Serving the Poor

What a blessing it was to serve with compassion those in our Portland area in need. Have you served at the soup kitchen before? If not, come on out and give it a try. We could use a lot more helpers! Peoples next serves there December 30, and every 5th Wednesday of the month.

For some more photos go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=145502&id=148046372078

Would YOU Write an Advent Meditation?

Submitted by Art Tordoff:

There has been a long tradition at Peoples of folks from the church writing meditations about an experience of God which are then compiled into a daily devotional guide to be used during Advent. The Advent season begins on November 29. If you had a meditation prepared last year that wasn't submitted, or would like to write one for this year, please get these to Art Tordoff, preferably by the end of October. The last date to submit will be November 15. It would also be helpful to let Art know if you plan to write one if you think you might procrastinate the actual writing! You may contact Art at 799-6222 or atordof1@maine.rr.com Click here for a sample devotion by Art Tordoff. Booklets will be distributed November 29. Thank you.

Stewardship in November

Jesus said: I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. -- John 15:5 5

Please join us in the first three weeks of November as we gather together our fruits of ministry as those connected to the Vine.

Consecration Sunday on November 15 will be a wonderful opportunity to offer our promised giving for the new year as our first fruits.

Reminder - No Sunday School Oct 11

Due to the Columbus Day holiday, there will be no kids Sunday School on October 11. Children may go to nursery or remain in worship.

Join Us For a Mystery Ride!

Submitted by Ruth Doughty


Please plan to join us for Peoples Church Fall Mystery Ride on Sunday, October 25. Dress warm, pack a picnic lunch, a blanket and/or chairs and meet in Ellis Hall following morning worship. You will be given a set of questions to answer and directions to follow as we make our way to the mystery destination. Prizes will be awarded to those who answer the most questions correctly and arrive in the allotted amount of time. Hope to see you there! Hosted by Dan and Ruth Doughty.

Wayside Soup Kitchen - Help Serve Sept 30

Peoples Church will be helping to serve at the Wayside Soup Kitchen this Wednesday, September 30. Please arrive around 5pm to help set up. Meal begins at 6pm. The soup kitchen is located at 252 Oxford Street (near the Portland Post Office). For questions or to arrange a carpool, please contact Tom Nelson at
799-6321.

Need Donations for Church Auction!

Submitted by Doreen Gay

Our annual fundraising auction of the church is on Friday, October 9th. The viewing begins at 6:00 pm along with "good eats" and the live auction begins at 7:00 pm. Would you please prayerfully consider attending, inviting a friend, donating an item, service or money, contacting a local business for a donation? Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please note, I must receive all donations by 10/6/09 for printing of the program

Golf Scramble This Saturday

Do you want to have fun and play golf at the same time? Peoples is sponsoring a golf scramble on October 3 at the S. Portland Municipal Golf Course. Entrance fee will be $35 / person. Tee times start at 8am. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments served at the church after the matches. Team captains are looking for golfers to complete their teams: Hank Dunn, Merrill Kaiser, Tom Nelson, Keith Snoddy, Art Tordoff, Fred Wade and Jamie Arrison.

Outside Work Day October 10

Submitted by Doreen Gay

We will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, October 10 doing general church yard cleanup and minor repairs. Please consider volunteering some time. The Trustees need your help. Thank you. Rain date October 17.
Doreen Gay, Trustee

Church Workshop and Seminars in Maine

Submitted from UMCatalyst to Peoples Church blog at www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com

Fall District Workshops Start Next Week
As we are being challenged to "Rethink Church" and to focus our congregation's energies outward into mission in our communities and world, the Conference staff will conduct a variety of practical workshops this fall to give local churches information and resources to help enhance and empower your mission work and experiences. All clergy and local church members are invited to attend!

Dates
Tuesday, September 29 -- Wesley UMC, Concord, NH
Wednesday, September 30 -- First UMC, Westfield, MA
Friday, October 2 -- Grant Memorial UMC, Presque Island, ME
Saturday, October 3 -- Peoples UMC, Baileyville, ME
Monday, October 5 -- First UMC, Littleton, NH
Tuesday, October 6 -- Osterville UMC, Osterville, MA
Thursday, October 8 -- Fisk UMC, Natick, MA
Wednesday, October 14 -- Eliot UMC, Eliot, ME
Saturday, October 31 -- Wakefield/Lynnfield UMC, Wakefield, MA

Agenda
Weekday Workshops:
6:30 pm - Gathering
6:45 pm - Worship
7:00 to 8:00 pm - Workshop choice 1
8:15 to 9:15 pm - Workshop choice 2

Saturday Workshops:
9:00 am - Gathering
9:30 am - Worship9:45 to 10:40 am - Workshop choice 1
10:45 to 11:45 am - Workshop choice 2

Workshop Offerings
There are 7 workshops*, each exploring a different aspect of Mission in a New Day. Each workshop will be offered twice during the evening, so participants can choose two of the offerings.
Visit www.neumc.org/newday for full workshop descriptions.

Doing What is Needed. Curtis Brown, Director of Congregational Development.
Connecting with Mission Resources. Alexx Wood, Director of Communications.
Being Mission: Deepening Discipleship Through Mission Experiences. Wanda Stahl, Director of Spiritual Formation.
As a Fire is Meant for Burning. James McPhee, Director of Connectional Ministries
Hands on Mission with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. David Stackpole or Howard McGlaufin, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
Youth and Young Adults in Mission. Lorraine Macpherson, Director, United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth - Northeast
Mission Opportunities at Mechuwana. Norman Thombs, Camp Director.

RegistrationAll clergy and laity are invited to attend! Registration is FREE. Visit www.neumc.org/newday for more information.

Cluster of Courses & Workshops for Church Leaders
Sponsored by the Jesse Lee ClusterOf the Mid Maine District United Methodist Church
Hosted by Green Street UMC 13 Green Street, Augusta, Maine
Saturday Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 2009
8:30 gathering worship, 9:00-1:00 class sessions (with fellowship break)

Beginning & Advanced Lay Speaking Courses(pre-registration required by Sept. 15 to receive books with first assignments)
Basic Course: Introduction to Lay Speaking
Youth Basic Course
Road Map for Bible Study (Advanced Course)
Daily Spiritual Disciplines (Advanced Course) Single Session Resource workshops: (no pre-registration)

Sept. 26: 9-1, Statistical Reports with Joy Mueller
Oct. 3: 9-11, Endowment strategies with Gary Melville
Oct. 10: 9-11, 11-1, Stewardship with Bonnie Marden Same Boat brainstorms (no pre-registration needed)
Sept. 26: 9-10:30, Church Secretaries & Administrators.
Oct. 3: 9-10:30, Mission and Outreach
Oct. 10: 9-10:30, Church Musicians

Lay Speaking Course Registrar: Ruth Cannon, 207-786-3929, ruthcannon@roadrunner.com For general information contact Sessions Dean, Heather Brown at (207) 445-2284, heathernbrown@hotmail.com Click here for flyer: Cluster Courses Fall 2009

New England Conference School of Christian Mission One-Day Event
Quincy Community UMC, Quincy, MA
Saturday, October 3, 2009 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Missed the 3-day School of Christian Mission? Never been before? Then this is for you! Choose one of the following options:
- A comprehensive study (six hours) on Sudan with Rev. Garvin Warden
- Children/Youth study on Food and Faith and Sudan with Cat Janson and staff
- A pot pourri (two hours each) of the three studies offered this year: Sudan, Food and Faith, and Native American Survival Rev. Garvin Warden, Rene Wilbur, and Pat Parent, Study Leaders

Click here for more information and registration materials. For more information contact Margaret Buckley, Registrar, at qcumc2@comcast.net or (617) 773-3319 or Rev. Barbara Schreier, Dean, at bstks@sbcglobal.net or (860) 928-0308

Mid Maine District Leadership Academy
Saturday, October 17, 2009
8:30 am to 3 pm
Pleasant Street UMC, Waterville, ME

Agenda for the Day8:30 to 9

Registration and coffee 9 to 9:30
Opening worship led by Pastor Tom Frey and the youth of the Dresden Richmond UMC
9:30 to 11 First workshop session
11:15 to Noon District Conference work
Noon to 1 PM Lunch
1 to 2:30 Second workshop session
2:45 to 3 Closing worship led by Rev. Beverly Stenmark, District Superintendent for the Mid Maine District.

A book table will be available and will offer books that supplement the workshops as well as other books of interest.

Workshops and Leaders
An Introduction to The Workshop Rotation Model for Sunday School - Jen Thibert, Sunday School Superintendent, Pleasant Street UMC in Waterville
Creativity in Worship - Rev. Karen Munson, Pastor, Readfield UMC
Me? A Leader? - Dick Babb, Auburn UMC is an educator and as a consultant in organization development.
TAPPING OUT A NEW ?TUNE? - District Lay Leaders, Betty Austin and Joni Gatcombe
Pastor Parish Relations Committees - District Superintendent, Beverly Stenmark
Committees and Prayerful Work - Margo Carmines
?Acts? of church transformation - Rev. Neil Gastonguay, Pastor Bath UMC
Equipping Ourselves to Transform the Workplace - Rev. Nancy Smith, pastor and author
Doing a Church Financial Audit - Les Davis a lay person from the Green Street UMC.
Christian Stewardship - Rev. Linda Campbell-Marshall, retired pastor and former District Superintendent of the former Central Maine District For Brochure with Workshop Descriptions and Additional Information, Click Here

Discernment on Personal Giving

Submitted from Faith & Money www.umfne.org to the Peoples Church blog at www.peoplesnews.blogspot.com

Maimonides Ladder

Maimonides, a 12th century Jewish scholar, invented this eight rung Ladder of Giving.

1. The Lowest: Giving begrudgingly, embarrassing the recipient.
2. Giving cheerfully but giving too little.
3. Giving cheerfully and adequately but only after being asked.
4. Giving before being asked.
5. Giving when you do not know who is benefiting,
but the recipient knows your identity.
6. Giving when you know who is benefiting, but the recipient does not know your identity.
7. Giving when neither the donor nor the recipient is aware of the other's identity.
8. The Highest: Giving money, a loan, your time or whatever else it takes to enable an individual to be self-reliant.

Note: The concept of giving anonymously without knowing the recipient traces back to ancient Israel. Beggars would regularly congregate next to a wall of a courtyard and donors, being aware of this, would face the opposite direction and toss coins over the shoulders in the direction of the wall. Therefore, the recipients of the charity would not feel ashamed or indebted to the giver. How bold are you in your giving? For more examples of each level, Click Here
Source: http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/eightrungs.html

Quotes

* When we give to God, we are just taking our hands off what already belongs to God.
* We should give according to our income, lest God make our income according to our giving.
* Two things ruin a church--loose living and tight giving.
* With the price of everything else going up these days, aren’t you glad the Lord hasn’t increased the tithe to 15%?
Source: www.kluth.org

Off to a Wonderful Start to the Fall

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison at http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/

The Sunday School has begun the year with over 20 youth, and is using PowerXpress curriculum which makes learning fun as kids learn the lesson through cooking, stories, games, music and other interative centers. All children age 3-11 are welcome. Please see our Sunday School link for more information.

Junior High Regional Youth Group

The regional Jr. High Youth Group will be meeting next Sunday, September 27 at 1pm, and every 2nd and 4th Sunday this Fall. We have been having a fantastic time with a great group of kids over the summer and are looking forward to more excitement through the year. If you know someone in Jr. High, please invite them to join us.

To see photos of some of the youth at the first event click here

New Jr./Sr. High Sunday School

There is a new Jr./Sr. High Sunday School which is meeting Sundays at 9am in Ellis Hall at Peoples. This is currently led by Pastor Jamie and would love to add some additional teachers or assistants. Youth in grades 6-12 are welcome. Come for discussion about life and God’s word.

Small Groups at Peoples

If you are not currently sharing in a small group or Bible study, there are several options available. Adult Sunday school is discussing “What’s So Amazing about Grace”. The Tuesday morning group is studying the book of Proverbs. There are new groups forming for financial planning, Bible study, Purpose Driven Life and perhaps another book study. Please contact the pastors to find where you can best connect.

New Hand bell Choir

Submitted by Debbie Cole, posted by Gwyneth Arrison on the Peoples Church blog at http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/

WANTED: Hand bell Ringers
Why: To start a hand bell choir
Who: Anyone 12 years old and older
When: Beginning Thursday September 24th from 6:00--7:00 pm

Please contact Debbie Cole if you are interested in being a part of this
new group. No experience is required, but I would greatly welcome anyone who has been a hand bell ringer in the past.Come be a part of this exciting new musical fellowship!

Partners in Ministry 9/17/09

Submitted by Bishop Pete Weaver, Posted by Pastor Gwyneth on the Peoples UMC Blog at www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com

Dear Partners in Ministry,

"MY LIFE FLOWS ON IN ENDLESS SONG, above earth's lamentations....Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?" I love this great old hymn by the nineteenth century preacher/poet Robert Lowry that is now in our "The Faith We Sing" hymnal (2212). I don't know about you, but it feels like we just started summer, but here we are "flowing" into fall. A huge maple tree down our street has already turned brilliant reds and yellows and created a crunchy, colorful carpet under foot where our dog and I sometimes walk....she looked up at me the other day with her toes tangled in leaves as if to say, "What is this....already???"
But our lives flow on. Out of summer into fall, out of renewing vacation into reenergized vocation, out of the past into the future. Beyond lamentations into celebrations. With the Lord of love how can we keeping from singing...and being glad to be partners in ministry.
Last Sunday, the lay leader of the church where I was preaching told the congregation that he was glad I had made it, because, lifting up the local paper, he noted that my picture and a little blurb about my coming was on the obituary page. I'm glad in Christ our lives flow on....no matter what!

"OH, WE LOVE OUR TIMES TOGETHER..." The congregation where I was preaching last Sunday was really two congregations: North Haverhill and Woodsville, N.H. They are doing great things and they are needed in their two different, but nearby communities. Ordinarily they worship in their two different communities, but they also "love their times together" as one woman put it. They do some mission projects together, share youth events, and worship together at various times through the year, as they did last week. The sanctuary was full that Sunday, and you should have heard the two choirs together...wow. The vitality, joy and vision to reach out into their larger area for Christ seemed to mutually lift both congregations as they are connected in the one Body of Christ and as the connected United Methodist witnesses in their region. It's great when our congregations find ways to bring&nbs p;their various gifts together, and to share their strengths as they serve their areas. Is there another church nearby that your congregation could be working with more closely.....and experiencing the joy of Christ even more richly?

HOW'S THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR COFFEE HOUR? At the Pastors’ Assembly this summer the Rev. Jack Johnson who is the Executive Director of the Mass. Council of Churches (and former D.S. from New Jersey) talked about the experience of visiting many different churches on Sundays in his position. The pastor often invites the congregation to a "coffee hour" (or fellowship time, or, as I heard in one church, a "chat and chew" time). Jack reported that the coffee may be warm, but the atmosphere of welcome is too often chilly or downright cold. Regular members of the congregation head for their friends and leave visitors standing alone...Oh well, if there's no one to chat with, chew a little more and head home. That "last impression" of a church is often what sticks with visitors....who rarely come back....unless they like being left out in the cold.
Make sure you intentionally have some people prepared to "greet" and get to know visitors after the service in these "fellowship" settings. They should be ready to introduce visitors to others in the congregation who may live near them or have the same profession or be around the same age. They should be able to talk about other programs and activities that the visitor might be interested in, as well as offer to show them around the church and point out pictures on a bulletin board or creative posters in the fellowship area that show activities of the congregation in the community (missions, youth activities, kids’ picnic, helping at a shelter, worship on the beach, etc.). Sensitize the whole congregation to welcoming visitors...."But, we're such a friendly church"...yea, to each other, but what about the stranger? Check the temperature of the welcome in your church.

A LAMENTATION: RACISM One of earth's deepest "lamentations," to use Robert Lowry's word again, is the persistent, pervasive sin of racism that is alive and well in many of our hearts, churches, communities and most recently exhibited in our body- politic. We have always had political disagreements in our democratic political processes, which can be healthy, but we have never had a member of congress shout "You Lie" at a President of the United States as he spoke to the Congress about a critical issue in our nation's life. I do not believe it would have happened had the President been white.
Racism happens in our lives when we believe we have the power to act out our prejudices....the power to breach civility....the power to keep others from moving into our neighborhood....the power to shun others who enter our church.
Last week I gathered with fifty or sixty other New England United Methodists for three days of reflecting on racism in ourselves and the systems we are a part of. The Council of Bishops has regularly addressed racism in our own ranks as well as the larger church and society. The first session on racism I remember being a part of was in 1958 when I was a freshmen in a highly diverse urban high school....and there have been many, many such times since. And every time I realize more about my own "white privilege" and power.....I find myself with confessions from my own heart and for our own church....and I experience the blessing of God's grace that keeps me growing...and making new commitments to be a part of ending racism. For, like you I hope, I truly do want to "love my neighbor as I love myself," "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me," and to " ;do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." This is not just a political matter, it is a profoundly spiritual matter.
Again and again, I have learned that each of us has our own personal work to do, and we have the calling from God to confront racism in every form around us....be it in systems, jokes, schools, housing, our politics, etc. And we have the ability to influence others and invite them into this ongoing journey, until lamentations turn to celebrations.
I hope that you are having these discussions in your church, with family and friends. Let God lead us to be the people and church and community that reflect God's will done on earth, even as it is in heaven!

Grace and Peace,

Pete

New Walk-In Office Hours for Peoples Church

Submitted by Pastor Gwyneth at the Peoples Church Blog at http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/

The pastors at Peoples have new office hours this Fall. Please feel free to drop in to see us. These hours will be as follows (except holidays):

Mondays 4-6pm Pastor Jamie
Wednesdays 9-11am Pastor Gwyneth

You can reach us by email or phone to set up an appointment if these times are not convenient. Our church phone is 799-6814 Our emails are as follows: Pastor Jamie: jamie@peoplesumc.com Pastor Gwyneth: gwyneth@peoplesumc.com Both Pastors: thearrisons@peoplesumc.com (Please note, the emails of pastorgwyneth and pastorjamie were deleted several years ago - please make sure your email groups and address book are updated).

Community Suppers Are Back at Peoples!

The Peoples UMC invites you to attend the first community supper of the year on Saturday, September 19. The dinner begins with a blessing at 5pm. The price is $7/individual or $16 per family, a great deal considering the wonderful homemade dishes and desserts, and a chance to meet others in the community.

If you are part of the Peoples family, all help is welcome to make this monthly event a great success. We need cassaroles and pies, we need volunteers to help in the kitchen and serving tables, help in set up and clean up. Above all, bring your smile and prepare to have a great time!

Dinners are held the 3rd Saturday of every month during the school year. For questions, please contact Chris Ward at 767-2516.

Carnival welcomed many from community

There haven't been horses outside the front door of Peoples United Methodist Church since its founding, but on Saturday, September 13 there were several, giving rides to a continuous line of children from 10am to 2pm. Hearts and Horses Farm in Buxton brought a pair of ponies for the day, and also promoted their primary mission of therepeutic riding for those with handicaps. In addition to ponies, this year's carnival brought the South Portland Fire Department, who brought a truck and let kids climb around inside. Outside volunteers made popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs, all served fresh ... and free of charge.

Inside the activities included three puppet shows shown throughout the carnival, complete with a brand new puppet stage. The puppet show on the story of Creation brought many laughs and some learning too. The Sunday School brought in a large display of pictures and information to hand out to many prospective kids and parents. Games such as indoor golf, ducks in the water, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and "fishers of people" were very popular. In addition, the craft ministry drew the attention of many kids.

Another highlight of the carnival was face painting, and some of the teens and even littler ones enjoyed a hand at painting some faces as well. Others brought in displays of how Peoples people are making a difference, such as the prayer shawl ministry, choir, and Pastor Gwyneth's mission to Nicaragua.

Many thanks to the Church Life Committee for heading up this fun event, and for all of the volunteers who helped set up, staff and take down!

For a photo album of the event, go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=140167&id=148046372078&ref=mf

Worship Time Changes Next Sunday, Sept 13

The worship schedule will change for the school year beginning September 13. The schedule will be as follows: Adult Sunday School at 9am in the Parlor, Coffee Fellowship in the Vestry at 10am, Choir Rehearsal at 10am in the Sanctuary, Worship at 10:30am with kids leaving from worship to attend children's Sunday School. All are welcome. Who will you invite? Offer to give them a ride!

Heads up for September Schedule Committee meetings & other regular ministries start up in September. SPRC meets 1st Tuesday 7pm, Finance & Worship 2nd Tuesday 6:15pm, Church Council 2nd Tuesday 7:30pm, Church Life 3rd Tuesday 7pm, Trustees 4th Tuesday 7pm. Bean Suppers 3rd Saturdays 5pm Prayer Shawl & Craft Ministry: 2nd Thursdays 7pm Men’s Breakfasts: 2nd Saturdays 7:30am Archives Meetings: 5th Tuesdays 7pm Wayside Soup Kitchen: 5th Wednesdays 5pm Prayer Services: Wednesdays 7pm Senior Choir Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7pm & Sundays 10am

Church Carnival and Fair

This coming Saturday, September 12 10am-2pm, Peoples is hosting a carnival for the community. Food, games, puppet shows, music, and displays on ways to get involved in mission within and outside the church. Pony rides are being offered through Hearts & Horses for $4/ride but there are coupons available. Everything else is FREE, including food. Food will include hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, lemonade and sticky buns. Come and bring the family. All welcome. Please bring a friend!

New Online DISCIPLE Bible Study

DISCIPLE Bible Study is an excellent, intense 36-week study of the Bible that we highly recommend and many at Peoples have taken. There is an opportunity this fall to join an online group. Please contact the pastors if you are interested.

Choir Starts Up - Newcomers Welcome!

Submitted by Debbie Cole, Music Director:

I want to remind everyone that choir practice will start on Wednesday, September 9th at 7:00. We would love to have some new singers join us. If you love to sing, even if you can't read music, we invite you to come and join us in fellowship. The choir will most likely be switching to rehearsals on Thursdays 7pm after this - please see the Sunday worship bulletin to find out, or contact Debbie Cole directly.

Note from Pastor Gwyneth: There's a rumor going around that Debbie is starting up the hand bell choir! Rehearsals will begin in a few weeks, most likely 6pm before choir rehearsal.

Note from Andy Folley on Sunday School

If you are planning on sending your child to Sunday School, please let me know by Sunday night, September 6 what size t-shirt your child wears. These shirts will be available on the first day of Sunday School and may be worn for special activities throughout the year. The sizes are as follows: children's sizes run 2-4(XS), 6-8 (S), 10-12 (M), 14-16 (L) and 18-20 (XL). Please email me the sizes for your children as soon as possible. We are also looking for one more teacher for our first unit. If you are interested in teaching the first unit or another unit during the year, please let me know. We also could use people to set up, take down and be prop masters for various units.

Childrens Sunday School Startup September 13

The children's Sunday School will start up on Sunday, September 13 and we hope to have as many kids as possible in attendance for this first day of celebration! The first unit of Sunday School will begin September 20 for four weeks. This is a center-based curriculum by PowerXpress which includes music and movement, stories, crafts, games, cooking, science and other fun activities.

Children begin in worship with their parents or caregivers at 10:30am. After the children's message, children ages 3-11 may go downstairs to Sunday School. A middle school Sunday School curriculum is in the review stages.

Any questions please contact Andy Folley, Sunday School Superintendent. For more information at Peoples News Online, see the Sunday School link.

Sunday School Pizza Night Sept 10

People first Family Pizza Night will be held September 10 at 5pm. This is an event for parents, Sunday School teachers and other Sunday School volunteers for a time of fellowship. In addition, we will have some teacher training and time for questions and sharing. We hope you (and your children!) can attend!

A Great Game! Many Thanks to the Doughtys...

Dan and Ruth Doughty hosted a wonderful softball (turned kickball since there were so many little kids) game at Henley Field, the home of South Portland Little League. Many thanks also to Chris Kelley for coordinating this with the Doughtys.

We had a great turnout, and managed to have a few real games despite the little ones running between the bases. We also had some spectators come out and enjoy the fellowship in the sun (son?).

For more photos, you can view a photo album at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137530&id=148046372078#/album.php?aid=137530&id=148046372078

Peoples UMC on Facebook

If you are on Facebook, or are considering joining, you can now become a Fan of Peoples United Methodist Church. The church facebook page will help to store albums of church events and post short reminders about upcoming events and information.

To become a fan you can click on the link on the front page of the Peoples blog (http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/) or go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Portland-ME/Peoples-United-Methodist-Church/148046372078

Avalanche Ranch 2009!

This July 2009 Peoples UMC hosted another amazing fun time and wonderful experience of God’s love for about 30 kids. Children ranged in age from 2-11, plus several middle and high schoolers serving as Ranch Hands which gave them some responsibility but also allowed them to play alongside the younger kids.

Ellis Hall was transformed into a ranch this year, with MANY helpers. Ranch team leaders met each morning to plan any last minute details. Pastor Jamie served as the core leader as well as music with assistance from Ellen Dunn who was game leader. The wagon snack area and food pantry mission was led by Betty Splettstoesser. The video center was led by Rachel Harvey, craft center was led by Amy Wellington and the story center was led by Carol Bruneau. Each center was decorated and designed by the leader, and overseen with a lot of work and prayer.

As the kids arrived, they were registered and given a sheriff badge name tag, and colored paper horses until group time, after which time they split up into groups of 5-6. The themes each day included “God is Real,” “God is with us,” “God is strong,” God is awesome,” and “God is in charge!” Each day a different group of kids was selected for Spotlight Drama, in which posted photos were used in a video to re-tell the Bible story they had been studying that day. Pastor Gwyneth led this effort. In addition, Merrill Kaiser photographed all of the children in the saddle (saddles loaned from Hearts & Horses Farm in Buxton; other decorations also from Flaherty's Farm) and then these were cut out and glued onto horses each child colored.

On Thursday evening, the leaders hosted a family style dinner with short presentations and showing of the Spotlight Drama videos. Kids then showed their family and friends around the various centers, and some of their work such as hand sewn pillows at the craft area. We had a wonderful turnout for this special occasion.

Kids and teachers received certificates at the end of the week, and kids also received a magnetic photo of them posing in the saddle, and leaders received a rose. Kids got to share a song and a few slides during church Sunday too. The kids blessed us all.

The best was hearing the kids tell their parents each day how they wanted to come back the next day! Thank you to everyone who donated items and money, helped set up and take down, helped out with the kids, visited to show your support and prayed. And thank you to Thornton Heights UMC for loaning this year’s curriculum. You all made a difference in the lives of the children!!!

You can view a few photos in the articles posted during the week of Avalanche Ranch. For a full album of Avalanche Ranch photos go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137491&id=148046372078

Need Donations for Church Auction

Submitted by Doreen Gay, Posted by Gwyneth Arrison

Our annual fundraising auction of the church is on Friday, October 9th. The viewing begins at 6:00 pm along with "good eats" and the live auction begins at 7:00 pm. It is my job to coordinate all the workers needed to serve the hotdogs, chili, desserts, and drinks; as well as the runners and cashiers who assist our wonderful professional auctioneer Harold Sutherland. I also must collect and organize approximately 100 items needed in order for the auction to be a success. The church budget relies on this fundraiser and we have been very blessed with successful ones in years past.

Time is getting short and I need to step up the pace on contacting everyone to see what you might be able to do to help this year. So please prayerfully consider these areas...

1. Plan to attend and bring a friend, an auction can't be successful without bidders! Not to mention it is so much FUN, ask anyone who has gone before! Mark your calendar!
2. Donate a contemporary or antique, new or used item. Just call me if you need to know what is appropriate for our auction. Donate money to purchase hotdogs, chili, chips, and drinks! Bake a dessert or candy to be auctioned. I can customize for you a Gift Certificates for Services such as: Housecleaning, Handyman, Instrumental or Vocal Music Lessons, Lawn Maintenance and/or Snow Shoveling, Babysitting, Computer Training, Automobile Repair, A pie a week for a Month, Tailoring, as examples. A Weekend getaway at a Cottage/Timeshare/Ski Lodge, etc
3. Contact an area business for a gift certificate for merchandise or service. Please let me know whom you will approach so we don't have them more than once. Here's some ideas...a restaurant, gasoline, heating oil, theater tickets, tickets to an athletic event, haircut, flowers, movie rentals, office supplies, etc.

Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please note, I must receive all donations by 10/6/09 for printing of the program.

God Bless,
Doreen Gay
Auction Chairperson
Home 767-3572
dgay *at* maine.rr.com

Mission Trip Planning

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison:

Would you be interested in going on a mission trip sometime in the next year? There is a group of Peoples people meeting monthly to plan just such a trip. The group is still in the discernment stage, and if you would like to join to be part of this vision seeking process please attend our next meeting on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 pm. All welcome! Please contact Pastor Gwyneth for questions. Thank you.

Regional Youth Group

The regional Junior High youth group which began this summer will be meeting every other week through the Fall. The tentative plan is to meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays in the afternoon. Please contact Pastor Jamie for any further details or questions.

Outside Work Day Oct 10

Submitted by Doreen Gay, Posted by Gwyneth Arrison:

We will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, October 10 doing general church cleanup and minor repairs. Please consider volunteering some time. The Trustees need your help. Thank you. Rain date October 17.

Doreen Gay,
Trustee

Advanced Lay Speaking Class in Saco

Submitted by Deb Hanson, Posted by Gwyneth Arrison:

The Advanced Lay Speaking course "Ministry of Caring" will be offered through the Saco Bay Cluster at the Cornerstone UMC, Jenkins Ave, Saco, ME on the following dates: Oct 10, 17, & 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Although it is an Advanced Lay Speaking course, we invite anyone who is interested in learning more about lay visitation or those persons who might be interested in improving their parish visitation to attend the three session class, as well. The cost is $15. I have attached a registration form that should be returned by Sept 15th so I have time to order the books. Please make the checks payable to GMUMC and mail to Goodwins Mills UMC, 55 Church St, Lyman, ME 04002.Please share this information with your lay people and feel free to call me at 207-499-1049 or e-mail me at this e-mail address. Thanks! Blessings, Deb Hanson

Two Saints at Peoples Will be Missed

We have lost two wonderful members of Peoples Church this summer, Ruth McLellan and Betty McGouldrick. Ruth went to be with the Lord on August 26, 2009, and Betty McGouldrick on September 3, 2009. A funeral service was performed at Hobbs by Pastor Gwyneth, who led a Bible study in Ruth's home each week for the last several years. Pastor Jamie will be leading a funeral service at Peoples on Tuesday, September 8 with a reception following hosted by United Methodist Women. We will miss you Ruth and Betty.

One Member's Financial Challenge!

Submitted by an anonymous member, posted by Gwyneth Arrison:

One member of the church was inspired by the Rising to the Need 2009 pledge campaign this past Spring, and after much prayer has offered the church a fun challenge. Here is the letter:

"To members and friends of Peoples Church: I would like to give you a challenge. Can you meet my pledge? I have enclosed my pledge in a sealed envelope. This I will give to Rev. Gwyneth Arrison to hold. I am challenging you to meet that amount. If you can do so, I will double my pledge. In effect you will have doubled yours. The rules are simple: place your extra change in an envelope marked "special challenge" - you are on your honor not to put your weekly pledge in there. When you (the church) think you have reached my pledge - only then can my pledge be revealed. I do not think the amount is unattainable but you might have to scratch a little bit. You might wonder who this member is - my name is not important. Besides, I might want to do this again in 5 or 10 years! Go for it! God bless!"

"P.S. I think it would be nice to think of this as a Christmas present to God's work. But if you think you can do it sooner, do so. Make it a fun game."

What's So Amazing About Grace?

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison:

The adult Sunday School will be studying a text by Phillip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace, with a study guide and DVD. The group starts up this Sunday, September 13, and meets at 9am in the Parlor off Ellis Hall. If you have any questions, or would like a text, please contact Art Tordoff. ALL WELCOME!