Variety Show is Back!

Save the date - November 10 at 7pm. There will be acts done by the ushers, the walking group, the pastors and more, and will range from classical music to classic comedy. Hosting a Variety Show is one of the goals set by the church for our increased focus on missions. 100% of the funds are going to Heifer International, toward our goal of raising an ark of animals worth $5,000 to provide for the needs of people all over the world - from bees to water buffalo. Suggested donation of $5 per ticket. For questions, contact Merrill Kaiser or Earle Harvey.

Thanksgiving Worship Service

The church will be hosting a Thanksgiving Eve worship service on Wednesday, November 21 at 7pm. We have so much to give thanks for. This would be one wonderful way to say thanks to God this season. The format is informal, and all are invited to attend. This may be an excellent time to invite friends that might be put off from starting with a larger Sunday service. Many people have giving thanks on the mind already, so it is an opportunity to help them focus that by being invited to worship. As uncomfortable as it may seem, most people would feel glad to receive a low-pressure invitation and some may be eagerly awaiting it!

Worship and Prayer Midweek

The Wednesday night prayer service has been reinvented recently as we rotate leadership on a monthly basis. There are opportunities to pray for the church, for your own concerns and for the prayers offered on Sunday. There may be music, scripture and sharing. This is an excellent time to start coming to the service to be filled as well as to pour out in prayer (silent prayers are welcome as well). Betty Lane has been leading the service for October, Wealthy is leading November and the pastors will lead a special Advent service and study through December. Please come and revive your faith and support your church in prayer each Wednesday.

Many thanks to Kathy Brann for her years of dedication to the weekly prayer service at Peoples. Although the style has changed over the years, Kathy's dedication has remained constant. She now feels led to step down from this role.

Hillie, a Beloved Saint

Hillie Cass, an active member of Peoples Church since childhood went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2007. A funeral service was performed by Pastors Jamie & Gwyneth at Peoples to celebrate her life, grieve her loss, and remember that the resurrection reality Hillie now experiences is our own hope as those in Christ.

It is hard to imagine Peoples without Hillie who has been so involved in every aspect of the church, particularly as an examplar of faith, love and welcoming. Yet, as her son Malcolm pointed out in his witness at her funeral, her example lives on in all the lives she touched. He talked about a future for our church that becomes fully revived even as people step up to fill the rolls of caring for the altar, promoting our music, driving people to shopping or appointments, keeping folk in touch through neighborhood ministries, providing prophetic voices and many other rolls that could not possibly be fully listed. Her witness continues as we join new discipleship classes, welcome new visitors, and share with others the faith that many in our church received through Hillie.


Thanks to all who surrounded the family with love and care, and especially to Brad Morrison and the UMW for hosting a beautiful reception in Ellis Hall. We miss you Hillie.

We Love You Malcolm

Dr. Malcolm Cass, organist emeritus of Peoples has temporarily moved down to New York to stay with his son David, daughter-in-law Sue and grandchildren Libby and Annie following Hillie's passing. David has reported that he is settled in well, is enjoying time with the grandchildren and had even had an opportunity to play organ at church. They are continuing to seek appropriate accomodations and care that would allow Malcolm to return home to South Portland. His address is currently: 39 Nittany Way East Nassau, NY 12062-1714 (518) 733-6488 sbrissette@msn.com. David has shared that they are even introducing Malcolm to the computer and email.

Our church sent him off with a service of laying on hands during worship on October 7th along with prayers to return him to us soon.

Live(ly) Auction

Peoples Sponsors Live(ly) Auction
One of the highlights of the Fall program at Peoples United Methodist Church is the annual Auction that was held on Friday, October 26. Those attending and bidding were welcomed to view a wide variety of items that had been gathered by Doreen Gay and a cadre of assistants. Working on the check in and check out table were Sue Angell, Betsy Morrison and Marlene Tordoff. Some of the items were new while others may have been at one time family keepsakes. Other treasures that received live bids included camp rentals, elegant meals, parking privileges at Higgins Beach and many gift certificates. Harold Sutherland, a local professional auctioneer, again volunteered his unique services to the event. Sammy Sidyl and Braden Wellington ably assisted him. The two young men of the church displayed and delivered the "wares" to the audience.
Food was available at the kitchen counter and Alan Gay and Betty Lane both worked in that arena. Nearly 100 people were in attendance and some items received a lot of attention in the bidding. Home made food items like Barbara Kenny’s Buckeyes and Fred Wade’s cheese cakes soared in value as one bid after another made these items in a word: delicacies". Brad Morrison, our chef in residence, offering an elegantly catered meal, as always found his contribution to be among the most desired items at the auction.
Through the generosity of Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth Arrison some lucky folks will be spending a weekend or a week at the Arrison home in Bridgeton near beautiful Moose Pond. I know that the Tordoff family will be looking forward to that opportunity next summer.
Accolades go to Doreen for all of the painstaking work that she puts into this event each year. While the auction may be intended as primarily a moneymaker for the church the event is a great time for all those in attendance as the bidding is certainly entertaining and Harold Sutherland’s means of presentation is often hilarious. It is an event that is fun for the whole family, even if you don’t buy anything and your primary purpose is to see how others act and react. This year’s event brought in at the close of the evening over $3400.
Many other events are held in the life of Peoples. As you see them advertised think about attending or participating. It is always a great feeling when those who expend the effort to plan and carry out such events are supported by other members of our church, the Peoples Church family.

New Roof

Consolidated Home Improvement has been replacing the north side of the sanctuary roof and the siding on the steeple that was damaged in the large spring storm. The majority of the funds for the repairs has come from our insurance coverage with the rest made up from income from our endowments - in part already set aside for the enventual replacement of that roof that will now not be needed for a much longer time. Thanks to the Trustees for coordinating this work.

Oh What A Day!

Oh What A Day!
Shortly after church on Sunday, October 14 several folks embarked on an adventure that was a mystery to all but a few. Dan and Ruth Doughty with the assistance and conniving of Rosemary Herd had set up a mystery ride for the adventurous to follow. Ruth gave us a starting time and in individual cars we set off with directions to follow and questions to answer. The route took us through a part of South Portland into Cape Elizabeth and if we followed the directions in the right way we all ended up at the Pavillion overlooking Casco Bay at the SMCC campus. What a glorious view when we arrived at that location and eventually found everyone else that had started the trip arriving eventually. It was quite a while before Barb and Betty arrived at this beautiful spot. Prizes were given out for the most accurate time and completed answers. I tell you, I still haven’t found the Emerald Way off Mitchell. Everyone who arrived ate their own picnic lunches and then had cupcakes provided by Rosemary. We had a pumpkin hunt that had been preplanned by the Doughtys’ and then families and individuals got the opportunity to decorate or carve the pumpkins. Those who enjoyed the day together included the Doughtys, Rosemary, Chris Ward, Dick, Cheryl, Aaron, Dustin and Kiley Marie Matthews, Sally Seidl and Sam, Sue Angell, Kerry, Nicole and Samantha Foote, Karen, Kelty, Callie and Seamus Jennings, Curtis and Madeline Coughlin, Keith and Becky Snoddy, Gwyneth, Jamie, Faith, Dena and Alex Arrison, Art and Marlene Tordoff, Barbara Nelson, Betty Splettstoesser, and Brad and Becky Morrison.
It was a wonderful day to view the foliage, to carve pumpkins, and to be with other folks; children and adults alike.

E3: Equip! Empower! Evangelize!

Register now for this year’s exciting United Methodist Conference gathering entitled “E3”—Empower! Equip! Evangelize, taking place Nov 1-3! This year’s event is held right here in Portland. Peoples has already paid the $275 for as many people to attend as we want. There's also an exciting concert Friday night - see the pastors to get your ticket now! Don’t miss out. For more information or to register, go to the E3 New England Conference website.

Advantages of Planning Ahead

Advantages to Planning Ahead
A Successful Learning Opportunity for those in attendance
On Sunday, October 14 following the church service the following church folk gathered to hear Gary Melville from the United Methodist Foundation of New England, Jeff Inman from Hobbs Funeral Home and Pastor Jamie present useful information on end of life needs and preparations. Put together by the Discipleship team, this event was designed to assist folks of all ages handle some of the questions that are often most difficult regarding loved ones or ourselves. Understanding our options and why preplanning is a gift to those we leave behind was a portion of what was covered. Additionally Gary and Jeff covered why having the proper legal documents saves time, money, protects assets and helps provide for those we love. Those in attendance also discovered ways to increase our current income and provide meaningful and charitable gifts at the same time. Jeff Inman, one of the funeral directors at Hobbs funeral home gave all in attendance a comforting look at their services and how the Hobbs family are there to assist with the needs that they specialize in. Closing the two and one half-hour program was Pastor Jamie covered the area of funerals that are sacred and why planning services in advance is both a responsibility and ministry to our familes. Kathy Brann, Claralee Street, Sally Seidl, Chris Ward, Jody Fyles, Janice Huelen, Doreen Gay and her mother in law, Earle Harvey and Art and Marlene were in attendance. All seemed to find the information useful. All who attended received follow-up material from the Foundation that also will prove useful.
If you are interested in attending such an event in the future but were unable to attend on this occasion please let the pastors know or Art Tordoff as Chairman of the Discipleship team.

Running (or Walking) the Race with Perseverence

On October 7, Earle Harvey walked the 13-mile Maine Marathon and took a first place in his division! Earle has been training for months, and prayers were answered for his health before, during and after the race! Way to go Earle!

On October 14, Barbara Nelson and her daughter Jennifer ran a 26 mile marathon in Acadia. Barbara's goal was 5 hours 24 minutes, and finished 3 minutes early! Barbara thanks all who contributed, and who showed up to cheer her on. You can view her photo album and slide show.

Hebrews 12:1 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Casco Bay Cluster has Hope For a Hurting World

Revival at the Ridge The Lord is Present Wherever We May Be
The Casco Bay Cluster with the help of some of the churches in the Greater Portland Cluster after two years in the making sponsored the “Hope for a Hurting World” Revival at the Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough on Saturday, October 6. Originally the revival was inspired by Reverend David Calhoun, former pastor at West Scarborough United Methodist Church two years ago. When he was transferred to another charge those members of the Cluster committee continued plans and developed a truly awe inspiring opportunity to have area churches and beyond participate in a festival of Christian music and spiritually motivational messages. The primary movers of the event became Pastors David and Kate Nicol with special commendation for the assistance from Pastors Lynne Campbell, Ruth Morrison, and Jamie Arrison. Lay folks especially engaged in developing plans and checking on the availability of resources were Jody Lolar from First, Mary Waye from West Scarborough, and Paul Doucette from Cressy Road. All members of the Cluster committee assisted in some way, but the above were most significant to the events success. Bishop Peter Weaver of the New England United Methodist Conference gave the final message of the six hour revival. Interspersed between the music of bands and individuals were the meaningful words and music of George Walters-Sleyon, Curtis Brown and Reverend Kenneth Lewis of the Green Memorial AME Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in Portland.

Music was provided by the Cressy Road Praise Band, the Messengers of Hope, Root Cellar Dance Troupe and a youth and adult choir from the Green Memorial Church.

Additionally the solos of Victoria James and duets by Teneley Westbrook and Dan Daily enthralled the audience of about 400 folks who came out on a beautiful day to worship, pray and to learn of Jesus love for all mankind. In the hour before the message of the Bishop the Christian band, Beyond Blue, played a set of their own Christian inspired and written music.

The folks that attended could also take advantage of seeking more information about specific Methodist churches by visiting the display tent that was set up in the middle of the raceway. There was also a Monster Wheel Bounce for the kids who attended along with an area of the big tent for crafts for kids to work on. If folks were inspired to pray during the event a canopied area was set aside as a prayer tent. Peoples own Wealthy Harvey made her self to home in the prayer area and was joined from time to time by others offering a prayer or more for thanksgiving, for the event, and for other folks near and far.

Others from Peoples who were involved in ushering, manning the Peoples Table in the Big Tent or simply taking in the day were Earle and Wealthy Harvey, Lou Harvey, Tom and Barbara Nelson, Jim MacKinnon, Fred Wade, Amy and Braden Wellington, Art and Marlene Tordoff and the entire Arrison family.

While the numbers of people that the committee would have hoped might not have been as great as they would have like the event was deemed an inspirational success for all who participated. If you missed the event there is likely to be another. If God so wills it as he did this event you can be sure that we will all see his glory again in inspirational music, the thoughts and messages of motivational pastors and lay folks, and the opportunity to simply be with others who love the Lord, Jesus Christ and those who may come to know him for the very first time.

Kids Sunday School off to Running Start!

Lambs class, taught by Teresa Folley

Kangaroos class taught by Karen Jennings

Sunday School is going through some exciting changes and is off to a great start. We have enough kids now for three classes plus nursery. The classes have been named after animals as the children continue to actively support our church Heifer missions goal of building an ark: $5,000 by December 2008. Andy Folley is teaching the Lions, ages 7-11, Karen Jennings is teaching the Kangaroos, ages 4-7, and Teresa Folley is teaching the Lambs, ages 2-4. The parents and teachers have also been meeting regularly to plan ahead. You can read the newsletter here. Many thanks again to Rosemary Herd and Linda Wade for their 20+ years of service in this ministry, and to Andy Folley for taking on the challenge this year!

Betsy Morrison is now coordinating our nursery ministry, which will provide care during worship for babies and toddlers 3-24 months. Many thanks again to Barbara Nelson for her service in this ministry, as well as to all of the church family who serve in the nursery to care for our children. "It takes a whole church to raise and care for a child!" The photo shows Jean Swanson caring for baby Alex!