Peoples UMC Celebrates Family through Arts and Crafts

Judy at work

Peoples UMC Celebrates Family through arts and crafts

Supplies

After church on Sunday, December 13 many of those attending church ventured to the vestry where all were invited to participate in making crafted Christmas objects under the direction of Spiral Arts director, Priscilla Dreyman assisted by Kit Pike and Amy Wellington. All of the supplies necessary for creating individual and family prepared decorations were provided. Many were very intent at helping younger children while others were engaged in doing something perhaps for someone who wasn’t there or for themselves.

Pam with children

Betsy with granddaughter

Andy and Company

You might see in the pictures provided some folks that you know while at the same time you may see someone else that is new to you. You can see though, that all present were having fun as a church family. Thanks do go out to Priscilla, Kit and Amy for making this possible.

This certainly was a great activity to add to the Advent season and we would hope that it might be the first of many such celebrations as a church family.

David and new friend

You may note that some folks were perhaps simply standing around and observing and drinking coffee and munching on goodies that are usually always provided by Brad, but in this case prepared in the Vestry Kitchen rather than Ellis Hall.

Wealthy busily engaged

If you missed this event hopefully you will be a part of other events at Peoples that can be considered part of the service that we share with each other.

Everyone at work

Some look on while others craft

Anna Luke and Dad

So many supplies

Kids at work

Amy and grandson

Pam and great granddaughter

Hmmm what shall I work on?

Kit and others crafting

Some just like coffee



Some prefer to be in the background



Root Cellar Christmas Shop Set Up

A Morning at the Root Cellar Christmas Shop

On the morning of December 9, 7 members of the PUMC congregation journeyed to Washington Avenue in Portland to help set up the Christmas Shop for local residents. Folks would later be coming in to buy Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones at much reduced prices. We were told that not as much merchandise had come in as in other years, but that a major gift of money had been received to go and buy more items.

Carol Bruneau, Dick Matthews, Kathy Brann, Barbara Kenney, Keith Snoddy, Art and Marlene Tordoff, arrived around 9:00 AM and found many of the donations that had been received from businesses, churches and other groups already set in place. Christine from the Root Cellar said that we could place price tags on any of the goods that didn’t have one. We did find that many of the coats and boots and other clothing had not already been tagged while most of the toys, games and other merchandise had already been taken care. She also told us that much of what had already been done had been accomplished by a sizeable group of students who had come in from North Yarmouth Academy the day before.

While buyers were not in our midst on this day we were pleased that we could help in any way that we could.

As you may know some of the donations had come from a collection of new toys that we had collected over the previous three weeks at Peoples, one of the many mission collections that we have been involved with at Peoples in recent weeks. We do hope and pray that the hall at the Root Cellar is filled with Joy and a number of homes will experience that Joy during this Christmas season.

2015 PUMC Church Fair

2015 PUMC Church Fair

Open for business

Rosemary



Ruth plays Christmas songs and Carols

On a clear and crisp Saturday morning, December 5 the doors of Ellis Hall were opened at 9:00 AM and a rush of men and women, girls and boys came through the door into the hall to peruse the various tables that had been set up the day before by an army of church members. Under the leadership of Rosemary and Chris and Pastor Tom this annual event again was the scene of many people who have made the trip to Peoples an annual event. Some of those that were here had grown up in the church and had over time moved away, but have felt it necessary to return to the charm that makes this event special. Only once in the past 50 or so years was there an attempt to hold the fair at an earlier date, but this first Saturday in December seems to have become, other than the hanging of the greens, a kickoff for the season.

Sally and Aaron

When folks entered the hall they might have headed first to their favorite area. Some stop first at Knit goods and Crafts that this year was presided over by Sally Seidel. There one could find hats and mittens as well as crafted merchandise like the wreaths made out of Christmas balls.

Pam and Summer

Jewelry Shop

Opposite in the middle of the hall was the large display of Jewelry of all kinds neatly displayed and tagged by Doreen Gay, Sharon Obie and Pam Darling with some help from Summer.

Candy canes and technology

The two Bettys

Customers and Crew

The single largest area of goods would be the several tables that display any manner of used merchandise that had become someone’s need to get rid of and someone else’s new treasure. There one would find the two Bettys, Mary and Jodi.

Mariah and Hannah

Book land

In the breezeway, a favorite stop for many is the Book room where you might find Becky Gotlieb, Jan and Susan.

Entering the hall again Mariah was hard at work, sometimes with daughter Hannah overseeing, making her famous personalized Christmas tree ornaments.

In the center of the room Aaron was selling his award winning Jams and Jellies along with candy bars and little stockings with goodies in them.

Pam and Carol with Pastor Tom in the background

Next to him were Kathy and Carol in charge of a tables of nice treasures that completed the center focus of the fair.

Candy land

Janice and Becky fudging it

Sweets and Jams

To the rear of the hall were Marlene and Amy with a wide range of baked goods that included scones, cookies, jams, Lemon rolls, Carrot cakes and the like. Tempting to look at without buying, many visitors found something to their liking that they could indulge in early in this season of celebration. Next to the bakery was the Candy shop presided over by Janice and Becky Snoddy. If you have a taste for candy there was plenty to choose from.

Marlene and Amy in the Bakery

Betsy

Danielle and a cup of coffee

The kitchen that had coffee and donuts available early was converted to a lunch preparation area and serving location with Chowders, Chili and a variety of sandwiches. Chris, Brad, Keith and Danielle could be seen scurrying around or overseeing the preparations and service.

By 1 PM the activity of the morning was slowing down, but much of the goods were picked up and or sold at that time.

Most everything that was new left over remained on one table for people to peruse at the coffee fellowship held after church on Sunday. Many of the items left over from the used goods table was piled into the back of Keith’s truck and taken to Goodwill in Mill Creek.

Some were dressed for the Victorian Era

Marieta makes her annual visit

A great day was had by all and the money earned is used to help other activities sponsored and run by Peoples United Methodist Church.

What would you like, we've got it!

Pawing through the yarn bin

Mom, can I have a Hula Hoop?

A FRIENDLY REMINDER

 

This time of year can get so busy, that it is easy to lose sight of things.   So, we offer this updated schedule of events happening at PEOPLES UMC.  We hope to see you there!!!

 

Dec. 13--Third Sunday of Advent:  Peoples celebrates its new partnership with Spiral Arts with a Christmas card making workshop in the Vestry following worship.  Refreshments will be provided.  Our message in worship is "Priorities."  A Hymn Sing will begin in the Sanctuary at 9:45 am!  Rumor has it our puppet friends Harry & Humphrey may stop by.

Dec. 19--Monthly Bean Supper:  Beginning at 5 pm, there is always something new happening at the supper.  Who knows what December will bring?  Also last minute gifts may be found at the mini-fair. 

 

Dec. 20--Fourth Sunday of Advent:  Worship is at 10 am and our message will be "Great Expectations"  Have you ever seen or been involved in an Instant Christmas Pageant?  It may happen this Sunday.

Dec. 21--Blue Christmas Service:  The Christmas season can be a difficult time for many.  It is hard to deal with loss and other challenges, especially during time of year.  This service acknowledges those struggles as we gather to offer support and comfort.  We gather at 7 pm on this, the longest night of the year.

Dec. 24--Christmas Eve:  Please join us at 7 PM for a candlelight service of Lessons and Carols.

Dec. 27--First Sunday After Christmas:  We continue celebrating the Christmas season in worship at 10 am with a Christmas Cantata.

Jan. 3--Epiphany Sunday:  We gather for a special service at 10 am, where we will take a musical journey through the liturgical year.

Please check our Facebook page and Sunday bulletins for more information and regular updates.