Peoples In Transition

Since early in May the members of Peoples United Methodist Church in South Portland have known that our present pastors, Gwyneth and Jamie Arrison and their family would be moving to serve in Merrimacport and Amesbury, Massachusetts after 6 full years with us. It is always with mixed emotions that the pastors as well as the congregation experience this kind of change. It is a practice of the Methodist church that pastors are considered “Itinerant” and are expected to move to new placements. Having been a part of the Peoples family since 1948, this will be my sixteenth change. Some of those changes have taken place over a short time while some have been more lengthy. Five to seven years seems to be about the average. During the Arrison years we have experienced marked growth in the Sunday school experience, changes in communicative methods both among parishioners and in church services, and have continued to maintain a number of previously developed ministries. The initiation of a more diversified missions program has also been a significant part of Peoples’ life especially with the advent of the Urban Promise connection.

While we have the Arrisons to thank for helping in the initiation of some of these programs, it is still the strength of the church members who carry out programs with their time, talent and financial contributions.
On Sunday, June 19, the Staff Parish Committee prepared a celebration for the Arrisons at the close of church service, in Ellis Hall. Most of the church congregation on this date stayed for the celebration and a chance to thank the Arrisons one more time for their time shared with us. A good time was had by all sharing stories with each other. You can view the Arrison Farewell Photo Album here.