WEST PARIS — It may be getting cold outside, but there is always warmth in community and sharing connectedness and experiences. Please join us on Sundays at 9 a.m. Music is performed by guitarist Davy Sturtevant. Refreshments following the services. All are welcome!

November 3, “See Life Steady and See it Whole,” led by guest speaker Bob Neal – a frequent speaker at our church. The title of Bob’s topic harkens to his roots in journalism, referring to the Greek tragedian Sophocles’ belief in fate and the will of the gods (he also believed in the importance of selflessness and morality).

November 10, continuing our poetry series with guest Sonja Johanson. Her topic is “Considering the Penultimate Month.” Using poetry as a vehicle to examine the ecological changes of late autumn, we consider how plants, animals, and people respond to the last moments before winter, and what lessons we can take into our own lives on observances, appreciation, and deceleration. Works explored may include poems by Stanley Kunitz, Mary Oliver, Hayden Carruth, and others. Sonja Johanson holds an MFA in poetry from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers, and her work appears in American Life in Poetry, Cincinnati Review, and Rhino. Her most recent chapbook is Rappaccini’s Garden (White Stag Press). Sonja lives and works as a horticulturist in Bethel.

November 17, “A Seditious Story,” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. His sermon will reexamine the familiar tale of the widow’s mite. Here’s an excerpt:
“I hate it when I learn that I may have been preaching something wrong for a very long time. That is precisely the case with the story of the poor widow placing her meager offering in the Temple treasury. It was many years before I discovered that I had been totally missing the point Jesus is making about this impoverished woman, but at least I was in good company. Almost everyone else misses it too. This story is not an admonition for everyone to give sacrificially. Jesus is not lifting her up as the supreme example of Christian stewardship, despite what will be preached in countless pulpits whenever this text is considered. It is rather, a disruptive, perhaps even a seditious story, one that will ultimately contribute to the crucifixion of Jesus.”

November 24, “Being Grateful,” led by the church’s worship service committee. At this time of year, of thanksgiving, we’ll focus on those times when we feel thankful for the good things in our lives. There are times when we may feel overwhelmed, and we may miss those moments of being grateful. We may not, as they say, take time to smell the roses. We’ll explore this through readings, hymns, and our own stories. This service will focus on the roses, and we hope those attending the service will share examples of being grateful.

For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/. The First Universalist Church of West Paris is located at 208 Main Street in West Paris.