Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for March 8, 2026

I hear my Savior’s calling to serve the lost and least

The hungry and imprisoned, the broken ones like me

For in each act of kindness it’s Christ for whom we care

All worthy of our love – since it’s God’s face we bear

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME starts at 2:00 am, Sunday, March 8. Don’t forget to “spring forward” so as not to be late for church.

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

Palm Sunday is also New Member Sunday! If you have been thinking of joining our church now is a great opportunity to do so. Let a Deacon or Pastor TJ know that you are interested. Questions are welcome. No prior experience necessary.

During the month of March, we will be receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, one of the 5 for 5 offerings supported by the Maine Conference. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ that supports partners worldwide with ministries that fund health, education, and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and both international

and domestic disaster response. Envelopes are available in the back of the 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)

Our meetings for the month of March. All meetings are open to all. Please let Vicky know if you would like a link to attend via ZOOM.

Christian Education, Friday, March 6 at noon

Deacons, Friday, March 13 at 4:30 pm

Trustees, Wednesday, March 18 at 4 pm via Zoom

Outreach Thursday, March 19 at 4:30 pm

Council will meet on Friday, March 20 at 11 am

On Saturday, March 28, Alison Boden will tell the entire Gospel of Mark from memory. Please join us in the sanctuary at 3:00 p.m. (time change) for this powerful sharing of the Word. A brief Q&A will follow in the Fellowship Hall, along with refreshments. All are welcome.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for all God’s creation, that peace may prevail here and around the world. Our prayers remain with Aaron & Ashley, Alex & Savannah, Andrew & Tamara, Tyler Crabtree and aloof their families. We pray for David, Brian, Brad, Donald, Kenny V, James, Marie, Charlie, Jonathan and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Jeanne and her brother Clem. We pray for Sarina’s dad James, Gerry & Sonny, Mike & Carol; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; the Raymonds; Hollis & Debbie; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Ruth & Peter; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Kirk. 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…

A Statement from the United Church of Christ National Setting

The United Church of Christ calls on the United States and the Israeli governments to bring to an end the dropping of bombs which is killing children and innocent persons.

We call on Christians to act from the power of God with courage and a love that rejects fear of the powers and principalities of our day that would have us cower to hegemonic power.

We call for an end to the abuse of government might that is poured out on people who are not the ones making decisions yet bear the brunt of the ensuing violence, casualties of actions they do not support.

We urge people of faith to call on leaders to return to diplomatic efforts and to reject war as a tool for peace.

We pray for a lasting peace, a deep peace which is more than the end to violence and brings about a just world with flourishing for all, remembering also in our prayers other parts of the world where wars and civil unrest persist.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson,

General Minister & President/CEO, UCC

Baby Sarina is being baptized on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the Centre Street Congregational Church, located at 9 Center Street in Machias. There will be a reception following the baptism. Pastor TJ is officiating. All are welcome to attend.

Pilgrim Lodge has set a goal of replacing all mattresses. We heard your feedback that better mattresses would contribute to a better camp experience, so we’re coming together as a camp community to make this dream a sweet one!

A generous group of donors has contributed the seed money for our Mattress Drive and we’re over half way to our fundraising goal of $15,000 to replace our mattresses. Please consider a gift to match their giving to help us reach our goal of new mattresses for great rest at camp! A one-time gift today provides great rest for hundreds of campers for years to come! The link to donate is here. Please put “Mattresses” in the memo of your gift. If you prefer to mail a check, you can send it to 103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane, West Gardiner, ME 04345.

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

RSVP here. 

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!

 To learn more about the book and to purchase, follow this link. 

March Birthdays

12: Tom Severance   13: Zachary Spaulding  15: Harry Lounder III

15: Nick Davis            20: Vivian Foss          21: Eveline Thorsen

     21: Savanna Hudson Havey     23:  Linc* Ehrlenbach           23: Diana Beck   

28:  Pam Bowie

We have been invited by Linda Cunningham’s brother, Glen, a Pastor in Massachusetts, to join them on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm for a Bible Study. If you wish, please join by following this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83610104381.

Pastor TJ is going on Sabbatical

What is a sabbatical and why are they important? Sabbaticals provide an important season of rest and renewal that benefit both minister and congregation. Ministry is a vocation that requires sustained spiritual, emotional, and relational investment. Intentional time away allows the pastor to step back from the constant rhythm of weekly leadership in order to rest, reflect, and reconnect deeply with God. This time of renewal can restore energy, perspective, and creativity, strengthening long-term health in ministry. At the same time, a sabbatical invites the congregation to grow. Sharing leadership, recognizing the gifts of many members, and trusting in God’s ongoing work in the church beyond any one individual are only a few of the benefits. When embraced with prayer and openness, this time apart becomes a healthy rhythm that nurtures both pastor and congregation and ultimately strengthens their shared ministry for the future.

Our Deacons are planning with Pastor TJ for her upcoming sabbatical in July, August, and September of this year. While TJ is volunteering at Pilgrim Lodge in July, seeking refuge in Wisconsin during the month of August, and hiking and traveling on the Eastern Seaboard in September, our congregation will be led by Rev. Hannah Mondrach who is an active member of our Sunrise Association.

Hannah’s Bio: Outside of ministry, Hannah Mondrach is a science teacher at MDI High School (teaching Chemistry and Outdoor Science), the Training Officer for MDI Search and Rescue, an Ultimate Frisbee coach, clarinetist, cyclist, world traveler, and mother to her goldendoodle Appa. Within ministry, she is the pastor for Worship in the Wild, an outdoor ministry in partnership with the Somesville Union Meeting House and the Sunrise Association of the Maine UCC. The goal of the ministry is to reconnect people to Creation through tangible experiences in nature. Worship in the Wild meets at a different trailhead twice a month, and participants engage in conversation and community as they hike, with a short reflective worship service along the way. Current worship experiences are in the MDI area, but Hannah is looking to expand to the entire area served by the Sunrise Association. Let her know if you know of a good walking or hiking spot!

Longtime Sullivan resident Clinton “Clint” Ritchie was awarded the Boston Post Cane during Sullivan’s Select Board Meeting March 2. “It’s quite an honor,” Ritchie said. “I always heard about people getting this award, but I never thought I would be one of them.”

At 95 years old, he is the town’s oldest resident. Ritchie worked as a janitor at the former Sumner Memorial High School for over 20 years before retiring.

“He has a deep connection with the students and the community,” Sullivan Town Manager Ray Weintraub said. “Even now, he’s going on walks with his wife every day, saying hi to people and helping stack and chop wood. I don’t think I’ll be able to do half of what he does if I reach his age.”

Weintraub said Ritchie and his wife, Eleanor, have been pillars of the community for many years.

The Boston Post Cane tradition was established in 1909 by the titular newspaper when it presented special canes to the boards of selectmen in 700 towns in New England to be given as an honor to each town’s oldest resident. Ritchie now holds the symbol for Sullivan.

“It’s awesome to recognize someone who has reached such monumental age and achievement within our community,” Weintraub said. “Lots of times older residents spend their time quietly unrecognized, so bringing attention to their longtime support is great.”

Following are the Questions distributed before worship March 1st (& subsequent answers). Apologies for not getting it distributed to those on-line prior to the service.

1.   If you wish, share your fears for yourself, our elders, our youth, and our next generations.

●     We are living through a time of chaos and damage to all that we hold dear. Our elders have seen this before. Our young people did not expect this. Our next generations will know what, how, and why this has happened.

●     I fear we have, as a country, forgotten who we are – what we believe.

●     Unrestricted AI. The current political climate.

●     I am trying to not dwell on fear so this question would take me more time that I have now.

●     The ache lives besides joy - - It’s there but hope is my lifeline.

●     Aging

●     Came this morning to be in a place where people might be praying about the war.

●     Insufficient water for drinking. Lack of compassion.

●     Safe place for infirm elderly to live.

●     Climate change. Political division.

●     I feel that the world is descending into flaming chaos which will alter all life for the worse.

●     Lack of long term care options for people who lack resources or family to help them out. Too much reliance on on-line social groups to tell people what to think.

●     That we will despair without hope – that we will fear there is nothing on the other side of all that is ending. That we will stop reaching out to one another.

●     Going blind. Being alone – isolated/isolating from other people. Opening up – need more of it. Concerns for veterans – need more outreach.

2.   Tell us something good… that you have done, that has happened to you or that you have witnessed.

o     I have been generous to strangers, in response to seeing them be kind to others.

o     Watching three women having lunch together invite a woman who was alone, in the next booth to their table, moved me, and I paid for their meals. This was not in a place that I live, or people I know. But I witnessed three things: Noticing, the women noticed the other woman, alone. Inviting, they invited her to join them. Gratitude, the woman accepting the invitation was grateful.

o     We have helped an elderly neighbor, living in sub-standard housing, arrange her affairs and offered her shelter on these cold nights.

o     It is just good to get up in the morning and know the sun, even during a storm, is still there.

o     Healthy, happy children.

o     I am trying to not see thru perfectionist eyes – helping me not regret past acts, judgements on others and this helps me be more compassionate to myself and others and life’s situations.

o     So many random acts of kindness – just last week a friend gave us two nights in Portland that she couldn’t use and thought of us! Melted our hearts!

o     New church.

o     Last nights NAACP Image Awards – light in the darkness!

o     The Hancock church welcomes everyone!

o     While struggling to shovel the dirt from our sidewalk last spring a teenage boy who we did not know stopped and asked if we needed help. Which we accepted. Turns out it was his birthday and he was trying out his new bike!

o     This church is an oasis of sanity, even in our relatively sane community and state.

o     I went to the Alcyon Center for 3 wonderful days of silence, simplicity, and skiing!

o     Volunteered with Veterans – seeing their positive reactions made me feel good. People often overlook easy stuff that anyone can do – coffee and donuts, etc.

3.   Tell us something good… that you hope to experience or have happen in the world.

▪      The little children in my life do not know what is happening in the wider world. They know only what they have, what love surrounds them. They know joy that is not tinged with fear or dread. I hope that this may someday be possible for all children.

▪      I hope to see our federal officials acknowledge truth and govern without groundless lies and prejudice.

▪      Hope is a thing with feathers – and feathers are lovely, complicated and beautiful.

▪      Restoration of moral clarity and leadership in the world.

▪      The smiling faces of friends.

▪      Loving communication. NVC! (Non-violent Communication) Go Gina!

▪      All would return to worship God

▪      Love and compassion will overcome all the anger in the country.

▪      The pendulum always swings and this nightmare of presidential overreach will end at some point.

▪      That we will discover the Holy, God, Spirit where we never expected. That we will be open to wonder.

▪      Hopeful that experts will come up with something that will fix my eyes.

4.   Tell us… what brings you hope?

⮚   You – this place – these people.

⮚   Resistance, resilience, reliance on each other.

⮚   We are seeing the gradual exposure of the rich and powerful to force accountability.

⮚   My hope is in the Lord ~

⮚   Community

⮚   The sun rise!

⮚   Connection – every day with family, friends – sharing feelings – open dialogue without judgement.

⮚   Good people taking the courage to take up leadership in “Doing Good!”

⮚   Our children and grandchildren who have good ideas on how to make things better.

⮚   My belief is the pendulum and in the innate goodness and benevolent impulse which is inherent in most (all?) people.

⮚   Our church – members and friends and the work we do.

⮚   Being in church, in nature, with others, reaching out, making connections.

⮚   I have a roof over my head, 3 meals a day, people who can help me out.

What brings Pastor TJ hope? So much! Often, our poets.

Sabbath Poems, 1993, IV

Hate has no world.

The people of hate must try

to possess the world of love,

for it is the only world;

it is Heaven and Earth.

But as lonely, eager hate

possesses it, it disappears;

it never did exist,

and hate must seek another

world that love has made.

Wendell Berry, This Day: Collected & New Sabbath Poems

Beginning this month, our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, will share her monthly message to the conference. She hopes those who follow us on Facebook will know hope and challenge with these words. Click on the link to hear Marisa’s message.