Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for August 30, 2026

Let love be real in giving and receiving / Without the need to manage and to own

A haven free from posting and pretending / Where every weakness may be safely known

Give me your hand along the desert pathway / Give me your love wherever we may go

As God loves us so let us love each other / With no demands just open hands and space to grow

Join us at Tidal Falls each Sunday morning through September at 7:00 a.m. for a 25-30 minute contemplative service grounded in the prayer books of J. Philip Newell. All are welcome! Thank you Nancy Gourlie & Robin Stratton for leading these services.

The Meditation Group is meeting at the Hancock Point Chapel on Fridays led by Alison Boden. In September the  group will move back to our Sanctuary. All are welcome! Reach out to Alison with any questions. (aboden3321@gmail.com, 609-865-3236)

If you are interested in year-long Zoom study with Angela please contact Angela for further information at angelaabsher@gmail.com

The Annual Church Pot Luck Picnic will be held at Tidal Falls, Sunday, August 30th from 4-6 pm. Bring a friend and a dish to share. Hope to see you there!

During the month of September we will be receiving the OCWM offering. Together we are a bold witness to God’s extravagant love for all. We share resources to bring our vision to life. Gifts from congregations like ours to OCWM Basic Support make it possible for our Conferences and the National Ministries to strengthen local churches and leaders and engage us in mission beyond our community. Envelopes available at the back of the Sanctuary.

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 the Fellowship Hall.

Upcoming September meetings:

Christian Ed will meet Friday, September 4 at 12 noon

The Budget Committee will meet Wednesday, September 9 at 10:30 am

Deacons will meet Friday, September 11at 4:30 pm

Trustees will meet Wednesday, September 16 at 11 am on Zoom only

Outreach will meet Thursday, September 17 at 4:30 pm

Council will meet Friday, September 25 at 11 am

Outreach Updates:

Next Steps (domestic violence) fundraiser: A huge success! Thank you Tamara, members of council and especially the congregation who came up with our  $250 donation within a few days. It was money well spent. The money raised at the Next Step fundraiser can be used as a discretionary fund within the organization. Grants provide the bulk of the organization’s operating costs, so care must be taken to spend grant money on earmarked objectives. This often excludes urgent unanticipated needs that arise. Our generous donation helped them raise the needed money.

Homework Club - Recently, the Outreach Board made the difficult decision to put the Homework Club on hiatus for this semester. Work and family commitments prohibit anyone from taking the lead on this project. Without that, we could not safely guarantee there would be staff to greet the students spilling off the bus on Thursday afternoons. It will be kept on the monthly agenda.

Food pantry - donations for both man and beast will be brought to the Loaves and Fishes from our congregation. Thank you. 

New England Seafarers mission was sent six ditty bags. The items come from a suggested list generated by previous recipients. A card was written for each bag, and a few of the items were wrapped to make it a more festive experience.

September Birthdays & Anniversaries

02: Chris Nowell        07: Rohanna Madigan        08: Tamara Wilson

08: Jane Coffin          09: Parker Fuller           11: Norman Bamford

14: Roger & Denise Chandler        15: Nancy Cooledge    15: Priscilla Hirschenhofer

16: Jamie & Gina Tansey          19: Tony Burkart           20: Dianne Eckhardt

20: Jim Singletary

 On September11 at the Hancock Historical Society, 11 Captain Bill Road,  Tobey Crawford will present the History of the Singing Bridge. The Museum opens for exploration at 6 PM on the evening of programs. Programs start at 7 pm.

BINGO BASH

The Christian Ed board invites you to our Fall Intergenerational Event: On September 20, from 4-6pm we will host a potluck supper and Bingo! Small prizes will be given for each Bingo scored. (No money needed) Team up with your child or friend, or play on your own. Mark your calendar now for this fun party!

SAVE THE DATE: The Ecclesiastical Council for Sarina Brooks to be held on September 26th at 1 p.m. at the Centre Street Congregational Church UCC in Machias. This meeting requires a quorum. When we gather as an association for an ecclesiastical council we discern whether or not the individual is ready to receive a formal call to ministry on behalf of the United Church of Christ. It's a big deal...and important work we are doing. We hope you will make the effort to attend. There will be a Zoom option available for those unable to participate in person. The Zoom link will open at 12:30 for the 1:00 pm scheduled meeting that day. Zoom participants will be able to unmute and make comments or put their comments in the chat. The Zoom link will be forthcoming. Some of you may need to copy the link into your browser to initiate the Zoom functionality.

I am focusing on visiting as my final month at Hancock UCC approaches. If you would like a visit please reach out by phone, email, or text to arrange a date. I welcome the privilege of sharing this transitional time with you.  ~ Pastor TJ

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, Lincoln & Debbie, Alex & Savannah, Andrew & Tamara, Tyler Crabtree and all of their families. We pray for all those who live and work at Golden Acres. Prayers for Roberta and her family; for Renata recovering from anaplasmosis; and for Bobby. We pray for Betty Johnston; Sonny & Gerry; Scott; Dean; David; Don; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Debbie; Kirk; Ruth & Peter; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Sally’s friend Darren; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; David Mack; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport. Prayers for all in Hospice Care and for all caregivers. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions. Prayers for those who are experiencing family conflict; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

The Maine Conference UCC will be holding the 2027 Hearings for Annual Meeting Budget, Vision & Mission Statement, and Two Resolutions of Witness, via Zoom!

There are two opportunities available to help accommodate everyone's busy schedules.

Thursday, September 3rd, 10 AM - 12 PM

Thursday, September 10th, 7 PM - 9 PM

Please attend one of these meetings as we present the budget, the vision and mission statement, and the resolutions for discussion; in preparation for Annual Meeting.  Please read carefully before attending one of these hearings.

VISION STATEMENT: The Maine Conference, United Church of Christ, is called to be a loving and courageous community of faith. We will live out this call by nurturing deep connections with one another and with the world through faithfully participating in God’s inclusive work of love and justice.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Maine Conference, United Church of Christ, thrives in covenant with our ministries as we discern God’s will. We love all people and care for creation and community by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Resolution On Immigration 2026

A Resolution Countering Christian Nationalism in Government Action & Policymaking

THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET will be available soon

Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join the Zoom meeting.  Register Here to attend one of the meetings.

Over the past year, the Maine Conference has been engaged in a Capital Campaign to renovate the Farm House at Pilgrim Lodge into a new home for our Conference offices. The goal is $150,000.

This project is about much more than a building. It's about bringing together the ministries of the Maine Conference, Pilgrim Lodge, and the Maine School of Ministry in one place, creating a shared home that reflects who we are: one church, joined together in covenant, mission, and hope. As Conference Minister Marisa Laviola has shared, this move is a tangible reminder that although we are spread across the state, we are one body in Christ.

Renovations are well underway, and each step forward is possible because of the generosity of people throughout our Conference who believe in this vision. Whether you've already made a gift, are considering a pledge, or are learning about the campaign for the first time, we invite you to join us.

Every gift—large or small—helps create a welcoming, accessible, and lasting home for the ministries that support our churches, equip our leaders, nurture our youth through Pilgrim Lodge, and strengthen the work we do together across Maine.

To learn more about the campaign, see the progress of the renovations, or make a gift, please visit: Maine Conference Capital Campaign maineucc.org/capital-campaign

Thank you for your faithful support of the Maine Conference and for helping build a home that will serve generations to come.

A Testimony of Giving from Ben Haskell 

FARMHOUSE (NEW HOME FOR MAINE CONFERENCE, UCC IN WEST GARDINER

Pilgrim Lodge sits on the shore of Cobbesseecontee Lake in West Gardiner, Maine. It is the summer Christian camping and retreat facility for youth and adults of the Maine Church Conference, United Church of Christ. It was established in 1956 and that’s where and when my story begins.

I was eleven years old that summer of ’56 and was a camper for a week in what was to become a lifelong association with Pilgrim Lodge, as a camper, counselor, Dean, Staff, and member of the Outdoor Ministry Committee well into the 21st Century. What does that have to do with the Farmhouse that sits on land just at the beginning of the road.

Well, for those who have attended PL once or many times, young and old alike, the Farmhouse is truly a Landmark. Other than the Pilgrim Lodge sign near the road there is nothing that indicates your arrival at that magic, friend-making, lesson-learning, esteem-building, holy spirit-filled, love-learning   place more than the Farmhouse.

Your excitement, anticipation, and maybe a little trepidation begins right then. The trigger is the old white house and shed sometimes showing signs of life, other times quiet and even mysterious. The Farmhouse is the first and the last to witness your excitement arriving and your sadness leaving at the close of the camp week.

In its “hey-day” the Farmhouse served many purposes. The Camp Manager or Director lived there, sometimes with family or other key personnel. Often the Outdoor Ministry Committee would meet there for business and socializing. Camp staff would met there occasionally at the end of a busy week to relax and unwind and share experiences of the preceding week. There was most often a meal to share.

I will share a personal story with you now. In the mid-sixties my father, Stan Haskell was the Camp Manager, a seasonal job in those days and I was proud to be the “assistant manager” and my girlfriend, BettyAnn Coulton was the “Nature and Crafts” person. At that time the male staffers lived in Cabin 13 and the female staff members lived in Forester. Campers were still separated by gender. Girls in cabins 1-11 on the Chapel side of the boardwalk and boys in Cabins 2-5 on the opposite side. The Nurse’s Cabin (infirmary) was Cabin 1 on the boy’s side. During that summer, PL hosted a National Island Camping experience. About a dozen high school age young people came from different states in the US and we lived on the island Manitou. We had two large teepees with cots for sleeping and we cooked over outdoor fires. Our main mission for that week was to pull rocks from the island shores and carry them to mid island and they formed the three rock walls for the sides of the first of two Adirondack Hut lean-to’s used today for campers sleeping on the island. This living and working for these young people from across the country was the highlight of my summer of ’66. (Incidentally, two years later I flew home from Ft. Knox, Kentucky to PL and the Farmhouse where my parents lived. That evening of June 7^th, the “Nature Girl” BettyAnn Coulton and I were married in the Main Lodge, Rev Stan Haskell, officiating!)

Now back to the business at hand……

The Maine Conference, UCC is moving its home office this October to the newly renovated Farmhouse on the PL property in West Gardiner and will conduct the future business of ministry from that location. This is an answer to my dreams for many reasons; still located in mid-Maine, economically wise, on land already owned by the conference, year round use of the building that is saving the Farmhouse’s structure from further decay, and with activity and lights will offer needed security. Added bonus for Conference staff and visitors will include the beauty of the nearby lake, trails to hike on, the unique beauty of the four seasons, especially fall and winter! Snowshoeing down the camp road to the lakeside and experiencing the cold, silent air and snow covered lodge, cabins and boardwalk brings one closer to our Creator.

May I remind you of the exceptional fundraising for Pilgrim Lodge during the two years of the Pandemic? The love of all for this Sacred Space led to incredible generosity in money and volunteering.  This enabled badly needed maintenance to be completed when the camp remained empty of summer activities. If you haven’t already been moved by your love of Pilgrim Lodge to donate to the Farmhouse Capital Campaign please consider doing so now. When you drive down the camp road this fall or next summer you can see the Farmhouse and feel good about your part in making it possible.

With thanks,

Ben Haskell 

A Letter from our Associate Conference Minister

Rev. John Fiscus 

My third year of service in the Maine conference has officially begun. It seems unreal that over two years have passed since I first entered the Conference offices. I have stopped trying to list and count all the churches that I have visited, preached at, or helped at times of transition. It has been an emotional journey. I have already had to say goodbye to pastors I have come to respect and have begun relationships with others newer than I to the state of Maine. Our Maine Conference is an ongoing mystery that continues to unfold.

Search and call still occupies the vast majority of my efforts. Beyond helping churches figure out what they need to say and do to attract new pastors, I find myself building networks of folks I can ask for help. I am currently working with four of the seven Committees on Ministry in Maine. They are an amazing collection of faithful people working to ensure that pastors are trained and ready for service in the Maine conference. These networks along with being present at Association gatherings have helped me view the rich tapestry woven across Congregational lives here in Maine.

One of the growing edges of my work continues to be ongoing support of our clergy. Our Conference is continuing to work on renewal and connective efforts across the state. We have begun to plan for the next clergy convocation in 2027. One of the other efforts along this line are the Clergy Communities of Practice. We currently have multiple groups that gather. I have had some folks ask about more affinity focused Communities of Practice and I am hoping to address that need. If you have interest in being a facilitator for a group let me know. I am hoping to be able to find groups for Chaplains, counselors, and spiritual directors. Our Ministers in Discernment and retirees have affinity groups. There is of course room to grow here.

One of the other areas that I have responsibility for is gathering new called pastors for a time of introduction to Maine and our resources. These gatherings bring together our staff, our mission teams, and newly called ministers into an intentional time of connection. Much of our success in life is measured in the ways we connect in covenant to become the body of Christ. These gatherings are great starting points.

One last ask or point of communication I want to offer is to remind you of our annual meeting on October 2nd and 3rd. Beyond getting to hear our Denominational leader, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, the planning committee and the Maine Conference Board of Directors have been planning and working since our last annual meeting to assure a time filled with information and blessings. Our ministry teams have worked on workshops, resolutions, and gathering moments that will offer multiple moments of conversation and connection. I hope to see you there.

On a personal note, I wanted to offer you a list of my thanks for being in Maine items. I love apple cider season. If an orchard makes their own donuts I will find you! I like Hot Dog stands that serve crazy things like Haddock burgers. I love how serious whoopee pies are taken here. I love the sound of the ocean crashing into rock shores beneath the lighthouses. There is a candy shop near Lebec that has a candy in the shape of a sea cucumber filled with peanut butter and caramel that will be shipped to family this year for Christmas. I love playing the game “is that one of ours” when I spot a big white steeple in a town I am passing. There are still three things on my Maine list to try. I want to see a blueberry harvest, I want to have a sip of Moxie (maybe more), and from a safe and secure distance I need to see a moose but a Bigfoot would be cool too. Year three here I come!

Be the Blessings you seek,

John