Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for January 5, 2025
’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed, “From Jacob shall a star proceed;"
and lo! the eastern sages stand to read in heaven the Lord’s command.
While outward signs the star displays, an inward light the Lord conveys
and urges them, with tender might, to seek the giver of the light.
Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let Vicky know and she will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person. Our meetings are held in person and virtually on Zoom.
Trustees will meet on Wednesday, January 8 at 12 noon
Outreach will meet on Thursday, January 9 at 3:14 pm
Deacons will meet Friday, January 10 at 4:00 pm
Christian Ed will meet on Sunday, January 12 following worship
Council will meet on Friday, January 17 at 11:15 am
As your Boards and Committees are meeting for the first time this year, please let Vicky know who the Chair and Council Representative will be. Thanks!
Join us for lightly guided meditation at 9:00 a.m. on Fridays in our Sanctuary.
January Birthdays and Anniversaries
06: Erin Ehrlenbach Collins 07: Sally Bryant 07: John Wood 07: Peter & Sally Bryant 09: Rebeckah Philio 12: Myrna Coffin 15: Ben Wildes 22: Chris Potter
16: Everett & Vicky Espling 21: Jackie Hunt 21: Carol Skinner
23: Avabelle Havey 25: Holly Harriman 29: Jen Remick
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Prayers for Pastor TJ’s Dad, Don; for Ron & Kathy and their brothers Joe and David. Prayers for Donald B.; Kenny V.; Orrick; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Sally M.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira; Don and Heather; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Herbie Lounder; Ruth; Marie; Jim Snyder; Jonathan Holmes; Brandon Perry-Hudson; John Wood; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Liz & Jim; Kenny Stratton & Joy & David & Lori & Melissa; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Sandy Phippen; Amy Nickerson; Kevin and Vanessa & family. Prayers of strength and healing for all awaiting diagnoses and for all recovering from surgeries & procedures. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
A Message from our Conference Minister
Nate Blanchard, former Maine Conference office staff for IT, was in a bad car accident Tuesday. He is in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He will need surgery and much rehab. Please keep him in your prayers in the coming weeks and months as he heals.
Deep blessings to all,
Marisa
Spring Semester Classes Enrolling Now
Registration is open for Building Up A Thriving World: Applied Ethics for Christian Churches, taught on Zoom by Anne Dunlap. Registration is open to participate in Introduction to Islam, taught on Zoom by Aida Mansoor. All are welcome! MESOM courses are for lifelong lay learners and for clergy, and for those who may pursue a path to ministry through developing leadership in community.
Intro to Islam is an introduction to Islamic beliefs, practices, scriptures, and Muslim communities, especially in the US. Through a combination of lectures, readings, virtual site visits, and discussions, the course will cover Muslim beliefs and practices, various issues faced by Muslims living in the United States, the important roles that women play in Muslim communities, and the current interfaith efforts.
Description of Applied Christian Ethics: God designed a thriving world, a world of abundance and goodness and rest, and called it all good. In this course, we will explore how applied Christian ethics can mean cooperating with the ways God designed abundance and thriving throughout creation, and ways we can co-create with God the world longs for for us, especially even when humans get aligned around greed and fear instead of thriving for everyone. We’ll unpack the context of biblical stories, dig into theological and other frameworks that help us understand our own context, and add tools and practices to our work of building a thriving world together.
Spring ClassesOnline: Building Up A Thriving World - Applied Ethics for Christian Churches.On-line: Introduction to Islam. To Register: ● Click the link below, complete the form by Jan. 10th. ● If you need a partial scholarship, email Dean Malcolm Himschoot to make your request, mhimschoot@maineucc.org ● |
We're celebrating rays of light! ☀️
In 2024, over 80 volunteer Deans, Counselors and Health Providers gave of their time and talents to make the magic of camp come alive for our campers all summer long. Volunteers are essential to making Pilgrim Lodge thrive. Thank you!
Want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our campers? Learn more about being a counselor here and connect with us here.
Scores of talented and dedicated volunteers also support Pilgrim Lodge in the care and tending of our facility, preparing meals in the kitchen, and on our leadership committees.
Do you want to share your gifts? Join us for Jump Start Weekend on April 25-27, 2025 when we open camp or contact Director Liz to learn more about how to contribute to our mission as a volunteer.
This summer, we provided our first ever Climate Justice Camp in partnership with The BTS Center and Maine People's Alliance. You can read all about it here!
In 2025, we're excited to continue our partnership with The BTS Center as we offer Justice Together: Climate, Identity, Community. This multi-faith camp for campers entering grades 9-12 and high school graduates will give campers the opportunity to explore the connections between justice issue of importance to them in the context of a climate-changed world.
In 2024, we were honored to become a supporting organization of the Wabanaki Alliance Coalition as one step in our camp's journey to learn about our community’s relationship to the land that is our summer camp, and discern how non-native people can be in right relationship with our/their Wabanaki neighbors.
We encourage you to read about their work in 2024, their legislative priorities as they work toward greater self-determination for Wabanaki Nations, and reflect upon how you might join alongside Pilgrim Lodge in this journey of learning and action.
This year, as we bid farewell to our long-time office Administrator, Karen Steelhammer, as she transitioned to joyful retirement, we were thrilled to welcome Lydia Hoffman as our new Assistant Camp Director!
It is Lydia's voice who you will hear when you call the Pilgrim Lodge office. She is so excited to help you register for camp and manage scholarships that make camp accessible for all.
We are so excited to welcome you to camp in 2025 for another incredible season!
Check out the camp schedule to see everything that we have in store for you and get ready to register here!
The abundance of Pilgrim Lodge is possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, the "Friends of Pilgrim Lodge." Please consider giving today to keep our mission thriving.
THANK YOU for Supporting Pilgrim Lodge!
We really appreciate your generosity!
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