2/8/26 Weekly Messenger
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Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for February 8, 2026
As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission, giving glory to God’s name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations, finding neighbours everywhere.
Pastor TJ will be on vacation and working from Wisconsin
from February 9th - 25th, 2026.
February 15th we will welcome Sarina Brooks back to our pulpit.
And on MESOM Sunday, Feb. 22nd, Ann Boudreaux, a Member-in-Discernment in our Sunrise Association will be our guest preacher, with TJ leading the service on Zoom, with much help from those in our sanctuary.
The Meditation Group meets Friday mornings, at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Reach out to Pastor TJ or Alison Boden with any questions. All are welcome!
(revtjmack@gmail.com, 207-323-6743 or aboden3321@gmail.com, 609-865-3236)
Calling all bell ringers. Wouldn’t it be great to have handbells ringing on Easter? I need ringers. We can practice on Sundays after church. Please call Pat Summerer at (203) 522-2781 if interested. Thanks!
Ecclesiastical Council to examine Carter Baxter as a candidate for Ordination, Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church UCC.
We need a quorum for this meeting so all pastors and delegates are encouraged to attend either in person or via Zoom.
Use this link to Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82007943343#success
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. Our meetings are held in person and virtually on Zoom.
Deacons will meet on Friday, February 13th at 4 pm
Trustees will meet on Wednesday, February 18th at 4 pm via Zoom
Outreach will meet Thursday, February 19th at 4:30 pm
Council will meet on Friday, February 20th at 11 am
We have created a new YouTube channel. Please follow us on the new site by clicking on this link and subscribing.
(The original site will be discontinued soon.)
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Our prayers remain with Alex & Savannah and Andrew & Tamara, and with Tyler Crabtree and his family. We ask prayers for Sarina and her Dad as he recovers from a major stroke. And we ask for prayers for Norm Bamford recovering from a minor stroke. We pray for David, Brian, Brad, Donald, Kenny V, James, Marie, Charlie, Jonathan and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Jeanne recovering from a broken tibia and her brother Clem receiving cancer treatments. We pray for Mike & Carol; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; the Raymonds; Hollis & Debbie; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Kirk; Ruth & Peter; Morgan; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; 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…
Outreach Committee: what we are doing in the local and global worlds:
1. Dinners for the Ellsworth Warming Center. Tamara is once again spearheading our church's contribution to this crucial initiative. She will be posting a sign-up list for supplies for a dinner that will serve up to 25 potential guests at the center. UCC has committed dinners for the last Sunday of each month while the seasonal center is open. This brutally cold winter makes this initiative crucial. Thank you for your support.
2. "Christmas at Sea," a project of the New England Seaman's mission, is an ongoing activity. We hope to collect twelve hand knit (or crocheted) hats and/or scarves before October 15. Linda Cunningham made these beautiful items for the project. If you are interested here are some patterns for both knitting and crochet. (under Handbook Update)
3. How do you thank someone who has been the bedrock of the outreach committee for over 22 years? Jeanne Edwards, while remaining on the committee, will step down as chair. Thank you, Jeanne.
A Letter from our Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
Beloved of our Conference,
This past weekend I took some time away for spiritual retreat. I entered asking God: “What is my role right now as Conference Minister in these unprecedented times? How do I best relate to and show up for all the Beloved of our Conference?” As all of us
are keenly aware, our Conference is not monolithic. We enjoy one another in our diversity—and at times grate upon one another as well because of that cherished diversity. Politically, we are divergent, and that divergence reveals in how we worship, what we fear, and how we see the world. We are united in Christ as head of our faith. And we are united in our profession to follow Jesus as modelled in the Gospel story.
Recently, when I receive feedback about my writings in Mid-Week news or in blasts to the conference, writings that speak to the horrors of our time, the feedback is varied in perspective. However, the feedback has one common element: folks are afraid. They’re afraid of immigrants; they’re afraid of what ICE is doing to immigrants. They’re afraid that the government is targeting US citizens; they’re afraid of vigilantism; they’re afraid of the poor being trampled on; they’re afraid of not having enough if the poor have more. Fear is what I hear under all of the words—fear that manifests in anger; fear that manifests in confusion and paralysis; fear that threatens our moral being and commitment to justice.
God did not answer my questions right away of my role right now. But the quieter I became (it was a silent retreat) the more I felt moved by an ineffable presence that spoke just one word: BELOVED. Who are you, God, I asked? BELOVED. Who am I in these trying times? BELOVED. Who are we your children in these times that breed deep terror in our hearts? BELOVED. How are any of us to act? AS BELOVED. And I was both gratified and terrified: how can human beings, as imperfect as we are, immerse ourselves in BELOVED? For beloved means loved unconditionally—not being able to push away love or bring it closer—for it just is because God is LOVE—is beloved.
The retreat center is a beautiful amalgam for interfaith—from Christianity to Judaism to Buddhism to Islam. There are several quotes on different walls from Rumi, a 13th century Sufi poet and scholar. I leafed through an English translation of some of Rumi’s poems. I came across a poem about Jesus that captured my attention and my heart. I share it here:
JELALUDDIN RUMI (1207-1273)
What Jesus runs away from
The son of Mary, Jesus, hurries up a slope as though a wild animal were chasing him. Someone following him asks, 'Where are you going? No one is after you.’ Jesus keeps on, saying nothing, across two more fields. 'Are you the one who says words over a dead person, so that he wakes up?’ I am. 'Did you not make the clay birds fly?' Yes. 'Who then could possibly cause you to run like this?'
Jesus slows his pace. I say the Great Name over the deaf and the blind, they are healed. Over a stony mountainside, and it tears its mantle down to the navel. Over non-existence, it comes into existence. But when I speak lovingly for hours, for days, with those who take human warmth and mock it, when I say the Name to them, nothing happens. They remain rock, or turn to sand, where no plants can grow. Other diseases are ways for mercy to enter, but this non-responding breeds violence and coldness toward God. I am fleeing from that. As little by little air steals water, so praise is dried up and evaporates with foolish people who refuse to change. Like cold stone you sit on, a cynic steals body heat. He doesn't feel the sun.
Jesus wasn't running from actual people. He was teaching in a new way.
How beautifully Rumi captures the essence of Jesus: Not running from people (although he went away a lot to pray alone), but perhaps running from people’s recalcitrant propensity to shun the BELOVED message for themselves and for others. Yes, Jesus spoke for hours on warmth and loving others (think about the Beatitudes) and he was met with stone and sand.
People wanted miracles from him. People did not want miracles from themselves. One of the beauties of the Gospel—of who Jesus was and did and said—is that it is timeless. Rumi could have been speaking to us today.
I leave these words with you—my words and Rumi’s words—and invite you to ask yourself a question: How do miracles happen through me, from me, as Beloved—as Jesus’ messenger of warmth and care, peace and justice to all of the Beloved?
Holding you in love and prayer,
Marisa
Pilgrim Lodge
We are excited to announce that Pilgrim Lodge has been awarded a national Character at Camp Grant from the American Camp Association, a competitive national initiative supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. We will receive $100,000 over two years to strengthen programming that nurtures integrity, community-mindedness and leadership.
Why we were selected:
Pilgrim Lodge was selected for this highly competitive grant because of our commitment to youth development and character growth. As one of 77 recipients across the country, Pilgrim Lodge is proud to join a national network of camps working with the American Camp Association to advance best practices in character development and share what makes camp a powerful setting for youth learning and growth.
What the grant supports:
This grant supports behind-the-scenes work that strengthens our existing programming including curriculum development, training for volunteers and staff, and evaluation tools to support the highest quality experience possible for Pilgrim Lodge campers. While all campers will benefit from enhanced programming, Pilgrim Lodge will launch a new Leadership-in-Training Program for high school-aged youth. These initiatives will be implemented through two new positions at camp, the Challenge Program Specialist and Leadership Mentor. At the same time, the grant supports facility upgrades to support programming including new low ropes course elements and an outdoor gathering space for community-building and activities.
What it means for campers:
This grant allows us to design intentional programming that nurtures the character strengths of integrity, community-mindedness and leadership, all while experiencing the fun and engaging programming which they are accustomed to at camp. Campers will benefit from thoughtfully designed activities that empower them to apply what they are learning at Pilgrim Lodge to their lives and relationships in the world beyond camp all year long.
Why it matters to parents:
Camp allows children, youth, and adults to form an immersive community where powerful things happen. In an environment created just for them, children and youth learn real life skills, develop self-esteem, and build their own sense of independence. Camp provides:
● Healthy, developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences
● Discovery through experiential programming
● Caring, competent role models
● Service to the community and the environment
● Opportunities for leadership and personal growth
Through this grant, Pilgrim Lodge will receive research-informed training, tools and guidance from the American Camp Association to continue providing the safe, high-quality camp experience that you expect.
Get connected!
We believe this opportunity will have an incredible impact on our campers and our ability to fulfill our mission. Help us spread the word! Bring a friend to camp or spread the good news to children and youth who are ready for a meaningful camp experience. Registration for the 2026 camp season is open. For youth in grades 9-12 (as of spring 2026), sign up for our Leaders-in-Training Program to maximize your Pilgrim Lodge experience at camp and beyond. Scholarships are available for all Pilgrim Lodge programs to ensure that these high-quality camp experiences are accessible for all!
Contact us with your questions: info@pilgrimlodge.org, 207-724-3200
Learn about the American Camp Association Character at Camp Initiative here.
Wabanaki-REACH Workshop
“De-colonizing and the Role of Faith Communities”
Saturday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, Mar. 7 - 9:00-12:00 (Zoom)
This workshop is available to participants throughout Maine.
Fee: $50
Register: https://www.maineucc.org/mesom/
You're invited to join us for another PL BOOK CLUB!
Pick-up a copy of the book "A Little One Shall Lead | Small Congregations Create New Ways of Being Church" by Rev. Susan McNeily Craig and Rev. Dr. Douglas Allan Dunlap and join PL friends via Zoom on March 16th to discuss the text. We'll once again be joined by the authors!
February Birthdays
08: Cynthia Johnston 09: Phil Devenish 10: Jack Hirschenhofer
10: Ethan Hunt 12: Xyerra Harriman 13: Amy Philio
15: David Stratton 16: Will Stephenson 18: Sara Beth Denoncourt
19: Monica Quill 21: Pat Summerer 24: Heath Hudson
25: Michael Hodgdon 27: Antonio Blasi
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