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

DECEMBER 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! We are journeying through Advent and approaching the Winter Solstice with joyful anticipation of the Christ Child’s arrival and a New Year. The firewood is in and the last load of 210 tons of manure laid on the fields. Petah has trimmed inside and outside “The Mill” with oodles of fresh greens, wreaths, garlands, baubles and white lights. Mr. Moose turned 98 this year and stands sentry to greet one and all in his festive Santa Claus hat and warm muffler. This is called intentional waiting!

“We Wait for God” is the 2024 advent motto at the Newfield Community Church. This is a wonderful marriage of tune and text and is included in the new “Then Let Us Sing” hymn book sponsored by the United Church of Canada.

“We wait for God, creation longs to see a new day dawn. And though the night is dark and deep we dare to sing our song. We wait for God, creation longs, we dare to sing our song.” (Words: William S. Kervin, 2023; Music: Deborah Park and Tom Reynolds, 2023)

We are waiting for baby Jesus to be born. We are also waiting for the healing of the world. We are waiting for a transformation of the systems and institutions that seemingly have huge control and influence over our lives. We are waiting for people in all communities and of all nations to live in harmony with one another. We are waiting for a new ethos of the light of love and peace to be fully present. In the waiting, we are called to prepare ourselves, be vigilant and to be on guard. Our calling in this time of waiting is to move beyond mindless busyness, including our preoccupation of our silly cell phones, into a place of being fully present. Let us live in hope, not fear. Let us strive to emulate Jesus who offers us forgiveness, love and freedom from our past. Let us truly dare to sing our song! A blessed journey and may peace be with you.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness!

Your Chaplain,

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Petah on the Yanmar — Photo by Nee Nee

Mr. Moose as Santa Claus — Photo by Petah

Peace Porch Door — Photo by Petah

NOVEMBER 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! Here at “The Mill” the season of autumn is in full swing. We had a magnificent surprise visit from the aurora borealis – it was the most radiant one that I have seen in over 50 years, last seen in July of 1974. Gratitude abounds for the feast of the eyes and the gift of life. Jack Frost has been leaving his calling card each morning on the windows, maple trees have retreated into dormant mode and the quince is ready to be transformed into sweet yummy jelly! In addition, the hens have gone on strike protesting shorter and colder days, wood has been split and stacked and chimneys cleaned!

We have just celebrated Reformation Sunday – the 1517 event that every Protestant church can trace its roots to. We asked ourselves what in the Church and world needs to be reformed and made new. How is the Holy Mystery steadily reforming and transforming us? We offer an attitude of gratitude for the sacred gift of life rather than harsh judgment and self-abasement for our shortcomings.

All Saint’s Sunday was filled a diverse energy embracing the past, present and future as we remembered the people we loved and who made an impact on our lives. We recognized that we can be in unction with Jesus as much as he is with us. We continue to give thanks for the blessings from our ancestors who are now across the great divide. How blest we are!

If you are not familiar with the Credo from “The World Beloved, A Bluegrass Mass,” give this a listen and reflection. This is dancing through my inner hearing and certainly reflects a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. The text is a refreshing rendition of belief in eternal life. Its inclusive message is infused with light, hope and peace. Do enjoy this as part of one of your daily meditations.

This year, the month of November is especially filled with events that demand our mindfulness, worldview and consciousness to be fully engaged with the love from our high heart and peace from the Spirit realm. Please use your prayer power and sacred gifts in lifting up our elections and all involved with the most benevolent outcome. In addition, Remembrance Day/Veterans Day, Stewardship Sunday, Christ the Sovereign Sunday and Thanksgiving could use a good dose of prayer and sacred intention. There is a great plethora of healing to be accomplished and you are invited to be a part of this. Thank you in advance for heeding the call.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

 

Photo Credits

Reformation Sunday at Newfield Community Church — Petah

Newfield Burying Ground — Jason Harris

Aurora Borealis — Tayt Dame

OCTOBER 2024

Oh, My Soul! As we approach Worldwide Communion Sunday and the sixth and last week in “Creation Time” in the season of Pentecost, the Universe has been busy sharing her breathtaking gifts. Yup, “Cocoa,” a hybrid pipe organ with 12 ranks and 900 pipes has arrived at “The Mill” with her three manuals and electronic gadgets. Cocoa is named after my mother Connie who played the organ for 63 consecutive years, (except during WWII) in our village church. I have included a humble photo of her radiating positive energy and great joy along with her namesake instrument being prepared for final installation. Thanks be to our awesome Creator.

Cocoa

Connie

Sardine, the newest duck has just started laying her eggs. Gee, I forgot how hard a duck egg shell is, but goose egg is even harder. A third cutting of hay has been completed and the bull has been “borrowed” by the neighbors. Our eyes have the joy of feasting on the brilliant colors of changing leaves marking the season and 53 windows await a fresh scrub-a-dub. So far, 15 done with the wafting ammonia doing a good job on the glass and my head! Gratitude is offered for all these breathtaking gifts from the comfort of my prayer chair.

On this Worldwide Communion Sunday let us remember that Jesus came to Gaia as a little baby, grew into adulthood and suffered the fate of political prisoners. His love for all people, including those of unbelief or belief, gender, status or profession is truly radical inclusiveness at the highest level. The truth is that his breathtaking gift of selfless love and his blatant banishing of exclusion at every level, even unto his death, shows us how to love and gives us the gift of life!

As we prepare to receive the elements in unity with our siblings all over the world, we reaffirm that we are part of each other and the Great Mystery. The Great Wheel turns and continues to usher the fullness of Autumn. Spirit is wooing us to embrace something sacred in the profound oneness of the entire human family. As you prepare to celebrate Worldwide Communion Sunday with Christians all over the globe, do find a smidgen of time to give thanks for the gift of life, the gift of Divine Love, and to be mindful of all the breathtaking gifts that are freely given to us by the Universe.

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness.

Petah

SEPTEMBER 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh, My Soul! Here at “The Mill” a new record has been set. Yup, broke 3 of my 5 push mowers yesterday. Obviously, this is a sign to engage someone with excellent knees and the gift of youth to assist with mowing. The blue heron is back after a month away and can be seen just after dawn and shortly before dusk. Do enjoy the photo with the beautiful reflections from “The Mill” against this giant carnivorous bird.

It is a joy to hold the office of Chaplain for UCCMA and a true blessing to connect with so many at our conference last July. The gleanings from our gathering are bearing good fruit. This past week I made a special journey to my spiritual director to share a prayerful journey of amazing spiritual and material manifestations from the Universe that were beyond my dreams. The words, “My cup is overflowing with blessings,” came from the depths of my soul. Our Holy Creator’s blessings are constant and we must mindfully receive them with great thanksgiving, devoid of judgement and self judgement.

For the second year, the Newfield Community Church is observing “Creation Time” during the Season of Pentecost, September 1st through October 4th. This is a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another and all of creation.

This year we have had gorgeous new paraments crafted from a tapestry of burnt oranges with reds and trimmed with understated tasseled contrasting fringe. Naturally, Creation Time is also a grand opportunity to bring new and fresh music into our gatherings. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has crafted many new texts for tried-and-true hymn tunes. Having always loved the majestic hymn tune ST. DENIO, it was a joyful moment discovering that Carolyn has a fresh set of words perfect for Creation Time -- “The Earth is the Lord’s.” This will be our opening hymn incorporated into the message each week for our celebrations. Creativity by this musician dictates that the first two verses are in G major, verse 3 in A flat major and verse 4 in A major. Handbells will be used as tonic/dominant pedal tones on verse 2 and 3 and timpani to do the same on Verse 4, along with a few accents from the crash cymbals. We might be a tiny church of 12 people but everyone steps up to create holy and sacred sound. Please check out Carolyn’s wonderful resources at carolynshymns.com.

Perhaps during this Time of Creation, you will find renewal of your spirit, mending of your soul and restoration and growth in all your relationships, and especially with our Creator. Perhaps you can explore new music, fresh texts and experience different ways of walking in the Light as you receive our Creator’s blessings. Our God is with you as you fulfill your calling in the ministry of music. Walk in the light and enjoy your journey.

As always, Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness.

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

— Mr. Blue Heron the Giant Carnivorous Bird -- photo by Sarah Calnon Trask – used by permission

— Time of Creation Paraments – photo by Petah

— Photo of Petah at UCCMA Conference 2024 

JULY 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! Recently, during an early morning prayer and meditation, the blessings of the Universe became almost too intense to receive. Perhaps the giant maple leaves, baby wrens in the old wren house, gaggle of geese on the mill pond and the almost deafening sound of the bullfrogs touched this soul in the right perfect place. All time ceased and suddenly Dottie People’s “On Time God” started dancing through my head. We are so blessed to have a Holy One who takes good care of us and pours out blessings in infinite ways. Here it is for your enjoyment. Dottie Peoples - He's an on time God.

As we approach Independence Day, I hope that you will all take time to offer thanksgivings for the freedom to practice our faith openly and enjoy any music that we wish. Not all are so blessed. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report on May 1, 2024 highlighting the countries with the worst religious persecution in the world. This year, the countries topping USCIRF’s list of the world’s most egregious religious freedom violators were Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.

We all have a responsibility to summon our “On Time God” with prayers of intercession for those who do not enjoy religious freedom; indeed, for all those who are oppressed and suffer for who they are and what they value. You have been given many gifts and perhaps now is the time to give back with a prayer ministry of intercession. Remember, our “On Time God” will be on time!!! Are you “On Time” with your God’s work?

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Petah

P.S. Happy Independence Day!

Photo by Jason Harris

JUNE 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! This morning at “The Mill” all nature is creating a cacophony of sound by incorporating the waterfall with Mr. Bull Frog and his fine feathered friends, the rooster next door, and the occasional chiming in of the sassy sheep across the street. A giant and vibrant smattering of purple, pink, and yellow blossoms lavishly frame the mill pond, it is stunning! The hummingbirds have returned and the ever-elusive muskrat and a pleasantly plump beaver can be seen taking leisurely swims at dawn and dusk. Prayers of thanksgiving are offered for the first cutting of hay yesterday and that it was completed with no broken tines on the equipment, quite miraculous.

We are entering the month of June when many of us celebrate Pride month—a time to join with our LGBTQ family in rejecting the shame and judgment that has been heaped on them and claiming their sense of self and well-being in an often hostile world. Most of us are keenly aware of the 552 anti-LGBTQ bills that have been introduced since January in 42 states, in which 32 passed, 327 are active and 193 failed. On Pride night we especially acknowledge the courage of transgender women of color, Marcia P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera, in the Stonewall riots of 1969 and all who suffered during the five-day saga. This month let us be keenly vigilant and prayerful.

The Newfield Community Church held their first Pride Service one year ago and will gather as a community again this year. We were blessed that Amanda Udis-Kessler has given her blessing for us to use her song “Queerly Beloved”—in fact she had the music specially prepared by her engraver just for the Newfield Community Church. Her work as a hymn writer, songwriter, and sacred music composer is outstanding and her gift of music to us is gratefully acknowledged. “Queerly Beloved” will appear in the new hymn resource, Then Let Us Sing, published by the United Church of Canada. Dr. Udis-Kessler will be presenting at our UCCMA conference in July! Be inspired by this song of praise and a perfect pairing of tune and text.

During this month of June, you are encouraged to practice sabbath and rest in the sounds of nature and wonder of creation. Do share God’s flamboyant and extravagant love with all people. Be vigilant in your prayer life, remembering to offer thanksgivings with great joy from your heart.

Finally, do embrace the refrains of “Queerly Beloved”:

“Alleluia, God is Great, God is Love, God is Here!”

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness!

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

Photo by Petah

MAY 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Here at “The Mill” the sheep are bleating for some breakfast from their new-fangled solar electric fenced area. Calf number 4 was born, a huge heifer calf that needed a bit of help emerging into the world. The hens have secretly hatched three chicks from a hidden clutch and the ducklings have a second set of feathers. Petah has managed to clear lots of the debris from a ghastly April 4 storm of two feet of heavy wet snow and 60 mph winds that climaxed with a tree on “The Mill” blocking the door. Also, there was the 4 am microwave fire (it was stinky) caused by electric pole fire, power surges and the slow death of several appliances, boo hiss! Petah is especially grateful for the light weight chainsaw which is much lighter than the ones of the “energy crisis” of the 1970’s when lots of us went back to burning wood. Please enjoy the photo of “Petah the Giant Tree Elf” as a witness to being a modern-day vine dresser, cutting back what is dead or will no longer serve a positive purpose.

Photo by Tate Dame

The Great Mystery works in us to prune what is not bearing the fruit of love to promote what will bear the fruit of love. The Holy One tends each branch within you, the part in each of us that is unloving, ungiving, whatever is attached to that which is dead. The death of what is unkind in us is the pruning by which the resurrection of love may come forth.

There is a new song called “PUSH” or “Pray Until Something Happens,” by Edmund Stubbs, a trustee of the Newfield Community Church. This song, in a simple country style, is an encouragement to all journeying with the Creator. Are You saying yes to God’s pruning of the pithy and plaguey parts of yourself? Please click on this live and humble gathering recorded on a cell phone with no highfalutin edits. Do skip ahead to minute 20:25 and enjoy. [The video is on Facebook, you may need to log in to Facebook to view it. – Editor]

Are you showing up in LOVE and not placing impediments on yourself and others? Are you a vinedresser tending to all who are in your garden of life with NO exceptions? Are you receiving the forgiveness that is being offered? Simply get out of the way and embrace the motto PUSH—pray until something happens—it is tried and true! Let God do the pruning! I pray that you will!

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Petah