Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for February 16, 2025

Speak out, O saints of God!

Despair engulfs earth's frame;

as heirs of God's baptismal grace,

the word of hope proclaim.

Pastor TJ is on family leave in Wisconsin. Even though we miss her, we are very grateful for those who have stepped up to cover for her while she is away.

This week, we welcome to the pulpit Rev. Joel Krueger and Rev. Dr. Kate Winters. Joel and Kate are two years retired from The First Church in Belfast.  They are members of The United Christian Church in Lincolnville Center.  Joel now works as a potter and spends much time volunteering for environmental groups.  Kate, an educator, writer, and avid knitter, is thinking of writing a book on spiritual life in Maine. 

During the month of February, we will be receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. OGHS provides sources of clean water, food, education, health care, small business micro-credit loans, advocacy, resettlement for refugees and displaced persons, emergency relief and rehabilitation as well as disaster preparedness and response.

Rescheduled from February 9th, due to church being cancelled, the Narcan training by Brandy Brooks will be held after church on Sunday, February 23rd. Brandy will provide training on when and how to administer Narcan. Those who attend will be provided with both Narcan and educational resources.

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.

The Outreach Committee will meet Thursday, February 13 at 4:15 pm

Deacons will meet on Friday, February 14 at 3:00 pm

Christian Education will meet Sunday, February 16, after Worship at 11:15 am

Council will meet on Friday, February 21 at 12:30 pm

Join us for lightly guided meditation at 9:00 a.m. on Fridays in our Sanctuary. All are welcome!

February Birthdays and Anniversaries     

16: Will Stephenson    18: Sara Beth Denoncourt     21: Pat Summerer       

24: Heath Hudson       25: Michael Hodgdon           27: Antonio Blasi

February and March tentative Supply Clergy

 February 23 – Sarina Brooks, Student Ministry Intern (Sarina’s last official day with us)

March 2 – Rev. Cynthia Priem

March 9 – Rev. Dr. Kate Winters & Rev. Joel Krueger

March16 – Rev. Nancy Johnston

March 23 – Rev. Dr. Kate Winters & Rev. Joel Krueger

March 30 – Rev. Cynthia Priem

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for Pastor TJ, her Dad, Don, Mother, Carol, and her siblings; and  prayers for Pat’s daughter, Mary Shannon-Riley. Prayers for Alex, Andrew and Tamara; Prayers for Donald B.;  Kenny V.; Orrick; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira and Ginny; Don and Heather; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Herbie Lounder; Ruth; Marie; Jim Snyder; Jonathan Holmes; 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; those who are grieving; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

 Handy Woman for Hire!

Personal care; Food preparation and cooking; Shopping;

Gardening; Interior and Exterior Painting

Contact Lori Stratton

loristrattonjones@gmail.com

From the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ

A Letter from Our Associate Conference Minister

                                          Rev. John Fiscus

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isiah 55:12

I have never been a person to lock onto a scripture out of its context and proclaim it as my mission, mantra, or goal. However, in the songbook of my youth we sang a catchy song based on the scripture quoted above. It was our joy to sing it faster and faster… clapping with thunderous enthusiasm on the trees of the field clapping their hands. It was a song to inspire the joy that the verse itself promises. Above all else it is a call to remaining in hope.

I find hope more elusive in the current world. Over the course of my ministry I have been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. My primary concern has always been to bring safety to youth in this particular community. Facing higher rates of homelessness, suicidal ideation, and substance addiction made this a focus necessary. Over the last month there has been an eroding of rights and a demonization of queer identity. Today, I am far from the place of joy, peace, song and clapping of the Isiah text.

As a young man I attended too many funerals from AIDS deaths. I stood at hospital beds praying with friends bashed on their way home in the gaybourhood. I have lit dozens of candles for the transgender day of remembrance. I have stood as a human barrier between GOD HATES signs and youth seeking a new community. I have given money to the HRC, Trevor Project, and youth shelters… I have worked for years to move forward… I despise this feeling of moving backwards. But I refuse to abandon hope.

Isiah wrote to a marginalized community in captivity. His words were not observational but inspirational. God remains our hope even in the darkest times. Tomorrow the Maine Council of Churches is offering a special session focused on the new state of things facing the LGBTQ+ community. I urge you to join this conversation. The link will be listed in the action portion of this newsletter. I will be listening and holding onto my hope as I embrace what might be next. I believe that eventually the trees of the field will clap their hands. I also believe our presence on the journey might be the reason.

Blessings and Peace,

    John