U.S. Rep. John Baldacci took to the pulpit Sunday morning to urge a greater unity among Maine people, starting with the rejection of a proposed state referendum which would limit human rights protection.

Weeks away from the November elections and a referendum which would prevent sexual orientation or any other category not listed in the referendum question from being included in any state or local anti-discrimination law, Baldacci joined Gov. Angus King in publically denouncing the proposal. And Baldacci, speaking at a worship service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bangor, said the rest of the Maine delegation opposes Question 1 on the ballot.

“Whether you are young or old, black or white, rich or poor, straight or gay, we are all living here together,” said Baldacci, speaking to about 75 people. “It is one world and everyone has to learn to live together.”

A lesson he learned from his father, Baldacci said, was that people who are fighting can’t move forward, and no movement by the people means no movement in a state where people are still struggling in their lives.

Supporters of the referendum contend that passage of the question would end current special-protection laws, including those for gays and lesbians, and prohibit future laws like Portland’s municipal discrimination ordinance.

Portland-based Concerned Maine Families initiated the drive for the referendum question, although it has been outgunned financially by organizations such as Maine Won’t Discriminate. This group has raised more than $500,000 and funded recent television commercials featuring the governor.

In their arguments, opponents to the referendum say that its passage also would restrict rights that now exist for low-income housing recipients, hunters, smokers and veterans, among others.

In joining the growing chorus of opponents, Baldacci told church members that the referendum question would take away the local control and “home rules” of communities around the state.

On a more spiritual note, Baldacci urged cooperation and unity because, he said, in the afterlife, life’s trappings and possessions are left behind and all that people can take with them are the memories, memories of how they treated people.

Baldacci’s pulpit address was part of an anti-discrimination theme at Sunday’s service, during a weekend that the Maine Council of Churches said should be set aside to promote an end to discrimination. Signs and songs at the downtown Bangor church contained messages of coexistence and respect for life.

On the back wall of the church hung a large purple banner that read, “We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.”

In a time set aside for young people, Dr. Diane Campbell addressed the teen-agers, telling them that decade after decade various groups have fought to be free from discrimination. In the 1940s it was Jewish people, followed by Catholics in the 1950s, African Americans in the 1960s, women in the 1970s, the disabled in the 1980s and now, gays and lesbians in the 1990s.

In comments that may have been aimed equally at the youths’ parents, Campbell said the young people are undergoing many changes and beginning to learn about sexuality and about who they are. For some teen-agers, these years of change are difficult and can be made worse, she said, through initiatives like Question 1. One out of three teen-agers who kill themselves are gays or lesbians, and one in three homeless teens are also gays or lesbians.

During the service, the congregation sang a hymn, “We are a Gentle, Angry People,” that includes the lines, “We are gay and straight together and we are singing, singing for our lives.”

The music chosen included selections by gays and lesbians, including a piece by Tchaikovsky, the song “Somewhere” by Leonard Bernstein, and a piano piece called “For Elsa” by Kay Gardner, the church’s music director.

Some of the church-goers attended wearing T-shirts urging a “no” vote on the referendum.