Young adults, between the ages of 20 and 40, who are seeking alternative ways to meet others who share common interests, are being offered that opportunity through a new program sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bangor.

Amy DeBeck, director of religious education for the church, explained that “Soulful Sundown: An Exploration in Arts and Spirituality,” will offer young people the opportunity to enjoy “readings interspersed with music, and a snack reception to follow.”

She explained that it has come to the attention of church members that “young adults, people who are roughly 20 to 40, can find it really hard to meet people who want to discuss topics of mutual interest, especially spirituality.”

She stressed, however, that the purpose of this program “is for young adults, 20ish to 40ish, to have a place to meet people who are contemplative, as they are,” and that the purpose “is not to increase our [church] membership.”

“It is solely to offer individuals, in this age group, a chance to get together” and discuss “contemplative topics which will change, each month, but always be something that is relative and pertinent” to those in that age group.

DeBeck said she and her husband are looking forward to the first “Soulful Sundown” which is 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St. in Bangor.

The program will include a greeting period, followed by a band performance and “a reading that is not a prayer, just a reading,” DeBeck explained.

“We will then have a candle lighting, in silence; a commentary about solstice; the band will play; and then there will be time to mingle.”

The premier band for this new program is the local rock group Gemini, featuring Allison Bankston, Gaylen Smith, Brady Harris and Mike Arnold.

Although the date for the January program has yet to be set, DeBeck said the focus topic would be the birthday of Martin Luther King.

Christmas is for the birds!

Pete Edwards of the Schoodic Chapter of the Maine Audubon Society writes that anyone interested in birds is invited to participate in the Christmas Bird Count the last Saturday in December.

Coordinated by Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge’s wildlife biologist Maury Wills, counters will meet for coffee and assignments at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at the home of Fred Gralenski, 857 Leighton Point Road, Pembroke.

Edwards writes the Gralenski home is “four miles down and one mile in. Look for the mailbox on the right.”

If you need help, or more information, call the Gralenskis at 726-5837.

Edwards also encourages “homebound bird feeder observers” to participate by calling the Gralenskis, that day, with their bird list.

“With good luck and a good turnout, we should be done by noon” to enjoy a bowl of hot soup.

He reports that the count “is part of the national assessment of bird populations, and is important work for conservationists.”

People who are served by Spruce Run Association, St. Andre’s Home and the Good Samaritan Agency were the beneficiaries of St. Joseph Healthcare’s Mission Advisory Committee “Gifts for Babes” program.

The agencies submitted holiday “wish lists” to the committee, which set up a “mission tree” for each of those agencies. St. Joseph employees then purchased more than 200 gifts for the three agencies to help make the holidays brighter for others.

Marlene Doucette wrote of a heart-warming incident that took place last week at Hasbrook Court on Pine Street in Orono.

“A senior citizen lady was putting out recyclables,” Doucette wrote, “and she must have dropped, or split, the bag on the ground.

“She was attempting to pick up the cans, and was having a difficult time bending over, when this young man, approximately age 10, went up to help her.

“He was on his way to school, and had an orange backpack.

“That is one young man who deserves a huge public thank-you!”

Members of the Garden Club Federation of Maine are encouraging students with an interest in horticulture to apply for two scholarships: The $3,000 GCFM scholarship and the $1,000 Nell Goff Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded by the St. Croix District of the GCFM.

The application deadline for both scholarships is Saturday, March 1, 2003. Applications for the GCFM scholarship may be obtained by writing GCFM Scholarship Chairwoman Pat Brandenberger, 35 Naples Road, Harrison 04040 or e-mail berger2@megalink.net.

Applications for the Nell Goff Scholarship may be obtained by writing Shari Roopenian, P.O. Box 29, Salisbury Cove 04672-0029 or e-mail slroop@hotmail.com.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.