Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for July 13, 2025

God has spoken by the prophets, spoken the unchanging word;

Each from age to age proclaiming God the One, the righteous Lord!

'Mid the world's despair and turmoil one firm anchor holding fast:

God eternal reigns forever, God the first and God the last.

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 Sunday services will begin at 7:00 a.m. at Tidal Falls (rain or shine) and are expected to last 25-30 minutes. Please join us!

We are pleased to have Winter Harbor native singer-songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward in our pulpit this week, while Pastor TJ is a counselor at Pilgrim Lodge.

Gordon is a Grammy-balloted, award winning singer-songwriter-story teller who paints musical portraits that plumb the depths of our emotions and bring the past to life while pointing to a hope-filled future. His music features Contemporary Folk Rock and Alternative Folk Rock genres, influenced by the singer-songwriters of the late 1960’s through the 1970’s. He has collaborated and played with many nationally recognized recording artists and has produced a number of #1 charted songs. Gordon also wrote “Tracing Infinity: Bridging the Gap between Earth and Heaven,” which has been endorsed by groups such as GreenFaith and the New Jersey Audubon Society.

Tracing Infinity takes readers on a journey, one that will show them how close our lives are to the source of our existence. Meadows, mountains, gardens, coastlines, and open rangeland are all classrooms and sources of inspiration, and if you look close enough, the author will teach you how you can find similar inspiration wherever you happen to be, even in your own backyards. We all exist in the present and follow our futures in the same breath. Come and hear how the Divine touches us all on our incredible journeys.

Our Monteux student musicians for this Sunday will be

Ben Stayner (cello) and Juan Florez (violin). 

Benjamin Marten Stayner is a conductor, music director, and multi-instrumentalist from Youngstown, NY. After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory from The Hartt School and a Master of Music in Conducting (Musical Theatre & Opera) from Ithaca College, he spent three years music directing and conducting musical theatre around the country. Ben has collaborated with Broadway-level talent such as David Archuleta, Josh Strickland, and Felicia Finley. He has studied conducting with Edward Cumming, Glen Adsit, and Christopher Zemliauskas. In masterclass, he has worked with Tito Muñoz, Michael Jinbo, and Carl Topilow. Ben is currently working toward a Master of Music in Orchestral and Choral Conducting at the University of Connecticut, studying with Paul McShee and Jamie Spillane. As part of his assistantship, he teaches fundamentals of music theory and ear training, assists with undergraduate conducting classes, and serves as the Assistant Conductor of the UConn Symphony Orchestra and Concert Choir.

Juan Florez is a violinist and conductor from Miami, Florida. He has completed his degree in Violin Performance from the University of Florida and is currently doing a Masters of Science in Management geared towards Arts Administration at the Hough Graduate School of Business. Simultaneously, he is completing a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting under the direction of Dr. Tiffany Lu at UF. Juan is currently a violinist for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, and the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, and has had previous performances with major orchestras, such as the New World Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he was inspired by Gustavo Dudamel to study conducting. He started building a robust conducting presence for himself by being named the principal conductor of the Collective Chamber Orchestra. Recent engagements include leading the Tegucigalpa Symphony Orchestra in performance, the ensemble of the capital of Honduras, as well as the Orquesta Filarmónica de Honduras. 

July Birthdays and Anniversaries

14: Brookelin Harriman            18: Zachary & Aimee Spaulding    

23: Aaron & Ashley Johnson          19: Patrice Alexander     

 Our annual Church Fair, Yard Sale, and Silent Auction will soon be here on Saturday August 2nd. Please save the date. We need lots of help and donations to make our biggest fundraiser of the year a success.  It's a very important event in the life of our church and we can't do it without you!

In particular, the Silent Auction needs gift certificates from your favorite stores and restaurants, paintings, artwork, unique one-of-a-kind items, high-end small appliances and sports equipment, and donated services to create auction excitement and high bids. The Silent Auction consistently brings in a lot of money and we need your help to be successful again this year.  Please coordinate your donations with David Wildes (422-3739).

The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, UCC, will host a concert by the students of the Monteux School and Music Festival for the benefit of the scholarship fund of the School—Thursday, July 24 at 3pm.  Donations encouraged.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers of love and condolences go out to Rev. Elaine Hewes and family, on the sudden death of their beloved husband and father, Michael Hewes, on Monday July 7th. Our prayers remain with Alex & Savannah and Andrew & Tamara; and Tyler Crabtree and his family. We pray for David M,; Donald B.; Kenny V.; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for  Jim Snyder and all in Hospice Care. Prayers for Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira and Ginny; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Herbie Lounder; Ruth; Marie; 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 loss or change; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

Mark your calendars and spread the word! For this Annual Meeting and the months leading up to it, we will be focusing on developing a new vision and mission statement. As the Board of Directors has begun to brainstorm and pray for God’s guidance for our vision and mission, we will continue that process with your vital input, your discernment, your sacred discovery of our vision and mission. We want to do all we can to include God’s voice and vision in our path forward—through you—beloved people of our Conference.

 From Maine Conference

     A Letter from our Associate Conference Minister

                             Rev. John Fiscus

   I graduated from high school ten years before the publication of Dr. Seuss' Oh the Places You’ll Go. That book has become an annual bestseller for families to gift their graduates. It tells a fanciful tale that is meant to describe the journey of life. It offers that life is full of ups and downs, group times and alone times, and lots of waiting times. My favorite paragraph of the book is this. “You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” (Seuss)

   I thought of this book about life’s journey this week as I prepare myself to go to the General Synod of United Church of Christ. Synod is a scheduled gathering of church members and pastors across the denomination who come together to learn, worship, and conduct the business of decision making for the church. There is a voting group selected by associations and conferences to be a cross section of the church in its current form. This year we are headed to Kansas City. It is also my first time having the honor to go and be present. I am breathing deeply and following Seuss’ advice, never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

   I use the word honor because I am deeply moved at this expression of our Covenant polity. We are all held together in a bond with God to move together in this world to do the work of Christ in the current age. Synod asks me to step outside my congregation, outside my association, outside my conference and listen and learn with others to how the spirit might move us forward together. I know too that this journey to synod will be filled ups and downs, alone times and group times, and lots of waiting. I am excited for it all. I will see old friends, make new connections and be surrounded by others on this shared journey. I will be taking you all with me.

   I can’t pack you all into my bag and sneak you into the convention center. I will be carrying all your stories and prayers I encountered in the Maine conference. From Presque Isle to Kittery Point, from Fryeburg to Lincolnville, and all points in between I will be carrying you with me. Once I am home, I will share all the places I got to go and all the things I got to hear, because this time at Synod is to deepen our relationship to others across our denomination. They will hear about you and once home I will share about my time there. In the meantime, continue to pray for me and all the Maine folk traveling to be part of our conventual connection to the larger church.

*Dr. Seuss. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2016.

UCC SYNOD 2025 in Kansas City!

July 11-15

What is SYNOD? It is an every three year gathering of delegates and visitors from across the United Church of Christ. At SYNOD, we worship, we pray, and we do the business of the denomination. If you are interested in learning more, go to UCC SYNOD 2025.

Please pray for our delegation:

Patricia Boyle-Wight (Oxford Union), Sue Burgess (Katahdin), Mark Fecteau (York), John Fiscus (Conference), Stacy George (Katahdin),  Marraine Kettell (Living Water), Spencer Law (At large, youth) Stefenie Michaud (Board Chair), Holly Reid (Mid Coast), Allison Smith (Cumberland) and Kathy Woodside (Sunrise)

PLENARY SESSIONS AND WORSHIP SERVICES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED!

Click on the link: https://www.ucc.org/gs-livestream/

Please Pause in Prayer:

For the victims of the tragedy in Texas—those who survived and their families, and the families of those who tragically perished. Also hold first responders close as they continue to look for victims. If you wish to donate to for relief from this tragedy, go to https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/wider-church-ministries/global-hope/disaster/, scroll down to the bottom and click on Disaster Ministries Donation Page.