At the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor, faces are weary. Voices are strained. The smell of cumin and black beans permeates bodies and breath – and the countdown is on.

“Eight pounds down, two to go.” “Ten pounds down, 15 cakes to go.” “Five cakes down, five to go.” The voices chant the mantra of Folk Festival spirituality, the Zen of burritos and apple snack cake.

From far and near, full of music, hungry for sustenance, visitors in swarms thicker than black flies will permeate Bangor’s waterfront. The Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor has a vision: radical hospitality to Bangor’s visitors in the form of a food booth. Next weekend, teams of members and friends will serve up a minimum of 2,500 black bean burritos, Maine apple snack cakes, coffee, tea and water.

The vision, which began as a simple fund-raising effort, has exploded into a community adventure far beyond the boundaries of one church’s ways and means committee.

Freezers from Orono to Orrington have joined crock pots from Hampden to Veazie. The religious and nonreligious, neighbors and employers, relatives and friends have conspired, offering homes, transportation, advice, storage, cake pans and good will to cheer us on. Hannaford and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters have donated coffee, paper goods and banners, infusing hard-working cooks with confidence.

This steadfast engagement of volunteers from all segments of the Bangor community has enlarged our definition and surpassed our expectations of success. The speed and ease with which this project welded connections beyond the walls of our church speaks to our communal hunger for connection. We want to relate to one another beyond diverse politics, values and social concerns. The National Folk Festival is a time to unite and enjoy companionship, music and a moment of civic pride.

Inspired by the power of a food booth to unite, I am reminded of a favorite Unitarian Universalist affirmation: “In the face of cynicism and fear around us and within us, we seek to align ourselves with a loving community that seeks to affirm rather than despair; that would think and act rather than simply adjust and succumb. … Always, the mission of our faith is to teach the fragile art of hospitality; to revere both the critical mind and the generous heart; to acknowledge the sacred in everyday epiphanies; to prove that diversity need not mean divisiveness; and to witness to all that we hold the whole world in our hands.”

Thank you to all who have helped inspire and support the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor’s food booth. Come by, say “hello,” buy a burrito and for a moment enjoy an oasis of community connection.

The Rev. Elaine Beth Peresluha is minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor. She may be reached through bdnreligion@bangordailynews.net. Voices is a weekly commentary by five Maine columnists who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.