The Rev. Christina Sillari joins us from Portland, Maine. She served First Parish Church in Portland for eleven years as their settled minister. Contact her at: .
Rev Dr. Elaine Beth Peresluha is a retired Accredited Interim Minister. Ordained in 1995, Elaine served two settled ministries, in Woodstock VT and Bangor ME, before finishing her doctorate and becoming an accredited interim minister. Elaine retired July 2023 after serving First Parish in Portland Maine for her 9th and final interim minister.
Elaine’s PhD in Social Science/ Appreciative Inquiry was inspired by her passion for inspiring social change through an anti-oppression, anti-racism lens, work she continues consulting with Beloved Conversations, and other DEI initiatives. Elaine lives on Islesboro with her fur babies, Gussie, an 11 year old Minnie Aussie, and Tig, her Highlander feline. Her other retirement devotions include three grown daughters, their spouses, three grandchildren, gardening, bikes, skis and yoga.
As the political chaos swirls about us it is important to grow our spiritual centers to serve us. How do we grow our spirits? How do we know if we are responding from a grounded, informed center or reacting out of fear or judgement? Spiritual maturity is a source of calm, connection and strength. Today … Continue reading Growing Up or Growing Old?
2025 – 63 years have passed since the Rev. Martin Luther King delivered his I Have A Dream speech and 57 years have passed since he gave his life for that dream. What have we learned as a nation? What does the national holiday in his name ask of us this new year? On Jan … Continue reading Courageous Love
Our expectations at Christmas reflect our expectations of life. If we are seduced by false expectations rather than joy, hope, peace or love, we may find disappointment, self-indulgence, and self-recrimination. If you find yourself in a season of stressful doing, try watching for the angels. “…and so the angels come”, reminding us of the truth … Continue reading Calling All Angels
I am writing this sermon description working/ waiting for the outcome of the most historic and consequential election in most of our lives. I will be meeting the members of The Midcoast U.U. Fellowship for the first time when we may or may not know the outcome of that election. While I write this we … Continue reading Appreciating What Is
