Easter Lily Update 🌸

 

Dear Church Family,

Beautiful morning to you all—it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

I wanted to share a quick update about our Easter Lily plans.
This year, we will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 20, and one meaningful way we mark this holy day is by filling our sanctuaries with memorial Easter Lilies—symbols of resurrection and new life.

If you would like to participate, please reply to this email or contact me by phone/text at 207-538-0778. It would be helpful to receive your information by this Sunday, April 13.

You are welcome to bring your own lily, or you may order through the church:

• Single Lily: $23

• Triple Lily: $55

When you respond, please include:

1. Your name

2. The person(s) you are honoring or remembering

3. Your delivery method (bringing your own, ordering single/triple, etc.)

Here is the list so far:

• Paula Lilley (single)

• Richard Schenk (single)

• Chuck & Mary Taylor (own)

• Susan Boyd (own)

• Andy & Bonnie Anderson (own)

• Victor & Joyce Han (own)

If I missed your name or any details, please let me know—I’d be glad to update it.

Thank you for helping us prepare a beautiful and meaningful space for Easter worship. May this season of Lent continue to draw you closer to the risen Christ.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Our Life Review Story Continues…

 

(*Painted by Nina Trask)

Dear Church Family,

What a joy and privilege it is to sit down and listen to the stories of our beloved church members. With each conversation, I am reminded again of how fearfully and wonderfully each person is made. Every story is unique. Every life is a testimony. And every time, I walk away amazed.

Did you know that we have a couple in our church family who are celebrating 73 years of marriage this year? Nina (91) and John (94) Trask are a living testimony of love, faith, and God’s steadfastness. Their life together is a beautiful witness to God’s goodness, one faithful step at a time. You can read their story here: https://faithbook2025.blogspot.com/

Also today, we celebrate Sandra Malone’s 84th birthday! On this special day, I had the joy of sitting with her and hearing her story of faith. What an awesome God we have — and what a powerful witness her life is! You can read Sandra’s story here: https://faithbook2025.blogspot.com/

May our storytelling and listening continue to inspire one another, strengthen the bonds of our beloved community, and most of all, glorify God — the greatest Author of all our stories. 

Stay well in God's grace. I love you all. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together (April 5, 2025)

 

Peace to you, dear church family.

“Life isn’t easy, but life is GOOD,” one of our members shared after our Dream Team meeting. I replied with a smile, “Yes indeed. Life is good, because God is GOOD.”

 

 Dream Team Update

This past Friday, we held our first Dream Team meeting—a group of faithful representatives from our three churches—coming together to discern and navigate our next steps.

We didn’t have a magic wand, but we did something hopeful and encouraging: we reasoned together, listened deeply, and shared openly. During the meeting, I shared my twofold pastoral identity and vision for the church:

• The “Unbusy Pastor” who focuses on the essentials—teaching, preaching, and healing—just as Jesus modeled.

• The “Unnecessary Pastor” who equips and empowers lay leaders to teach, preach, and care, creating a Spirit-led, team-based ministry.

The Dream Team is here for you and will meet on the first Friday of each month. If you have any questions, hopes, or concerns regarding our shared ministry, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the team members:
Duane Quint, Jill Quint, Jennifer Metzger, Paula Lilley, Susan Laurence, Marion Collins, Linda Maraya, Jack Forbush, Andy Anderson, Bonnie Anderson, Sally Sutton, Diane Ketchum, Pastor Mary, Pastor Joyce, or me.

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 Missions & Outreach

Thank you for your generous support of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)! Together, throughout the month of March, we raised $445 (Hodgdon – $110, Houlton – $200, Mars Hill – $135)

Your gifts to UMCOR Sunday strengthen the church’s global humanitarian response by covering UMCOR’s administrative costs. This means 100% of your additional donations go directly to urgent programs like U.S. and international disaster relief, and global migration ministry. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ!

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 Life Review Project – New Stories

Our community grows richer as we share our faith journeys. 

This week, we are blessed to read the stories of Jack Forbush and Susan Boyd—testimonies of God’s presence and faithfulness.

You can find their stories on our “Faithbook” blog:
 https://faithbook2025.blogspot.com/

If you feel led to share your story, please reach out to Pastor Joyce or me. Your journey matters.

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 Memorial Easter Lilies

Spring is coming. So is Easter.
This year, we will decorate our sanctuaries with Memorial Easter Lilies. To participate, please contact me by April 13. The sooner, the better!

Please include the following:

• Your Name:

• In Memory of:

• (1) I will bring my own / (2) Single stem ($23) / (3) Three stems ($55)
  (*Checks payable to “Houlton UMC” – memo: “Easter Lilies”)

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 Lenten Journey Continues

Join us for our final Lenten Soup Lunch & Devotion:
 Wednesday, April 9 at 12 PM at Hodgdon UMC

We’ll be joined by the Houlton Community Handbell Choir, and Paula Lilley will lead our devotional. It’s going to be a beautiful time of music, food, and fellowship. You won’t want to miss it!

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 Ministry & Mission (M&M) Calendar

Apr 6 – Communion Sunday
Apr 8 – Women of Witness (WOW) [HT], 10 am
Apr 8 – Together Tuesday [HT], 3:00–4:30 pm
Apr 8 – United Methodist Men at Bob’s, 6 pm
Apr 9 – Backpack for Kids [HT], 9 am
Apr 9 – Lenten Soup & Devotion [HD], 12 pm
Apr 9 – L.T. group [HD], 3:15 pm
Apr 9 – L.T. group at Jack & Cynthia’s, 6 pm
Apr 10 – Handbell Choir Practice [HT], 3:15–4:15 pm
Apr 11 – Staff Parish Relations Committee [HT], 9 am
Apr 11 – Outreach Committee [HT], 10 am
Apr 11 – “Love & Meals” (Senior Meals) [HT], 11:30 am
Apr 11 – Gardiner Bible Study, 10 am
Apr 13 – Palm/Passion Sunday
Apr 13 – Teacher’s Prayer Meeting [HT], 12 pm
Apr 13 – Gardiner Music Service, 2 pm
Apr 20 – Easter Sunday

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 Let’s Celebrate!

April 6 – Heidi McGary
April 7 – Marie Hutchinson, Lorraine Estey
April 10 – Sandra Malone
April 11 – Donna Wolverton

We give thanks to God for your life and faith. Happy birthday, and many blessings to you all!

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 New Bible Study/ Life-Together Group – Coming in May

Many of us feel heavy and concerned about the world today. You’re not alone. Even the prophet Jonah once ran from his calling. But God met him there—with grace and renewed purpose.

In mid-May, we’ll begin a 6-week Bible Study on the book of Jonah at all three churches. 

My prayer is that God may renew our faith and strength, and give us wisdom for how and when to act. You’re warmly invited.

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May God bless you and keep you!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together (March 28)

 

*Photo: "Lenten Soup & Devotion" at Mars Hill UMC (March 26)

Dear Church Family,

How is your Lent going so far?

We’re just about to pass the halfway point of our Lenten journey. As we pause to reflect, I hope this season is offering you moments of renewal.

For me, two practices have been especially meaningful this year. One is reading a daily poem from The Heart’s Time: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter by Janet Morley. It’s become a refreshing breath of air in the middle of my day—a gentle, thoughtful pause that recenters me.

The other is our Lenten Soup & Devotion gatherings. There’s something powerful in simply being together. Last week, the Mars Hill church family welcomed us with such warmth and generosity, and Pastor Mary’s devotional message was both honest and moving. If you missed it, you can watch it here: Watch Pastor Mary’s Devotional

Looking ahead, our next Lenten gathering will be Wednesday, April 9 at noon at Hodgdon UMC. We’ll be blessed by a special performance from the community handbell choir, and Paula Lilley will lead our devotional time. You won’t want to miss this time of reflection and fellowship.

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UMCOR Sunday

We have heard the devastating news of the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Along with our prayers, there are tangible ways to help.

This Sunday, we observe UMCOR Sunday—a special time to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which responds to human suffering both here at home and around the world, all in Jesus’ name. Through our special offerings and prayers, we can join in this lifegiving mission. Please join us this Sunday in making a difference.

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Life Review Project Updates

Have you ever considered questions like:
“If I could leave one important message for my family, what would it be?”
or
“If I could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?”

Wherever we are in our journey, these are sacred questions worth pondering.

The Life Review Project is a meaningful tool to help us reflect, realign, and live with intention. This week, we’ve added two more beautiful stories—Duane’s and Shirley’s. You can read them here: Faithbook: Our Story, Our Song
Take a few moments to read and be inspired!

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Dream Team

I’m excited to share that our combined discernment team—our Dream Team—is now formed. While this is a time of transition, I truly believe it's also a season of opportunity: to grow stronger, more resilient, and healthier as the church God is calling us to be.

Starting in April, this team will meet monthly to pray, discern, and navigate the next steps together as one body in Christ. Our first meeting will be Friday, April 4, at 10 AM at Houlton UMC.

Our team members are:
Duane Quint, Paula Lilley, Jennifer Metzger, Jill Quint, Susan Laurence, Marion Collins, Jack Forbush, Linda Maraya, Andy Anderson, Bonnie Anderson, Sally Sutton, Diane Ketchum, Pastor Mary, Pastor Joyce, and myself.

If you have any questions, ideas, or encouragement to share—please feel free to talk to any of the team members. We are here for you.

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Let’s Celebrate! 

Happy Birthday to...
 Andy Anderson (Mar 30)
 Sawyu Knowles (Apr 1)
 Gregg Bowyer (Apr 1)
 Cathy Hutchinson (Apr 2)
 Jacob Hotham (Apr 3)

We give thanks for your lives and pray for another year full of God’s grace and joy!

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Lastly, I pray that we all experience the oneness of Christ’s body in a fresh way as we celebrate Pulpit Exchange Sunday this weekend.

May God bless your second half of the Lenten journey with grace and peace.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Pulpit Exchange Sunday (March 30)

 

"One flock with one shepherd…"

This phrase leapt off the page during my devotional time this morning.

In John 10, Jesus tells us that He is our Good Shepherd. He calls us by name. He knows us deeply. He goes before us, leading us to places of nourishment. And in the greatest act of love, He laid down His life so that we might have life—and live it to the fullest.

But then, Jesus continues: He has other sheep outside the pen—ones who still need to be gathered. They, too, must be led, and there will be “one flock with one shepherd.”

This truth convicted me. How often do I focus only on those already in my church, my family—those safely within the pen? Ouch. While I am called to faithfully minister to the flock in our three churches, my greater calling is to lift my eyes beyond familiar walls, to care for those still outside.

That’s why I believe our Pulpit Exchange Sunday is a beautiful first step toward this vision. It is a reminder that we are part of something bigger than our individual congregations—we are united as the body of Christ within the United Methodist Church. But my prayer goes even further: that our unity in Christ will not stop within our denomination, but will extend beyond, drawing us closer to brothers and sisters from all backgrounds as one flock under one Shepherd.  

I encourage you to warmly welcome our special guest preachers this Sunday:

• Pastor Sue Brown at Hodgdon,

• Pastor John DeFelice at Houlton, and

• Pastor Tracy Reeves at Mars Hill.

Invite your family and friends. Come with expectant hearts. Let’s celebrate our unity in Christ and be mutually encouraged!

I am the church. You are the church. We are the church—together.

Have a blessed weekend, and please pray for Joyce and me—that we may preach the good news of Jesus Christ joyfully and boldly, as we ought.

I love you all deeply.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

Life Together (March 22, 2025)

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. – James 1:2-3

Dear Church Family,

Peace to you. 

Today’s Upper Room devotion deeply resonated with me. The writer shared her journey of faith through an unexpected trial—a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. It reminded me how easy it is to slip into a "poor-me" attitude when we face challenges.

As our church enters a new season of adjustments, I, too, have felt the pull to dwell on what we might lose—our service time changes, shifts in team ministry with Joyce, and other transitions. But as I meditated on James 1:2-3, I felt the Lord whisper to me, "Stop looking inward at your disappointments and losses. Instead, look around at the bursting life of spring unfolding before you." That gentle nudge lifted my soul.

When I reflect on this past week, I see God actively at work in our lives and in the life of our church. We shared life together through small groups, Together Tuesday, Backpack for Kids, Life Review interviews, handbell choir practice, senior meals—just to name a few! God is moving among us.

Family Worship Sunday & Love Feast [Houlton UMC]

This Sunday, we (Houlton) will come together as one church family for Family Worship at 11 AM. Young and young at heart will worship side by side in a Christ-exalting, music-filled service featuring our pick-up choir and handbell choir. Afterward, we will continue our fellowship over a Love Feast potluck luncheon. What a joy it will be to celebrate together!

Also, our Community Chorus has resumed under the leadership of Susan Laurence and Rue Geishecker. They meet every other Sunday at 1 PM at our church. If you love to sing, come and be part of this beautiful ministry!

Lenten Soup & Devotion

Our second combined Lenten Soup & Devotion gathering will be this Wednesday, March 26, at noon at Mars Hill UMC. Pastor Mary will lead our devotion time. Come, be nourished in body and spirit.

Baptism & New Membership

Easter is a season of new beginnings! If you are considering baptism or officially becoming a member of our church family, please let Pastor Joyce or me know. We would love to celebrate this sacred commitment with you on Easter Sunday.

Life Review Project

Every life holds a story—beautiful, unique, and worth remembering. This project invites us to reflect on our faith journeys.

This past week, I had the honor of listening to Mary’s and Chuck’s faith stories. I created a new blog to share these reflections: ourstoryoursong2025.blogspot.com. If you would like to share your story, please let me know. I would love to hear yours!

Pen Pal Ministry

We are launching a Pen Pal Ministry to encourage Senior Meals recipients, Backpack for Kids students, Gardiner residents, and more. If you have questions or would like to participate, please see Pastor Joyce.

Pulpit Exchange Sunday

Next Sunday (March 30), our UM cluster will celebrate Pulpit Exchange Sunday, a day to affirm our unity as one body of Christ. Pastor Joyce will preach at Gray Memorial UMC (Caribou), and I will preach at Lidstone Memorial UMC (Washburn). Please extend a warm welcome to our guest preachers:

• Pastor Sue from Lidstone Memorial UMC (Hodgdon)
• Pastor John from Mapleton UMC (Houlton)
• Pastor Tracy from Grant Memorial UMC (Mars Hill)

March 30th is also UMCOR Sunday, a time to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief and its vital work. Your generosity helps provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid to those in need. If you choose to give by check, please make it payable to the church and write "UMCOR" in the memo line. Thank you for your kindness and support!

Happy Birthday!

March 23 – Zach O’Leary
March 24 – Sarah Diette
March 25 – Stephanie
March 26 – Denice Tidd
March 28 – Ben Yeager

Happy Anniversary!
March 24 – Chet & Linda Husted

Wishing you all a joyful celebration and God’s abundant blessings in the year ahead! 

A Prayer for This Week

This morning, my heart is drawn to the last line of Gerald Manley Hopkins' poem:

"Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain!"

Yes, Lord, ours! Send our roots rain! Amen.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor

[Important Update] Appointment News

Dear Church Family,

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ!

Yesterday, Joyce and I shared the news of our new appointments during worship, though it was brief. Today, I want to provide more details and share how we arrived at this decision. Joyce is currently away at a Korean women clergy retreat, and I know she will have her own reflections to share in the coming days.

The Facts

For the past ten years, amid denominational challenges and uncertainties, our church has been designated as a Mission Church by the New England Conference, which has covered the pastor’s health insurance (about $22,000 for 2025). However, due to budget reductions at both the national and conference levels, our grant was cut in half this year and will no longer be available next year.

Given this financial challenge, the initial plan from the bishop and cabinet was to appoint me to Houlton and Hodgdon and Joyce to Mars Hill starting July 1, 2025. However, after further budget review, a revised plan was made:

• Houlton UMC will move from a ¾-time to a ½-time appointment.
• I will be appointed to Houlton (½), Hodgdon (¼), and Mars Hill (¼).
• Joyce will be appointed to Stetson Memorial UMC in Patten (½-time).

My Journey of Discernment

When I first heard the bishop’s intended appointment, I experienced a flood of emotions—one wave after another. This was not the path I had envisioned or hoped for. My prayer has always been for our three churches to stand strong, grow, and be renewed. I longed to see the UMC revived, not reduced. Instead, I felt confused, vulnerable, and deeply discouraged.

I was given 24 hours to respond to the appointment. Most of that time, I spent in solitude, meditating on the Gospel of John and seeking God’s guidance. I asked for signs, and He faithfully answered through Scripture:

1. The Calling of the First Disciples (John 1:19-51) – “When you feel God calling you to something this week, follow the call.”
2. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42) – “Encourage Joyce and other women to recognize and use their talents in spiritual leadership.”
3. Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-34) – “To Jesus, whether it’s 5 or 5,000, it makes no difference. He doesn’t ask you to provide everything—only to bring what you have. Offer your five loaves and two fish, and trust Him to multiply it.”

And finally, in John 21, Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love me?” My heart responded, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” And Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” His words cut through my doubts. “Don’t compare yourself to others. You just follow me.”

Moving Forward

Even now, I feel the weight of this transition and the loss of Joyce as my ministry partner in our three churches. It is overwhelming at times, and I still wonder, Am I on the right path? I don’t know what the next five or ten years will bring for our church.

But I do know this: I love Jesus. I love His Church. I love you.

My life motto remains the same: “With all my heart—love one person at a time, do one thing at a time.” That will never change.

Thank you for being part of this beloved community. You are in my prayers. Please pray for our church. Please pray for Joyce, our children, and me in this time of transition.

I love you all deeply.

 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Victor