Celebration 175 in Review

Why celebrate?

175 years ago in 1839 Jesse Stone, an itinerant Methodist Episcopal preacher, was assigned to the Brown’s Hill (First Methodist) church by the Methodist Episcopal Conference. He was also ordained to start “class meetings” elsewhere in Cape Elizabeth. One of those areas where a gathering was started was Point Village today known as Willard Square. Class Meetings at first met in private homes and eventually when a group became too large to accommodate in a home they might meet in a local school or clubhouse before they would actually build a church. Eventually this “meeting” in Point Village was divided and some of the members moved further out on the Cape and another moved to the developing Ferry Village. It was not until 1853 that the Ferry Village Methodist Episcopal Church was opened, therefore, the class meeting continued until that time. It is that initial “Class Meeting” in 1839 that we celebrate at this time in the year 2014.

Preparation

For months a team of church members had worked in preparation for the Celebration that would allow all of us to experience what it might be like to have been among the first residents of Point Village and Ferry Village to meet as Methodists in Class Meetings. The members of this committee initially included Pastor Tom Frey, Rosemary Herd, Doreen Gay, Brad Morrison, Betty Smith, Charlotte Whittemore, Sherie and Dick Small, Christine Ward, Tom and Barbara Nelson and Art and Marlene Tordoff.  Faithfully the group would meet during the coffee hour after church on several Sundays until all aspects of an eight day celebration was ready to experience.

On Saturday, September 6 a group of folks appeared outside Ellis Hall to prepare the grounds for the initial renewal service that would be held outside under a colorful Spinnaker (Sail). Attaching the sail to 2 x 4’s and the parsonage porch under the able guidance of Randy, Chuck, Dick, Doreen, Art and Pastor Tom was done within a rather brief amount of time. Weather later that day brought done a corner of the sail, but by the time the church service would begin the sail was up and all the chairs for the congregation were in place.

Renewal Service

The morning of the seventh couldn’t have been more beautiful! The sun was shining and the leaves on the trees were glistening with dew left by the rain of the night before. Several of the ladies came adorned with dresses and bonnets similar to what would have been worn to “class meetings” in 1839. Dick Small was also attired in male fashion of the day. Attendance was good and everyone enjoyed the venue. Pastor Tom’s sermon was titled, “Looking Ahead” and called for us to enjoy the experience and what we might learn through the history of Peoples people, but to be prepared to move forward and carry what we have learned from the past into our present lives prepared for an ever changing future of service and commitment to others and to Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Special music was experienced through a trio of ukulele players and a solo by Fran Page. The music was as inspirational as the day!

Class Meetings

Monday evening, September 8 ushered in two class meetings, one that was held at the Snoddys and led by Merrill Kaiser centered on Prayer. Nearly a dozen folks were engaged in discussion on the meaning of prayer and all were willing in this comfortable setting to participate. Many folks were perhaps getting to know each other in a more intimate way for the first time.

The other meeting held on Monday was centered on the theme of  “God’s Economy” which centered on Biblical references in Timothy 1 6:6-11 and 17-19. This session was held at the home of the Gays and was led by Earle Harvey. This was a rather small group, but one that allowed all of the folks present to share their thoughts on many questions concerned with wealth and how it should be used.

On Tuesday, a dozen members of the church formed a Class Meeting based on “Sharing Faith”. The Bruneaus’ home was the site where this session took place. Led by Chris Ward we all sat around an extended dining room table and discussed how we need to share our faith in Jesus with others. Many offered stories about how they share the presence of the Lord with others; in family and community. Many were very open in telling stories about their experiences with and through Christ.

On Thursday, another “meeting” was held at the home of the Morrisons. Betsy facilitated and Brad hosted. The theme shared by again, nearly a dozen folks, was on the theme, “Patience”. Some of the folks in attendance at this session had also taken part in some of the other meetings as well. Everyone shared  thoughts they had on their issues with patience and everyone certainly could go away from the session with a closer, more intimate understanding of themselves as well as the other folks in the room. Hopefully through what we learned from the Bible references and the stories told and the lessons learned everyone would be better equipped to handle our daily tasks and relationships with more patience.

Another theme that we hoped would lead to another Class Meeting was the theme of “Parenting”. Since no facilitator was forthcoming we would hope at a later date to see a session on that take place. It is difficult to find a time appropriate for most parents of today to schedule such a session in their busy working schedules as well as that of their children. The hope would be that during the school year a time and a place would be available with child sitting service available to have a mix of folks meet with this theme. Perhaps a number of other themes will be brought forward or some that have been held can be repeated. Let us know if there is a theme that you would like to see developed. You may also like to offer your home or offer yourself as a facilitator for future meetings

Memorial Service of Light

 On Wednesday, September 10 a rather large group of people gathered at the Bathhouse at Willard Beach for a Memorial Service. Pastor Tom led the 40 or so in a service to honor personal loved ones and or saints of the church and community that have passed on. Luminaries were lit by a family member or members and placed on a log conveniently located on the beach. All of the luminaries lit represented folk’s names that were written down on a sheet then Pastor Tom read them off. The words that he offered were meaningful to all and the setting of fading sun, cool breezes and the expanse of calm water with gently floating ships was simply breathtaking and inspiring. Being with family members and church members drew all folks closer together.

Celebration Meal and Entertainment

On Friday, nearly 50 folks gathered for a meal of fish chowder or corn chowder with homemade breads and desserts. Brad Morrison had prepared the chowders and Chris Ward with the help of Janice, Becky, Kayla, Dick and others took care of ladling the chowder then cleaning up the kitchen. Pastor Tom and Debbie led us in a hymn sing as the evening’s entertainment. Time was taken to dedicate three significant items. The first was a wood and bronze plaque that lists all of the pastors who have served Peoples since 1839. This will be hung permanently in the back of the sanctuary. The second dedication was a quilt that had been inspired by the interest of Rosemary Herd. The quilt squares represent various families and organizations that are and have been associated with Peoples. The third dedication was of a new display cabinet created by Jim MacKinnon and is hung near the ramp in the Vestry.

Archival Display

On Friday through Sunday a display of church artifacts and pictures was available for perusal. The display included some items from the 1800’s through the present day. People who viewed the display were amazed for example at the handwriting in some of the record books of the 1800’s. The display gave people an opportunity to see some of the activities that were experienced by members of Peoples in the past. Pictures of the old church in Ferry Village also were attractions of the display. Art Tordoff, church historian was responsible for setting up the display that was spread over several tables.

Heritage Day Fair

On Saturday the thirteenth the celebration continued with the Heritage Fair Day. Scheduled to run from 9 AM to 1 PM a number of adults arrived early to set up games and food for the anticipated crowds of young people that were expected. Canopies were set up outside along with a hot dog steamer, popcorn machine, and lemonade stand. A table was set up with caramel apples and other delectable sweets. Yet another canopy housed a work area for children to make dolls like a child might have in the 1830’s. Jump ropes, marble circles and game of tossing rings with the use of crossed sticks along with a sack race area were put in readiness. Inside other games like fox and geese, dominoes, cribbage, a cake walk and bean bag toss were ready and waiting. Nine thirty came, ten o’clock came and went but finally around 10:30 and closer to 11:00 AM a few children came and tried each of the games and ate food. Most assuredly the adults who were there had a good time themselves playing games and eating food. It was good to see that adults could have fun and the few children that came also could be seen with wide smiles on their faces.

 

 

Last Service in Ellis Hall

Sunday, the fourteenth and it was time for a closing service for the week of celebration. The congregation met once again in Ellis Hall as they have for the entire summer. Ellis Hall provided an intimate and friendly setting as attendance is usually down during the summer. The other major reason for having met there this summer resulted from the complete restoration of the organ that was taking place in the sanctuary. It is nice to know that our regular weekly services will be back in the sanctuary this coming Sunday, September 21 at 10 AM. Children returned to church and were greeted by Pastor Tom’s puppets, Harry and Humphrey, telling the story of Jonah. Once the children’s service was concluded all of the children adjourned to the vestry for Sunday school with Amy and Carol. The remaining congregation listened to a very moving sermon by Pastor Tom based on the scripture, Mark 1:21-28. The theme again was “Looking Ahead”, encouraging all of us to follow Jesus in doing the service that he would wish us to do and is leading us to do.

At the conclusion of the service and Sunday school, those who wished to stay were treated to an ice cream social.

While these activities concluded a week of inspirational events we are urged to create and be involved in ministries and services that are not only part of Peoples legacy, but should also lead us to serve the church community and the greater community in new and meaningful ways.

Thank you

We thank all of those who helped to develop this week of activities and participated in them. We hope that more folks feel the spirit and are encouraged to take the lead in ministries and services that we are called to be engaged in.

Book to be published

Yet to come is the completion of a book, “Roots: The Story of a Local Church” that is nearly done. It is a work that is related to the Roots blog that can be found at www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com  but will also include some features that are not included on the blog. We do hope that you take some time to familiarize yourself with the blog if you haven’t already. If you would like to see something included on the blog that you haven’t seen or would like to advertize please let Art Tordoff or Pastor Tom Frey know.