Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church, UCC

06/02/2026

05/25/2026

At 3 pm the handbells will play Taps on the front steps of the church in honor of those who died for our freedoms.

05/20/2026

Dear Church Family:

This week we have the opportunity to participate in an important dialogue about immigration issues. On Wednesday May 20th at 7 pm, here at the church, Lisanne Crowley will share her insights into the current U.S. immigration system. Lisanne is a pro bono immigration attorney, so we have much to learn from her. She will offer an overview of changes implemented by the current administration and the response of the immigrant community. We will also hear how citizen groups are mobilizing to provide assistance, document abuse, and assert First Amendment rights. Join us for this illuminating presentation.

Our Monday Spiritual studies group has taken up "A Beautiful Year" by Diana Butler Bass. A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance offers an essay for every week in the seasons of the Christian year. Other than its major holidays, many people are not familiar with the rhythms of the church year, an ancient spiritual cycle of time. Yet all religions have such calendars ― and they shape our understanding of faith. We continue our study on Mondays at 1 pm in-person at the church, and on-line. Let me know if you would like a link. Try it! You'll like it!

Remember, every Thursday at 3 pm we gather outside the church to witness for peace, justice, and reconciliation; as mandated in the teachings of Jesus Christ. "Blessed are the peacemakers." We each bring something different to the "stand-out" in terms of our individual political perspectives, but all of us desire a more compassionate world, free of violence and oppression.

Our own Pat Dobbs has made us aware of the many ramifications of hearing loss. Apparently, hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. There is a presentation on May 21 at 7 pm by Dr. James A.B. Wilson. Dr. Wilson is a neuropsychologist who specializes in hearing loss and the brain. The presentation is sponsored by the Hearing Loss Association of America, You can participate in the zoom presentation by registering at [email protected].

Last, shout outs and thanks: We were so glad to have Tom Ponti fill in for Edie this past Sunday. What a treat! And thanks to those who showed up to spring clean the sanctuary: Anne B. Jean V., Lanny, Susan G. And thanks to the team of Bowes and Bayley who labored in the undercroft to shore up the floor and continue other work on the humidity issue. The project is nearly complete and we owe them, along with Jack Scott, a debt of gratitude. Charlo Davis provided refreshments for the fund-raiser for Dave Taylor. We are a small church with big hearts and somehow we always get the job done.
See you in church,
Pastor Kim

05/14/2026

All are welcome!

05/02/2026

Dear Church Family:

We returned from our trip to the mid-Atlantic region, visiting family and friends. We had a great time, saw the tulips blooming at Longwood Gardens, and even made it to the beach! But as Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, there’s no place like home. I missed you all, and we were so glad to leave the congested highways behind and cross the border into Maine. Everything was fully leafed out and in bloom down there, so now we get to see Spring twice! It does seem a bit behind here, but no doubt it’s coming.

Thanks to Tim Ensworth for so ably filling the pulpit on this past Sunday. It is always with great confidence that I turn it over to Tim! And Josh Kercsmer was here on Sunday April 19. I serve as Josh’s mentor through the Sunrise Association of the Maine UCC, where he is considering a call into ordained ministry. We wish him well and I will keep you apprised of his journey.

Up coming is the fifth Sunday of Easter and we will read the majestic passage, John 14:1-14. I have used it in dozens of memorial services, and it is refreshing to hear it in Sunday worship. Like the 23rd Psalm, it is not just for funerals! Jesus promises to us that “In my Father’s House there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” An incredible far-reaching promise that should lift our hearts and bring us hope.

As one pastor writing on this passage has observed, on any given Sunday our congregations are full of hearts troubled by the fact that the gift of mortal life does not last. Jesus knows what troubles us, and offers us the balm of a home with God. For Jesus, and therefore us, death is the “way” to that home and there is room for all. On Sunday we will explore the concept of “home” and what it means to us now, in the living of these days.

Our Monday Spiritual studies group will take up “A Beautiful Year” by Diana Butler Bass. A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance offers an essay for every week in the seasons of the Christian year. Other than its major holidays, many people are not familiar with the rhythms of the church year, an ancient spiritual cycle of time. Yet all religions have such calendars ― and they shape our understanding of faith. In the West, we live in tension with the secular calendar (mostly an inheritance from the Roman Empire) and the Christian liturgical calendar, a cycle of sacred stories that compose a larger narrative of love, hospitality, mercy, justice, and gratitude. Bass reclaims and presents fresh perspectives for every biblical text in the church year.

We begin our study this Monday, May 4 at 1 pm in-person and on-line. Let me know if you would like a link. Since these are self-contained essays, you may pick up with the group sessions at anytime. I will send out the reading assignment and link on Sunday afternoons. We would love to have your presence and perspectives.

Remember, every Thursday at 3 pm we gather outside the church to witness for peace, justice, and reconciliation; as mandated in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Last, shout outs and thanks: Thanks to Lynne Ensworth for hosting fellowship time. Although I was not there, I am certain that her signature coffee cake was delicious. Vickie Hardie covered my messages for me and as always, did the bulletin and mailchimp. Jack Scott is coordinating the replacement of windows at the parsonage, about which we will hear more at Council. We are a small church with big hearts and somehow we always get the job done.

See you in church,

Pastor Kim

Worship recording from 4/19/2026
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/kQ7o-K-YQMJIVx63qyd1bfYWi4WX0aDEds3WRoHZNcE9QonmeIyK_qwza38wyQAG._pCupcOVGlmAddKQ

Worship recording from 4/26/2026
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yaOaiIKo65fiJnHrGljZUt_iLv3VDVsspA4kGD35LGKXESHUtHV2y10LRiL1C5w4.arnEMG2mSNxFs8Q5

04/16/2026

Dear Church Family:
We received a lovely letter from Barbara Rice, living now in Hampden Maine. Barbara was married to Owen Speaker, who pastored this church, along with the Sunset Church, for over 20 years. Pastor Owen died too young, at age 59. Barbara remarried and remained on Deer Isle for another 27 years. She now lives with her daughter. Barbara enjoys keeping up with our church via the newsletter and sends her best to the congregation. It was wonderful to hear from her and be reminded of connections within our church family. She and Owen, along with their three children, lived in the parsonage for 21 years. A long tenancy indeed!

And speaking of the parsonage, we are finalizing an arrangement to lease it to The Ark (formerly the Pilgrims Inn) as staff housing. The new owners are excited for this opportunity and we are excited for the relationship with a local business. It will be a seasonal rental, which opens possibilities for different uses during the winter.

Yesterday we read in the gospel of John (20:19-31) the story of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to the stunned disciples in the upper room. Jesus passes through a locked door, breathes peace upon them, and invites Doubting Thomas to touch his wounded hands and side. Next week we turn to the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus in Luke 24, as he appears to two travelers on the road to Emmaus. Emmaus is a small town near Jerusalem and two weary travelers were leaving the city, discouraged and sad from the events of Good Friday. As they walked, Jesus appeared to them, but they did not recognize him. Only after they invited the stranger home for supper, did they recognize the risen Jesus. They recognized him in the broken loaf of bread offered at the table, just as we recognize Jesus in the bread of the Communion table.

Last, shout outs and thanks: Thanks to our team that worked on furnishing the parsonage and developing the lease: Rich Howe, The Bowes, Jack Scott, myself. We shopped at Jeff Cobb’s “bargain barn” for some very good furniture. Jack and Sue Scott hosted us for fellowship time today. We appreciate the fine music leadership of Scott Cleveland in Edie’s absence. We are a small church with big hearts and somehow we always get the job done.

Worship recording from 4/12/2026

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/sdxGAIZ-vHq2yKRXEPs7OKSGSvjTvMWaUQkntuEDSggSPd9BnJg-VQdOYHXDLcIP.JqwWGrxpoki2mN4o

04/07/2026

Worship recording from Easter

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/kKz1TaPwxHI4XTw50ow159gowoCNrw3080rKBK1hBvly1AoA2PHsAvcsCmMnF6bX._Okt09b8wItv5q3d?startTime=1775397448000

Dear Church Family:

We had a wonderful Easter Service, back again in the sanctuary. The music was amazing, led off by our bell choir with an Easter Peal arranged by Anne Bowes. They prepared a second piece as well, and their hard work and practice really paid off. Edie warmed up the organ again, with fine accompaniment on our hymns. It was good to be back upstairs, although we do enjoy our winter hiatus in fellowship hall. And Tom Ponti played a gorgeous postlude, "Deep River," composed by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was an English composer, conductor and political activist who fought against racial prejudice with his incredible compositions. Born in Holborn, a district in central London, in 1875 to an English mother and a father originally from Sierra Leone, he liked to be identified as Anglo-African – and was later referred to by white New York musicians as ‘Black Mahler', owing to his musical success. Raised in a family of keen musicians, Taylor's father taught him to play the violin at a young age.

Taylor's classical compositions were heavily influenced by traditional African music and this made him one of the most progressive writers of his time. His work across music and politics was so well received that in 1904, he was even invited by President Theodore Roosevelt to visit the White House – a bold statement and a positive step forward for African Americans. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor died of pneumonia on September 1, 1912, in Croydon in South London, at the age of 37. Throughout his short life, he faced financial struggles and personal tragedy, which are both often linked to his early demise.

Thanks, Tom, for introducing us to this important musician and his legacy.

And let's not forget the 6 am Sunrise Service on the commercial pier. We once again hosted the service with our friends at St. Brendans. Elaine Hewes and Andy Stoessel co-officiated with me. It was rainy, windy and freezing cold...but still we witnessed, sang, and praised the Risen Lord. Jean Vadeboncoeur brought her musical leadership along with the hand chimes, that we all played under her direction. Tons of fun, for the 15, or so, of us that were there!

On Maundy Thursday a small group of us gathered for a meal and worship service based on the readings from John, of Jesus' last night before the crucifixion. Gathered around a table as we were, the readings take on new meaning as we imagine Jesus and his disciples gathered for a meal in that upper room. Jesus commands them to love one another, as he washes their feet in an act of humble servanthood. The term Maundy comes from the Latin "mandatum" which means "to command."

On Sunday April 12 we will remain in the gospel of John (20:19-31) with the story of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to the stunned disciples in the upper room. Jesus passes through a locked door, breathes peace upon them, and invites Doubting Thomas to touch his wounded hands and side. This is the Pentecost experience at which the disciples are "deputized" by the Holy Spirit to carry on the ministry of the Risen Lord. Today, we who have not physically seen the Risen Christ, and yet believe, are pronounced "blessed" by Jesus.

Reimagining the Stations of the Cross. Ongoing at St. Brendan's March 29-April 11, twenty-five local artists will offer their visual interpretations of the challenges, the sufferings, the longings and the beauty of our world using the “Stations of the Cross” as a “frame” through which to ponder these things. The exhibit will be open for reflection from 1:00-4:00, Tuesday–Saturday, March 31-April 11. All are welcome.

We here at DISCC have been gathering outside the church Thursdays as a Stand-Out for peace. Right now it is all the more important to promote peaceful dialogue as an alternative to armed conflict. Our time together on Thursdays also represents a prayer for safety for all who are in harm's way during the time of war. That includes civilians in jeopardy in the Middle East, and certainly our military members. The time for the gathering is at 3 pm.

Last, shout outs and thanks: Thanks to Alan Chesney and Larry Knutson for covering the tech board yesterday. Rosie Guy outdid herself with the buffet at Fellowship Time. Rosie made hot cross buns, and if you weren't there you missed something amazing! We were short-handed on deacons and we pressed Pat Dobbs into service for communion, with Rosie. And thanks to Kathy Kaiser for washing the communion cups. We are a small church with big hearts and somehow we always get the job done.
See you in church,

Pastor Kim

03/31/2026

Dear Church Family:
On Palm Sunday we entered into Jerusalem with Jesus, shouting– Hosanna! Holy Week is here, and the culmination of Holy Week begins the repair of our broken world. We don’t rush past the cross to get to Easter. Instead, we pause at the foot of the cross to reflect somberly on its gift of salvation and reconciliation. Christ died for us, so that we would have new life.

As Adam Hamilton points out in the last chapter of our study “Why Did Jesus Have to Die” Jesus died and was buried like a grain of wheat. And then “up from the grave he arose!” A single seed bears much fruit. And in rising and calling his disciples to continue his work, a harvest was gathered far beyond that single grain of wheat. Join us on Easter Sunday as we shout Alleluia, He is Risen!

But before that, on Maundy Thursday we will gather in Fellowship Hall at 5pm for supper and a service of readings and prayers. And on Easter we gather at 6 am on the commercial pier in Stonington for a sunrise service with our friends at St. Brendan’s. Our service with Holy Communion is here at 10 am. We will enjoy Rosie Guy’s typically wonderful fellowship time! Then you can go home and get that ham in the oven. Prayers of safety for all our travelers right now.

And here is information on a Holy Week activity at St. Brendan’s: Reimagining the Stations of the Cross. From March 29-April 11, twenty-five local artists will offer their visual interpretations of the challenges, the sufferings, the longings and the beauty of our world using the “Stations of the Cross” as a “frame” through which to ponder these things. Their work will be exhibited at St. Brendan Episcopal Church, located at 627 North Deer Isle Road in Deer Isle. The exhibit will be open for reflection from 1:00-4:00, Tuesday–Saturday, March 31-April 11. All are welcome. For more information, please call 348-6240.

We here at DISCC have been gathering outside the church Thursdays as a Stand-Out for peace. Right now it is all the more important to promote peaceful dialogue as an alternative to armed conflict. Our time together on Thursdays also represents a prayer for safety for all who are in harm’s way during the time of war. That includes civilians in jeopardy in the Middle East, and certainly our military members. The time for the gathering is at 3 pm.

Important: One of our members is in great need of a small first floor apartment on the island. Please be in touch with me if you have, or know of, an apartment for rent. The individual is ready to move now, but must move before summer.

Last, shout outs and thanks: Jeannie Gresham is soon getting her art studio open in the renovated Sunset Church. Stay tuned for details, but a sneak preview last week was exciting! Trish Brierley hosted a nice fellowship time yesterday. And we are delighted that our Bostonians Tom Ponti and Steve Barbour are back for a few weeks. And Tom played two terrific pieces yesterday. Now we know what a “planxty” is…an Irish tribute piece. Thanks to Larry Knutson for covering the tech board for worship yesterday. Everybody else on the tech team was away. And we appreciate that Jeff Cobb came in for a special mop-up after church, when we had a minor flood in the restroom/kitchen. We are a small church with big hearts and somehow we always get the job done.

See you in church,

Pastor Kim