Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for May 21, 2023 Give to the winds your fears, hope, and be undismayed; God hears your sighs and counts your tears, God shall lift up your head. Through waves and clouds and storms God gently clears the way. Wait patiently; so shall this night soon end in joyous day. Upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities While the Choir is on hiatus anyone wishing to sing or play an instrument during the service is invited to be in conversation with our Music Director, Debbie Riley. Join us in our Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. or on our Sunday Worship Zoom link at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327467219?pwd=Mis3ME4waGE1RmRBN zFXK3VUaDJXdz09 Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219 Passcode: 131738 (Posted later for viewing on Facebook and YouTube) Starting June 4th, our Sunday Worship Services will begin at 9:00 AM. 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. Council will meet Friday, May 26th at 12 PM in the Fellowship Hall and on Zoom You are invited to celebrate the life of David Wood on Sunday, May 21st, at Tidal Falls at 2:00. Please bring sandwiches, salads, chips and/or drinks for yourself or to share. Pentecost Sunday, May 28, is New Member Sunday. Donald Hynes, Orrick Damboise, and Kenny Houghton are joining. Talk with Pastor TJ about joining on May 28th or when it is right for you. Our annual “Breakfast on the Village Green” Christian Education fundraiser is happening on Monday, May 28th at the Hancock Memorial Day Celebration. If you would like to volunteer to donate food, or help prepare or serve, please be in contact with Tamara Crowley. Donation requests: ● 6 packages of English Muffins (package contains 6 muffins usually) ● 3 – 4 packages of American or Cheddar cheese (package usually contains 20 slices) ● 3 packages of sliced deli ham ● 3 packages of bacon ● 2 rolls of tinfoil ● Assorted fruit for fruit cups (suggested: sliced watermelon, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) Join Pastor TJ at Ellsworth Pride, Sunday, June 11 at Knowlton Park from 11:30-4:00. Our local Loaves & Fishes food pantry is once again asking for your volunteer time. If you are available for any of the dates/times below please sign -up using this link. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fCUXkQz7g8STSQzAx_15eEL5BOOCdpgvYCu7KbGypok/edit?usp=sharing Please check all positions for MAY but we particularly need help with check-out on May 26, 29 and 31 Retail pick-up May 24, 26 and 29 Product Processing - May 22, 24, 26, 29 and 31 Client Assist - May 22, 26, 29 and 31 They can't run the pantry without your dedication and time and they greatly appreciate you. During the month of May, we will be receiving the Strengthen the Church offering. This is one of the 5 for 5 offerings supported by the Maine Conference. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, & innovation. Envelopes are available in the back of the Sanctuary or notate STC on your check. All Church Read – Pentecost to Juneteenth Challenge The Maine Conference Anti-Racism Team in conjunction with The United Church of Christ National Office is encouraging our engagement in “the moment-by-moment work of creating greater racial equity” by reading and discussing Ibram X. Kendi’s book, “How to Be an Antiracist.” Those wishing to join Pastor TJ in this endeavor are invited to request a copy of the book from TJ, or order their own book. We will start reading on May 28, or whenever your book arrives. Discussion dates and times will be at the convenience of participants. The Fostering Imagination Team Update The Fostering Imagination team invites you to join in reading Rob Hopkins book, “From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want” We have completed the first part of our journey, the wondering. We have completed the second part of our journey, identifying projects. We will read for clarity of purpose as we move toward action and implementation. You can purchase your own book or ask Pastor TJ to buy one for you. We will begin reading immediately and hope to join in discussion throughout the summer. If you or someone you know would be interested in doing some home health care for the summer, please speak to Patrice Alexander, 422-9536. May Birthdays and Anniversaries: 22: Brendan Bonner 23: Debbie Ehrlenbach 24: Erva Pinkham 26: Vicky Espling 29: Sally Knapp 31: John Holt, Marty Johnson 31: Clint & Eleanor Ritchie
Contact Us at Union Congregational Church of Hancock:
TJ can be reached by cell phone at 207-323-6743 or by email at revtjmack@gmail.com
Vicky can be reached at 207-422-3100 or by email at hancockmaineucc@gmail.com
Jen can be reached by email at treasurer@hancockucc.com
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Steve Crabtree; Debbie & Lincoln’s son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle as Aaron undergoes another surgery for a brain tumor; Jim Snyder; Everett’s brother Sheldon and sister Arlene; Savanna’s parents Mary Ann and Artie Smallage; Mary Angela’s mother, Caroline; Coulter; Chris Kinney; Mary Thomas; Finn & Parker & Madison; Kate Winters; Dave Marden; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Amy Nickerson; Gary; Gary & Jeanne’s grandson William; Trudy Clark; Samantha and her family; Denny Doucette; Mike and Cindy Merritt; Sandy Phippen; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Judith Crowley; Linda; Austin’s cousin Danny; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Debbie Maddocks and her Aunt Linda Reed; Liz & Jim; Renata and the women she cares for; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; Betty & step-daughter Mollie; Nancy; Cynthia; Margaret B; Eleanor’s step-daughter Holly; Cathy C.; all affected by memory loss; healing prayers for a family seeking solutions to significant mental health issues; all those living with depression and other mental health issues; all individuals and families experiencing addictions; all caregivers; for all victims and loved ones of violence; those impacted by laws limiting reproductive justice; those experiencing food and housing insecurity; the people of Syria and Turkey; the people of Ukraine and Russia; the people of Sudan; all in your heart…
News From the Sunrise Associationthe Sunrise Association
News from the Maine Conference
A letter from the Acting Dean for
the Maine School of Ministry
Rev. Malcolm Himschoot
“Study ecclesiology,” they said. “It’ll be fun!” they said.
As a result of working seven years with the MESA Team on the new Manual on Ministry, I spent more time with the topic than I ever thought I would.
Ecclesiology is a subject the UCC is admittedly ambivalent about, and remains inscrutable to most of us who participate in this thing we call “church.” It seems to be an unnecessarily multi-syllabic word for how a fish thinks of water – if the fish is a person growing in faith, and the water is a community of Spirit! Ecclesiology also relates to leadership. A church with no church-ness would not need pastoral leaders representing the church to itself, asking important questions of calling and purpose following Jesus. Ecclesiology asks the “WHY” questions, out of which arise later questions of ordination and ministerial standing in and on behalf of the church.
I was encouraged by the MESA Team to do ecumenical doctoral work involving contemporary research alongside inherited notions of faith, to discern God’s calling in every generation. It wasn’t always fun. But advanced study helped me stay present to the ancient questions, until I found them not only compelling, but essential.
Now is a great time to invite pastoral imagination for decades to come, for the sake of a new and renewing, reformed and reforming, transformed and transforming ecclesia (church). With my feet on the ground in Maine (and in the water - and in peat bogs), I look forward to attending to the Spirit’s call in this place.
I welcome any and all Members in Discernment to MESOM’s June Intensive class “Theology of Ministry for MIDs.” We will meet for three days at Pilgrim Lodge to spark vision for portfolios showing the possibilities and competencies for ministry, as relate to “The Marks for Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers.” In this retreat setting, students will look back on their preparation and formation for ministry, and look forward to spiritual and covenantal resources into the future. To register: https://www.maineucc.org/mesom/.
I promise no wordy dissertations will be read on the June 5-7 th retreat. In the grace of meals served and prayer with colleagues, we will look out at the lake!
But I can’t promise that no enduring and surprisingly worthwhile challenges will present themselves, with a view of the font and the cross and the table of Christ.
Women’s Spring Weekend
The first Women’s Weekend of the Pilgrim Lodge season is coming up from June 2-4, 2023. Come join us for the Women’s Spring Weekend to start the summer with a gathering of women and the blessing and wonder of Pilgrim Lodge.
Enjoy a weekend of spiritual relaxation as well as rejuvenation with plenty of free time all to yourself or with old and new friends; perhaps with a book alone in a rocking chair on the porch, hiking one of the many trails, being artful and creative, or just catching up with some of your friends from previous years or those you bring with you gathered on the boardwalk.
As we gather together at the water’s edge of Lake Cobbosseecontee, come and enjoy the waterfront by swimming (maybe a cool morning dip?), kayaking or canoeing, or just hanging out on the sunny dock, watching the loons go by.
Come and join with the voices of women singing songs, sharing stories, playing games, laughing and praying together. There are so many ways to unwind with the Spirit as well as be lifted up here at Pilgrim Lodge…all you have to do is come. Hope to see you this year!
Please join us for an Open House at Pilgrim Lodge on Sunday, June 11 from 1-3 PM. Bring folks from your church to check out camp, take a tour, walk the labyrinth, or simply come and spend some time in a rocking chair. We look forward to welcoming you for this
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