Easter Letter

You may click here to view the full color copy as well!

Easter 2010

Peoples Family,Our Lenten Journey has taken us through many experiences and emotions this season. We have experienced not just casual Christianity but what it means to have passionate faith – passionately trusting in Jesus, passionately needing God, passionately confessing our sin, passionately experiencing joy. The season of Lent truly is a journey of faith. It is an essential experience we encounter as a community. The music and stories associated with the journey cause us to contemplate our humanity and our need for a Savior. The journey, however, culminates in the greatest news we could ever hope for! Jesus is Alive! The Author of Hope and Grace is Arisen! This Journey is not meant to keep us focused on ourselves. The Journey with Jesus focuses our attention outward to those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus, or to those whose faith has fallen asleep. You can make a difference in someone else’s journey by sharing the excitement you have experienced in knowing Jesus and helping them connect with the same love of Christ you have experienced.

There are several opportunities to invite others to connect with the love of Christ through Peoples Church, which are listed on the reverse side. We invite you to pray for God’s leading, and invite those God places on your heart.

We pray God’s richest blessings on you this Easter season!
Together in Ministry for Christ

Gwyneth & Jamie Arrison, Co-Pastors

Easter Week Activities

Palm Sunday, March 28, worship at 10:30am
Palms to wave and Sunday School for kids ages 3-11. Nursery provided as well.

Maundy Thursday, April 1 at 7pm
A service of readings and extinguishing candles while the sanctuary is stripped of its symbols and linens.

Good Friday, April 2 at Noon, Elm Street UMC
Worship with other United Methodist churches in the area to experience the crucifixion of Christ and why this is “good.”

Prayer Vigil, April 2, 2pm-Midnight
The church will be open for prayer during this time, or you can sign up for a timeslot. Can you spare just one hour to pray on this most Holy Day?

Easter Sunrise, Sunday, April 4, Fishermen’s Point, 6:15am
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the sun comes up over Casco Bay. Please park at the public lot at Willard Beach, observe all parking signs and respect sleeping neighbors. Thank you! Easter breakfast immediately following.

Easter Breakfast, Sunday, April 4, 7:00am
Easter Breakfast in Ellis Hall immediately following the sunrise service, approximately 7:00 am Lots of pancakes and other great food and fellowship. Free will offering. There will be no coffee fellowship on Easter Sunday.

Easter Morning Worship, Sunday, April 4, 10:30am
We will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus during morning worship. Nursery care is provided.

Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 4, 10:30am
Children will leave from worship for a fun Easter egg hunt, crafts and activities.

Prayer Vigil

There is a prayer vigil at Peoples on Good Friday, April 2, 2pm-midnight. The church will be open for prayer during this time. Please sign up for a time slot to be in prayer (at the back of the sanctuary or contact Betty Splettstoesser), or just show up during this time. Someone will be present at all times so one will be alone in the building.

Can you spare just one hour to pray on this Holy Day?

Easter at Fisherman's Point

Please join us at 6:15am to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the sun comes up over Casco Bay. All ages are welcome. Be sure to dress warmly!

Please park at the public lot at Willard Beach, observe all parking signs and respect sleeping neighbors. Thank you.

To get to Fisherman's Point from the public lot, walk to the beach, walk down the beach to the right (south) to the stairs, and Fisherman's Point will be on your left. It's about 1/4 mile walk from the lot.

Easter breakfast immediately following, at about 7am.

Worshipping Together in the Methodist Connection

Every Wednesday during Lent the United Methodist Churches have gathered together for worship at a different church each week, and a different presiding pastor. The church choirs have each helped to lead worship, and we have had some special music as well, such as the "Messengers of Hope" as seen in the photo.

Our last service will be held at noon on Good Friday (April 2), hosted by Elm Street UMC. Thank you to all who have attended and supported these mid-week worship services!

Lenten Prayer Room

Our sister church, Thornton Heights UMC has set up a beautiful prayer room with “prayer centers” as a way to deepen faith during this Lenten journey. The church is located at 100 Westbrook Street in South Portland. FMI call 774-0487.

Easter Flowers

If you would like to purchase flowers to help decorate the church for Easter, and/or list your donation in memory of a loved one, please obtain a form on the back table in the sanctuary. These are due to Chris Ward no later than Wednesday, March 31. Flowers may be dropped off Saturday, April 3 from 9:30am-5pm. Thank you.

Last Chance for a Mission Trip!

Peoples Church is hosting a mission trip July 11-17, its first ever mission trip outside the state of Maine. We have 7 folks registered which is very exciting, and will take as many as 5 more. The final deadline for sign up is April 11, the Sunday after Easter. This is to ensure significant time for team bonding and information sharing.

All team members signed up by April 11 will attend monthly meetings in April, May and June. The next team meeting will take place after church on April 11. These team meetings are mandatory for all who are signed up for the trip as there will be important information and resources shared and is imperative for team bonding.

Looking for ways to help even if you can’t go? Here are some ideas: Sponsoring someone on the trip, financial help or donations of craft supplies, loaning necessary items such as a roof top carrier or air mattress. In addition, we will be planning some special fundraisers as well as times for prayer before and during the trip. Please contact Betsy Morrison at 767-6063 or Pastor Gwyneth at 409-5530 if you have any questions.

Preble Street Soup Kitchen - Help Serve on 3/31!

Peoples Church will be helping to serve at the Wayside Soup Kitchen on Wednesday, March 31. 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.

View more pictures at our Wayside Photo Album.

Don't forget to wear your Peoples Church apron!

Preparing Kids for Easter: "Go and Tell!"

As usual the most popular center has been the cooking center! This unit kids have been making cinnamon sugar biscuits with marsh-mellows that "disappear" after they go into the oven (tomb!). The kids are learning all about the true meaning of Easter, the empty tomb and the hope of resurrection through Jesus Christ. The unit is called "Go and Tell" which encourages all of us to share the good news of Jesus with a friend. The kids will also be singing their song they are learning on Easter Sunday! There's also a model tomb, which for now is closed off with a big rock! Many thanks to Karen Jennings for heading up this unit, and all of the teachers and helpers.

Click here to view the Sunday School "Go and Tell" Photo Album

Worship Time Survey

You will find in your church bulletins on 3/28 and 4/11 a survey concerning a possible change in worship schedule beginning this summer. Results from the survey will be brought to Worship and Church Council to assist church leadership in making this decision. Stay tuned for details!

New Sunday School Unit Soon

On Sunday, April 11 a new Sunday School unit begins! Exploring Pentecost together through fun learning centers, including cooking, science, games, crafts, and music. The children will also be doing special activities for Mother’s Day and Earth Day.

For more information or to register your child in the Sunday School, please contact Andy Folley at 749-5702

Church Retreat in Bridgton April 10

All are welcome to join the pastors for a weekend retreat on Saturday April 10, “Walking with the Risen Savior.” The retreat will take place at the lakeside “Bullwinkle” with beautiful mountain views. There will be group study, personal devotion and reflection as well as fun and fellowship. Refreshments will be available at 9:00am and the first session will begin at 9:30am. Lunch will be provided, and the retreat will end at 4pm.

If there are families with children who would like to attend, we will arrange children’s activities or possibly a group mission! Please contact the pastors with your interest. Cost: $5/person Registration due Thursday, April 8: Min: 6 Max: 20

Infant Baptism

If you are interested in being baptized, or having a child baptized, or are just interested in the theology of baptism in the United Methodist church, please contact the pastors; classes will be starting soon.

Finances at Peoples

This year the Church Council approved a budget with a deficit of about $36,000. The last few years have been considerably worse financially than years previous due to the stock market. However, as many have pointed out, using investment income is not only unpredictable, it also decreases people's need to give. The most serious matter at hand is that for the past two years, in order to pay the bills such as heat and light, Peoples has paid only 6-8% of our mission shares to the Conference. Of the 70 some churches in our district, we were in the bottom 6. We cannot continue to avoid this important responsibility. These mission shares go to support vital conference ministries such as all of our Methodist Camps like Mechuwana. You can click here to see all of the ministries that Mission Shares support. Also at this link you can find mission share information and history for individual churches.

However, the good news is that we have begun to tap a Conference resource to help Peoples put together a financial plan for the future. The Finance Committee and other leaders will be working together with the District Superintendent, Rev. Mike Davis and the Tri State District Mission Shares Review Team led by Rev. Deb Shipp. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to contact the pastors or any member of the Finance Committee. And if you feel led to come on board to help out with this mission shares review process, please also contact us.

Above all, please be in prayer for your church family. More important than meeting our budget is knowing that we are each giving all that God is calling us to. This type of sacrifice is essential to growing in faith. So many are struggling financially and most feel they are giving all they can. The question is not, however, what we can do, but what God can do through us! Amen!

E100 Journey Through the Bible Continues

We have begun an exciting journey through the Bible together called E100. Read through 100 carefully selected Bible passages with a family member, co-worker, friend or small group. Read at your own pace, using a Bible translation of your choice. Easy-to-Read Bibles are available, and the first order for guide books have all been spoken for, but if you'd like one please contact the pastors at thearrisons@peoplesumc.com

Many folks are reading together with a spouse or friend. There are also several groups, one using email chat, and another that will be starting up on Wednesday evenings after Easter (most likely meeting every other week) at the Whittemore's home. If you are interested in either of these, or starting a group of your own, please contact the pastors and we can get you started.

Won't you join us on this journey together? It's not too late to join!

Candlelight Meditation April 11 7pm

The April meditation will be held Sunday, April 11 at 7pm. This month’s Easter theme: "Victory in Christ!” Join us for a short Scripture reading followed by about 45 minutes of reflection while listening to meditative instrumental music in the beautiful candlelit sanctuary.

Some of your unchurched friends or family may be uncomfortable with traditional Sunday morning church. This casual time of meditation is the perfect opportunity to invite someone to attend with you.

Meditations are held the 2nd Sunday of each month.Come relax and connect with God.

Mark Your Calendars for Christmastime!

It's never too late to start planning Christmas events! Mark your calendars for a horse-drawn caroling party on Sunday, December 12 at 4pm!

All money collected for the rides will go to a mission, yet to be decided. If you have ideas for a mission, please contact the pastors.

Mom's Group

The Peoples mom's group is for moms at home with babies and toddlers. It's a fun time for kids to play, and moms to connect and support one another. This is a time to connect with other parents as the children play with a large variety of toys or crafts. We also generally spend some time praying for our children at the end. If you're interested in joining us, we meet 1st and 3rd Thursdays. We will be meeting next on April 1 and April 15. The group meets from 10am-noon so feel free to leave early or come late! We meet at the pastors' home, and as the weather improves we will be meeting at parks. Please RSVP to Pastor Gwyneth whether you can attend. Hope to see you there!

New Publication Policy Approved

The Church Council voted and unanimously approved this month a new publication policy, which includes our use of photos online:

Peoples United Methodist Church Publication Policy

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:14-16 14

Including images of our church family in ministry on our webpage, online newsletter/blog, and facebook is an effective way to “let our light shine,” and an excellent outreach tool to a visitor who may be curious about what our events and activities are like. Photos may also motivate and encourage others to become more involved. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
However, we also realize the importance of online safety, particularly for children. To this end, the Peoples United Methodist Church ensures the following regarding our online presence:

* Last names and other identifying information (e.g., phone numbers, emails, addresses) are not disclosed except for church staff and ministry leaders, or unless permission is first obtained.
* Minor children will not be identified by name unless parental permission is first obtained.
* Any person objecting to the use of his or her photo, and/or objecting to the use of a minor child’s photo, should inform the pastors or webmaster.
* Peoples United Methodist Church reserves the right to amend this policy at any time.

All photos found on our church online spaces are the property of the Peoples United Methodist Church unless otherwise noted.

Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be addressed to the church at (207) 619-1509 or office@peoplesumc.com

Heads up for a High Seas Expedition!

We are beginning to plan for Vacation Bible Camp this summer, and will be taking the kids on a High Seas Expedition! It's sure to be a wonderful time learning and experiencing God's love in new and exciting ways. Click here to learn more about the High Seas curriculum

Although we have hosted the camp in July in past years, due to the church mission trip we are planning for August this year. The tentative date we have planned for the camp is August 2-6. If a large number of folks prefer a different date we may need to revise, but this is the plan so far, which works for most of our center leaders. We don't need registrations this early, but if you have any feedback on the date please let us know.


Click here to view photos from last year's amazing Vacation Bible Camp, Avalanche Ranch Photo Album!

Peoples on Spotlight!

Peoples UMC was in the Portland Herald Worship Spotlight.
Check it out here!

UMCOR For Haiti

Peoples served as one of the regional drop off sites for New England Conference. Peoples collected 123 kits, and went through over 800 kits received to make sure all instructions were followed (it is amazing how many kits were not correctly filled). Rev. John Blackadar arrived on March 1 with the UMCOR truck, and together with Carol and David Bruneau packed up the truck. It was full when it left! Many thanks to all who donated, helped organize and loaded the kits on the truck! The people of Haiti are the ones who truly thank you though.