There are many manifestations of ecology—from the science of ecosystems to ecological lifestyles, value systems, business strategies, politics, and finally, philosophy. Specifically, there is now a philosophical school known as “deep ecology,” which was founded in the early 1970s by the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. Deep ecology does not see the world as a collection of isolated objects, but rather as a network of phenomena that are fundamentally interconnected and interdependent. It recognizes the intrinsic value of all living beings and views humans—in the celebrated words of Chief Seattle—as just one particular strand in the web of life. This is a philosophy that engenders a profound sense of connectedness, of context, of relationships, of belonging. At this deep level, ecology merges with spirituality, because the experience of being connected with all of nature, of belonging to the universe, is the very essence of spirituality. . . Our spiritual moments are those moments when we feel most intensely alive. The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism, Fritjof Capra, 1975 Dear CUFers, What does all this mean? It means that YOU are “one particular strand in the web of life”! You belong! You are part of who we are! You are connected, and how your spiritual life is going at the moment might just reflect how your surroundings are looking at the moment. Take a look outside. At last, at last, spring is coming to Maine! But, do you see organization, neatness, beauty and loveliness? Hmmm…perhaps not, and surely it makes us want to grab a rake and get out there! Think back to last fall as the darkness closed in. Every home, every building, every yard was neat as a pin—all ready for the Christmas wreaths and lights! Well, here in Maine, the winters are long, and now, as we look around, there are not only piles of blackened snow, but also dead leaves and fallen branches. There is litter. There are stones out of place. Salt and sand and dirt cover the walkways. Our energy and time seem needed everywhere--and our church is no exception! So, whether you are de-cluttering your home with author Marie “KonMari” Kondo or deep into mystic physics with Fritjof Capra, plan to embrace and enhance your spiritual life by being part of CUF’s annual spring, Earth Day clean-up on Sunday after worship on April 10!

See you in church! Lorna

The Reverend Lornagrace Grenfell

CUF Earth Day Clean-Up! After Worship and Coffee Hour

Sunday, April 10th Wear your old clothes to worship!

Bring your rakes, brooms and gloves! Enhance your spiritual life—

get down and dirty outside with the kids!

The

Church of Universal Fellowship April 2016

82 Main Street Orono, Maine 04473

207-866-3655

email: cufoffice@icloud.com

web address: churchofuniversalfellowship.org

Minister’s Message 1

Around CUF 2

Music with Mission 3

Adult Education 4

Upcoming Events 5

State of Grace 5

Book Night 5

Movie Night 5

Alliance 5

YAWP 6

 

Congratulations to Sandy Caron on the publication of her newest book:

Birds and the Bees and more: how babies are made and families form

and Congratulations to Nancy Leavitt

“calligrapher and book artist, for her unique and inspiring artistic creations”

one of the three 2016 recipients of the University of Maine’s

Maryann Hartman Awards and

Congratulations to Trent Lick Maine Class B High School Hockey Rookie of the Year

Around CUF . . . Many people prepared for the highest holy day of our faith. Dot Turner polished up the candlesticks, and Barbara created a new pew card with up-to-date photos of the children! Annie Homola was patient with us once again as we created the lovely Ukranian designs at the Pysanky Egg Workshop. Our Lenten journey was made so meaningful by our six CUFers presenting their “Moment of Truth”: Will Hunter, Judy Kuhns-Hastings, Erin Ellis, Mark Bilyk, Dot Turner, and George Smith. Thank you!... All four Holy Week worship experiences led us onwards. Susan and Trudy carefully prepared the palms! Dozens of coats were collected on Palm Sunday and taken to the Thrift Shop! The Maundy Thursday ritual Blessings of Water filled the sanctuary with murmurings of “You are a child of God” and “There is new life ahead.” We thank Darren, Barbara, Will, Judy, Emily and Trudy! Thanks to Shelley Gilman, our shared meal was wonderfully filled with many delicious dishes brought by you all. We sang, we prayed, we had communion around the tables. Good Friday was solemn as the candles were extinguished, and we thank the readers, Ed, Connie, Rachel, Carolyn, Emily, Barbara and Dot. Fred Heath gifted us with Beethoven on the euphonium. The Sunrise Service was well-attended, and we enjoyed being with the Methodists for breakfast! And Easter Sunday at 10:15—well, what can we say! Derek Willette was superb with the Handel prelude, The Trumpet Shall Sound, the memorial and honoring lilies were beautiful, the brass quintet was incredible, and the children taught us all about Planet Nine! And for the benediction, Molly directed us all in singing the Hallelujah Chorus! Easter--a joyous and faith-filled time!

Cards of Condolence On the death of his brother JimJim Howe

to Donald Howe 69 Marginal St., Orono, ME 04473

On the death of their father Leland Lowery to Steven Lowery

P.O. Box 306, High Rolls, NM 88325 to Susan Hamlin

6135 Rte 55 E., Liberty, NY 12754 to Mickail Lowery

39 Longmeadow Dr., Delmar, NY 12054 to Kenneth Lowery

240 Station Rd, Monticello, ME 04760 to Christine Pesham

35 Brookside Ave, Greenfield, MA 01301

On the death of their mother Shirley Oliver to Sharon Oliver

798 Kenduskeag Ave., Bangor ME 04401 to Susan Oliver

963 Aqua Dr., Gallatin, TN 37066

April Gospel Lessons (Year C) April 3: John 20:19-31 April 10: John 21:1-19 April 17: John 10:22-30 April 24: John 13:31-35

Cards of love and encouragement to: Kathy Barry

622 Bennoch Rd., Old Town, ME 04468

Carl Gridley P.O. Box 67, Orono, ME 04473

Lorraine Lick 44 Kelley Road, Orono, ME 04473

Gloria Leighton 326 Main Rd. , Passadumkeag, ME 04475

Dennis Mann P.O. Box 61, Passadumkeag, ME 044755

Sandra Warner 86 Forest Ave., Orono, ME 04473

? Who ? Who ? Who ? Who ? How well do you know your church family? Can you discover the answer to this month’s challenge? Ask around! Talk to people! April Challenge: What CUF couple has a son teaching a STEM program and environmental science in Seoul, Korea? March Challenge: Which CUF Dad was taken by his wife to NYC’s Madison Square Garden to a Phish Concert to celebrate his 50th birthday?

Answer: Will Hunter!

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Music with a Mission! It’s going to be a musical spring at CUF !

CUF has four Music with a Mission concerts scheduled.

The suggested donation for each concert is $10. One third of the proceeds will go to the performer(s), one third to the “mission” of the performer’s

choice, and one third to The Church of Universal Fellowship.

All concerts will be in the Sanctuary at The Church of Universal Fellowship. Please put these dates on your calendar

and be ready for some wonderful entertainment! Saturday, April 30, at 7 pm

"O Belle Nuit", a Vocal Recital Molly Abrams, soprano and Catharine Cloutier, mezzo-soprano

Both Molly and Catharine have sung for worship services at CUF. Don’t miss this evening of beautiful music! The Mission: Stillwater Community Arts

Sunday, May 1, at 3 pm

Palaver Strings Palaver Strings, a musician-led string orchestra, was formed in 2014 by a group of young musicians from

the Boston area dedicated to the collaborative interpretation of masterworks of the classical repertoire. One of those musicians is Orono’s own Nikolai Renedo!

The Mission: Stillwater Community Arts

Sunday, May 15, at 7 pm

The Maine Steiners The Maine Steiners are UMaine’s premiere all male acapella group. Founded in 1957.

Steiners is a completely student run and directed organization. The Mission: The Maine Steiners Endowed Scholarship Fund

Saturday, June 11, at 7 pm

An Evening of French Music Patricia Stowell, piano Marissa Solomon, cello Nathan Lesser, violin The Mission: TBA

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Kairos Palestine Bible Study 2:00-3:30 p.m. ~ Thursdays ~ April 28, May 5, May 12

The Rev. Darren Morgan, leader

For all times and in all places, the Church is called to pray and serve; to be prophetic and speak courageously, honestly, and lovingly in the midst of daily events. In December 2009, Palestinian Christians sent out a plea to the churches of the world and to people of good will everywhere. It was a cry from the heart, issued from the City of Bethlehem in what is known as the Kairos Palestine document, A Moment of Truth: A word of faith and hope from the heart of Palestinian suffering. This document comes after a long period of discernment about what to say, given the ongoing realities of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. What is Kairos? The Greek word Kairos refers to a moment in time, a moment when God is present in opportunity, when the world’s axis is the Word of God. It affirms that the moment to speak truth is now! Given the polarizing nature of the many concerns involving Israel and Palestine, it is sometimes difficult to have thoughtful and respectful discussions on the issues of annexation, military occupation, settlements, and the overall peace process. In this three-week Bible Study, we will have a meaningful discussion of Kairos Palestine to better understand the voices of Palestinian Christians, examine the geo-political situation of the region, and prayerfully consider the issues involved. Please join Rev. Darren, Rev. Lorna and the Bible Study Group for these three Thursday meetings!

A short booklet to preview is available in the Church Office.

Church of Universal Fellowship

Adult Education-Spring 2016 April 4, Mon. at 7:00 pm in the Gath. Place Mon.Book Night: The Burgess Boys by Elisabeth Strout

April 17, Sun. at #12:10 pm in the Vestry Slideshow: Trip to Israel Host: Kelly Quagliotti April 18, Mon. at 5:30 pm in the Gath. Pl. State of Grace Book Grp:The Walk: A Novel by R. Evans

April 28, Thur. at 2:00 pm in the Library Kairos Palestine Bible Study Rev. Darren, Leader May 2, Mon. at 7:00 pm in the Gath. Pl. Mon. Book Night: The Absolutely True Diary of the Part- Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Host: Alma Homola

May 5, Thur. at 2:00 pm in the Library Kairos Palestine Bible Study Rev.Darren, Leader May 12, Thur. at 2:00 pm in the Library Kairos Palestine Bible Study Rev.Darren, Leader May 15, Sun. at #12:10 pm in the Library The Theology of Frederick Buechner Will Hunter, Leader

May 16, Monday at 5:30 pm in the Gath. Pl. State of Grace Book Group: The Winter House

5

Monday Book Night 7:00 pm in the Gathering Place

All welcome! April 4, The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout May 2, The Absolutely True Diary of the Part- Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

State of Grace Women’s Book Group

April 18 – The Walk: A Novel by Richard Paul Evans May 16 – The Winter House by Joan MacCracken Join us for either of these discussions. We meet at 5:30 pm in the Gathering Place and share discussion, laughs and often pizza too! Call Irene von Hoffmann at 866-2879 for more information. All welcome!

This month the Library features books on understanding the Bible: how it was written, who wrote it, how to read it. Books are on the wooden book holder to the left and may be signed out on the clipboard on the library table. People are also encouraged to borrow Bibles that we have several copies of.

Running an errand? Be an angel and give someone a ride to a medical appointment at the same time. Call Orono Health Association at 866-4648 to get connected!

~ Thanks for all your prayers and cards while I was recovering from leg wounds. I am happy to say that the wounds are healed and I am now walking and coming to church, which I have missed terribly. The speedy delivery of the sermon DVDs was special and much appreciated. Thanks for your concern. Alida

Movie Night Friday, April 29, 6:30pm, MacKenzie Room,

Hosts: Connie Carter and Ed Brazee

Delving deeply into the often misunderstood and frequently overlooked historic realities of the American Indians, this documentary follows the terrifying and horrific abuses instilled upon the Indigenous people of North America, and details the genocidal practices of the US government and its continuing effects on present day Indian country. Featuring interviews with the leading scholars and experts on Indian issues including controversial author Ward Churchill, the film brings together the past and present in a way never before captured so eloquently and boldly on film. Barbara Kates from Wabanaki Reach will facilitate a discussion of the movie at its conclusion. Barbara uses this movie in her work—training allies through Wabanaki Reach.

Tea, coffee and popcorn provided. If you can-please bring some goodies to share.

All welcome!

Alliance Meeting Tuesday, April 12, in the Gathering Place Please note the time change to 12:30 pm

Bring a bag lunch and enjoy desserts and beverages served by the hostess for the month. Erin St. Peter, Development and Outreach Coordinator at Four Directions Maine in Orono will talk to us about “Improving the social and economic conditions of Native Americans in Maine”. Erin was a member of YAWP and went with the group to New Orleans. All Welcome! We will have a short planning meeting for the Daffodil Luncheon following Erin’s presentation.

You can still bring disposable diapers for Indian Island children if you did not have a chance to

drop them off in February!

Service Group The Service Group meets Tuesday, April 11, 9:00 to 11:00 am in the MacKenzie Room. No sewing skills necessary. New crafters welcome!

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YAWPers appreciated all your help with their fundraiser at Moe’s BBQ! Thank you!

BAKE SALE! Support our YAWPers NEXT SUNDAY!

April 10 at Coffee Hour in the Gathering Place. Buy some yummy goodies to benefit YAWP’s service trip to New Orleans

to rebuild houses for victims of Hurricane Katrina!

AAUW 65th Annual Book Sale Saturday, April 9, 2016

9:00 am to 2:00 pm Free Admission 8:00 am to 9:00 am Early Admission $10

Church of Universal Fellowship

Lots of Crafts and Cook Books Children’s Books

Art and Collectibles Large Print Books

Snack Shack serving goodies for donation! Now accepting book donations by calling 866-4348

or drop books at the church April 6 to 9th. This eagerly anticipated book sale is a non-profit fundraiser of the

Penobscot Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women