WEST PARIS — While we are about midway through the spring season, the month of May feels like the true beginning of the season. Attending worship services is like beginning again, every Sunday. With varied topics to explore, being in community with others and spending time where we can feel at peace, there’s renewal, a beginning.
All are welcome to join in at the First Universalist Church of West Paris, Sundays at 9 a.m. Wearing a mask during worship services is now optional if one has received COVID-19 vaccinations.
Coffee hour is immediately following the service.
May services are:
May 1, “The One True Faith,” led by frequent guest speaker Cynthia Reedy. Based on two stories, the first story is that of Abraham and Isaac. This story is featured prominently in the Christian Bible, the Hebrew Torah, and the Muslim Quran. Why is this story so important to these three faiths? The second story is Nathan der Weise (Nathan the Wise) which was written by Gotthold Lessing in 1779. In this story which takes place during the Crusades, the sultan Saladin asks Nathan, a Jewish sage, to tell him which religion — Catholicism, Judaism, or Islam — is the true religion. Nathan’s reply is truly enlightened and carries a wonderful message for our own times.
May 8, “Motherhood: Life’s Biggest Gamble,” led by The Rev. Fayre Stephenson. Actress Gilda Radner said, “Motherhood is the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary — it’s an act of infinite optimism.” On this Mother’s Day Sunday, we will consider the holiday and explore the challenges of modern-day motherhood.
May 15, closed, as the congregation will visit the South Paris Universalist Church at 9:30 a.m.
May 22, “The Pursuit of Happiness,” led by The Rev. Fayre Stephenson. Our country’s Declaration of Independence tells us that we are endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Buddha tells us that “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” Join us as we search for the mystery of attaining happiness.
May 29, “Why Do You Hide Yourself in Times of Trouble?”, led by frequent guest speaker The Rev. Jennifer Wixson. Using Psalms, we will explore suffering and spirit.
For more information about the church and services, contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, [email protected], or Bob Clifford at 674-3442, [email protected]. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/.