THE BEACON
Woodfords
Congregational Church
April 2020
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FROM ALYSSA: WITH SPRING COMES HOPE
Well, no one can deny that the last month has been unusual. In my letter for the March Beacon, I introduced myself and explained some of my hopes for Lent 2020. Then, shortly after the Beacon was mailed, COVID-19 popped up on the landscape here in the United States, and everything changed.
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Let’s just say that the last few weeks have felt a bit like a whirlwind – for all of us, I’m sure. Here at WCC, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions. In efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of Woodfords’ members, staff, and visitors, we’ve followed the advice of medical experts and denominational leaders and not only suspended in-person worship but also closed the building to the public.
While I am not one to discount the possibility of miracles, I am assuming that the Woodfords community will not worship in person during Holy Week or Easter. But the fact that we can’t be together physically doesn’t preclude us from being together. It’s just that “togetherness” looks and feels different than it has in the past. Here at WCC, we’re busy discussing, designing, and learning about alternative channels for worship and spiritual fellowship that will enable us to spend time with one another and God, even as we are physically apart. We also are busy caring for one another by making check-in phone calls, delivering groceries to those who can’t get them, and praying for one another, the Woodfords community, and the wider world. If you would like to receive check-in phone calls, or if there are other ways in which the church may minister to you during these days, please let us know.
For me, spring always brings thoughts of regeneration, of warmth, and of hope. Meanwhile, Easter arrives with its compelling narrative of revival. Perhaps some of us are unsure how to decipher claims of Jesus’ physical resurrection; perhaps some of us prefer to interpret the Easter miracle psychologically and spiritually. Regardless of our beliefs, all of us can take courage in Easter’s promising story of accessing new life … of overcoming brokenness … of becoming whole. Certainly, life exposes us to sadness, doubt, and death, for suffering is an inevitable part of the human condition. Yet Easter reminds us that the Holy is all-encompassing enough to envelop those experiences, because God has shared in them. Because of Easter events that took place over 2,000 years ago, our futures are shaped not only by the depth of experience, but also by the hope of transcendence.
May the healing strength of God surround you, this day and every day. Peace be with you.
In faith,
Alyssa
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A NOTE ABOUT ZOOM
During the upcoming weeks, Woodfords Church will hold most of its gatherings and meetings
via Zoom
. This is an online platform for video- and audio-conferencing. If you are new to Zoom and/or need to become comfortable with it, here are some notes:
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• A Zoom account is
not required to attend a meeting. If you plan to
host a meeting, you
will need an account. However, to simply join a Woodfords meeting, no account is necessary.
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• To join a meeting by computer, your computer needs to have a
webcam and microphone. If you prefer to join the meeting by telephone, you will need the teleconferencing number provided in the invite.
• If you
don't wish to have an account, all you need to do to participate is click on the link for the meeting and you will be prompted to launch Zoom.
Watch for scheduled Zoom meetings in the weekly Announcements!
• If you
do wish to create an account, it's a good idea to do so before a meeting. Take a few minutes of your day to familiarize yourself with Zoom before the meeting begins.
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COUNCIL MEETING ~ MARCH 17, 2020
Our Council met via Zoom and all 12 members were present, as well as Rev. Alyssa. This was a first for us and we had a good deal of business to attend to.
- Treasurer’s Report for 2/3 of the year puts us in a good position. There will be some shortages in income due to WCC closing down and, possibly, some savings to off-set the change in income. Carryl K. continues to work with Marc, our accountant, and occasionally contact Jeff Jordan. She is doing a great job as our new Treasurer.
- Center for Progressive Renewal: As we continue our work for Woodfords, we have come up with a timeline and plan for doing Visioning work with our members. This will be published soon. Next, we are planning to request RFI’s (request for information) from organizations that are interested in partnering with us regarding our building(s). ‘Sell’ team members met with another interested organization—Anew—to look at our building. It was, like so many of our other meetings, informative and helpful as we move forward.
- Worship services: Alyssa is working on methods of communicating and connecting with all of us for Worship—now and on-going—during these times when we cannot come together. We will continue to hear from Alyssa regarding her plans. We are so thankful to have Rev. Alyssa with us as we all struggle to go forward while dealing with Covid19.
- Budget for FY’21: we went over the first draft of next year’s budget and know this will need to be flexible as so many things keep changing. Susan Bassi-Brown is doing this work for us and we will be getting a final version out to everyone early next month.
- Building Issues: Brent let us know that the cement steps into Memorial Hall will be replaced within the next month, and this is scheduled. He also went over progress on Seeley Hall (due to the flooding we had) and that we have a contract for the new floor, which will be done around Family Promise (this week) and Project Feed’s regular use. We approved ‘closing’ Woodfords to all public use due to the virus. All of our Mission Partners and other users had already made plans to shut down for the time being.
- Creating Community: Joanne Fredrick and team are working on ways to keep us all connected. You will be hearing about their plans very soon. We got some good news about the Ashes to Go event in the parking lot—about 25 people received ashes—and we received ‘thanks’ from many.
- Personnel: Due to worship being cancelled for now, leaving Cindy (Nursery tender) and Gary (Sunday sexton) without work, a decision was made to pay them through March and then Personnel will review again. Matt R. is also working with his team to go over their procedures and responsibilities for staff and record them for future use.
- Stewardship: The original plan has been put aside due to the virus concerns and we have revamped our campaign. You will be hearing from us shortly.
- Council is working very hard to keep up with the changes we are all experiencing and how to help us all during these times and also, our neighbors, as we are called to do. Please keep us in your prayers.
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WOODFORDS SENIORS (AND MORE!) PROGRAM
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WOODFORDS WEEKLY
CHAIR-YOGA AND MEDITATION
Tuesdays at 10:00am via Zoom
All are welcome!
Topic: Woodfords Weekly Chair-Yoga and Meditation led by Rev. Tamara
Time: Mar 31, 2020
10:00 am EST & every Tuesday (until announced otherwise)
Join us for a gentle and contemplative hour of centering, chair-based yoga, and community check ins. All you need is a stable chair and some comfortable clothes. Everyone is welcome!
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Once there you will be asked if you want to allow this page to open zoom.us? Please click "Allow." You will then be asked if you would like to enable computer audio. Also allow that if you would like to be able to speak/greet others. Once you do these things you will appear in the meeting and everyone will be able to see you, and you them!
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WOODFORDS WEEKLY PODCAST AND CONVERSATION LUNCH DROP-IN
Fridays at Noon via Zoom
All are welcome!
Topic: Woodfords Podcast & Conversation Lunch Group led by Rev. Tamara
Time: April 3, 2020
12:00 pm EST & every Friday (until announced otherwise)
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Join us for an enriching lunch-hour conversation! We will be listening to various On Being episodes (Tamara will send a link out in the weekly email). Simply follow the link and listen from your computer or phone. On Fridays, make yourself a sandwich and sign in for conversation and community connection at noon. See you there!
Once there you will be asked if you want to allow this page to open zoom.us? Please click "Allow." You will then be asked if you would like to enable computer audio. Also allow that if you would like to be able to speak/greet others. Once you do these things you will appear in the meeting and everyone will be able to see you, and you them!
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HELPING OTHERS FROM
YOUR HOME
Here is a great project that would make a world of difference:
Face Masks.
While home-sewn masks are not medical-grade personal protective equipment
–
and should never be used as such
– they
have been used by folks who are immunocompromised, staff at homeless shelters and nursing homes, and other essential workers who must continue to work amidst the pandemic. There are even hospitals requesting them as as a way to extend the life of their N95 masks (by layering over), as supplies run low.
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We have included three links below that have various ideas for patterns and more information. All masks must be double layered and made of cotton. If you decide to participate, Rev. Tamara will be collecting the finished masks and will find the place to donate them where they will make the most difference as needs arise. She is also extending this invitation to the Sunday School. Wouldn't it be incredible to have makers of all ages coming together (while apart) to craft for change?
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A MESSAGE ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
We all have so many things on our minds at the moment that it would not come as a surprise to any of us that the Woodfords Stewardship Campaign is quite low on your list of things with which to be concerned. We don't imagine you are running each day to your mailbox in anticipation of receiving a pledge card, with or without a global pandemic!
Although our committee met earlier in the winter to develop this year's campaign, it is now clear that the appropriate thing to do is to suspend our activities for the time being.
So, you will not be receiving communications from us regarding support for our church at this time.
What is important now is to stay well and stay connected in whatever ways are best for you and your loved ones. The church (and its bills!) will still be here after this forced isolation is over, and we will resume our work at that time, with a renewed appreciation and enthusiasm for the Beloved Community that is Woodfords Congregational Church.
Until then, please know we wish you well.
Blessings from Your Stewardship Team,
Joanne Bartlett, Robin Carter, Kristen Crean, John England, Mary Anne MacMath, Nancy Meiners
P.S. If you are in the midst of fulfilling a current-year pledge, we appreciate and encourage your continued payments. Although we are not together on Sunday mornings, you can send your gifts to the church office, as you are able. The expenses of the church continue even when the building is not in use.
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YOUTH GROUP ZOOM MEETINGS
Wednesdays 4-5pm
For now, we will check in and hang out weekly!
*This week: 4/1: Bring a joke or riddle to share.
Meeting ID: 858 087 771
Password: 800289
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Submitting an article for the May Beacon?
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HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAY TO...
Thomas Vire 04/01
Peter Frey 04/02
Jean Hoffses 04/03
Susan Doughty 04/03
Susan Staples 04/05
Patricia Maxim 04/06
Joanne Friedrick 04/07
Anne Kennedy 04/08
Andrew Gervais 04/09
Allan Whitmore 04/10
Michael Bryant 04/11
Cheryl Honer-Hickey 04/12
Rebecca Wallace 04/13
Allen Wilbur 04/13
Asher Stanhope 04/14
Mitchell Brewer 04/15
Martha Dudley 04/15
Marcia McAfee 04/15
Sarah Thomson 04/15
Anna Troxell 04/15
Melanie Graser 04/17
Jackson Frey 04/18
Jessica Doughty 04/19
Cora Melcher 04/19
Kristen Watson 04/20
Alison Lunt 04/21
Annette Mott 04/22
Jennifer Wriggins 04/22
Sally Chaplin 04/24
Clyda Gagnon 04/24
Robert Goodspeed 04/25
Thomas Goodspeed 04/25
Colin Graser 04/25
Ethan Koster 04/25
Rita Zanichkowsky 04/25
David Johnson 04/26
Fran Seeley 04/26
Linda Libbey 04/27
Caroline Belanger 04/29
Jim Dand 04/29
HAPPY APRIL ANNIVERSARY TO...
Paul & Carol Gillis 04/29 ~ 42 years
Brent & Susan Wooten 04/30 ~ 23 years
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