Veterans' Day and Variety Show

Let the American flag fly

In Honor of Those Who Have Served

Police lead the parade

Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2017 began with a parade that passed by the front of Peoples UMC around 10:15 in the morning. A rather bitter cold morning kept many people away from attending. The pictures that I have included show most of the groups that were represented in the parade.

Note the American flag

South Portland High School Marching Band

Sea Scouts

Mixed citizenry

Coast Guard



South Portland Fire Department




Practice before the show

Early Arrivals for Variety Show

Dick Matthews MC

Paul Obie plays National Anthem

Honoring the flag

Some of the audience

The Ushers and Because He Lives

Later that evening the Peoples Annual Variety Show was held in Ellis Hall beginning at 7 PM. Over 80 people were in attendance. Proceeds of the monetary donations were to go to Stewart P. Morrill Post American Legion to be used for their education programs, including the monetary rewards given to Oratory Contest participantsThe evening’s program began with the presentation of the American Flag with all singing the national anthem to the strains of Paul Obie’s harmonica. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Dick Matthews who regaled us with some jokes and good introductions to the various acts that would perform over the next two hours.

More of the audience

Merrill Kaiser and Elvis

Aaron Matthews

The first group to perform was a gathering of 11 folks from the Ushers of Peoples Church. Their number in this segment is titled,” Because He Lives”. They would again appear at the end of the show leading all in a Military Medley of songs that would be ended with all in the room singing an emotional “God Bless America”.

Beverly Sloatman

Sally Smith

Christina and friend

After the Ushers sang it was time for Merrill Kaiser to sing an Elvis number. He in turn was followed by Aaron Matthews who is the son of the MC and an active member of the South Portland High School student body.

Mrs. Beverly Sloatman a woman who is almost 89 years of age performed an interpretive dance that was to say the least, inspiring and meaningful.

Merrill returns

Rosemary, Sally and the Old Gray Goose

Dick Miller and Debbie Cole

Betty Smith

Pastor Tom Frey

Our own Sally Smith came with her old gray goose which was said to say, dead. She has often used this number and act in the past mixed with such things as “My bucket has a whole in it.”

Christina Irace and a friend sang and played a     Ukulele following Sally’s comic skit.

Dick and Aaron with Elvira

Then it was time for another surprise from Dick Miller who usually seems to have a rather stern look about him and therefore the comic song that he had sung in Barbershop presentations in the past caught us amusingly by surprise.

Betty Smith, the daughter of Sally, followed with a musical rendition a cappella.

Two sisters, Rosemary and Marni from the Darling clan followed with some back and forth family banter and followed with a duet. As you can see Marni had to move her position to follow her sister’s direction.

Eosemary and Marni

To finish out the first half of the program Pastor Tom completed Act 1 with a comical interpretation of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” which could only have been originally developed in Brooklyn!

Aaron returns

Christina is back

Needless to say most of the acts that had accompaniment could not have done as well as they did without the able piano playing of Debbie Cole, our music minister at Peoples. Thank you Debbie for all you do for us!

While the program was underway there were some folks in the kitchen preparing refreshments. Here is a picture of Susan and Rob commiserating.

In Act 2 Dick Matthews the Master of Ceremonies and his son Aaron started everything off with a duet to the tune “Elvira”.

The second performer was Merrill back for an encore singing a Roger Whitaker number. Aaron returned to sing another number and he in turn was followed by Christina and Marni singing solos.

Before Marni was finished for the evening she teamed with Dick Miller on a duet.

Paul and Lin as a team

The last performers on the agenda were Paul Obie and Lin Arnold who sang and played a couple of numbers in which both were featured in parts of their two songs.

At a little past 9 PM the Ushers returned to the stage area to sing a Military Medley which included a tribute to the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and the Navy. As the songs were being sung people in the audience were encouraged to either stand or raise their hand to indicate a connection to one or more of the services that were tribute by the songs.

The Ushers

The Ushers

Again leading the singing the ushers also led the audience in the singing of “God Bless America” which concluded this fun-filled evening for all of the participants as well as the audience.

A free will donation was collected as people entered, the proceeds of which were to go to the Stewart P. Morrill American Legion Post to be used in their programs for children and education.  Over $200 was the donation.

Art and Becky

Debbie Cole our accompanist par excellence

Busy Fall Days

Busy Fall Days at Peoples

Red White and Blue

Ruth and Marlene making plans

On Thursday, November 9 the third Senior Community Luncheon took place in Ellis Hall. Since Veteran’s Day was only two days away the theme of the day was Red, White and Blue. Over 60 people including servers were in attendance. Set-up began around 9:30 AM with tables being set and arranged and food preparation beginning in the kitchen. 19 of our own church members worked on set up, delivery and preparation of food and clean-up after the event.

Board Games available to early arrivals

Kathy and Becky ready for serving

An addition from last month was the set-up of card tables that were supplied with chairs, cards, dominoes and other games. While not many played games this time those who do attend now know that if they come early next month that coffee will be served and the game tables will be available for their use.

The Ushers of Peoples sing

Betty on Flag Etiquette

 program for this day had Betty Splettstoesser explaining flag etiquette and the Ushers of Peoples United Methodist Church singing a Military Medley that included tributes to the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. Anyone who had a connection with any of these services either raised their hand or stood for the singing of that particular song. The entertainment was capped by everyone singing “God Bless America”. We thank Ruth Doughty who provided the accompaniment.

Brad our chef in residence

Ready for a nourishing meal

Brad Morrison, our chef in residence, prepared a delicious meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, and squash for an entree

Sue and Joanne with servers in back

 and topped it off with pumpkin cake squares for dessert .

This event will have a follow up meeting in Ellis Hall after church on Sunday, November 19 to discuss what worked well and what needs to be changed.

Kathy's ready to serve her table

Friends gather at Senior Community Luncheon

Already plans are underway for the next luncheon which will take place on December 14. You can be sure that a great meal again will be prepared by Brad and already a rather spectacular musical program is in store for entertainment.

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, our attention turns to what is happening at Peoples UMC over the next few weeks.  There will be worship, music, meals, and fun as we invite all to gather with us to celebrate our relationship with God and with each other.
Here is a schedule of some of the happenings:

November 26--The liturgical year ends with Christ the King Sunday.  What does it mean to be King in today's world?  Join us for worship at 10 am.

December 2--The Annual Christmas Fair, our "Winter Wonderland" complete with luncheon, baked goods, crafts, treasures and much more begins at 9 am!  A great opportunity to come together for some fun and make a dent in that Christmas shopping.

The season of Advent begins Dec. 3 and our theme this year will be "Christmas Guests," where we focus on participants in the Christmas story that are often overlooked or just unexpected.  

December 3--Advent begins with our Hanging of the Greens service.  Come help us decorate the sanctuary, as we discuss our first Christmas Guest--Zachariah.  We gather at 10 am.

December 10--The second Sunday of Advent features a Hymn Sing and a conversation about our next Guest--Gabriel.  The music starts at 9:45 am

December 14--Our Community Senior Luncheon will include some games, Christmas music and a wonderful meal.  The coffee is on at 11 am.

December 16--Time for our monthly Bean Supper.  Take a night off from cooking and relax in the midst of the busyness of the season.  We start serving at 5 pm.

December 17--The third Sunday of Advent we will take a closer look at the Inn Keeper's role in the Christmas story.  Worship starts at 10 am.

December 24--A busy day at Peoples.  We will gather at 10 am for our Fourth Sunday of Advent celebration, when we greet the unlikely Christmas Guests--the Shepherds. 
Then, at 7 pm, we come together for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  Our theme will be "Welcoming The Light."

December 31--We will be saying good bye to 2017 with a traditional Covenant Renewal Service at 10 am.

We hope you all have a happy, healthy, blessed Advent and Christmas season, as we welcome you to Peoples UMC.
Peace.