Life Together: “We Have a Dream Today.”

*Dream Team (May 1, 2026)

Friday morning at 10 a.m. 

18 of us from all four churches gathered together. Our new pastor, Craig Taylor, was also able to join us via Zoom.

Our most pressing question was this: How can Pastor Craig possibly serve all four churches, especially on Sundays?

Yet, as he shared his thoughts and plans, a renewed sense of hope began to grow among us. Pastor Craig was knowledgeable, warm, and carried a good sense of humor. Many of us left with a strong sense that God has brought the right person among us. You are encouraged to read the Dream Team meeting summary here.

Today’s meeting reminded us of a "tapestry." When we look from the back, it often appears messy - threads tangled and unclear, with little meaning. But when we turn it around, we see a beautiful work of art.

Today, somehow, we could see a glimpse of the other side. We saw a next stepping stone to walk on. And that is enough for now. God is faithful, and he will carry us through.

I believe this Sunday we will take another step forward as nine United Methodist churches gather together at 10:30 a.m. at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle. We will worship with our bishop, followed by a luncheon. The host church will provide hot food, and we are invited to bring salads or desserts. After lunch, the bishop will share a presentation on where we are and where we are headed as the UMC.

Throughout April, we collected donations for the Hope and Justice Project. During the service, we will have a time to bless these gifts for their ministry. For the offering, please use an envelope and indicate your church name.

If you need a ride or would like to carpool, please let Joyce or me know. We are happy to help arrange it. The service will also be livestreamed on the Grant Memorial UMC Facebook page here.

With God, we press on. 

With God, all things are possible. 

So we have a dream today.

Have a blessed weekend, and see you Sunday :)

In Christ's Love, 

Pastor Victor 

Dream Team Meeting Summary

 Dream Team Meeting Summary

(Pastoral Transition & Cooperative Parish Planning)

 

Present: Sara and Rick Hill, Penny & Ross Gowen, Bonnie & Andy Anderson, Sally Sutton, Diane Ketchum, Puala Lilley, Jill Quint, Jack Forbush, Susan Laurence, Gabriel Grimm, Marion Collins, Pastor Craig, Pastor Mary, Pastor Joyce, and Pastor Victor

 

1. Opening & Introductions

• Meeting began with introductions (name, church, favorite food).
• Pastor Craig joined via Zoom from Kentucky.

 

2. Centering Devotion – Luke 5:1–11 (“Into the Deep”)

• Theme: Trusting Jesus beyond our experiences and feelings.
• Even when tired and discouraged, we respond: “Because you say so, I will.”
• Encouragement: Christ is the head of the church. And he knows what he is doing.

 

3. Sunday Worship Planning (Key Discussion)

• Current reality: Four churches, multiple service times, shared leadership.
• A single pastor covering all churches every Sunday is not sustainable.
• Suggested idea: “A/B rotation model”
• Pastor rotates between two “legs” of churches each week.
• Lay servants and retired clergy help lead other services.
• A: Mars Hill (9 am) & Houlton (11 am)
• B: Hodgdon (9 am) & Patten (10:30 am or 11 am)
• Be flexible—this is a starting point, not permanent.

 

4. July Transition Plan

• July 5:
• This will be Pastor Craig and his family’s first Sunday attending worship with us, though he will not be leading the service.
• Proposed: Combined 4-church worship at 10:00 AM at Houlton.
• Include welcome/transition elements for Pastor Craig.
• July 12:
• Begin A/B rotation model (initial trial phase for July).
• Pastor Craig begins regular preaching schedule.

 

5. Lay Leadership & Shared Resources

• Strong appreciation for lay servants and retired clergy.
• Need for:
• Greater coordination across churches
• Possible shared parish-wide lay ministry team
• Ongoing concern: consistency and sustainability.

 

6. Worship & Music  

·       Each church currently organizes worship in its own context.

o   Hodgdon, Houlton, and Mars Hill: Pastor and musicians work closely together.

o   Patten: Worship committee collaborates with the pastor.

·       There is strong musical leadership in most churches, with a need for additional support in Patten (Mary has graciously offered to help).

·       Possibility of sharing musical gifts across the parish.

 

7. Ministry Priorities Identified

Across the churches, key priorities include:

• Small Groups / Bible Study
• Children & Youth Ministry
• Together Tuesday (afterschool program, Houlton)
• Friday Kids Program (Patten)
• Backpack for Kids (non-perishable food delivery)
• Senior Ministry
• Senior Meals (delivery-based, strong community impact)
• Community Outreach
• Lend A Hand (Hodgdon)
• Food Pantry (Patten)
• Visitation Ministry
• Strong need, especially for homebound members
• May require a team-based parish approach

 

8. Pastor Craig’s Passions & Gifts

• Passion for Disaster Relief Ministry (ERT leadership and training, UMCOR)
• Strength in technology and livestreaming
• Commitment to support all existing ministries
• Visitation is an area he will work to grow with accountability

 

9. Support for Pastor Craig & Family

• Immediate need:
• Local emergency contact for children’s school (Houlton)
• Amanda Howe (Houlton Elementary Kindergarten teacher, Houlton UMC member): 207-538-6491, amanda.howe@rsu29.org
• Moving date:
• Arrival: June 24 (morning)
• Churches will help with:
• Unloading
• Basic groceries (“pounding”)
• Ongoing support:
• Help family adjust to local culture and community life
• Practical winter guidance (driving, weather readiness)

 

10. Communication & Administration

• Temporary plan for shared bulletin preparation (summer)
• Cliasta Bither will be our office administrator for summer months (June-Aug)
• Future consideration:
• Unified vs. church-specific bulletins

o   Currently, Hodgdon, Houlton, and Mars Hill share a common bulletin, while Patten prepares its own.

Abide: “Watching over One Another in Love”

 

*Women of Witness (WOW) – April 28 Gathering

Peace to you,

We have been blessed with such beautiful weather this week. I hope you have had a chance to enjoy this lovely spring season.

For me, this is a “meeting week.” This Wednesday and Thursday, I will be serving as part of the District Committee on the Ordained Ministry (DCOM), helping conduct annual interviews for 14 local pastors in our Katahdin District. It is time- and heart-intensive work, yet it is also deeply meaningful and sacred.

My journey with DCOM began in 2008. I became a declared candidate in 2008, a certified candidate in 2009, a local pastor in 2012, a provisional elder in 2014, and a full elder in 2019. It was a long process. At the time, I often wondered why so many steps were necessary, why so many hoops to go through.

But looking back, I now have deep appreciation for the guidance and labor of love offered by DCOM members. It provided accountability. It served as a safety net. It was, in many ways, an expression of love and care.

This strong tradition goes back to John Wesley’s class meetings. In Wesley’s time, George Whitefield and John Wesley were close friends, both part of the Oxford Holy Club. Whitefield was widely known as a powerful and gifted preacher. People traveled from far and wide to hear him. Yet years later, Whitefield reflected:

“My brother Wesley acted wisely. The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.”

Our Methodist Church continues this “connectional” way of life today. We still gather to “watch over one another in love” at every level - through small groups and church conferences in our local churches, through our New England Annual Conference, and even globally through the General Conference.

This Sunday, all nine Methodist churches in our county will gather for a special combined worship service at 10:30 a.m. at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton will be preaching. The service will include a handbell choir, combined choir, worship dance, and Holy Communion. We will also share a meal together.

You are invited to bring a salad or dessert if you are able. If you plan to attend the service or luncheon, please let me know. It will help the hosting church prepare. If you need a ride, I would be glad to help arrange that for you. You can watch the service live here:

https://www.facebook.com/GrantMemorialUMC

Our New Testament Journey continues. This past Sunday, we explored the Book of Hebrews. If you missed it, you can: 

• Watch the service: https://youtube.com/live/YoInNf9tN-E?feature=share
• Read the message: https://pastorvictorhan.blogspot.com/

I thank God for you. I am grateful to be on this journey together with you. Have a blessed week ahead. 

In Christ's Love, 

Pastor Victor

Life Together: "From Many to One"

 

Peace to you. 

There is a beautiful line from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:

“To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me.
But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world.”

This conversation reminds us of a simple truth: something becomes “one and only” not by itself, but through relationship, time, and love.

During this spring break, our family chose to do something a little different. We visited meaningful places and spent time with dear friends, some for what may be the last time before our move. We saw friends in Belfast. We shared breakfast at the Co-op, lunch at Pizza Hut, and dinner with old friends in Bangor. We read books together at BAM.

As we met these people again, we found ourselves using words like “one and only,” “best,” “most beautiful,” and “special.” Not because these places or people were extraordinary by themselves, but because of the time we have shared, the memories we have built, and the love we have experienced together.

At first, for instance, the Co-op was just one place among many. But over time, it became “our gathering place.” Travis and Mari were once simply acquaintances, but now they are dear friends, mentors, and companions in life.

This Sunday, we will explore the Book of the Hebrews. Hebrews shows us that, in Christ, we move from “many” to “one.” Through Jesus, our relationship with God is no longer distant or general. It becomes personal. We are no longer just one among many; we are known, loved, and called God’s own.

And as we gather for worship and fellowship, God continues to shape us, not just as individuals, but as one body, one and only family in Christ.

It is truly an honor and a joy to walk this journey with you.

Have a blessed weekend. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

In Christ's Love, 
Pastor Victor

Hodgdon Liturgist Schedule (April - June)

Peace to you. 

What lovely weather we are having today! I hope you have some time to step outside and enjoy the sunshine and gentle breeze :)

Below is the liturgist schedule for April through June. For June, we are planning to have combined services with Houlton. At this time, we are considering hosting on the first and third Sundays, and Houlton hosting on the second and fourth Sundays. We will confirm these details together at our next Ad Council meeting on May 6th.

If any of the scheduled dates do not work for you, please let me know so we can make adjustments and plan well together.

Thank you very much for your faithful service. Have a blessed weekend, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

April 19 Donald Metzger

April 26 Jennifer Metzger

May 3 Cluster Service (Presque Isle)

May 10 Jill Quint

May 17 Perry Lilley 

May 24 Sue Carr

May 31 Combined Service (Houlton)

June 7 Stacy Ramsey 

June 14* 

June 21 Paula Lilley 

June 28*

In Christ's love,

Pastor Victor 

Life Story Update

Dear church family, 

Peace to you.

It has been a true joy and honor to sit with you and listen to your life stories. Thank you for trusting us and for sharing your lives together with us. 

As shared earlier, we plan to compile these stories into a book for us to keep and to share with our loved ones and friends.

If you have not yet shared your story but would like to be included, please let me know. We will collect all stories by April 24 and then send the book for publishing. We expect the books to arrive by the middle of May.

Thank you again for being part of this meaningful journey.

Have a blessed rest of the week. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Story Link

Monday Morning Coffee: "Living the Resurrection"

Peace to you. 

This past weekend, Angie and Ryan kindly welcomed our children into their home to watch the boiling sap. For the kids, everywhere becomes a playground. They did not stay long in the steam, but they had a joyful time, especially with Luna, Angie’s beloved dog. As I looked at the picture, a thought came to me: they are already living the resurrection!

 

After Jesus’ death, the disciples’ minds were closed and heavy, burdened by grief, fear, and the weight of everyday life. Then the risen Christ came to them. He restored their sense of wonder and awe. He entered into their ordinary, mundane moments, shared meals with them, and deepened their relationships. He appeared not only to individuals, but to the group. In doing so, he showed them that his presence is made known among a gathered people, “the church.”

 

In this light, the Sabbath is truly a gift from God. It is like a weekly renewal of the soul. As we gather to worship, sing, listen to the Word, and share simple food fellowship, our sense of awe is restored. We begin to recognize the presence of the risen Christ among us in the ordinary rhythms of life.

 

Every moment can become a means of grace – every meal we share, every act of service, every task we carry out. This past Sunday, we experienced such grace through our spring concert, “Welcome Spring with Music.” You can watch it here. You may also revisit our worship services and message:

• Mars Hill service here
• Houlton service here
• Sunday message, “Are We There Yet?” here

 

May God restore in us a childlike sense of wonder this week. And may we respond to God in all things with grateful hearts :)

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor