Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for November 16, 2025

Lead us forward into freedom; from despair your world release,

that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace.

Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase.

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)

On Sunday, November 23rd, Associate Conference Minister, Rev. John Fiscus, will deliver the

Message from our pulpit. We will have a special coffee time, where you will be able to meet and have a chance to talk with John.

Rev. John Fiscus comes to the Maine Conference after serving nearly ten years as the Minister and Teacher at Peace United Church of Christ in St. Cloud Minnesota. He was a clergy student in Colorado and offered many churches across that state pulpit supply. Prior to being clergy, John served the churches he attended in multiple ways. He has served on boards of churches with 600 members and offered the good news to four beautiful souls in a Colorado farm community. During his tenure in St. Cloud he served the community on several volunteer Boards and as a community member on the Ethics Committee of Saint Cloud Hospital. In addition to his work at the church, John served the Conference as Chair of the Open and Affirming ministry team and has just finished a six-year term on the Committee on Ministry that serves the entire conference.

John is a second career clergy person. Prior to full time ministry John served over twenty years in management roles in several companies. His experience there was multifaceted and included financial analysis, Human Resources, and training responsibilities. His educational background is varied as well. John has a BS in Anthropology and a BA in History both from Colorado State University, Pueblo. His MDiv was completed at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He has completed the course work for his Doctor of Ministry in Prophetic Leadership from Iliff and is still working to complete his final project.

John has lived in Colorado, Texas and Minnesota. He and his husband, Rick are relocating to the Augusta area for his call. They celebrated 29 years as a couple in October of 2025. They are looking forward to a new adventure in Maine. John has made it his goal to discover the best lobster roll in Maine while Rick will seek out the best blueberry pie, muffin, or ale. John looks forward to being a part of the vision and hope the churches of the Maine Conference bring to our world.

Cedar Shake Farm at 732 East Side Road has opened a

Little Free Food Pantry.

Please take what you need and let others know of this community resource.

Please plan on joining Pastor TJ this Advent Season for this lively study focusing on Advent scriptures and the wonder of birds. We will meet on Thursdays Dec. 4th, 11th, and 18th at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and on Zoom.

The Wreaths Across America convoy leaves Downeast on Sunday, Dec. 7th.  It's due at the

YMCA in Ellsworth at 9 am so it would pass the church in the 8:30 am-ish time frame. All are invited to gather on our church steps between 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. to wave them onward.

Comfort Cases still need pajamas in any size. Also, crayons and coloring books would be greatly appreciated. The Outreach Committee will continue to collect these items until November 30. For more information contact Jeanne Edwards. Comfort Cases, as you remember, provides backpacks filled with essentials and comfort items to children entering the foster care system.

Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4 – 6 pm: People of all ages are invited to join us in our

Fellowship Hall for a Pizza and Pie Party!

“Get to know you” games, like “I Wonder”; story-telling; connection; new memories…!

And, of course, Pizza and Pie!

This Intergenerational Event is brought to you by Christian Ed and Outreach!

Mark your calendars!

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Our prayers are with Andrea and her family and friends living in Jamaica. Our prayers remain with Alex & Savannah and Andrew & Tamara. Prayers for Kate Winters, recovering from surgery to repair a broken ankle. We pray for David M, Brian S, Kenny V, Brad, James B, Marie, and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Yvonne; Jeanne’s brother Clem, Logan & Charlie & Miranda; Mike & Carol; Pat & Mike’s daughter, Tracy; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; the Raymonds; Hollis & Debbie; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Cathy C; Kirk; Ruth; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; Jonathan Holmes; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; 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. Prayers for those who are grieving loss or change or experiencing family conflict; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

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.

Deacons will meet Friday, November 14th at 3:00 pm

Christian Ed will meet Wednesday, November 19th at 12:00 noon on Zoom

Trustees will meet Wednesday, November 19th at 4:00 pm

Outreach will meet Thursday, November 20th at 4:15 pm

Council will meet Friday, November 21st at 11:00 am

November Birthdays

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

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

You're invited to join us for PL BOOK CLUB!

Pick-up a copy of the book "Reading Secrets: A Queer Inheritance of Life & Scripture" by Malcolm Himschoot, Dean of the Maine School of Ministry, and join PL friends via Zoom in January to discuss the text. We'll be joined by the author himself, who will guide us in a Q/A discussion and will read a selection from the book. You don't want to miss this!

To learn more and purchase the book:https://www.liftupvalleys.com/

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/QWKUVvsQZrdDdxQLA (Zoom link will be sent via email)

Upon the advice of our Trustees and with the approval of our Church Council we have begun a $65,000 Building and Parsonage Repair Campaign to pay for some much needed maintenance to our properties. These include: 1) the parsonage has recently received a new metal roof, 2) the sanctuary ceiling has recently been re-painted, and 3) the exterior of the church, including the belfry will be painted in the Spring of 2026. Thank you for contributions already received, which include $5000 from the Betty Lewis Memorial Fund, plus a $10,000 matching donation offer, and other donations that have brought us to our current balance of over $28,000. Please give what you can, when you can to help us reach our goal. Thank you in advance!

Dear Friends,

We are writing to you on behalf of the Sunrise Association.

Our Coordinating Council met this past Tuesday, November 4, to reflect on our Annual Meeting and the growing challenges related to hunger & food insecurity throughout Hancock, Waldo, and Washington counties at this time.

With the continued government shutdown and ongoing political discord, we would like to support each of you in responding to both the immediate needs of our neighbors and the myriad ways politicians & pundits are attempting to drive us apart.

While it may feel like it at times, we are not alone. By collaborating together, within our Association and with like-minded partners, we can make a tangible difference for those challenged by food insecurity and going hungry.

Perhaps your Congregation could start a pop-up food pantry to meet the immediate needs of your neighbors as Seaside has. Perhaps you could join with other local faith communities & nonprofits to offer a free meal as happens throughout our Association? Perhaps you can find additional financial & material resources to support existing food pantries &/or distribution programs.

We have included a Food Assistance Resource list of agencies who can assist you with those who are food insecure in your communities.. We hope you find this helpful as you craft your particular response. Please let us know if there are other programs that should be included and we will be happy to do so. Such sharing of information is just one way we can most effectively & faithfully respond.

Thank you for all you continue to do for the people with whom you serve. Please feel free to reach out to either of us at any time and know that we continue to hold you in our prayers during these challenging times.

Faithfully yours,

Rev. Dr. Joseph F. Cistone                 Mr. Jack Lacey, Pastor,

Seaside UCC Pastor,                          Milbridge Congregational Church, UCC

Co-Moderator                                    Co-Moderator

FOOD ASSISTANCE RESOURCE GUIDE 

Good Shepherd Food Bank - promotes food security in Maine by improving access to nutritious and culturally relevant food for people experiencing hunger, building strong community partnerships, and mobilizing the public to address the root causes of hunger. https://www.gsfb.org/.

**Good Shepherd Food Bank Map  provides a robust list of food pantries and food banks throughout our state. – Find a local food bank or pantry near you. https://www.gsfb.org/food-map/

Good Shepherd Food Bank Partner Agencies - Good Shepherd Food Bank works with nearly 600 food assistance programs throughout Maine, from Kittery to Fort Kent, to help get food to Mainers at risk of going hungry. https://www.gsfb.org/get-involved/partner-agencies/

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry – Food Assistance Programs listed by town - https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/foodassistance/tefap/bytown.shtml

Feeding America - https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-yourlocal-foodbank

Note: If there is a food pantry, food bank, or an organization that provides regular meals to address food insecurity, send the name of the organization and contact information, i.e. phone numbers, email and website addresses to: kwoodside@gmail.com.

From Our Maine Conference

A Message from Liz Charles McGough, Pilgrim Lodge Director

Is the Incarnation Ongoing?            

Each fall, I am asked by thoughtful and curious folks, “So, how was camp?” It is one of the hardest questions for me to answer beyond the superficial, “Camp was great!” I struggle to articulate the breadth and depth of the journey we take together each season as a camp community. During a drive this week, as I listened to more bad news on the radio, I returned to reflecting on the journey of our most recent summer.

Camp at Pilgrim Lodge is designed as a time of exploration of faith for our campers. This is also true for our summer staff as we build time for devotion and reflection into our weekly schedule. During staff training in June, we ventured together to the Pilgrim Lodge labyrinth where we collectively walked to the center in silence. In the middle, Rev. Gil Healy, a retired pastor and master craftsman who we are blessed to have walk with us throughout the season, posed a question to us: “Is the Incarnation ongoing?” He went on to explain that he relates to God as a “love force” in the world. I heard his question to us as part invitation to reflection and part call to action. How might we be ambassadors of God’s love force all summer long? How might we embody the Incarnation of God among us in our words and deeds?

We walked out of the labyrinth and back to the piles of dirty dishes, planning for Option Time, and online modules for Lifeguard Certification training. The campers came and we were fully in the thick of camp life for weeks and weeks and weeks. Time at camp moves at its own pace. It feels like each day is a hundred years long and yet, somehow, the season flies by in a blink of an eye. A thread that I felt throughout this season, more than ever before, was the number of times that I looked someone in the eye and said, “I love you.” I love you for exactly who you are. I love you even when you make mistakes. I love you for the person you are becoming. I love you because… I love you.

As the staff said their farewells before travelling out into the world, Marty Martinage, our lead chef this camp season, presented Gil with a homemade weaving: “Is the Incarnation ongoing?” Marty, a person whose hands had fed our campers meal after meal after meal, had stitched this question together throughout the journey of the season and gifted it back to Gil. I believe that a love force was in Marty’s hands each time they offered a plate of food to our campers. I believe that a love force was in Marty’s hands as they wove the question together and reflected on the idea of Incarnation all summer long.

So, there I was driving my car earlier this week, listening to the bad news on the radio. It was hard to hear any version of love force among the headlines. I realized, however, that the love force shows up as a counterpoint to the struggles, as the cross threads that hold us together. For a person whose SNAP benefits are in limbo, there is a neighbor who buys their groceries. For someone who needs to travel to a loved one in a time of distress, a ride is provided. For the natural disaster that tears across an island, aid is collected and sent. While this love force may not make the headlines, each individual stitch contributes to a tapestry of that which binds us to one another and the natural world in which we live.

If you ask me, “How was your summer?” I may ask you a question in return: “Is the Incarnation ongoing?”

Pastor TJ encourages everyone to consider joining her on the journey of learning about our relationship to colonization and our Indigenous neighbors by signing up for the Maine School of Ministry (MESOM) two-week mini-course titled “Decolonizing and the Role of Faith Communities” or the semester long course titled “Organizing for Relationships and Repair.” Scholarships are available for those wishing to attend. Please let TJ know if you are interested in attending either one or both courses.

 Register

As led by Wabanaki REACH, part of this course will feature “Decolonizing and the Role of Faith Communities” – a 6-hour experience split between two Saturdays, Feb. 28 and March 7. Any and all church participants in Maine are welcome and encouraged to attend! (Fee: $50)

The semester course continues with sessions utilizing the “Sacred Reckonings” curriculum for organizing faith communities in response to issues of historic injustice, drawing on the Open and Affirming model. Presenting Sponsors: Church of Universal Fellowship (Orono), Wabanaki Allies Working Group of First Congregational UCC (South Portland)ONLINE Saturdays: Feb 28 / Mar 7 (9:00-12:00)  Mar 21 / Apr 25 / May 16 (9:00-3:30)Tuition fees range from $375-400. Partial scholarships available.To sign up and share information with others, please see: https://www.maineucc.org/mesom/