BELFAST — Members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast (UUCB) celebrated the church’s twentieth birthday during Sunday’s service, followed by a potluck lunch and anniversary cake. Congregants, from founding members to new friends, shared memories and observations of the church’s contributions to the community, and its commitments toPeace Advocacy and personal spiritual growth.

Guest speakers included Reverend Pam Gross (minister from 2001-2009) and Reverend Richard Snyder, a longtime friend and frequent guest speaker at UUCB, Reverend Gross reminded members of several poignant moments from the past, and of the bold decisions that helped the congregation grow to 140 members and dozens of friends.  

Reverend Snyder offered celebratory words of wisdom, encouraging UU’s to never forget the importance of focusing on their sixth principle of “peace, liberty and justice for all.”  

Reverend Deane Perkins, the church’s resident minister of three years, offered congratulatory comments and extolled the congregation’s support of several youth service projects. Perkins shared a photo of a young Mayan boy in Guatemala whom the church is supporting through the Safe Passage project, where several UUCB youth volunteered this past summer.

People in attendance enjoyed several musical offerings by the talented UU choir, conducted by Music Director Lila Nation.

Founded in 1994, UUCB began with a small group of local citizens, meeting at Belfast resident Douglas Coffin’s home.  In the early years, church members met at the Dance Studio, the library’s “old” and “new” Abbott Rooms, Belfast Industries and the East Side School.  In 2001 the group joyfully settled into their current home when they rented and then purchased the Methodists’ former church on Miller Street.

The UUCB encompasses an inter-generational faith community, inspired by thought and spirit and grounded in love. The church’s mission is to honor differences and to foster peace, justice, and sustainability in themselves and their world. It is an LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation, and strives to create a welcoming environment for every person who walks through their doors.

Services and children’s religious exploration classes are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. at 37 Miller St., Belfast.

Contact: Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast, 37 Miller Street, Belfast, ME 04915, www.uubelfast.org, and email: office@uubelfast.org.