AUGUSTA -- "No on 1" supporters gathered in a final-days rally Sunday at seven churches around the state, including one in Augusta.

The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine held interfaith candlelight vigils at the Universalist Unitarian Community Church on Winthrop Street "to remind people of all faiths to vote No on Question 1."

Question 1 on Tuesday's state ballot asks, "Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?"

The Rev. Carie Johnsen, of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, told about 75 people who held candles outside the church that this was "a chance for us to shine the light on love again and our hope for marriage equality."

She stood next to the Rev. Calvin Sanborn, priest at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Hallowell. "I support the 'No on 1' campaign. I support marriage equality," he said.

Sanborn said he expected some members of St. Matthew's to participate in the vigil.

"We have people in the parish who are of various minds," he said. "The Episcopal Church is committed to debate and dialog on every issue."

The vigil attracted young and old, even three dogs.

Some people told of their children's struggles with being gay; one man talked of wanting to marry his same-sex partner of 32 years.

Passing motorists slowed to crane their necks at the crowd gathered in front of the church.

Johnsen left them with a benediction: "Go in peace; go in love. Vote no on 1; telling your neighbors to vote no on 1."

And even as the "No on 1" supporters prepared for their gathering, some three blocks away at another church, the "Yes on 1" signs were disappearing literally overnight.

St. Michael Parish business manager David Alexander, who is based at the Pastoral Center next to St. Mary's Church on Western Avenue, reported Saturday that the "Yes" signs were removed again from the grounds.

Three days earlier, he reported that someone removed all the "Yes on 1" signs on church property and replaced them with "No on 1" signs.

"I look on that as offensive and a desecration of church property," he said.

On Wednesday, he called the city to be sure he could remove the unwelcome signs. Then he replaced them with a dozen "Yes on 1 signs."

"The church is supporting the 'Yes on 1' based upon our religious values," he said. Alexander said removal of the signs "violates or freedom of expression and our right to exercise our faith."

St. Michael Parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, one of the major supporters of the "Stand for Marriage Maine" campaign. Those seeking a repeal of the law allowing same-sex marriage, united under a "Stand for Marriage Maine" banner, rallied in mid September at the Augusta Civic Center.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com