Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for November 1, 2026

Rejoice and be glad

Blessed are you, holy are you

Rejoice and be glad

Yours is the kingdom of God 

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 AM. Don’t forget to set your clocks back before going to bed Saturday night.

The Choir practices Sunday morning at 9:10 am.  All are welcome!

This Sunday we will share Holy Communion. For those who will receive the sacraments at home, please prepare a piece of bread or a cracker, and a cup of juice or wine and join us at the table. Also, we will be receiving monetary donations or non-perishable food items, toiletries, & pet food for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

A Memorial Service for Ruth Dietze will be held on Friday, October 30^th at 11:00 am. This will make it possible for Ruth's family to zoom in from Germany at 5:00 pm their time, and to share reflections, poems, etc.  A sign-up sheet is posted in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments following this service.

Minister’s Discretionary Fund Donations

The Minister’s Discretionary Fund needs replenishing. This is the fund our Pastor uses

occasionally to help out folks with emergency needs. This time of year it could be help

with getting a delivery of heating oil, the price of which has increased 74% since last

year at this time. Donations can be made on Sunday mornings, with checks earmarked

“Discretionary Fund” or they can be put in the collection plate. Thank you.

Give  Today To Make a Difference in the Life of a Child

November birthdays

01: Ted Atkinson                 03: Mike Summerer            14: Johanna Bazzolo   

16: Marcia Nowell               16: Erin Shaw                      17: Cookie Thelen

20: Kathy McGlinchey         26: Clint Ritchie                   30: Arthur Ashmore

Nancy Johnston fell last week and is in the Brewer Rehab Center. Cards and notes, I’m sure, would be appreciated: 

Nancy Johnston

Brewer Rehab Center

74 Parkway South

Brewer, ME  04412

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

God, who loves all and forgets none, we bring to you our prayers for all your children. For all for whom we love, watch over, and care for. Hear us, O God. Prayers for all in Hospice Care and for all caregivers. Prayers for Mary Angela’s mother, Caroline; Alison’s mother Debby; Nancy J.; Amy; and for Nancy M. Prayers for Melissa’s cousin, Jamie Frey, his wife Jillian and their young boys Lucas and Mason; for Roberta and her family; and for Cynthia W. Our prayers remain with Aaron & Ashley, Lincoln & Debbie, Alex & Savannah, Andrew & Tamara, Tyler Crabtree and all of their families. We pray for all those who live and work at Golden Acres.  Prayers for Peter; Karen B.; and for Renata; Sonny and Gerry; Judith C.; Dexter B; and Betty Johnson. Hear our prayers for Kirk; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Sally’s friend Darren; Vicky’s friend Amanda; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; David Mack; Sue Davies; and Sue Davenport; Sheila’s niece, Sarah. Prayers for those who are in need, especially those who are unhoused, hungry, in recovery, are coping with mental illness. Prayers for all God’s creation, that peace may prevail here and around the world. Here now the prayers of our hearts…

 A Letter from Lydia Hoffman

Assistant Pilgrim Lodge Director 

It is the season for packing away, here at Pilgrim Lodge.

This past week, we have been getting our beloved summer camp ready for the winter. This means that many physical

things need to be moved into their winter homes. We clean out the fridge, we bring the paint to where it will not freeze over the winter, we pack away the markers and the paint, we safely store our canned goods and food, and we tuck away the uneaten ice cream cones. The camp store is in boxes, the rocking chairs are inside, the boats are under the lodge, the gaga balls are put away, and even the rope for ringing the bell will move into storage.

We do all of this because some of what we do at summer camp is not meant for year round weather in Maine.

But, we do not pack away everything

that makes camp, camp.

We are not putting camp magic into a box.

We are not packing away the joy of friendship.

We will not box up the sound of the echo.

We won’t store away the warmth of each opening campfire this summer.

We are not packing up the feeling of jumping into Lake Cobboseecontee on a hot July day.

We won’t pack up the sound of a camp dance.

The memories of every water carnival will stay unpacked. The conversations with friends on the porch of the Lodge will not be packed up.

A walk through the labyrinth could never fit in a milk crate. Late night conversations on the boardwalk won’t go into a box.

Powerful stories shared in chapel won’t go into a box.

The feeling of belonging will never be packed up.

The sense of adventure will stay with us.

Our commitment to community will always remain.

Our ministry of inclusion will continue to grow.

Our table, open to all who come in love, should never be packed away.

While many things at camp aren’t made to weather the winter, so much of what we do together is built to withstand even the toughest of storms. No matter the season, no matter the temperature, no matter if we are together at Pilgrim Lodge or not, the values we hold and the memories we make stay with us all year long. Camp is community. Camp is friendship. Camp is love. Camp is inclusion. Camp is belonging. Camp is everywhere. Camp does not fit into a box.

This fall and winter, may we keep camp in our hearts even when the physical property is boxed up for the season. May we always remember that the impact of the work we do together is everlasting. May we feel the warmth of the campfire in our hearts each time a summer memory comes back to us. When the days grow cold and the sun is lower in the sky, let us hold onto the power of transformational community until we are back together again next year.

Before we know it, spring will arrive

and we will be unpacking and getting ready for a new year of Pilgrim Lodge.

Thanks be to God!

Conference Minister Reflection for Election Day

Beloved,

You have no doubt heard lots of advice about how to approach voting next Tuesday. Perhaps many of you have already voted. From someone who voted by mail, I am very impatient with the last weeks of campaign ads. I write you with no advice and perhaps some commiseration for how grueling and consequential our voting is this year; however you choose to vote.

As your Conference Minister, I want you to know that I have been in deep prayer for each and every one of you as you decide, or as you have already decided. I am in deep prayer that next Tuesday will be peaceable, free from influence or bullying or violence.

And as your Conference Minister, I hope to offer some framing around what it means for those who follow Jesus to make decisions around the future of everyone who Jesus has taught us and shown us to care about deeply.

As you vote, remember first and foremost that EVERYONE is beloved of God—not only those with whom you agree or those you think are worthy. God’s beloved include those who set your teeth on edge and those you think don’t deserve…

As you vote, do so peaceably, especially if you are going to the polls next Tuesday. Refrain from rancor and avoid rancor.

For those who have already voted, pray for a peaceable process. Consider volunteering to be poll advisors or chaplains to help keep the peace.

And most of all, whatever the outcome, continue to pray and look to Jesus for guidance for how to live. The Gospels are timeless. In them we see the teachings and living of Jesus who reflects God and how to bring the realm of heaven onto earth. As we profess to be followers of Jesus, let’s each of us fully contemplate, meditate upon, what following Jesus means in our lives, our families, our churches, our jobs, our ministry in the world, and as we encounter ALL of God’s beloved.