photo by Bill Kenny, 2022

February 2023

A Note from Alyssa

The other day, as I was browsing the blog of the Salt Project (www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog), I came across this poem by Langston Hughes, one of America’s great poets of the twentieth century:

“God,” by Langston Hughes

I am God —

Without one friend,

Alone in my purity

World without end.

Below me young lovers

Tread the sweet ground —

But I am God —

I cannot come down.

Spring!

Life is love!

Love is life only!

Better to be human

Than God — and lonely.

I first read the poem years ago, during a college English class. But I hadn’t set eyes on it for years. As I revisited Hughes’ sparse words, I was struck by two ideas and images. First, I was moved by thoughts of spring. As I sat in my office on a cold winter’s day, I realized that spring is now less than two months away … and I realized how much I long for it. While this winter certainly has not been marked by extreme cold, ice and snow, I still look forward to spring’s longer days and increasing warmth.

Second, I was struck by Hughes’ vision of a god who sits high above this world, perfect in purity. This image reflects some historical strands of Judeo-Christian theology/philosophy, which have portrayed God as an ideal, perfect being who created the world but then withdrew or remained separate from it. I would not be surprised if many of us have at some point in life encountered (or been fed) notions of a distant deity who sits up in heaven, judging the imperfections of a “fallen” world (and all of us who reside in it!)

But this is not the only vision of God that there is. In his poetry, Langston Hughes dares to challenge traditional images of a removed, judgmental deity who is cold and unfeeling. He depicts a god who is perfect, yes, but also lonely: Langston’s god longs to experience the love and connection that are accessible to human beings, despite (or perhaps because of?) our imperfections.

This is a god we can connect with. This is a god we even can grieve for. I am guessing that each of us has, at one time or another, felt like an outsider as we have observed loving, caring relationships and wished that we had access to something similar.

As people who have been outsiders, we can empathize with, and feel for, and perhaps even shed a tear for, Hughes’ lonely outsider god – and for ourselves, as well. Maybe some of us, like the character of God in Hughes’ work, have occasionally let “purity” get in the way of interpersonal connection. I am the first to admit that I’ve done so. Think back over the course of your life. Have you ever cut yourself off from someone you longed to connect with because that person held views or did things that didn’t feel “pure” enough for you? Maybe their political convictions differed from, or weren’t quite as strong as, yours. Perhaps they lived life or behaved in a way that didn’t completely mesh with your standards and ethics.

Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with holding boundaries and having values. But there may be something wrong if you’re gripping them so rigidly that you feel miserable and lonely. If you constantly feel let down by others – if, out of a sense of disappointment, you cut yourself off from people you love and want to connect with – I would invite you to remember: You don’t have to be like God in Langston Hughes’ poem. You can choose to “come down” and seek connection with the people you’ve been distant from. (Obviously, you shouldn’t do this if approaching them will endanger or harm you.)

When we move toward people we’ve distanced ourselves from, we don’t have to become just like them; we don’t have to take on their views, or approve and emulate their behaviors. We simply need to give them space to be themselves and accept them as Children of God, even if we don’t fully understand them.

Each time we move toward others with an open, loving stance, we ease a little bit of the loneliness in the world … and we may even come into contact with God, for I believe that the god in Hughes’ poem did finally decide to step down off of the heavenly throne and experience love and connection. If that’s the case, and God is here, on earth, we can never tell where we will meet the perfect, holy Source of Love. It is anywhere and everywhere.

I’ve got my heart open and my eyes peeled for God. You keep yours peeled, too. (It’s like a giant game of ‘Where’s Waldo” – only better!). 

In faith,

Rev. Alyssa

PS: Happy Black History Month, and happy birthday, Langston Hughes! (Both occasions are celebrated and commemorated on February 1.)

Lent Begins This Month

Ash Wednesday is February 22

Sunday School Will Start on February 26

It’s hard to believe, but Lent begins this month! Even though we’ve just celebrated Jesus’ birth, we’ll soon tag along as he walks the road to Jerusalem and Easter. Here at Woodfords, we’re working on gathering some great resources for enriching your own Lenten journey. We will share more information in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, here are two important February dates for your calendars.

• February 22 – Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. See the following story for more information about how we’ll celebrate this occasion at Woodfords.

• February 26 – First day of Sunday School. We’ve got a great team of teachers getting ready to go. During Lent, Sunday School will focus on different stories of Jesus’ ministry. After the great success of Advent Sunday School, Lent will offer even more opportunities for kiddos to have fun learning about Jesus and God’s love. All children are invited, including those whose families are not church members or regular worship participants. Invite kids you care about. It will be fun!

Upcoming Events - Ash Wednesday

February 22, Ash Wednesday

Two Events to Mark the Beginning of Lent

In the Christian tradition, February 22 marks Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent—a six-week season of introspection that provides time to contemplate one’s life and one’s relationship with the Divine. For approximately 1500 years, Ash Wednesday commemorations have included the imposition of ashes, which are used to mark ritual participants’ foreheads with the sign of the Cross. Traditionally, the act of imposing ashes has been accompanied by the words, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” For many people, this reminder of mortality and connection to the Earth promotes reflection upon how to live a life filled with goodness, significance, and meaning.

This year, Woodfords Congregational Church warmly invites you to two Ash Wednesday events:

In the Morning: Ashes and Coffee To Go

7:30 - 9:30 AM: Woodfords Congregational Church – Driveway

202 Woodford Street

Walk or drive into the church driveway between 7:30 and 9:30am to receive ashes and a blessing. We’ll happily provide coffee, as well. Bring your cup. We’ll fill it up.

This invitation is open to all. Swing by on your way to work or while out for your morning walk. It won’t take more than a few minutes. You don’t need to be affiliated with the church in any way. All you need is a desire to participate in a modern take on an age-old ritual.

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In the Evening: Ash Wednesday Service in the Chapel

7 pm Woodfords Congregational Church, Chapel

Join us for the imposition of ashes and a meditative service filled with prayer, music, and reflection.

Image credit:

Woman with ashes: Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash

Steaming coffee mug: gnokii, Open Clip Art

Woodfords 150th Anniversary

Ministers of Woodfords 1872-1945

When Woodfords church was first established in 1872, the pulpit was supplied with former pastors until March 22, 1875, when Rev. William A. Bosworth was installed as the first settled pastor for Woodfords Church.  He served Woodfords Church for five years and during his ministry, 73 new members joined the church.

During the next 75 years, many ministers graced our church. Some terms were shorter than five years while others stayed longer. Each left their mark on the church, increasing membership as they served. Linwood Pitman, church historian wrote: “Serving the longest pastorate in the first 50 years was Rev. Edwin P. Wilson, who was installed Feb. 23, 1988. During his nearly 17 years at Woodfords, membership increased by 390 and the church building was enlarged at a cost of $13,000. Mr. Wilson was credited with giving new impetus to the growth of the church.”

Rev Edwin P. Wilson

Rev Daniel I Gross

As the years progressed, the size of the church increased due to many factors including many “new families born of World War I marriages”, as well as those seeking spiritual needs and community. Rev. Dr. Daniel Gross was the beloved minister for this period (1918-1931) who oversaw the building of the Parish House and experienced church school membership at an all-time high. Because of this growth, the first associate minister for Woodfords church, Rev. Mr. Gregory, was hired. As Linwood Pitman wrote: “Dr. Gross is remembered by contemporary older Woodfords members as a dedicated cleric strongly devoted to youth and its leadership. Others recall his outreach and warmly expressed friendliness.” When Rev. Gross left, membership was more than 750 members.

When Rev. Gross left, Rev. Cornelius Clark began a 14-year career at Woodfords Church. He came during the effects of the Great Depression. The church had a sizable mortgage on the Parish house and the financial picture in Portland was gloomy. Nonetheless, Rev. Clark prevailed. As Pitman wrote: “His was no easy task, to keep the church solvent and its support virile during the tight squeeze of the early ‘30s. Not a few hitherto moderately sound churches slumped to near obscurity or closed their doors altogether under the stresses of the era. With forethought, prudence and determination, Dr. Clark led the faithful of his church through the trying days to firmer ground as the economy strengthened and war clouds dissipated, and the servicemen came home.”

Resources

Pitman, Linwood, One Hundred Years at Woodfords Congregational Church

Woodfords Church archives

Pam Meader

News From the Congregation

Meet our Latest Scholarship Recipient

Lee Edelblut is receiving a WCC one semester scholarship to support her in her Clinical Pastoral Education program at Duke University. You will remember Lee who was WCC’s pastoral intern during the summer of 2021. In her application, she says, “I was moved by the trust and respect given to me by the WCC community to teach and preach. It was a unique gift to be able to practice speaking out what I thought I heard God saying and to hear the ways that was received positively by the community while also receiving insight on how I might hone my own communication in order to let that message shine more clearly.”

This fall, Lee has been working in the restaurant industry and has found herself “ministering to co-workers in this often heartless and difficult industry.” We look forward to Lee’s return to Portland after her CPE program and to following her on her path toward ordination.  

The Politics of Church and State

Grant awarded to newcomer to Woodfords' congregation

Damon Mayrl is a Woodfords' neighbor and newcomer to the congregation. He is also an associate professor of sociology at Colby College. He recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the intersection of religion and government.

Last week he and a photographer from Colby used the Chapel for a photoshoot for the Colby article about the study and the grant.

The study is fascinating and the photos are beautiful!

Click below for the article.

Grant Fund - Woodfords Senior Programs

Caregiver’s Circle

“When one tugs on a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” John Muir

Woodfords Senior Program supports a monthly Caregiver’s Circle available to members of Woodfords Congregational Church and Williston-Immanuel United Church. If you are providing caregiving with a family member, an adult child, in your home, living away or long distance, being a caregiver brings many emotional, physical, and financial tolls on the most loving person. Confidentiality and respect for one another is key in supporting our journeys as caregivers. We discuss coping, resources, advocacy, and all aspects of being a caregiver.

We meet monthly on the second Wednesday of each month in the Woodfords dining room on the 1^st  floor from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.  Light refreshments are provided. If you would like to learn more or are interested in attending, please contact Rev. Charlotte Bell by email revcbell20@gmail.com, phone 603-582-0117.

Notices

Seeking Volunteers with Communications Experience

Help Us Share Woodfords With the Wider World

Do you have experience in advertising, marketing, public relations, journalism, writing, social media, or other communications-related fields? We are seeking 3-5 people who might like to serve on a low-stress communications team that helps Woodfords staff formulate and implement advertising/marketing plans and develop church publications. If you’ve got experience and are interested in helping Woodfords communicate to internal and external audiences as effectively as possible, please email Rev. Alyssa. We anticipate that this volunteer opportunity will not be overly time intensive.

HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY

Lynne England 02/02

Judy Swicker 02/03

Linda Mairs 02/03

Janie Young 02/06

Priscilla Hennessey 02/07

Vivian Brewer 02/08

Carol Juliano 02/08

Colton Nelson 02/09

Marilyn Winward 02/09

Beth McKeeman 02/10

Sue Ann Lord 02/10

Lana Johnson 02/10

Alex Nduwimana 02/11

Eva England 02/12

Zachary Nelson 02/14

Joan Strout 02/14

Stephen Smith-Erb 02/15

Joan Moore 02/16

Laura Carten 02/18

Sara Winward 02/19

Ann Babbitt 02/19

Matthew Rosengarten 02/22

Elaine Armstrong 02/24

Madison Hurley 02/25

Adrienne-Marie Wilson 02/25

HAPPY FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARY

Robert & Charlotte Cuzner 02/20 52 years

JUST IN CASE...WOODFORDS

SNOW POLICY

Sundays: a decision will be made by 7:00 am regarding the worship service.



A closing announcement will be posted on Facebook, our website (www.woodfordschurch.org), and on Channels 6, 8 and 13. 

Have Something on Your Mind?

Want to Talk about a Joy or Concern?

Have a Prayer Request?

If you would like to schedule time for a pastoral care conversation with Rev. Alyssa, do not hesitate to be in touch (alodewick@woodfordschurch.org). She would be happy to talk via Zoom or the phone, or to have an in-person visit.

Also, Alyssa is always open to receiving prayer requests. Drop her a line with a description of what you’d like her to pray for – and don’t forget to indicate if you would also like your prayer request to be added to the Woodfords prayer list. (Alyssa’s default is to consider all prayer requests she receives confidential, unless the requestor explicitly says otherwise.)