“Memorial Dedication in Monument Park” 1909This Houlton photograph captures the dedication of a Civil War monument (which is still there today) on Memorial Day 1909. As you can see, the horses almost outnumber the people and it was a grand occasion on a beautiful day. All of the buildings in this photo were just recently constructed after the Great Fire of 1902, including the brand new Unitarian Church on the corner of Kelleran and Military. If you look just to the right of the front entrance, you will notice the “flat roof” section of the building had not been added as of yet and you can see the stone foundation that is currently part of the minister’s office or the stone room. It’s interesting how some things change, some things stay the same. Stephen Kinney leads the Sunday Service on the topic of God in the Age of Enlightenment. “God is Nature” is a comforting BELIEF for many. In the 17th century, however, philosopher Baruch Spinoza demonstrated that this is all we can KNOW of God. Though dangerous for him at the time. his rational arguments reset matters of faith—including our own Universalism—for future generations. YouTube Channel content for this week
is a service led by the minister
with organ music by Dale Holden on a hymn. The title of the message is “The Practice of Nature; How Nature Can Be a Model for Spiritual Development.” A short slide show is also included. We hope you can join us for one of the services online or in-person.
Alternate angle facing Cary Library to the north
Enjoy summer everyone!
In Ministry,
Dave
Connell House & Old County Courthouse Tour
Woodstock, New Brunswick
Friday, August 9 10 AM – 2PM
Our Woodstock day trip to the Connell House and Old County Courthouse is on Friday, August 9th. We will meet at the church around 10AM to organize a carpool with the tour starting at 11AM (Eastern Standard Time) in Woodstock. After the tour we plan to have lunch in Woodstock at The River Restaurant. There is a sign up list in the coffee room if you would like to join us. You can also register by sending me an emaildave@backwoodsblog.com
or Steve Kinney skinney4467@gmail.com Just a reminder that you will need to have either a current US passport or driver’s license plus birth certificate to present at the border.
THIS WEEK’S YOUTUBE SERVICE:
HERE IS THE SERVICE LINK FOR THIS WEEK’S YOUTUBE SERVICE
(Please note it won’t be active until 10AM on Sunday morning)
LINK WILL GO OUT LATER IN THE DAY
HERE IS THE ZOOM LINK FOR SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR:
Topic: UUHoulton zoom coffee hour & check-inTime: Aug 4, 2024 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/83077271581?pwd=NAvo65oG1iInvnNdmwbMTrrOsdih6n.1
Meeting ID: 830 7727 1581Passcode: 689058
Calendar of Events @UUHoultonAug 4 Sunday Service: Stephen KinneyAug 9 Woodstock Day Trip 10 AM Aug 11 Sunday Service: David HutchinsonAug 17 LGBTQ+ luncheon 12 NoonAug 17 Summer Concert at Cafe 7-9PM Mark Mandeville and Raiaane Richards Aug 18 Sunday Service: Bill WhiteAug 20 Meditation Group 4PM (online)Aug 25 Sunday Service: David Hutchinson
Virtual Offering Plate
If you would like to send in your pledge or donation simply drop an envelope in the mail. The address is listed below. You can also send your donation electronically with our new payment system on the church website. Simply go to uuhoulton.org and click “Donate” on the menu and it will explain how the system works. You can set up a regular monthly payment plan or donate in single transactions. Thank you for your generous support!
UU Church of Houlton
61 Military Street
Resilience: Self-Care for Tough Times
BY SHAUNA SHAPIRO|
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.
Shauna Shapiro
Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a professor at Santa Clara University. Her most recent book is Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity, and Joy.
POETRY CORNER
CHOICE
There isn’t a right answer.
There just isn’t. The game show
where the bells ring and the points
go up and the confetti falls
because you got the answer
is a lie. The preacher who would assure you
of how to attain salvation
is making it all up. The doctor
who knows just how to fix
what ails you will be sure
of something else tomorrow.
Every choice will
wound someone, heal someone,
build a wall and open a conversation.
Things will always happen
that you can’t foresee.
But you have to choose.
It’s all we have—that little rudder
that we employ in the midst
of all the eddies and rapids,
the current that pulls us
inexorably toward the sea.
The fact that you are swept along
by the river is no excuse.
Watch where you are going.
Lean in toward what you love.
When in doubt, tell the truth.
–Lynn Ungar
Prayer List
For those working for social justice and societal changePray for peaceful action and democratic process in our nationThe war in Ukraine continuesPrayers for those in Palestine and Israel as the war continues into its seventh monthPrayers for the worsening humanitarian crisis in GazaPrayers for those affected by the ongoing heat waves (India, Pakistan, Middle East, Europe and North America) Prayers for those affected by Hurricane Beryl Prayers for those affected by the forrest fires in western United States and Canada
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 delusion.
Comments are closed