New Pastor Appointed to Peoples Announced

Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth are being reappointed as of July 1. You can read more about the Arrisons new appointment here.  On Sunday, May 21, the new pastor was announced who has been appointed to Peoples. Our SPRC Chair, Keith Snoddy writes the following:

On this past Saturday, May 21, the Staff Parish Relations Committee met with our District Superintendent, Mike Davis, to meet our new pastor, Tom Frey. After meeting and interviewing Tom It was the consensus opinion of SPRC that Tom is a good fit for Peoples. The following is a brief bio about him:

Pastor Tom Frey has lived in Maine for 25 years, having been born in Brooklyn and raised in New York. His wife Kelly is a high school Spanish teacher and they have two daughters Patsy (age 21) and Irene (age 18).

He is a second career pastor, having worked in the entertainment field and as a writer in the past. He has degrees in Theater Arts, English, a Master’s of Divinity and has done master’s work in secondary education. Peoples is his third appointment, having served churches in West Cumberland and Richmond.

Having a strong commitment to Christ, Tom loves working with children and youth and is passionate about preaching God’s love and bringing that love everywhere and to everyone possible. He believes that church is about what we do and not where we meet.

An additional announcement is that as a result of Tom's appointment to Peoples we will be getting a new DS. This is because Tom's daughter Patsy will be marrying one of Mike's sons in September this year. Conference rules do not allow a DS to supervise a family member so we will get a new DS with this appointment, Our new DS will be Beverly Stenmark who is the current DS for the Mid Maine district.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me or any other member of SPRC. The members are: Jason House, Betty Lane, Barb Nelson, Tom Nelson, Sally Smith and Chris Ward.

In Christian service together,
Keith Snoddy - Chairman SPRC

Partners in Ministry Message from the Bishop

Dear Partners in Ministry,

♦ “HE GOT AWAY!" Recently we were worshipping with the "resurrection people" of a church which is needing to envision some fresh, life-giving ways of worship and mission. (I hope your church is doing the same....we all need to). During the children’s time, the pastor, building on the Easter story, was talking about the empty tomb. With all seriousness, she asked the kids, "What happened to Jesus?" One little guy, without missing a beat, blurted out, "He got away!"

Amen, child of God. In the resurrection, Jesus "got away" from all that would entomb us, all that would hold us back, all the smell of death that lurks in our world, in our churches, and in our own hearts.....and He invites us to follow Him into new life. I hope your church, and our conference is running as fast and joyously as we can after the risen Christ who's got a way for us to new life.

♦ MOVIN' ON OUT...this summer. Jesus not only "moved on out" of the tomb, but his whole "way" of ministry was "movin' on out" of the synagogues, out to where the hurt and pain and margins of his time were. He challenged his disciples to "go into all the world" (Mark 16:15)....move on out. On Pentecost (get ready for wind and fire on June 12, again) His followers moved on out into the diverse crowds of the city sharing "the mighty works of God!" (Acts 2:11)....and the crowds thought these Christians were a little tipsy. John Wesley was thought to be a little crazy to move on out to preach in the coal fields, Asbury to move on out to America, Jesse Lee to move on out from sunny Virginia to the snows of New England (of course he hadn't discovered skiing yet)....but they all dared to go. What about you and me?

Summer time is a great time to be "movin' on out" of our buildings and into our communities and world in some new ways. Here are some ideas some of our churches have done:
Move Worship out onto the lawn, or to the town commons, or city park, or state park. Many of our "beach area" churches have a service on the beach (along with one at the church). Do not "hide the light of your worship under a bushel".....outside services are often inviting to people who might not "dress up and enter the inner-sanctum" of a church building. Encourage people to bring brunch food, blankets to sit on, (remember Jesus' feeding of the 5,000?...well...) The last church I served, the 9 a.m. on the lawn service quickly became the largest of the four services we had on weekends....plus attracting new people right off the city street.
Do your "fellowship time" outside after your service(s) that are held at the church. Let the community see that you are alive and well and having a good time. Do "lemonade on the lawn" instead of "coffee in the cloister!" Expand it to have a "Good Neighbors Block Party" a couple of times during the summer inviting everyone in town (or around) to come to get to know each other. Some churches have built in a 5K walk/run for a mission like helping victims in Haiti, or Japan, or your own area...it gives a great opportunity to introduce non-church folk to the great work the church does around to world through UMCOR etc.
Take Vacation Bible School on the Road to somebody's backyard in a residential neighborhood, or at a farm (a lot of kids have never seen a cow face to face), or a trailer park, or the community room in a low income housing project, instead of expecting people to come to the church. I've heard of churches doing VBS in picnic pavilions at a local amusement park, or at an automobile dealer's show room. (He was a member of the church, and loved doing it....plus it was biblical; "and they were all of one Accord.") Use your imagination....and connections...to reach new kids in new places. Plus, don't forget to plan follow up contacts and events for the kids who do come to your VBS in the fall, wherever you hold it. That's a good way to jump-start your Sunday School or after-school ministries with kids all year around.
Move on out with a volunteer in mission (VIM) team either in your own community or for a week of travel to some other part of New England....or the world. Some churches have a project they are doing every Saturday during the summer in their community....sometimes in cooperation with groups like Habitat for Humanity, etc. This allows people to join in when they can during the summer...plus invite friends to join in too. VIM trips are planned by many of our churches, and even if you don't have one going from your church, check with your district office about other churches that you could team with this summer, in preparation for developing your own VIM trip/team next summer. You will find that these experiences are powerful spiritual and missional times for youth, adults, and families..."movin' on out."

♦ OSAMA BIN LADEN, JESUS, AND ME. Jesus never said it would be easy for me or those of us who want to follow Him in the terrible realities of this world. But this is what He said: "You have heard it said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matt. 5:43-45)

And this is what Paul wrote in trying to follow Jesus in the terrible realities of this world; "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21).

So, I've been unsettled by the Word of God in the terrible realities of this world and the way Osama Bin Laden died. I hope you have been wrestling with this too. For me this is no time for celebration, but rather for confession about how far our world and my own heart has yet to go if we are to truly follow the Christ who came to save us and our world in the midst of the terrible realities. "O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us."

♦ CALLING ALL CONFIRMANDS Last year over 1500 new people professed their faith in Jesus Christ and joined the movement of United Methodists here in New England. Many of those were young people who were confirmed around this time of year. At Annual Conference we will celebrate those being confirmed in our churches and close our annual conference on Saturday, June 11, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with an one hour service dedicated to and involving these young people. I will be sharing with them some stories of young followers of Jesus Christ who have made a powerful difference in this world, just as they can and are. I will also share with each of them a special token of the day and their confirmation.

I invite you to come and bring your confirmands for this great time at Gordon College. Those who come in the morning can be involved in putting together food kits for our Stop Hunger Now mission project. It is to be a time of reminding all of us that we are Partners in Ministry in a global movement for the sake of Christ and the transformation of the world. I will look forward to seeing you there!

PS: Pray for our upcoming Annual Conference which will be held from June 8-11 at Gordon College, Wenham, Mass. "Best of all, God is with us!"

Grace and Peace,

Pete

Spring Clean Up Day

Submitted by Art Tordoff

    It was a great day to come out to breakfast and a great day to work in and outside the church. If my calculations are correct there were 20 folks that came out to breakfast for 7:30 in the vestry and when it came time to go out and work around the church yard or inside cleaning windows there were 29 church members of every size and shape and their were another two Scout Dads with five Scouts that worked at raking, mowing, chopping weeding and cleaning windows just to name a number of the chores that were carried out. The weather couldn’t have been much better and the church property has rarely looked as good as it does as a result. Thanks again Brad for being our provider of nourishment and sustenance.    

     We have the Lord to thank for all that was done, for the food we were provided with and the good feeling that we all have felt by contributing to the community that is known as Peoples.  Thanks to all.

     You can view more photos on the Clean Up Day Photo Album.

Bake Sale and Car Wash! May 15 after worship

The Peoples kids want to support the June Peoples mission trip by hosting a bake sale and car wash. Isn't that amazing?  The bake sale will begin right after worship, at 11:30am.  The car wash will begin about noon to give the Sunday School a chance to set up.
    So come on out this Sunday, May 15 and show your support! And don't forget your car.

Mission Trip 2011 - How YOU Can Help

Peoples Church is gearing up for our second summer 2011 mission trip! The trip date is set for June 25-July 2, 2011. The destination is back to Urban Promise in Wilmington, DE ministering to underprivileged inner city youth.  You can view a short 2010 Mission Trip Slideshow here. It's worth a peak!

    Those going on the 2011 Mission Trip include:  Earle Harvey, Fred Wade, Ellen Dunn, Isaac Dunn, Nathan Dunn, Carolyn Civitarese and Pastor Gwyneth.

    This year, you may not be "going" on the mission trip, but there are many ways you can still be part of the team.  Here are just a few, and if you have other ideas, please contact Pastor Gwyneth or any of the team members, who in addition to the above going on the trip include Betty Lane, Betty Smith, Shane and Joely Ross, and others are always welcome.

• Attend the Send-Off in the church parking lot on Saturday, June 25 at 8am to show your support for the whole team.

• Sign up for a slot in the prayer-vigil during the trip, which will cover the whole team in prayer during travel and mission-hours of their trip.
• Donate mission supplies. List from Urban Promise to be provided soon.
• Take an angel from the tree to support the team financially. For gas cards, it is most convenient for the team to purchase American Express cards so they can be used at any gas station. Or if you prefer, you can donate with cash or check which will be converted to American Express cards.
• Serve as a Prayer Buddy for one member of the team, whom you covenant to pray for regularly throughout the trip as well as attend the send-off and welcome home to show your support for him/her.
• Attend the Welcome-Home in the church parking lot on Saturday, July 2 (about 6pm) to welcome the team home.
• Attend worship on July 3 and 10 to hear team members share about their mission experience.

Mother's Day at Peoples!

The dad's (and a few boys, and yes some ladies) helped the kids make Mother's Day handprint plates during Sunday School!  It was good, messy fun, and moms sure appreciated their gifts. You may view more photos in the Mother's Day Photo Album.

Plant Sale May 21 - Get Ready!

Submitted by Carol Bruneau

WE NEED OUR PEOPLES GARDNERS WHO HAVE PLANTS TO DIVIDE UP TO PLEASE DIG THEM UP AND POT THEM UP AND LABEL THEM AND BRING THEM TO THE CHURCH FOR THE CHURCH PLANT SALE. YOU MAY BRING YOUR PLANTS TO THE CHURCH AND PUT THEM ALONG THE SIDE OF ELLIS HALL, JUST AFTER THE KITCHEN DOOR, ON FRIDAY MAY 20 OR ON SATURDAY BY AROUND 8:00AM.

IF YOU HAVE ANY GARDEN TOOLS YOU DO NOT NEED WE WILL ALSO HAVE AN AREA FOR GARDEN TOOLS FOR SALE.

IF YOU NEED PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDENS , THE SALE GOES FROM 9:00AM UNTIL 12:00 PM AND WE WERE PRETTY MUCH SOLD OUT BY 11:00 LAST YEAR.

Pastors Announce Reappointment

Pastors Gwyneth and Jamie announced in worship today that they have been appointed to churches in northern Massachusetts. As of July 1, Pastor Jamie will be serving half time at First UMC in Amesbury. They have just voted to become a new site of the large and growing multi-site ministry in Plaistow and Sandown New Hampshire. Pastor Gwyneth will also be serving half time, at Merrimacport UMC, although will be taking a renewal leave through the summer so will begin her appointment September 1.

Though neither Peoples nor the pastors were looking for a change in appointment at this time, the specific needs of the Amesbury and Merrimacport churches led the Bishop and District Superintendents to make this change. They are in the process of discerning who will be the new pastor appointed to Peoples. Though this could take a few weeks, the new pastor will be ready to begin July 1. The Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is already in conversation with our District Superintendent about the specific gifts Peoples is currently seeking in a pastor. Please contact Keith Snoddy as the chair if you have any input for the committee.

With the announcement, Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth preached a shared sermon on dealing with the stress of this transition with direct communication, prayer, Bible study and a complete dependence on Jesus. In all of this it is helpful to remember that the church is the people, regardless of changes in building location, pastors or ministries. This is not the time to go looking for another church! Rather, it’s the time to draw even closer together as the Peoples family, and continue reaching out to the community in vital ministry.

Please feel free to contact the pastors through the next several months with questions or just some conversation. Pastor Jamie will also be leading a Sunday School class beginning May 8 at 8:30am to address topics such as our United Methodist connection, appointment system, care and hospitality for the new pastor and family, preparing the lay leadership for this transition, etiquette in terms of contact with the outgoing pastors, and other subjects that may arise.

Here are some questions for all of us to ponder in the next few months:
• How you I help continue the ministries of Peoples through this transition and make them even stronger?
• What are some ways I can show hospitality to the new pastor and family? Some ideas might include having flowers waiting in the parsonage, arranging for meals for the first few days after arriving, providing a tour of the community, and having everyone wear nametags in worship.
• What would be most helpful in order to say goodbye to the Arrison family?

Please ponder these questions and others that arise, and please especially be in prayer for all of the pastors and churches who are in transition.

Together in Ministry for Christ,
Gwyneth and Jamie