Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for April 14, 2024
To the members of Christ's body,
to the branches of the Vine,
to the Church in faith assembled,
to her midst as gift and sign:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Upcoming services, meetings, events, and opportunities
Join us for Worship in our Sanctuary or on Zoom at 10:00 a.m.,
or watch the recording later on Facebook or YouTube
Join Zoom Meeting
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 Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. All are welcome. Please, join us!
Planning for Life’s Inevitable Surprises
Join us for soup and discussion on Thursday, April 11th from Noon - 2:00 p.m. at the church.
~ ~ ~
Planning now can help ensure your desires are honored later.
Planning now removes unnecessary burdens placed on your loved ones in times of grief.
Session One - Myrna Coffin will share some of the lessons learned while she (and Steve) navigated unfamiliar territory after he suffered a life-changing health event.
We will have some important documents available – and brainstorm future session topics.
Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let TJ or Vicky know and they will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person.
Our Deacons meet on Friday, April 12th at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall or on Zoom.
Trustees meet on Wednesday, April 17th at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall or on Zoom.
Our Council meets Friday, April 19th at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall or on Zoom.
Outreach meets Thursday, April 25th at 4:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall or on Zoom.
Save the Date: Saturday morning, May 4th, 2024
The Sunrise Association will hold its Spring Meeting at Pilgrim Lodge.
An option for overnight camping will be available on Friday, May 3rd.
Breakfast and lunch options are available on Saturday.
Let’s mix business with pleasure and gather together at our beloved camp.
Installation Service & Reception
Installation Service for Minister of Faith Formation, Kiah Baxter Sunday, May 19th @ 3 p.m.
at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church UCC; 29 Mount Desert Street; Bar Harbor.
More details to follow closer to the date.
Upcoming April Birthdays and Anniversaries
14: Dennis & Linda* King 19: Linda King 19: Keith Bowie
21: Mary Beth DiMarco 21: Peggy Emigh 21: Brian Simpson
22: Betty Johnston 26: John & Chris Wells 30: Ruth Butters
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Prayers for the people of our nation and of our world; Baltimore, Kansas City, and Lewiston; Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan and in so many other places experiencing escalating wars, conflicts, and disasters. Prayers for Pat Summerer’s niece Kate, Bruce’s sister Lynn, Sally’s friends Sue Barger and Ginny Hamm who recently received cancer diagnoses; Prayers for Cynthia’s Aunt Barbara, and William at Golden Acres both receiving Hospice Care. Prayers for Ruth; Marie; Joyce Cornwell; Mary Angela’s mother Caroline and brother Joel and Nick’s nephew Tim; Ron & Kathy; Jim Snyder; John Wood; Brandon Perry-Hudson; Doris; Jonathan Holmes; Sue Davies; Nancy & John & Jonas; Sue Davenport; Austin’s cousin Danny; Liz & Jim; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Sandy Phippen; Betty & her step-daughter Mollie; Debbie & Hollis & Holly and Debbie’s Aunt Linda Reed; Patrice’s niece Erica; Amy Nickerson; 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; prayers for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
From Our Maine Conference
As a transitional minister, and more specifically as a transitional minister that works with churches and ministers in transition I often find myself navigating through a variety of seasons of change, growth, and transformation both personally and communally. In those seasons of change I am reminded of Wendell Berry's words regularly and so I'd like to share his poem 'After Wind storm and Ice storm' :
After wind storm and ice storm
the woods floor is a maze
of trunks and branches,
heavy bodies brought violently down,
which is the fate they stood for.
In April now, after the cold
and the blows, rising in the tangle
so mightily shaken, broken, and fallen,
in their turn come the small flowers,
bluebell and rue anemone,
larkspur and violet. In these,
standing also in time to fall,
shines the world's great tenderness,
light and sight passingly touching
like a kiss. Made no doubt by force,
the world is saved by tenderness.
After they fall, the fallen decay
quietly by countless gentle acts.
Friends, may we embrace transformation as a sacred opportunity for growth, renewal, and discovery. And for those of you that are the storm, thank you for your tenacity. For those of you that are the maze of violently brought down branches, thank you for your resiliency. For those of you that are trees still standing, thank you for your vulnerability. For those of you that are the small flowers, thank you for your persistence. For those of you that are the passing light, thank you for your guidance. For those of you that are fallen, thank you for your mercy. For those of you that are decaying, thank you for your grace. For those of you that are offering gentle acts to your self, your ministry setting, your community…thank you for your modeling.
As we revel in this Eastertide may we all remember to practice resurrection.
With gratitude and hope,
Reverend Sam Houser (she/they)Associate Conference Minister
As part time conference staff, I thank you for the grace you all are offering in my response times.
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