THE BEACON
Woodfords Congregational Church
May 2019
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CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE RENEWAL -
THE NEXT STEP,
May 18-20
The Center for Progressive Renewal is coming back to meet with us again – Joining us will be
•Rev. Gregg Carlson – who was with us in March
•Rev. Cameron Trimble – CEO of the Center
Their schedule will include:
May 18
th
– Saturday @ 4 p.m. Personnel & Search Group will meet w/Gregg – Amy Johnson - lead
May 19
th
– Sunday
10 a.m. Rev. Trimble will preach during our regular worship on Revelations 21:1-6. Her message
will be:
Piloting New Paths
Following Worship @ 11:15 a.m., Gregg and Cameron will be hosting a conversation in the
Chapel. Everyone is welcome; please join us.
1 p.m. The Council will meet with Gregg & Cameron
3:30 p.m. A group dealing with Marketing & Building the Congregation will meet with Gregg –
Joanne Friedrick – lead
May 20
th
– Monday @ 8 a.m. – Mission Partners (MPAC) group will meet with Gregg. Teri Coviello
–lead
Rev.Cameron Trimble
is the co-founder and CEO of the Center for Progressive Renewal, an organization committed to strengthening congregations in the progressive faith movement. She has also enjoyed a career as an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, serving as the pastor of four congregations in the Atlanta area. Driven by an adventurous spirit, she runs businesses and NGO organizations, both secular and faith-based. She serves as a consultant, a frequent speaker on national speaking circuits, is a pilot and an author. Rev. Trimble is a serial entrepreneur committed to the triple bottom line - a concern for people, profit and the planet.
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FAREWELL
After 40 years of ministry in music, including five years of service at Woodfords, Rebecca Schnell is retiring from her position as Choir Director at the end of the church year. We are grateful to Rebecca for sharing her special musical gifts with us during her time at Woodfords and we will be sad to see her leave. Along with continuing as organist and pianist, Paul Schnell will be taking over Rebecca's duties as Music Director.
Rebecca's last Sunday at Woodfords will be May 19. Please join us after the service to celebrate her many contributions to the musical life of our church and wish her well in retirement!
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WE ARE WOODFORDS!
We are Woodfords! is a monthly series of mini-bios featuring Woodfords friends and members. There are so many great folks doing important works in big, medium and small pieces right here at 202! And it all comes together to become the unique community that is Woodfords. Our hope is that these mini-bios will give each of us some new insight into members of our community. In time, we also hope to create a photo and bio bulletin board display, thus giving folks who visit our building a chance to get to “know us” better. Questions: check in with Barbara @ thomsonbg@aol.com
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Adrienne Wilson may not win the longevity award for the most years of Woodfords membership, but surely she is in the running for the “Arriving Early and Staying Late Award” since her family first brought her to Woodfords when she was 3 months old and she’s
never
left. Wow! Says Adrienne, “it’s a family tradition started by my Grandmother Charlotte Wilbur who “found” Woodfords when she moved here from New York in the 1970’s. And following Adrienne came Jeff Wilson who first came to Woodfords with her for Christmas of 2000, and then in 2011, their daughter Samantha.
It would be hard to find a Woodfords activity that doesn’t involve the Wilson family. Adrienne sings in the Choir, participates in the Women’s Retreat, serves on Council and regularly takes on the laundry assignment for our Family Promise weeks. Jeff serves on the Safety Committee, loves the music at church and most importantly “supports my wife and daughter.” They both support the Sunday School program where Samantha, age 7, is a regular and are very involved in the Downeast Fair and the Woodfords Weekend at Pilgrim Lodge. Samantha reports that Sunday School is fun, especially Heifer Fair, and she highly recommends the brownies at Coffee Hour! If you have a question about what’s going on at Woodfords, you can certainly check in with the Wilsons and find out lots.
Adrienne says that “coming to Woodfords is like coming home.” And that feeling is enhanced by the fact that Samantha’s grandmother, Pat Wilbur, and uncle, Allen Wilbur are also very involved at Woodfords.
When not at Woodfords, Jeff works for UPS and Direct Mail of Maine and Adrienne for Key Bank in the mortgage department. Samantha is in 1st grade at Dyer Elementary in South Portland. Topping it all off, Adrienne runs, swims and bikes in the Tri for a Cure and the Sebago Lake Triathlon and other “small races” (her words, NOT mine!) and this fall will do 50 Miles in the Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride supporting a Woodfords member. Here too, I am quite sure that Jeff’s support is essential for the Wilson family!
Adrienne and Jeff look forward to the next chapter for Woodfords and the planning for the future process in which we are engaged with the Center for Progressive Renewal. Jeff speaks for many of us, I think, when he touts Woodfords’ nice sense of community and his hopes that we can attract more young families. Clearly, Adrienne, Jeff and Samantha are a vital part of what makes Woodfords the special place it is.
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GRANT FUND
If you are 65 or older this year and a member of Woodfords Church, you are automatically a part of the Grant Fund! This means you are eligible to participate in the many opportunities for fun,
fellowship, growth and spiritual engagement that the Grant fund offers.
For more information, please reach out to Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern, our Director of Intergenerational Engagement and Education:
ttorresmcgovern@woodfordschurch.org
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Elder Sunday/ 90th Birthday Garden Party
May 5th: Following Worship
Woodfords celebrates some of the wisest and longest-lived members of our congregation! The Grant Fund will lead morning worship. A catered garden party will follow the service. Join us!
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Annual Fellowship Dues
Each year our church is required to support our denomination by paying a set amount per member to the United Church of Christ Maine Conference and the Cumberland Association. This year that amount per member is $17.51 ($35/couple). We are asking that each of you, if possible, please support our denomination through your contribution to cover this expense. Please note on your payment that it is for Fellowship Dues.
Thank you, in advance, for your contribution.
Robin Carter
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Lay Ministry -
Why It Might Be For You
The Lay Ministers program of our church is over 25 years old. For all those years, lay persons, like yourselves, have been trained to do ministry primarily to the elderly of our church family, but also some have visited in the hospital and others have visited persons with special needs. Over these years, hundreds of visits have been made. Just to remind you, the Lay Ministers program of our church is a program of pastoral visitation to persons within (and sometimes outside) our church family. Lay Ministers are trained in areas of active listening and pastoral care. While lay ministry is a voluntary program, it is one that requires a ‘calling’ …..that is, a spiritual sense that you have gifts and graces for caring for people who are lonely, sick or in special need of pastoral care.
If this seems daunting, don’t worry, the Elder Chaplain, Rev. Jim, will see that you receive the training and resources you need to do this special kind of ministry. If you think this is something that you can do, speak to Rev Jim and he’ll answer any questions you may have.
Meanwhile, even if you don’t feel called to this ministry, you can be very helpful if you know of someone who might benefit from regular pastoral visits from a lay minister. This is a vital part of the program because neither Rev. Carolyn nor I have any special gifts of ESP and we may miss someone who would benefit from this program.
Grace and peace,
Rev. James Fletcher, Elder Chaplain
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Looking Ahead:
Pilgrim Lodge
Change and Opportunity
Many of us have enjoyed our annual fall weekend at Pilgrim Lodge. It has been a time of bonding, friendship formation, fun and spiritual exploration. Chilly mornings in front of the fire, warm sun on shoulders, the brave ones enjoying final days of swimming in the lake, quiet walks in the woods or along the labyrinth, cozy conversation with friends on the porch or over a meal... But as people's lives have become increasingly busy, the attendance has gone down and the work of planning has fallen to an ever-smaller group of volunteers. And yet, we have been unwilling to give up this special experience, knowing the impact it has had on our church relationships, and especially on our kids (Rev. Tamara notes that 70% of the Woodfords Scholarship essays this year mentioned Pilgrim Lodge as a central site where our church youth experienced God and forged their sense of spirituality!)
But where there appears to be a door, God so often provides a window. And in this case, the questions about Pilgrim Lodge have been transformed by a new opportunity! The Maine Conference of the UCC will be offering two Homecoming Weekends at Pilgrim Lodge. We WILL have to share the space... But, we will ALSO get to enjoy the experience of someone else taking the lead. The meals will be provided, activities will be offered by PL staff (though we can also have our own break-out experiences), and we will most likely make some new friends. While families can choose to attend on their own, we are hoping to gather a gaggle of Woodfords folks-- a critical mass that can both enjoy the new amenities and keep our Woodfords traditions alive!
Here is a rough schedule for the weekend:
Friday
5:00 arrival
6:00 - dinner in dining hall
7:00 - campfire welcome and opening of the weekend with music
Saturday
7:15 - Morning Watch
8:00 - Breakfast in dining hall
9:00 - Activities with church groups; Lodge is open; waterfront is open
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Activities offered by camp staff and church members - will be planned ahead of time - for all ages - some activities may be guided hike, work project directed by PL staff, arts activities for children and adults, boating lessons at the lake, ice cream time at the store
6:00 - cookout
7:00 - all camp activity
8:00 - all camp worship
After worship - story time in fireplace room in Lodge for young children; glow-in-the-dark frisbee tournament or campfire with jam session
Sunday
7:15 - Morning Watch
8:00 - breakfast
9:00 - Choice of planned activities or waterfront
11:00 - all camp closing worship
12:00 - lunch and good-bye!
Registration details (including cost) can be found at the link below. We have
scholarship funds available
for families who would like to attend but find the cost burdensome.
Looking forward to seeing many of you there!
Rev Tamara
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COUNCIL NOTES FOR APRIL
The Council met April 9 from 6 - 8:10 pm.
The Council Meeting was preceded by a 1 hr. meeting of the Personnel Committee and the Moderator with Rev. Deborah Blood, ME UCC Conference Minister. Rev. Blood explained Search & Call procedures & process. A group will be formed shortly to take on this work.
Ministry Team Meetings
were not held as Rev. Blood then met with the whole Council for discussion and explanations of upcoming transitions of Pastors.
Council Meeting
: 7:00 to 8:10 pm
• The Center for Progressive Renewal meetings were very well attended – thank you all for coming and providing your thoughts and concerns. Reverends Gregg and Cameron Trimble (CPR’s Director) will be coming May 18 & 19 for our next step with them. Sunday May 19
th
Rev. Trimble will preach followed by both of them hosting a conversation for all in the Chapel.
• Finances: At 75% of the fiscal year, WCC is in balance with no outstanding deficits. Income has remained positive. Building expenses have already reached 100% of budget. Jeff J will look into accuracy of recording of certain expenses. Some overages are plowing/sanding, electricity, boiler service, sprinkler system, parking lot and door repair/replacement. A minor correction to the FY’20 budget was made and accepted by Council.
• Audit: Jane Frey has begun the Audit now that she has an independent person to work with her. She expects this to move along and to have a completed report before end of FY’19.
• Building: Council authorized the replacing of a number of lights to LED bulbs to save us considerable future expense – cost is under $2k. Further needed repairs/work will be delayed until the next fiscal year.
• Stewardship is underway – the Campaign will finish up on Consecration Sunday – May 19
th
& we look forward to hearing from all of you. A number of folks will be sharing a Stewardship Moment during the services in the next weeks.
• Council members: All current Council members are willing to serve another year – thank goodness! We have one opening and if you are interested in serving, please let Brent Wooten know.
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PORTLAND YOUTH GROUP
This Youth Group partnership includes HopeGateWay UMC, Woodfords UCC, Trinity Episcopal, and St. Luke’s Episcopal.
Fellowship and service gatherings for grades 7-12. Gathering twice a month, typically, on the first and third Sundays, we spend our time in formation, fellowship, and service to both the local and global community. Youth meet monthly with adult leaders to contribute to planning making this a Youth Group that is deeply influenced by the kids participating.
May & June 2019 Schedule
***Please note.... Locations and activities may be subject to change***
5/5 Gathering with Games and More
Location: Trinity Episcopal
Planning with Youth and Leaders 1:30-2pm
Gathering 2-4pm
5/19 Gathering with Games and More
Location: St. Luke’s Episcopal
Planning with Youth and Leaders 1:30-2pm
Gathering 2-4pm
6/2 Service Project: Celebrating Confirmation
Location: Woodfords UCC
Confirmation Service and Celebration 10am
Helping to host reception
6/16 Ice Cream Sunday
Location: HopeGateWay UMC
Planning with Youth and Leaders 1:30-2pm
Gathering 2-4pm
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Submitting an article for the June Beacon?
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HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY TO...
Susan Clark 05/01
Michael Wolfe 05/01
Joyce Reynolds 05/02
Darcy Ross 05/02
Isabel Walter 05/02
Gordon Thomson 05/03
Benjamin Fries 05/03
Gregg Ritter 05/05
Donald Hamilton 05/07
Sara Wasdahl 05/11
Nancy Goodspeed 05/14
Barbara Thomson 05/15
Katharine Jordan 05/16
Bob Carten 05/17
Elizabeth Sarno 05/18
Charlotte Wilbur 05/19
Audrey Cote 05/21
Emilia Cote 05/21
Josslyn Philbrook 05/21
Erin Segal 05/22
Jae Brown 05/23
Chloe Shields 05/24
Judy Blanchard 05/26
Cynthia Harwood 05/26
Joan Dinsmore 05/27
Cedric Porter 05/28
Phyllis Campbell 05/29
Catherine Walter 05/29
Kurt Graser 05/29
Ella Dand 05/30
Elaine Haskell 05/30
Nan McLaughlin 05/31
HAPPY MAY ANNIVERSARY TO...
Bill & June St. Lawrence 05/06 58 years
Harold & Emily Sprague 05/20 58 years
William & Robin Carter 05/04 56 years
David & Lana Johnson 05/27 52 years
Clyda & Ronald Gagnon 05/04 34 years
Stephen & Ellen Smith-Erb 05/18 23 years
Rita Zanichkowsky & Christine Torraca 05/27 19 years
Zachary & Camille Nelson 05/29 15 years
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HOPE: A Benefit Concert
for Through These Doors & Preble Street
Thursday, May 2, 2019, 7 pm
Woodfords Church Sanctuary
This concert, comprised of volunteers and professionals, aims to raise awareness and money for
Preble Street
and
Through These Doors
, organizations that serve the least-favored population in Maine.
The conductor and organizer of the concert, Chris Pelonzi, organized this concert to bring high-quality music to the Portland community for a good cause. Mr. Pelonzi is currently a student of Dr. Nicolas Dosman in the Graduate Choral Conducting program at the University of Southern Maine, and must give a conducting recital to complete his degree. However, rather than produce a small concert specifically for the auspices of a degree program, Mr. Pelonzi has organized a concert for a greater cause. “Every day we see those without a home, and we hear about those who lost their family because of abuse…all I want to do is help make a change in our community so that these people can get the help they need. This is just one way to make a graduate degree most relevant to our local community. ”
The concert involves a choir of over fifty voices and an orchestra of more than thirty performing works by Hildegard, Arvo Part, Mozart, Beethoven, and Karl Jenkins. The concert is intended to inspire hope and social change with pieces from all ages and in multiple languages. A brief talk about
Preble Street
and
Through These Doors
will be given at intermission along with a recovery story.
Thanks to the generosity of Woodfords Church, the University of Southern Maine, and many others, the concert will be held in Portland on May 2nd at Woodfords Church. It is open to the public and tickets are available online from brownpapertickets. For more information, please follow the event on facebook.
The concert will feature Soprano Susanna Moliski, Counter-tenor Chris Garrepy, Tenor Martin Lescault, Baritone Scott Wheatley, and Bass John Adams alongside a large choir and orchestra.
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Woodfords Church Office Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm
Friday, 9 am - 1 pm
207.774.8243
info@woodfordschurch.org
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