Rest in Your church

                                                  (Revelation 21:1-8) 5/17/26 < The Relay Race > Dear children of God, do you like relay races? Lately, my three oldest children have been participating in track and field. Watching their relay races brought so many thoughts to my mind. I realized that a relay race is a wonderful team sport; it’s not about just one person running well. Success requires the right posture to pass the baton, a ready posture to receive it, and perfect synchronization between runners. Even if one runner falls behind a bit, the next runner can make up the distance. Reflecting on this, I realized that we, too, are running a spiritual relay race.   < Creation, Fall, Redemption, Recreation > Creation: Almighty God created us. It wasn't because He needed us to do His work; rather, because God is love...

Do you like spider plants? A few years ago, a teacher shared a spider plant with me. It grows so well and multiplies beautifully from generation to generation. I can’t even count how many baby spider plants I have given away to people over the years! Just yesterday, I made almost 30 baby pots out of 5 mother plants! Scripture reminds us, “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  (John 15:2)   Repotting stretches the roots. Pruning cuts away old parts. Both look painful at first, but they create room for new growth. God sometimes does the same in our lives. Tomorrow, we will celebrate how our spiritual spider plants are growing in our Children’s Sunday! Jeanie Good has been teaching Sunday school for 50 years! God blessed us with 6 teachers and helpers, 5 youth, and 10 children last year! Tomorrow, there will be a ceremony to thank our volunteers and encourage our beautiful children. Everyone is welcome!!  Children will meet at 10:00 am for...

Growing Up in Faith I cannot remember a time when I did not believe in God. I attended church with my family, went to Sunday School, and joined Vacation Bible School. I was happy whenever I was part of church activities. When I said or did something wrong at home, I felt it deeply. Usually, I cried and said I was sorry. Didn’t everybody? In high school, I was the Youth Fellowship leader. I felt like I truly belonged when I was involved in church. We attended rallies, and two of them especially strengthened my faith. At one rally, there was an altar call. I wanted to go forward, but I was scared and stayed in my seat. Even so, that moment made a strong impression on me. The other rally brought together many churches in Maine. Youth Fellowship representatives were sent to Auburn, Maine. It was right after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. We watched it together on television. Oh my! I felt a strong connection to this man’s faith. I was also moved by the youthfu...

Together Tuesday, Fabulous Friday Afternoon school children prepared for Mother's Day gifts!  "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Jesus asked this of the crowd. When they pointed to his biological family, Jesus replied, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:48-50) Who is your mother? As Mother’s Day approaches, I want to ask you this question. If you ask me, my answer is the same as Jesus’. I have my biological mother and my mother-in-law, but I also have many "mothers" in my life who pray for me, care for me, and have raised me in so many ways. I believe that whoever gives "birth" to hope and takes care of others is a Mother! Tomorrow, I will share stories of wonderful mothers, including Teresa of Avila and Mother Teresa , who had no biological children but countless spiritual children. We will also hear a testimony from Terry , who has been such a wonderful mother to...

  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...