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Minister’s Musings by Rev. Julie Lombard

September’s worship theme is the gift of Welcome. Ponder this: What instances in your life have made you feel welcomed? What was that experience like?



There are many ways to experience welcome. Perhaps you prefer the term hospitality. Theologian Joan D. Chittister said, “Hospitality is simply love on the loose.” Is that true for you? And I wonder if welcome on the loose is here? From my perspective, with new eyes, love is on the loose in this church. Your task is to first find it and feel it. Then embody it, and finally, give it all away. Chittister says this kind of welcome and hospitality is the key to new ideas, new friends, and new possibilities. What we take into our lives changes us. Without change, we’re imprisoned inside ourselves.

Octavia Butler said it like this: “Everything you touch you change. Everything you change changes you. The only everlasting truth is change. God is change.” So, welcome in the Spirit of Life, God of Change. If you are one who stumbles on words like “God”, Butler added, “A victim of God may through learning adaption become a partner of God, a victim of God may through forethought and planning become a shaper of God, or a victim of God may through shortsightedness and fear remain God’s victim, God’s plaything, God’s prey.”

We have choice. One has the power to reframe a story. My only concern is that if one does that, and strays too far from the ultimate truth, they may struggle with the new story -- more so if it’s not in alignment with the truth. We’d rather imagine ourselves being a co-partner or co-shaper rather than be some plaything. Choose wisely and let your heart guide you. Be the shaper of the life you want to create.

When I think of welcome, my mind races to my first visits with the Rai family when I was serving on a team of church folks resettling Bhutanese refugees. It was time for me to meet and welcome them. I had skipped the airport pickup figuring they’d be too tired and confused. So, I went alone to their apartment. I was nervous when I knocked on their door. I was quickly ushered in by a cluster of people half my size. Suddenly, I was drinking tea and I had a small child sitting on my lap. The only English speaking person asked me if I had children. I assured the Rai’s my children would be with me when I returned. My reply made the family smile with ease. Children are a sign of welcome. Silly me, I chose not to bring my children to that first visit.

The Rai family welcomed my family in immeasurable ways, but when you invite someone into your life, you are changed, they are changed. Everything changes. When Afghans began pouring in after the withdrawal two years ago, I reached out to the state resettlement office and shared that I had resettlement experience. It was like getting a ticket to the front of the line. Soon after, an Afghan refugee family of nine was temporarily living with me in the parsonage until they were relocated into an apartment of their own.

Faith calls us to warmly welcome in the stranger, to love our neighbor, to care for the lost soul and the downtrodden. They are the blessed ones we’ve heard about in the Beatitudes. These are the ones who need our welcome the most. So, in the month ahead, ponder the idea of welcome and question everything about it. Perhaps it’s time to welcome in some change.  

From the President's Desk

Hello September, and welcome to another year at UUCM!

While it has been a very short and super busy summer for me, I’m feeling reinvigorated, and inspired by the start of the new church year. As far as “typical summers" away from UUCM go, the Board and I have been busier than ever. Here are a few highlights.

Incoming and outgoing board members have been meeting with our Congregational Consultant, Paul Nickerson, to work on strategic planning. We are taking a deep dive into Milford's demographics. We’ve been looking into how we can more effectively reach out to the community and meet folks where they are rather than wait for them to cross our threshold. We’re also discussing how we can effectively partner with other organizations that align with our mission so that we don’t have to be spread so thin or keep reinventing the wheel. And the wheels are already turning! In short, we are working on how we can serve the greatest need and continue to build beloved community.

We welcomed our new minister, Rev. Julie Lombard, on August 1st. She has already reached out and met with many of us. Those who haven’t met her yet will get the opportunity, and quite possibly enjoy some type of a birthday celebration with her at Ferry Beach.

The search for our Music Director is underway, and in the meantime, many folks are stepping up big time to cover music for worship. Yay! Shared ministry!

Speaking of stepping up, I’ve heard that the community suppers have been well attended. Our minister reports that the team from UUCM providing the dinner was as impressive as the attending crowd. Folks truly appreciate the chance to gather and share a meal. That’s “welcoming” in a nutshell. Well done! Shared ministry! Draw the circle wide, and continue building that beloved community of care!

Keep an eye on every Friday’s Weekly Update for the latest information on all that’s going on. We’ve got a lot of great stuff in store this year!  

~ Scott Blanchard

September’s Worship Theme - The Gift of Welcome

There is a deep spiritual connection between the smallness of self and the expansiveness of relationship. It’s a curious and wonderful truth: the road to a wider welcome often starts with limiting our own size. By becoming “smaller,” we paradoxically are better able to welcome in and receive the gift of “more.” Read more.

September Worship Services

Summer Services continue through September 10.

Regular Sunday Services resume at 10:30am on September 17 (in person and on Zoom)

Sept. 3 - The Woods in Summer (Video)

Nancy Baker, Worship Committee                  

This is the final summer service in video format, posted on YouTube to view between Sept 3-10. It is about how we shelter our spirits in the woods in summer – how we meander or climb or sit in silence while we let go of the world around us and let the woods nurture us in peace. The woods embrace us without prejudice and show us that we can be stretched physically and spiritually. This service lasts about 25 minutes and include images, music, poetry and a meditation intended to let you relax, engage your memories of summer and take time out from your otherwise busy day.  

Sept. 10 @ Ferry Beach - Reversing the Curse

Rev. Julie Lombard - After breakfast in the Grove

Have you heard of the Saco River Curse? It comes from tales told from long ago when indigenous people and Europeans were first meeting on the banks of what’s been named the River of Death. Some of those gatherings went well while others did not. How we welcome the new faces we encounter says a lot about who we are and what we value. In this remote setting, we’ll explore the curse of Chief Saco, recognize what occurred, and look for opportunities for redemption, restoration, and reciprocity wherever possible. 

Sept. 10 @ UUCM - Come, Come Whoever You Are

9:30am with Nancy Baker in the Sanctuary and on Zoom

What do we mean when we say welcome? Are we reaching out or gathering in? As we bring our summer services to a close, we’ll consider how we make new beginnings while cherishing the memories that make us strong and purposeful and loving. This is a full service with supporting media and a familiar liturgy. Whether you have been coming to UUCM for years or are wondering what we are all about, you are not just welcome, you are a valued addition to our evolving congregational self. 

Sept. 17 - Water Communion - Welcome Back!

10:30am with Rev. Julie Lombard

We welcome all who gather in the fullness of this shared ministry by bringing water from the various paths we’ve taken since we were last together. This annual Water Communion is a reverent ritual marking our faithful return. All are invited to bring water with special significance from near and far. Perhaps you traveled or maybe you are bringing water from your kitchen sink. You decide what the sacred source is. Poured into a common bowl, these waters signify the sacredness of our coming together. It’s a celebration and blessing of our unity. The water is later repurposed for future blessings. Come, come, whoever you are to explore the importance of both welcome and water in a way that may change the way you look at it.

Sept. 24 - Holy Disruption

10:30am with Rev. Julie Lombard

Christine Valters Paintner says, “The divine is that power which disrupts everything.” She asks, “What if our practice was to court a holy disruption? To welcome in everything which challenges our perspective on how the world works, which upsets the plans we have for ourselves, and turns them on their heads?” She got this idea from hearing Carl Jung say that he began calling the Divine all those "things which cross my willful path violently and recklessly, all things which upset my subjective views, plans and intentions, and change the course of my life for better or for worse." Today, we will look at welcome as a holy disruption that comes to shake things up. Join us!

Participate in Sunday Services

On Sundays from September through June, congregants are encouraged to partipate in/help with various aspects of the service that we all enjoy. Sign up to be a Worship Reader, Garden Door Greeter, Bring Sunday Snacks, Help with Coffee Hour setup or cleanup, and Take the Collection.  Your help will be truly appreciated by the Worship Team and Hospitality Committee.  Sign up here.

September Happenings

You're Invited to a Brainstorming Session!

Wednesday, September 6, 4pm

The Climate Action Team (CAT) is meeting via Zoom to brainstorm a variety of events for the coming year. You don't need to join the team, but we'd like to hear your ideas. The more the better! Some thoughts are: having a Halloween vegan potluck and masquerade dance party, ongoing vegan potlucks, a movie series, a book club, Green Sanctuary improvements, and contributing however we can to the Climate March in NYC on September 17. If interested, send email to climate@uucm.org or contact a CAT Team member. 

Community Sing-Along

Thursday, September 14, 7-9:30pm

All are welcome to a singalong and jam session using the Rise Again Songbooks with songs we all love to sing. Instrumentalists and voices of all sorts are welcome! Even you! Songbooks are available, but feel free to bring ten copies of your favorite song lyrics (music or chords optional).

Need more information? Contact: Amy Conley

Community Supper

Wednesday, September 20, 5:30-6:30pm

Take a night off from cooking and join some friends at church for supper! The menu changes monthly, and we always offer a vegetarian option. Questions? Or want to volunteer to help? Contact Nancy Danzinger.

An Evening of Music and French Cuisine

Saturday, September 23, 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Join Ellie Davis and Company for an evening of music, stories, connection, and bonheur (feeling good), and of course, de la bonne bouffe (good food)!

THE MENU (from 5:30pm)

A homemade, three-course French meal of appetizers (apéro), vegetarian ratatouille, and authentic dessert crêpes. Apéro starts at 5:30pm, dinner at 6:15pm. Vegan and gluten-free options available. Wine available. Dessert is included in the concert-only ticket price.

THE CONCERT (7:30pm)

Ellie Davis, daughter of Jackie and Rick Davis, attended UUCM her entire childhood. She has lived in Scotland and Ireland, and now lives in Brittany, France. An accomplished singer-songwriter, Ellie returns for a visit to share her experiences through original compositions and well-loved French songs, played on guitar, fiddle, loop station, and featuring a special guest with vocal percussion.

TICKETS: Get yours online today through Ticket Tailor!

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Ferry Beach Scholarship Fund!

• Concert & Dinner: Adults $35; Seniors $25; Children (5-12) $15; Under 5 free
• Concert & Dessert: Adults $20; Seniors $15; Children (5-12) $10; Under 5 free

Questions? Contact Ellie at elmdavis222@gmail.com 

Looking forward to seeing you there! All are welcome, so bring your friends!

Free Movie!

Saturday Sept 30 @ 6:30pm

Milford Pride is hosting a free screening of the movie Nimona at UUCM in Barnum Hall.

Doors open at 6:30pm; movie begins at 7pm. 

Free Admission with cash snack bar. 

*ALL are welcome!*

Reminders As We Begin Another Church Year!

• Parking at UUCM - Parking between UUCM and Bridges and behind Bridges is LIMITED other than on Sunday. Be a Good Neighbor, and read the restrictions here.
• Borrowing from UUCM - Members are permitted to borrow some items (like tables) for brief periods. If you do, please complete this form FIRST. And Thanks!
• Meeting Organizers - You are responsible for shutting off lights and making sure windows are closed and outside doors are secure.

Congregational Administrator's Maternity Leave 

Our Congregational Administrator, Jamie Ferrier, is nearing her maternity leave (around the end of September). For the first two weeks, the office will be closed, after which the office will be fully remote for several more weeks. Please keep an eye on the weekly email for details.

If you need to contact her, please email office@uucm.org or leave a message on the office phone (603-673-1870, ext. 1) and she will get back to you. If you need immediate assistance, please contact Rev. Julie on her cell (603-724-0978). Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. 

To contact UUCM leadership:

• Jamie, our administrator, can be reached at 603-673-1870 or at office@uucm.org. It's best to call ahead before coming to UUCM.
• Rev. Julie can be reached at minister@uucm.org or call 603-673-1870 x2. For time sensitive or urgent situations, text or call Rev. Julie at (603) 724-0978
• The UUCM Board can be reached at board@uucm.org.

For Pastoral Care Assistance in September:

Contact Karen Walsh or office@uucm.org.

SHARE Needs Your Support in September

This month, please purchase Pancake Mix & Syrup, Condiments, Cooking Sauces & Seasonings, Cooking Oil, Jelly, Cold Cereal for the Food Pantry at SHARE. Leave items in the basket in Barnum Hall, or click to see where to drop off food donations.

Find it on UUCM.org

The easiest and quickest way to find information on our website is to use the Search feature. Enter a word or two into the search box located at the upper right on any page.

UUCM 603-673-1870 office@uucm.org