A Bouquet Of Thank-You’s

The Friendly VisitorTrustees ReportI am very pleased to report that the upstairs bathroomhas been totally renovated at little cost to the Church. Ahuge thank-you to Ruth Miller and Linda Elder for theirvision, design, and physical work on the project. We owethem special thanks for funding all but 300 of the entireupdate of the bathroom. The demolition crew wasRobert Grant, Rich Whittlesey, Steve Merchant, andRick Alexander. Thanks go to Robert Grant, withassistant Ruth, for the many hours given to putting inthe new vinyl flooring, setting the vanity in place, andtrimming out the room. Jane Story – with Linda’sassistance – removed wallpaper, patched the walls, andpainted. Rich Whittlesey, Bill MacDowell, and CharlieFerden all assisted in the rest of the effort. Prettyimpressive, considering the bathroom will only holdone-and-a-half people at a time!The Sexton (Doug Haldane) has finished the DollyFisher room enclosure, so we now have a private roomfor meetings. Doug has just completed getting theSanctuary ceiling wallpaper glued back into place andthat looks so much better. He also cleaned the chandelierand replaced all the bulbs with LED bulbs while thescaffolding was up. Thank you, Doug, for all your hardwork.The track lighting that has been on hold for theYouth room for years is now up and functional.Ongoing efforts are taking place to ensure safety in theChurch. The motion detector lights have been servicedand we have decided to leave the back porch lights on atall times due to close calls (tripping) at times in the past.(Please read separate article about this.) A new lever stylehandle has been put on the handicapped washroom tomake it easier for arthritic and small hands to open thedoor.Last but not least, a committee for Strategic Planninghas been formed to help with Stewardship and with thefinancial direction of the Church. You will be hearingmore about this in upcoming weeks.Jane Story, ChairChurch Council - March 16Page 4conducted by Rev. Darren Morgan of the UnitedChurch of Christ Maine Conference on boundarytraining. This consisted of learning the boundaries forministers and the lay people of the church. Alsodiscussed was the transition of a retired minister tointerim minister to a new settled minister. A packet ofinformation was handed out.The meeting ended with a prayer by Moderator PamCurativo.April 2016Present: Tina Allen, Rev. Deborah Breault, PamCurativo, Charlie Ferden, Doug Haldane, CarolMacCannell, Bill MacDowell, Steve Merchant, RuthMiller, John Murphy, Anne Parker (filled in for John A.MacCannell), Lin Parker, Wendy Ritger, DollyRobertson, Barbara Seeger, Jane Story, Caroline Werth,Marilyn Whittlesey and Richard Whittlesey. Absent fromthe Council: David Leonard and Debbie Mickleson.This was a special meeting of the Council along withmembers of the congregation. The meeting wasCoffee HourEach week a different board or committee is assigned toprovide refreshments at coffee hour after church, listedbelow. Additional food is welcome. Please contactdeacon listed for the month with any questions. Aschedule for the entire year is posted on bulletin boardsand is available from the office.May 29 is the next all-congregation Potluck coffeehour, a good time to bring cheese & crackers,cookies, fruit, and other treats. These potluckrefreshments happen six times per year, organized byLinda Elliott.DEACONCONTACT DATECOMMITTEEGrantApr 3Trustees266.3646Apr 10ParsonageApr 17Pastoral Rel & GrowthApr 24HospitalityHarrisMay 1Parsonage469.9051May 8OutreachMay 15UCC DelegatesMay 22DeaconsMay 29Potluck- all!Prayer CircleThe Prayer Circle will meet Sunday April 10 at 11:30am.The Prayer Circle is our way of seeking God’s helpin time of crisis for any of our members, friends orneighbors. Anyone having a problem or prayer requestmay call or email any person in the prayer circle. Pleasenote that each prayer request is confidential.Would you like to be part of the prayer circle? for moreinfo, please contact a circle member.Deborah Breault374.2892/374.7072Sallie Clark374.7038Diana Dowse359.8052Hildred Emerton812.2316Karen Frangoulis374.2804Linda Hoskins374.2028Bobbi McNamara374.3246Joan Merchant374.5650

The Friendly VisitorApril 2016Page 5Search CommitteeThe Pastor Search Committee continues to meet at least once a week to review some 80 profiles so far, and haveheld multiple Skype interviews. Our goal still remains that we have a settled pastor by this September. However, itmay happen sooner, or it may happen later; it’s all in God’s hands. We are neither rushing the process nor draggingour feet, but we are carefully considering each candidate as to whether they would be the best fit for our Church. Weask for your prayers that God will continue to guide us through this discernment process.During Skype interviews, one question that has been asked of our committee is “What would your communitymiss if your Church no longer existed?” What first comes to mind are all of the wonderful community events andprograms that our Church either houses and/or sponsors. The Church is home to music organizations such as BlueHill Bach, Blue Hill Concert Association and Bagaduce Chorale; support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA),Food Addicts in Recovery (FA) and Transgender Family and Friends (TGFF); and community groups likeCommunity Compass, Simmering Pot and Blue Hill Bridge. Our Church also sponsors the Dolly Fisher Fund andChristmas Angels, the Vanderkay Concert Summer Concert Series, Peaceable Kingdom Summer Camp, the BlueberryFestival, Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast, St. Patrick’s Dinner, Cabin Fever Reliever and on and on. And of course ourChurch is also known for its fine preaching. Perhaps the one thing that would be missed more than any of the thingsalready mentioned, would be the loss of family; our Church family.Here are some thoughts to ponder as we all look forward to our new settled pastor. Albeit the pastor is a hugepart of any church, he/she is not the church. It’s the people, the congregation, who are the church. One last thought:church is not a destination, it’s an action.Submitted byRuth Miller and Lin Parker co-chairsPam Curativo, Charlie Ferden, Jere Armstrong, Jane Haldane, Sally Mills & Caroline WerthA Message to Enlighten You: Recently, Deborah had pointed out how dangerous it is to leave the back hallway door atnight. Since the fire escape exit stairs and the roof of the porch block any movement, the motion detector lights don't comeon until you are out in the parking lot. Anyone leaving and turning off the light is in danger of tripping down the step that isdifficult to see in the dark. Also, our Treasurer, Charlie Ferden, can attest to the fact that it is impossible to see the panel toput in the code to unlock the door when you arrive in the wee, dark hours of the morning.After looking into several options (most of which would cost 150 to 200), we opted for the simplest one----leave theporch lights on all the time. The bulbs have been changed to the LED type which are very long lasting and use a minimumamount of electricity. A guard has been placed over the switch to remind people to leave the lights on. Now, all we have todo is curb our instinct to turn those lights off and everyone will be safer at night. A bonus is that the back of the church willbe illuminated all night.– Jane Story, TrusteesCommunity CompassThe next Community Compass monthly meeting is Wednesday, April 13, 8-9:30 am, Fisher Hall.Jill Chouinard of Eastern Maine Development Corporation will give a brief description of the services her agencyprovides, specifically addressing automotive apprenticeships and her work with GSA and DI/Stonington HighSchool.Joe Connors of the Armed Forces Services Corporation (AFSC) will give a presentation about his role as financialcoach working with WHCA and EMDC.Marcia Schatz, the new fundraising consultant for Peninsula Free Health Services, will also make a briefpresentation.Community Compass is made up of individuals, representatives of community groups/churches and others. Thegroup’s mission is to bridge divides between economic groups and break the cycle of poverty in our region. For moreinformation, contact Wendy Ritger, Bob Holmberg (bobholmberg@me.com), or Tom Bjorkman(tom@bluehillfalls.org). Monthly meetings are public and open to all.

The Friendly VisitorApril 2016Christian EducationMud, glorious mud! There was plenty of it for our Easteregg hunt. Snow had washed away and we could beoutside, albeit in winter coats. Easter was wonderful.Thanks to Jen Jacques, Asha and Aria for bringing newchicks and to Corinne Sucsy for the lamb. Our abledeacon assistants were Parker Allen and Sam Parrott.Robbie Bennett, Eric Breault, Jack Gandy and NellieHaldane valiantly carried in the Easter banners duringopening hymn.Easter Sunday is the start of 6 weeks of celebrationin the church year, happening as the earth awakens inspring. We will enjoy the natural world during thisseason as we learn about Jesus and those who came afterhim.This is a time for planting. The Sunday Schooloutdoor flower box is being reconstructed, thanks toLinda Elder, and we will soon plant seeds to latertransplant to the new box when the weather settles. Wewill celebrate Earth Day March 24.Heifer Boxes: By April 10, if you have a Heifergiving box, please return to Jenny or Wendy. Our groupdonation will go to Heifer towards purchase of a farmanimal for a family. If you would like to participate butdon’t have a donation box, you can make check out toour church, with Youth Group Heifer Donation in thenote, and give to Jenny or Wendy or put in offeringplate!Let There Be Light! Many thanks to trustee JaneStory, who had an electrician remove old, dimfluorescent lights and install track lighting in the youthgroup room. Jane and Michael Donahue put up the lightfixtures and bulbs themselves. This helps make ourYouth Group Room really light. Thank you!Wendy Ritger, Sunday School SuptSummer ProgramsThe Peaceable Kingdom is a 5-day, free morning campfor children ages 5 to 10, tentatively scheduled June 2024. Lots of volunteers needed. Teens and children olderthan 10 can join our adult volunteers. SummerKids isour program of activities during church on Sundays inthe summer months. In both programs, children do funactivities related to God’s creation and the world ofnature.Planning will begin this month for PeaceableKingdom and SummerKids. Let me know if you wouldlike to help plan and/or volunteer with either of thesefun programs!Wendy Ritger, 374.2891, bhcongo@yahoo.com.Page 6Youth GroupThis month we plan on visiting the SPCA in Trenton todeliver blankets and food for the animals. Any otherdonations please leave in the bins in the corner of FisherHall. The youth group did awesome at St. Patrick's dayand we appreciate all who stayed and enjoyed thebeautiful music.We will be doing a Tenney Hill clean up in late Apriland anyone can come help with this event. I am in themiddle of planning a trip to Rutland, MA to visit theHeifer International Farm and will be looking forchaperones to drive and spend the night with us downthere. Any parent interested let me know!Jenny Talbert, 207.664.4979, jennytalbert@gmail.com.Grow Tomatoes for Blue Hill LibraryThe Youth Group/Sunday School will plant 70 tomatoplants to donate to Blue Hill Library plant sale May 21.NEEDED: SUNNY WINDOWS to grow seedlingsfrom mid-April to appx. May 20. If you can adopt 8 or10 plants for about a month, let Wendy or JennyTalbert know. Join in this fun community outreachproject, keep a plant for yourself. Youth Grouptomatoes are the best.Pilgrim LodgePilgrim Lodge, the MaineUCC Camp, celebrates60 years of ministry thisyear! Director Rev.Bryan Breault was hereon Easter, doing asermon/dialogue withwife Rev. DeborahBreault. Pilgrim Lodgehas camps for childrengrades three and up,family groups, adults, and more. Brochures atwww.pilgrimlodge.org, or in yellow PL bag in youthgroup room. Our church has a scholarship to helpchildren/youth attend PL!NEAUCENEAUCE (New England Association of United ChurchEducators) meets May 3-5 at Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey,New Hampshire. Speaker Maria Dixon, a progressiveChristian author, expert on all-ages worship services,leading retreats & pastoral care. Great workshops,worship and music. More info available from Wendy orgoogle NEAUCE.

The Friendly VisitorApril 2016Volunteer OpportunitiesFlower CommitteePage 7We want to thank all of you who participated in theEaster Fund Raiser of the flower committee. Thechancel was full of plants from your donationsbeautifully arranged by Rev. B.Twenty percent (20%) of every purchase and 100%of cash contributions went to the flower fund to be usedto supply floral arrangements every week all season long.We encourage the entire congregation to consider aweek or two that's special to you this year and reserve anarrangement for that Sunday in advance.At Home Downeast, Friends in Action Drivers:Steve Elliott,Drivers needed to drive people to their doctor’s479.5065, newlandnursery@roadrunner.comappointments, grocery shopping, etc. You only needvolunteer as much or as little as you can, and there is no Music Committeelifting. To volunteer for at Home Downeast you canThis month we want to say a special “Thank You” to thesign-up online at http://www.whcacap.org/at-homeChoir. Our choir seems to always have the right balancedowneast/hancock/donate-volunteer.phpor callin spite of vacations or illnesses. We hope the374.5852. To volunteer for Friends in Action callcongregation realizes the amount of dedication and664.6016.devotion the choir members give to the church all 52Turnstyle: Volunteers needed at Turnstyle Clothing weeks of the year.Tuesday and Saturday, ½ day. 374.9181 or drop in.The Music Committee met on Sunday, 6 March afterchurch to begin firm planning for this summer’sVanderkay Concert Series. This committee hopes toTree of Life Food PantryThe Tree of Life Food Pantry provides free food every change the overall face of the series to focus on localThursday. The pantry has been helping more than 225 talent. We have two wonderful concerts in work and willfamilies each week this winter. A truck load of food meet again on 3 April to address the third concert whicharrives at the pantry early in the week, is neatly shelved, started planning in March.We came to agreement on our Mission Statement atand picked up Thursday by those in need.theMarch meeting. Carol and Gerald also completed theDonations of nonperishable food and egg cartonsDirectorof Music Job Description as requested by thecan be left in baskets corner of Fisher Hall. These areSearch Committee through the Church Council.very helpful.Don't forget to shop at the Turnstyle! Your Volunteer Opportunity: Gerald needs the assistancepurchases will benefit the Food Pantry. Donation checks of a Music Librarian. This person would assemblecan be sent to the Tree of Life, POB 1329, Blue Hill, folders for each of the choir members and keep track ofthe music by being the only person who can add orME 04614. It is tax deductible.remove copies from each of the folders. If you haveThe Simmering Potquestions about this position, please speak with GeraldThe Simmering Pot – A Community Created Supper – Wheeler or Carol MacCannell for more information.In addition to the regular activities, the musiciansserves a delicious, healthy, home-style meal Mondaysfromour church also came up with some fantasticfrom 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm. All are welcome to eat in withus or take home. We often use ingredients from local entertainment for the St Patrick’s Day Supper andfarms. Side dishes include salads, fruit and delicious participated in the Bach Birthday Celebration held at StFrancis by the Sea.bread, home-made and from local bakeries.For information about volunteer opportunities at BHCONGO is where the music meets the sea Respectfully Submitted,the Simmering Pot, contact Wendy Ritger, 374.2891.Carol C. MacCannellTax deductible donations are much appreciated and canbe sent to the Simmering Pot at PO Box 112, Blue Hill,Music Committee ChairpersonME 04614.Fighting Hunger at HOMEFriends in Action is recruiting volunteers for a newinitiative to provide in-home companionship andsupport for seniors and individuals with chronicmedical conditions. Two-day training for interestedvolunteers will be held April 12 from 1 to 4 pm andApril 14 from 9 am to 1 pm at Blue Hill Public Library.Please register for the training by April 5. Toregister or for more info, call Anne Dickens, Friendsin Action, 664.6016.

The Friendly VisitorPage 8inflammatory fever. Went to see Capt. H. Holt's sickchild. Called at Mr. Ellis; also at Mr. Savage's, who isthreatened with fever.19 Mild and foggy. Went with Mrs. F. to DeaconStevens'. Took minutes at his request and wrote a newwill for him.20 Spent the forenoon putting my clock in order.Worked on my kitchen. Josiah still feeble.21 Worked on my kitchen. Willard unbanked house. 4lambs. East cold and cloudy22 Cut out profiles of my mother, Br. Samuel and wifeand Br. Howland and wife.23 Preached at Bluehill.24 Transcribed a short hymn. Heard Parker and Josiahrecite. Visited Deacon Stevens' and Betsy Floyd's.25 Studied Hebrew and arranged Hebrew names. Restof day at ceiling kitchen overhead.26 Went to Mr. Coffin's. Covered with him regarding theprosecution of his son. Went to old Mr. Burnham's andattended the funeral of his wife.27 Awakened toward morning by the bursting of ameteor. Preached a lecture at the meeting house. Churchmeeting adjourned to next Thursday 2 PM.28 East quite chilly. Looked over Latin and compositionfor Mr. Wood. Mrs. F. spent the afternoon at Mr.Johnson's.29 Went to the head of the bay. Received from Mr. D.Clough's vessel 1 lb flour and 9 bu. yellow corn. Josiahwith Mr. John Holt's team, brought home flour and cornand carried some rye and corn to mill.30 Preached at Bluehill.April 2016A Look Back Excerpts from Rev. Jonathan Fisher's diaries, April 18201 About 3 inches of snow fell last night. Find myself stillthe subject of nervous debility. Feel that I have a tryingcross before me to give due warning to the people onthe need of discountenancing vice.2 Preached in Bluehill. Transcribed sketches of my life.3 Having yesterday given my people solemn warningwith respect to prevalent vice, I find my nervous systemgreatly relieved. Attended town meeting for choice ofofficers for the new state. Called to see Deacon Stevens,quite sick. Attended monthly concert prayer meeting atMr. Ray's. Curious Northern Lights.4 Went with Br. H. and Fred Parker upon the parsonagelot. Found 7 valuable trees taken from it in trespass.Went to the saw mill at the head of the bay. Found thegreater part of these logs. Exercised with nervousheadache. Toward night attended meeting of trustees ofschool fund.5 Cloudy and chilly.6 Public Fast. Preached at Bluehill. Exercised with ameasure of sick headache.7 Wrote a statement of charges against Reuben Gray,member of the church in Brooksville. Sent by DanielClough to Louis Battle Clark's Memoirs.8 Wrote upon sermons. Josiah quite unwell.9 Preached in Bluehill. Read in Practice of Piety.10 Went to Brooksville. Attended church meetingconcerning John and Samuel Wasson. At nightpreached. Rain storm.11 (no entry)12 Spent last night at Mr. Shepherdson's. Set out forhome. Called at Ben. Lunt's. Read and prayed with thefamily; at old Mr. Snow's prayed with his family; atDeacon Walker's dined. Came thence home. FoundJosiah sick with slow fever. The rest of the familycomfortable. For this desire to be thankful, but feel adeep solicitude for my poor son, who yet exhibits noevidence of a change of heart.13 Warm and foggy. Oiled my clock. Put a fewclapboards on the old part of my house. Josiah stillfeeble.14 Went to Col. Wood's to see his sick child. Went tosee Deacon Stevens; find him in appearances better.Went to see Capt. Jer. Holt's child. Find it very sic

Thank you for so many beautiful cards of condolence and messages of love and grace for they have sustained me and been the arms of God’s love around me. Thank you. Thank you to the Deacons for the beautiful Easter plant. Thank you to others who have provided homemade soup, f