Let's Talk, Conversations that Matter
featuring Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd & Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson
Thursday, June 1, 2023
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Eastern • Online

Join us for a Conversation on a newly published book, Letters from the EcoTone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change, which invites the reader into an open-hearted dialogue at the intersection of science and religion, offering a shared vision of flourishing life on earth.

This online public conversation, either in the Zoom room or on Facebook Live is free. Register by clicking here.

For more information about The BTS Center, their “Let’s Talk!” series, and other programming: https://thebtscenter.org/lets-talk-lloyd-nagy-benson/

Don't forget - Pastor Andi's Installation is on Saturday at 11:00 AM!
 

Weekly Meditation
 

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and stars that you have arranged;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

 
My childhood summers on Islesboro overlapped, most years, with the Perseid Meteor showers.  On clear nights, my sister and I would lie on our backs out on the rocks — still warm from the long day of sunshine — and watch the stars fall. In between shooting stars, we’d lie there in silence.  Warmed by the rocks.  Lulled by the rhythm of the waves.  Lost in the Milky Way.  Enraptured by awe. 
 
Maine's night skies are brighter than they used to be.  That’s true everywhere: a recent study found that on average, the proliferation of artificial light is brightening the night sky by 7-10% per year.  Even so, we’re still on the darker edge of things, especially relative to the rest of New England.  (Here’s a nifty map that shows relative brightness and darkness around the world.)  The skies continue to put on quite a show: when I stand on my deck and look up at the heavens, it’s still very much a Psalm 8 kind of place.
 
Awe is the ground on which Psalm 8 stands.  And awe speaks an important truth: reminding us of the majesty and vastness of the God who made us, awe tempers our self-importance.  Like the psalm, it reminds us of our place in the order of things.  And what a marvelous place that is. 
 
This week, I invite you to join the psalmist in staring up at the heavens and marveling that the God whose fingers arranged the stars is the very same God who holds our lives with tenderness and care.  Just be with that thought. Let it carry you to a place of deepest awe and wonder.
 
Here’s a blessing for your star-gazing, written by Jan Richardson. 
 

In the midst of your life:
the daily of it,
the ordinary of it,
the noontime and night of it,
let there be moments
that open to you
the hallowed and holy of it.

May it be so. 
 
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Andi

As Heather and I turn our attention to planning summer worship, we’re curious about your favorite songs to sing in church.  And so, we’re inviting all of you to share with us your top three favorite worship songs.  And we define “worship songs” broadly: they can be hymns, contemporary, folk, Taizé style.  If it can be sung in church, it counts!  We’re not promising to incorporate every song you suggest — but we’d love to know what you’d love to be singing, and we’ll try to mix in some of your favorites in the coming weeks. 
 
There are three ways to share your top three songs with us. 
(1) Send us an e-mail: andi@tcpoc.org and heather@tcpoc.org. 
(2) Fill out this handy Google Form: https://forms.gle/LzAd1VyJ1vnmAd3e6. 
(3) Write your favorites on the big piece of white paper that will be hanging in the vestry on Sunday.
 
We’d love to hear from you by June 18^th.  But, of course, we welcome your thoughts anytime at all.
 

May    31st    3 p.m.         Choir Rehearsal
 

 

June    1    12:15-1      Let's Talk Conversation (Zoom)
June    3    11 a.m.       Pastor Andi's Installation
June    4     9:30 a.m.   Sunday Worship (in person & streaming)
June    4     4 p.m.        Spirit & Nature Walk
June    6     9 a.m.        Bible Study (Zoom)
June    7     3 p.m.        Choir Rehearsal
June   11    9:30 a.m.   Sunday Worship (in person & streaming)
June   12    1 p.m.        Shawl Ministry
June   13    9 a.m.        Bible Study (Zoom)
June   14    3 p.m.        Choir Rehearsal
June   15    5 p.m.        Church Council meeting
June   18    9:30 a.m.   Sunday Worship (in person & streaming)
June   20    9 a.m.        Bible Study (Zoom)
June   20    4 p.m.        Deacons meeting
June   21    11:30 a.m. Good Book Club at Trinity
June   21    3 p.m.        Choir Rehearsal
June   24    9 - 1           Dr. Mary Cushman Circle Summer Fair
June   25    9:30 a.m.   Sunday Worship (in person & streaming)
June   26    1 p.m.        Shawl Ministry
June   27    9 a.m.        Bible Study (Zoom)
June   28    11:30 a.m. Good Book Club at TCP
June   28    3 p.m.        Choir Rehearsal
June   30    2 p.m.        No Neighbor Left Behind

Check our calendar any time at:  http://www.tcpoc.org/calendar.html

                                                            Photo courtesy BHHT
 

THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF CASTINE

INVITES EVERYONE TO JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION
DURING OUR Sunday Morning Service, June 11th, from 10:30-noon
AT THE Historic Unitarian Universalist Meeting House ON THE CASTINE TOWN COMMON.

As a supporter of the Restorative Ecology educational program at the Adams School in Castine involving the entire K-8th grades and science teachers, UUCC has invited Kathy and Ann to tell us about their program for inspiring students to help make their community more resilient to the effects of climate change, and their ecosystem more diverse.  Ann is a Penobscot citizen whose direct ancestors called the Blue Hill Peninsula and islands home. 

You are invited to Sunday service which begins at 10:30 a.m. However, if you are not able to attend the full service, Kathy & Ann's presentation will begin about 11 a.m. with Q&A about 11:30 a.m. Please enter quietly through the church's front doors.

Council News ~

At its May meeting, your Council voted unanimously (and very enthusiastically!) to elect Bruce Boczkiewicz to serve as Finance Chair. No stranger to rolling up his sleeves to do the work of this church, he brings with him broad experience in financial matters. He will continue in his role as a member of the Investment Committee, which oversees the Endowment. We are grateful to Bruce for taking on this responsibility. 

If you’re interested in providing flowers, or serving as an usher, or bringing coffee hour refreshments, or spending time in the Children’s Corner with the littlest members of our community, please visit the Sign-Up Genius:
 

or sign up on the clip-boards downstairs in the Vestry.
Participation is so rewarding,
so please sign up for any task that you'd like to take on!
 

All are welcome to join an ecumenical Bible study, co-hosted by TCP and Trinity Episcopal Church, every Tuesday at 9 a.m.  Each week, we read and discuss the texts for the upcoming Sunday - as appointed by the Revised Common Lectionary.  The coming week's texts can be found above.  (Wondering what the Revised Common Lectionary is?  Read more here!) 

This Bible study happens over Zoom, so folks can (and do!) join from far and near.  Here’s the Zoom information, which will remain unchanged week to week.

If you or someone you know is in need of our prayers, either individually or during our time of congregational prayer in Sunday worship, please let Pastor Andi know, using her contact information below. 
 

For non-emergency pastoral care needs or visits, please contact Andi by e-mail or telephone below, using the contact information below.  For emergency pastoral care needs that arise outside of regular church hours, please call or text Andi on her cell phone: (802)-989-1448.