Creating community, championing justice and growing with God.


ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 2, 2020


PRAYER LIST

Our prayer list is here to help. Please pray for: Joan Strout, Debbie Hayden, Ginnie Toner, Edna Cushing, Bob Stewart, Fran Paris, Debbie Heater, John Haley, Carroll Ham, Randy Libby, Phil Haskell, and Charlotte Wilbur.



HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES

An email went out to everyone yesterday with details about Holy Week and Easter Services. Some of the services will be through Zoom and others will be pre-recorded services you can access at certain times on Easter morning. Please let us know if you have any questions or want some help accessing a Zoom meeting on your computer (it’s easy!): info@woodfordschurch.org.




LAY MINISTRY MEETING

The next meeting of the Monday Lay Ministry group normally would occur next Monday, April 6. Due to Alyssa’s Holy Week schedule, it is going to be postponed. Alyssa will reach out to all of WCC’s lay ministers in order to schedule a time to talk. Keep an eye out for her email.
WE CAN SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER

WCC’s Creating Community Task Force is designing initiatives that will help the WCC community not only stay connected, but also support individuals and families during the upcoming weeks. It is focusing on developing programs that promote mental, physical, and spiritual health. In order to determine what these programs might look like, the committee needs to know what types of support you would find most valuable. It also needs to gather some information about WCC's volunteer capacity.
We therefore are asking members of the Woodfords community to complete one or both of the following surveys:

CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS!

Improvements are being made to WCC! We have brand new stairs leading from the parking lot to the Memorial Hall door.
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS!

In addition to birthdays in the monthly Beacon, we have decided to include upcoming birthdays here as well. Let's keep connecting—whether digitally or by snail mail—and maintain the spirit of WCC!

Thomas Vire, April 1 • Peter Frey, April 2 • Jean Hoffses, April 3
Susan Doughty, April 3 • Susan Staples, April 5 • Patricia Maxim, April 6
Joanne Friedrick, April 7 • Anne Kennedy, April 8 • Andrew Gervais, April 9
ZOOM TRAINING MATERIALS

During the upcoming weeks, Woodfords Church will hold 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:
• 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.

• 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. See links in the article below for our next scheduled meetings!

• 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.
“SHARE AND PRAYER” ZOOM MEETINGS

Our Zoom “Share and Prayer” meetings have been a success, and Rev. Alyssa will continue to offer times for members of the WCC community to gather for prayer and sharing.

OUR NEXT MEETING IS TONIGHT!
Thursday, April 2 from 7-8:00 pm
*Rev. Alyssa will not host Share and Prayer next week, as there will be opportunities for the WCC community to digitally gather for prayer on both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Learn more about Zoom and how to use it by reading the instructions provided above, or by CLICKING THIS LINK



WOODFORDS NOW HAS A FACEBOOK GROUP

Looking for an additional way to stay in touch with your Woodfords family during these days of social distancing? We’ve set up a Facebook Group to promote connection among members of the Woodfords Church Community.

It is a place to not only strengthen our relationships with the Holy and one another, but also to talk about our experiences, support each another, build hope, and receive inspiration. (And let's not forget the importance of sharing spirit-lifting, humorous videos of cats, dogs, and other favorite animals—humans included!) To access the group, CLICK HERE.
WOODFORDS WEEKLY CHAIR-YOGA AND MEDITATION

Tuesdays at 10:00 am via Zoom
All are welcome!

Topic: Woodfords Weekly Chair-Yoga and Meditation led by Rev. Tamara
Time: April 7 at 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!
Participate in this Zoom Meeting by following the link below:

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!
WOODFORDS WEEKLY PODCAST AND CONVERSATION LUNCH DROP-IN

Fridays at Noon via Zoom
All are welcome!

This Week's Topic: "Tending Joy and Practicing Delight" w/ Ross Gay, poet and co-founder of "The Tenderness Project" led by Rev. Tamara
Time: Tomorrow! Friday, April 3 at 12:00 pm EST & every Friday (until announced otherwise)
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! 

Listen to this week's podcast* On Tending Joy & Practicing Delight:
*Note, you can play the episode, or DOWNLOAD and play the episode. I often prefer the latter option. The transcript is also available at the same page, so feel free to read along if you prefer.
   
Participate in this Zoom Meeting by following the link below:

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!
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.
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 collect 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?

JOIN A WORLDWIDE CIRCLE
OF PRAYER

WCC members Brigitte and Gail Bartolucci-Gingrich have started a worldwide circle of prayer, and they invite everyone to join in. Here’s a note about the initiative from Brigitte and Gail:

We started a prayer circle as a way of connecting with loved ones in France who have very limited access to technology.
At noon EST each day, we pause to pray the Lord’s Prayer. In the last few days, the circle has begun connecting people around the world. It has expanded to people praying across the States, in Europe, in Singapore, and we hope in many more places. There is much power in prayer: As Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” ( Matthew 18:20 , NRSV). Even if virtually! Prayer gives us all a sense of connection and peace, and we invite everyone to join in this prayer circle.
HELPING OUR VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS

Dear Woodfords Corner neighbors,

During these uncertain times, we are all trying to figure out how to stay healthy ourselves and to protect friends, co-workers, loved ones, and neighbors from the Covid-19 virus. We need to be looking out for one another and adjusting as best we can to changes happening nearly every day. The Office of Elder Affairs is working to gather information that may be useful to older adults, and attempting to get it out to elderly residents and those who care about them. I'm writing today to share the following information with you and to ask that you please pass it along through your neighborhood contacts:

1) The best and latest information regarding Covid 19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications/older-adults.html and the Maine CDC website https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc
2) Tips for helping out an elderly neighbor without putting them or yourself at risk:
  • Do make an effort to check in on senior citizens in your neighborhood. Calling on the phone is safest, but if face-to-face contact is necessary, stay at least 6 feet apart.
  • Ask how they are doing and if they need anything. Offer to pick up groceries or supplies at the store.
  • Avoid going into the home; drop purchased items off on the steps or porch.
  • Use the same "distancing" precautions if dropping off a home-cooked meal, baked goods. etc
  • Where practical, give out your phone number so they can call you too. This can provide reassurance and help alleviate loneliness.
  • Call the Office of Elder Affairs 541-6620 or the Southern Maine Agency on Aging 396-6500 for guidance if you become concerned about how an elderly neighbor is faring or think they may need additional support.
  • As always, in an emergency, call 911
3) Many stores are now providing specific time periods for elderly and medically vulnerable patrons to shop, to ensure they get food and other essentials first. This is a courtesy to those who really need to get in and out and avoid exposure
  • Shaws: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 AM Shaws will set aside shopping time specifically for senior citizens and other at-risk members of our community.
  • Market Basket: Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 7 AM the stores will be open ONLY to serve customers 60 and older.
  • Walmart: From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Stores have regular hours from 7 AM to 8:30 PM unless otherwise noted.
  • Target: All nationwide stores will reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday at stores nationwide for vulnerable guests.
  • Hannaford will be dedicating special shopping hours for customers over 60 and those with compromised immune systems starting March 24. Stores will open early from 6-7 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for these customers.
4) As of March 18th, all Maine restaurants were required by law to close their dining rooms. Many, however, are offering takeout and delivery options. A list of participating restaurants can be found at https://www.portlandfoodmap.com This list is updated daily.
5) The Southern Maine Agency on Aging provides home delivered meals to older home bound older adults in Cumberland and York Counties through the Meals on Wheels Program. People can sign up by calling 1-800-427-7411 or register online at https://smaaa.org/wellness/meals.html  
*Additional volunteers will soon be needed to deliver meals. If you would like to volunteer, contact Adam Seigal aseigal@smaaa.org or submit a new volunteer enrollment form at https://smaaa.org/volunteer/newvolunteers.html
6) Many pharmacies are offering drive-thru pick up and/or free delivery options. Elders should contact the pharmacy they currently use to find the best and safest way to get medications. In some cases, it may be necessary to transfer prescriptions to a different pharmacy to get the needed service.

Please share this information via email, websites, social media, newsletters, and any way possible to help keep neighbors of all ages informed. I will stay in touch as things develop and more information becomes available. Also, please check the City of Portland website frequently for local updates and alerts regarding the Corona virus outbreak.

Thank you for your help. Take care and stay safe.

Linda Weare, Director
Office of Elder Affairs
Health and Human Services Dept., City of Portland



WOODFORDS CAMPUS IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Last week, the WCC leadership team decided to close the church building to the public until further notice, in response to recent government advisories that encourage strong social distancing and discourage gatherings of more than 10 people. This difficult decision was made in order to protect our staff, Woodfords members, and the many organizations that use Woodfords Congregational Church. The leadership team has been in conversation with Woodfords' mission partners and is working collaboratively with them in order to maximize safety and well-being.

At the present time:
  1. All public events scheduled at Woodfords Congregational Church are cancelled until further notice.
  2. The building is closed to all but our staff and essential vendors. 
  3. Woodfords' mission partners have suspended their programming or made alternative venue arrangements.
  4. All building doors are locked at all times. Access is limited to staff who have key code access.

If you need to access the building, please contact the church via email ( info@woodfordschurch.org ) or phone (774-8243) in order to make arrangements. 

We encourage everyone to practice “social distancing” by limiting contact with others while in public and avoiding large groups. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we work together in this challenging and unprecedented time. Please know our top priorities are to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
WOODFORDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
t: 207-774-8243
www.woodfordschurch.org