Creating community, championing justice and growing with God.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 4, 2022
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Prayer List
Our prayer list is here to help.
Please pray for:
Joan Strout, Debbie Hayden, Ginnie Toner, Edna Cushing, Bob Stewart, Constance (Connie) Cushman, Rebecca Allen, Cecil Jones, Carol Chadbourne, Fran S’s sister Breed and Breed’s family, and Jim Fletcher.
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An Update on Rev. Jim
At the end of June, we shared the news that Rev. Jim, who served as the church’s elder chaplain and was a beloved member of the Woodfords community for many years before his 2020 retirement, had been hospitalized. After being released from the hospital, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for some additional recuperation and rest. Earlier this week, we heard from his wife, Paula, who has asked us to share the news that he is now “at home and doing pretty well.” We invite everyone to continue to hold Jim, Paula, and their beloved family close in spirit. May God’s comfort continue to surround all of them.
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Join Us at 10am on Sunday for Hybrid Worship
Communion will be served
On Sunday, Woodfords will host a 10am hybrid worship service. Communion will be served. If you would like to participate from home, please have some bread and your favorite Communion beverage handy.
As a reminder, hybrid worship means that you may attend the 10am in-person service in the sanctuary, or you may tune in at 10am on your computer, phone, or tablet to watch a live-stream of the service.
Because the CDC currently lists levels of COVID-19 community spread in Cumberland County as low, masks for in-person worship are optional. If you are not fully vaccinated and boostered, have health concerns, and/or are not feeling well, we encourage you to join us by livestream. Together, we can help safeguard the health of all and help keep COVID trends moving in the right direction!
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***TODAY***
Quilting Bee!
Attention quilters and sewers!
Thursday, August 4th & 11th
Now that the squares for the 150th Anniversary Quilt are made, it’s time to start assembling the quilt.
Please join us August 4th from 10 am until noon in the conference room on the second floor.
Thank you and I hope to see you there!
Jean Koster
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***Coming up Friday August 5***
WOODFORDS SENIOR PROGRAM PICNIC
at Roberta Barker's camp
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150th Anniversary Survey Needs You!
Relaxing on summer break? Need a quick, yet meaningful activity? The 150th committee is hoping you can fill out a brief survey (link below) where you can share your favorite memories and your hopes for Woodfords future.
Especially needed are 3 words you would use to describe Woodfords to others and your memories. These will be used to create a Giant Wordcloud to be shared at a later celebration. The more words the better!
Thank you from Pam Meader and the 150th Committee
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Did You Know?
On August 6, 1973 Rev. Bill Irish began his service at Woodfords Church. He served Woodfords for 18 years, retiring in 1991.
Submitted by Jean Koster
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Worship Visioning Team – Please sign Up by August 14
Rev. Alyssa is gathering a “Worship Visioning Team” to help explore (a) what future worship opportunities might be like (in terms of content and style) at Woodfords, and (b) how Woodfords’ sanctuary and chapel might best support a variety of worship styles and spiritual needs. See the Beacon and Alyssa’s Friday worship newsletter for more details.
If you’re interested in providing feedback and input into Woodfords’ future worship and worship spaces, please be in touch with Rev. Alyssa (alodewick@woodfordschurch.org) by August 15. You’ll be able to participate in this visioning team as much as you are able. Once Rev. Alyssa has received the names of folks who would like to help, she will schedule an initial get-together in September, and we will go from there.
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Tuesday Chair Yoga to Continue in the Summer Months (through Zoom)!
We are happy to announce that the Tuesday Chair Yoga instruction will continue through the summer months. We meet on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11. Would you like the chance to practice a low impact yoga class every week with a wonderful teacher, Birdie Fertig? Thanks to the Woodfords Senior Program, it is a free activity open to all those 65 and older. Please consider joining us.
Click on the Zoom link below to participate...
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Summer Theology Book Club
August 10 at 7pm by Zoom
Brian D. McLaren’s Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned
About the Book
Picking up where Faith After Doubt leaves off, Do I Stay Christian? Is not McLaren’s attempt to persuade Christians to dig in their heels or run for the exit. Instead, he combines his own experience with that of thousands of people who have confided in him over the years to help readers make a responsible, honest, ethical decision about their religious identity.
There is a way to say both yes and no to the question of staying Christian, McLaren says, by shifting the focus from whether we stay Christian to how we stay human. If Do I Stay Christian? Is the question you’re asking—or if it’s a question that someone you love is asking—this is the book you’ve been waiting for.
Link to more information:
Zoom Information
Join via computer, phone, or tablet:
Meeting ID: 864 8996 8411
Dial in by phone:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 864 8996 8411
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Tri-Church Orchard Visit and Evening Stargazing
August 12
Orchard Ridge Farm in Gorham
$5 per person
Calling all kids, families, and folks of all ages who are looking for a fun way to spend a Friday evening. Orchard Ridge Farm in Gorham has invited all of us to a special night of farm-time and stargazing. There will be dinner to buy, apple or blueberry picking, farm store offerings like honey, farm fresh eggs, homemade pies & crafts (and more!), farm animals to visit with, and beautiful spots to watch the sunset and stargaze. Open hours will last from 6-10pm or so.
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***Don't Forget to RSVP for***
A Woodfords 150th Anniversary Event:
An Old-Fashioned Picnic and Band Concert
Sunday, August 14, on the Woodfords Church lawn (rain or shine)
Morning worship at 10am
Lunch will begin after the church service
Concert will begin at noon
So we know how much food to buy, please RSVP by Aug. 6 to the CC team at creatingcommunity@woodfordschurch.org or call the Church Office. If you would like to bring cookies or bars to share, please let us know that as well.
The event will feature a music program by the Bridgton Community Band. The band is one of the few true remaining community bands in the state. Musicians from Bridgton and the greater Lakes Region area present several free concerts throughout the summer at the town bandstand. Their repertoire includes everything from rousing marches to classical and pops pieces. The band is under the direction of Steven B. Sweetsir, who is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and has a Master of Music degree from Ithaca College. He has conducted and participated in numerous band ensembles in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maine.
We invite church members, families and friends to bring their own chairs and/or blankets and enjoy the festivities.
The Creating Community team will supply hot dogs, chips and Sno-Cones.
This concert program is supported by the Woodfords Church Special Music Fund.
For more information about the concert, contact Paul at music@woodfordschurch,org.
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Want to help with the Women’s Retreat?
September 30 – October 2
Registration Opens Soon!
The WCC women’s retreat will take place September 30 through October 2. We’ll once again gather at the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford Pool for a time of relaxation, connection, and fun. This retreat is for all women of the church of whatever age. So save the date: Sept 30 later afternoon through October 2 after our worship.
If you would like to be on the committee to plan this great event, let Alyssa know (alodewick@woodfordschurch.org). Also, please know that we’d be happy to hear from you even if you can only help with part of the event. For example, perhaps you’d be interested in
- writing an article for the Beacon or weekly announcements to encourage others to come
- helping the Sisters with signing in on Friday afternoon
- organizing the altar
- offering opening circle inspiration
- coming up with a get-to-know-you icebreaker or activity
- teaching a skill or craft to others
Many hands make light work! Finally, if you’ve got suggestions for this year’s retreat, Alyssa will happily gather those, as well. (Should we have more, or less, free time? Do you have a great idea for a movie?)
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Podcast Discussion Group Will Return in September
Woodfords’ podcast discussion group, which typically takes place on the fourth Thursday of the month, is taking a hiatus in August, but we’ll return in September for a robust set of discussions. See you then!
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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 set up a 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.)
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Interested in Joining Woodfords?
If you would like to learn more about joining Woodfords and becoming an official member of our church community, Rev. Alyssa would love to hear from you ( alodewick@woodfordschurch.org). Through low-key, no-pressure conversation, she can tell you more about what “membership” means and answer any questions you might have. New to religion? Just getting to know Christianity? Never been a member of a church before? Have no worries! You may be a cradle-born member of the UCC, or you may be discerning how you feel about organized religion. Either way, we value you and understand that our community would be at a loss without you. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, Woodfords welcomes you!
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At-Home Communion
If you would like to receive in-person Communion and reside in a location where you can receive visitors, please send Alyssa an email (alodewick@woodfordschurch.org), and we will work to schedule a time for you to receive the sacrament in upcoming weeks.
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Woodfords’ Current COVID Policies
At the time of this writing, data collected by the CDC is indicating low levels of COVID-19 community spread in Cumberland County. Masks are therefore optional. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust mask policies accordingly. In the meantime, we strongly urge everyone to mask up, for their own safety as well as for the protection of the wider community.
When making decisions about masking (and vaccination), we encourage individuals to consider federal, state, and local health authorities’ guidance and to follow the advice of their own medical practitioners. If you are not fully vaccinated and boostered, have health concerns, and/or are not feeling well, we encourage you to participate remotely in Woodfords events and take good care of yourself. Together, we can help safeguard the health of all and help keep COVID trends moving in the right direction!
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Staff Email Addresses & Extensions
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WOODFORDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
t: 207-774-8243
www.woodfordschurch.org
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