Be Awe-some

This title doesn't mean what you think it might mean. I'm not telling you to go out and be great, chase fame or capture your peak moments and carefully curate them on Facebook. This is an invitation to be awe-some, to open your heart to the daily experiences of wonderment. As I have learned to practice meditation, I realize how much of my time is spent not being truly present to what is happening around me. I catch myself moving through the day too rapidly, trying to tame my to-do list, which stubbornly grows weeds like my garden. Trying to catch up on the morning news; I miss the bird songs. I listen to someone's words without really hearing what they are trying to communicate. Traveling at the speed of Todd, I speed past the richness that could enliven my soul if I was more present.   

Awe is "the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world," according to psychologist Dacher Keltner.  Keltner recently wrote the best-seller, "Awe: The Transformative Power of Everyday Wonder." His book explores the importance of experiencing awe in our sense of well-being. "Twenty years into teaching happiness," he writes, "I have an answer: FIND AWE." I'm taking that as my quest.

Being in Boothbay Harbor regularly brings me to an awe-some moment. My twice-daily commute crosses two bridges between Barter's Island and Boothbay. I vowed that I would always pay attention to the view as a spiritual practice. In winter, I often saw the orange sunset dipping into the water just off the rocky edges of Porter's Preserve. I can tell the stages of the tide by looking at the shipwreck off Hodgson's Island. I may see the whole structure of the hull in the morning and only the cabin's roof in the evening. In just a year, I see the tides claiming the ship piece by piece back into the sea. It reminds me that life is constantly rising and falling. I want the daily enjoyment and wonder before it is all gone. 

Awe requires us to be in the moment and mindfully pay attention. Exploring nature is one of the easiest ways to do this. Walking in one of our many Land Trust Preserves can be a spiritual practice if we allow our attention to engage with the life around us. At Oven's Mouth, you might notice an oak tree growing out of a rock, slowly splitting it open as it matures. My wife, Jeanne, and I are starting a daily practice of watching the sun go down. Fortunately, We have a westerly view across the Sheepscot River, which offers a daily light show. But we must be watching at the right moment. Often the best colors only last an instant and will disappear if I am distracted by getting something out of the dryer. Some evenings are cloudy, and we don't see much, but if we don't organize our lives to show up, then we will never know.  

This summer, "Be Awe-some" is our congregation's theme to remind us to connect with nature and each other. We will celebrate more of nature in our Sunday Services, find ways to gather outdoors and nurture our souls in our gardens, out on the water, or in the woods. We will offer different possibilities each week in our weekly email and on Realm. You may have some good ideas too. In July, I will start a sermon series on Creation and Eco-Spirituality. Together, let’s make this summer awe-some.

Pastor Todd

Rooted in God's unconditional love,

we welcome EVERYONE to grow with us,

cultivating faith, justice and joy.

During June, I will preach on each of the three phrases in our new mission statement, unanimously affirmed at our May 21 Congregational Meeting. I have looked for scripture passages that relate to some of the key phrases of our statement. My hope is to raise possibilities and questions about how we will grow as a congregation as we seek to live into these words. 

June 4 | Communion Sunday

Mission Statement I: Rooted in God's Unconditional Love

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:17-18)

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

June 11 | Confirmation Sunday

Mission Statement II: We Welcome Everyone to Grow with Us

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)

June 18 | Music Sunday | Father's Day

Mission Statement III: Cultivating Faith, Justice, and Joy

"Then he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So, he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, "For three years now, I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?" "Sir," the man replied, "leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down." '" (Luke 13:6-9)

June 25 | UCC Open and Affirming Sunday (ONA)

This Sunday, we celebrate the vision of being an ONA Church for LGBTQI+ people. Watch for more information on the Lincoln County Pride March in Damariscotta on Saturday, June 24.

Sermon: "Where the Welcome Meets the Road"



"As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" (Acts 8:26-40)

Mark your calendars for the

Workers from Away Reception

Monday, June 19, from Noon-2:00 PM

The Congregational Church’s Mission Committee has a long history of welcoming summer workers from near and far to our community by hosting a lunch gathering and gifting them with non-perishable treats and, most importantly, resources available for them to ensure a safe and welcoming experience in our community. This has included resources for housing issues, health care, police protection, bicycle loans by Rotary for their transportation, domestic violence protection, and activities at the YMCA.

Our hope is to promote peace and international understanding through fellowship with our guests. Please join us.

Please sign up to bring the following:

• soup
• baked chicken, chicken dishes
• rice dishes
• fruit, salad or whole
• rolls or bread (by the dozen)
• cookies or bars (by the dozen)
• set-up/clean-up

Avoid Pork products, casseroles, or sauces that may be hard to recognize, or food that is quintessentially American (such as peanut butter!). We expect 40-50 guests.

Come and mingle with our guests!

A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, or you may click the button below to sign up online.

Church Life & Education

Call the church for Zoom links.

Adult Education

Classes will resume in the Fall

Bible Study

NOON on Mondays

Book & Meditation

6:30 AM Tuesdays

Men's Breakfast

8:00 AM on the first Monday of every month

Baker's Way

Spouse Support Group

2:00 PM Wednesdays

Bells Rehearsal

2:00 to 3:30 PM Thursdays

Chapel

Summer break will begin June 19

Choir Rehearsal

4:30 to 6:00 PM Thursdays

Sanctuary

Summer Choir will begin after June 18