Spring Bible Studies: The Apostles' Creed & Philippians

"What do you believe? Why do you believe it?" 

As United Methodists, we live in a time of uncertainty. We are invited to ponder and explore what we Christians believe, why we believe, and why it matters through the Apostles' Creed. This timely study and fellowship will be nourishment for our upcoming journey. 

Three groups are available: Tuesday at 3:30 pm (starting on May 7 at Hodgdon), Wednesday at 10:00 am (starting on May 1 at Mars Hill), and Thursday at 6:00 pm (starting on May 2 at Houlton). 

Our women's group (WOW) also offers a new Bible Study on Philippians. They meet on Wednesday at 10:00 am at Houlton. 

If you have any questions, please contact me or Joyce at any time. 

You're invited. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

General Conference April 29 Wrap-Up

 Peace to you. 

After taking a day of rest on Sunday, General Conference delegates resumed their second-week session. 

They approved a plan to add two more bishops to where the church is growing. But a number of delegates expressed frustration that the number was below the five bishops initially sought by the 2016 General Conference. This decision is mainly because of financial reasons as the UMC can't afford to support more than two new bishops in the area. 

The shootings occurred about seven miles east of the Charlotte Convention Center, where General Conference is underway. As news spread of deadly shootings of law enforcement officers in Charlotte, General Conference delegates paused to pray for victims and the community. For more information, you can read the entire story at this link. 

Let us continue to pray for those who have been affected by yesterday's NC shooting and for our law enforcement officers. 

Have a peaceful day. God bless. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (April 28, 2024)

 

Family. 

The Korean word for family, "식구" (shikgu) roughly means “mouths that eat.” The word originally meant people who live in one house and have meals together. 

The dining table brings people together. It shapes us into who we are, helping us create memories and building character. Almost every evening the Hans gather around the dinner table and share our "highs and lows" of the day. We often sidetrack, but still we share so many invaluable things - our feelings, our values, our struggles, our joys, our aspirations - together. 

Worship is like dining at the table of the Lord. God is our Father, and we all sit around the table. We sing, we pray, we listen, we share our joys and concerns, we share what we are and what we have. We make memories and build community together. 

This Sunday (4th Sunday of the month) we celebrate Family Worship (@ Houlton UMC). All generations come to worship together. In particular, the Greater Houlton Christian Academy (GHCA) will worship with us. Mrs. Albers and the choir will lead worship in song, and Mr. Albers, head of school, will deliver the message. We will continue our fellowship as we have the Love Feast potluck luncheon after the service. We are encouraged to bring our favorite dishes or desserts to share! 

Thank you for being among us. Looking forward to worshiping and making memories together this Sunday! 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

General Conference April 26 Wrap-Up

April 26 was a rather quiet day in terms of making decisions. However, Bishop Lewis challenged delegates during morning worship in this way: 

“We have the audacity to think that we accomplished great tasks by ourselves. Some of us even think that we will spend the next week or so making decisions for the future of The United Methodist Church and try to factor God out of the equation."

Then she encouraged them to leave room for the Holy Spirit in their deliberations as the conference continues through May 3, saying, “I stand here this morning to challenge us that for the next couple of days, we must decide as a denomination that we may not trust each other, but we’re going to trust in the Lord.” 

Amen and Amen. 

You can read the entire recap at this link. 

In Christ we're not quitters, but overcomers. With Christ all things are possible. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

General Conference April 25 Wrap-Up

The plenary session on Day 3 of General Conference produced two historic moments: Eurasia's departure and Regionalization.

First, General Conference delegates approved the exit of churches in one of its regions. By a vote of 672 to 67, the delegates approved the departure of four Eurasian annual conferences — which encompasses churches in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Together, the four plan to form the autonomous Christian Methodist Church.

Second, General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making.

Delegates voted 586 to 164 (78% of the vote) for an amendment to the denomination’s constitution. A constitutional amendment requires at least a two-thirds vote at General Conference. To be ratified, the amendment also will need at least a two-thirds total vote of annual conference lay and clergy voters. 

It would set up the U.S. as its own regional conference, along with three regional conferences in Europe, three in Africa, and one in the Philippines. The rationale for regionalization is to allow each geographic region of the church to adapt specified provisions of the Discipline to fit the missional needs of its region. On the surface, the regionalization idea makes sense. However, it may weaken the connection and create an inconsistent identity among the regional conferences. 

Though it is too early to predict yet, it is likely that the U.S. regional conference will move forward and change the denomination’s definition of marriage to include same-sex marriage, to permit clergy to perform same-sex weddings, and to permit the ordination and appointment of partnered gay and lesbian clergy. 

You can read yesterday's recap at this link.

Siblings in Christ, the UMC is at a crossroads. it's time to pray. Special Prayer for General Conference is held at Houlton UMC, 8:30-9:00 am daily (except Sunday). Come, let us pray together.  

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

General Conference April 24 Wrap-up

Legislative committee work began. 

Due to the disaffiliation reality, a proposed denomination-wide budget was the United Methodist Church’s lowest in 40 years.  

“This is a General Conference that must send clear signals to the local church,” said incoming Council of Bishops President Tracy Malone, “that we are keenly aware that the loss of membership and the decline of sustainability has a direct influence on the amount of funds available to support ministry.”

The proposed 2025-2028 denominational budget coming before delegates is $353.1 million — a 42% reduction from the budget delegates approved at the 2016 General Conference, the assembly’s last regular session. Under that budget proposal, about $347 million would come from the U.S. and $6.1 million from the central conferences — church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines.

Where are we headed? Where is God in all this? You can read the entire recap at this link. 

The Peace of Christ be with you.

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

General Conference Daily Updates (April 24, 2024)

General Conference began with Charles Wesely's "O for Thousand Tongues to Sing." 

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton gave the message of hope during opening worship. He asked, “Are you willing to move forward in a spirit of hope and embrace a season of reformation, commit to the revitalization of The United Methodist Church and work for a culture marked by compassion, courage and companionship?”

At this General Conference fewer delegates were registered due to visa issues and disaffiliation of the delegates. As of noon April 23, only 751 delegates out of 862 allotted were registered and present, adding that registrations are still ongoing. That total includes 273 delegates out of 370 from central conferences — church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. This number still exceeds the majority of allotted delegates required to have a quorum at General Conference. Delegates speak nine languages including American Sign Language. 

You can read yesterday's recap at this link. 

As Hebrews 12:1-13 (today's UpperRoom Scripture reading) says, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and run like a long-distance runner. Never, never, never, give up. 

May God bless you and your day. 

 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

General Conference Updates (April 23, 2024)

 Shalom to you, God's beloved. 

General Conference starts today. 

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is meeting, April 23 through May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, NC. General Conference typically gathers every four years. But because of the COVID pandemic, the assembly could not meet in 2020. That means the last regular session was in May 2016 — nearly eight years ago.

I think some of us may have a question, "What is the General Conference? Why does this matter to us?" I will do my best to keep you informed daily about what's happening and to explain its ramifications. 

First of all, General Conference is the denomination’s highest legislative body. It has the authority to make revisions to the denomination’s Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions.

The Book of Discipline is the denomination’s governing document that contains its doctrine, constitution, church law, rules of organization and procedures. The Book of Resolutions contains the denomination’s positions on current social issues. Resolutions expire after eight years unless General Conference readopts them.

Concerning the role of the General Conference, I would like to share with you a couple of resources: 

• Video Clip: What is General Conference? 
• A Beginner's Guide to General Conference

Also, you may follow the General Conference via its official site and the latest news at this link. 

Lastly, I exhort us to pray together - for GC and our delegates as they make decisions on behalf of the UMC. I also pray for your wisdom and strength in this turbulent time. Please pray for Joyce and me as we walk along with you. 

Stay well and strong in God's grace. 

 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (April 21, 2024)

Peace to you.

The words of George Washington Carver leave an impression on me this morning. Born into slavery, he was an educator, scientist, and inventor who developed hundreds of products using peanuts.

He famously said, "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."

These words were even more meaningful as I was lifting each preacher up to the Lord and preparing for Pulpit Exchange Sunday tomorrow. What a blessing we are to have a connectional system in the UMC! What a great opportunity to be more tender, compassionate, sympathetic, and tolerant with others!

Sisters and brothers in Christ, I exhort you to warmly welcome our guest preachers - Pastor Sue Brown (at Hodgdon), Pastor Rich Rego (at Houlton), and Pastor John DeFelice (at Mars Hill). Also, please pray for Joyce (at Patten) and me (at Mapleton) that we may preach the word boldly and joyfully as we should.

Have a great weekend with Christ. Love you all.


In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (April 14, 2024)

The phone rang on a quiet Wednesday morning. 

It was Dave, a faithful saint from my previous church in MA. He and his son's family drove 440 miles from Dalton to Island Falls to see the eclipse on Monday. Since it was their last-minute decision to drive up to Maine, they couldn't make it to Houlton but had to stop at Island Falls and turn around. 

Dave was very impressed by the hospitality of the people of Island Falls. He said, "I assume that the people in Houlton are similar in temperament. I must say, Pastor, you live in a great place." I replied, "You can say that again. I have been here for 10 years and still love it!" 

As we celebrated the eclipse, we newly found an increase in self-worth and self-esteem as a community. For me personally, as I was sitting in the pew and listening to the organ demonstration, I deeply appreciated our organists. As I was watching the supper volunteers work together, I was so grateful to be part of it. As I was watching our youth Rotarians serve visitors baked potato bars, I felt really proud of them. 

Recently, we celebrated Easter - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We Christians are "Easter" people. We are the ones who live in resurrection power. Our self-worth and self-esteem come from Jesus' resurrection. But what does it really look like? What does it mean to live the resurrection in everyday life? Let us continue to search and explore together. You are invited to join us for our worship service this Sunday - Hodgdon (9 a.m.), Mars Hill (9 a.m.), and Houlton (11 a.m.). 

Thank you for being among us. I give thanks to God for you. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Eclipse Weekend

 Peace be with you on this snowy day. 

As I am praying for the upcoming Eclipse and our church, Matthew 5:16 came to my mind: 

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Eugene Peterson's Message version beautifully paraphrases in this way:

 

"Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

This is our prayer that visitors may see our generous and loving Father and glorify him as we open up our church and our lives to them. 

Following is our tentative schedule for this Eclipse Weekend: 

April 5 (Fri) Table Set-up & Cookie Wrapping Team, 2 pm

• Please bring your cookies by 2 pm. 

April 6 (Sat) Supper Preparation, 4 pm and after

• Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early and get ready 

April 6 (Sat) Historical Church Organ Tour, 2-4 pm

o   2:00-2:15 pm – Church of the Good Shepherded

o   2:30-2:45 pm – First Baptist Church

o   3:00-3:15 pm – Unitarian Universalist Church

o   3:30-4:00 pm – Houlton United Methodist Church

April 6 (Sat) Baked Beans Supper, $10, 4-6 pm

April 7 (Sun) Communion Worship Service with Coffee Hour Fellowship, 11 am

• Eclipse Glasses sponsored by the United Methodist Men will be distributed after service. 

April 8 (Mon) Warming Center, 11 am-2 pm

o   “Baked Potato Bar” by the Interact Club of the Meduxnekeag (youth service group of Rotary), $5

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our coordinators: 

• Organ Tour: Susan Laurence (401-714-0885)
• Supper & Warming Center: Sharon Lyons (540-6982), Linda Maraya (227-3497)
• Security & Parking: Chuck Taylor (694-3512)
• Other: Victor Han (538-0778)

Have a safe and memorable Eclipse weekend. Love you all. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Easter Monday

 

(*Resurrection by Lydia Han)

Resurrection

Easter. The grave clothes of winter

are still here, but the sepulchre

is empty. A messenger

from the tomb tells us

how a stone has been rolled

from the mind, and a tree lightens

the darkness with its blossom.

There are travellers upon the roads

who have heard music blown

from a bare bough, and a child

tells us how the accident 

of last year, a machine stranded 

beside the way for lack

of petrol is covered with flowers. 

-  R. S. Thomas

Morning has broken. 

It's a new day in Christ. We live the resurrection by faith, not by sight. 

What a glorious day it was yesterday. Surely the presence of the risen Christ was in our places. You can watch all three churches' Easter services at the following links: 

• Hodgdon UMC
• Houlton UMC: YouTube I Facebook 
• Mars Hill UMC

Thank you for being part of Christ's beloved community. Have a wonderful week. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

PS. Easter Message