Installation of our first settled Minister in 35 years

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Our Fellowship was founded 35 years ago as a lay-led congregation, and eventually hired a string of quarter-time consulting ministers. In 2013, the congregation went through its first formal search committee process and hired Rev. Erika Hewitt as a half-time consulting minister. Both of us — congregation and minister — quickly realized that our shared ministry was a perfect match between beautifully imperfect parties. The Fellowship voted unanimously to call Erika as their first settled minister in December 2017. Now we’re pulling out all the stops to celebrate this milestone in our congregation’s life.

This ceremony will be following the time-honored Unitarian Universalist tradition of celebrating settled ministry. Our principles and values will be present in the ceremony, with visiting UU clergy invited to speak, intentional hospitality to the surrounding congregations and community and with a worship service celebration of the congregation. Acclaimed UU singer Joe Jencks will provide the music for the ceremony, as well as a mini-concert preceding the service.

The installation service will take place on August 19, 2018 at 4 pm at Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, Maine.

Thank you for your generosity! Any amount will be gratefully appreciated.

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Over the past five years, our Fellowship has been transformed from a dwindling, insular congregation into a thriving beacon of Unitarian Universalist values. Our mission is to nurture spiritual growth, to engage in justice, and to love joyfully without limits -- and we're proud to say that we do all of these things on a continual basis. Our membership has increased by over 20%, and our attendance has grown by the same. The "buzz" is real!

Whereas our connection to Unitarian Universalist values and identity was once tenuous, we've worked hard to embrace the legacy of our UU faith and carry its values into the public square; we've also cultivated a strong sense of UU identity in our members -- including the many families who have found us and made their home with us.

As the only UU congregation on a 55-mile section of Maine's midcoast, we've become known in the community for showing up in brave and mighty ways. Our UU commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism is visible weekly, when our members hold an anti-racism vigil in the most public spot in our twin villages (a vigil that's been held every week for two years). We've hosted prominent events associated with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Pride; and Election Day.