www.flickr.com/photos/hajosworld/997880891/in/photostream/ Sunrise in Jerusalem

Hampden Highlights April 2017 Newsletter | 44 Kennebec Rd| Hampden

(207)862-4195 |www.hampdenhighlands.me

Dear Saints,

Over the first part of 2017, our worship time has focused on the General Rules. This way of life, laid out for the early members of the Methodist Societies remains a model for holy living. During Lent, we have focused on “staying in love with God.” Bishop Reuben Job’s little book: Three Simple Rules, has served as a model for our worship, study, and as a resource available to you all to read and re-read as we grow as Christian disciples together. How do we live as God’s holy people? I think one of the best ways is to live into the joy and experience of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:6-7 — Today’s New International Version)

In 1875 Philip P. Bliss wrote the hymn we call “Hallelujah! What a Savior,” or “Man of Sorrows,” part of which is included in the sidebar. It proclaims the hope we have together in the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection to change our lives, saving us from our sinful selves! We are a Resurrection people, and we know that because Christ is raised so shall we be! Because Jesus is Risen, nothing is the same—and whatever we might perceive today, there is always hope and new life being given to us as individuals and as a community. Are you ready to shout Hallelujah? Are you ready to celebrate the power of Christ’s Resurrection power? I hope you are! Because Jesus has come into my life, I have hope that makes life worth living—I hope you do too, and that if you’re not feeling that hope today, that you’ll be seeking assurance of God’s love and Grace anew each and every day. Because Jesus lives, we can live fearlessly, and seek God’s future for us, however challenging that might be. I hope you will join me in continuing the work of the Kingdom at Hampden Highlands UMC as God makes you able. May God bless you today and always. Easter is coming! Even now, Christ is Risen Indeed!

In Christ,

The Rev. David Nicol, Pastor of Hampden Highlands UMC

GOD’S LOVE ABOUNDS!

If for this life only we

have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to

be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised

from the dead, the first fruits of those who have

died.

1 Corinthians 15:19-20 (NRSV)

Man of Sorrows! What a name for the Son of God, who came ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior! When he comes, our

1 Roger Davis, Jr Heidi Thomas Benjamin Cirrinone 2 Gloria Lee 5 Patricia Ray 6 Christina Earley 7 Shirley Fontaine Mark Cleaves 8 Rebecca Mallory 13 Robert Whitmore 14 Michael Boss 16 Trisha Bruen 17 Matthew Thomas 28 Joyce Ledford

30 Roberta Alls April 2, 2017 Lector: Jessie Davis Communion Stewards Nursery: Isabella Urban Kelly Nelson Santiago – B Acolytes: Caleb March and Simon Thomas Linda Mosley Greeters: David Bishop and Laura Bishop Anne Tatgenhorst Ushers: Bob Drew and Bill Boden Counters: Darla King and Kathy Gallupe Fellowship: Outreach April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday Lector: Deanna Philbrick Communion Stewards Nursery: Isabella Urban Deanna Philbrick - B Acolytes: Lydia Harnish and Abraham Nicol Bill Boden Greeters: Simon Thomas and Jessie Davis Pauline Kilhefner Ushers: Ray and Tina Goss Counters: Angela Damboise and Gloria Lee Fellowship: SPRC April 16, 2017 Easter Lector: Bob Drew Communion Stewards Nursery: Isabella Urban Acolytes: Mackenzie and Jadelyn Marden Greeters: Jay and Kristin Peet Ushers: Chuck and Robin McMahan Counters: Jay Willey and Gloria Lee Fellowship: Trustees April 23, 2017 Lector: Bill Boden Nursery: Isabella Urban Acolytes: Sara and Emma Damboise Greeters: Ray and Tina Goss Ushers: Anne Tatgenhorst and Darla King Counters: Kathy Gallupe and Marilyn Boulier Fellowship: Christian Ed/Youth April 30, 2017 Lector: Pauline Kilhefner Nursery: Isabella Urban Acolytes: Abraham Nicol and Simon Thomas Greeters: Bob and Cindy Sousa Ushers: Dwight Packard and Sue Fraser Counters: Darla King and Angela Damboise Fellowship: Ad Min Council

Leadership Academy

The NME Annual Leadership academy will take place on Saturday, May 6th at the Guilford UMC. The keynote speaker will be Ken Sloane from the UMFNE. He will be sharing with us about the awesome work that takes place because of our gift of mission shares. Workshops include

- Mission insite - Improving Worship - SPRC training

Please mark your calendars, gather together everyone and make it a day of fun, fellowship and learning.

Pre-Conference Briefing

June 3rd is the date for the pre-conference briefing being held at the Ellsworth UMC. If you

are attending Annual Conference, please attend the briefing. We will be covering

the issues that will be voted on and answering any questions

you may have.

AND Mike Slaughter will be visiting the Northern Maine District on Thursday, May 11th at Hampden Highlands UMC. The Nurture Committee is coordinating two meals for this event. Mark your calendars and plan to come. It is a day long event.

DS Jackie Brannen doesn’t want anyone to stay home from Annual Conference because of financial concerns. Scholarship money is available to help cover the cost of registration. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the District Office BEFORE April 21st

Many thanks to District Administrative Assistant

Kelly Nelson Santiago for her input 😊

Flowers to adorn the sanctuary for Easter can be dropped off at the office between 9:30 – 12:30, Monday through Friday. Each flower will be identified as to who gave and who they honor.

Upcoming Events April 2 Free Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall at 9am April 8 Hike for the Homeless April 9 Trustees to meet after worship April 10 Ad Min council meets at 6:30 pm April 19 Salvation Army Meal - Bread Finance Committee meets at 6:30 pm April 22 Bean Supper 4:30 – 6 pm April 23 Worship Committee to meet after worship April 30 Free Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall at 9 am May 11 Mike Slaughter May 20 Children’s Fair

April 9 - Palm Sunday April 12 – Maundy Thursday Ellingwoods Corner at 6:30 pm April 13 – Good Friday HHUMC at 6:30 pm April 16 – Easter Easter Sunrise Service Blueberry Hill at 6:00 am Easter Service HHUMC at 10:00 am

John continues his cross country trek. Follow him on http://crosscountryridejohnwilson.blogspot.com

Maybe you have noticed some baskets in the sanctuary during Communion? These are for donations for Help for Hampden. A local organization that provides emergency assistance for Hampden, Winterport and Newburg.

Trustee

Committee

The Church trustees are to supervise and maintain all property belonging to the congregation so that the ministries of the congregation can be effective. A poem by Laura Osborne

Yes, there’s still snow but it ain’t gonna stay. Let’s plan ahead and wish winter away. It doesn’t take long to rake up the lawn, move a few logs like we know we should. Ah…the flower beds, soon they will grow let’s get them ready for the yellows and reds.

Outdoor Workday April 29

The trustees are also busy planning their next work project which will be the refinishing of the Parsonage living room floor. The goal is to have it done over the next few weeks. Contact Jim Tatgenhorst for more information. Nurture Committee The Nurture Committee is planning their next big project, which will be to provide refreshments for the Mike Slaughter seminar. Anyone wishing to help should contact Lynette Gauthier. The Nurture Committee has placed 6 child activity boxes in the back of the sanctuary by the entry doors (3 on each side of the room. These boxes contain some quiet activities such as coloring pages, drawing materials, or activity books and the box can be used as a lap desk. Feel free to grab a box on your way into the sanctuary to keep those busy hands entertained during worship.

Outreach Committee The 2nd Annual “Art, Music and Meal” raised $319 to benefit the Help for Hampden Food Cupboard. This month the Committee will also be providing the bread for the monthly Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. This is held every third Wednesday of the month

Backpacks for Homeless Teens

at Hampden Academy

The Outreach

Committee has begun to seek donations to fill

backpacks for homeless teens. The following

items are needed:

single can/jar of peanut butter, jelly or tuna single servings of soup, ravioli black leggings

First Timers Grades 2 – 3 This is a half-week camp, especially designed for the first-time camper. A 4:1 ratio for campers to staff helps us give a lot of individual attention. The campers are very busy with all kinds of activities that will give them a great camp experience. Coming for just a half-week rather than a full week is a great way to introduce your child to overnight camps. Young Adventurers Grades 3 – 4 This is a camp for campers who are just starting out or have been for a partial week of camp in the past. The camp offers a wide variety of activities, including many group-building games, art projects, nature activities, swimming, boating, and much more. A camper to staff ratio of 4:1 gives each camper a lot of attention. This camp is a great camp for campers who want to try a full weed of camping. Additional programs for young Elementary Campers: Elementary Music Theatre Camp I Am Sewing Camp Basketball Camp Soccer Camp Girls Swim Group Dr. Seuss Camp

Mechuwana has always had a strong tradition of offering camps that concentrate on the arts. our Senior High Creative Arts Camp was started 35 years ago. Over the years we have expanded the program and established the Elementary Creative Arts Camp and the Digital Photography Camp. Elementary Creative Arts Campers finishing grades 4 – 6 Pottery, weaving, sewing, drawing, screen printing, painting quilting, candle making and macramé are some of the choices for this camp. At the end of the week there will be a gallery set up for friends and family to see what you have been working on. Middle School/High School Creative Arts Camp campers finishing grades 6 -12 One of our oldest camp programs where experienced instructors continue to provide unique opportunities for campers who are serious about exploring the world of art. Origami, Kirigami, God’s eyes, Ukrainian egg painting, quilling, silk screening, scherenschnitte, beading drawing, pen and ink, calligraphy, sewing, Native American arts, stamping candle

making, creative writing, dancing, and synchronized swimming. At the end of the week there is a gallery and demonstrations for friends and families. This camp fills up fast, so don’t wait. Digital Photography Camp Campers grades 5 - 8 Campers will work with digital cameras and computers to enhance their skills at both taking and editing photos. Computer work will include advanced editing and composition techniques. Not only will campers be photographing Mechuwana’s 230 acres, but there will be special field trips during the week to develop your skills. This camp is limited to 12 campers and it fills up fast.

Camp Mechuwana mechuwana@fairpoint.net | www.mechuwana.org

(207)377-2924