THE BEACON
Woodfords Congregational Church
DECEMBER 2018
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SURPRISES
Surprises can be jarring!
Many years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, my co-teachers held a surprise shower for me. It was so totally unexpected – out of the normal routine - that I hid behind a refrigerator trying to catch my breath. It was outside the realm of my reality, and so I experienced it as if I were viewing a photo of my friends and I was outside the photo, not able to enter.
And when a mouse popped out of my toaster a couple of weeks ago, it was both sudden and startling – both jarring and unexpected! Who would ever have guessed that there was something more than crumbs lurking at the bottom of that innocent-looking device?
Surprises are sudden and unexpected; they are jarring because they interrupt our normal routines and expectations. Sometimes, after we catch our breath, we find they delight us, like a child opening a gift and discovering a longed-for treasure, or a grown child walking through the door unexpectedly after a long absence. At other times, surprises bring us to our knees because they change our lives forever.
Jesus’ birth does both. It brings joy at the same time it changes us forever. And it still catches us off-guard just as it did 2000 years ago.
We can only imagine how Mary was caught off-guard when Gabriel announced God’s plans for her. I’m quite sure that Mary didn’t simply respond by saying “Oh, cool! I’ll get right on that. Can’t wait!” The announcement would have been jarring because, not only was it unexpected, it brought with it significant consequences for her. According to the customs of the first century, Mary could have been stoned to death for becoming pregnant before marriage.
And, as Kathy Coffey writes, Jesus’ birth still unsettles us because it’s so outside the boundaries of what we call the norm: “God, who could have become human as a respected philosopher like Plato, a military leader like Alexander the Great, or a beautiful queen like Cleopatra, comes instead as a helpless baby. All the beauty and power in the universe becomes vulnerable and dependent. God pitches a tent, not only among us, but in us, as some translations say. What an odd residence for the King of Kings!”
Surprises usually leave us breathless because they break into our routines so suddenly. Sometimes, like the child discovering the treasure in a package, we catch our breath quickly and welcome whatever the surprise brings. We embrace it and our routines quickly return to “normal” – whatever than means! But there are other times when the change is so remarkable, so beyond what “has been” that we can barely grasp all that it means. Our lives are turned upside down and changed forever.
Like Mary, we, too, can be caught off guard and surprised by the unexpected, especially if it brings news of startling change. We human beings don’t like change! We like our normal routines, we like to know what lies ahead and what we can count on. Sometimes, we prefer the old routines to new ones even when the old ways are no longer working for us, when they can be damaging to us. But the truth remains: change is the only constant that exists. Not only are our personal lives and routines constantly changing, the community and the world is changing in rapid, unpredictable and countless ways. Day after day, we’re surprised and caught off guard by the changes in our midst. Who would ever have guessed that instead of counting friends, we’d be counting “followers”? Who would ever have guessed that we’d land a space craft on Mars yesterday? And who would ever have guessed that cars could park themselves and a simple voice command could do all our Christmas shopping, have the gifts wrapped and then delivered to our door?
Change is the only constant. And even here at Woodfords, change is happening. And change can be unsettling and even scary. But life today is very different than it was in 1883 when the first Woodfords Church was built across the street where the funeral home sits today. And it’s changed even more in the years since our current sanctuary was built in 1956. The world isn’t the same and the ways in which we live our lives aren't the same. And so, as a congregation, we, too need to be changing if we want to exist into the future. Our first response to such change is to stop it, to keep everything as it was. But just like birth itself – Jesus’ and our own – if we don’t allow the change, if we don’t allow the birth with all its birth-pangs to happen, life ceases.
Over the next many months, as a congregation, we’ll be embarking on plans for our future. Everyone will be asked to come to the table to be part of the conversations that will help us discern the change that is already in process and that needs to happen so that we can have a vibrant and faithful future. In another article in a future edition of the Beacon, Robin Carter, our Moderator, will write about The Center for Progressive Renewal who can help us through the conversations about who we are, who we’re becoming and how we can live out our congregational life in the best possible ways. There will be times when we'll feel startled by the surprises, times when we’ll be discouraged because sometimes it’s just easier to live in the past, and there will be times when we’ll feel breathless and not ready for all that awaits us. But there will also be times when we can barely wait for what is yet to come.
But just as when “labor” begins and the birth-pangs come in increasingly startling ways and we think we might not be able to do it, we’re reassured by a God who does not walk away when we’re startled, perplexed and afraid. For just as God came in the most unpredictable, startling and curious way 2000 years ago, God still comes to us and reassures us.
And so, let us enter this season of Advent, the season of surprises and unpredictability, as we await once again our Savior’s birth, and let us enter, as well, the season of Advent here at Woodfords – with gratitude for all that has been and with both curiosity and hope for all that will be.
Let the birth-pangs begin!
Blessings, Rev. Carolyn
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CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES
BLUE CHRISTMAS - December 11, 6 pm, Chapel
CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT SERVICE - December 24, 5 pm, Sanctuary
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE - December 24, 9 pm, Sanctuary
(preceded by Christmas Carols and Music from 8:30 pm)
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THANK YOU!
I was utterly flabbergasted and amazed by the beautiful tribute given to me for the occasion of my 50
th year of ordination to the ministry. I am especially grateful to Rev. Carolyn. I know she put a lot of hours into this party! John Colton, an American philosopher of sorts said that the English language works well for everything except expressing gratitude. The words we use such as ‘thanks’ and 'gratitude’ fall short of what I feel about the expressions of love you have shown Paula and me in our ministry among you. The Sunday, October 28
th celebration was one more example.
The Apostle Paul said, “I thank God for every memory of you.” I couldn’t say it better. I am also fully aware of my other colleagues in ministry with far more experience and service. I am humbled to be numbered among them.
All of God’s grace, mercy and love be with you as we continue to serve God together.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Jim and Paula
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CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
It’s time to place your orders for Christmas Memorial Poinsettias. Remember your loved ones and help decorate the Sanctuary with a beautiful display of poinsettias. The cost for the poinsettia is $10.00. Please send your check to the church office by Monday, December 10, along with
THIS ORDER FORM
.
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GRANT FUND
If you are 65 or older 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.
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Grant Fund December Events
December 9th:
Join us after worship for festive community fun at
Cookies and Carols
. New this year: Jean Koster will lead fanciful Intergenerational Ornament Making!
Holiday seekers of all ages are welcome!
December 14th
:
Magic Of Christmas
- We invite you to participate in our beloved annual holiday tradition. We will start with a simple lunch at the church at 12-Noon. Then, travel together by Charter Coach to see the Portland Symphony Orchestra dazzle us with holiday musical magic. This year Bruce Hangen, the PSO's first
Magic of Christmas
conductor, is back.
The cost is $25 for all Grant Fund eligible members. There are still 20 spots available, but they will go quickly!
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Grant Fund Special Educational Opportunity
:
Legacy Scholars Coffee and Conversation
UNE's new
Center for Excellence in Aging and Health
(CEAH)
has extended an exclusive invitation for members of the Grant Fund to participate in a
Legacy Scholars Coffee and Conversation
. This event's featured speaker will be Peter A. Lichtenberg, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Wayne State University.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
10:00 - 11:30 AM
Woodfords Congregational Church, Memorial Hall
To register for this invitation-only event, please fill out the registration form at the link below OR contact Tamara for help signing up. Space is limited!
To learn more about the
Legacy Scholars
program, please visit this link:
Advancing Inclusive, Narrative-Informed, and Outcome-Oriented Research on Healthy Aging
The UNE Center for Excellence in Aging and Health (CEAH) promotes innovative, interprofessional research and programming to extend
healthspan
, enhance well-being, celebrate personal legacies, and disseminate professional best practices for the benefit of aging adults wherever they call home.
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CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITH MUSIC
Cookies and Carols
Sunday, December 9, 11:30 am in Memorial Hall
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for worship. Then stay for an extended Fellowship Time for a cup of coffee or cocoa, some homemade cookies and the singing together of some of your favorite Christmas carols and songs.
WANTED: Cookies and Sweets for the Cookies and Carols Sing on December 9th
Organizations who are Mission Partners at Woodfords and Woodford neighbors will be invited to join us for a rousing Carol sing to celebrate the Christmas season.
We need some members (and friends) of Woodfords to provide cookies to share. Bake early and bake often! You can bake cookies now and freeze them for the party.
Join us to share a time of song, celebration and sweet treats together with our neighbors. Contact Rebecca or Paul (
music@woodfordschurch.org ) if you are able to provide some cookies or other baked finger food. THANK YOU!
Pre-service Carol Sing
December 23, 9:45 am
Carol singing will be accompanied by the Woodfords Family Christmas Orchestra
Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24
5:00 pm Pageant Service
8:30 pm Pre-Service Music with the Woodfords Ringers, Woodfords Family Orchestra, Chancel Choir, Organ, and Congregation in the Sanctuary
9:00 pm Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols
Come sing and pray your way through Advent
and Christmas at Woodfords!
Have you been wanting to sing in the choir but can’t commit to rehearsals and Sunday services
for the entire program year? Now’s the time to join the Woodfords Chancel Choir for the Advent and Christmas season. Rehearsals for music to be sung in December has begun. Come join us on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 pm, and make singing in the choir part of your preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth this year.
Woodfords Family Christmas Orchestra
Come Join us this Year!
There’s still time and space available! Music is available from Paul after worship on Sundays. Musicians with skill levels 6th Grade through adult are invited to participate. You are welcome to bring a friend, too! Rehearsals will be held after Sunday Worship from 11:25 am -12:15pm on November 25 and December 2 and 16. We will play in worship on December 23, at the 10 am service, and on December 24 at the 9 pm Christmas Eve service. For more information, contact Paul at
music@woodfordschurch.org
Epiphany Lessons and Carols
January 6, 2019, 10:00 am Worship
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HOLIDAY GIFTS
FOR LONG CREEK RESIDENTS
Long Creek Youth Development Center (LCYDC) in South Portland currently provides a safe and secure environment for approximately 50 teens who have made some mistakes in their lives. Another 60 young people live in the community, while participating in the programs and services offered by the Center.
Each LCYDC participant has the opportunity to have a Holiday 'wish' list. These kids are not expecting an X-box, snow board, new cell phone, or a special pair of jeans or a sweater. Their wish lists consist of items like pajamas, socks and slippers, a board game or sketch pad, and deodorant and shampoo. Many of these items we frequently take for granted.
This year Woodfords has the wish lists of 14 young men and women in the community. Please consider taking a gift tag (or two) from the Christmas Tree in the Cloister.
Thanks for considering this and please keep these young people and the staff that support them in your prayers now and throughout the year.
Please note:
1. You can take more than 1 gift tag.
2. Include the gift tag with your gift when you return it, if possible.
3. Bring only items on the gift tag - and they must be unwrapped. (Gift bags are OK.)
4. Return all unwrapped items by Sunday 12/16.
Feel free to include a card of encouragement to your gift recipient, but do not seal the envelope.
Matthew 25:46 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Thank you,
Brent Wooten
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR DECEMBER
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This year we will be approaching the meaning of Christmas through a new lens. We will be reading a beautiful story called, "The Message of the Birds." Using its message as our inspiration, we will make props, assign reading parts and perform this simple sweet story for parents and the congregation. For those who are unfamiliar with this story, here is a brief synopsis:
"An old owl tells the Christmas story to the community of birds as he has done so many times before, but when he tells of the special message from the Baby Jesus, a little bird questions why they no longer sing the message. 'People no longer listen,' is the sad realization. The birds decide to share the message once more, but this time to the children of the world. And what unfolds is surely a Christmas wonder."
December 2-
Join us downstairs for a Special Holiday
Milk and Cookies Communion,
after which we will put together our Sunday School Manger and read "The Message of the Birds."
December 9-
Building Birds to Tell the Story: Come with your imagination engaged and your fingers ready to craft! We will build our birds and assign parts for our play.
Also...after worship:
Cookies and Carols!
This is an opportunity to eat sweet treats, sing your favorite holiday songs AND, this year for the first time, Jean Koster will be leading an intergenerational opportunity to make an ornament to take home for your tree.
December 16-
We will practice, practice, practice our play AND create Christmas Prayer Chains to connect our congregation's hopes and wishes for the Holiday Season.
Also, after worship:
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
with Rev. Carolyn Lambert.
December 23-
The birds come to life
as we share our story with the wider church community. Please come wearing red or green, and be ready to help create Christmas Magic!
Christmas Eve:
5 pm Pageant Service
9 pm Candlelight Service, preceded by Christmas music from 8:30 pm
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A PARKING REMINDER
A reminder to Sunday church goers... We have a number of elderly and less abled members who need to park in the back parking lot and use the elevator for Sunday worship. If possible, please park your car in the side lot and leave the back lot spaces along the tree line for those who need them. Thank you for your consideration.
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COUNCIL NOTES FOR NOVEMBER
Notes from the Council:
The Council met November 19
th
from 6 to 9 p.m. – lots of work to do.
• Ministry Team Meetings: The 3 Teams – Resources (our property/mission partners), Spiritual Growth (missions/edu.), Worship - meet each month for ½ to 1 hr. to work on critical areas they are responsible for.
• Finances: For the 1
st
4 months of our fiscal year we are doing well – income is on target and except for a few building expenses, expenses are also on target. Pastors/staff receive monthly reports on their areas of responsibility so they can keep to their budgets.
• Understanding WCC Financial Reports & the Audit: Jane Frey helped us all better understand how to read the monthly financial reports we receive so we can do a good job monitoring WCC’s finances. She also gave us an update on the audit process she has volunteered to do for WCC. She and her team
will start in January.
• Elevator: The elevator needs a heating unit installed to help it to run well in the cold months and this will be installed shortly.
• Electrical work & Thermostats: Stages needs for their work and our older building will require upgrading electrical systems to begin shortly. We will also be adding a few additional thermostats so our renters can have some control over their heating needs and so that we do not have to heat the whole building constantly.
• New Mission Partners for our 2
nd
floor. Besides A Company of Girls, which is nicely settled in, Shambhala, a Buddhist community, will begin occupying Woodfords Room & Annex in January. What a great community of folks we now have sharing our space and bringing their good work and faith to our lovely building. Be sure to greet these new folks and make them feel welcome.
• As I am sure you all know, the Council works many hours to keep our church in order – many more than the 2.5 to 3 hr monthly meeting. We do our best to keep you informed and want you to know you are always welcome to come to our meetings. Ask any Council member questions you may have and please remember, we need your support to do our work.
Thank you for your support of the Council and do come join us anytime on the 3
rd
Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
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Youth Group Support for Family Promise
The ecumenical youth group has collected donations from the four collaborating congregations (Woodfords, HopeGateWay, Trinity, and St. Luke's) to provide our Family Promise alumni with Christmas Baskets. The baskets will restock basic household supplies for twelve families that graduated from the program in the past year. The Youth Group wishes to thank all of you who have signed up to donate items!
If you wanted to support Greater Portland Family Promise this season and did not get a chance to join this effort, we encourage you to make a donation to Woodfords' Family Promise fund. This restricted fund is used to buy household supplies for families as they exit the program and move into sustainable housing. Just make your check payable to Woodfords and write "Family Promise Fund" in the memo line, and mail to the church or drop in the collection plate on Sunday. Your donation is tax-deductible. Thanks for your generosity!"
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The "Perfect" Pastor
The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes but meets everyone’s needs
for enlightenment and understanding.
She/he condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone's feelings.
S/he works from 8 AM until midnight and is also the church janitor and never takes a day off.
The perfect pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good car, buys good books,
and donates $30 a week to the church.
S/he is 29 years old and has 40 years of experience.
Above all, s/he is gorgeous/ handsome.
The perfect pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers,
and s/he spends most of her/his time with the senior citizens.
S/he smiles all the time with a straight face because s/he has a sense of humor
but is seriously dedicated to her/his
church.
S/He
makes 15 home visits a day and is always in her/his office to be handy when needed.
The perfect pastor always has time for church council and all of its committees. S/he never misses the meeting of any church organization and is always busy evangelizing the unchurched.
The perfect pastor has ESP and knows without being told when and where each parishioner is
and when they enter and leave any hospital, nursing home or ER.
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Submitting an article for the January Beacon?
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HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY TO...
Gladys Stokinger 12/04
Alison Grey 12/04
Samantha Wilson 12/05
Helen Ashley 12/08
Hannah Smith-Erb 12/08
Lucille Twaddel 12/09
Nelson Toner 12/11
Kevin McKee 12/12
Caleb Shields 12/12
Carl Anderson 12/15
Barbara Congdon 12/15
Karen Philbrook 12/16
Bonnie Paris 12/16
Beth Rovnak 12/17
Elizabeth McGlinn 12/18
Mary Rokosz 12/18
Bruce McAfee 12/19
Priscilla Greene 12/19
Virginia Toner 12/19
Jean Wriggins 12/20
Sarah Wriggins 12/20
Lyndsey Sumner 12/20
Meredith Louise McKeeman 12/23
Dorianne Ross 12/24
Fiona Kay Johnson 12/24
Tipton Heminway 12/26
Dorothy Ingalls 12/27
Fran Paris 12/3
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HAPPY DECEMBER ANNIVERSARY TO...
Jae & James F Brown 12/18 51 years
Waldo & Cynthia Harwood 12/16 12 years
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The 21st Annual Celebration of the Winter Solstice
Saturday, December 22nd at 8 am, Gilsland Farm, Route 1, Falmout
h
Join us as we embrace the coming of winter –and take pause in the serenity and beauty of the outside world. Prayers, songs, readings and a walking meditation are all part of the morning’s gathering. We’ll be across from the pond, near the rock. Symbols of light and winter for the altar and breakfast snacks are welcome. FMI contact Ellen Smith-Erb at 829-6748 or
eese@maine.rr.com
.
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Making the House Ready for the Lord
Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice — it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances — but it is the season
when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard
while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;
what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling
in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly
up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will
come, Lord; you will, when I speak to the fox,
the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know
that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,
as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.
-Mary Oliver
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Woodfords Church Office Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm
Friday, 9 am - 1 pm, afternoon by appointment
207.774.8243
info@woodfordschurch.org
Christmas Holiday Building Schedule
The church will be closed from Tuesday, December 25 through Tuesday, January 1. Please follow the normal procedure for reporting building emergencies (call the Building Manager). For urgent, non-emergency matters, please email info@woodfordschurch.org. This email will be checked daily.
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