Memorial Day Weekend at Peoples

Another Beautiful Weekend at Peoples

Root Cellar

While not officially the weekend, a contingent of Peoples people spent the early evening of Thursday, May 22 in Portland on Washington Avenue serving a spaghetti meal to over 70 children that live in that neighborhood as well as some of the workers at the Root Cellar. This group and others who periodically join the core group serve a meal at the Cellar three times a year. Other members of Peoples who can’t make it to the location do supply some of the desserts that are also made available to “Sweets” loving children. The meal is prepared and served by Carol, Marlene, Kathy, Barbara, Fred and Art. We welcome others to join us when you are available.

Plant Sale

God’s blessings come in many forms. Several of Peoples people have been served by the Lord in beautifying their properties with trees, shrubs and plants of all sizes and descriptions. Plants especially over time duplicate themselves giving the gardeners the opportunity to share those wonders of God’s world with others. On Friday, May 23 the Garden committee prepared for sale over 200 plants that would be available to the public on Saturday. Among those that can be seen in pictures that accompany this article are Doreen, Carol, Beth, Marlene, Janice, Susan. Art took the pictures.

Arising early on Saturday morning many of those who would work on the Sale or the grounds arrived around 8 AM in order that the tables could be moved outside for the sale. 9 Tables were set up and several potted plants too large to put on tables graced the Ellis Hall parking lot. In addition plant hangers, garden tools and many sized pots were also available for purchase. During the set-up of the grounds many folks could be seen busying themselves with necessary tasks. Carol, Doreen, Joanne, Susan, Marlene, Pam, Art, David, Walter and Chuck were among those present to help and assist each other as well as the customers who came to buy plants. Many varieties of plants could be found on or around the tables. Hostas, Sedum, Prim rose, Bleeding Heart, Bee balm, Rose Campion, European Ginger, Violets, Chives, Lily of the Valley, Dianthus, Marigolds, Dusty Miller and Impatiens were among the outdoor plants available while a small number of indoor house plants were also to be found.

Some of the plants that were not sold found locations around the church property prepared for them. One of those locations was to either side of the main doors to Ellis Hall where a variety of Hostas now can be found. Doreen, Dave, Walter and Art were instrumental with that augmentation of the gardens. Another garden area prepared for planting was in front of the ramp in front of the church where, again, Hostas can now be found with other plantings soon to follow.

Kite Festival at Bug Light

While the Plant Sale was going on at church the South Portland Historical Society was holding its annual Kite Festival at Bug Light Park. Some of the folks who were either going to or coming from the Park stopped by and bought plants at our sale.

 

 

 

 

 

Blessing of the Shawls and Pillows

On Sunday the theme of the sermon was “Knit, Crochet and Pray”. Several of the Shawls, Blankets and Pillows that have been produced by the Shawl and Craft Ministry were blessed by Pastor Tom.  Over the years of its existence this ministry of women has knit dozens of Shawls that have been given to folks suffering from serious illnesses or who were grieving the loss of a loved one. They have also produced hundreds of Heart pillows that have gone to Mercy Hospital’s Oncology Department as well as the Breast Health Center for distribution to folks that have experienced major cancer surgeries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day Parade Passes Peoples

On Monday, May 26, South Portland held its annual Memorial Day Parade. Beginning at Southern Maine Community College the bands and other units in the parade pass by Peoples Church. Many folks use the church property to await and watch parade participants pass by. A ministry started a number of years ago by members of the church is the “Free” water distribution to anyone that would like a small bottle. The bottles are labeled as a gift from Peoples UMC. While it may not have been quite as hot as it has been at times on Memorial Day there still were ample takers. Carol, Rosemary, Pam and others could be seen passing out the bottles. As the parade passed by those watching could see some familiar faces in one unit or another.

Again a busy extended weekend involving activity at Peoples UMC. May the Lord continue to shine upon us as we serve the people of the immediate and greater South Portland community.

One Weekend in May

One Weekend In May

Peoples Church in South Portland was alive with activity on the second weekend in May. Saturday began with the Men’s Breakfast that was held at 7:30 AM in the vestry with 15 folks in attendance. Because it would be a busy day with the other activities that are mentioned in this article, we felt it proper to invite folks to come before the other events were scheduled. Breakfast was prepared and served at the counter by resident chef Brad, Art offered a prayer and the other 13 people present prepared themselves with a feast of omelets, hash browned potatoes, bacon and sausage with muffins hot out of the oven. Several conversations commenced around the table and a good beginning to the day was had by all.

 

 

 

 

At 8:30 AM some of those present started meeting as the garden committee. The concerns of the committee centered around the maintenance of the gardens around the church as well as the Plant sale that is scheduled for Saturday, May 24. Several of the plants to be sold are already in pots acclimating them to be out of the ground. Another activity that the committee is planning is a first. Five gardens will be available for touring on Saturday, June 28. This activity being a first will only be advertised at church and will not, this year be open to the public. Ruth Doughty is in charge of the tour while members of the committee, Marlene Tordoff, Carol Bruneau, Janice Huelin and Tom Nelson among others will be working on the gardens and plant sale.

 

Also at the appointed hour of 8:30 AM many of those attending the Men’s Breakfast would meet with others who were not early risers and begin a morning of church ground clean-up. Some could be seen raking, and taking the refuse to Walter’s trailer where it would then be carted to the composting facility later in the day. We were happy to see Craig and Liam from the Scout Troop 23 present and working on the area of the children’s playground. By the time noon rolled around all of the yard area around the church and up to the parsonage had been cleared of winter debris. Among those working out of doors were the following: Dick , Dan , Doreen , Art , Kathy , Jim , Brad , Dave  and . One thing we have not mentioned and should is that the quality of weather could have been much better as it rained heavily at times. Most of us remained undaunted and continued to plod through the deluge and nearly complete what we set out to do. Alas the cleaning of windows in Ellis Hall will have to wait for a better day.

 Meanwhile, inside Ellis Hall another group of women were busily engaged in a Sewing Bee. These women were making bonnets and dresses that they will be wearing and modeling when Peoples celebrates 175 years from the Class Meeting that initiated Methodist life in this eastern section of South Portland in 1839. This celebration will take place at the church and on the grounds beginning September 7 with a concluding worship service on Sunday, September 14. Those engaged in this activity included Rosemary , Janice , Kathy , Barbara , Sharie , and Beth Small

 

While all of these activities were underway, this writer understands that Pastor Tom was at work cleaning out a closet near his study. In the process he found some long lost bits of church memorabilia that will be properly displayed during our Celebration 175 event during the week of September 7 to 14, 2014.

The Spirit that is found at Peoples carried over to Sunday, May 11 in a different way. Celebrated as Mother’s Day, the church service was led by members of the Pipeline group. This is a group of upper elementary and junior high school age youth. From the time that congregants entered the sanctuary until the time that they left the experience provided by the youth celebrated motherhood. The ushers distributed carnations as women entered and then the service was run by other youth. Pastor Tom and the Pipeline adult leader, Dick Matthews had brief roles to play as did the choir, otherwise, all other elements of the service were ably handled by young people. I’m sure the Lord was in his holy temple and present with and through the young folks on this memorable day.