Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for July 23, 2023

Oh, you can't get to Heaven on roller skates

You'd roll right past those pearly gates

All my sins are washed away I've been redeemed

Oh, you can't get to Heaven on roller skates

Take it away!

On a pogo stick

Oh, you can't get to Heaven on a pogo stick

'Cause all that jumping, it would make Him sick!

All my sins are washed away I've been redeemed

Oh, you can't get to Heaven on a pogo stick

In a washing machine

Oh, you can't get to Heaven in a washing machine

'Cause God don't care if your clothes are clean

All my sins have washed away I've been redeemed

Oh, you can't get to Heaven in a washing machine

Upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities

Our Monteux student musicians for this Sunday, July 23, will be …Marie Graham and Halilu Zhang, both returning violinists. 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. Chinese-born violinist Halilu Zhang (1st year) boasts a distinguished orchestral background, performing with prominent conductors including Muhai Tang and Guoyong Zhang, at esteemed venues like the National Center for Performing Arts. Beginning her musical journey at Germany’s Mannheim Musik Hochshule, she further honed her craft at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music and California Baptist University, fulfilling roles such as associate concertmaster and concertmaster respectively. Currently, she enriches her expertise as a Doctor of Music candidate at the University of Oklahoma, serving as concertmaster of the OU Symphony Orchestra and first violinist of the Crouse Graduate Quartet. Halilu’s professional history includes roles with the Tianjin Symphony and Guiyang Symphony Orchestras in China. She will be joining the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra starting from the ‘23-’24 season. Additionally, she holds a Graduate Teaching Assistant position at the University of Oklahoma. Committed to ongoing development, Halilu has engaged in masterclasses with esteemed musicians like Peter Zazofsky, Alexander Kerr and Paul Kantor, earning praise for her skill and versatility

Join us in our Sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. oron Facebook Live for the summer months.

You will be able to watch the service on Facebook Live in real time

or watch the recording on Facebook or YouTube .

Find us at Hancock UCC | Hancock ME | Facebook or

on YouTube at Hancock UCC - YouTube

Please check out the two attachments included with this edition of the Weekly Messenger. One is the flier for the Fair and Yard Sale taking place on August 5, the other is more information about Comfort Cases of Maine.

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.

The Choir will meet this Sunday morning at 8:20 a.m. to rehearse for our Joint Service with HPC on July 30

On Sunday, July 23, we will again have a “camp Sunday.” Dress as if you were at camp. We will be singing camp songs, and even have an ice cream sundae social during Fellowship time.

The Monteux Scholarship Concert will be in our Sanctuary, on Thursday, July 27th at 3:00

Donations will be accepted at the door.

The Council meeting has been rescheduled for Friday, July 28 at noon in person and Zoom.

Sunday, July 30, the Hancock Point Chapel will join us at 9:00 AM for our Annual Joint Service. Let Pastor TJ know how you would like to participate.

To date, $210.00 has been collected for the Neighbors in Need Offering.

Comfort Cases are in need of:

Remember, we don't expect anybody to buy everything.

If you see a good deal on any of these items, we

appreciate any help...and let us know where the good

bargains are! Any questions please speak to Sue at 422-9141. Items can be dropped off at Lesley's house--766 Eastside Road, Hancock

Alberta's Hair Designs at 125 Oak St, Ellsworth

Thanks in advance. Please share!

The more people who see this, the more children we can help!

Thank you---Lesley and Colleen and Sue

July Birthdays and Anniversaries

24: *Bob* Courchesne 25: *Phoebe* Devenish 27: Joy Stratton

28: *Robin* Long 28: *Artie* & *Jen* Ashmore 31: Matthew & *Rachel* Philio Umphrey

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for the family of Beth DeMeyer Van Dyke who passed away Saturday, July 15; Prayers for Jane Preble; William in hospice care; Coulter Huyler; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Gratitude for Monteux Musicians in our sanctuary and in our community; Prayers for Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Amy Nickerson; John Wood; Jim Snyder; Mike and Cindy Merritt; Sandy Phippen; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Dave Marden; for all caregivers; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Austin’s cousin Danny; Liz & Jim; Margaret B; Debbie Maddocks and her Aunt Linda Reed; Gratitude for Pilgrim Lodge, the campers, counselors and staff members; Prayers of strength and healing for all awaiting diagnoses and for all recovering from surgeries; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; Betty & her step-daughter Mollie; Prayers for all individuals and families experiencing addictions; for all victims and loved ones of violence; prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion; and for all that is in your heart…

News from the Maine Conference

Reflections from General Synod 34

A letter from

The Katahdin Association Delegate

Stacy George

My sister always called me an Association groupie and later a Conference groupie. I was always willing and wanting to go to church meetings even though I had no real business (other than flapping my jaw). Those tag-alongs would be my entrance into joining the Katahdin Association Committee on Ministry and later becoming a tri-chair, which I currently serve. So, when Sue Burgess called me and said they were looking for a “northern” delegate for General Synod, I immediately said yes, no other explanation needed. I anxiously awaited June 29th when I would leave for Indianapolis where General Synod would take place.

After smooth flights from Maine to Indiana, I arrived at my hotel with the Maine youth delegate Henry and checked in at the front desk. Since we were early, our rooms were not ready yet, so I treated myself to Starbucks. I sat down with Henry and took 4 sips of my delicious venti Vanilla Cream Cold Brew (extra vanilla) and sat it down on a nearby table to answer my phone. The caller stated our rooms were ready. Standing to go to the front desk, I bent to pick up my coffee and my purse slid down my shoulder knocking over and emptying the full cup of delicious nectar. Luckily, a cleaning crew were walking by, and they quickly and efficiently cleaned up my mess while I blubbered apologies. Great, I thought, this is how General Synod is going to be for me.

I was anticipating worship in the gargantuan space was going to be flat. Boy was I wrong. Not only did it feel intimate, but it was also uplifting and involving. It wasn’t just the choir that was expected to sing, no, the music director expected the congregation to sing. And everyone sang. It was beautiful, inspiring, and soon it felt like a thin place. The worship sessions and theological reflections would be motivating and were not eaten up in the large hall. Our keynote speaker, Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber was engaging, funny, and intriguing. She made you think, not only about your church and your faith, but about yourself. She was a great addition to General Synod.

Over the course of the next 5 days, I would be in awe of the fellowship I found with not only my partners from Maine but other delegates from across the country. I am not a morning person and we caucused 3 of those 5 days at 7 am. I was still smiling and happy. I was among my people, and every day was a groupie experience. The exhibition hall would be my downfall. In typical George fashion, I talked a little too much to different exhibitors and missed a luncheon. Then my George-ness would save me from eating alone one day. While explaining I wanted a table for four even though I was alone, a group of delegates from Ohio insisted I eat with them. Breaking bread together. True to our faith. I voted for our new General Minister and President, attended workshops, and worked on a resolution to bring before Synod.

I would experience many moments over those 5 days, meeting the Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon and getting a picture, briefly speaking to our new General Minister and President the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson and shaking her hand. I was able to say hello to former Maineiacs, Bob Sandman, former Board Treasurer and Rev. David Gaewski, former Conference Minister. The connections were amazing. I hadn’t realized my spiritual cup was nearly empty.

Now it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t start and end this trip with a catastrophe. I was riding in a taxi from the hotel to the airport with Maine delegate Patricia, when we arrived at the airport and had to pay the taxi driver. I sat my phone down in the seat next to me to get money out and, you guessed it, I left it in the taxi when I got out. I was blessed. The driver took it back to the hotel and it was there when I called the hotel on an off chance, they would know the taxi company.

To say I was blessed by this trip is an understatement. I met amazing people, I reconnected and met new people from Maine and in the end, my cup runneth over.

Pastor TJ having a great time being a Counselor at Pilgrim Lodge!