Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for June 15, 2025

Poet, painter, music-maker, all your treasures bring;

craftsman, actor, graceful dancer, make your offering;

join your hands in celebration: let creation shout and sing!

In all places and forever glory be expressed

to the Son, with God the Parent and the Spirit blest:

in our worship and our living keep us striving for the best.

The Choir is on summer hiatus while the Monteux Musicians are with us.

Students from the Monteux School will join us Sunday, June 22 through the season.

During June, July, and August in addition to the 10:00 Worship Service in our Sanctuary, Pastor TJ and a small contingent of volunteers are offering an alternative contemplative service inspired by John Philip Newell prayer books. These outdoor services will begin at 7:00 a.m. at Tidal Falls (rain or shine) and are expected to last 20-30 minutes. Please join us!

Pastor TJ will be on vacation and working from a distance June 4-18.

She will preach from Wisconsin via Zoom on June 15.

Our meetings are open to all. If you would like a Zoom link to the meeting, let Vicky know and she will get it to you.

Trustees meeting on Wednesday, June 18 at 4:00 pm via zoom

Outreach will meet Thursday, June 19 at 4:15 pm

Council will meet Friday, June 20 at 11:00 am

Deacons will meet Friday, June 20 at 4:00 pm

Rich Malaby's memorial service will be on Saturday June 21 @ 1:00

St Philip's Episcopal Church, 12 Hodge St, Wiscasset

 If you’d like to, wear Eagles green (his favorite team).

There will be a Celebration of Life for Dr. John VanPelt on Friday, June 27 at 11:00 am

at the First Congregational Church, 2 Church Street, Ellsworth.

HYSSONGS in Concert at FCC

Saturday, June 21 at 6 p.m

Dell, Susan and Richard Hyssong travel full-time as the award-winning Hyssongs. Their energetic ministry combines family vocal harmony, humor and brass instruments (trumpet and trombone) to delight audiences with their Christ-centered message, shared through the powerful medium of music.  The family’s classical music background, along with their harmony and specific chord structures, lend them a unique sound that has made quite an impact on audiences.  The group has been singing together as a family for more than 28 years.  Cost:  a free will offering will be taken.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Alex & Savannah and Andrew & Tamara; and Tyler Crabtree. Prayers for Donald B.; Kenny V.; Orrick; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira and Ginny; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Herbie Lounder; Ruth; Marie; Jim Snyder; Jonathan Holmes; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Kenny Stratton & Joy & David & Lori & Melissa; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; and Sandy Phippen. 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; those who are grieving; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

June Birthdays and Anniversaries

15: Roslynne Lowry    17: Ginny Shaw Coleman     17: David Mack

19: Ron Schwizer        19*Sandy* Phippen        21: Herbie Lounder

22: Jack & Priscilla Hirschenfofer      23: Steve & Mary Beth DiMarco

25: Kenny Houghton   26: Pat Shannon    29:*Ted* & Ann Atkinson

Pastor TJ encourages everyone to attend this program offered by the Sullivan Sorrento Historical Society as one step in the process of educating ourselves on becoming supporters of the Wabanaki Alliance. The Doctrine of Discovery is the 1493 papal bull that attempted to justify colonization of the New World and the devastation of the Indigenous people inhabiting these lands since time immemorial. Dr. Dwayne Tomah, Language Keeper of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, will present on the Wabanaki perspective at the Farmstead Barn, 2816 US Hwy One in Sullivan. All ages welcome! Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 1pm

Angela Abscher will once again be hosting the Friday morning meditation group at the Hancock Point Chapel for the summer months. Meditation group moves from our Sanctuary to the Chapel beginning on July 4th at 9:00 a.m.  All are welcome.

From Our Maine Conference

From our Associate Conference Minister

Rev. John Fiscus

You have come down to the lakeshore

Seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy,

But only asking for me to follow. (NCH 173)

Hey, you look familiar. Have we met before? This is my current state of mind in the Maine conference. As I begin to celebrate anniversaries, interview, accept offer, notify church, slight medical derailment, last church Sunday, find housing, and move to beautiful Maine I am reminiscing on all the churches and people of the state I have met. I know as much as I travel and as hard as I have tried, I am only scratching the surface. I wish there was a place and time I could invite as many pastors as possible and church leaders to gather and meet even more of you. We could celebrate, have workshops, break bread and worship together.

Good for me there is already such a mythical place. It is the annual meeting of the Maine Conference at Pilgrim Lodge. It is scheduled for October 17 and 18th. I don’t know all the workshops or ideas that will be flowing through the space but what I do know is that it is a great chance to come together and be the church in connected ways. Last year I spent a good deal of time at the registration desk offering handshakes and welcomes. I imagine this year will be more “wow good to see you again” and a few hugs…

Please come meet me and so many more folks. The United Church of Christ is about our sacred connection called covenant. When we have Association or Conference meetings, they are opportunities to strengthen the bonds of covenant. What’s more is that the place we meet is beautiful. The lake and woods of Pilgrim lodge are a perfect background to slow down and feel connected. In October, there are often crackling fires in the hearths to cozy into on cool mornings. There are more warm hearts and friendly faces to add to the season of connection.

So make plans to attend or send delegates from your congregations. All the staff of the Conference will be there. Knowing Pilgrim Lodge, the way I do, I also imagine that cookies, coffee and tea will be flowing. If nothing else come sit on the porch and have a good rock and better conversation. Come down to the lakeshore and say hi! More Details coming soon!