Hancock United Church of Christ, Congregational
1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington MA 02421 | www.hancockchurch.org

Hancock
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In This Issue
Save the Dates
Notes/Reminders
This Sunday
Events: Solarize, Myanmar Presentation, Forum on Homelessness...
Small Groups: First Thursdays
Service: Heifer Thank You, Piedras Negras Update
In Memorium...
Watch Sermons Online  
or Order DVD
To watch past sermons on our website, click here. You can also order a DVD of any of our services or handbells concerts by filling out a DVD REQUEST FORM (PDF). Enjoy watching! 
Hancock Children and Youth Blog


Read the latest news about our Children and Youth programs on our BLOG. 
Children's Program
Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.


Feb 9, 16, 23rd
Children will continue their storytelling of Jesus' teachings through parables. Come join the circle!

Mar 2nd
All Age Children's Program
Celebrating Our Storytelling
and the presentation of Bibles to our 2nd Graders!

Junior Youth Organization
Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.

February 2nd
JYO Sandwich Making for the Outdoor Church & Communion

Feb 9, 15, 23rd
Youth will continue their discussion on the gifts we bring to our community of faith and explore the practice of mindfulness. 
Hancock Youth Group
Every Sunday at 7 p.m.

Youth in grade 9 also have the option of taking
confirmation class at 5 pm on Sundays. For youth in grades 7-8, we also offer an
Our Whole Lives sexual health class which meets at 7 pm on Sundays. 

Save the dates  

Feb 14-24
HYG in Kentucky

Feb 17-24
Panama Mission

Mar 6
First Thu. Discussion Group

Mar 30

HYG Auction in Clark Hall after morning worship

 

Apr 3

First Thu. Discussion Group 

Apr 5-11
Louisville, KY Build

May 16
Women's Retreat

Jun 19-27
Fort Wayne, IN Build
To see all weekly activities and locations, please view our online calendar.
(We recommend the "agenda" view.)

NOTES/REMINDERS  

Calling all carpenters and carpenter helpers! April and June 
 

There are two events for volunteers to make a big difference in the life of a family by building a home for them with either the Fuller Center for Housing or Habitat for Humanity. Hancock will be sending representatives to both events.  

 

Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome and no experience is required. Teens 16 years and older are welcome when accompanied by an adult. This is your chance to experience the joy of working with volunteers from around the country to address the issue of homelessness and substandard housing.

 

The first build is in

Louisville, KY 4/5-11, 2014 

 

The second is is

Fort Wayne, IN 6/19-27, 2014



Questions? Contact Cheryl Kraley at cheryl@kraley.com or 781-862-2209.
Construction Update
Click here for the February 12th Construction Update.
Lexington Food Pantry 
February is Peanut Butter 

   

The Lexington Food Pantry could really use jars of peanut butter this month. Donation containers are located all around the church. Hancock has a long history of supporting the Pantry with food donations, monetary assistance and the most important: volunteers. If you would like to distribute food at the pantry, please contact Scott Griffith at isb.scooter@gmail.com or 509-710-5371.

Women's Retreat:
Save the Date May 16-17
This year's Women's Retreat will be at the beautiful Adelynrood Retreat & Conference Center. If you are interested in attending, please contact Dana Allen Walsh.
Submit a piece for the Hancock Weekly
or Sunday Bulletin 

The Hancock Weekly Deadline is the Tuesday prior at 3pm.

The Sunday Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday afternoon.

Please include: Title, Copy text, Contact information, Image as an attachment. Please send them to Jane Park at office@hancockchurch.org.
IN WORSHIP
Morning Worship | Sundays at 10am
This week in morning worship: This Sunday we celebrate the return of HYG from Kentucky with Youth Sunday! All Children and JYO are encouraged to stay in worship.
Worship @the Well | Sundays at 6:15pm
This week @the Well: A quiet meditative and contemporary service accompanied by the sounds of flautist Elke Jahns...read more.

THIS SUNDAY 

Bonnie Meek Memorial Service Video
We apologize for the technical difficulty last Sunday concerning the video viewing. We will try again on February 23, after morning worship in the Kathie Stuart Room at 11:30 a.m.
The Ordination of Eric Sherlock
Feb 23, 3pm

Former Hancock seminarian Eric Sherlock will be ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ on Sunday, February 23, 3:00 pm at the North Congregational Church of Middleborough, Massachusetts. All are invited to come and celebrate with Eric. Dana is preaching, and Paul is assisting with the service. We hope to see you there!
HYG Auction Meeting
Rm 205 after morning worship

 

The most important component needed for a successful auction is YOU! For more details and a full list of donation suggestions, please go to our website.

If you would like to help but cannot attend this meeting, please contact Susan Navia, navia@rcn.com or Lori Bliss Tambone at Ltambone@tambone if you have an item to donate or if you have questions or suggestions.
Native American Flute Player Elke Jahns
Worship @the Well on Feb 23rd, 6:15pm
 The Well will celebrate a contemplative, meditative service featuring music from the Native American tradition provided by Elke Jahns. Elke plays two different types of Native American flutes. She will introduce them to us, provide music for contemplation, and accompany our singing of songs from the Taize tradition. A beautiful service of readings, candlelight, communion, and music open to all. Invite a friend!

EVENTS 

HEAT: Solarize Your Rooftop
Feb 24th, 7 pm
Letter from Mark Sandeen: "I know that we are all concerned about what we can do to minimize our impact on the environment. One of the things that we can do is to rely more on renewable energy such as wind and solar and less on fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gases..."
Meet the Solar Installer Night
Monday February 24, 7-9 PM
Cary Memorial Library, Large Meeting Room
1874 Mass. Ave.  
For more information contact Solar Coaches Fran Ludwig or Marcia Gens at: solarizelexington@gmail.com
Walking in Myanmar
Mar 2, 11:30am in Kathie Stuart
A dialogue with Becca Lockwood and Pam Cochrane
Join us for a conversation, slides, and images exploring Buddhist and Christian stories of faith, peace, and politics.

 

Make Your Voice Heard!
Online survey and information sessions on Mar 2nd

The Restructuring for Mission team needs your help understanding where our system of committees at Hancock works well and where there's room for improvement. Whether or not you've ever served on a committee, there are two ways you can help:

 

Do it now! It only takes 5-10 minutes, and you know you'll forget later. It's anonymous if you wish it to be. We will also have paper versions of the survey available at coffee hour. If you have questions, contact billmcclements@gmail.com.

Attend one of the listening sessions after the two worship services on March 2, in the Pearson Room.

 

We need the benefit of your experience and ideas to identify the best ways to organize ourselves to carry out the church's ministries. Thank you.

 

The Restructuring for Mission team: Daryl Battin, Al Bukys, Carol Counihan, Scott Griffith, Verne Henderson, Brian Keeping, Bill McClements, Dana Allen Walsh, and Charlie Wyman.

 

Mardi Gras @the Well
Mar 2nd, 6:15pm

Jazz trumpeter Wayne Pearcy and clarinetist
Aaron Gratzmiller join award winning vocalist
Patrice Williamson and the Band for an evening of
foot stomping and soulful New Orleans style jazz
to lift your spirits as we celebrate the last Sunday
before Lent

 

10th Annual Forum on Family Homelessness
Mar 2nd, 3pm
With a record number of homeless families in motels and a state-wide housing shortage, what can we do? The Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness is sponsoring a forum at Trinitarian Congregational in Concord with Keynote Speaker Aaron Gornstein. Sixteen homelessness prevention organizations are expected to attend...Click here for more details. 
Hancock Endowment Matters...
Endowment Committee Coffee Hour Mar 9th
[This is a part of a continuing series of communications about Hancock's Endowment, it's uses, and the many ways which gifts can be made to the Endowment] 

The Hancock Endowment Committee will be hosting a coffee hour after church service on March 9th. At that coffee hour, the committee will be distributing a revised brochure about Hancock's endowments. Other information materials about the endowment will be available at the coffee hour. Also, a slide show highlighting many of the existing endowment gifts will be shown. Endowment committee members will be present at this event to field your questions and provide information to all who are interested.  

 

If you are interested in learning more about Hancock's Endowment or are interested in learning more about giving to the Endowment, please contact Brad Crooke of the Endowment committee (781) 862-4830 or bcrookie@comcast.net.


For more information, please contact Brad Crooke at
(781) 862-4830 or bcrookie@comcast.net.

SMALL GROUPS 

First Thursday Discussion Group
next meeting Mar 6th
Do you ever wonder if prayer holds power?  Can prayer change circumstances and situations? Read more here.

We will focus on Dr. Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki's book, In God's Presence - Theological Reflections on Prayer. The group will meet February 6, March 6, and April 3 at 10 am in the Pearson Room.

SERVICE

Heifer Thanks Hancock Church
Heifer International gratefully recognizes Hancock United Church of Christ for putting together a Living Gift Market. Because of your contributions, families struggling with hunger and poverty will receive the gift of healthy animals and training in their care. Thanks for making a meaningful difference in the world. January 2014. 
Off to Panama! and Piedras Negras Update

 

We have a group going to Panama with Sustainable Harvest International, February 17 - 24th. We wish them well and look forward to hearing about their adventures when they return!

 

We recently received news from Piedras Negras and learned that the school's fruit orchard, which Hancock's fundraising afforded the community, is flourishing....The children are already snacking on nutritious plantains from the orchard. Oranges, mangos, avocados, and cashews... Read more about field trainer Consuela Hernandez, the organic coffee farm, and Hancock's fundraising efforts!  

IN MEMORIUM 


Remembrances
We extend our sympathy to the friends and family of those who have passed away recently.

Lillie Zissell, mother of Nancy Marsden, passed away January 16th. A memorial service will be held for her at Hancock Church Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 pm.

Long-time member Dick Battin passed away on February 8th. A memorial service will be held at Hancock Church Saturday, March 29 at 1:00 pm.

Former member Janice Kispert passed away January 31st. Her memorial service was held on February 8th in the Dover Church.  
 
HANCOCK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | 1912 MASS AVE | LEXINGTON, MA 02421
(781) 862-4220 | hancockchurch.org