Announcing Hannah Christine

Another New Arrival: Congratulations Mariah and Chris Bowker!
Hannah Christine Bowker was born on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 6:24 PM in Mercy Hospital’s birthing area to Chris and Mariah Bowker. She weighed 8 Lbs 1 Oz., was 20 1/2 inches long and has lots of auburn hair like her mom. At 6 days old Hannah had a healthy appetite eating 2-3 ounces per feeding, and she's feeding every 2-3 hours per day. Chris reports he has been doing the Midnight and Two AM feedings, Mariah has been getting the 4 AM and 6 AM feedings. Hannah is a happy child... who finds people's faces extremely interesting. Dad says Hannah doesn't cry too much when he sings to her. Talk about a good disposition! Chris says Hannah is our very own beautiful blessing from God... and we just love and adore her! He thanks all the folks at Peoples and beyond for their prayers and support.

Thank you from the pastors!

Many thanks to Barbara Nelson and Becky Snoddy who very stealthily planned and organized the surprise baby shower (see article Shower of Blessings for Arrisons posted by Art Tordoff). And thanks to the thirty some folks who attended, and to the Morrisons and others who prepared food -- even a special cake made by Melinda Marston … out of diapers!

Alex will be one of the best dressed babies in South Portland now, with baby boy outfits, sleepers, gowns, onsies, sweaters, hats and booties, plus towels, bibs, diapers and many other essentials for babyhood.

Thank you also to all who knitted a square for the blue and white patchwork baby blanket (see photo in Art Tordoff’s post) – what a special gift from Alex’s church family. Another incredibly special gift was a beautiful shawl given by the prayer shawl ministry (rumor has it Linda Wade crafted this one!) as a sign of the blessings and prayers that this child is being bathed in by his church family (see photo).

Meal Ministry

The pastors also thank the Peoples meals ministry, and Barbara Nelson for her work coordinating this ministry. For those first few days back from the hospital it was really wonderful to receive home cooked dinners at our doorstep, with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day too! Thank you to those who prepared meals for us: Barbara & Tom Nelson, Dan & Ruth Doughty, and Brad & Betsy Morrison.

And thank you to all of the folks who have volunteered to make meals when there is a need. And if you are ever in need (even if you are usually the one making the meals!), perhaps coming home after a surgery or are having other health issues, please help Barbara out by letting her know whether some meals for a few days would be helpful. And if meals are offered to you, please don’t hesitate to accept the offer; for many of us it is easier to give than to receive but we sometimes need to grow spiritually by allowing others to serve and help us, and it is certainly a blessing for those who are called to serve.

Childcare Ministry

The pastors are especially grateful to Susan Angell who stayed with Faith and Dena three nights so Jamie could be with Gwyneth in the hospital, and to Karen Jennings, a newcomer to Peoples with three small children of her own. The kids didn’t stop talking about how much they loved the time they had together with Susan, and the feeling was mutual. And Karen was very helpful in transporting the kids to and from school, having to shift car seats and receive help of her own to get everyone where they needed to go! Faith enjoyed playing with Karen’s two older children, Kelty and Kallie, too. And thank you also to all those who agreed to be on our "call list" even if you weren't called!

Since the pastors have no family in the area, this was a true example of how the church really IS family. We trust that our children are not just part of the church but are brought up as members of the family raised and cared for by the community of faith.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!
Gwyneth & Jamie
Faith, Dena and Alex

Milestone Birthday for Bette

Joining the corps of Nonogenarians at Peoples on Thursday, January 11, 2007 will be Bette McGouldrick. Congratulations! An Open House was held on her behalf at her Higgins Beach home on Sunday, January 7. Family members were joined by many friends from the Higgins Beach community, Peoples church and many other connections as well.

Many of the folks who dined
on a beautiful 90th birthday cake were able to spend some time on the beach, talking with the guests or just sitting and mezmerized by Bette's recall of past events that would have involved any of the visitors that came to greet her.

At the following website through January 11 you will find a variety of past pictures that feature Bette and her sisters, Belle Graney and Henty LaRou. www.higginsbeachwebcam.com. Ince the site is open click on the Web Cam next to the picture. That should lead you to a sspecial feature on Bette.

Shower of Blessings for the Arrisons

On a sunny and unbelievably mild Sunday, January 7, many of the women of the church and a couple of men celebrated the birth of Alexandrew Arrison by giving a Baby Shower for Gwyneth, Jamie, Faith, Dena and the baby in Ellis Hall after the morning church service. Gwyneth was totally surprised as she and Alexandrew came direct from Mercy Hospital to church and then the shower.

After a delicious brunch, a number of gifts were opened, including the gift of a blanket that was made from several individual baby blue and white squares that had been knit by several of Peoples people. Pictured are Elaine Rogers, Barbara Nelson, Janice Huelin, Sharon Obie, Betsy Morrison, Marlene Tordoff, Kathy Brann, Claralee Street, Ellen Dunn, Betty Spletttstoesser, Sue Angell and Becky Snoddy. Other knitters included Merrill and Pat Kaiser, Nancy Greer, Pam Beal, Belle Graney, Bonnie Brown, Linda Wade and Samantha Foote. The blanket was crocheted together by the nimble hands of Marlene Tordoff.

New Addition to the Family

The pastors' baby has arrived! Alex (Alexandrew Child Arrison) was born on January 3 at 7:02pm. He weighed 7lb 9oz and was 20.5in long. Here are some hospital photos where he was born.

Happy New Year!

Close to thirty people celebrated the New Year at Peoples Church, and all seemed to have a great time! ... great food and ice cream sundays, fun games, memories sharing with lots of photos, singing, and more singing! The evening closed with worship led by Pastor Jamie using the Covenant Service in the Wesleyan Tradition that glorified our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reminded the 12 remaining worshippers of our true priorities for 2007.