Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for October 12, 2025

Great are all the works of God, beautiful and just Righteous, splendid, merciful, teaching us to trust God has marked a path for life, faithful and upright Come and study, follow God, in whom we delight

Choir rehearsals are at 9:10 on Sunday mornings. All are welcome!

Meditation continues every Friday morning at 9:00 am at the Union Congregational Church until next July, when it moves back to the HP Chapel. Reach out to Pastor TJ or Alison Boden with any questions. (aboden3321@gmail.com, 609-865-3236) All are welcome!

The Minister’s Discretionary Fund helps people in need whether members of our church family or people in our communities. It is a minimal church budget item, supported mainly by donations made to this specific fund. If you would like to donate, envelopes are available at the back of the Sanctuary, or notate your desired donation on your check. Thank you!

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.

Trustees will meet Wednesday, October 15th at 4:00 pm

The Outreach Committee will meet Thursday, October 16th at 4:15 pm

The Christian Ed Committee will meet Wednesday, October 22nd at 12:00 noon

Church Council will meet Friday, October 24th at 11:00 am

Other October happenings

  Wednesday, October 15th:  Annual Reports due in to the office.

Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th: Maine Conference, UCC

 Annual Meeting at Pilgrim Lodge

October 20th - November 4th: Pastor TJ will be combining vacation in Wisconsin and working from a distance. She will be preaching via Zoom on October 26th.

October 26th: We will celebrate All Saints Sunday. If a loved one has died since last All Saints Day please share their name/names with Pastor TJ or Vicky. This is also the day we will add new name plates to the Memorial Board at the back of the Sanctuary.

November 2: Rev. Lynette George will lead our Worship Service and officiate Communion.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Our prayers remain with Alex & Savannah and Andrew & Tamara; and Tyler Crabtree and his family. We pray for David M,; Brian S.; Kenny V.; James B.; Marie; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Graham, Joey and Morgan; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; the Raymonds; Hollis & Debbie; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Kirk; Ruth; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; Jonathan Holmes; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Ira and Ginny; Kenny Stratton & Joy & David & Lori & Melissa; Debbie & Lincoln & Aaron & Ashley & Brielle. Prayers for all in Hospice Care. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for individuals and families affected by addictions. Prayers for all caregivers; those who are grieving loss or change or experiencing family conflict; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

October Birthdays

12: Brandon Perry-Hudson    13: Liz Bunker   14:  Peggy Karns         18:  TJ Mack                     19: Bonnie Ross          20: Ruth Dietze           24: Susan Davies   

26: Joshua Davis   29: Ron McGlinchey           

Conference Minister Sabbatical

Marisa will be on Sabbatical from Friday October 31 through Saturday December 6. During that time, Rev. Diane Weible will serve as Interim Conference Minister. Rev. Weible is former Conference Minister for the Northern California Nevada Conference UCC. Rev. Weible now serves on the UCC national staff as Administrator for the Council of Conference Ministers. She is also a coach and consultant. Rev. Weible will join us remotely and will provide support for all of our staff and the Board of Directors.

Marisa will be attending the Annual retreat of the Council of Conference Ministers in Atlanta Georgia from Sunday December 7 through Wednesday December 10. During that retreat, she will be available by email and phone.

Official Call of the 2025 Annual Meeting

 of the Maine Conference

of the United Church of Christ 

The 94th Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (successor to the Congregational Christian Conference of Maine); it being the 114th Anniversary of the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society of Maine; the 200th Anniversary of the State Conference, the 215th Anniversary of the Maine Missionary Society, the 193rd Anniversary of the Maine Congregational Ministerial Relief Society, and the 55th Anniversary of the Maine Conference as a Conference of the United Church of Christ), will:

Convene in person at Pilgrim Lodge and via Zoom at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Connection details to be provided pending registration.

Items to be voted on at this year’s meeting will be:

  Proposed 2026 Conference Budget

  Slate of Officers Elect and Committee Appointments

  2026 Clergy Compensation Guidelines

  Proposed changes to the Bylaws

Susan E. Burgess, Conference Clerk

Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ   

If you would like to join this in-gathering called Annual Meeting learn more and register here. If you would like to stay the night at Pilgrim Lodge, you can sign up here.

From Our Maine Conference

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

 Is like to that above. (John Fawcett)

Fall is in the air. I cleared a couple of hours this weekend to drive out to an apple orchard. My goals were extremely low. I want to see fall leaves, buy some apples, drink some cider, and eat some donuts. I am glad to report that I accomplished these goals and had a great sense of joy in accomplishing my mission. Fall means so many things to me, it is without a doubt my favorite time of year. I am grateful that the Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference falls into my Fall plans.

I quoted the first verse of Blest Be the Tie that Binds above because when we come together in wider ways I see and feel such deep bonds of our covenant. To that end, I am looking forward to our annual gathering at Pilgrim Lodge. It is a great opportunity to come together and “Be the Church” in one of its broadest senses. Like my sojourn to the apple orchard, I have some basic goals for this time together. I am in search of handshakes, hugs, and helloes. These things really gather into one basic need, to be present with those being present.

Last year’s Annual Meeting was a blur for me. I was new and hardly knew anyone. In the year that has happened since, I have a much better grasp of my job and who you are as a conference. I thrive on the opportunity to make and celebrate connections. I want to shake hands and thank you for all the ways you celebrate the church in our time. I have been in some deep places of need and conversation this year and want to be able to offer you a hug if you need one. I want to celebrate new calls, old friends, and fresh challenges. But more than that if we have not met or I have not visited your church yet, let’s start with a hello.

If you have not signed up for the Annual Meeting yet there is still time. You will find the signup link on the Midweek Newsletter. Beyond my excitement of being with you all there is much to love. Pilgrim lodge is largely heated by fireplaces. Crackling embers sing as fragrant smoke perfumes the air. The lake front lets light glisten on ripples as birds sing and loons’ call. There is a great stillness to be among the woods in communion with others. I heard that the cookies and the banana bread recipes are already pulled out and ready. For the more practical of us, there are amazing workshops, information tables, and some business to attend. It is my prayer that you are able to come if for no other reason than a handshake, hug or hello!