Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for July 14, 2024
He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong; to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight.
Upcoming services, meetings, events, and opportunities
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.
Deacons will meet on Friday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m. in person and on Zoom.
Council will meet on Friday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. in person and on Zoom4
Sunday, July 21 we will be celebrating “camp Sunday”.
Come dressed as if you were at camp and we will be singing some camp songs.
Sunday, July 28 we will have our Annual Joint Service with the Hancock Point Chapel.
For this service only, worship will be at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel. Participants from both congregations will assist with the service and Pastor TJ will deliver the message.
Join us for Worship in our Sanctuary or on Zoom at 9:30 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
Our Monteux student musicians for Sunday morning will be Kaitlyn Jones and Ryan Vickrey, both horn players.
My name is Kaitlyn Jones and I am from Spring Texas, located north of Houston. I started playing the French Horn in 2015, and as I finished high school in 2022, I recognized that I wanted to make a career out of playing the horn, so I decided to apply to college with that in mind. I just completed my Sophomore year at Baylor University as a Music Performance Major (with a Psychology minor) studying under Dr. Kristy Morrell. I have participated in masterclasses with Canadian Brass, WindSync (specifically Anni Hochhalter), and Pablo Ortiz. I have played in various orchestras over my playing career, including several from summer festivals such as Sewanee Summer Music Festival and Baylor University ensembles. Additionally, I enjoy various outdoor activities such as tennis, hiking, and biking. I am absolutely a people person as I love to connect with everyone, and when I’m not curating my next best YouTube video, I love being around animals, likely at volunteer shelters, and friends as much as possible.
Ryan Vickrey is currently finishing his second year in horn performance at the University of Redlands, studying under Adam Wolf. Ryan has enjoyed being a soloist with the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, playing in the SCSBOA Honors Orchestra for 3 years, and getting to tour Vienna and Prague with the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to playing the french horn, Ryan is the administrative intern for the Redlands Symphony Orchestra, and is a music instructor for Rancho Verde High School and March Middle School. Outside of music, Ryan is a student leader for the University of Redlands’ club Young Life.
During the month of July, we will be receiving the Neighbors in Need (NIN) Offering. This is one of the 5 for 5 offerings supported by the Maine Conference. NIN is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the US. One-third of the offering supports the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds are used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants.
All are welcome to join in a shared book group between the Point Chapel and Hancock UCC communities. We will meet at the Hancock church at 10:00 – 11:30 am on Wednesdays July 17, 24, and 31. Our book will be Refugia Faith, description below. It can be ordered on Amazon. Please send any questions to Alison Boden (aboden3321@gmail.com) or Mandy Schumaker (mandy@mandyschumaker.com).
Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth explores how Christian spirituality and practice must adapt to prepare for life on a climate-altered planet.
Refugia (reh-FU-jee-ah) is a biological term describing places of shelter where life endures in times of crisis, such as a volcanic eruption, fire, or stressed climate. Ideally, these refugia endure, expand, and connect so that new life emerges.
Debra Rienstra applies this concept to human culture and faith, asking, In this era of ecological devastation, how can Christians become people of refugia? How can we find and nurture these refugia, not only in the biomes of the earth, but in our human cultural systems and in our spiritual lives? How can we apply all our love and creativity to this task as never before?
By weaving nature writing, personal narrative, and theological reflection, Rienstra grapples honestly with her own fears and longings and points toward a way forward--a way to transform Christian spirituality and practice, become a healer on a damaged earth, and inspire others to do the same.
The Hancock Point Chapel offers a weekly meditation on Fridays at 9 AM. We begin with a lightly guided non-denominational meditation followed by a few minutes of discussion and ending with another 20 minutes of meditation. The program is led by Angela Absher who has been a Hancock Point Chapel participant all her life. She has also taught English and studied Buddhism with Thrangu Rinpoche in his monastery in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal. Now and again we have guest speakers. Our goal is friendship and happiness. We leave in silence. Do come…
Hancock Historical Society Museum
11 Captain Bill Road, Hancock, Maine
Friday, July 12, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Hancock Artists, Past and Present
The land, sea, wildlife, and people of Hancock have inspired artists for generations. Join us as we pay tribute to some of those artists and their creations. Chat with artists Renata Moise, David Baker, Phil Frey and other local artists. Enjoy art displayed by Hancock Grammar School students.
Wine and cheese will be served and music will be provided by Monteux School students.
This summer’s exhibit will include works by Hope Smith, Joyce Hancock Crosen, William Moise, Renata Moise, Carole Skinner, Marie Claire Heriche, Anne Reed Dean, Bill Holmbolm, Marge Kendrick, Beulah True, Don L Quincy, Pauline Lewis, Helen Wooster, Charlotte Mahon, Sanford Phippen, and Yogi Hollar.
Our annual Church Fair, Yard Sale, and Silent Auction will soon be here on Saturday August 3rd. Please save the date. We need lots of help and donations to make our biggest fundraiser of the year a success. It's a very important event in the life of our church and we can't do it without you!
In particular, the Silent Auction needs gift certificates from your favorite stores and restaurants, paintings, artwork, unique one-of-a kind items, high-end small appliances and sports equipment, and donated services to create auction excitement and high bids. The Silent Auction consistently brings in a lot of money and we need your help to be successful again this year. Please coordinate your donations with David Wildes (422-3739).
The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, UCC, will host a ‘mini pops’ concert by the students of the Monteux School and Music Festival for the benefit of the scholarship fund of the School—Thursday, July 25 at 3pm. Donations accepted.
Upcoming July Birthdays and Anniversaries
14: Brookelin Harriman 18: Zachary & Aimee Spaulding
23: Aaron & Ashley Johnson 19: Patrice Alexander 21: Mike & Pat Summerer 24: Bob Courchesne 25: Phoebe Devenish 27: Joy Stratton 28: Robin Long
28: Jen & Artie Ashmore 31: Matthew & Rachel Umphrey
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Prayers for Bruce’s sister Lynn, Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Judith C.; Dr. John; Yvonne. Prayers for Herbie Lounder; Ira; and Cathy C. Prayers for Cynthia’s Aunt Barbara, and Jenny and William at Golden Acres, all receiving Hospice Care. Prayers for Ruth; Marie; Joyce; Doris; Mary Angela & Nick’s son Joshua; Ron & Kathy; Graham; Jim Snyder; Brandon Perry-Hudson; John Wood; Jonathan Holmes; Sue Davies; 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; 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 the people of our nation and of our world experiencing escalating wars, conflicts, and disasters. Prayers for all individuals and families experiencing addictions; prayers for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
Hancock Grammar School
BackPack Program
Addressing Food Insecurity in our School
Dear Friend,
We know from data reported by the Brookings Institution that more than 1 in 4 households with children are food insecure and we know that many children in our community are struggling with this food insecurity. Since 2016 the Hancock Grammar School BackPack Program, relying totally on your support, has been able to get healthy food to the families of those children in our school who are struggling with food insecurity.
Every Thursday afternoon, those children in need picked up a backpack filled with breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that kept them strong and fed during the weekend. They arrived back to school on Monday ready to learn. During the history of the program, we have had up to 50 children picking up backpacks weekly and the feedback from children and parents has been very positive. During the 2023/2024 school year, the program served 33-36 students so the need in Hancock remains. Along with the weekend backpacks, the program also provides a food box during school vacation weeks and every two weeks in the summer when the children don’t have access to free school breakfast and lunch.
To address the increased food cost, we are launching a Summer 2024 donation effort. We are hoping that we can count on your support for this very important initiative. Importantly, your entire donation goes toward the food and supplies that fill the backpacks that these children take home. A dedicated volunteer group of teachers, staff, students and community members shop for the food and fill the backpacks each week.
While any donation amount is appreciated, a donation of approximately $16 will provide a weekend of food for 2 children or $352 will fill one child’s weekend backpack for the entire school year. Checks can be made out to the Hancock Grammar School, attention: BackPack Program in the memo line. If you have additional questions, please contact me.
Thank you very much,
Adam Gray
Principal, Hancock Grammar School
agray@hancockgrammar.org 207-422-6231, ext.4
ALSO
If anyone would like to both support the program and enjoy a batch of shortbread (original or chocolate) for a minimum donation of $16, I will bake the shortbread. Order by phone please. Judy Baker - 207-422-3273.
Announcing our Assistant Camp Director: Lydia Hoffman
Dear Camp Community,
It is with great joy that I share that Lydia Hoffman has been selected as the Assistant Camp Director of Pilgrim Lodge. This is a new, year-round position that will include facilitating registration and scholarships for campers, supporting the operations of camp, having a leadership role during the summer season, and hosting retreat groups in the spring and fall rental season.
I have great confidence that Lydia is up to the task of supporting all of these functions at camp as she began her preparation for this role at Pilgrim Lodge when she started coming at the age of three years old with her church. She spent a number of summers attending as a camper and joined the Pilgrim Lodge summer staff in 2016 as the camp photographer. Lydia has played a role on the camp staff each summer since that time, serving at the seasonal Assistant Director from 2022 to present.
In addition to the years of experience she has gained while working on the Pilgrim Lodge staff, Lydia brings a wealth of knowledge from her educational background including a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School with an Andover Newton Certificate. She has applied her academic experience in a variety of church settings from roles in church administration to Christian Education for youth and families.
Lydia shares, “The ministry and mission of Pilgrim Lodge has served as a life-long foundation for the person I strive to be and the world I hope to have a part in creating. I care deeply about the sustainability and the future of this holy place and its people, and will passionately and purposefully step into this position with an understanding of who we have been, who we are today, and who we hope to become. See you soon on the boardwalk!”
Lydia will seamlessly transition into this role as she is currently on the 2024 summer staff and will begin to manage the new responsibilities of this position when Karen Steelhammer retires on July 31.
Together with the Pilgrim Lodge Leadership Team, I am so excited to welcome Lydia to this role. She brings a wealth of hands-on experience together with contagious joy and a passion for Outdoor Ministries. Please join me in congratulating Lydia on her new position.
With gratitude,
Liz
Director of Pilgrim Lodge
From Our Maine Conference
A Letter from the Associate Conference Minister
Rev. Sam Houser
"And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet, and learn to be at home." -Wendell Berry
We find ourselves in the heart of Ordinary Time according to the church calendar and in that we are reminded of the sacredness in the everyday moments and the beauty of steady growth. This season in the liturgical calendar encourages us to deepen our faith and nurture our communities with patience and care. In Maine, where the summer sun bathes the landscape in warmth and light, we see a wonderful reflection of this call to growth. Gardens flourish, outdoor gatherings abound, and our connection to nature is rejuvenated. It is a time for us to be intentional in our relationships, to cultivate kindness and justice, and to celebrate the simple, profound acts of service that define our faith. What ways are you intentionally seeking and growth during this season?
With blessings,
Reverend Sam Houser (she/they)
Associate Conference Minister
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