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Get Off My Lawn!
For if you forgive others their trespasses, God will also forgive you. ~ Matthew 6:14
Most birds get aggressive toward others of their species when they get too near their nest or encroach on what they consider their territory. Some birds will team up to drive away predator species. But the unquestioned champion of the grumpy old bird competition has to be the Northern Goshawk. Their loud, shrieking call is apparently their language for “Get off my lawn!” When nesting, a male Goshawk is extremely busy keeping the area clear of all trespassers. Not only does all mean ALL, the area protected can be up to an eighth of a mile around the nest. Goshawks are not only interested in clearing their territory of other Goshawks, or even other birds. They will drive off other perceived threats, some as large as deer.
Of course, this means that human trespassers will receive the same treatment. The best look I ever had of a male Goshawk was when it came screeching at my head because I had the audacity to stop and look at him. The look would have been better if I hadn’t needed to duck, but at least I didn’t have to hit the ground like one of my fellow birders did once. He claims to have the shirt ripped by the birds talons as a memento!
You have to feel sorry for these overworked birds, who perceive far more threat than exists. Can you imagine attempting to keep every creature off your property? Once started, where does it end? And more property only means more trespassers to run off. When Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness for our trespasses, he coupled that with our forgiving trespassers. This begs the question about what is being trespassed. We treat the gifts entrusted to us by the Creator as if they belong to us. If we are caught in a cycle of seeking forgiveness for violating property rights and forgiving those violating our property, the perhaps one teaching of the prayer is that we have mistaken what is our property. We have all known what it feels like to be violated, having nothing to do with external possessions. These are the sort of trespasses that have real impact, requiring forgiveness.
Forgiveness is only a step in the more essential process of reconciliation. Breaking free from the trespass/tresspassed-against cycle allows the space to seek restored relationship with others, and ultimately with God.
Prayer: Heavenly Gardener, may we care for your lawn on earth as you care for your lawn in heaven. Amen.
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JOYS
- For those who have been mothers to us
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CONCERNS
- For those who are hungry and homeless
- For the people of Ukraine
- For those struggling to become mothers or experiencing loss
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Faith Formation & Fellowship
We will continue our weekly gatherings on Zoom every Thursday at 7:00 PM
Currently, we are having conversations about race. A few of us were able to attend the presentation by a UCC staff person from the Join the Movement program of the national setting. This week, we will use the case studies presented then to have some practical conversation about hypothetical, yet realistic, situations.
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The Living Water Association Spring Meeting
Sunday, May 15, 2022.
The meeting will take place in person at the Winslow church, but there will also be a Zoom option available. A meal, provided by our own Stone Soup Cafe, will be offered at 1:30. Both in-person registration and the Zoom link will open at 2:00 pm. The business meeting will start at 2:30 with worship led by Rev. Ian.
-- We'll be voting on an important bylaws amendment that would revise the membership of our Committee on Ministry.
-- We'll be holding elections.
-- The program following the business proceedings will be a presentation on the food ministries of the Winslow and Waterville churches, including the Stone Soup Cafe
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If the weather doesn't cooperate, the back up will be Sunday afternoon.
More about Davidson Nature Preserve, including directions can be found here: https://www.tklt.org/davidson There is limited parking, so carpooling is encouraged.
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“Mawopiyane, in Passamaquoddy, literally means ‘let us sit together,’ but the deeper meaning is of a group coming together, as in the longhouse, to struggle with a sensitive or divisive issue. The word indicates an urgency to meet because the outcome is something very desirable, such as resolving a conflict or bringing about peace. It’s a healing word.”
Those opening words come from a book that we are inviting you to join us in reading together in order that we may engage in a greater understanding of our indigenous neighbors in Maine, the Wabanaki, “People of the Dawnland,” those who called this land home for thousands of years. The Wabanaki are made up of four Maine tribes, respectively the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot and Passamaquoddy. Their story is important for us to know and vital for us to engage in. The impacts of colonization and issues of injustice that remain a reality for the native people in Maine are of concern to all of us. Healing and moving forward together can only happen when we are willing to listen to and learn from one another.
The Gatherings: Reimaging Indigenous-Settler Relations is a book compiled of
stories and perspectives from the voices of those who committed to sitting in the circle to listen and to share. The first gathering began 30 years ago and became a life-changing experience for those who joined together. Their voices teach us the value of hearing one another, the importance of acknowledging each other’s perspectives and the healing power of respectful dialogue.
Recognizing our interconnectedness is the way toward peace, harmony, and justice. So then “let us sit together” as we explore The Gatherings and share in this journey alongside one another.
The Gatherings Book Study, is open to all. Co-facilitated by the Reverend Doretta Colburn, Dianne Morse-Leonard, Al Struck and John Brooking as technical support, the book study will be held on Wednesdays in June (June 1,8,15 and 22) from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Zoom. Books can be purchased online. If the cost of the book is a barrier for you, please let Stephen Hastings
know ( stephenh11656@gmail.com). We look forward to deepening our understanding of our interconnectedness as we read and discuss this book together. Please register by contacting Stephen Hastings by May 18th. Please put “book study registration” in the subject area.
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The Deacons will host a post-worship coffee hour this Sunday. Now that the weather is warmer, we can be outside. Weather and safety precautions permitting, we will make this a monthly event. We hope you can stick around after worship to enjoy the weather and some fellowship.
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We understand that folks are tired of wearing masks, and we know that masks are now optional in many public places. But the UCC churches in our area are for the most part requiring masks. The current COVID-19 variant is very contagious and we as a congregation are a vulnerable population. As Dr. Shah says, "We are done with this virus, but it isn't done with us." We need to remain vigilant for the time being.--Sally Melcher-McKeagney, Faith Community Nurse
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Strengthen the Church Offering, June 5th
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In 2021, the Maine Conference utilized their Strengthen the Church Offering funds to create Clergy Pandemic Renewal (CPR) Grants as one way to combat the growing levels of burnout experienced by clergy. Between offering front-line spiritual care and leading their communities through massive adaptive change, our clergy were reporting deeply worrying levels of exhaustion and overwhelm.
Recent research by Drs. Emily and Amelia Nagoski found seven effective strategies for helping people process stress and move back into health: physical activity, breathwork, deep connection with friends and loved ones, belly laughter, crying, affectionate touch, and creative expression. Strengthen the Church funds enabled the Maine Conference to offer grants of up to $800 per authorized minister to fund proposals for activities corresponding to those seven strategies. Since
the launch of our CPR grant program, 28 clergy have received funds for travel, retreats, therapeutic massage, exercise equipment, gym memberships, coaching, therapy, art supplies, and even an electric drum set.
Strengthen the Church funds made it possible for the Maine Conference to equip our clergy with the necessary tools to process the pandemic's pervasive emotional, spiritual, and physical fatigue. As one clergy member recently reflected, "The CPR Grant from the Maine Conference came along at the time when I needed it the most…this grant allowed me to take time just for me to tend to my mind, body, and soul. My renewal retreat funded by this grant gave me critical space for clarity and deep discernment."
The Strengthen the Church Offering supports the efforts of our conferences and the national ministries of the United Church of Christ to support leaders, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. Together, we all grow stronger.
Rev. Alexis Fuller-Wright (she/her/hers)
Designated Term, Associate Conference Minister
Maine Conference United Church of Christ
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Whether joining the daily prayer check-in or attending Sunday worship via Zoom, the safest and most reliable way is to open the Zoom app on your device and enter the meeting ID and passcode listed below. Or you can click on either of the boxes below to open the meeting you want to attend.
It is also possible to join with audio only by calling 1 929 205 6099
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Wednesday, May 11
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
Office Closed
Thursday 12
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
11:30 a.m. Stone Soup Cafe at Winslow
7:00 p.m. Faith Formation & Fellowship
Friday 13
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
11:30 a.m. Stone Soup Cafe
Saturday 14
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
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Sunday, May 15
9:30 AM Worship Service on-site & on-line
10:30 AM Coffee Hour
1:30 PM Living Water Association Meeting at Winslow Congregational
Monday 16
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
11:30 AM Stone Soup Cafe at Winslow
Office Closed
Tuesday 17
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
Office Closed
Wednesday 18
9:00 AM Essentials Closet
10:00 AM Daily Zoom prayer/check-in
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