Hancock Weekly 
The Official Newsletter of Hancock Church
Worship With Us
Sunday, April 26
Fourth Sunday of Easter

Morning Worship, 10am
Youth Sunday!
Our Hancock Youth Group leads worship and share their experiences in Neon, KY. All  
Children and Youth are invited to stay in worship. Childcare provided in the Infant/Toddler Room with Eliza Duncan.

Please note: no Pastor's Class

Evening Worship @the Well
6:15pm in Sanctuary
Special Jazz Taize Service in the Sanctuary with singer Patrice Williamson, jazz pianist Doug Hammer, and soprano saxophonist Rick DiMuzio. Alex Shea Will preaches.
IN THIS ISSUE...
What's New? We're so excited and hope you'll join us for two very special worship services! As usual there are many things happening as we approach the end of our program year. Please make use of the Table of Contents above to get right to the announcements that interest you. Click on "Year-Round Offerings" to see the new list of items you can donate to the Lexington Food Pantry, or "Hancock Concert Series" to see details for the upcoming Jameson Singers Concert! Happy Clicking and Reading!

If you are new to Hancock, please read our welcome message and general information HERE.

The Hancock Weekly is a newsletter distributed every Wednesday afternoon. The submission deadline is that same Wednesday at 9am. Read submission guidelines HERE.
Sunday Worship!

We Celebrate Youth Sunday!
Morning Worship at 10am in the Sanctuary will be led by our Hancock Youth Group! Please keep them in your prayers for when they travel back to Lexington this weekend!


Photo sent this morning!

Here's an update from HYG:
Pam Cochrane writes: The HYG youth are doing great! The sun is out again, and after two full days of work, we are finding our groove on four work-sites. READ MORE AND SEE PHOTOS HERE.

Special Worship @the Well

Songs for Contemplation

We will gather at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary for a special Worship at the Well this week. As you are seated in the front of our candlelit sanctuary, music from the balcony will engulf and embrace you. The music will be drawn from a variety of traditions and sung and played by some of the finest jazz musicians in Boston including singer Patrice Williamson (singing at Regattabar later that week) the award winning pianist Doug Hammer, and soprano saxophonist Rick DiMuzio, all led by Mark Morgan.  

 

We will reinterpret the music from the Taize community in France, improvise over Gregorian chant, and sing spare and moving takes on old hymns, all through a jazz lens. Readings and prayers will be led by Acting Minister Alex Will. As always, joys and concerns will be shared, as well as communion. This is a terrific service to invite a friend or co-worker to. Quiet, contemplative, and moving, we hope it will be a peaceful and calming start to your week.

 

Mark and Patrice getting ready for the Well.
Close Deadlines
Spring Meeting Reports are past due  
To non-financial based committees and groups: please turn in your reports to be included in the Annual Spring Meeting on May 17th. Spring Meeting reports will be distributed electronically, and a short run will be printed for those present at the meeting. Copies of the Spring Report will be mailed to church members who do not communicate through email and by special request. Please direct any questions and concerns to Jane Park, jane@hancockchurch.org.

April 23 (deadline) 
Hancock's 9th Annual Women's Retreat 
It's time to sign up for Hancock's 9th Annual Woman's Retreat, which will be May 1-2 at Friendly Crossways in Harvard, MA. All women, all ages, are invited! The retreat starts Friday at 5pm and will run until Saturday at ~3pm. The event cost is $130, scholarships available.  Friendly Crossways offers a country setting where the apple blossoms will be in bloom and the evening will be perfect for an outdoor bonfire. Pam Cochrane will lead the retreat.

  

To learn more contact pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org or READ MORE HERE .

April 24 (deadline)

Adult Mission Trip to Gypsum, CO 

home build hurricane sandy Blitz Home Builders, a volunteer organization associated with Habitat for Humanity, is sponsoring a Build in Gypsum, Co to build 2 floor duplex homes for low-income families Wed July 22- Sat Aug 1, 2015. Details are available at their website blitzhomebuilders.org. Carpentry skills helpful, but not necessary; all training needed will be taught. Housing is at a local hotel for $50/night/person which includes breakfast. $70 non-refundable registration fee includes lunches and snacks. Participants must provide cost of air transportation, shared rental car, and dinners for the 10 days. Four people from Hancock are planning to attend. If you are interested in joining us or have questions, please e-mail Cheryl Kraley at cheryl@kraley.com by April 24th.
April

Congratulations Handbell Choirs!

The Hancock Handbell Choirs played for a crowded sanctuary and narthex for their Patriot's Day Bells Concert! Over 300 people were in attendance for delightful, upbeat program of patriotic favorites, spirituals, movie tunes, and sing-alongs. A special congratulations goes to the Junior Handbells Choir for performing their first concert and for playing the best they've ever played!


April 23, No Thursday Discussion Group Today

April 26, Proofread Hymnal Dedication Bookplate

Come by the hymnal table during coffee hour and check your hymnal dedication--we want to make sure we have it right! Copies of the bookplates will be in binders in alphabetical order. They will be available to proofread in the office during the week and again after worship on Sunday, May 3rd.

 

April 26, No Pastor's Class Today

April 26, Choristers Resumes This Sunday
Our children's choir, the Hancock Choristers, resumes rehearsals this Sunday at 11:15am in Room 212. All children grades 1-5 are invited to join us. They will sing in morning worship on June 7th.

April 26, Caregiver's Dinner 

Due to the holiday weekend on the 19th, our monthly Caregivers Group will meet on 4/26 at 7:00 PM in Kathie Stuart. This group gathers monthly to share a small meal and find fellowship with other caregivers in the congregation. Some of our members are currently caring for parents, siblings, and/or spouses, while others have in the past or are preparing to do so in the future. We would so love you for you join us. While an RSVP isn't required, it is certainly appreciated. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact alex@HancockChurch.org.
May
May 2 & 3, Lexington Food Pantry Relocating!
Volunteers Needed!

The Lexington Food Pantry will be temporarily relocating to St. Brigid's Church this summer while Redeemer's Great Hall is being renovated. Help us move the food pantry to its temporary home on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, May 2 & 3rd.  Also needed are pickup trucks, vans, SUVs. 

 

Can you help?  Please contact Carolyn Wortman at carolynwortman@verizon.net for more information or to volunteer.

 

May 2 & May 12, Interfaith Garden 

Help the Interfaith Garden Grow

Hancock volunteers are scheduled to help on Saturday, May 2, 9-10:30am and Tuesday, May 12, 4:30-6pm. Located near Lexington Green, Interfaith Garden welcomes beginning gardeners of all ages. Learn organic gardening and garden care in a relaxed, friendly setting. Children can explore, plant, tend, and harvest at their own pace. To volunteer in May, or to add your name to the Interfaith Garden volunteer list, email Laurel Cooley, cooley.laurel1@gmail.com. Also visit interfaithgarden.org for more information. 

 

May 3, Welcoming Committee Lunch

Want to get a chance to meet some people and learn more about Hancock Church?  The Welcoming Committee is hosting a lunch after the service on Sunday May 3 in Kathie Stuart to give you a chance to meet some members and clergy and ask any questions that you have.  If you are interested, please contact the church office at office@hancockchurch.org or (781) 862-4220, contact Rev. Pam Cochrane in the church office, or Welcoming Committee chair Al Bukys at (781) 674-0339.

 

May 3, Cheer on Walkers with Rosie's Place

Help Rosie's Place cheer on walkers at The Walk for Hunger on May 3rd. Volunteers are needed to cheer walkers and provide them with refreshments along the Charles River in Cambridge at mile 16.5 of the walk. This check point is critical to the walkers' morale as it is close to the finish line and many of the walkers are feeling the effects of having walked so far.  

 

Individuals 12 and older are welcome to help. Great for small groups. Lunch will be provided. The checkpoint is T accessible.

 

Shift times are: 10-2pm, 11-3pm, 2-5pm.

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Meg Weston, jrw46@aol.com and Lauren Shifflett, LaurenBShifflett@gmail.com.

 

May 15 (deadline)

Hancock Church Remembrances

We invite you to add the name of a family member or special friend who shared a deep connection to our Hancock community, so that all can celebrate their faith journeys, their many contributions to Hancock Church and our affection for one another. Please contact Bill Erickson (berickson@bfearc.com), co-chair of the Memorial Garden Committee, before May 15 if you wish to include someone special in the May 31 remembrances.

 

On Sunday, May 31, we will give thanks and celebrate the lives of Hancock members who have recently passed and are being commemorated with plaques in our Remembrance Hall. During the service, we will remember their generous and meaningful contributions to building our foundations of faith and service. Clergy will lead a short prayer service in the newly planted Memorial Garden immediately following the regular Sunday service.

 

May 17, Spring Meeting

Annual Spring Meeting is on Sunday, May 17 directly following morning worship. There will be no coffee hour that day. 
Updates
Share your gifts! Join a Committee!

At Hancock, the work of the church is overseen and organized by committees. Every member should consider joining a committee. It is a way to get to know the other members of our church. It is an important part of our participation in the life of the church. To following will help you familiarize yourself with our committee work. Please contact Linda Williams, lbwilliams@comcast.net. or or Andy McClain awmcclaine@rcn.com for questions or to sign up.

To read full descriptions of all the committees READ MORE HERE.
Hancock Concerts!
All concerts are held in the sanctuary at Hancock Church.
May 2, The Jameson Singers
On May 2 at 8pm, the Jameson Singers will sing an American Choral Concert: New and Old Gems conducted by Jameson Marvin. Music will include a glimpse of new and old masterworks from the Bay Psalm Book of 1640 to Ronald Perera's North Country of 2012, featuring Samuel Barber's Reincarnations. Jim Marvin has been a member of Hancock Church since the fall of 1993, and is Emeritus Director of Choral Activities at Harvard University. His Collegium Musicum has sung annually in the Sunday Services at Hancock Church for the past 15 years.

May 3, Cantata Sunday!

The Hancock Chancel Choir and Ensemble will present works by Leonard Bernstein during morning worship on Sunday, May 3 at 10am. Chichester Psalms is a joyous and moving work that will be accompanied by harp, organ, and percussion. Also being presented will be the Gloria Tibi from Bernstein's Mass, sung by the church's children's choir the Hancock Choristers, along with additional works. The service is free and open to all, regardless of denomination or faith. The church is fully handicap accessible and free parking is available.


May 9, A Joyful Noyse Concert
Music at the Court of Ferrara

On Saturday, May 9 at 7:30pm, A Joyful Noyse will perform a survey of music heard at the court of Ferrara, Italy from Dufay and Josquin to the emergence of the extraordinary trio of women musicians known as the Concerto delle Donne. With background and commentary by musicologist Dr. Teresa Neff. $10 Suggested donation to support the Hancock Cantata Fund.   

READ MORE HERE. 

Remembrances    

We extend our sympathy to the friends and family  

of those who have passed away recently.

 

Patricia Ross passed away on Monday, April 13 with her family by her side. A memorial service will be held at Hancock Church on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 3:30 pm.   
Year-Round Offerings
Thursday Discussion Group
Thursday Discussion Group will not meet tomorrow, April 23rd. Thursday Discussion Group meets twice per month at 10am in the Pearson Room. Please join us a new book: Common Word: Muslims and Christians on Loving God and Neighbor. Offered by the Adult Christian Education Committee, led by Acting Minister Pam Cochrane.

Pastor's Class
No Pastor's Class this Sunday, April 26th. Pastor's Class meets every Sunday at 8:30am in Pearson. No homework required!

Rosie's Place
Hancock Church supports the ministries and women of Rosie's Place in Boston. If you are interested in volunteering to cook and serve a meal, please contact LaurenBShifflett@gmail.com. See above May 3, Cheer on Walkers with Rosie's Place for more volunteer opportunities!

Lexington Food Pantry
Food shopping? Pick up one or more of these items for the Lexington Food Pantry: Cereals, Soups, "Meals in a can" (ie, stew, chili), Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruits, Baked Beans, Canned Tuna Fish, Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti Sauce. There are baskets in the narthex entrance, and the back entrance to receive your donations, which are delivered weekly to the pantry.

For Saturday volunteers and food deliverers: In May, the Food Pantry will move to Saint Brigid's.
HANCOCK YOUTH GROUP
APRIL
Apr 12
7pm, HYG Parent Meeting about the MIssion Trip in the Upper Room

Apr 17-25
Neon, KY HOMES Mission Trip

Apr 26
Youth Sunday

JUNIOR YOUTH ORGANIZATION
APRIL
Apr 12
Youth meet in Upper Room for class activities.
Easter 2: Rebirth Sunday - An Easter Story. Sharing stories about rebirth and discovery of personal faith in God's extravagant love to overcome adversity.

 

Apr 19
No JYO Class
Youth are invited to stay in worship or help with the Children's Program in the CE Commons.

Apr 26
Youth Sunday!
Youth are invited to stay in worship for this special service led by the HancockYouth Group returning from Neon, KY.

Our JYO Leaders are Bess Deck and Wendy Tanahashi-Works.

 CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
APRIL
Apr 12
Chapel Time in the CE Commons and activity centers. Our theme is Easter Discoveries: Seeking New Life All Around!

Apr 19
All Age Event in CE Commons
Children are invited to Chapel time and activities rooms to explore the Easter story. 

Two Parent Volunteers are needed! Email Pam Cochrane if you'd like to help.

Apr 26
Youth Sunday!
Hancock Youth Group leads worship and share their experiences in Neon, KY.
All Children and Youth are invited to stay in worship.

Each week we invite adults to join in the children's activities as project leaders and helpers. Look for the sign-up sheets in the CE Commons area or contact CE Co-chairs Sarah Kuli and Sara Felton.

INFANTS AND TODDLERS
 Childcare is provided for children ages 3 and younger in the Infant/Toddler Room with Eliza Duncan and teen helpers each Sunday beginning a t9am. Parents may pick up children after worship in the Infant/Toddler Room.
 
CONTACT US!
Church Offices
(781) 862-4220
office@hancockchurch.org

Acting Minister of 
 Faith Formation 
 Pam Cochrane
pam@hancockchurch.org

Acting Minister of Congregational Care 
 Alex Shea Will
alex@hancockchurch.org

Director of Music
Mark Morgan
mark@hancockchurch.org

Assistant Director of Music
Marilyn Becker
marilyn@hancockchurch.org

Student Ministers
Andrew Harris
andrew@hancockchurch.org
&
Nancy Rottman
nancy@hancockchurch.org

Children's Education 
Co-chairs
Sarah Felton
sarah@manasas.com
&
Sarah Kuli
sarahkuli@comcast.net

Nominating Committee

 Linda Williams

lbwilliams@comcast.net

& 

Daryl Battin

darylbattin@gmail.com

& 

Linda Nason

linason21@gmail.com

& 

Andy McClaine

awmcclaine@rcn.com


If our offices are closed, and you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance, please dial our pastoral care number 

(929) 500-1912.

 


HANCOCK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1912 MASS AVE
LEXINGTON, MA  02421
(781) 862-4220 | hancockchurch.org