David Hutchinson, Minister,

November 14, 2020

In a world of ubiquitous choices how do we manage the numerous options available to us without being overwhelmed? Sometimes it’s enough to make our head spin. This week we will look at over-choice and under-choice and try a method that will help keep our head facing one direction at a time. I hope you can join us for the service. 

This week “On This Train” (Rosiland Morgan, David Carter and John Pasquarelli) is providing special music for the Sunday Service and the title of my talk is “Choices…”  The recorded parlor service will be available to view at 10AM on Sunday morning and archived so it can be watched later at your convenience.  I will send out the service link to YouTube later today and the link will be live on Sunday morning at 9:45AM (in case you want to come to the service early).  If you subscribe to our YouTube channel you can locate it automatically on your YouTube home page under subscriptions. The 10AM service will be followed by a Zoom coffee hour and check-in at 11AM for those who are interested in discussing the service or just want to check in. I’ll send the Zoom links out today. Have a great week-end everyone!

Practice patience and kindness.

In Ministry,

Dave

Virtual Offering Plate

If you would like to send in your pledge or donation (we still have to pay the bills) simply drop an envelope in the mail. The address is listed below.  

Thank you from the treasurers!

Mary Blocher

1124 Calais Road

Houlton, ME  04730

Greetings from UUA President:

As we draw closer to the end of a year that has been full of challenges and heartbreak, I am grateful for the ways we have shown up for each other and for our communities. This year has made clear that our faith is not bound by the walls of a building. We connected with each other virtually in imaginative new ways and reached out to millions of people through UU the Vote during the historic election season. This spirit of creativity, impact and perseverance in times of great challenge and change is critical now as we look ahead. Many hearts ache as we anticipate Thanksgiving and the winter holidays in the midst of a global pandemic. We know that many plans and treasured traditions for gathering with family and friends must be cancelled or put on hold.

This year, let us be grateful in a genuine manner. Let our gratitude flow from our deep, ongoing commitment to justice and equity. Let our gratitude grow from the opportunities we have to be together authentically—whether virtually or in person. Please join me as we reimagine this day and gather in community to honor Indigenous ancestors, experiences and traditions. May it be a time to reflect and find meaning in how our shared values connect us.

Yours in faith and solidarity,

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

Resilience: Self-Care for Tough Times

BY SHAUNA SHAPIRO|  OCTOBER 14, 2020

Shauna Shapiro explains how to face difficult emotions, re-center, and find calm.

All of us can feel the impact of these uncertain and challenging times on our hearts and in our nervous systems. While there are parts of our current crisis that we cannot control, that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. When we’re up against change, uncertainty, and stress, resilience is the key to navigating life and emerging with more happiness and satisfaction.

We can cultivate resilience through the practices of mindfulness and compassion. This is the miracle of neuroplasticity—what you practice grows stronger. We can carve out pathways of greater clarity, courage, and compassion through practice.

The five steps below help us face difficult emotions, re-center, and find calm. These steps don’t have to be done perfectly. Think direction, not destination. The key is practice.

Meditation

1. NAME IT TO TAME IT

It’s helpful to remember that our emotions are here for a reason. They often serve as a smoke alarm, letting us know about an impending fire. When we ignore or repress our emotions, it can lead to bigger problems.

Mindfulness teaches us a different way to manage difficult emotions—to acknowledge and name what we feel. This is called “name it to tame it.” Research shows that when we acknowledge and name our emotions it allows the body to physiologically calm down. Naming an emotion puts the brakes on your reactivity, down-regulates the nervous system, and allows you to see clearly.

2. WELCOME YOUR EMOTIONS

Emotions have a limited time span, typically lasting for only thirty to ninety seconds. They arise, do their dance, and pass away, just like waves in the ocean. When we remember that this painful feeling will not last forever, it becomes more manageable.

Through practice, we can learn to welcome all of our emotions with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. This involves becoming interested in the emotion and the felt experience in the body. For example, you may feel sadness as a tightening in your throat, or fear as a contraction in your belly. All emotions have a signature in the body.

3. BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Self-compassion is not our typical response when we’re facing a challenge, have made a mistake, or are in pain. All too often, instead of kindness, we judge, shame, and criticize ourselves. But self-judgment and shame aren’t helpful. They actually shut down the learning centers of the brain and inhibit our ability to heal, change, and grow.

The antidote is self-compassion, learning to bring kindness to our pain. The easiest way to practice it is to treat ourselves as we would treat a dear friend facing a similar situation. The willingness to face the pain in ourselves and in life takes great courage. As we practice self-compassion, we learn not only to grow from our own struggles and sorrows, but also to connect with the suffering of others.

4. RECOGNIZE OUR COMMON HUMANITY

It’s natural to be feeling fearful and overwhelmed at this time. We’re not alone in our feelings. There are many others right now all over the world who are also frightened and overwhelmed. As we recognize our common humanity, our isolation begins to lessen, and we understand that we’re all in this together. It can be helpful to send compassion to both yourself and everyone else who is suffering.

5. PRACTICE, NOT PERFECT

The fifth step is to realize that you won’t do any of the first four steps perfectly. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about practice. Small changes lead to big shifts. In fact, one of the most important discoveries in brain science—neuroplasticity—shows that the brain has the ability to make new neural connections throughout life. This is a very hopeful message because it means that all of us have the capacity to change, heal, and grow. Perfection isn’t possible, but transformation is.

Joys & Concerns

When one of us is blessed we are all blessed.

When one of us experiences sorrow we all feel the pain.

Recent Birthday Celebrations!

Mary Annah Joy (Linda’s Mother)  85

Fred Griffith   (He was seen eating chocolate cake on zoom) 

Kalle Petroski came home from Eastern Maine Medical on Tuesday and is recovering at the house.

Please continue to send in joys and concerns during the week to revdav@mfx.net and I will post them on the Support Page.

On This Train is providing special music at the service this week:

John Pasquarelli, David Carter and Rosiland Morgan

The joy or the sorrow of one is shared by all. May our hearts be as one on this day.  Let us carry each thought or concern expressed in our heart and may the light of our love and compassion transform suffering into non suffering and ease the difficulties of life.  We radiate love and the light that we are.  Blessed are we all.

Prayer List

Leola Bishop

Elaine Robichaud 

Mary Annah Joy  (Linda’s Mother is at Leisure Garden in Presque Isle)

Richard Desautel

Deb Ball and her mother Delores Jackins

For those recovering from COVID-19 in the state of Maine

Local emergency personnel and hospital staff

For our state and national leaders as they respond to the current coronavirus crisis

For those working for social justice and societal change 

Kalle Petroski

The Four Limitless Ones Prayer

May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.

May we be free from suffering and the root of suffering.

May we not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering.

May we dwell in the great equanimity free from anger, aggression and exclusion.

UU Classifieds 

(transportation, helped needed, odd jobs, people to visit etc…)

Individuals available to help with transportation:

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Individuals available to assist with tasks:

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