Visitor Ministries

Becky Snoddy, Linda Wade and others within and outside of the Worship Committee have taken on the project of thinking through how we might more effectively welcome and follow up with visitors. Linda has ordered Peoples Church mugs to give to visitors as a welcome gift, and they are in the back of the Sanctuary. Please check them out, and help give them out to any first time visitors you meet! Linda will also be taking on more of the visitor contact ministry done by the pastors, which involves writing notes after each Sunday. If you have ideas, suggestions, or would like to be involved in visitor ministries, please contact Becky or Linda.

Blue Christmas Service 12/21 Thornton Hgts 7pm

This is a special service on the darkest night to remember that all emotions are present during the Christmas season. We can worship our savior from the midst of both joy and pain for Jesus loves us just as we are. Whether you find this a dark time of year or a bright one, come as you are and find the light of Christ and the love of our church community. Sponsored by the Casco Bay Cluster.

E3 a Success

Nine folks attended this conference event, E3: Equip Empower Evangelize from Peoples! And Susan Angell graciously served in the nursery. The following is a summary of Art's full article which is found below.

Bill Kemp opened up the conference with a sermon on Ezekiel's Dry Bones. The United Methodist Church has many issues today, and needs the new life of God's Spirit to make these bones live again! Art Tordoff attended a seminar on Communication - within the church and to the community. Pastor Karen Munson advised the group on how best to use newsletters, websites, blogs, email, and also how to establish a relationship with the press to get the church's name into the public domain.

Art also attended a seminar on small membership churches, which revealed that since most United Methodist Churches are small (78% are less than 125 in membership within the USA) that we need to use the strengths inherent in a small church to grow the church. Reasons given for failure to grow included poor leadership, low spiritual passion, poor structures, lack of passionate worship, dead meetings, lack of missional clarity and failure to deal with conflict.

Earle Harvey attended a seminar on "The Agile Church: "Creating a Congregation geared for change" and "Passionate Spirituality for a Cold Climate, Resurrecting the Lifeless Congregation". Earle found that spiritual passion is the fuel that keeps a congregation active and excited about the faith that it has to share with the world.

Principal speaker Vance Ross, gave a dynamic presentation on the love of Christ for us and sharing this love with our neighbors. This was followed by a lively concert by Marty Magehee, former member of the 4-Him Christian rock band. The evening was topped off with a musical concert that featured Marty Magehee, former member of the 4Him Christian Rock Band. Most if not all of the music he played was of his own design. Marty displayed a singing range of several octaves. Periodically he would pause while changing his music and give brief sermonettes about where the Lord Christ was in his life and how he came to love the Lord.

Earle concludes his remarks with the following words: The revival at Beech Ridge Speedway and the E3 Conference have given us tools to go forth into our neighborhoods to share Christ’s message of love and redemption. Our church can accommodate about three times the number of people currently attending on a Sunday morning service without the need to expand the facility. The immediate area has over two thousand families that offer an opportunity to visit them to invite them to come and share in worship. We need to pray for God’s guidance as we prepare to visit these families. Most importantly, we need to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit and obey the call to serve.

Variety Show 2007!

Peoples put on a fantastic variety show on November 10! The show raised about $400 as a mission for Heifer International. From classic comedy by Caleb to classic rock by the ushers, and everything in between, a good time was had by all, with great food and great entertainment. Let's do it again soon!

VIDEOS ...

The Ushers Singing "Lean on Him"

Caleb's Skit About His Little Brother

E3 a Success (Full Article)

E3: 3 Days Packed with Optimism and Faith In The Future of Methodism
Not many folks from our church seemed to look at the opportunity to get together with other Methodists near home with any excitement. Even with only two weeks to go only a few folks had registered in advance to attend any portion of the E 3 conference that was held at Woodfords Congregational Church from November 1-3. Some may even have thought it was ironic that a Methodist Conference was held at a Congregational Church. Rarely in recent years has it been that a major event in the Methodist Church was even held in the Portland area. While the New England Conference made it possible for local area folks to attend and to learn from some really outstanding speakers it appeared there were more people in attendance from "away" than those from the local area. It was announced that of the three School of Congregational Development conferences that have been held that the number of registrants at this event far surpassed those of the previous two.
As a result of some well-placed telephone calls, Peoples attendance at the event was at least representative. As those who attended would agree, everyone learned something that they felt would be useful back home.
This accounting of the events of E3 has been primarily written with the opinion, eyes and ears of only one person, myself Art Tordoff with assistance from my wife, Marlene. I would encourage others who attended the conference to either add to this accounting or add it as a Comment attached in the proper location at the end of the article. I would say that I had not been to a conference for a long time that had as much meaning as this event, especially in the realm of church worship and activity. You will find thoughts on this conference from Earle Harvey, our lay leader as part of this report.
Thursday night with music, song and a powerful message
The Thursday night activities were held in the sanctuary and began with some rousing revival music played by Mitch Thomas on the piano. He serves as a music leader at the Auburn United Methodist Church. Lyrics for all of the music was displayed on a large screen in the chancel. Those present experienced community singing with gusto! This community singing was followed by music played by a Praise Band from Concord, New Hampshire. Bishop Weaver was scheduled to speak. Unfortunately his mother in law had passed away and he was not able to be present.
Bill Kemp ably filled in for the Bishop. Bill spoke on the subject of Ezekial’s Dry Bones.
The feeling for many is that is where many United Methodist Churches are today. Our organization in many local churches seems to be suffering. The number of members is much reduced from the past, financial need is ever present, and we are slow to respond to the changing needs of the culture that we live in. Many folks who have felt the strains of leadership for years unfortunately experience "burn out". Often the workers of the local church often negatively respond to elements of life in the church as well as the greater community. Pastor. Kemp went on to say that if we can identify the issues we have it gives us many areas that we can focus on. It seemed to me that those items identified can become the focus of a local church in order to put the separated "dry bones" back together again. Change is necessary, but that change needs to be calculated in order to keep everyone, young and old, long term member/no term member nurtured and willing to serve the Lord. The Lord’s Spirit is ever with us and we can call on him to be our ever-present guide. As the title of a Gospel song that was sung by Gospel Choir from Patterson, New Jersey we are "Never Alone".
Friday continues with a lively spirit
Quite satisfied and uplifted by Thursday night’s program, we came back again on Friday afternoon. Marlene and I had signed up to attend a session at 2:30 with Pastor Karen Munson from the Readfield United Methodist Church. When we arrived we found that the session had already started. 40 people were in the room and finding new ways to "Communicate with each other and the Community". Talk about Newsletters, Web sites, Blog Spots and e-mail took up a great deal of the time. Among the words that Pastor Munson had to offer were that God, Christ and Holy Spirit should be present in any messages that a church sends out. She mentioned that should also be the case when you have an answering machine that is used for recording the messages of those who call. Websites are more often the location to which an inquiry will go and should be updated frequently and made user friendly. She recommended that the pastor of a given church try to put out an e-mail message at least once a week to as many folks as possible. She suggested that it doesn’t have to be long, considering that people more often are looking for "reading bytes" rather than long dissertations. Keeping in contact with people who are "away" from the church such as college students is important. Something beyond the newsletter may be part of a continuing program of care. She said that some churches have set up Bible study through a chat room rather than the contact that can be gained from face to face meetings—although that form of study should not be discouraged either. I don’t think that chat rooms can really replace face to face contact although it is an alternative providing your members do have computers.
Pastor Munson did continue to say that the local church does need to nurture the local press as well. Most local papers are today looking for "good news" that could be Good News.
After a brief break and we were off to another session titled, "Holy Places, Small Places". Thinking that this session led by Bill Kemp would speak perhaps to new worship ideas we soon found that the session focused on the small church especially in the Methodist system. A chart that he passed out showed that 78% of the churches in the Methodist system nationwide are smaller than 125 in membership. The chart also showed that only 20% were midsize with membership between 126-499. The remaining 2% of Methodist churches nationally might be listed as Mega-churches. This session focused on the strength of the system being in small churches. He went on to say that the number 52 is actually normal. He also said, however, that many of these "normal" churches are without a full-time ordained pastor, without a choir that sings four parts and most normal churches then would benefit from sharing program resources with adjacent churches ie. the four South Portland United Methodist Churches. He also said that today’s culture does not really value membership, distrusts organizational hierarchy and thinks that relationships are more important than truth. It is not unusual for people to go to different churches today for different purposes while still maintaining a degree of membership perhaps in the church they originally joined. Some folks when asked about maintaining their membership at Peoples have said, "I need a church to be buried from." Sounds rather trite, but that is an attitude of many. Pastor Kemp went on to say that the ladder that many pastors, in a human sense, expected to climb is no longer available for most although being itinerant is still a part of the Methodist pastorate. He also said that every church has a bottleneck that must be overcome. Among those difficulties in a given church he suggested were the following: 1. Inappropriate leadership 2. Failure to appreciate giftedness 3. Low spiritual passion 4. Poor structures 5. Non-indigenous worship 6. Dead meetings 7. Lack of missional clarity 8. Failure to deal with conflict
Bill Kemp is an author of several books, one of which gave its title to this particular session theme. Pastor Kemp has been on the staff of Bangor Theological Seminary and is presently serving as an interim pastor in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area.
The principal speaker on Friday night was Vance Ross who presently serves as the Associate General Secretary of the Discipleship Ministries Division of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. All, I can say about his presentation was WOW! Dynamic, dramatic and powerful are all words that describe his presentation and message. The center of his presentation was the Love of Christ for us and the need we have to share that love with our neighbors in the way that we are loved by the Lord. Neighbors can be as close as next door and as far away as the other side of the planet. We need to practice what we believe as Christians and as United Methodists. Dr. Ross could make his point in a whisper as well as at the top of his lungs. Over 300 people were in attendance at this session.
The evening was topped off with a musical concert that featured Marty Magehee, former member of the 4Him Christian Rock Band. Most if not all of the music he played was of his own design. Marty displayed a singing range of several octaves. Periodically he would pause while changing his music and give brief sermonettes about where the Lord Christ was in his life and how he came to love the Lord. Some folks left after a few songs yet the message he came to give was not finished until the concert was over.
This had been a long day, but a rewarding day, a day that we were grateful to the Lord for providing us.
The following are some impressions that Earle Harvey passed on for inclusion in this report from his perspective. Earle attended a workshop titled, "The Agile Church: Creating a Congregation geared for change". From this workshop Earle said the normal church will remain passive until some action is taken to change thinking. To accomplish this there must be an influx if ideas accompanied usually by new people.
In a second workshop, "Passionate Spirituality for a Cold Climate, Resurrecting the Lifeless Congregation", Earle found that spiritual passion is the fuel that keeps a congregation active and excited about the faith that it has to share with the world. Without spiritual passion a church, no matter what its size will either crash and burn or become a hollow shell of its former glory.
Earle’s third workshop, titled " Holy Places, Small Spaces," has been referred to previously in this report, but serves as a good review from his perspective. Seventy eight percent of United Methodist churches have under 125 that regularly attend worship. Many small churches are small because they will not take steps to reach out to their community in order to grow.
Earle concludes his remarks with the following words. The revival at Beech Ridge Speedway and the E3 Conference have given us tools to go forth into our neighborhoods to share Christ’s message of love and redemption. Our church can accommodate about three times the number of people currently attending on a Sunday morning service without the need to expand the facility. The immediate area has over two thousand families that offer an opportunity to visit them to invite them to come and share in worship.
We need to pray for God’s guidance as we prepare to visit these families. Next we have to have faith that God already has a plan for us to follow. From the past we have trusted that his plan will glorify his kingdom. Most importantly, we need to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit and obey the call to serve. Jesus calls us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
We should pray that we have the courage of our convictions so that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we may build in 2008 on the foundation started in 2007.

Joyful Stewardship

The following was shared by Bishop Peter Weaver during a special session on the conference budget. Some have asked for the text that I read from my Journal. I wrote it during my December 2005 visit to Nigeria after visiting our mission hospital in Zing where patients desperately wait, sometimes two or three to a bed, for help....for a doctor....we no longer have one there. Next to the hospital complex is a new, state of the art (for Nigeria) eye hospital....also with no doctor....no funds....only a very dedicated nurse. When there was a doctor there, hundreds would come from as far as Cameroon....there are so many in Africa suffering from eye diseases carried by water and insects....many are blind....and waiting....waiting for help....no doctor....no mission funds.....waiting.

The nurse asked me why the United Methodists in the U.S. could not provide more help....like it used to? The day before I had been at a wonderful outdoor service of about 8,000 in a remote area where some of the people had walked for days to get there. Most of those who came are very financially poor, but very rich in spirit. When the offering time came, the music started....and then the dancing...the people from each area represented came joyfully processing, singing and dancing, up to the large offering basket....children, old folk, teenagers (who had climbed up into the trees so they could see), mothers with babies wrapped on their fronts....singing and dancing....led by the pastors dressed in their black robes and white stoles that fluttered and billowed like wings of the Spirit...singing and dancing....such joy....such generosity....such faith that if they risked sharing their little, God would provide for tomorrow (no 401k plans here) ....

These folks from Nigeria were not bringing their offering with joyful dancing because of their easy living and abundant resources. In fact, it seems the exact opposite may be true. Those who are most dependent on God for daily living are the ones who experience the joy of God's provision most powerfully, and so share more abundantly that which they have received. They know themselves less as "consumers" of their resources and more as "stewards" of God's resources.

What might happen if we as a church had this much joy during the Sunday offering?!!! I believe we could all learn from our sisters and brothers in Nigeria what it means to be joyful stewards of all God has provided. This includes joyful stewardship of our financial resources, but many other ways too. During November, we will be focusing on what it means to be joyful stewards of our worship, learning, sharing and serving. The commitment cards this year reflect this more broad definition of stewardship, which have been mailed to all church members and will be available in church during November for any of our active attendees who did not receive the mailing. We hope you will prayerfully consider increasing your joyful stewardship this year as part of God's family!

Hallelujah!!!!

COASTAL CHRISTMAS FAIR Dec 1 9am-2pm

Submitted by Susan Angell

Once again we are having a fabulous Christmas Fair. Many people have been working on arts and crafts for months just for sale at this event…Nancy Greer has knitted lots of mittens, Rosemary and her cohorts have been creating nautical and coastal things, Doreen and her splendid jewelry, Brad and Chris planning the luncheon menu and many have saved up their used books and stuff for trash or treasure, etc. We will need donations towards the food for the kitchen and strong backs to help us all to clean up the hall and pack and store our left over items.

Lots of fun surprises and innovative ideas will reveal themselves when you attend. I try to bring something for every table and I do get discouraged sometimes. The lovely banana breads I brought one year lay like logs on the table unsold and I think they were eaten by the folks from the Gathering. People evidently wanted those cute little loafs instead of large ones. My pies were also eaten at the gathering. Every year I experience failure with fudge. I've burned it, dropped it all in the drive way on my way in, failed at the no-fail fudge recipe and last year it permanently adhered to the pan I poured it into. THIS year I found a Famous Fudge kit by Carnation that swears I will be successful?? Marlene is teaching me to crochet and I have made some potholders for sale and may I say they are very interesting and unique!

So set this day aside. Bring your wonderful home baked tasties, wonderful candy, crafts, books, trash and treasure and BEST of all bring yourself to enjoy the fun.

Church Conference November 18

Our annual church conference at Peoples is scheduled for Sunday November 18 from 4-6pm with light snacks provided before. Our district superintendent, Rev. Mike Davis, will be presiding.

The agenda for conference includes matters such as election of committee members for 2008, setting of the pastors' compensation package, and continuation of our certified lay speakers. We will also hear an update on the Together for Tomorrow conference capital campaign, and a presentation from Mike Davis. This presentation will either be on Welcoming Newcomers (Warm up Your Welcome), or if there are enough questions for Mike we may host a time for conversation with the D.S. instead. Please submit questions you might have for Mike to Pastor Gwyneth by Tuesday, November 13. If there are insufficient questions for in depth conversation we will go with the presentation on Welcoming.

In addition there will be a presentation of the 2008 budget before the church conference at 2:45pm for anyone interested. Last year, some folks suggested that we work on the budget earlier than usual so that we have this information in hand as we are voting on the pastors' compensation. Although this has never been done before, the Finance Committee agreed to give it a try.

All are invited and encouraged to attend, so please save the date! Church members are invited to vote during the conference but all are invited to attend.

Note: We will only be printing church conference reports needed for voting. All other committee end-of-year reports should be completed by December 31 which will be printed for a special meeting in January. Thank you!

Variety Show is Back!

Save the date - November 10 at 7pm. There will be acts done by the ushers, the walking group, the pastors and more, and will range from classical music to classic comedy. Hosting a Variety Show is one of the goals set by the church for our increased focus on missions. 100% of the funds are going to Heifer International, toward our goal of raising an ark of animals worth $5,000 to provide for the needs of people all over the world - from bees to water buffalo. Suggested donation of $5 per ticket. For questions, contact Merrill Kaiser or Earle Harvey.

Thanksgiving Worship Service

The church will be hosting a Thanksgiving Eve worship service on Wednesday, November 21 at 7pm. We have so much to give thanks for. This would be one wonderful way to say thanks to God this season. The format is informal, and all are invited to attend. This may be an excellent time to invite friends that might be put off from starting with a larger Sunday service. Many people have giving thanks on the mind already, so it is an opportunity to help them focus that by being invited to worship. As uncomfortable as it may seem, most people would feel glad to receive a low-pressure invitation and some may be eagerly awaiting it!

Worship and Prayer Midweek

The Wednesday night prayer service has been reinvented recently as we rotate leadership on a monthly basis. There are opportunities to pray for the church, for your own concerns and for the prayers offered on Sunday. There may be music, scripture and sharing. This is an excellent time to start coming to the service to be filled as well as to pour out in prayer (silent prayers are welcome as well). Betty Lane has been leading the service for October, Wealthy is leading November and the pastors will lead a special Advent service and study through December. Please come and revive your faith and support your church in prayer each Wednesday.

Many thanks to Kathy Brann for her years of dedication to the weekly prayer service at Peoples. Although the style has changed over the years, Kathy's dedication has remained constant. She now feels led to step down from this role.

Hillie, a Beloved Saint

Hillie Cass, an active member of Peoples Church since childhood went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2007. A funeral service was performed by Pastors Jamie & Gwyneth at Peoples to celebrate her life, grieve her loss, and remember that the resurrection reality Hillie now experiences is our own hope as those in Christ.

It is hard to imagine Peoples without Hillie who has been so involved in every aspect of the church, particularly as an examplar of faith, love and welcoming. Yet, as her son Malcolm pointed out in his witness at her funeral, her example lives on in all the lives she touched. He talked about a future for our church that becomes fully revived even as people step up to fill the rolls of caring for the altar, promoting our music, driving people to shopping or appointments, keeping folk in touch through neighborhood ministries, providing prophetic voices and many other rolls that could not possibly be fully listed. Her witness continues as we join new discipleship classes, welcome new visitors, and share with others the faith that many in our church received through Hillie.


Thanks to all who surrounded the family with love and care, and especially to Brad Morrison and the UMW for hosting a beautiful reception in Ellis Hall. We miss you Hillie.

We Love You Malcolm

Dr. Malcolm Cass, organist emeritus of Peoples has temporarily moved down to New York to stay with his son David, daughter-in-law Sue and grandchildren Libby and Annie following Hillie's passing. David has reported that he is settled in well, is enjoying time with the grandchildren and had even had an opportunity to play organ at church. They are continuing to seek appropriate accomodations and care that would allow Malcolm to return home to South Portland. His address is currently: 39 Nittany Way East Nassau, NY 12062-1714 (518) 733-6488 sbrissette@msn.com. David has shared that they are even introducing Malcolm to the computer and email.

Our church sent him off with a service of laying on hands during worship on October 7th along with prayers to return him to us soon.

Live(ly) Auction

Peoples Sponsors Live(ly) Auction
One of the highlights of the Fall program at Peoples United Methodist Church is the annual Auction that was held on Friday, October 26. Those attending and bidding were welcomed to view a wide variety of items that had been gathered by Doreen Gay and a cadre of assistants. Working on the check in and check out table were Sue Angell, Betsy Morrison and Marlene Tordoff. Some of the items were new while others may have been at one time family keepsakes. Other treasures that received live bids included camp rentals, elegant meals, parking privileges at Higgins Beach and many gift certificates. Harold Sutherland, a local professional auctioneer, again volunteered his unique services to the event. Sammy Sidyl and Braden Wellington ably assisted him. The two young men of the church displayed and delivered the "wares" to the audience.
Food was available at the kitchen counter and Alan Gay and Betty Lane both worked in that arena. Nearly 100 people were in attendance and some items received a lot of attention in the bidding. Home made food items like Barbara Kenny’s Buckeyes and Fred Wade’s cheese cakes soared in value as one bid after another made these items in a word: delicacies". Brad Morrison, our chef in residence, offering an elegantly catered meal, as always found his contribution to be among the most desired items at the auction.
Through the generosity of Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth Arrison some lucky folks will be spending a weekend or a week at the Arrison home in Bridgeton near beautiful Moose Pond. I know that the Tordoff family will be looking forward to that opportunity next summer.
Accolades go to Doreen for all of the painstaking work that she puts into this event each year. While the auction may be intended as primarily a moneymaker for the church the event is a great time for all those in attendance as the bidding is certainly entertaining and Harold Sutherland’s means of presentation is often hilarious. It is an event that is fun for the whole family, even if you don’t buy anything and your primary purpose is to see how others act and react. This year’s event brought in at the close of the evening over $3400.
Many other events are held in the life of Peoples. As you see them advertised think about attending or participating. It is always a great feeling when those who expend the effort to plan and carry out such events are supported by other members of our church, the Peoples Church family.

New Roof

Consolidated Home Improvement has been replacing the north side of the sanctuary roof and the siding on the steeple that was damaged in the large spring storm. The majority of the funds for the repairs has come from our insurance coverage with the rest made up from income from our endowments - in part already set aside for the enventual replacement of that roof that will now not be needed for a much longer time. Thanks to the Trustees for coordinating this work.

Oh What A Day!

Oh What A Day!
Shortly after church on Sunday, October 14 several folks embarked on an adventure that was a mystery to all but a few. Dan and Ruth Doughty with the assistance and conniving of Rosemary Herd had set up a mystery ride for the adventurous to follow. Ruth gave us a starting time and in individual cars we set off with directions to follow and questions to answer. The route took us through a part of South Portland into Cape Elizabeth and if we followed the directions in the right way we all ended up at the Pavillion overlooking Casco Bay at the SMCC campus. What a glorious view when we arrived at that location and eventually found everyone else that had started the trip arriving eventually. It was quite a while before Barb and Betty arrived at this beautiful spot. Prizes were given out for the most accurate time and completed answers. I tell you, I still haven’t found the Emerald Way off Mitchell. Everyone who arrived ate their own picnic lunches and then had cupcakes provided by Rosemary. We had a pumpkin hunt that had been preplanned by the Doughtys’ and then families and individuals got the opportunity to decorate or carve the pumpkins. Those who enjoyed the day together included the Doughtys, Rosemary, Chris Ward, Dick, Cheryl, Aaron, Dustin and Kiley Marie Matthews, Sally Seidl and Sam, Sue Angell, Kerry, Nicole and Samantha Foote, Karen, Kelty, Callie and Seamus Jennings, Curtis and Madeline Coughlin, Keith and Becky Snoddy, Gwyneth, Jamie, Faith, Dena and Alex Arrison, Art and Marlene Tordoff, Barbara Nelson, Betty Splettstoesser, and Brad and Becky Morrison.
It was a wonderful day to view the foliage, to carve pumpkins, and to be with other folks; children and adults alike.

E3: Equip! Empower! Evangelize!

Register now for this year’s exciting United Methodist Conference gathering entitled “E3”—Empower! Equip! Evangelize, taking place Nov 1-3! This year’s event is held right here in Portland. Peoples has already paid the $275 for as many people to attend as we want. There's also an exciting concert Friday night - see the pastors to get your ticket now! Don’t miss out. For more information or to register, go to the E3 New England Conference website.

Advantages of Planning Ahead

Advantages to Planning Ahead
A Successful Learning Opportunity for those in attendance
On Sunday, October 14 following the church service the following church folk gathered to hear Gary Melville from the United Methodist Foundation of New England, Jeff Inman from Hobbs Funeral Home and Pastor Jamie present useful information on end of life needs and preparations. Put together by the Discipleship team, this event was designed to assist folks of all ages handle some of the questions that are often most difficult regarding loved ones or ourselves. Understanding our options and why preplanning is a gift to those we leave behind was a portion of what was covered. Additionally Gary and Jeff covered why having the proper legal documents saves time, money, protects assets and helps provide for those we love. Those in attendance also discovered ways to increase our current income and provide meaningful and charitable gifts at the same time. Jeff Inman, one of the funeral directors at Hobbs funeral home gave all in attendance a comforting look at their services and how the Hobbs family are there to assist with the needs that they specialize in. Closing the two and one half-hour program was Pastor Jamie covered the area of funerals that are sacred and why planning services in advance is both a responsibility and ministry to our familes. Kathy Brann, Claralee Street, Sally Seidl, Chris Ward, Jody Fyles, Janice Huelen, Doreen Gay and her mother in law, Earle Harvey and Art and Marlene were in attendance. All seemed to find the information useful. All who attended received follow-up material from the Foundation that also will prove useful.
If you are interested in attending such an event in the future but were unable to attend on this occasion please let the pastors know or Art Tordoff as Chairman of the Discipleship team.

Running (or Walking) the Race with Perseverence

On October 7, Earle Harvey walked the 13-mile Maine Marathon and took a first place in his division! Earle has been training for months, and prayers were answered for his health before, during and after the race! Way to go Earle!

On October 14, Barbara Nelson and her daughter Jennifer ran a 26 mile marathon in Acadia. Barbara's goal was 5 hours 24 minutes, and finished 3 minutes early! Barbara thanks all who contributed, and who showed up to cheer her on. You can view her photo album and slide show.

Hebrews 12:1 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Casco Bay Cluster has Hope For a Hurting World

Revival at the Ridge The Lord is Present Wherever We May Be
The Casco Bay Cluster with the help of some of the churches in the Greater Portland Cluster after two years in the making sponsored the “Hope for a Hurting World” Revival at the Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough on Saturday, October 6. Originally the revival was inspired by Reverend David Calhoun, former pastor at West Scarborough United Methodist Church two years ago. When he was transferred to another charge those members of the Cluster committee continued plans and developed a truly awe inspiring opportunity to have area churches and beyond participate in a festival of Christian music and spiritually motivational messages. The primary movers of the event became Pastors David and Kate Nicol with special commendation for the assistance from Pastors Lynne Campbell, Ruth Morrison, and Jamie Arrison. Lay folks especially engaged in developing plans and checking on the availability of resources were Jody Lolar from First, Mary Waye from West Scarborough, and Paul Doucette from Cressy Road. All members of the Cluster committee assisted in some way, but the above were most significant to the events success. Bishop Peter Weaver of the New England United Methodist Conference gave the final message of the six hour revival. Interspersed between the music of bands and individuals were the meaningful words and music of George Walters-Sleyon, Curtis Brown and Reverend Kenneth Lewis of the Green Memorial AME Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in Portland.

Music was provided by the Cressy Road Praise Band, the Messengers of Hope, Root Cellar Dance Troupe and a youth and adult choir from the Green Memorial Church.

Additionally the solos of Victoria James and duets by Teneley Westbrook and Dan Daily enthralled the audience of about 400 folks who came out on a beautiful day to worship, pray and to learn of Jesus love for all mankind. In the hour before the message of the Bishop the Christian band, Beyond Blue, played a set of their own Christian inspired and written music.

The folks that attended could also take advantage of seeking more information about specific Methodist churches by visiting the display tent that was set up in the middle of the raceway. There was also a Monster Wheel Bounce for the kids who attended along with an area of the big tent for crafts for kids to work on. If folks were inspired to pray during the event a canopied area was set aside as a prayer tent. Peoples own Wealthy Harvey made her self to home in the prayer area and was joined from time to time by others offering a prayer or more for thanksgiving, for the event, and for other folks near and far.

Others from Peoples who were involved in ushering, manning the Peoples Table in the Big Tent or simply taking in the day were Earle and Wealthy Harvey, Lou Harvey, Tom and Barbara Nelson, Jim MacKinnon, Fred Wade, Amy and Braden Wellington, Art and Marlene Tordoff and the entire Arrison family.

While the numbers of people that the committee would have hoped might not have been as great as they would have like the event was deemed an inspirational success for all who participated. If you missed the event there is likely to be another. If God so wills it as he did this event you can be sure that we will all see his glory again in inspirational music, the thoughts and messages of motivational pastors and lay folks, and the opportunity to simply be with others who love the Lord, Jesus Christ and those who may come to know him for the very first time.

Kids Sunday School off to Running Start!

Lambs class, taught by Teresa Folley

Kangaroos class taught by Karen Jennings

Sunday School is going through some exciting changes and is off to a great start. We have enough kids now for three classes plus nursery. The classes have been named after animals as the children continue to actively support our church Heifer missions goal of building an ark: $5,000 by December 2008. Andy Folley is teaching the Lions, ages 7-11, Karen Jennings is teaching the Kangaroos, ages 4-7, and Teresa Folley is teaching the Lambs, ages 2-4. The parents and teachers have also been meeting regularly to plan ahead. You can read the newsletter here. Many thanks again to Rosemary Herd and Linda Wade for their 20+ years of service in this ministry, and to Andy Folley for taking on the challenge this year!

Betsy Morrison is now coordinating our nursery ministry, which will provide care during worship for babies and toddlers 3-24 months. Many thanks again to Barbara Nelson for her service in this ministry, as well as to all of the church family who serve in the nursery to care for our children. "It takes a whole church to raise and care for a child!" The photo shows Jean Swanson caring for baby Alex!

Hope for a Hurting Word Revival Approaching

Revival Sponsored by Casco Bay Cluster
One of the most exciting religious experiences to grace our area in a long time will take place at Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough on Saturday, October 6 from Noon to 6 PM. In the making for nearly two years and originated by Pastor David Calhoun formerly of the West Scarborough Methodist Church, the Revival will be an afternoon of inspiring music and inspirational messages. The keynote address will be given by Bishop Peter Weaver later in the afternoon. All local churches are encouraged to get out the word and to "bring someone". If all of the area churches and those that we know are coming from "away" the event should be a resounding success as an instrument for the Lord's message.

We are still looking for folks who will be willing to serve as parking attendants, ushers and children's activities workers. Along with that both pastoral and lay leadership to serve as prayer and spiritual counselors are still being sought.

If you are able to assist in this endeavor please get in touch with the leadership through the website www.hoperevival.peoplesumc.com . David and of Elm StreetUMC and BuxtonUMC
and Kate Nicol of Clark Memorial UMC have taken the reigns of leadership from Pastor Calhoun and are ably assisted by many other local Pastors and Lay People. You may also check at your local Methodist Church about assisting.

SHAWL MINISTRY IS BLESSED WITH A SPECIAL GUEST!

On Thursday, September 13, 2007, the Peoples UMC Shawl Ministry met in Ellis Hall with a delightful lady from Juba, Sudan. Her name is Margaret Salvatore. She presently is residing in Portland, ME with her son and his family. She hopes to return to her residence in Sudan in December if she gets the approval of her physician.
I met Margaret when she was my mother’s roommate at Mercy Hospital in July. During my visits to see my mother, we talked about our families, our cultures and our faith. One day we talked about our hobbies and crafts. I told her about our Shawl Ministry. She immediately said, "I come and share my crafts and patterns."
She arrived last evening with a beautiful smile on her face and was greeted by Wealthy Harvey, Pat Kaiser, Janice Huelin, Susan Angell, Kathy Brann, Chris Ward, Sally Seidl, Betty Smith and Marlene Tordoff. Sally Smith met her when she came to pick up Betty.
Everyone was amazed as Margaret asked for yarn and a crochet hook and proceeded to copy the pattern of a baby blanket by looking at the blanket not a written pattern. Her patterns are in her head!
As Margaret was leaving, we were pleasantly surprised when she asked when we would meet again and said, "I’ll be back!"
We are looking forward to our next meeting on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00p.m. in Ellis Hall. Come and join us for a delightful evening with our sister in Christ, Margaret Salvatore.

Blessings,
Marlene Tordoff

P.S. I had a camera and forgot to take a picture. I'll try to do better next month.

Children of God

I received an email the other day from a high school friend with photos of her 13 month old. He's just begun to walk without holding his mom's hand. These photos reminded me of our little Alex, who has just begun to crawl and "cruise" and is going through his "solid" foods at an incredible rate now. It's so exciting to watch our children grow. Others in our congregation have seen their children graduate from high school or college, land their first job, marry the love of their lives and have children of their own. Some do not have children of their own, but have cared for others as if they were their own children. How proud we are of our children as we watch them grow through each stage of life!

It occured to me as I admire my daughters and son, how much more our Father in Heaven admires us as we grow in faith and love, as we grow into mature Christians in the image of his Son, Jesus. But just as our children grow strong in part from hardships, for instance falling down while learning to walk, we also as children of God gain maturity through hardships.

Paul says in the book of Romans: We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

The next time you admire the growth of a child, remember that growth does not come easily. But with the help of a loving parent or other caregivers, our children gain victory over each hurdle they encounter. How much more does our loving heavenly Parent help us to gain victory through our journey of faith?

Back into the Swing Fall 2007

The Fall schedule has begun! Here are a few reminders. For locations please go to the church calendar link.

SUNDAYS
Adult Sunday School 9am
Coffee Fellowship 10am
Junior Choir Rehearsal 10am
Worship 10:30am
Kids Sunday School (beginning September 23 during worship)

OTHER WEEKLY EVENTS
Walking group Mondays & Wednesdays 5:30pm, Saturdays 8:00am
Prayer Service Wednesdays 7:00pm
Junior Choir Rehearsals Thursdays 3:30pm

MONTHLY MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Neighborhood Ministries 1st Tuesday 2pm (not meeting in September)
Discipleship / Missions / Nurture 1st Tuesday 6pm
Staff Parish Relations Committee 1st Tuesday 7pm
Worship Committee 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Finance Committee 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Church Council 2nd Tuesday 7:30pm
Prayer Shawl and Craft Ministry 2nd Thursday 7:00pm
Men's Breakfast 2nd Saturday 7:30am
Ushers Meeting 2nd Saturday 8:45am
Bean Supper 3rd Saturday 5:00pm
United Methodist Women 3rd Tuesday 6pm (not meeting in September)
Trustees 4th Tuesday 7:00pm

Still up in the air for scheduling ...
Youth Group (trying to find a night that works)
Senior Choir (in limbo until a Music Director is found)

Exciting Changes for Kids Sunday School

As many of you know, Rosemary Herd has stepped down after many faithful years serving as Sunday School Superintendent. And Linda Wade also after 20 years of service is stepping down from Sunday School leadership. How does one thank such a faithful servants who love our children so much? But we do offer thanks to God for you. And the kids most of all!

Andy Folley has agreed to step up to fill the superintendent role, and has some exciting changes in mind. The biggest change is the proposal for the kids Sunday School to meet during worship. The kids will begin in worship and then go down to Sunday School after the children's message. One of the main reasons for this change is that some of the parents feel that the length of time between Sunday School, Coffee Fellowship/Choir Rehearsal and Worship is too long for the little ones. The proposal is to try this schedule for one year and then reevaluate.

An exciting new curriculum will be used called David C. Cook, and kids will be broken into groups so they are learning among peers their own age. These include: The Lambs preschool group for ages 2-4 (meeting in the nursery), The Kangaroos lower elementary school group for ages 4-7, and The Lions upper elementary school group for ages 7-11. Currently we have not purchased a middle school curriclum but hope to begin weekly youth group with a learning component for ages 11-14.

The curriclum is broken into 4 week units, and teachers and aides will be scheduled for each unit. One issue that the pastors have raised with the new schedule is that the kids need opportunities to learn about and experience what it means to worship God. Ideas are forming around how Communion Sundays may provide an opportunity to break from the normal routine, either with the kids worshipping together downstairs or remaining in the Sanctuary with the whole congregation. These ideas would also allow teachers to be in worship regularly and not miss Communion. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Please invite friends and family with children 2-11 to try out Sunday School. And most importantly, please be praying for our children, teachers and the whole Sunday School program. Kids Sunday School will start up on September 23. Teachers for the first unit will include Andy Folley (Lions), Teresa Folley (Kangaroos) and Karen Jennings (Lambs).

Music Anyone?

As everyone knows, Dr. Malcolm Cass can never be replaced (see article below). However, as we have begun our search for an organist, pianist or keyboardist, we have had almost no response to the ads in the Sunday Telegram, postings at colleges with music departments, emails to music teachers, posting on Craigs List or networking among clergy. But God has a plan! Please keep your eyes and ears out for anyone you know of with musical gifts who might be able to help in this interim period, or someone interested in the full time position. Above all, we ask for your prayers for God's vision and guidance of our future music ministry. Thank you!

Three Methodist Clergy Couples!

We welcomed the third clergy couple with young children into the United Methodist Church in the Greater Portland area this summer! As of July 1, 2007, Sara and Allen Ewing-Merrill are the new co-pastors at Chestnut Street UMC in Portland, which is essentially a new church plant in an urban setting, although there is a small remnant of the original congregation meeting on Sundays. We are very excited about the potential outreach with this new ministry and hope to rally support from Peoples to be in ministry together with them in the near future. Sara and Allen have a little girl who is just one. Kate and David Nicol are the other United Methodist Clergy couple in the area, serving Elm St, Buxton and Clark Memorial UMCs. They also have a little boy who is three months.

Happy 50th to the Harveys!

Earle and Wealthy have celebrated 50 years together, and their son Lew threw them a terrific party at church on Saturday 9/1! Great fun and great fellowship.

Continuing Education 2007

Every year pastors in the United Methodist Church are required to take a certain number of continued education units (CEUs). There are many great options, but Pastors Gwyneth and Jamie have opted for taking Pastors Assembly in NH the last three years. Each year is a different topic relevant to clergy. This year was entitled "self care", and took place the last week of August Monday-Thursday.

Many clergy end up with family and marital issues, health problems, depression and other issues. In fact, we learned that among Methodists, New England has the highest health insurance rates of any conference due to the numbers of clergy with diabetes, heart problems and depression. However, this seminar provided some great tools to maintain and improve our emotional, physical and spiritual health. The conference provided childcare as well so both pastors could attend sessions.

Casco Bay Cluster Revival Coming

Our own Casco Bay cluster is sponsoring a revival at Beech Ridge Speedway on October 6th. There will be excellent music including the Messengers of Hope and excellent preaching including our own Bishop Peter Weaver. This is a great time to bring friends out to a celebratory event with many activities for youth and children. Come and share in the Gospel of Jesus! We will be calling on you for help with publicity, children’s activities, ushering and for bringing your friends. Keep the date open! Pray about who to invite! We also need donations to help make this event a success. Please see Jamie or Keith to find out how to help, or go to the Hope Revival website. The video clip we have shown in worship a few times can be found on the website as well, or directly at Hope Revival Video. See you on the track!

Wayside Soup Kitchen - WOW

Submitted by Susan Angell

WOW, WOW, WOW........................

Last night People's people served 300+ hungry persons at the Wayside Soup Kitchen. Those of us that arrived early were immediately set to work in preparation. The cooks were deeply involved in preparing fresh vegetables, salads, and the cooking of chicken and rice. Others were busily cutting pies and the like for desserts, setting tables, preparing coffee, juice and milk machines for the beverage table,cutting up blocks of butter and slicing of bread. I was totally excited that they allowed me to use the machine that slices the whole loaves of bread. For some unknown reason, usually no one allows me to touch moving machinery. Positions were assigned. Anita Lyons generously assigned her husband, Charlie Lyons to the dish washing duty. There were those that staffed the beverage table and those that put the food onto the dishes in a serving line. Tom was asked to assist with security. The remaining 6 of us were assigned our tables. If you serve restaurant style, you need 20-30 people to serve the tables, so buffet from the kitchen was necessitated. The 6 had the job of assisting people, serving refills on drinks, refreshing the butter and bread bowls, busing the tables of those that were finished and eventually washing down all the tables and chairs to ready them for the next days breakfast crowd.
The doors were opened and in they came. Some were in wheel chairs, some young people with the hard look of those living on the streets, older shop worn men and women and many carrying all they own in back packs, strollers and plastic bags and they were hungry. Time passed swiftly. Tom Nelson always amazes me. Compared to his energized wife, Barb Nelson, he looks quiet and slow moving. The man was everywhere doing this and that in his calm way. Art Tordoff too is just always in the right place at the right time. The gals that dished out the food on plates never faltered. The cooks kept the hot food coming. An extremely pretty and young woman there doing Community Service lost her veneer and began to show the strain of dealing with so many people. The young woman from Oakhurst with the friendly smile dealt with the horde admirably. Jalen, Barb and Tom's grandson and the youngest of us, managed to do the task of handing out beverages and never lost his cool. The unending stream of dirty dishes were washed and put away. After 7 and the people were gone, tables and chairs cleaned, floors swept, kitchen cleaned, trash put out and silence. Tired but at the same time energized, we all went home. GOOD JOB DONE.
There has been of talk about Peoples letting this ministry go as we are a small church with not a massive amount of people (others included Kathy Brann, Betsy Morrison, Marlene Tordoff, Janice Huelin, Betty Splettstoesser, Becky Gotlieb and Sue Angell). While lots of churches and corporations are abandoning this ministry for other, nicer, things such as ESL, Habitant for Humanity, The Root Cellar, Walks for various causes, this grittier side of community service needs our help too. We may be few but we sure showed we are mighty!

Note from Tom Nelson:
Susan you put this so very eloquently. WOW is an understatement. I was really worried when I saw only Peoples people but we may have been small but the power of Jesus was in all of us. I thank each and everyone for all their hard work. Charlie worked just about the hardest of any of us so Hats off to Charlie. Glad bean suppers are not this crazy. We will be at it in October 31 so if you missed the fun put it on your calendar.
God Bless you all and Thanks for the support

Adult Sunday Morning Class

Adult Sunday school class
On Sunday, September 9 a class that has been meeting for over 30 years will begin again at 9 AM. While the class membership has changed over that period of time the intent has always been to bring its members closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At the present time those who have been in the class have been using J. Ellsworth Kalas’s study book, More Parables From the Backside. The class will begin with Chapter 4 titled, "The Importance of Downward Mobility" which is based on the parable in Luke14:7-14. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome. Reading the parable in any interpretation of the Bible works and prepares you for participation in the class. The class is looking for a few good people who would like to learn in a small group format. Hope to see you there!

Sixty Seven Years as Organist at Peoples

Dr. Malcolm W. Cass
67 Years of service to Peoples Methodist Church
Dr. Malcolm Cass began playing the organ when many young men his own age may have played other instruments or became deeply involved in athletic teams. His father, a Methodist preacher, and his mother had encouraged his playing and made sure that he had lessons from the organist at the Bar Harbor Church. When that organist took a leave of absence, Malcolm was asked to "fill in". As the story is told she never returned and the young Malcolm’s avocation became a lifetime of love for music especially related to the organ and choral endeavors.
In time Malcolm attended and graduated from Bowdoin College and became a Doctor of Optometry graduating from Pennsylvania School of Optometry. While a student at Bowdoin, Malcolm served as the chapel organist.
When his father, Walter H. Cass was appointed to serve Peoples United Methodist Church in South Portland in 1938 it wasn’t long before Malcolm became the regular organist and choir director at Peoples. Malcolm also fell in love with Hildreth "Hillie" Edwards who sang in the Peoples Choir. The two were married in 1942. Aside from time away for military service during World War II, Dr. Cass has served as the church organist and choir director at Peoples until his last official day, August 26, 2007.
One of the finest organists ever produced in the state of Maine, Dr. Cass had many opportunities to play elsewhere as well. For many years he was the official organist for the Maine Conference of the Methodist Church and over the years played many concerts on the Kotzchmar Organ in Portland’s Merrill Auditorium. On trips that he would take with his beloved Hillie he would also be graced with the opportunity to play some of Europe’s most renowned organs.
At Peoples, Malcolm had the experience of playing at least three organs. The original organ that was eventually transplanted from the High street church was an Estes that had been purchased with Choir funds and assistance from the Carnegie foundation in 1912. Put in storage until the new sanctuary was completed and able to accept the Pipes of the Estes, Malcolm with the help of others found a suitable interim organ to use in the vestry of the present church. Until the new sanctuary was ready for occupancy, church services were held in the Vestry. This instrument was found in a warehouse in Boston and was transported piece by piece to South Portland. Once the Estes was in place in the sanctuary the interim organ was sold for the same price that it had cost to buy and be transported to South Portland.
By the late 50’s, however, the Estes was showing the wear of long term service to two churches. A fund drive was organized to fill a number of needs including the purchase price of a new pipe organ. Malcolm was, along with Jason Tilton, the chief proponent for the purchase of an instrument that would last and give quality service for many years to come. Mr. Tilton was a representative of the Reuter Organ Company and gave up his commission to make sure that Peoples and Malcolm would have a quality instrument. The organ was purchased for $30,000 and installed and played for the first time in 1962. Dr. Cass while not the only person to play the organ has been the primary organist until August 26, 2007.
While most folks will remember Malcolm for his generous contributions to the music program of Peoples Church he has also contributed in so many other ways as well. He has served in the role of leadership on most of the significant bodies of the church. He also has in the past led the Men’s Club. His musical background accompanied many variety shows and Sunday school productions. He served for many years as the principal historian and archivist for church memorabilia and to top it all off, for most of his church related life he was the principal photojournalist for events held at Peoples. How he was able to play music, write notes and take pictures all at the same time I will never know!
Beyond the walls of the church he also was an active, long-termed member of both the local Lions Club and the American Guild of Organists. The Lions Eyeglass collection project of many years came at the inspiration of Malcolm and continues to the present day.
Certainly his life time of giving was shared with many including his sons Malcolm Jr. and David as well as a church family that have loved and admired his dedication to all of us. We would have to agree, however, that while he is noted for his solo performances on the organ and piano his life, including music, has always been a shared partnership with Hillie. It is that devotion to each other that have made both Malcolm and Hillie, not even arguably, the most devoted and loving couple title at Peoples Church. Their life and devotion to each other is a model that few others have been able to duplicate.
On his last official day at the organ, a permanent plaque was presented for rededicating the organ in Dr. Cass’s name. Following the service Dr. Cass and Hillie sat in front of the altar and received the greetings and congratulations of the congregation and guests in attendance.
Thank you Malcolm for the many years of dedication to sharing music and life with you throughout your lifetime and ours as well!

Peoples Church Prayerful Vision Set 2007-2008

This summary was reviewed by the Discipleship Committee this month, and will be presented to Church Council for review and revision. It is important that the church has a means of holding ourselves accountable to our prayerful vision set during Checking the Course. Therefore, this summary will be used at the monthly Council meetings to check in on the status of these items, and help provide resources and other means of support. If you have any feedback, please contact Art Tordoff or bring your ideas to Council. Thank you!

Summary of Vision for Peoples 2007-2008

Intreat Profitable for Those Who Attended

Peoples United Methodist Church
Checking the Course
Intreat Proposed Course Changes
On Saturday, August 25, members and friends of Peoples Church participated in an Intreat designed to look at where we are as a church and where we feel we should be heading. Those in attendance were Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth Arrision, Lay Leader Earle Harvey, Church Council leader and Worship Committee Chairperson, Chris Ward, Rosemary Herd, Art and Marlene Tordoff, Dan Doughty, Betty Splettoesser, Sally and Betty Smith, Linda Wade, Claralee Street, Susan Angell, Kathy Brann, Becky Gotlieb, Fred Wade, and Barbara Nelson.
The Intreat began with a meaningful worship service at Thomas Knight Park in Knightville led by Pastor Gwyneth. Returning to Ellis Hall we indulged in coffee and sweets prepared by Rosemary Herd and Chris Ward, before beginning the three watches that made up the program. Art Tordoff, Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth shared leadership with the assistance of Earle Harvey and Chris Ward. All in attendance were actively engaged in the proposals that came from the groups on Worship, Fellowship and Evangelism/Outreach.
From the Crew on Worship:
This group included Chris Ward, Pastor Jamie, Linda Wade, Sue Angell, Claralee Street
Discussion centered on restructuring committee work. During monthly meetings for September, November, January and May all folks holding positions related to worship will be expected to be in attendance as a "committee of the whole". The committee of the whole would include the chairperson, the Pastors, music officials, communion stewards, altar preparers, ushers, greeters, follow-up team members, representatives from other worship experiences related to the church and others, at times, deemed a part of the worship team.
During the months of October, December, February, March and April a Subset of the whole committee will continue to work as a worship design team. This team membership is yet to be determined and should be finalized at the next Worship committee meeting. Its specific duties should also be defined at the next meeting. Changes should be reported out at Church Council.
From the Fellowship crew:
This group included Rosemary Herd, Dan Doughty, Kathy Brann, Betty Smith and Pastor Gwyneth
This group proposed that a number of social –fellowship events be planned over the course of the coming year. The purposes of such a thrust would be to provide a variety of appealing activities for a variety of parishioners and friends. At least one event needs to be planned in each season.
Activity One: Mystery Ride is already scheduled for Sunday, October 21. This would be primarily a church family building event. This group would be instrumental in developing the particulars including communication.
Activity Two: Resurrection of the Saturday Niters The first reinstatement of this program will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2008. Fellowship committee responsibility to fill in the specifics.
Activity 3: Spring might be either a Calendar Dessert for all or a Church Barbecue. More later. The focus will continuously be on Church Family development.
Ongoing activities that will be encouraged to continue include the Men’s Monthly Breakfast, Girl’s Night Out, Bean Suppers, Shawl Ministry, Knitting/Crocheting Group, Mom’s group, Connections with SMCC, Walking Group, Update of the telephone tree.
Possibility of starting a Visitation crew was mentioned. This would involve training to be good visitors in a number of situations.
From the Outreach/Evangelism group
This group included Earle, Marlene and Art Tordoff, Fred Wade and Pastor Gwyneth.
Evangelism: The main thrust in this area centers around two events that will take place in the Greater Portland area this fall. The first of these events is the Casco Bay Cluster sponsored event, "Hope In A Hurting World" that will take place at Beech Ridge Speedway on Saturday, October 6, 2007 from Noon to Six PM. Pastor Jamie is the "front man" for our involvement with the following assisting for Peoples Church (and anyone else that is willing to help) Art Tordoff, Marlene Tordoff, Earle Harvey, Fred Wade and Sue Angell. In a real sense with advertising this event is well underway.
The duty of the local committee will be to advertise in print and will develop a telephone tree to develop the necessary personal touch. The advertising and work of the committee will be in part responsible for encouraging and getting folks to the event. The goal in the form of statistics will to be responsible for 75 to 100 folks from church and our friends and families to the event. We will need 5 to 10 people to serve as telephone contacters. Marlene indicated that she would head the telephone folks. Art will get the word out and enlist folks to serve as ushers and children’s activity folks for the event. Earle and Fred will collect materials for the Peoples table in the "Big Tent" and will acquire folks to serve at the table during the open period. Gwyneth will acquire business cards and check on magnets with Peoples information on them for a giveaway. The team will be responsible for reviewing the existing visitor packets and update them for this event as additional handouts. Earle also indicated that he would be responsible for acquiring Spiritual counselors who will volunteer to offer consolation and advice at the end of the Revival presentations as well as set up our own local follow-up with information provided from the Revival.
Discipleship members will assist in the follow-up process with the establishment of new member groups and invitations to already existing learning functions of the church.
The second major Evangelism activity in the Fall will be to have as many people attend the E3 Conference to be held by the New England United Methodist Conference at Woodfords Congregational Church on November 1-3. More on that to come.
Outreach:
The group discussing this area was without the rightful leader who will be Merrill Kaiser who was on vacation at the time of the Intreat. Other folks who should be strong advocates in this area would be The Folleys, Art Tordoff, Earle Harvey, Rosemary Herd and the Pastors.
The program that we are emphasizing most already is part of the Mission support program for the Heifer Project. This church will continue to raise money through the Sunday school and the local church to "Fill and Ark". In order to do this the goal in financial support is to raise $5000. This committee set a goal to have at least 75 members and friends of the church supporting the project financially, spiritually and through participation in the events of the church that are related. Two events that will be related would be to sponsor a Variety Show in October (assigned date is October 12), proceeds of which would go to Heifer. The other major event would be to have a field trip to the Heifer sponsored farm in Massachusetts possibly to assist the caretakers in some way and to see how the farm operates. This event needs to take place by June of 2008. Continuation of the money collection boxes in and out of Sunday school is urged and that there should be a day periodically (every three months) in church where the boxes are collected and totals announced. In addition to what the children are using for an Ark to fill should be duplicated or brought to church on a regular basis for others to witness.
More brochures on Heifer should be made available and another occasion to show Heifer videos could be arranged.
Two other hands on activities were discussed and would like Missions to investigate possibilities. One would be to form a work party to Mechuwana in the Spring and the other would be to investigate the local Habitat for Humanity program and whether we would have enough people to serve on a work party or not and whether HH could use us.
Continuing in the spring of 2008 we feel that another International Missions Night should be encouraged and would fall under Discipleship, Missions, Fellowship and the Lay Leader for development. Likewise another Community Awareness Fair should be considered by the same group but to consider moving it to a more logical time to garner volunteers such as early fall.
Other local missions such as the Root Cellar and Wayside Soup Kitchen should also continue as well as other "regular" or traditional mission activities. The thrust should be to not only support missions financially, but to also have active involvement in those missions.
In the closing minutes of the Intreat, Pastor Jamie asked us to submit in three words or less to the group as a whole what we felt the church should be emphasizing. The following is a way that those suggestions could be put together.
"Where God is----------------there is----
Teamwork
Invitation, Welcome, Fun
Agenda communicating action
Supporting small miracles
Sharing family
Love for others