Religion in brief PITTSFIELD: THE UNSUNG MAN

Every day, Thomas Brown of Pittsfield quietly goes about his business of trying to make a difference. The 72-year-old father of two and grandfather of four bakes cookies for his church coffee hour, then stays for dish duty. He sells scarves and calendars for the local historical society. He attends a weekly peace vigil on Main Street. Always in the background, never drawing attention to himself, Brown seemed stunned recently when he was honored by his home congregation, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, as their Unsung Hero for 2005. He was even more taken aback when it was announced at a recent Sunday service – to a standing ovation – that he had won the same award for the entire North East District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, which represents 28 Maine congregations. In his unassuming fashion, Brown just smiled broadly, said a quiet thank-you, and resumed his seat. “If I see something that needs to be done and I can do it, I’ll do it. That’s all,” he said. Not surprisingly, Brown declined to have his picture made for this story.