stories," a photojournalism exhibit in which queer people name and own their own faith, will be on display in the church sanctuary. In the face of religious homophobia and transphobia, these individuals claim the promise that they too are blessed. The exhibit features 10 different LGBTQIA+ people from around the state of Maine, gorgeously photographed and framed, paired with personal reflections.

The photographs are shot by Keenan Boscoe, who owns the Topo Gallery & Goods in Camden, and framed by Jonathan Frost, who owns the Jonathan Frost Gallery & Frame Shop in Rockland. The reflections are edited by award-winning author and minister Rev. Benjamin Perry.

Participants in the service will include Bob Garcia, Sarah Reynolds, Elm Davis, Rachel Genthner and singer songwriter Laetitia Brundage, with each sharing a glimpse of their own faith stories.

Research continues to reveal new insights about gender identity and sexual orientation. The midcoast community is responding to the needs of LGBTQ people with a combination of curiosity and compassion as well as fear and condemnation. During the service, Broad Bay will celebrate the faithful and diverse journeys of queer people of faith and the grace of God reflected in their stories.  

Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming Congregation.

Maine Preservation Honor Award

In March 2022, Broad Bay Church was thrilled to receive a Maine Preservation Honor Award. This award is given annually to select projects throughout the state of Maine that celebrate excellence in historic preservation leadership, rehabilitation, and craft.

Since 1998, Maine Preservation has recognized historic preservation successes across Maine and the people that make them happen. The Awards program shines a light on how adaptively using and updating vacant and underutilized historic structures is an essential ingredient for community revitalization and vigor.

Thanks to Barba + Wheelock, HE Callahan, and Preservation Timberframe for the excellent work.

Creche Display

A crèche is a model or tableau representing the scene of Jesus Christ’s birth, displayed in homes or public places at Christmas.  Also known as a nativity scene.  On December 18, there will be an open house at the Broad Bay Congregational Church in Waldoboro which will feature creches from members of the congregation.  The time will be 1-3 p.m. and, of course, they will be displayed during worship that Sunday and the week before Christmas. 

Participants are asked to fill out the form below no later than 12/11.  Creches should be brought to the church no later than 12/14.

Climate Change Resources from Outreach

Wild Seed Project

We have mentioned the Wild Seed Project a few times; the gist is that Native Plants are better for local native pollinators- and native pollinators are much more efficient at pollinating the native landscape. Please check out https://wildseedproject.net/ for more information; we are also thinking we might try to plant a demonstration native plant garden in the small bed next to the side door of the church.

Rebecca has been behind the 8 ball, so her seeds are in the freezer (many of the seeds need a cold period before germinations); as there may not be ready to plant seedlings for the demonstration project in the side yard garden at the church, perhaps we can ask people who might be interested in meeting about the idea/learning about rewilding and native plants.

Restoring Nature

Doug Tallamay had a good presentation found on the UCC website about what people of faith can do:

No Mow May

Mary Cope noted an article she read in the Times about No Mow May, in which the lawn is left to grow to allow early pollinators enough blossoms to survive. There is a website at which you can download info and signs, link below.

From the No Mow May Website

Mowing your lawn less creates habitat and can increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife including bees and other pollinators. One way to reduce mowing is by participating in No Mow May. No Mow May is a conservation initiative first popularized by Plantlife, an organization based in the United Kingdom, but which is gaining traction across North America. The goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow unmown for the month of May, creating habitat and forage for early season pollinators. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited. 

In 2020, residents of Appleton, Wisconsin, an affiliate of Bee City USA, became energized about No Mow May and the City Council agreed to suspend their weed ordinance for the month of May. Over 435 registered property owners participated in the campaign, and Lawrence University, an affiliate of Bee Campus USA, partnered with Appleton to conduct research on the impact of No Mow May on pollinators. Researchers Israel Del Toro and Relena Ribbons collected data on the abundance (the number of individuals) and species richness (the number of species) of flowers and bees found in unmown yards of a subset of the properties participating in No Mow May. They then compared those numbers to the abundance and richness of flowers and bees found in nearby urban parks that are regularly mowed. The findings were impressive! Not only were the abundance and richness of bees higher in the yards of properties participating in No Mow May, but they were way higher. Participating yards had three-times higher bee species richness and five-times higher bee abundance than nearby parks that had been mowed. This study was published in 2020 and is available for free download online. Empowered by their success in 2020, Appleton has spread the word and attracted even more participants in 2021. 

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Going Forward

We are looking for people interested in participating in the Native Plant Garden…the nice thing about plant initiatives is that they are SLOW so there won’t be a press of meetings - let Rebecca know if you are interested; we will try to have more Wild Seed Project information available at the Church as well.

Take Action on "Forever Chemicals" and our Environment

A main focus for your Outreach Steering Committee in 2022 is the very broad topic of climate change, including its ramifications for environmental justice and racial justice. As many of you know, Broad Bay has been a pick-up site for a Community Supported Agriculture program (Daybreak Growers Alliance) since June 2021. At least two of the many farms in Daybreak have discovered that their soils were contaminated decades ago (under previous owners) when sludge from municipal sewage and wastewater plants was spread on their land or nearby land. Testing at Songbird Farm, Unity, and New Beat Farm, Knox, has shown high levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as the "forever chemical," in both soil and water. PFAS and similar compounds are in thousands of consumer products, including some nonstick cookware, textiles that are water- or stain-resistant, cosmetics, firefighting foam, even microwave pocorn bags. They have been linked to health problems such as cancer, immune system suppression, kidney problems, and reproductive as well as developmental issues. While the Maine Legislature led the nation with a law passed in July 2021 to ban use of these chemicals by 2030, the extent of the existing problem is just starting to come into focus.

Both Songbird and New Beat farms are run by extremely hard-working couples with young children. All products from the farms have been taken off the market. The future of their farm life is uncertain; at a time when they would have been preparing to plant the season's crops, they are scrambling to get more information about these insidious chemicals (different crops have different uptakes) and figuring out how to survive economically and how to protect their families' health. It's heart-breaking that these farmers, who are committed to organic practices, have discovered that after years of working their land, it contains poisons. Although about 500 Maine sites have been identified as having had sludge applications, the extent of the problem in our state (and throughout the country) is not known; there are maps that show identified sludge-spreading sites at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website: 
https://maine.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=815b4093464c405daf7a17e43a1d9da7

Please read about the issue and support (call or write/email your legislators) two bills in the Maine Legislature:
LD 1911, which would close loopholes in the state's ban on land-based sludge spreading. (The bill was introduced by Rep. Bill Pluecker, Warren, who operates Hatchet Cove Farm.)

LD 1875, which would stop Casella Waste Systems and the ND Mill from dumping PFAS-laden landfill leachate into the Penobscot River, upstream from the Penobscot Nation. There is concern among some legislators about the costs associated with LD1875; the continued costs to the environment and to the indigenous community area already are too high! This truly is an issue about which citizens/ voters need to speak out.

There is more information on the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners website: https://www.mofga.org/advocacy/take-action-on-pfas/

Here is a link to a multi-farm PFAS Emergency Fund administered by MOFGA and Maine Farmland Trust:
https://www.mofga.org/support-the-pfas-emergency-fund/

Lincoln County representatives (more at legislature.maine.gov):
Jeffrey.Evangelos@legislature.maine.gov. (I-Friendship, towns of Friendship/part of Union/Waldoboro/ Washington) 832-7378

Michael.Lemelin@legislature.maine.gov (R-Chelsea, towns of Chelsea/Jefferson/part of Nobleboro/ Whitefield) 798-9399

Knox County representatives (more at legislature.maine.gov): Bill.Pluecker@legislature.maine.gov (I-Warren, towns of Appleton/Hope/Warren?part of Union) 273-3044

News This Week

Sunday Worship at Broad Bay
July 18 at 10 am In person and on Skype
Email us for the link.
Rev. Evelyn Clowes with music by April Reed Cox.

Take 4 Concert
Sunday, July 25th at 4PM, in Cushing
"Take 4" will perform an afternoon of chamber music at the Old South Church in Cushing. Take 4 consists of violinists Josie and Sophie Davis and Luke Fatora, and violist Colin Wheatley. The program features music from around the world and includes traditional Scottish and Irish tunes, Argentinian tango and Spanish lullabies, Viennese waltzes, and beloved arias. All of the music was chosen and arranged by the group to create an eclectic, joyful, and evocative afternoon of music. All are welcome - admission is by a suggested $10 donation.


Sabbatical
Nancy Duncan will be on Sabbatical and one week of educational leave from July 15--Oct 22.

Art and Scripture
Monday at 10:30
 

Next Sunday
July 25, 10 am worship via SKYPE and In Person at the Church. Rev. Evelyn Clowes continues the life of Moses.  Backstory: Exodus 3:1-6;  Lesson:  Exodus 3:7-20

Broad Bay Cookbook and Holder

Please join us in creating a great cook book to go with Raymond Anderson’s amazing cook book holders made from reclaimed wood from the Broad Bay narthex and the George’s home. 

The first order of business is to collect recipes! 

Attached is a recipe form that will provide a consistent format. There will be plenty of blank forms at the church as well. Just fill out the recipe form and get it back to Linda Brandt either physically, by email, or in the “recipe box” on the table in the current worship space downstairs at church.  Please feel free to submit as many recipes as you like!

Recipes will be accepted until April 18th to allow us to have time to edit, publish and get delivered in time for our first concert. The cook books and holders will be sold individually or as a set for a discounted price.

We have so many talented cooks and have shared a lot of amazing food together…let’s make a wonderful cookbook to go with Raymond’s incredible holders!

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

Easter Services

Palm Sunday 

Sunday, April 15: 10:00 am Worship

Did you know that there are no palms in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ entry into the Jerusalem? “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”  Matthew 21:8.  We will celebrate Matthew style with local branches.  Bring your own cloaks and branches to wave. 

Jesus transformed the temple a place of healing.  How do we work with God to create places of healing?  Barbara Bibro, pianist. Rev. Nancy Duncan, preaching.  Church school for Children. 

Thursday, April 18, Maundy Thursday

7:00 pm:  Music, Bread, and Cup

“This blessing takes one look at you and all it can say is holy.”  by Jan Richardson
In times of darkness, God’s light lives and is reflected in and through us. Come and share bread, cup and community.  Barbara Wright, harp and Mary Benner, soloist. Rev. Nancy Duncan, preaching and leading worship.
(Enter through front or ramp door.  Additional parking at library & Post Office) 

Good Friday: Entering the Darkness

Friday, April 19: 12 noon—3 pm 

Gather downstairs. Art supplies will be available; the sanctuary will be open for prayer. 

Easter Sunday: “Do not be Afraid”

Sunday April 21: 10 am Worship

Celebrate the empty tomb, the risen Christ, and the mystery of life and death and rebirth. Bring flowers or signs of new life to be displayed at the cross. Ina Wolovitz, organist.  Church School available for children. 

Every week, we receive and offer welcome and hospitality—a reminder of God’s love for us.

Thanks to everyone who makes this ministry possible with your presence, prayers, work, and dollars.