Revival Sponsored by Casco Bay Cluster
One of the most exciting religious experiences to grace our area in a long time will take place at Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough on Saturday, October 6 from Noon to 6 PM. In the making for nearly two years and originated by Pastor David Calhoun formerly of the West Scarborough Methodist Church, the Revival will be an afternoon of inspiring music and inspirational messages. The keynote address will be given by Bishop Peter Weaver later in the afternoon. All local churches are encouraged to get out the word and to "bring someone". If all of the area churches and those that we know are coming from "away" the event should be a resounding success as an instrument for the Lord's message.
We are still looking for folks who will be willing to serve as parking attendants, ushers and children's activities workers. Along with that both pastoral and lay leadership to serve as prayer and spiritual counselors are still being sought.
If you are able to assist in this endeavor please get in touch with the leadership through the website www.hoperevival.peoplesumc.com . David and of Elm StreetUMC and BuxtonUMC
and Kate Nicol of Clark Memorial UMC have taken the reigns of leadership from Pastor Calhoun and are ably assisted by many other local Pastors and Lay People. You may also check at your local Methodist Church about assisting.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
SHAWL MINISTRY IS BLESSED WITH A SPECIAL GUEST!
On Thursday, September 13, 2007, the Peoples UMC Shawl Ministry met in Ellis Hall with a delightful lady from Juba, Sudan. Her name is Margaret Salvatore. She presently is residing in Portland, ME with her son and his family. She hopes to return to her residence in Sudan in December if she gets the approval of her physician.
I met Margaret when she was my mother’s roommate at Mercy Hospital in July. During my visits to see my mother, we talked about our families, our cultures and our faith. One day we talked about our hobbies and crafts. I told her about our Shawl Ministry. She immediately said, "I come and share my crafts and patterns."
She arrived last evening with a beautiful smile on her face and was greeted by Wealthy Harvey, Pat Kaiser, Janice Huelin, Susan Angell, Kathy Brann, Chris Ward, Sally Seidl, Betty Smith and Marlene Tordoff. Sally Smith met her when she came to pick up Betty.
Everyone was amazed as Margaret asked for yarn and a crochet hook and proceeded to copy the pattern of a baby blanket by looking at the blanket not a written pattern. Her patterns are in her head!
As Margaret was leaving, we were pleasantly surprised when she asked when we would meet again and said, "I’ll be back!"
We are looking forward to our next meeting on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00p.m. in Ellis Hall. Come and join us for a delightful evening with our sister in Christ, Margaret Salvatore.
Blessings,
Marlene Tordoff
P.S. I had a camera and forgot to take a picture. I'll try to do better next month.
I met Margaret when she was my mother’s roommate at Mercy Hospital in July. During my visits to see my mother, we talked about our families, our cultures and our faith. One day we talked about our hobbies and crafts. I told her about our Shawl Ministry. She immediately said, "I come and share my crafts and patterns."
She arrived last evening with a beautiful smile on her face and was greeted by Wealthy Harvey, Pat Kaiser, Janice Huelin, Susan Angell, Kathy Brann, Chris Ward, Sally Seidl, Betty Smith and Marlene Tordoff. Sally Smith met her when she came to pick up Betty.
Everyone was amazed as Margaret asked for yarn and a crochet hook and proceeded to copy the pattern of a baby blanket by looking at the blanket not a written pattern. Her patterns are in her head!
As Margaret was leaving, we were pleasantly surprised when she asked when we would meet again and said, "I’ll be back!"
We are looking forward to our next meeting on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00p.m. in Ellis Hall. Come and join us for a delightful evening with our sister in Christ, Margaret Salvatore.
Blessings,
Marlene Tordoff
P.S. I had a camera and forgot to take a picture. I'll try to do better next month.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Children of God
I received an email the other day from a high school friend with photos of her 13 month old. He's just begun to walk without holding his mom's hand. These photos reminded me of our little Alex, who has just begun to crawl and "cruise" and is going through his "solid" foods at an incredible rate now. It's so exciting to watch our children grow. Others in our congregation have seen their children graduate from high school or college, land their first job, marry the love of their lives and have children of their own. Some do not have children of their own, but have cared for others as if they were their own children. How proud we are of our children as we watch them grow through each stage of life!
It occured to me as I admire my daughters and son, how much more our Father in Heaven admires us as we grow in faith and love, as we grow into mature Christians in the image of his Son, Jesus. But just as our children grow strong in part from hardships, for instance falling down while learning to walk, we also as children of God gain maturity through hardships.
Paul says in the book of Romans: We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5
The next time you admire the growth of a child, remember that growth does not come easily. But with the help of a loving parent or other caregivers, our children gain victory over each hurdle they encounter. How much more does our loving heavenly Parent help us to gain victory through our journey of faith?
It occured to me as I admire my daughters and son, how much more our Father in Heaven admires us as we grow in faith and love, as we grow into mature Christians in the image of his Son, Jesus. But just as our children grow strong in part from hardships, for instance falling down while learning to walk, we also as children of God gain maturity through hardships.
Paul says in the book of Romans: We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5
The next time you admire the growth of a child, remember that growth does not come easily. But with the help of a loving parent or other caregivers, our children gain victory over each hurdle they encounter. How much more does our loving heavenly Parent help us to gain victory through our journey of faith?
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Back into the Swing Fall 2007
The Fall schedule has begun! Here are a few reminders. For locations please go to the church calendar link.
SUNDAYS
Adult Sunday School 9am
Coffee Fellowship 10am
Junior Choir Rehearsal 10am
Worship 10:30am
Kids Sunday School (beginning September 23 during worship)
OTHER WEEKLY EVENTS
Walking group Mondays & Wednesdays 5:30pm, Saturdays 8:00am
Prayer Service Wednesdays 7:00pm
Junior Choir Rehearsals Thursdays 3:30pm
MONTHLY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Neighborhood Ministries 1st Tuesday 2pm (not meeting in September)
Discipleship / Missions / Nurture 1st Tuesday 6pm
Staff Parish Relations Committee 1st Tuesday 7pm
Worship Committee 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Finance Committee 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Church Council 2nd Tuesday 7:30pm
Prayer Shawl and Craft Ministry 2nd Thursday 7:00pm
Men's Breakfast 2nd Saturday 7:30am
Ushers Meeting 2nd Saturday 8:45am
Bean Supper 3rd Saturday 5:00pm
United Methodist Women 3rd Tuesday 6pm (not meeting in September)
Trustees 4th Tuesday 7:00pm
Still up in the air for scheduling ...
Youth Group (trying to find a night that works)
Senior Choir (in limbo until a Music Director is found)
SUNDAYS
Adult Sunday School 9am
Coffee Fellowship 10am
Junior Choir Rehearsal 10am
Worship 10:30am
Kids Sunday School (beginning September 23 during worship)
OTHER WEEKLY EVENTS
Walking group Mondays & Wednesdays 5:30pm, Saturdays 8:00am
Prayer Service Wednesdays 7:00pm
Junior Choir Rehearsals Thursdays 3:30pm
MONTHLY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Neighborhood Ministries 1st Tuesday 2pm (not meeting in September)
Discipleship / Missions / Nurture 1st Tuesday 6pm
Staff Parish Relations Committee 1st Tuesday 7pm
Worship Committee 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Finance Committee 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Church Council 2nd Tuesday 7:30pm
Prayer Shawl and Craft Ministry 2nd Thursday 7:00pm
Men's Breakfast 2nd Saturday 7:30am
Ushers Meeting 2nd Saturday 8:45am
Bean Supper 3rd Saturday 5:00pm
United Methodist Women 3rd Tuesday 6pm (not meeting in September)
Trustees 4th Tuesday 7:00pm
Still up in the air for scheduling ...
Youth Group (trying to find a night that works)
Senior Choir (in limbo until a Music Director is found)
Exciting Changes for Kids Sunday School
As many of you know, Rosemary Herd has stepped down after many faithful years serving as Sunday School Superintendent. And Linda Wade also after 20 years of service is stepping down from Sunday School leadership. How does one thank such a faithful servants who love our children so much? But we do offer thanks to God for you. And the kids most of all!
Andy Folley has agreed to step up to fill the superintendent role, and has some exciting changes in mind. The biggest change is the proposal for the kids Sunday School to meet during worship. The kids will begin in worship and then go down to Sunday School after the children's message. One of the main reasons for this change is that some of the parents feel that the length of time between Sunday School, Coffee Fellowship/Choir Rehearsal and Worship is too long for the little ones. The proposal is to try this schedule for one year and then reevaluate.
An exciting new curriculum will be used called David C. Cook, and kids will be broken into groups so they are learning among peers their own age. These include: The Lambs preschool group for ages 2-4 (meeting in the nursery), The Kangaroos lower elementary school group for ages 4-7, and The Lions upper elementary school group for ages 7-11. Currently we have not purchased a middle school curriclum but hope to begin weekly youth group with a learning component for ages 11-14.
The curriclum is broken into 4 week units, and teachers and aides will be scheduled for each unit. One issue that the pastors have raised with the new schedule is that the kids need opportunities to learn about and experience what it means to worship God. Ideas are forming around how Communion Sundays may provide an opportunity to break from the normal routine, either with the kids worshipping together downstairs or remaining in the Sanctuary with the whole congregation. These ideas would also allow teachers to be in worship regularly and not miss Communion. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Please invite friends and family with children 2-11 to try out Sunday School. And most importantly, please be praying for our children, teachers and the whole Sunday School program. Kids Sunday School will start up on September 23. Teachers for the first unit will include Andy Folley (Lions), Teresa Folley (Kangaroos) and Karen Jennings (Lambs).
Andy Folley has agreed to step up to fill the superintendent role, and has some exciting changes in mind. The biggest change is the proposal for the kids Sunday School to meet during worship. The kids will begin in worship and then go down to Sunday School after the children's message. One of the main reasons for this change is that some of the parents feel that the length of time between Sunday School, Coffee Fellowship/Choir Rehearsal and Worship is too long for the little ones. The proposal is to try this schedule for one year and then reevaluate.
An exciting new curriculum will be used called David C. Cook, and kids will be broken into groups so they are learning among peers their own age. These include: The Lambs preschool group for ages 2-4 (meeting in the nursery), The Kangaroos lower elementary school group for ages 4-7, and The Lions upper elementary school group for ages 7-11. Currently we have not purchased a middle school curriclum but hope to begin weekly youth group with a learning component for ages 11-14.
The curriclum is broken into 4 week units, and teachers and aides will be scheduled for each unit. One issue that the pastors have raised with the new schedule is that the kids need opportunities to learn about and experience what it means to worship God. Ideas are forming around how Communion Sundays may provide an opportunity to break from the normal routine, either with the kids worshipping together downstairs or remaining in the Sanctuary with the whole congregation. These ideas would also allow teachers to be in worship regularly and not miss Communion. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Please invite friends and family with children 2-11 to try out Sunday School. And most importantly, please be praying for our children, teachers and the whole Sunday School program. Kids Sunday School will start up on September 23. Teachers for the first unit will include Andy Folley (Lions), Teresa Folley (Kangaroos) and Karen Jennings (Lambs).
Music Anyone?
As everyone knows, Dr. Malcolm Cass can never be replaced (see article below). However, as we have begun our search for an organist, pianist or keyboardist, we have had almost no response to the ads in the Sunday Telegram, postings at colleges with music departments, emails to music teachers, posting on Craigs List or networking among clergy. But God has a plan! Please keep your eyes and ears out for anyone you know of with musical gifts who might be able to help in this interim period, or someone interested in the full time position. Above all, we ask for your prayers for God's vision and guidance of our future music ministry. Thank you!
Three Methodist Clergy Couples!
We welcomed the third clergy couple with young children into the United Methodist Church in the Greater Portland area this summer! As of July 1, 2007, Sara and Allen Ewing-Merrill are the new co-pastors at Chestnut Street UMC in Portland, which is essentially a new church plant in an urban setting, although there is a small remnant of the original congregation meeting on Sundays. We are very excited about the potential outreach with this new ministry and hope to rally support from Peoples to be in ministry together with them in the near future. Sara and Allen have a little girl who is just one. Kate and David Nicol are the other United Methodist Clergy couple in the area, serving Elm St, Buxton and Clark Memorial UMCs. They also have a little boy who is three months.
Happy 50th to the Harveys!
Earle and Wealthy have celebrated 50 years together, and their son Lew threw them a terrific party at church on Saturday 9/1! Great fun and great fellowship.
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