Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends (Quakers) in Durham Maine strongly opposes the presidential executive action against refugee resettlement and entry into the United States from seven majority Muslim nations. As members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) we believe that “ there is that of God in every person.” We also believe in Jesus’ […]

ROME Pope Francis bowed his forehead to receive a dab of ashes, then smudged ashes in turn on the heads of other faithful during an Ash Wednesday service in an ancient Roman basilica. Ash Wednesday begins the Catholic Church’s annual Lenten period of reflection in preparation for Easter. The day’s rituals include rubbing ashes on […]

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” Luke 4:1-2 Lightening Up The season of Lent invites us to take stock of our lives. How are we progressing in our spiritual journey? Do we […]

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. Seacoast religious leaders said a recent cultural shift toward secularism has caused them to make significant changes, including altering their strategy for attracting members and consolidating churches. Secularism, which experts say has always been prevalent in New Hampshire and has continued to rise, have caused attendance to dwindle in many religious congregations. A […]

Growing up in rural churches, we never celebrated Lent. I’m not sure I even knew what it was before going off to college. Occasionally a pastor held a special service on Good Friday — the day Christ died. But that was it before donning our Easter finest to celebrate his resurrection on Easter morning. It […]

Jesus said to the disciples, “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 Choosing Greatness I do believe that God has gifted each of us with a certain measure of greatness. It is hidden within us and we just need to bring it out and use it […]

SCARBOROUGH On Sunday more than 100 members of the Muslim community will join more than 100 Catholics from parishes in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth to break bread, share time and build bridges. The event, named the “Building Bridges Dinner,” will be held at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Hall, located on 150 Black […]

It’s common in Maine to go it alone, especially in the frigid and often isolating months of winter. Neighbors — and even family members — tend to keep to themselves. Here, “You mind your business, and I’ll mind mine,” is often more than a motto. If we let it, it can easily become a way […]

LASALLE, ILL. On the last day of her March 2016 pilgrimage to Rome, Deb Myers of Utica, Illinois, hailed a cab to a small church near the historic Pantheon. She was paying a visit to an old friend — albeit one who’d been dead for 400 years. Myers, a teacher at Trinity Catholic Academy, is […]

The Neighborhood United Church of Christ will be holding a Mardi Grasthemed fundraiser on Friday, February 23 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The fundraiser is meant to benefit two ministries of the church–its Neighborhood Cafe and Open Mic Night. The Neighborhood Cafe is a ministry run by the church, although many of the volunteers are […]