Cluster Training Hosted By Peoples people

Cluster Training Hosted by Peoples people
On Saturday, January 26, Ellis Hall filled with members of Casco Bay Cluster churches and beyond. Some folks in attendance were from as far away as the Green Street United Methodist Church in Augusta. As a matter of fact the Green Street folks helped set up the facility. Rosemary Herd and Chris Ward graciously served coffee, tea, juices and sweets before the event began and at breaks later in the day. At noon all in attendance broke for lunch which also was prepared by Chris and Rosemary.
Pastor Jamie Arrison helped open the training session with a worship service. Following the opening the nearly 60 folks in attendance separated into four initial groups that included Safe Sanctuaries led by Reverend Hattie Stoltsfus in Ellis Hall. Pastor David Nicol led a small group in the Sanctuary with a power point on Organizing Small Churches. He used Elm Street and their program to illustrate his presentation. On the breezeway Reverend Jim Young gathered those in attendance that were new members of their church trustees. And Pastor Jamie Arrison led a rather sizable group in the church vestry interested in leading small groups.
A break followed then a second group met in Ellis Hall with Reverend Hattie Stoltsfus, while Reverend Curtis Brown gathered folks in the Sanctuary in a presentation on the church of the Twenty first Century. Paralleling these two presentations were a presentation on Natural Church Development led by Reverend Kate Nicol and Reverend Gene Koelker filled out this second session with a group gathered to discuss Lay Pastoral Care.
Following lunch four more sessions were held making a rather long but meaningful day for those in attendance. District Superintendent Mike Davis held a program for SPRC members on the pastoral evaluation process while Pastors David Nicol and Jamie Arrison led a group in the areas of Stewardship and Finance. Reverend Ruth Morrison led a program on aspects of Christian Education and Art Tordoff of Peoples led a small group on Records, History and Archives.
Many attendees specialized in their area of appointment but many also attended other groups to gain a broader understanding of the scope of church life and the need for dedicated leadership.
Pastor Jamie offered a prayer and sent us forth with blessings for a safe trip home.

Wayside

We had another great crowd from Peoples out for the Wayside Soup Kitchen - Darryl Ridout, Jim MacKinnon, Hank Dunn, Hank's sister Bonnie, Sue Angell, Kathy Brann, Betty Splettstoesser, Becky Gotlieb, Pastor Gwyneth, Betsy Morrison, Marlene & Art Tordoff (the 12 disciples?!). Many got there early to help set up the tables. Betsy Morrison was apprenticing as a leader, and gave the instructions to all of the volunteers (27 total), and Gwyneth led the group in prayer. The folks were then let in the doors to find seats. Becky and Betty worked on the drinks, Jim helped out in the kitchen, and the rest were assigned to a table to get a dinner and drinks for each person and then clear the table for the next seating. The dinner lasts from 6-7pm, and then the crew begins cleaning the tables, floors and kitchen. It was amazing to watch everyone working together, and with such joy, the joy of fellowship and knowing we are serving Jesus as we serve our fellow sisters and brothers in need. If you've never served at the Wayside, why not give it a try? They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year, and welcome volunteers anytime. Or you can wait to go with the church family on the 5th Wednesday evening of each month. The next one is April 30!

Trustees to the Rescue

During the annual furnace cleaning for the church and parsonage, Irving noticed that the oil tank in the parsonage was in very bad shape, and they were especally concerned about one leg that was almost completely rusted through. The tank could tip over and rupture, with the resulting leak costing thousands of dollars to clean up.

Trustees scheduled the work to be completed within two weeks, and today the tank was successfully replaced. Walter Greer helped get the crew started in the morning, and the whole job was done within a few hours. The tank was only quarter full so was easy to pump out too.

Here is a note from Walter: The old tank, in the process of removing it, had the bad leg collapse! The tank did not rupture, so no mess/no trouble. The men doing the removal said that (most likely) the tank leg would have given way this winter when the tank was filled - causing the tank to list and fall. What a mess that would have been!

Thanks again to all the Trustees for the work you do "behind the scenes."

Closeup of the tank foot that collapsed during the tank removal

The Irving folks who put in the new tank - life expectancy about 25 years for this one, although they guessed the one removed was about 40 years old!

Life in Review 2007

The Life in Review celebration after church Sunday was a wonderful success. In the words of Susan Angell, "Who knew hearing reports could be such fun?" And this was the purpose: to celebrate the work of Peoples Church in 2007 and remember all that God has done through us. When you put it all together, it was truly awe inspiring.

The event started out with lunch - Methodists like to eat, and eat we did! About 50 folks attended, and tables were strategically positioned by Chuck and Rob so that the presentations could begin while people were still eating. Rosemary created beautiful place settings, and we set up the projector and TV to provide lots of visuals. The only requirement of people asked to present was: "No reading reports!" There were copies of the 2007 end-of-year report book which can be viewed here (or request a printed copy from the pastors). The appendix also provides financial and other end-of-year information.

Earle Harvey introduced the program and each presenter. The Junior Choir provided music during dessert, and Ellen Dunn as Junior Choir Director shared a few words about some recent changes in rehearsals brought about by the kids asking for more fun! The reaharsals are now held in Ellis Hall instead of the Sanctuary, and start with a snack. Then after rehearsal the kids are allowed to run around a bit and play. It's been a big hit with all the Junior Choir. Then the Senior Choir sang an upbeat number, and Dan informed everyone that 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the senior choir singing.The last musical group was the Ushers, and they of course had everyone in stitches with their number, complete with sun glasses!

There were a number of certificates passed out for years of service in a ministry area until recently, which included Rosemary Herd (Sunday School Superintendent for 7 years), Linda Wade (Sunday School Teacher for 20 years), Chris Ward (Lay Leader for 13 years), Kathy Brann (Prayer Service Leader for 9 years) and Paul and Sharon Obie (Communion Stewards for 20 years). Then Earle asked folks to share other names - we realized that all of us are important members of the body of Christ!

Two slide shows were shown, one put together with photos from Art Tordoff by Rosemary (with niece Kate's help!), and the other by Pastor Gwyneth. Then each presenter came forward to speak for a few minute about the one or two most exciting aspects or events of their ministry in 2007. We heard from the Walking Group, Trustees, SPRC, Discipleship, Sunday School, UMW, Nurture, Heifer, Missions, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Worship and Visitor Ministries. Then there were three memorial presentations to celebrate the lives of some of our most beloved members who have passed onto glory this year: Hillie Cass, Jim Darling and Kevin Malcom.

During some reflection time at the end, folks responded how thankful they were for this opportunity to see and celebrate all the church had done this year, and even just reviewing the end-of-year book was amazing to see all that God has done through us this year. The pastors encouraged folks to think and pray over what they'd heard and read to see if God may be drawing them into new ministries.

A big thank you to Rosemary Herd, Art Tordoff and Earle Harvey who worked together tirelessly with Pastor Gwyneth to put this all together. Also a big thank you to all who attended, AND to all who submitted their written reports for the end-of-year book! God is good! (all the time)

Eagle Scouts Ceremony

Peoples Church hosted an exciting event on Saturday, January 5. Not one, but two members of the boy scout troup 23 which meets at Peoples each week earned the Eagle Scout Award.

Pictured below are those recipients: Alexander Latendresse and Nicholas Robertson. The reception and ceremony was organized by Lynne Teague and Joe Picoraro who have faithfully led the scouts for many years, and Lynne was particularly proud of her son, Nic!

The ceremony began with a welcome and invocation by Pastor Gwyneth, followed by a candle lighting ceremony that sybolically explains the values learned by the scouts. The requirements for each badge were explained, which are extraudinarily difficult. Two of their teachers spoke about their experiences with them as students in the classroom, and Joe and Lynne also spoke. Alex and Nic also gave presentations on their final projects which were community projects: building a bridge at the fieldhouse, and building a sidewalk for handicap access for kids at Small School. The ceremony ended with a reception in honor of the two boys and their families and friends for this amazing achievement.