BRUNSWICK — Acclaimed performer Goldee Greene will breathe new life into three largely-forgotten 19th century African-American opera divas, who performed at the White House, Buckingham Palace and Steinway Hall. Ms. Greene, an awardwinning lyric-dramatic soprano and Off-Broadway playwright, premieres her new solo opera/theater work, “Even Before Marian: Black Opera Divas of the 19th Century,” at […]

Despite losses, God is still trustworthy Losing someone you love often disturbs your relationship not just with them, but with God. Four years ago this February, my husband and I lost our beloved daughter Ruth, shortly before she turned 8. This winter I lost my vibrant, hardworking missionary mom to cancer at the age of […]

BRUNSWICK — Sometimes it is the ancient practices of the Christian faith which touch the lives of modern people. Beginning Feb. 22, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be offering “Risky Journeys: Celtic Evening Prayer Inspired by Brendan the Navigator (c. 486-575).” St. Brendan the Navigator is one of the best loved of all the Celtic […]

For the sixth year running, people worldwide are gearing up for Lent Madness, the “saintly smackdown” in which thirty-two saints do battle to win the coveted Golden Halo. “Calling itself the world’s most popular online Lenten devotion, Lent Madness brings together cut-throat competition, the lives of the saints, humor and the chance to see how […]

As children grow up, parents reflect: Did we do enough? People said it would go fast, these years of raising children. I was sure they were wrong. Maybe because for many years we homeschooled, or because we had six children, or because our daughter Ruth had profound special needs — but some days dragged by […]

BRUNSWICK — Ash Wednesday services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Imposition of ashes and Holy Communion are open to all who choose to participate. Good Shepherd is located at 330 Maine St.

BRUNSWICK — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick will host its third annual Red Cross Blood Drive in its parish Great Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 1-6 p.m. Donors are urgently needed due to the extensive winter storms and an ongoing strong demand for blood. Healthy individuals who are at least 16 are eligibility. […]

Keeping perspective on Valentine’s Day The first Valentine’s Day flowers I received were during my freshmen year at a small Bible school in Rhode Island. All day, floral delivery drivers crisscrossed the school grounds, delivering bright bouquets to triumphant classmates. I’d been dating the same boy for less than a year and wasn’t sure what […]

BRUNSWICK — As part of its “Windows On … Food” educational series, First Parish Church, UCC, welcomed three panelists to discuss food insecurity on Sunday, Feb. 8. State Sen. Justin Alfond spoke about the issue of food insecurity among Maine’s children. Alex Petroff, founder of Working Villages International, shared his work trying to alleviate hunger […]

PITTSBURGH An appeals court has ruled that the birth control coverage required by federal health care reforms does not violate the rights of several religious groups because they can seek reasonable accommodations. Two western Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses and a private Christian college had challenged the birth control coverage mandates and won lower-court decisions. However, the […]