Current Activities: In The News
Earh Day Candidates' Forum
A stellar lineup of local candidates for State office convened at the First Universalist Church in Rockland Saturday, in honor of Earth Day. Issues addressed included Moosehead Lake; ownership of water (both fresh and salt); and gratitude for the Earth. From left, Ed Mazurek, House District 47; Steve Dyer, House Distsrict 47; David Trahan, Senate District 20; Charles Kruger, House District 48; Arthur Tainter, House District 50; Andrew O'Brien, House District 44; and Peter Rines, Senate District 20. The forum was moderated by columnist Shlomit Auciello.
Photo by Eleanor Richardson
Multi-media Cosmic Mass Honors and Celebrates the Earth
THOMASTON, Maine - On April 26, in Thomaston's Watts Hall, Rev. Mark Glovin will lead "Getting Back to the Garden: A Cosmic Mass." A celebration of Earth Day, this event is sponsored by the First Universalist Church in Rockland (UUR) and is believed to be the Midcoast's first cosmic mass.Find out more...
Youth Complete Sexuality Education Course
ROCKLAND, Maine - Sixteen 7th and 8th graders completed 40 hours of sexuality education as part of the First Universalist Church in Rockland's OWL Program. Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education lifespan series was developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. The curriculum for teenagers is free of specific religious doctrine. However, the underlying values of the program reflect the traditions of both denominations, which emphasize justice and inclusiveness.
Youth from First Universalist Church in Rockland, Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Edgecomb, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast came together during the winter and spring to participate in the program. Through engaging activities and discussion, the youth participated in sessions about sexuality and body awareness, gender and diversity, sexual orientation, gender identity, relationships, lovemaking, preparing for parenthood, sexually transmitted diseases, abuse of sexuality and responsible sexual behavior. Trained facilitators, Maho Hisakawa and Jeff Wolovitz with assistance from Annie Kiermaier and Carney Doucette, led the group. Resource people from Family Planning and Out as I Want To Be as well as a panel of pregnant women added expertise, providing up-to-date information and real-life experiences.
One parent, commenting on the importance of this program, said "OWL provided our women-children and men-children with a safe, open setting to learn about sexuality and relationships and to talk with peers and sensitive facilitators about their feelings, fears and excitement."
During the final session, the youth recounted the activities and ideas presented in the twenty-seven-and-a-half sessions, noting that some sessions such as those on rape and sexual abuse, were uncomfortable to learn about, but necessary.
OWL lifespan education includes curriculum for all ages from kindergarten through adulthood. Training sessions are offered periodically for the various age groups. If you are interested in the program as a trained facilitator or as a participant, please contact Carney Doucette, Director of Religious Explorations, at 594-8750.