News (fyi)
Lenten Video - “Story Like This”
The third video in the Lenten series, “Becoming: a Season of Rebirthing,” is “Story Like This.” Images in the song reflect the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), and images in the poem/prayer echo the story of God making water spring from a rock for Moses and the Hebrew people (Exodus 17).
The video also reminds us that the work of seeing our way through the hard times, the dark times of our lives, is constant, difficult, and can be elusive. …
“Wait For It” - Lenten Video
Last week, we shared The Knowing, the first video in the series “Becoming: a Season of Rebirthing” that we are offering in Lent. The videos are the work of singer-songwriter Shellee Layne Coley, poet Kelly Ann Hall, and filmmaker Travis Reed.
The poem in The Knowing is a reflection on Adam and Eve hiding in the garden. In Wait For It, the poem is God’s response to them. …
Lent Begins with Confession
(Update: discussion guide available)
As the season of Lent begins, we offer a visual liturgy resource for your personal reflection and preparation for the spiritual journey ahead.
The Knowing is an evocative song by Shellee Layne Coley, which overlays a poem/prayer by Kelly Ann Hall.
Click here and enter your email to watch the video - available through March 22.
Lent at Our Church
As Lent begins, we’ve got a few events and activities coming up for both fellowship and faith formation. All are welcome!
Soup Suppers: … Monday, March 6, and Monday, March 27. Meals will begin at 5:30 pm. …
Book Discussion Group: an in-person group [reading] The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. … at the church starting Friday, Feb 24 at 11:00 am. …
Lenten Book Discussion
You’re invited to join an in-person book group during Lent, to read and talk about the new book by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie: The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days.
We’ll be meeting at the church at 11:00 am, starting Friday, February 24. Lenten Devotional Guides to accompany the book will be available for participants. …
Food for Thought
This Sunday, January 8, we give thanks and dedicate commitments of financial support for our church in the coming year. There will also be a potluck lunch following worship.
Coincidence? Not really. …
One is essentially about food and fellowship, the other financial and organizational. But both are about what we choose to give that we might nourish …
Remembering the Life of the Rev. James W. Fletcher
The Rev. Jim Fletcher, surrounded by loved ones, died peacefully at home in Scarborough, Maine, on December 28. Jim and Paula Fletcher came to Presque Isle in 1980. He served our church from 1980 - 1987. We will keep Paula, son Christopher and family, and daughter Peggy and family in our prayers.
“Gifts for the Christ Child”
Just what can I give him, Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet, what I can I give him – give my heart.
As our church has considered whose birth we honor, we have for many years gathered “Gifts for the Christ Child,” supporting the work of local organizations to meet basic human needs. UPDATE: With Dec 18 worship cancelled, please bring gifts to the Christmas Eve service. …
Giving as Grateful Response
From Ray Rice, Property & Finance Ministry
I want to begin by simply saying thank you. In the midst of constant change, a global pandemic, and learning how to be present in celebration in ways we might never have expected, you have responded with openness and generosity, inviting all to be together in worship. … Because of your commitment to the ministry of this congregation, we are an ever-increasing effective witness to the radical welcome of Jesus Christ. …
From Moderator Calvin Hall
I’m fairly certain that none of us enjoys paying bills. Many can’t be avoided. Some are for those things which may not seem essential but make our lives that much better. So, we prioritize, budget, save and plan, especially during challenging times.
It’s the same here at the church. … That’s where we all need to come in because we are all owners of the assets, physical and fiscal, and the money to pay the expenses comes from us. …
November Mission Moments
Warm and Safe Homes Telethon
Donate to the annual heating assistance project via our church, or the telethon on Nov. 17, 5am-8pm on WAGM-TV.
Grace Interfaith Food Table (GIFT)
Non-perishable food items are needed for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets …
“Mr. Jones” Film Screening - Oct 26
The University of Maine at Presque Isle will offer a film screening of ‘Mr. Jones’ as part of the event titled ‘Holodomor or Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine,’ on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room. A free event
The film loosely tells the story of Gareth Jones, a journalist from Wales, who … uncovers the truth about … the devastating famine in Ukraine in which millions died.
Neighbors in Need Offering
MISSION OUTREACH - October offering
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. …
Vision Group Update
From Church Moderator, Calvin Hall:
A few weeks ago Pastor Tim submitted his resignation and we are quickly coming up on his last Sunday with us. I know some of you have been curious as to where things stand in terms of the process to fill the pulpit for the short and long term. …
The Lay Worship Committee has been working to see that we have pulpit coverage through the end of December and there has been success! … Thanks to Jennifer Gillis-White for her leadership. …
Celebrating Pastor Tim and Marcia
Pastor Tim's last Sunday preaching from our pulpit (not that he stays in the pulpit very much) will be Sunday, October 2, 2022. This is also World Communion Sunday. A Potluck Luncheon to take place after worship is being planned, and we are asking for your special/favorite dishes to share. … This is a day to celebrate the Stohlbergs' gifts to us. Let's make it a memorable day. …
Words of Blessing from Our New Conference Minister
From The Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola:
Greetings, beloved people of God! Blessings, beloved people of our Maine Conference! I am so very honored and thrilled to have been called by you to be your settled Conference Minister! … We don’t always know what the future holds, but we know with deep assurance that God holds a future that is hope filled and life giving.
The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism book event
On September 21, from 4:00 - 5:30 pm ET, The BTS Center and the Maine Council of Churches are co-sponsoring an online conversation with feminist theologian and Episcopal priest Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward. Dr. Heyward will talk with Rev. Dr. Marvin Ellison, Bangor Theological Seminary Professor Emeritus of Christian Ethics, about her new book The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism. …
Welcome to our new website!
Welcome to our new website! Given the increased time demands of the last two years on our small group of tech volunteers (aka Melissa and Steve Vance), who were called on to make a digitally streamed worship service possible each week, an updated website has had to wait its turn. But that time has come…
From our Church Moderator Calvin Hall
As many of you are aware by now, Pastor Tim Stohlberg tendered his resignation as our Pastor and will complete his ministry with us on October 3, 2022. We will be forever grateful for his 11 years of leadership in the pulpit. In his letter of resignation, he wrote that “while change is challenging, with change comes opportunity.”