Rest in Your church

  1. Cooperative Parish Structure Beginning in July, the four churches will form a 100% cooperative parish . Rev. Craig Taylor will serve as the pastor of the parish. This model is similar to the current shared ministry but will be more unified in structure.   2. Financial Structure Houlton United Methodist Church will serve as the central (paying) church . Houlton will receive and pay all pastoral-related expenses, including: Salary Health insurance Pension CPP (Comprehensive Protection Plan) Workers’ compensation (if applicable) The other three churches (Stetson Memorial, Mars Hill, Hodgdon) will send their contributions to Houlton .   3. Contribution Amounts Annual contributions (including reimbursables): Stetson Memorial: $24,127 Mars Hill: $14,441 Hodgdon: $14,441 Payments can be made: Monthly (recommended ...

        In the beginning, I occasionally met the lay leaders and pastors of our nine churches through my husband. The foundation of our Cluster was built upon the gentle leadership of my husband, Victor, who served as the Cluster Leader, alongside the precise and timely minutes reported by Sue Brown, the dedicated service of Paula Lilley as our Treasurer, and the love and devotion of Retired Elder Mary Miller, who served as a bridge connecting our individual congregations. The close, cross-regional friendship between Mary Miller, Sue Brown, and Paula Lilley, in particular, transformed our group into a community that truly loves and cares for one another. Through our monthly Zoom meetings, we share the Word, brainstorm mission ideas to help our local communities, and lift up our prayer requests together. Twice a year, we hold Leadership Picnics, and in the spring and fall, we gather for Cluster Worship services. Through these events and our regular springtime Pulpit E...

  The Song of My Youth I am a "baby boomer" from New York, and in the world I grew up in, the church was the absolute center of gravity. It wasn't just a place we went on Sundays; it was our social life and our family. I essentially sang my way through the sanctuary, starting in the Cherub Choir and eventually finding my place in the High School choir. Back then, the lines were very clearly drawn. We were the "Methodist Youth Fellowship" (MYF) kids. I remember being so deeply involved in our church activities that I barely knew the girl who lived just down the street because she went to the Catholic church. Even the Girl Scout troops were separated by denomination. While I’m glad those walls have come down today, that early immersion in the Methodist tradition planted seeds in me that I didn't even recognize at the time. Leadership seemed to find me early, whether I was looking for it or not. I ended up as the president of the sub-district for the MY...

      From Mandu(Korean Dumplings) to Holy Communion Every holiday, we used to gather at my grandparents' house to make Mandu (Korean dumplings). Mandu was never just food; it was our family identity, our culture, and our tradition. As we folded the dough, we shared our lives, laughed over old memories, and grew closer. I have taught my children the special way of folding Mandu that my grandmother taught me, and now, my children and I are teaching others. Last Friday, as we made Mandu together, we were really "folding" love into our lives. In Korea, those who eat together are called Sik-gu , which literally means "family of the mouth" or "those who share food." It was such a joy to host the Mandu cooking class with our Patten family. I hope that through these "modern-day sacraments"—sharing recipes and eating together—we continue to become one family in Jesus Christ. Korean Dumplings recipe    The Spirit of Bibimbap: Planting Roots in Aroost...

The Gold and the Flame: Lessons from Children I have always loved helping with children’s sermons at church. Children ask honest questions. Sometimes one simple question can teach more than a long sermon. I remember one Sunday when I was talking about rainbows. We have a picture of our church with a rainbow ending right at the front door. I told the children, “Good things happen at the end of the rainbow.” Then a young boy named Christopher looked at me and asked, “But where’s the gold?” Everyone laughed, and I laughed too. I said, “The gold is out there in the pews!” But later I kept thinking about his question. He was right. The real gold is not money hidden somewhere. The gold is the people of God. It is their love, their giving, their service, and their faithfulness. Without the people, the church building is only wood and stone. Another children’s sermon has stayed in my heart for years. I lined up several children and lit one candle. Then I used that candle to light another, and ...