NOVEMBER 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! Here at “The Mill” there are telltale signs that harvest is over and winter is approaching. The boards in the sluiceway have been adjusted so that the spring thaw and runoff will not overflow the pond. This involves climbing onto the dam and using a pick-ax to lift the boards as you hang over the edge. This year the pick-ax “flew” into the sluiceway requiring more climbing (boo-hiss), I am grateful for Ben-Gay! Another sign of the impending winter includes Mr. and Mrs. Mouse who have attempted to camp out in luxury, making themselves rather cozy on the “Peace Porch.” Needless to say, the welcome mat has been pulled out from under them and they will have to find another porch to squat on. Case closed!

Part of last week was spent representing UCCMA in Ottawa for the celebration and blessing of “Then Let Us Sing,” a songbook project that has been active in my life the past seven years and has culminated in the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada. It was truly a joy to serve on the “Ethos, Justice and Education” committee with deeply committed and dedicated colleagues. Mere words cannot express the strong bond of respect and unction that became the EJE committee.

TLUS is a remarkable collection of music from lyricists and composers all over the globe. It “lifts up the intercultural and anti-racist commitment of the church with material that prioritizes Black, Indigenous, People of Color, French-speaking, Two-Spirit and LGBTQTTIA+ voices, and concerns of people with disabilities.” (TLUS preface). TLUS reminds us of “Faithful song as an antidote to fear,” and calls us to remember Jesus’s love for everyone. The hymn “Love Over Hate” is one of my many new favorites. David Kai has created a unison setting of Pat Mayberry’s wonderful melody. It has a powerful message and is easily accessible. There are 165 other pieces just as yummy and wonderful in this collection.

Currently TLUS may be ordered from United Church Publishing House

1-800-268-3781

The message of “Love over Hate” merits some time in quiet reflection. The power of love always wins over lies, fear, hate.

Do spend a bit of your devotional time with these questions. How might you open the door of your heart with a fresh dose of kindness and mercy? How might you be a conduit for healing and hope through being in unction with Holy Love? Bet the answers will surprise you!

As Always, Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Photo: Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney, UCCMA Chaplain, with Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith, Program Coordinator, Worship, Music and Spirituality, The United Church of Canada

OCTOBER 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! The Harvest Moon and World Communion Sunday have concurrent timing this year, making a unique moment this first part of October 2025. One is an astronomical/celestial phenomenon tied to the harvest season and the other is an ecumenical Christian observance.  This natural and spiritual convergence unites us in themes of harvest and the global community. 

Here at “The Mill” we are experiencing our own phenomena due to several sightings and encounters of a MOUNTAIN LION! Yup, high speed, big swoosh tail—and about 120 pounds. Our local Maine guide saw this giant cat with our neighbor’s White Pekin duck in its gobb when it ran in front of his vehicle. A different neighbor’s dog has been gobbled up with their remains unceremoniously left high in a tree. This is exactly what a giant feline does. (Yes, another phenomenon.) Finally, one of our heifers has jumped the fence three times (really quite something!) and is reticent to go out from the safe space, obviously traumatized. The struggle for balance between mere mortals and God’s other creatures, such as the mountain lion continues to unfold. So much for the mountain lion being extirpated from Maine. I’ll keep you informed.

As we travel through the month of October let us be mindful of the magnificent phenomena of the heavens found in a full harvest moon, the joy of harvest and the abundance that the earth gives us. On this World Communion Sunday Christians from all over the world come into solidarity regardless of schisms and dogma. We remember that the prophets foretold of Jesus, a descendent of the house of David. We remember that he incarnated to show us how to live, love and honor our Creator. Let us be full with love for all of our siblings in Christ and all of our siblings on an alternative path. Finally, let’s be grateful for the phenomenon of a mountain lion that has found its way to Newfield, Maine, and will ultimately give us a new awareness of the wild and teach us how to honor Mother Nature afresh. Thanks be to the Holy One! 

As Always, 

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Photo Credit: Clara Constance – "Nature’s Journey in the tomato harvest"

SEPTEMBER 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! The Great Wheel has brought us into the month of September, the first month of Autumn and the joy of harvest. This joy is both a physical experience of gathering a bountiful crop and a spiritual and emotional sense of fulfillment. Here at “The Mill” a bumper crop of produce has come forth. Beets and cucumbers have been “put down” into pickles to share with the community and enjoy during the long winter months.

The Newfield Community Church will embrace the joy of harvest by observing “Creation Time.” This is the time from September 1st through October 4th for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation during the “Season of Pentecost.” Our worship space will be dressed with paraments crafted from a rich tapestry of burnt orange, red and gold. In addition, wreaths of hydrangea and vases of sunflowers and amaranth will grace the sanctuary.

Jesus the Christ provides a rich spiritual connection with creation and her cycles. He used parables drawn from nature, such as seeds, lilies, and birds, to teach spiritual truths to people familiar with the land. His life events from birth in a stable to his prayers in the wilderness and the Garden of Gethsemane, are deeply tied to natural settings.

We are part of the Earth as with the rest of nature. We rely on her creative and restorative powers that provide for us. She gifts us with everything that we need and humbles us with her powers and holy mysteries such as plate tectonics, Antarctic ice and rivers, axis wobble and magnetic field. In the coming days of “Creation Time” let us ponder these mysteries. Let us purposely inhale the autumn air with gusto and joy as we listen for the still small voice offering us guidance. Let us offer thanksgiving for the joy of harvest gifted to us by the Creator of the Universe. Happy Autumn and Creation Time!

As always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness.

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Photo Credits:

Petah and the Giant Parsnip —photo by Jason Harris

Newfield Community Church dressed for Creation Time —Petah

JULY 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! Our Pride worship service at the Newfield Community Church was truly a prophetic act of resistance. Thank you to all of my UCCMA friends who invoked the power of our Creator and covered this event in prayer! During pride month, many of us offered intentional daily prayers for our LGBTQ+ individuals who are the targets of homophobia and transphobia. Let us boldly continue!

Here at “The Mill” we are in full haying season. Traditionally, nature needs to bequeath three dry days to make hay.  Father made hay with a one-blade cutter with his horse “Poor Old Nellie Gray,” who could get quite balky with cutting four-foot Timothy. No machines to turn the hay or put into bales, only a lonely pitch fork! Believe me, it’s quite something to make a load of hay with a pitch fork! Thank goodness I will not be getting blisters from the pitch fork any time soon! 

On Friday July 4th, the Mill House will ring with the celebration of Independence Day. Mr. Moose is decked out in his patriotic chapeau. The revolutionary war ancestral sword and fife will be displayed and the youngest present will have the honor of putting a fresh coat of Vaseline on the fife before it is put away for another year. Miss Cocoa, the 12-rank pipe organ, will make her debut with the E. Power Biggs arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and the Steinway and Chickering dueling grand pianos will accompany 40 guests with a patriotic sing-a-long ending with the Wilhousky arrangement of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” This will be followed by traditional time-honored victuals including Rhubarb Pie, Baked Beans and general offerings of “Bread and Go With It.” YUM!

As we approach our 249th Independence Day, let us revisit the real meaning of patriotism. Not America-first-ism, but being servants of one another—and the flip side of seeing to other people’s freedom, not just our own, so that no one is forced into servitude. I hope you will seek the Divine Mystery and offer a prayer to guide us in upholding a vision of a nation where everyone is included, especially our neighbors who are not like us. Let us remember Jesus’ reaction to the disciples’ tribalism as a good corrective to the nationalism that masquerades as patriotism. May we use our freedom not for ourselves, but to sow seeds of compassion and justice, nurturing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and the world.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Your Chaplain,

Petah

PHOTOS

Petah on the Yanmar for first cutting— Nee Nee Carpenter

The Mill for Independence Day—Jason Harris

Mr. Moose in his patriotic chapeau—Petah

Link to Battle Hymn of the Republic

JUNE 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Here at “The Mill” the gifts of our Creator are too numerous to name. Sardine and Minnow are thriving and I am including a current photo per several people’s requests. We have started haying the southern fields with grand success. Let me tell you that a good dose of hen dirt mixed with moo doo has almost doubled the yield. (PTL!) Rhubarb season has arrived and with it the blessings of prize-winning pie, jam and a variety of delightful concoctions. Here is an episode of “Unkul Petah’s Kitchen” that was filmed a while ago. It will teach you about God’s awesome creation of a vegetable that most of us think of as a fruit.

▲ Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb!

In addition to the beginning of hay season and rhubarb season in the Grand State of Maine, the month of June is also Pride season, when we look forward to gathering in worship to embrace with joy LGBT people rather than offer mere tolerance. Our call is to fiercely celebrate the great diversity that God loved into being. We remember God’s radically inclusive love made real in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We remember the One who befriended the forgotten, embraced the outcast, and saw the Image of God in all people.

This year that celebration is more important than ever. Across the globe—but also here at home—homophobia and transphobia are on the rise. LGBT people and communities are feeling and experiencing heightened risk and acts of violence. This makes our worship service a prophetic act of resistance. Perhaps you might consider offering a daily prayer and intercession on behalf of those leading and attending pride services. The Newfield Community Church, Maine would be especially grateful for your prayer coverings for our Saturday, June 14, 7pm service that includes an open communion. Please and thank you.

During this month do celebrate the great diversity that God has loved into being. Offer thanksgiving for our simple gifts, such as a well-made crop of hay, a productive bed of rhubarb, and the radical and inclusive love that is freely given to everyone. This includes YOU.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Your Chaplain,

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Sardine & Minnow

MAY 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,


Happy May Day from “The Mill.” The daffodils and tulips have sprung up along with the rhubarb, which will be ready in about two weeks and transformed into pie and jam! The fields with new Timothy Seed have been harrowed and Mother Nature has watered liberally. All the other fields have received their final touches of “moo doo” carefully applied with the giant upscale manure spreader.

If you remember in last month’s edition I wrote about Sardine, who had just started laying her good duck eggs. Sardine had a baby! Her name is Minnow. Hatching was a bit rough, probably because of lack of humidity. She is a bit weak but doing ok. In short, the glory of nature is evident on this first of May.

Yesterday about 50 of our Canadian colleagues, who have unique challenges as supporters of diversity, equity and inclusion, met over a Zoom meeting. We were gently reminded that “Faithful Song is an Antidote to Fear.” (Thank you Rev. Dr. Catherine Faith MacLean). With that in mind please do listen to this wonderful new hymn by Amanda Udis-Kessler. The score is notated for full keyboard and equipped with chord signs for our guitar and bass players. It is a beautiful partnership of text and tune with a message that truly is an antidote to fear. The Newfield Community Church will sing this as our opening hymn this week. To access, simply type in queersacredmusic.com and download. A gift from Amanda.

On this May Day, you are encouraged to engage in faithful song as an antidote to fear. Remember, Christ is the cornerstone of love, grace and peace. Do taste the mystery of the Holy One’s great promise to us by opening your high heart with sacred sound. Embrace the cornerstone of love, grace and peace by singing. May you be free of anything that is not rooted in love.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Your Chaplain,

Petah

Photo by Skye Stock McCarthy

APRIL 2025


Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! The energy of spring and all its many blessings is in full force! The first calf was born yesterday at noon, a little bull calf, and was nursing within 15 minutes! This morning the Mill Pond was host to a pair of ducks who went fishing in spite of the fact that the ice has not emptied out completely. Sardine, (yup that’s her name), the newest domesticated duck, has begun laying her hard-shelled eggs which are yummy and good for what ails ya! Please note the Snow Duck photo created in her honor after yesterday’s storm.

We are at the half way point through our Lenten journey and the grand adventure of self-examination and transformation. Just as the energy of spring gives opportunity for nature’s cycle of life to flourish, so do the six weeks of Lent offer us a time of renewal of our soul. That’s why we attend the feast of forgiveness.

Being mindful of attitude, actions and awareness is a choice and sometimes can be overwhelming. No worries! Remembering that we do not rely on ourselves to do this but rather on our Creator through free will is powerful. When we turn to the Great “I Am” in love rather than self-interest, amazing results unfold! Practically a magic trick but even better. Really!

Each of us is a mixture of light and shadow, capable of great love and grave mistakes. Jesus the Christ invites us to both give and receive the very unfair and powerful gift of forgiveness. The Universe is inviting us to lay down our shortcomings and join the feast of forgiveness. Come be filled with the yummy goodies and delicious tidbits of light which include unconditional love, equality and freedom.

I do hope that you will sip a giant drink at the feast of forgiveness where all are welcome. This spring and during the last weeks of Lent, do renew your soul with the feast of forgiveness. The truth is, we do have a choice. See you at the feast—RSVP with a YES!

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness!

Petah

— Photo of “Snow Duck in honor of Sardine” by Skye Stock MacCarthy

MARCH 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,


Oh My Soul! Here at “The Mill” we are beginning “Sap Season.” A true transforming of sweet tree water into a bold yummy syrup. Both old time spiles and newfangled hoses are used in Newfield. Petah has graduated from lugging, straining and boiling down sap to the role of quality control and chief sampler of the syrup! Do enjoy the photo of sap material from our sap camp circa 1940s. This spile and lid, crafted from Gulp Oil 5 quart can, were used by yours truly into the late 1970s. They now live on the “Peace Porch” at “The Mill” as a reminder of the past and those who came before us.

Photo: Jason Harris, Newfield, Maine

The transforming-transfiguring of sap into syrup is accomplished through the properties of nature and directed efforts of Man. A miracle so to speak. One that we understand and are an active participant of. In contrast, the transfiguration and the manifesting of God’s eternal light in our soul is accomplished by yielding our ego to the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the rest to our Creator. Part of us needs to be put to rest so that new life can emerge from the dross. One cannot meet Jesus and not experience some type of transformation/transfiguration.

Each of us has the opportunity to ask the Holy One for the courage to confront the shadow part of our being. In allowing an unseemly part of ourselves to die we make room for the Divine Mystery to breathe new life into us. You are invited to allow yourself to do this and embark on a liberating and powerful journey!

This Lent let us ask to be guided by the Holy Spirit to bridge the dimensions of the Universe and be transformed. Our soul will welcome the gift of a full commitment to our transformation. Please use vigilant mindfulness of your thoughts and actions as a tool from your toolbox. As we listen with our entire being and discern the voice of Jesus the Christ, we will be forever changed or rather transfigured and transformed!

A meaningful Transfiguration and Lent to YOU!

As always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness!

Petah

FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! Petah’s excursion abroad was refreshing and restorative. London highlights included the glorious sound of evensong at St. Paul’s and St. Martin-in-the-Fields, with Paris adventures that included lighting candles at Notre Dame and La Madeleine. Yours truly arrived home to frozen pipes due to little snow cover and seasonal temperatures. Yes, January has been frightfully frigid with several nights at minus 1 -- BEFORE wind chill -- (that’s about minus 28 Celsius) at “The Mill.” Gee, “I wish I had a giant helicopter to lift my home and move to the tropics” was a quote I heard yesterday when someone popped by while I was fulfilling some duties at the Newfield Community Church. The sanctuary is unheated during the week and was about 20 degrees inside. I was happy to respond that February was approaching and, whatever the outcome of Groundhog Day on February 2nd, spring is on the horizon. 

Over the course of the next hour this conservative leaning person chatted about an at-risk parishioner, whom he had shared Christmas dinner with, and is quite fearful of our present time. He asked me a direct question. “What are we going to do?” The direct response was this: I had chatted with Pastor Phyllis in December and we agreed that this church would do what is correct in the sight of our Creator! Whatever the risk. Whatever the cost. Case closed! 

Each day upon awakening you have a choice to follow the Light of Jesus the Christ and honor the Creator. Do implore the Divine to open the doors of the cosmos and bequeath the most benevolent blessings of the day upon you. In thankfulness, discernment and wisdom, do employ your position of privilege and power and be a blessing for others.  Let there be mercy!

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness.

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Twins Paul and Peter on the Thames-January 2024

January 2025

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Happy New Year 2025 and Happy Epiphany to everyone from “The Mill.” Our traditional New Year’s feast of black eyed peas, ham, greens and corn pudding was yummy and some extra was saved and warmed up the following day for breakfast!

The Feast of the Epiphany is one of the most wonderful Sundays of the year. It helps us realize that God has been seeking us and we recognize the light. Epiphany is our time to explore how Christ is revealed to us. To discover the light of God in the most fascinating places and then following that light. The light of Christ’s love illumines our path and guides our way.

In anticipation of a vibrant and meaningful celebration, the Newfield Community Church has been trimmed up with symbols of the heavenly lights and a display of the Magi. In addition, oodles of various evergreen branches from the forest and majestic dried hydrangea adorn the Sanctuary and complement the setting.

Perhaps this week some time, you might take a moment to ponder how Great Mystery is abiding with you, healing you and whispering an inspiration as you go about your daily work. The infant incarnation of Love is reaching across all time and dimensions offering succor for your wounded heart, healing for your being and light to your shadow.

At this New Year 2025 and the Feast of the Epiphany, might you make a powerful decision to consecrate yourself anew to live in the light of Christ’s Love? Welcome all who you encounter with humility and grace. Share your gifts, your beauty and your love. They are precious and needed by many.

Thank you for reading.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness.

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney