Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for June 25, 2023

Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life's alarms when by myself I stand; Imprison me within thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.

Upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities

Our Monteux student musicians for this Sunday, June 25, will be Violinist Marie Graham and Trumpetist Sophie Urban. Marie Graham (1st year) is a rising sophomore at Oberlin Conservatory, pursuing a major in Violin Performance and a minor in East Asian Studies. Prior to entering her studies at Oberlin, she was a section member of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra for three years. A current student of Francesca dePasquale, Marie’s former teachers have included Professor James Lyon of the Pennsylvania State University and Suzuki pedagogue Dr. Emily Rolka. At the Oberlin Conservatory, Marie has had the additional privilege of being coached in chamber music by members of the Verona Quartet, as well as supplementary studies in Historical Performance with Edwin Huizinga. As an Oberlin Conservatory student, Marie Graham is the recipient of the Oberlin Commitment Award, the Conservatory Dean’s Scholarship, and the Oberlin College Grant, as well as the C. and C. Bacon Scholarship. Currently, Marie plays a 2005 Zdenek Frodl Hradec Kralove violin on temporary loan courtesy of Oberlin Conservatory. Sophie Urban (1st year) is pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying with Professors Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer. In addition to freelancing, Sophie was recently appointed an Associate Artist with the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, made her solo debut with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, and is a regular featured guest with the Soli Deo Gloria Choir. She is also very grateful to have performed with the Eastern Festival Orchestra, the PRISMA Festival, and the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), and looks forward to the Monteux School & Music Festival this summer. An S.E. Shires Rising Artist, Sophie is honored to have also been named a YoungArts Winner, received the International Trumpet Guild Young Artist Award, and been a finalist in the ICTUS International Music Competition. Sophie is an avid yogi, tennis player, and chef.

Join us in our Sanctuary at 9:00 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

The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will hold a special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, July 16, 2023 immediately following the morning worship service for the following purposes:

● To approve the Treasurer to take funds from the Camden Wealth Management cash reserves to pay the overage of replacing the septic system at the parsonage.

● To act on any other business that may come before the congregation.

Jeanne Edwards, Clerk June 18, 2023

Information and requests from Lesley at Comfort Cases

Question? Would there be someone at church who could pick up several bags from me to go to the Community Closet? They are filled with donated items that we can’t use in the Cases. We want them to get to people who need them. Thank you for your help! Warm regards, Lesley

Claudette Bean and I just delivered 50 Comfort Cases to Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine in Bangor. Lesley Robinson would love some help organizing and preparing some items for inclusion in the backpacks at a later date. Bagging toiletries for infants, children, and teens, folding and tying ribbons on pj’s, sorting, etc. If you have some time please give Lesley a call, she would love your help. It is such a worthwhile cause. Her number is 301-814-2188. All activity would be done at Lesley’s home in Hancock. Thank you, Sue Croteau

During the month of July we will be receiving the Neighbors in Need Offering. Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States.

June Birthdays and Anniversaries

25: Kenny Houghton 26: Pat Shannon 29: Ted & Ann Atkinson

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

The Monteux School & Music Festival presents two public weekly concert series each summer: Monteux Festival Orchestra and ‘Mainely’ Chamber Music (MCM). All concerts are held in the Forest Studio at 42 Melody Ln (off Old Track Road) in Hancock.

MONTEUX FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA 5:00 PM

Sundays – June 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30

Tickets: General Admission $30; Students $10;

Youth under 18 are free with an adult.

Doors open at 4:30 PM.

These concerts frequently sell-out. It’s recommended that you purchase tickets online in advance.

‘MAINELY’ CHAMBER MUSIC 5:00 PM

Wednesdays – June 28 and July 5, 12, 19, and 26

Tickets: Adults $20; Students $5; Youth under 18 are free with an adult.

Doors open at 4:30 PM. Tickets available online or at the door.

A FREE Children’s Concert will be held on Thursday July 13

from 10:30 to 11:30 am.

For ticket information please visit the school’s website at monteuxmusic.org

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

John Wood now recovering at home; Steve Crabtree; Everett’s sister Arlene; Debbie & Lincoln’s son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Jim Snyder; Savanna’s parents Mary Ann and Artie Smallage; Coulter; Mary Angela’s mother, Caroline; Mary Thomas; Finn & Parker & Madison; Kate Winters; Dave Marden; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Amy Nickerson; Trudy Clark; Denny Doucette; Mike and Cindy Merritt; Sandy Phippen; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Judith Crowley; Austin’s cousin Danny; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Debbie Maddocks and her Aunt Linda Reed; Liz & Jim; Renata and the women for whom she cares; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; Betty & step-daughter Mollie; Margaret B; Eleanor’s step-daughter Holly; all affected by memory loss; healing prayers for a family seeking solutions to significant mental health issues; all individuals and families experiencing addictions; 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 Maine Conference

A letter from our

Conference Minister

Rev. Marisa Laviola

Dear Ones of the Maine Conference,

I am very excited to let you know, or remind you, that next week 12 delegates will accompany me to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is the national UCC gathering that occurs every two years. Conferences from across our denomination come together to worship, fellowship, learn, and do the work of the United Church of Christ. SYNOD is at once exhilarating and uplifting, exhausting and satisfying. At SYNOD we live and breathe “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” And we reach far and wide to offer that welcome to all in our country and our world.

At this SYNOD we will again vote on resolutions of importance to the world we live. We will also vote to change our bylaws so that beginning in 2025, SYNOD will be every three years instead of every two years. This change should be helpful to our financial picture as well as the financial picture of the national office. We are also voting to elect our next General Minister and President. The search committee is presenting Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson as the candidate for this position. Delegates vote their own conscience, not the will of the Associations or Maine Conference.

Our delegates are: Sara Bartlett, Patricia Boyle-Wight, Susan Burgess, Alexis Fuller-Wright, Stacy George, Henry Hilton, Marraine Kettell, Kathryn Kozinski, Holly Morrison, Robin Tucker-Gahm, Kelli Whitman, Kathy Woodside.

Please keep our delegates in your prayers as we travel to Indianapolis and participate with great faith and hope in this truly amazing time in the life of the United Church of Christ.

I invite you to take a look at the GS website: generalsynod.org. The dates of SYNOD are June 30 through July 5. Some portions of General Synod will be live streamed, and I encourage you to participate. Watch for information at ucc.org.

Blessings to all, Marisa