Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for October 22, 2023

As a fire is meant for burning

with a bright and warming flame,

so the church is meant for mission,

giving glory to God’s name.

Upcoming services, meetings, events, and opportunities

Join us in our Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. or on Zoom,

or watch the recording later on Facebook or YouTube

Join Zoom Meeting (This is a new link)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82224252518?pwd=aEd4WENqcjFHakFTcVFyQnltNzl1UT09

Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518

Passcode: 755650

Find us at Hancock UCC | Hancock ME | Facebook or

on YouTube at Hancock UCC - YouTube

Choir Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am. All are welcome!

Fall Handbell Ringing - Rehearsals Sundays after church 11:30–12:15ish Oct. 22, 29 and Nov. 5th Playing a Thanksgiving tune on Nov. 12th (Annual Meeting date).

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.

We plan a congregational discussion of these new Bylaws on October 29th, after our morning Worship Service.

The Sunrise Association of the Maine Conference United Church of Christ will hold its annual Fall meeting Saturday, November 4th from 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 NOON

This is a hybrid meeting: Hosted by the Union Congregational Church of Hancock.

We will be responsible for providing coffee, donuts and muffins and a light lunch, i.e. soup and bread, sandwiches, etc. for approximately 50 people. If you would be able to help provide food for this gathering, please check out the sign-up sheet on the table in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, please speak to Nick or Mary Angela 667-7972.

A request from our Board of Trustees… If you have a key to the church but are no longer serving on a Board or Committee, please turn your key in to Vicky at the office

Our Church Council is looking for one or more individuals to take on the task of providing

Altar Flowers, beginning in November. Please contact Vicky or Pat Summerer, if interested.

The bylaws revision committee has been working very hard over the last three months to update our (2017) Church Bylaws.

Many of the changes made were simply wording corrections to clarify or simplify passages.

There are, however, a few additions and/or adjustments that will change our governing policies:

1. We propose an additional status category in our membership (Article II Sec. 3) called “Voting Friends.” This category gives church friends (those who do not seek full membership for whatever reason) who serve on Boards or Committees, the ability to vote in any and all meetings while they serve in that capacity.

2. We propose a reduction in the number of members needed for certain Boards and Committees i.e.: Board of Christian Education, Board of Outreach, and Nominating Committee would go from six (6) to five (5) required.

3. At the request of our Treasurer, we propose that our new fiscal year be September 1 to August 31(our stewardship pledges would still be on the calendar year).

The full revised Bylaws document, with color coded changes, is available online and at the church for all who wish to study it.

If you have questions you can talk to Sally Knapp, David Wildes, Pat Summerer, Gina Tansey, or Pastor TJ.

Stewardship Update: We're getting closer to meeting our budget goal of $73,000 in stewardship support for next year's church budget but we're not there yet! 28 received pledges total $63,394 so far. Please help us achieve our goal by getting your pledge card returned to the church as soon as convenient. Contact David Wildes at 422-3739 with any questions. Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this very important matter.

Book Group beginning on Wednesday, October 25th. From What Is To What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want, by Rob Hopkins, was one of the guiding texts of our 2022 Fostering Imagination program facilitated by The BTS Center (the successor to the Bangor Theological Seminary). Join us as we gather to discuss ways this book speaks to us, our church and our evolving place in our communities.

The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will conduct its 2023 Annual Church Meeting on November 12th, 2023, immediately following the 10:00 AM Worship Service for the following purposes:

1. To Elect Church Officers, Board and Committee members;

2. To receive Board and Committee Reports;

3. To vote on the Proposed 2024 Church Budget

4. And to hear any other business to come before the congregation.

Jeanne Edwards, Clerk

October 22, 2023

Gordon Thomas Ward presented his book, Tracing Infinity: Bridging the Gap between Earth and Heaven, on Saturday, Oct. 13th. If you missed it, you can view the recording on our YouTube page by clicking on this link. https://youtu.be/pG7FxUVZGEU

Ellsworth Pride is a group of volunteers committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Ellsworth and the surrounding areas. Beginning in 2021, Ellsworth Pride has organized and run the annual PrideFest in Ellsworth, held on the second Sunday in June at the Knowlton Park. For 2024, the Fourth Annual PrideFest will be on June 9, from midday to late afternoon.

Our group would welcome interested folks who'd like to volunteer to help with planning, doing specific tasks as the event gets organized, and/or helping on the day of the event.

If interested, please contact Sue Collins at 546-6735 by call or text.

In addition, the Ellsworth Pride group will be marching in the Downtown Ellsworth Holiday Light Parade on Saturday, December 2 (Rain Date December 3). Parade starts at 4 PM with lineup beginning at 3 PM. We'd love to have you march with us!

Interested people, please contact Sue Collins: 546-6735.

October Birthdays and Anniversaries

29: *Ron* McGlinchey 30: *Chris* & *Melissa* Nowell

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for Ron & Kathy; Kenny Houghton; John Wood; Doris; Jane Preble, receiving in-home hospice care (she welcomes your short visits & phone calls); Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Austin’s cousin Danny; Liz & Jim; William in hospice care; Jim Snyder; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Margaret B; Amy Nickerson; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Sandy Phippen; Norm; Betty & her step-daughter Mollie; Debbie &Hollis and her Aunt Linda Reed; Coulter; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew & 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 individuals and families experiencing addictions; for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

From the Maine Conference

You are warmly invited to attend

The Installation of our Conference Minister

The Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.

Please join in the celebration on

Saturday, October 21 at 1 pm

Pilgrim Lodge

Clergy are asked to wear red or colorful stoles

Reception follows

(You do not have to register for or attend Annual Meeting in order to attend the Installation. All are welcome)

For those who cannot attend in person: Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86976880465

Meeting ID: 869 7688 0465 Passcode: 516933