Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for September 27, 2026

We have no mission but to serve in full obedience to our Lord; to care for all, without reserve, and spread his liberating word.

We have a new Zoom link for Worship Services and Committee Meetings.

To join us on Zoom, use this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84880468016?pwd=lYcwgVaRs49aMfzCajE7MrFbH2Kap5.1

Meeting ID: 848 8046 8016   Passcode: 616145 

Join us for our final Sunday at Tidal Falls for the season, this Sunday, Sept. 27th at 7:00 a.m. for a 25-30 minute contemplative service.

The Choir practices Sunday morning at 9:10 am.  All are welcome!

The Friday Meditation group will now pause its meetings until next June. For further information please reach out to Alison Boden at aboden3321@gmail.com.

Hancock Community Pet Blessing Service

Community members and their pets are invited to a Pet Blessing Service at 10 am on Sunday October 4^th, at the Hancock Town Memorial Lot located at the intersection of Route 1 and Point Road, adjacent to the Hancock Town Hall. This informal service celebrates our pets and the important roles they play in our lives. Children are invited to participate and all types of pets are welcome, leashed as appropriate. If your pet does not play well with others, you may use a carrier or bring a picture. Please bring a chair. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the church.

ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE IN THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 21st!!

Please and Thank You.

October Birthdays

01: Gina Tansey        02: Sue Bonner         03: Everett Espling   

06: Judi Crowley        07: Jaimie Wood Harrell     08: Richard Lewis     

12: Brandon Perry-Hudson          13: Liz Bunker            14: Peggy Karns

18: TJ Mack     19: Bonnie Ross        20: Ruth Dietze          24: Susan Davies

29: Ron McGlinchey

SCAM ALERT! From our Treasurer, Jennifer…

I have had an increase of scam email looking like they come from Pastor TJ or other church members. I received this today.

Also, a couple weeks ago I got an email from what looked like it was from one of our staff requesting to change their paycheck direct deposit account.

Please be vigilant in making sure email requests actually come from legitimate email addresses.

Thanks!

Gordon Thomas Ward will present Troubadour Tales, a historic take on the Hancock area combined with music, songs and tales. Join us at the Hancock Historical Society, 11 Captain Bill Road, Hancock, Friday, September 25th at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome, refreshments will be served. A meet and greet with Mr. Ward will follow the presentation.

Our meetings are open to all. You are welcome to attend in the Fellowship Hall or by Zoom. Ask Vicky for the Zoom link, if you need it. (See new Zoom link on page one.)

Deacons’ will meet on Thursday, October 8th at 4:30 pm (on Zoom only)

Christian Ed will meet on Friday, October 9th at 12 noon (on Zoom only)

Trustees will meet on Wednesday, October 14th at 11 am (on Zoom only)

Outreach will meet on Thursday, October 15th at 4:30 pm

Council will meet on Friday, October 16th at 11 am

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. Prayers of strength and love as this church community transitions from Rev. TJ’s leadership to Rev. Pete. 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 Ruth & Peter; 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; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Sally’s friend Darren; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; David Mack; Sue Davies; and 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…

More to Celebrate

A Message from Liz Charles McGough, Pilgrim Lodge Director

A couple of weeks ago in her letter in the Midweek News, Marisa, shared some celebrations in anticipation of Annual Meeting coming up on October 2-3 at Pilgrim Lodge. If you missed the multitude of things that we have to be grateful for as the Maine Conference UCC, you can find that letter here. I have another celebration to add into the mix!

On September 6, 2026, we held Alumni Day at Camp. It was an opportunity to welcome people to camp from all generations of our 70 years of ministry in the sacred space that we call Pilgrim Lodge. In attendance, was Ben Haskell, who was a kid when the property was purchased, and our newest camper who is 4 months old. To be in the presence of a spectrum of people of so many ages and experiences of Pilgrim Lodge helps me to ground myself in the depth of our ministry and community and the hope that I feel in the future that we’re building together.

A special highlight of Alumni Day was the opportunity to dedicate our 103-panel solar array

on the roof of Quitobaquito and our first season of operating with renewable, clean energy as our primary source of power. We chased away the rain clouds with a parade of sunshine from our chapel up to the dining hall where we gathered to honor the contributions of Rocky Ackroyd of Green Sun, LLC for his leadership in the solar installation. I hope you’ll head to our website to read about this project and our gratitude for all who played a role in bringing this dream to life.

We celebrated that the amount of energy generated by the solar array was enough to power the whole camp throughout the season with no electrical costs beyond the baseline meter fees. Additionally, the array will power the Conference Office of the Maine Conference UCC at the Farmhouse at the entrance to Pilgrim Lodge. We’re thrilled to have a way to put our faith into action as we seek ways to care for creation and the space of Pilgrim Lodge and

hope the visibility of the panels serve as a daily call to action to be in relationship with and care for the natural world.

Rev. Marraine Kettell, who was the chair of the Pilgrim Lodge Leadership Team at the time when the solar project was approved, joyfully led the dedication of the solar panels:

“God of Light and Life, you have accompanied generations around the globe, through times of generosity and times of waste. Today walk with us as we proceed forward into a future that honors our environment and cares for the next generation who will journey with You. We give thanks for the generosity of members and friends that made this project become a reality. We give thanks for those who labored with installation. We give thanks for those who work in science and technology for the creation of solar power. We give thanks for Mother Earth who holds us, sustains us, and gives us home. May our hands and hearts come together to protect creation.”

And the people rejoiced: “Let there be light!”

I look forward to welcoming the body of the Maine Conference UCC to Pilgrim Lodge for Annual Meeting. I celebrate the opportunity to come together to do the business of our conference beneath these solar panels, seeking to live faithfully together in relationship with one another and the natural world.

It’s not too late to register to stay at Pilgrim Lodge for Annual Meeting. You can learn more and can start the process here.

Please spread the word: During Annual Meeting, we welcome youth to Fall Homecoming at Pilgrim Lodge. For those in grades 6-12, we have a retreat that happens while we’re gathered at camp.

It's quiet in the house today

The world moves slow above

We're learning how to say goodbye...

By letting go… With love.