WEST PARIS — Maine in the month of May has to be one of the most hopeful and joyful places on Earth. It’s nature, and it’s the people all moving together toward making the most of our warm times. Please join us on Sundays, at 9 a.m. for a warm and joyful experience. Music is performed by Tom Coolidge. Refreshments following the service. All are welcome. Please note the summer schedule of worship services at the Universalist Church of West Sumner at the end of the West Paris May schedule. 

May 7, “Being Open to Surprises” led by Maryli Tiemann. Maryli will welcome spring with a humorous look at our human desire for guarantees in life.  “Sometimes we attempt to set up guarantees so we can feel no harm will ever happen to us.” We make detailed plans in many aspects of our days, especially in our desire for travel where we do not have details about the culture, geography, or history that make up our adventure.  Ironically, the surprises – even those we perceive as negative – are often the very things we vividly remember years later.

May 14, “The Complexity of Motherhood” led by The Rev. Fayre Stephenson. On this Mother’s Day we will reflect on how beautiful and complex it can be to a mother and to be mothered and we will reflect on the Mother’s Day holiday itself.

May 21, “The Quality of Mercy” led by The Rev. Fayre Stephenson. Webster’s tells us mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Abraham Lincoln said, “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” This service will be an exploration of the quality of mercy and its place in our lives today.

May 28, “Prayer and Prejudice” led by Jennifer Wixson. Have our prejudices caused us to cede prayer to the Christian Right? Reclaiming the power of prayer.

The following provides dates and speakers at the West Sumner Universalist Church summer worship services. The church is located at 1114 Main St. (Rt. 219), Sumner. The service is at 11 a.m., followed by lunch.                                                                                                       

July 9              Marilyn Hammond                             August 13       Rev. Scott Jones (Christening)

July 16            Chaplain David Thorpe                      August 20       Rev. Fayre Stephenson

July 23            Michael Miclon                                  August 26       Food Sale and Ticket Auction (Sat.)

July 30            Cindy Reedy                                       August 27       Rev. Fred Jordan

August 6         Rodney Abbott                        

For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Bob Clifford at 674-3442, [email protected]. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/.