Merry Christmas Letter to Peoples

It wouldn't be Christmas without ... This is a question that is different for everyone and made all the more complicated by the fact that most people would have at least eight different people, things, traditions, foods, decorations or songs they cannot imagine a Christmas without. This year, however, we have been looking at an increasing number of things that we have to do without as people lose jobs, have less time and less money. In addition to these losses, every year brings the changes of kids growing up and loved ones being lost. Before long, it may be that "It wouldn't be Christmas without..." becomes "It just isn't Christmas."

There is only one way to fill in this sentence that holds for all times and all situations. That is, it wouldn't be Christmas without Jesus. Jesus is worthy of being celebrated with all of the trimmings of music, friends, food, worship, decoration and tradition. Yet, when some or all of these trappings are gone, Jesus is walking with us all the closer in our loss. He might say, "Yeah, I know what you mean. At my birth, I had no family, no doctor, no clean room or even a bed. I know these losses hurt, but I'm here with you." Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us. This is the miracle of Christmas. It is not a warm, comfortable love that blows away in the face of the cold. Jesus offers a deep abiding love that provides most in times of need.

It is my hope this Christmas season that every gift or emptiness, decoration or loss would turn us to Jesus in celebration and pure need. As you turn toward Jesus, share your hope with others around you in need and come live your celebration here with brothers and sisters at Peoples throughout the year.

Prepare the way for Sunday School!

New Sunday School Unit Begins January 4 – Come learn about John the Baptist! Centers will include story telling, arts and crafts, music, and cooking. All kids ages 3-11 welcome, and bring a friend! . FMI call Andy Folley at 749-5702. 2009

Telling about Taize

It may be scary to try something new. This is particularly true when the new thing has a strange name like Taize or involves something as strange as meditation. I would like to assure you that the only scary part may be getting closer to God. The service is based loosely on the popular ecumenical services of the Taize Community. This involves meditative music, scripture, prayer and silence. For those who have been coming, it has been a wonderful uplifting time with an opportunity for fellowship afterwards. We are sure it will be for you as well. Come and invite a friend who would be fed by a quiet moment.

The meditation service will not meet December 28 as it is a school vacation. The meditation service will start back up on January 4 at 7pm, held each week on Sunday evenings.

Candles and Bells

Peoples hosted the annual Candlelight Christmas Eve worship service, and experienced the light of Jesus Christ our Savior! Thank you to all who participated in facilitating worship through singing, reading Scripture, prayer, welcoming as well as setting up and clearing up. Ushers/greeters were Charlie Lyons, Chuck Kamilewicz, Jim MacKinnon, Keith Snoddy and Tom Nelson. Doug Greer ran the sound and computer system as we used slides for the first time in this service. Dan Doughty led the welcome and announcements portion. Hank Dunn opened us up in a moving prayer. Scripture was read by Linda Greer, Linda Wade, Betty Lane, and Chris Ward. David Cole sang the offertory, and Debbie Cole led the senior choir and carols throughout worship. We closed with the dimming of lights as we sang "Silent Night" followed by some holy silence, and then the ringing of all of our bells. Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas Devotional Guide

This year in lieu of the Advent meditation booklet, Art Tordoff put together a 12 Days of Christmas devotional booklet. The format is very similar to the Advent booklet with writings from Peoples people, but also contains information such as symbolism of the 12 days of Christmas.

If you haven’t already, please pick up a Christmas devotional book - readings continue for the 12 days of Christmas. Thank you to Art Tordoff for pulling this together!

Church Life Training January 24

The annual Cluster Training Event will take place January 24 9am-12:30pm. There will be workshops on the exciting Igniting Ministry program that ties our welcome to nationally run advertising as well as training for administrative committee members. To register, contact Pastor Jamie by email or 799-6814. (Snow date: January 31)

Put it on the Calendar

2009 Church Calendaring Party – The Church Council is going to gather together on Saturday, Jan 10 for several hours to plan out the next 6-12 months of church ministries, mission and fun activities. Please join us -- all are welcome

Celebrating the Year

End of Year Reports – We will be compiling a book of all committee and ministry reports to be handed out during the Life in Review 2008. These committee reports will be due January 5. Thank you!

Life in Review 2008 is a chance to hear creative presentations from teams and committees from the church to celebrate what God had done throughout the year. This year’s Life in Review is scheduled after church on January 11. Please come and celebrate the ministries of Peoples Church together, with lunch and lots of fun. If you have been a team or committee leader or have been involved in ministry this year of any kind, please be thinking about a creative, fun presentation! Photo presentations, videos, skits, songs, art ... the sky is the limit.

Pledges Well Under Way

Pledges – If you consider Peoples your church family and have not yet had an opportunity to turn in a pledge card there are extras in the pews and can be placed in the offering anytime.

Hungry New Year

Wayside Soup Kitchen on New Years Eve– Please join us in serving a meal at the Wayside Soup Kitchen on December 31. Meet there at 5pm to help set up, and then the meal service begins at 6pm. You may contact Tom Nelson 799-6321 for questions or to carpool. With the holiday we may have difficulty getting enough people – please consider serving those in need before going to our own celebrations.

Gifts for Root Cellar

Thanks to all who participated in the Root Cellar Christmas gift drive, organized by Carol Bruneau: Kathy Brann, Barbara Kenney, Ellen Dunn, Jody Fyles, Janice Huelin and Pastor Gwyneth. Gifts were given to many families in the Portland area, and Peoples was part of this great work. We shared Christ’s love and brought joy to many!

What Do You Want For Christmas?

We had about 30 people involved in various small group studies of the Advent book, "What Do You Want For Christmas?" The studies took place over the four weeks of Advent, and groups met on Monday evenings led by Pastor Jamie at the Dunn's home, Tuesday mornings led by Rosemary Herd at her home, Wednesday evenings at the church led by Claralee Street, Thursday afternoons at Ruth McLellan's home led by Earle Harvey, and a virtual study by email led by Pastor Gwyneth.

We received positive feedback on the book and group experience from all the groups, and hope to continue with these and additional small groups through the winter.

Christmas Pageant

The children presented a Christmas Pageant on December 21 during worship. Many thanks to Andy and Teresa Folley for organizing and heading up the pageant this year, Linda and Doug Greer for help with costumes and sound, Andy’s father, John for assembling the stable backdrop, and all of the other parent and teacher helpers! What an amazing time!

Pageant Rehearsal

The kids had their final rehearsal for the Christmas pageant on Saturday, December 20. They tried on costumes made and re-made by Linda Greer. The set was fabricated by Andy and his father, Rev.

John Folley. Teresa and Andy, and other parents helped children with their lines. Due to the ice storm, the cookie bake wasn't possible at this time, but that didn't prevent the kids from having a great time eating ginger bread cookies and juice at our mid-morning break! Then back to another run-through, and then home to keep practicing those lines and songs!

Christmas Caroling

Thank you to all who came out to sing for the neighborhood Christmas caroling party. We sang the Good News through the church neighborhood. Then we came back to the pastors home for some food and fellowship. A good time was had by all.

How to tell your story

You tell stories every day. Yet, because we don't often tell the stories of our faith, they fade to the back of our mind. What counts as a faith story? What are the most important events and people that have formed our faith? Do your children, siblings and church friends know these stories. Be built up in your faith as we build up one another as we recover and share God's great works in our lives. This small group series will be launched in January. Details will follow.

Hanging the Greens

There was a smaller crowd for the annual Hanging the Greens service this year, but no less enthusiastic as we sang carols, decorated the church, hung ornaments on the tree and the kids brought forward gifts for the Root Cellar gift drive! Ellen Dunn then led the children in the Christmas story as the animals were placed in the manger on the altar. A wonderful and joyous time was had by all.



The Hanging of the Greens service takes place on the Sunday after the Christmas fair (the fair is generally held the first Saturday in December).

Coastal Christmas Fair

We earned $2,083 on the day of our fair and have had other funds trickle in from after fair sales. It was such a fun day. We worked hard, we had wonderful fellowship, great food from the kitchen and in these times are proud of the earnings.

Great lobster stew too! Thanks to all who donated their time and talents! And thank you to all of the United Methodist Women who led the effort.

Thank you also to Karen Jennings for putting together a wonderful craft area for children to make ornaments and gift for friends and family while parents shopped. It was a great success!