Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for May 14, 2023
God, we praise you for the women who have taught us to be strong,
who have held us, who have raised us with a prayer and with a song.
Sarah laughed to hear the promise-- God would bless her with a son;
Sarah laughed and Sarah doubted till she saw what God had done.
Pharaoh's daughter, like a mother, lifted Moses from a pool,
brought him safely to the palace where a slave would go to school.
Mary watched the killing madness as her son died on the cross;
she who knew the joy of childbirth now was torn by bitter loss.
Upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities
While the Choir is on hiatus anyone wishing to sing or play an instrument during the service is invited to be in conversation with our Music Director, Debbie Riley.
Join us in our Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. or on our Sunday Worship Zoom link at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327467219?pwd=Mis3ME4waGE1RmRBN zFXK3VUaDJXdz09
Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219 Passcode: 131738
(Posted later for viewing on Facebook and YouTube)
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, May 12th at 12 PM in the Sanctuary and on Zoom
Outreach will meet Thursday, May 18th at 4 PM in the Fellowship Hall
Council will meet Friday, May 26th at 12 PM in the Fellowship Hall and on Zoom
The Sunrise Association Spring Meeting will take place on Saturday, May13th at the Milbridge Congregational Church, UCC from 9am-12pm. All are encouraged to attend.
On May 13th at 2:00 pm there will be a service for Rev. Rob McCall who was the pastor at the Blue Hill Congregational Church for 28 years. All who knew Rob are welcome to attend.
You are invited to celebrate the life of David Wood on Sunday, May 21st, at Tidal Falls at 2:00. Please bring sandwiches, salads, chips and/or drinks for yourself or to share.
Our local Loaves & Fishes food pantry is once again asking for your volunteer time.
If you are available for any of the dates/times below please sign -up using this link.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fCUXkQz7g8STSQzAx_15eEL5BOOCdpgvYCu7KbGypok/edit?usp=sharing
Please check all positions for MAY but we particularly need help with
check-out on May 12,19, 26, 29 and 31
Retail pick-up May 17 and 19, 24, 26 and 29
Product Processing - May 8, 12, 15, 22, 24, 26, 29 and 31
Client Assist - May 22, 26, 29 and 31
They can't run the pantry without your dedication and time and they greatly appreciate you.
During the month of May, we will be receiving the Strengthen the Church offering.
This is one of the 5 for 5 offerings supported by the Maine Conference.
The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, & innovation. Envelopes are available in the back of the Sanctuary or notate STC on your check.
If you or someone you know would be interested in doing some home health care for the summer, please speak to Patrice Alexander, 422-9536.
May Birthdays and Anniversaries:
14: John Wells
16: Mary Alice Alley Freeman
18: Fran Courschene, Dick Butters
20: Dennis King
22: Brendan Bonner
23: Debbie Ehrlenbach
24: Erva Pinkham
26: Vicky Espling
29: Sally Knapp
31: John Holt, Marty Johnson
31: Clint & Eleanor Ritchie
Contact Us at Union Congregational Church of Hancock:
TJ can be reached by cell phone at 207-323-6743 or by email at revtjmack@gmail.com
Vicky can be reached at 207-422-3100 or by email at hancockmaineucc@gmail.com
Jen can be reached by email at treasurer@hancockucc.com
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Debbie & Lincoln’s son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle as Aaron undergoes another surgery for a brain tumor; Savanna’s parents, Mary Ann and Artie Smallage; Mary Angela’s mother, Caroline; Chris Kinney, who was involved in a very bad climbing accident; Jeff, as he adjusts to life without Cheryl; Mary Thomas; Kate Winters; Dave Marden; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Keith & Annie; Gary & Jeanne’s grandson William; Gary Edwards; Kathy’s friend Amy Nickerson; Trudy Clark; Samantha and her family; Mike and Cindy Merritt; Denny Doucette; Sandy Phippen; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Coulter Huyler; Judith Crowley; Sally’s brother-in-law Jim; Linda; Austin’s cousin Danny; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Debbie Maddocks and her Aunt Linda Reed; Liz & Jim; Renata and the women she cares for; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; baby Alexander; Betty and her step-daughter Mollie; Nancy; Cynthia; Margaret B; Eleanor’s step-daughter Holly; Cathy C.; all affected by memory loss; healing prayers for a family seeking solutions to significant mental health issues; all those living with depression and other mental health issues; all grieving losses, both ancient and new; all individuals and families experiencing addictions; all caregivers; for all victims and loved ones of violence; those impacted by laws limiting reproductive justice; those experiencing food and housing insecurity; the people of Syria and Turkey; the people of Ukraine and Russia; the people of Sudan; all in your heart…
News from the Maine Conference
Our Maine Conference Social Action Committee invites us to explore this website
to educate ourselves and others about upcoming legislation regarding Tribal Sovereignty.
Why is it important? What can we do?
A Letter from Rev. Alexis Fuller-Wright-
Designated Term Associate Maine Conference Minister
Dear Maine Conference,
Do you ever look around the world and feel like there is more work to be done than you could ever imagine achieving? It’s times like those that I give thanks for being part of a wider network of churches and conferences. There is only so much that I, as an individual – or even my church, alone – can achieve. But together, we can have a significant impact.
That’s why Our Church’s Wider Mission, OCWM, is one of the 5 major offering we receive in the UCC. OCWM funds a strong network of churches that allows us to have a transformative impact in our communities. In our conference, OCWM funds activities like:
• training, equipping, and authorizing the clergy that will lead us into the future
• creating a coalition of leaders who work for issues of justice on the state and national level
• having someone to call when you need help with fundraising, behavioral covenants, new staffing models, governance shifts, or conflict mediation
• disaster preparedness and support when disasters occur
• summer camps where kids find unconditional belonging and experience the transcendence of unplugged time in nature
How is all of this possible? Because of Our Church’s Wider Mission gifts. We are not lone rangers in the UCC – we are a connected, covenanted, collaborative group that supports each other and has resources for the life and challenges of each congregation.
Thanks be to God for the connective tissue that is the Maine Conference – and each of you, who make us the vibrant conference that we are.
Blessings,
Alexis
Women’s Spring Weekend
Greetings Friends!
The first Women’s Weekend of the Pilgrim Lodge season is coming up from June 2-4, 2023. Come join us for the Women’s Spring Weekend to start the summer with a gathering of women and the blessing and wonder of Pilgrim Lodge.
Enjoy a weekend of spiritual relaxation as well as rejuvenation with plenty of free time all to yourself or with old and new friends; perhaps with a book alone in a rocking chair on the porch, hiking one of the many trails, being artful and creative, or just catching up with some of your friends from previous years or those you bring with you gathered on the boardwalk.
As we gather together at the water’s edge of Lake Cobbosseecontee, come and enjoy the waterfront by swimming (maybe a cool morning dip?), kayaking or canoeing, or just hanging out on the sunny dock, watching the loons go by.
Come and join with the voices of women singing songs, sharing stories, playing games, laughing and praying together. There are so many ways to unwind with the Spirit as well as be lifted up here at Pilgrim Lodge…all you have to do is come. Hope to see you this year!
Liz
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