Would YOU Write an Advent Meditation?

Submitted by Art Tordoff:

There has been a long tradition at Peoples of folks from the church writing meditations about an experience of God which are then compiled into a daily devotional guide to be used during Advent. The Advent season begins on November 29. If you had a meditation prepared last year that wasn't submitted, or would like to write one for this year, please get these to Art Tordoff, preferably by the end of October. The last date to submit will be November 15. It would also be helpful to let Art know if you plan to write one if you think you might procrastinate the actual writing! You may contact Art at 799-6222 or atordof1@maine.rr.com Click here for a sample devotion by Art Tordoff. Booklets will be distributed November 29. Thank you.

Stewardship in November

Jesus said: I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. -- John 15:5 5

Please join us in the first three weeks of November as we gather together our fruits of ministry as those connected to the Vine.

Consecration Sunday on November 15 will be a wonderful opportunity to offer our promised giving for the new year as our first fruits.

Reminder - No Sunday School Oct 11

Due to the Columbus Day holiday, there will be no kids Sunday School on October 11. Children may go to nursery or remain in worship.

Join Us For a Mystery Ride!

Submitted by Ruth Doughty


Please plan to join us for Peoples Church Fall Mystery Ride on Sunday, October 25. Dress warm, pack a picnic lunch, a blanket and/or chairs and meet in Ellis Hall following morning worship. You will be given a set of questions to answer and directions to follow as we make our way to the mystery destination. Prizes will be awarded to those who answer the most questions correctly and arrive in the allotted amount of time. Hope to see you there! Hosted by Dan and Ruth Doughty.

Wayside Soup Kitchen - Help Serve Sept 30

Peoples Church will be helping to serve at the Wayside Soup Kitchen this Wednesday, September 30. Please arrive around 5pm to help set up. Meal begins at 6pm. The soup kitchen is located at 252 Oxford Street (near the Portland Post Office). For questions or to arrange a carpool, please contact Tom Nelson at
799-6321.

Need Donations for Church Auction!

Submitted by Doreen Gay

Our annual fundraising auction of the church is on Friday, October 9th. The viewing begins at 6:00 pm along with "good eats" and the live auction begins at 7:00 pm. Would you please prayerfully consider attending, inviting a friend, donating an item, service or money, contacting a local business for a donation? Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please note, I must receive all donations by 10/6/09 for printing of the program

Golf Scramble This Saturday

Do you want to have fun and play golf at the same time? Peoples is sponsoring a golf scramble on October 3 at the S. Portland Municipal Golf Course. Entrance fee will be $35 / person. Tee times start at 8am. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments served at the church after the matches. Team captains are looking for golfers to complete their teams: Hank Dunn, Merrill Kaiser, Tom Nelson, Keith Snoddy, Art Tordoff, Fred Wade and Jamie Arrison.

Outside Work Day October 10

Submitted by Doreen Gay

We will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, October 10 doing general church yard cleanup and minor repairs. Please consider volunteering some time. The Trustees need your help. Thank you. Rain date October 17.
Doreen Gay, Trustee

Church Workshop and Seminars in Maine

Submitted from UMCatalyst to Peoples Church blog at www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com

Fall District Workshops Start Next Week
As we are being challenged to "Rethink Church" and to focus our congregation's energies outward into mission in our communities and world, the Conference staff will conduct a variety of practical workshops this fall to give local churches information and resources to help enhance and empower your mission work and experiences. All clergy and local church members are invited to attend!

Dates
Tuesday, September 29 -- Wesley UMC, Concord, NH
Wednesday, September 30 -- First UMC, Westfield, MA
Friday, October 2 -- Grant Memorial UMC, Presque Island, ME
Saturday, October 3 -- Peoples UMC, Baileyville, ME
Monday, October 5 -- First UMC, Littleton, NH
Tuesday, October 6 -- Osterville UMC, Osterville, MA
Thursday, October 8 -- Fisk UMC, Natick, MA
Wednesday, October 14 -- Eliot UMC, Eliot, ME
Saturday, October 31 -- Wakefield/Lynnfield UMC, Wakefield, MA

Agenda
Weekday Workshops:
6:30 pm - Gathering
6:45 pm - Worship
7:00 to 8:00 pm - Workshop choice 1
8:15 to 9:15 pm - Workshop choice 2

Saturday Workshops:
9:00 am - Gathering
9:30 am - Worship9:45 to 10:40 am - Workshop choice 1
10:45 to 11:45 am - Workshop choice 2

Workshop Offerings
There are 7 workshops*, each exploring a different aspect of Mission in a New Day. Each workshop will be offered twice during the evening, so participants can choose two of the offerings.
Visit www.neumc.org/newday for full workshop descriptions.

Doing What is Needed. Curtis Brown, Director of Congregational Development.
Connecting with Mission Resources. Alexx Wood, Director of Communications.
Being Mission: Deepening Discipleship Through Mission Experiences. Wanda Stahl, Director of Spiritual Formation.
As a Fire is Meant for Burning. James McPhee, Director of Connectional Ministries
Hands on Mission with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. David Stackpole or Howard McGlaufin, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
Youth and Young Adults in Mission. Lorraine Macpherson, Director, United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth - Northeast
Mission Opportunities at Mechuwana. Norman Thombs, Camp Director.

RegistrationAll clergy and laity are invited to attend! Registration is FREE. Visit www.neumc.org/newday for more information.

Cluster of Courses & Workshops for Church Leaders
Sponsored by the Jesse Lee ClusterOf the Mid Maine District United Methodist Church
Hosted by Green Street UMC 13 Green Street, Augusta, Maine
Saturday Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 2009
8:30 gathering worship, 9:00-1:00 class sessions (with fellowship break)

Beginning & Advanced Lay Speaking Courses(pre-registration required by Sept. 15 to receive books with first assignments)
Basic Course: Introduction to Lay Speaking
Youth Basic Course
Road Map for Bible Study (Advanced Course)
Daily Spiritual Disciplines (Advanced Course) Single Session Resource workshops: (no pre-registration)

Sept. 26: 9-1, Statistical Reports with Joy Mueller
Oct. 3: 9-11, Endowment strategies with Gary Melville
Oct. 10: 9-11, 11-1, Stewardship with Bonnie Marden Same Boat brainstorms (no pre-registration needed)
Sept. 26: 9-10:30, Church Secretaries & Administrators.
Oct. 3: 9-10:30, Mission and Outreach
Oct. 10: 9-10:30, Church Musicians

Lay Speaking Course Registrar: Ruth Cannon, 207-786-3929, ruthcannon@roadrunner.com For general information contact Sessions Dean, Heather Brown at (207) 445-2284, heathernbrown@hotmail.com Click here for flyer: Cluster Courses Fall 2009

New England Conference School of Christian Mission One-Day Event
Quincy Community UMC, Quincy, MA
Saturday, October 3, 2009 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Missed the 3-day School of Christian Mission? Never been before? Then this is for you! Choose one of the following options:
- A comprehensive study (six hours) on Sudan with Rev. Garvin Warden
- Children/Youth study on Food and Faith and Sudan with Cat Janson and staff
- A pot pourri (two hours each) of the three studies offered this year: Sudan, Food and Faith, and Native American Survival Rev. Garvin Warden, Rene Wilbur, and Pat Parent, Study Leaders

Click here for more information and registration materials. For more information contact Margaret Buckley, Registrar, at qcumc2@comcast.net or (617) 773-3319 or Rev. Barbara Schreier, Dean, at bstks@sbcglobal.net or (860) 928-0308

Mid Maine District Leadership Academy
Saturday, October 17, 2009
8:30 am to 3 pm
Pleasant Street UMC, Waterville, ME

Agenda for the Day8:30 to 9

Registration and coffee 9 to 9:30
Opening worship led by Pastor Tom Frey and the youth of the Dresden Richmond UMC
9:30 to 11 First workshop session
11:15 to Noon District Conference work
Noon to 1 PM Lunch
1 to 2:30 Second workshop session
2:45 to 3 Closing worship led by Rev. Beverly Stenmark, District Superintendent for the Mid Maine District.

A book table will be available and will offer books that supplement the workshops as well as other books of interest.

Workshops and Leaders
An Introduction to The Workshop Rotation Model for Sunday School - Jen Thibert, Sunday School Superintendent, Pleasant Street UMC in Waterville
Creativity in Worship - Rev. Karen Munson, Pastor, Readfield UMC
Me? A Leader? - Dick Babb, Auburn UMC is an educator and as a consultant in organization development.
TAPPING OUT A NEW ?TUNE? - District Lay Leaders, Betty Austin and Joni Gatcombe
Pastor Parish Relations Committees - District Superintendent, Beverly Stenmark
Committees and Prayerful Work - Margo Carmines
?Acts? of church transformation - Rev. Neil Gastonguay, Pastor Bath UMC
Equipping Ourselves to Transform the Workplace - Rev. Nancy Smith, pastor and author
Doing a Church Financial Audit - Les Davis a lay person from the Green Street UMC.
Christian Stewardship - Rev. Linda Campbell-Marshall, retired pastor and former District Superintendent of the former Central Maine District For Brochure with Workshop Descriptions and Additional Information, Click Here

Discernment on Personal Giving

Submitted from Faith & Money www.umfne.org to the Peoples Church blog at www.peoplesnews.blogspot.com

Maimonides Ladder

Maimonides, a 12th century Jewish scholar, invented this eight rung Ladder of Giving.

1. The Lowest: Giving begrudgingly, embarrassing the recipient.
2. Giving cheerfully but giving too little.
3. Giving cheerfully and adequately but only after being asked.
4. Giving before being asked.
5. Giving when you do not know who is benefiting,
but the recipient knows your identity.
6. Giving when you know who is benefiting, but the recipient does not know your identity.
7. Giving when neither the donor nor the recipient is aware of the other's identity.
8. The Highest: Giving money, a loan, your time or whatever else it takes to enable an individual to be self-reliant.

Note: The concept of giving anonymously without knowing the recipient traces back to ancient Israel. Beggars would regularly congregate next to a wall of a courtyard and donors, being aware of this, would face the opposite direction and toss coins over the shoulders in the direction of the wall. Therefore, the recipients of the charity would not feel ashamed or indebted to the giver. How bold are you in your giving? For more examples of each level, Click Here
Source: http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/eightrungs.html

Quotes

* When we give to God, we are just taking our hands off what already belongs to God.
* We should give according to our income, lest God make our income according to our giving.
* Two things ruin a church--loose living and tight giving.
* With the price of everything else going up these days, aren’t you glad the Lord hasn’t increased the tithe to 15%?
Source: www.kluth.org

Off to a Wonderful Start to the Fall

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison at http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/

The Sunday School has begun the year with over 20 youth, and is using PowerXpress curriculum which makes learning fun as kids learn the lesson through cooking, stories, games, music and other interative centers. All children age 3-11 are welcome. Please see our Sunday School link for more information.

Junior High Regional Youth Group

The regional Jr. High Youth Group will be meeting next Sunday, September 27 at 1pm, and every 2nd and 4th Sunday this Fall. We have been having a fantastic time with a great group of kids over the summer and are looking forward to more excitement through the year. If you know someone in Jr. High, please invite them to join us.

To see photos of some of the youth at the first event click here

New Jr./Sr. High Sunday School

There is a new Jr./Sr. High Sunday School which is meeting Sundays at 9am in Ellis Hall at Peoples. This is currently led by Pastor Jamie and would love to add some additional teachers or assistants. Youth in grades 6-12 are welcome. Come for discussion about life and God’s word.

Small Groups at Peoples

If you are not currently sharing in a small group or Bible study, there are several options available. Adult Sunday school is discussing “What’s So Amazing about Grace”. The Tuesday morning group is studying the book of Proverbs. There are new groups forming for financial planning, Bible study, Purpose Driven Life and perhaps another book study. Please contact the pastors to find where you can best connect.

New Hand bell Choir

Submitted by Debbie Cole, posted by Gwyneth Arrison on the Peoples Church blog at http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/

WANTED: Hand bell Ringers
Why: To start a hand bell choir
Who: Anyone 12 years old and older
When: Beginning Thursday September 24th from 6:00--7:00 pm

Please contact Debbie Cole if you are interested in being a part of this
new group. No experience is required, but I would greatly welcome anyone who has been a hand bell ringer in the past.Come be a part of this exciting new musical fellowship!

Partners in Ministry 9/17/09

Submitted by Bishop Pete Weaver, Posted by Pastor Gwyneth on the Peoples UMC Blog at www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com

Dear Partners in Ministry,

"MY LIFE FLOWS ON IN ENDLESS SONG, above earth's lamentations....Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?" I love this great old hymn by the nineteenth century preacher/poet Robert Lowry that is now in our "The Faith We Sing" hymnal (2212). I don't know about you, but it feels like we just started summer, but here we are "flowing" into fall. A huge maple tree down our street has already turned brilliant reds and yellows and created a crunchy, colorful carpet under foot where our dog and I sometimes walk....she looked up at me the other day with her toes tangled in leaves as if to say, "What is this....already???"
But our lives flow on. Out of summer into fall, out of renewing vacation into reenergized vocation, out of the past into the future. Beyond lamentations into celebrations. With the Lord of love how can we keeping from singing...and being glad to be partners in ministry.
Last Sunday, the lay leader of the church where I was preaching told the congregation that he was glad I had made it, because, lifting up the local paper, he noted that my picture and a little blurb about my coming was on the obituary page. I'm glad in Christ our lives flow on....no matter what!

"OH, WE LOVE OUR TIMES TOGETHER..." The congregation where I was preaching last Sunday was really two congregations: North Haverhill and Woodsville, N.H. They are doing great things and they are needed in their two different, but nearby communities. Ordinarily they worship in their two different communities, but they also "love their times together" as one woman put it. They do some mission projects together, share youth events, and worship together at various times through the year, as they did last week. The sanctuary was full that Sunday, and you should have heard the two choirs together...wow. The vitality, joy and vision to reach out into their larger area for Christ seemed to mutually lift both congregations as they are connected in the one Body of Christ and as the connected United Methodist witnesses in their region. It's great when our congregations find ways to bring&nbs p;their various gifts together, and to share their strengths as they serve their areas. Is there another church nearby that your congregation could be working with more closely.....and experiencing the joy of Christ even more richly?

HOW'S THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR COFFEE HOUR? At the Pastors’ Assembly this summer the Rev. Jack Johnson who is the Executive Director of the Mass. Council of Churches (and former D.S. from New Jersey) talked about the experience of visiting many different churches on Sundays in his position. The pastor often invites the congregation to a "coffee hour" (or fellowship time, or, as I heard in one church, a "chat and chew" time). Jack reported that the coffee may be warm, but the atmosphere of welcome is too often chilly or downright cold. Regular members of the congregation head for their friends and leave visitors standing alone...Oh well, if there's no one to chat with, chew a little more and head home. That "last impression" of a church is often what sticks with visitors....who rarely come back....unless they like being left out in the cold.
Make sure you intentionally have some people prepared to "greet" and get to know visitors after the service in these "fellowship" settings. They should be ready to introduce visitors to others in the congregation who may live near them or have the same profession or be around the same age. They should be able to talk about other programs and activities that the visitor might be interested in, as well as offer to show them around the church and point out pictures on a bulletin board or creative posters in the fellowship area that show activities of the congregation in the community (missions, youth activities, kids’ picnic, helping at a shelter, worship on the beach, etc.). Sensitize the whole congregation to welcoming visitors...."But, we're such a friendly church"...yea, to each other, but what about the stranger? Check the temperature of the welcome in your church.

A LAMENTATION: RACISM One of earth's deepest "lamentations," to use Robert Lowry's word again, is the persistent, pervasive sin of racism that is alive and well in many of our hearts, churches, communities and most recently exhibited in our body- politic. We have always had political disagreements in our democratic political processes, which can be healthy, but we have never had a member of congress shout "You Lie" at a President of the United States as he spoke to the Congress about a critical issue in our nation's life. I do not believe it would have happened had the President been white.
Racism happens in our lives when we believe we have the power to act out our prejudices....the power to breach civility....the power to keep others from moving into our neighborhood....the power to shun others who enter our church.
Last week I gathered with fifty or sixty other New England United Methodists for three days of reflecting on racism in ourselves and the systems we are a part of. The Council of Bishops has regularly addressed racism in our own ranks as well as the larger church and society. The first session on racism I remember being a part of was in 1958 when I was a freshmen in a highly diverse urban high school....and there have been many, many such times since. And every time I realize more about my own "white privilege" and power.....I find myself with confessions from my own heart and for our own church....and I experience the blessing of God's grace that keeps me growing...and making new commitments to be a part of ending racism. For, like you I hope, I truly do want to "love my neighbor as I love myself," "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me," and to " ;do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." This is not just a political matter, it is a profoundly spiritual matter.
Again and again, I have learned that each of us has our own personal work to do, and we have the calling from God to confront racism in every form around us....be it in systems, jokes, schools, housing, our politics, etc. And we have the ability to influence others and invite them into this ongoing journey, until lamentations turn to celebrations.
I hope that you are having these discussions in your church, with family and friends. Let God lead us to be the people and church and community that reflect God's will done on earth, even as it is in heaven!

Grace and Peace,

Pete

New Walk-In Office Hours for Peoples Church

Submitted by Pastor Gwyneth at the Peoples Church Blog at http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/

The pastors at Peoples have new office hours this Fall. Please feel free to drop in to see us. These hours will be as follows (except holidays):

Mondays 4-6pm Pastor Jamie
Wednesdays 9-11am Pastor Gwyneth

You can reach us by email or phone to set up an appointment if these times are not convenient. Our church phone is 799-6814 Our emails are as follows: Pastor Jamie: jamie@peoplesumc.com Pastor Gwyneth: gwyneth@peoplesumc.com Both Pastors: thearrisons@peoplesumc.com (Please note, the emails of pastorgwyneth and pastorjamie were deleted several years ago - please make sure your email groups and address book are updated).

Community Suppers Are Back at Peoples!

The Peoples UMC invites you to attend the first community supper of the year on Saturday, September 19. The dinner begins with a blessing at 5pm. The price is $7/individual or $16 per family, a great deal considering the wonderful homemade dishes and desserts, and a chance to meet others in the community.

If you are part of the Peoples family, all help is welcome to make this monthly event a great success. We need cassaroles and pies, we need volunteers to help in the kitchen and serving tables, help in set up and clean up. Above all, bring your smile and prepare to have a great time!

Dinners are held the 3rd Saturday of every month during the school year. For questions, please contact Chris Ward at 767-2516.

Carnival welcomed many from community

There haven't been horses outside the front door of Peoples United Methodist Church since its founding, but on Saturday, September 13 there were several, giving rides to a continuous line of children from 10am to 2pm. Hearts and Horses Farm in Buxton brought a pair of ponies for the day, and also promoted their primary mission of therepeutic riding for those with handicaps. In addition to ponies, this year's carnival brought the South Portland Fire Department, who brought a truck and let kids climb around inside. Outside volunteers made popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs, all served fresh ... and free of charge.

Inside the activities included three puppet shows shown throughout the carnival, complete with a brand new puppet stage. The puppet show on the story of Creation brought many laughs and some learning too. The Sunday School brought in a large display of pictures and information to hand out to many prospective kids and parents. Games such as indoor golf, ducks in the water, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and "fishers of people" were very popular. In addition, the craft ministry drew the attention of many kids.

Another highlight of the carnival was face painting, and some of the teens and even littler ones enjoyed a hand at painting some faces as well. Others brought in displays of how Peoples people are making a difference, such as the prayer shawl ministry, choir, and Pastor Gwyneth's mission to Nicaragua.

Many thanks to the Church Life Committee for heading up this fun event, and for all of the volunteers who helped set up, staff and take down!

For a photo album of the event, go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=140167&id=148046372078&ref=mf

Worship Time Changes Next Sunday, Sept 13

The worship schedule will change for the school year beginning September 13. The schedule will be as follows: Adult Sunday School at 9am in the Parlor, Coffee Fellowship in the Vestry at 10am, Choir Rehearsal at 10am in the Sanctuary, Worship at 10:30am with kids leaving from worship to attend children's Sunday School. All are welcome. Who will you invite? Offer to give them a ride!

Heads up for September Schedule Committee meetings & other regular ministries start up in September. SPRC meets 1st Tuesday 7pm, Finance & Worship 2nd Tuesday 6:15pm, Church Council 2nd Tuesday 7:30pm, Church Life 3rd Tuesday 7pm, Trustees 4th Tuesday 7pm. Bean Suppers 3rd Saturdays 5pm Prayer Shawl & Craft Ministry: 2nd Thursdays 7pm Men’s Breakfasts: 2nd Saturdays 7:30am Archives Meetings: 5th Tuesdays 7pm Wayside Soup Kitchen: 5th Wednesdays 5pm Prayer Services: Wednesdays 7pm Senior Choir Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7pm & Sundays 10am

Church Carnival and Fair

This coming Saturday, September 12 10am-2pm, Peoples is hosting a carnival for the community. Food, games, puppet shows, music, and displays on ways to get involved in mission within and outside the church. Pony rides are being offered through Hearts & Horses for $4/ride but there are coupons available. Everything else is FREE, including food. Food will include hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, lemonade and sticky buns. Come and bring the family. All welcome. Please bring a friend!

New Online DISCIPLE Bible Study

DISCIPLE Bible Study is an excellent, intense 36-week study of the Bible that we highly recommend and many at Peoples have taken. There is an opportunity this fall to join an online group. Please contact the pastors if you are interested.

Choir Starts Up - Newcomers Welcome!

Submitted by Debbie Cole, Music Director:

I want to remind everyone that choir practice will start on Wednesday, September 9th at 7:00. We would love to have some new singers join us. If you love to sing, even if you can't read music, we invite you to come and join us in fellowship. The choir will most likely be switching to rehearsals on Thursdays 7pm after this - please see the Sunday worship bulletin to find out, or contact Debbie Cole directly.

Note from Pastor Gwyneth: There's a rumor going around that Debbie is starting up the hand bell choir! Rehearsals will begin in a few weeks, most likely 6pm before choir rehearsal.

Note from Andy Folley on Sunday School

If you are planning on sending your child to Sunday School, please let me know by Sunday night, September 6 what size t-shirt your child wears. These shirts will be available on the first day of Sunday School and may be worn for special activities throughout the year. The sizes are as follows: children's sizes run 2-4(XS), 6-8 (S), 10-12 (M), 14-16 (L) and 18-20 (XL). Please email me the sizes for your children as soon as possible. We are also looking for one more teacher for our first unit. If you are interested in teaching the first unit or another unit during the year, please let me know. We also could use people to set up, take down and be prop masters for various units.

Childrens Sunday School Startup September 13

The children's Sunday School will start up on Sunday, September 13 and we hope to have as many kids as possible in attendance for this first day of celebration! The first unit of Sunday School will begin September 20 for four weeks. This is a center-based curriculum by PowerXpress which includes music and movement, stories, crafts, games, cooking, science and other fun activities.

Children begin in worship with their parents or caregivers at 10:30am. After the children's message, children ages 3-11 may go downstairs to Sunday School. A middle school Sunday School curriculum is in the review stages.

Any questions please contact Andy Folley, Sunday School Superintendent. For more information at Peoples News Online, see the Sunday School link.

Sunday School Pizza Night Sept 10

People first Family Pizza Night will be held September 10 at 5pm. This is an event for parents, Sunday School teachers and other Sunday School volunteers for a time of fellowship. In addition, we will have some teacher training and time for questions and sharing. We hope you (and your children!) can attend!

A Great Game! Many Thanks to the Doughtys...

Dan and Ruth Doughty hosted a wonderful softball (turned kickball since there were so many little kids) game at Henley Field, the home of South Portland Little League. Many thanks also to Chris Kelley for coordinating this with the Doughtys.

We had a great turnout, and managed to have a few real games despite the little ones running between the bases. We also had some spectators come out and enjoy the fellowship in the sun (son?).

For more photos, you can view a photo album at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137530&id=148046372078#/album.php?aid=137530&id=148046372078

Peoples UMC on Facebook

If you are on Facebook, or are considering joining, you can now become a Fan of Peoples United Methodist Church. The church facebook page will help to store albums of church events and post short reminders about upcoming events and information.

To become a fan you can click on the link on the front page of the Peoples blog (http://www.peoplesumcnews.blogspot.com/) or go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Portland-ME/Peoples-United-Methodist-Church/148046372078

Avalanche Ranch 2009!

This July 2009 Peoples UMC hosted another amazing fun time and wonderful experience of God’s love for about 30 kids. Children ranged in age from 2-11, plus several middle and high schoolers serving as Ranch Hands which gave them some responsibility but also allowed them to play alongside the younger kids.

Ellis Hall was transformed into a ranch this year, with MANY helpers. Ranch team leaders met each morning to plan any last minute details. Pastor Jamie served as the core leader as well as music with assistance from Ellen Dunn who was game leader. The wagon snack area and food pantry mission was led by Betty Splettstoesser. The video center was led by Rachel Harvey, craft center was led by Amy Wellington and the story center was led by Carol Bruneau. Each center was decorated and designed by the leader, and overseen with a lot of work and prayer.

As the kids arrived, they were registered and given a sheriff badge name tag, and colored paper horses until group time, after which time they split up into groups of 5-6. The themes each day included “God is Real,” “God is with us,” “God is strong,” God is awesome,” and “God is in charge!” Each day a different group of kids was selected for Spotlight Drama, in which posted photos were used in a video to re-tell the Bible story they had been studying that day. Pastor Gwyneth led this effort. In addition, Merrill Kaiser photographed all of the children in the saddle (saddles loaned from Hearts & Horses Farm in Buxton; other decorations also from Flaherty's Farm) and then these were cut out and glued onto horses each child colored.

On Thursday evening, the leaders hosted a family style dinner with short presentations and showing of the Spotlight Drama videos. Kids then showed their family and friends around the various centers, and some of their work such as hand sewn pillows at the craft area. We had a wonderful turnout for this special occasion.

Kids and teachers received certificates at the end of the week, and kids also received a magnetic photo of them posing in the saddle, and leaders received a rose. Kids got to share a song and a few slides during church Sunday too. The kids blessed us all.

The best was hearing the kids tell their parents each day how they wanted to come back the next day! Thank you to everyone who donated items and money, helped set up and take down, helped out with the kids, visited to show your support and prayed. And thank you to Thornton Heights UMC for loaning this year’s curriculum. You all made a difference in the lives of the children!!!

You can view a few photos in the articles posted during the week of Avalanche Ranch. For a full album of Avalanche Ranch photos go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137491&id=148046372078

Need Donations for Church Auction

Submitted by Doreen Gay, Posted by Gwyneth Arrison

Our annual fundraising auction of the church is on Friday, October 9th. The viewing begins at 6:00 pm along with "good eats" and the live auction begins at 7:00 pm. It is my job to coordinate all the workers needed to serve the hotdogs, chili, desserts, and drinks; as well as the runners and cashiers who assist our wonderful professional auctioneer Harold Sutherland. I also must collect and organize approximately 100 items needed in order for the auction to be a success. The church budget relies on this fundraiser and we have been very blessed with successful ones in years past.

Time is getting short and I need to step up the pace on contacting everyone to see what you might be able to do to help this year. So please prayerfully consider these areas...

1. Plan to attend and bring a friend, an auction can't be successful without bidders! Not to mention it is so much FUN, ask anyone who has gone before! Mark your calendar!
2. Donate a contemporary or antique, new or used item. Just call me if you need to know what is appropriate for our auction. Donate money to purchase hotdogs, chili, chips, and drinks! Bake a dessert or candy to be auctioned. I can customize for you a Gift Certificates for Services such as: Housecleaning, Handyman, Instrumental or Vocal Music Lessons, Lawn Maintenance and/or Snow Shoveling, Babysitting, Computer Training, Automobile Repair, A pie a week for a Month, Tailoring, as examples. A Weekend getaway at a Cottage/Timeshare/Ski Lodge, etc
3. Contact an area business for a gift certificate for merchandise or service. Please let me know whom you will approach so we don't have them more than once. Here's some ideas...a restaurant, gasoline, heating oil, theater tickets, tickets to an athletic event, haircut, flowers, movie rentals, office supplies, etc.

Thank you so much for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please note, I must receive all donations by 10/6/09 for printing of the program.

God Bless,
Doreen Gay
Auction Chairperson
Home 767-3572
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Mission Trip Planning

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison:

Would you be interested in going on a mission trip sometime in the next year? There is a group of Peoples people meeting monthly to plan just such a trip. The group is still in the discernment stage, and if you would like to join to be part of this vision seeking process please attend our next meeting on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 pm. All welcome! Please contact Pastor Gwyneth for questions. Thank you.

Regional Youth Group

The regional Junior High youth group which began this summer will be meeting every other week through the Fall. The tentative plan is to meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays in the afternoon. Please contact Pastor Jamie for any further details or questions.

Outside Work Day Oct 10

Submitted by Doreen Gay, Posted by Gwyneth Arrison:

We will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, October 10 doing general church cleanup and minor repairs. Please consider volunteering some time. The Trustees need your help. Thank you. Rain date October 17.

Doreen Gay,
Trustee

Advanced Lay Speaking Class in Saco

Submitted by Deb Hanson, Posted by Gwyneth Arrison:

The Advanced Lay Speaking course "Ministry of Caring" will be offered through the Saco Bay Cluster at the Cornerstone UMC, Jenkins Ave, Saco, ME on the following dates: Oct 10, 17, & 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Although it is an Advanced Lay Speaking course, we invite anyone who is interested in learning more about lay visitation or those persons who might be interested in improving their parish visitation to attend the three session class, as well. The cost is $15. I have attached a registration form that should be returned by Sept 15th so I have time to order the books. Please make the checks payable to GMUMC and mail to Goodwins Mills UMC, 55 Church St, Lyman, ME 04002.Please share this information with your lay people and feel free to call me at 207-499-1049 or e-mail me at this e-mail address. Thanks! Blessings, Deb Hanson

Two Saints at Peoples Will be Missed

We have lost two wonderful members of Peoples Church this summer, Ruth McLellan and Betty McGouldrick. Ruth went to be with the Lord on August 26, 2009, and Betty McGouldrick on September 3, 2009. A funeral service was performed at Hobbs by Pastor Gwyneth, who led a Bible study in Ruth's home each week for the last several years. Pastor Jamie will be leading a funeral service at Peoples on Tuesday, September 8 with a reception following hosted by United Methodist Women. We will miss you Ruth and Betty.

One Member's Financial Challenge!

Submitted by an anonymous member, posted by Gwyneth Arrison:

One member of the church was inspired by the Rising to the Need 2009 pledge campaign this past Spring, and after much prayer has offered the church a fun challenge. Here is the letter:

"To members and friends of Peoples Church: I would like to give you a challenge. Can you meet my pledge? I have enclosed my pledge in a sealed envelope. This I will give to Rev. Gwyneth Arrison to hold. I am challenging you to meet that amount. If you can do so, I will double my pledge. In effect you will have doubled yours. The rules are simple: place your extra change in an envelope marked "special challenge" - you are on your honor not to put your weekly pledge in there. When you (the church) think you have reached my pledge - only then can my pledge be revealed. I do not think the amount is unattainable but you might have to scratch a little bit. You might wonder who this member is - my name is not important. Besides, I might want to do this again in 5 or 10 years! Go for it! God bless!"

"P.S. I think it would be nice to think of this as a Christmas present to God's work. But if you think you can do it sooner, do so. Make it a fun game."

What's So Amazing About Grace?

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison:

The adult Sunday School will be studying a text by Phillip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace, with a study guide and DVD. The group starts up this Sunday, September 13, and meets at 9am in the Parlor off Ellis Hall. If you have any questions, or would like a text, please contact Art Tordoff. ALL WELCOME!

Avalanche Ranch Still Going Strong

We're now up to 28 kids who have attended some or all of the week, from ages 2 through teens. It's been a stomping good time. Here are a few more photos from the week.

Dinner on the Ranch

EVERYONE IS INVITED! Especially those who have not been able to stop by or help out at Avalanche Ranch!

Please join us for a good ‘ol fashioned ranch feed, followed by a taste of this week’s Avalanche Ranch through Spotlight Drama! Then there will be an open house of all of the ranch centers so the kids can show you first hand all of the exciting adventures they’ve been on this week.

Date: Thursday, July 16
Time: 5 pm
Place: Right here at Avalanche Ranch

Please bring one canned good or nonperishable item for the food pantry mission.

RSVP: Please let us know the number attending from your family. Thank you!

Beach Service Postponed

Due to lack of attendance at the first service on Willard Beach, the thunder storm system the following Sunday, and now the pastors upcoming vacation, we have decided to postpone Worship on Willard until mid-August, and will only be able to re-start if there are some lay folks who would be willing to help out with this. Please contact Pastor Jamie if you feel led to help out with this ministry in any way. Thank you.

Avalanche Ranch Camp Off to Yahoo Start!

The kids had an awesome time on their first day of Vacation Bible Camp learning about how GOD IS REAL! We had over 20 kids today, and a few more registered who will be coming through the week. Please try to stop by sometime this week between 9am-noon, maybe on an early lunch break from work - it's amazing! Or, if you are able to attend the slide show Thursday night please come at 5pm for dinner. All are invited! Here are a few photos ...

Kitchen Cleaning

Submitted by Susan Angell

Dear Fellow Cleaners,
I must say that the cleaning of the kitchen was a great project. The idea that every platter, bowl, plate, cup, cabinet shelf, etc. was washed sparkling clean as well as the walls, the floors and all fixtures was certainly a great accomplishment. Cleaning the refrig by Betty and Barb was super. Finishing up with that center table with all of its pots and cookie sheets and breadboards and THAT kitchen tool drawer was the frosting on the cake. The restocking of the first aid kit was too.
Best of all was working side by side with you all and experiencing the fellowship. Thank you Betty for leading and directing us all and working, working, working, thank you Kathy for washing and washing and washing the dishes, Barbara for sneaking in and doing all kinds of icky stuff like the fans and the freezer section of refrig, Amy especially for cleaning that gross section where the dish washing racks are stored, Carol especially for bringing order to the kitchen tool drawer which was an extraordinary feat and Joyce for assisting in whatever task was needed.
Blessings, Susan

Avalanche Ranch July 13-17 !!!

Wah-hoo! Welcome to Avalanche Ranch, a wild ride through God’s Word! Get ready for an exciting celebration of God’s love filled with amazing Bible adventures, unforgettable songs, and memory-making crafts.Avalanche Ranch is overflowing with fun for kids, teenagers, and adults. Everyone involved in this Vacation Bible School (VBS) will jump into God’s Word and will never be the same again! As kids explore amazing Bible adventures, they will be encouraged to apply Bible truths to everyday life.

This year’s VBS at Peoples will include preschool and children’s curriculum for Cowhands ages 2-11, and will be hosted July 13-17. We are also inviting tweens and teens to be part of our Wrangler Team with freedom to be kids as well as help with our littler cowhands.

To register your child, print off a form here VBS Registration 2009 and mail to the church: Peoples UMC 310 Broadway South Portland, ME 04106. Or you may register your child by phone at 799-6814. Hope to see you out on the ranch!

Please help out on the Ranch!

With Avalanche Ranch just one week away, we are gearing up for a great time! We are still in need of a few more folks to join our Wrangler Team, and are in need of some more supplies, either lending for the week, or purchasing, or making a financial donation . Please click here for an updated list of needs, or see the list at church (full list is in the back on a clipboard, and the summary of what is still needed will be in the worship bulletin). Thank you!

Peoples First Group Mission Trip Planned

What would you think of going on a mission trip?! There are currently 5 people who are meeting regularly to plan a trip sometime in the next year. One option that we are looking into is Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. If you are interested in joining this planning process, please join us on August 4 at 6:30 pm at church. Or if you are just interested in joining the group that travels somewhere, please be in touch with Pastor Gwyneth or Earle Harvey.

Peoples Church has always been active in local missions, and is currently involved in the Root Cellar, Wayside Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, and the Food Pantry as well as other internal ministries such as the Prayer Shawl Ministry. In addition, Peoples has always given generous donations to various organizations such as Red Bird and UMCOR. However, Peoples has never sent out a group of missionaries on a trip to serve the needy and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are looking forward to what God does through Peoples Church with this renewed focus on making a difference in the world.

Please be in prayer for the group's discernment process, and about your own involvement through participation, financial support or prayer. Thank you!

New Summer Study Beginning

Looking for a Summer Study? We are beginning a study of the book, The Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen on Thursday, July 2 at 3pm @ Ruth’s home. We will be discussing the introduction on July 2 and chapter 1 on July 9. Please contact Pastor Gwyneth for questions or to receive a text – we have room for 2-3 more people for this 9-week study.

We have already purchased the texts. However, if you would still like to join the study, please purchase your text (go to the link above or Amazon.com) and bring next week, July 9 when we begin chapter 1. If you need assistance purchasing your text, please contact Pastor Gwyneth.

Calling all Junior High Youth!

Youth Group is meeting Monday July 13 for a beach party. All Junior High youth should gather in the Peoples parking lot by 5pm and we will carpool to the beach for some summer fun!

Rising to the Need 2009 - THANK YOU!

Submitted by Kathy Brann:

A wonderful heartfelt “Thank You” goes out to the congregation and to God our Savior. Isn’t it amazing what God can do with a challenge? The “Rising to the Need 2009” request has made it possible for our Treasurer to be able to pay the bills that were behind. We can say Praise God for those answered prayers. Even with this economy we were able to raise these funds.

Many people looked outside the box and found creative ways to give.
* Many people covenanted to pray daily or weekly for our finances
* Special gifts for Rising to the Need totaled $2,575.00
* Some Pledgers paid the remainder of their pledges in 2009 and some
people paid ahead total of $4,165.00
* Two people became new pledgers for a total of $30.00 per week
* 7 pledgers increased their pledges to a total of $42.00 per week
(this may total vary as some pledgers will give extra as they can)

We are not in a clear sailing mode yet but at least we have our heads above water. There are still people working on different ways to help the finances with the jars and boxes of coins to be passed in after the summer. The counters can hardly wait to count all those coins.

So let us keep up the good work and Praise God for all He does in our live.

Financial Secretary,
Kathleen Brann

A Member's Financial Challenge

One member of the church was inspired by the Rising to the Need 2009 pledge campaign this Spring, and after much prayer has offered the church a fun challenge. Here is the letter:

"To members and friends of Peoples Church: I would like to give you a challenge. Can you meet my pledge? I have enclosed my pledge in a sealed envelope. This I will give to Rev. Gwyneth Arrison to hold. I am challenging you to meet that amount. If you can do so, I will double my pledge. In effect you will have doubled yours. The rules are simple: place your extra change in an envelope marked "special challenge" - you are on your honor not to put your weekly pledge in there. When you (the church) think you have reached my pledge - only then can my pledge be revealed. I do not think the amount is unattainable but you might have to scratch a little bit. You might wonder who this member is - my name is not important. Besides, I might want to do this again in 5 or 10 years! Go for it! God bless!"

"P.S. I think it would be nice to think of this as a Christmas present to God's work. But if you think you can do it sooner, do so. Make it a fun game."

WOW: Worship on Willard!

WOW: Worship on Willard! 7:30am every Sunday through August we are worshipping on Willard Beach. Park on Willow Street in the public lot and walk down to the snack shack where you’ll see the group. Join us for prayer, singing, Scripture and an inspiring message. Bring a friend! Dogs welcome!

Directions from Peoples UMC to Willard Beach:

Start at 310 Broadway, South Portland going toward the college (away from the bridge)
Turn right on Preble Street. Go .4 miles
Turn left on Franklin Terrace. Go .1 miles
Turn right on Willow Street
Parking lot is on left, approximately 22 Willow Street

Distance: 1.1 miles Time: 4 minutes

Yard Sale & Strawberry Festival 2009!

The Peoples UMC is hosting their annual yard sale and strawberry festival on Saturday, July 25 from 9am-2pm. Find bargains at the trash and treasure table, and enjoy fabulous strawberry shortcake. Tell your friends, and don't miss it!

Yard Sale Donations and Help Needed

Barbara Nelson and Chris Bowker have generously volunteered to run our church yard sale and strawberry festival this year on Saturday, July 25 9am to 2pm. They cannot, however, do it alone. We need the items filling your closets, garages and attics. We need your soups and baked goods. We need your time and strength for setting and cleaning up. Please contact Barbara for yard sale items and help and Chris for offers of help with food. This is always a fun and successful event, but it needs you.

Please DO NOT donate the following items: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, computers, and microwaves. Items can begin to be dropped off beginning Sunday, July 19 after church - please no donations before this. Items should be placed in Ellis Hall (but NOT the Sunday School room). If you need help getting things picked up, please contact Barbara Nelson.

Items not sold will be donated, or if large will be placed outside by the side of the road with a "free" sign, weather permitting. Please collect any large unsold items that will be difficult for the church to dispose of by Sunday, July 26. If you need assistance with this, or have any questions with any yard sale issues, please contact Barbara Nelson at 799-6321. Thank you!

Scouts Close out the 2009 Year

Peoples UMC provides space for the Boy Scouts each week, and consider this an honor. The Scouts finished up their 2009 year on June 30, and we celebrate with them!

Dogs and People were Blessed!

The blessing of the dogs worship celebration at Bug Light was hosted on June 28. Although a foggy and a bit drizzly, we had about 30 people attending, and just as many dogs. The South Portland Dog Owners Association helped with publicity and brought food. Many folks came out from Peoples to welcome those who came out for this event from the community. Pastor Jamie led worship together with Michael Schools on guitar. We hope more will join us on Willard Beach as we continue Sunday morning weekly worship at 7:30am, with or without dogs!

Heads up For September

On September 10, the Sunday School is hosting a family pizza night for parents and teachers as a time for fellowship, sharing ideas, teacher training and Bible study on the upcoming unit. The Sunday School will be hosting 5 such family pizza nights throughout the 2009-2010 school year.

You don't want to miss our annual community fair, scheduled for Saturday, September 12 and serves as a fun kickoff for kids Sunday School with lots of games.

Worship time will change on September 13, the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Sunday School will begin September 13, and the first PowerXpress unit "Creation" begins September 20. Kids, you don't want to miss this!

Join us at Wayside on July 29

Peoples serves at the Wayside Soup Kitchen every 5th Wednesday. Many from Peoples joined together on April 29 - some served in the kitchen, others waited on tables, and still others helped with drinks. Several also joined with us from other local organizations.


Why not try this exciting ministry? You will be very blessed. Peoples is next scheduled to serve on July 29. Helpers can arrive between 5-6pm, and the doors open at 6pm, with clean up generally done by 7:30pm. If you have any questions or need a ride, please contact Tom Nelson. After July, Peoples is next scheduled to serve on September 30 - please mark your calendars!

Pastors Vacation Schedule

The pastors will be on vacation for two weeks this summer, from July 20 - August 2. You may contact the Lay Leader, Earle Harvey at 799-5088 if you need pastoral assistance and he can contact the clergy on call.

Gift Stole

Dan Doughty presented a stole to Pastor Gwyneth from the Church on her first Sunday back after being ordained. She says, "Thank you for the beautiful stole as a symbol of my being newly ordained. I will treasure it always. Thank you!"

Pastor Gwyneth Ordained

On June 20 during the New England Annual Conference, Pastor Gwyneth was ordained as an Elder in Full Connection by Bishop Peter Weaver at Gordon College. To view all photos go to Gwyneth's album on flickr.

Several Peoples people drove down for the ordination service, including Barbara Nelson, Betty Lane, Betty and Wes Splettstoesser, as well as Merrill Kaiser and Earle Harvey who attended all of Annual Conference.

Jamie read Gwyneth's bio as she was brought out for her ordination, and Gwyneth's ordination sponsors were Rev. Meg Queior and Earle Harvey. In addition to the Bishop, Meg, Earle and district superintendents Mike and Jan Davis laid hands on Gwyneth as she was ordained. The Bishop then placed the stole over Gwyneth's shoulders as the sign of an ordained elder, which is the first time pastors wear a stole.

What is the Ordination Process? This is the first time Peoples has received pastors who are not already ordained elders, and has been a wonderful opportunity for this church to better understand the process of ordination in Methodism. In many churches, a pastor is ordained into a local church upon graduating seminary. However, in the United Methodist Church, the process is much longer and "methodical!"

Upon graduating seminary four years ago with a Masters in Divinity, and passing the first set of exams, Gwyneth was at that time commissioned as a "probationary elder." This meant she was given all of the responsibilities and ministries of an elder within and outside of the local church, including administering the sacraments, but has not had vote within the United Methodist clergy. This time of probation serves as an opportunity for the Church to evaluate the ministry of an elder before bringing someone into full connection. For a full time pastor, the minimum probationary requirement is 3 years. Gwyneth's petition was granted to go before the Board of Ordained Ministry for final exams after 4 years of part time ministry since Gwyneth and Jamie share one full time appointment. At the same time, Jamie has remained a local pastor, which means he has all of the responsibilities and ministries of an elder except only in his own local church, nor does he have vote in the clergy session and is not guaranteed an appointment as are ordained elders.

After passing these exams Fall 2009, there were additional requirements for Gwyneth, including an ordinands retreat, one-on-one meeting with the Bishop, affirmative vote by the clergy session at Annual Conference (and this year's ordinands all played musical instruments so they led a closing hymn together - Gwyneth on bassoon!), answering the Wesleyan Historic Questions before the entire Annual Conference ... and finally the service of ordination.

Friends from Nicaragua at Annual Conference!

Pastor Gwyneth enjoyed seeing several friends she met in Nicaragua up at Annual Conference this year! Jairo attended from the Mobile Health Clinic. And this was Alicia's first trip outside Nicaragua - she is the lovely women who gave Pastor Gwyneth the beautiful dress ... which she wore at her ordination. What an honor it was to have Alicia there at the ordination!

In addition, it was a pleasure to again meet the President of the Iglesia de Cristo denomination as well as the newly elected President of the Evangelical Methodise denomination. All of these folks shared a bit in front of the Annual Conference, and were also present for a Nicaraguan Covenant dinner and a lunch seminar on the Nicaraguan Planning Committee.

Annual Conference is always a kind of "coming home" time for clergy and laity alike, as this is the one time of year when we all get together for lots of fellowship, prayer, worship and "holy conferencing." Laity and pastors enjoy seeing one another who have previously served together in another church. Pastors enjoy seeing those who have "itinerated" to areas of the conference out of commuting distance. However, this was also a special honor for Pastor Gwyneth to reunite with friends from Nicaragua.

Adam Hamilton at Annual Conference

Adam Hamilton was the plenary speaker for two sessions during the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church this year, which took place at Gordon College June 17-20. Hamilton pastors the largest UMC in our country, about 8,000 people, the Church of the Resurrection.

Hamilton spoke on the topics of leadership, worship and outreach. He challenged us to bring the church into the present day, using an example of how music technology has changed in the last 50 years from playing records, to cassett tapes, to CDs, and now to Ipods with MP3s. Does our church look more like a "record" or an "Ipod"? He challenged churches that 50% of attendance AND leadership need to be young adults under 30 in order to be in touch with the changing world (and 50% over 30 to bring a sense of continuity and maturity). Another leadership principle that struck me was encouraging churches, when there is a fork in the road, take the harder and more sacrificial way as this is usually the way that leads to life.

He left us with three questions that church folks need to be able to answer clearly in order to have the passion and desire to invite people to church: 1) Why do people need Jesus Christ? (what makes Christianity unique from other religions)? 2) Why do people need the church? (why can't we just have religion on our own)? 3) Why do people need OUR church? (what does our church have to offer that other churches may not be offering)? We challenge you to answer these questions for yourself and discuss them with others.

Attending the New England Annual Conference this year were Pastors Gwyneth & Jamie, Earle Harvey as Lay Leader, and Merrill Kaiser as Lay Member to Annual Conference.

Other news at Annual Conference included voting on many Constitutional Amendments from General Conference, and welcoming Vermont (from the Troy Conference) into the New England Conference. For updated information about these and other agenda items, please go to www.neumc.org/AC09news

Pastors Appreciation Celebration

Submitted by Gwyneth Arrison

Jamie and I want to say a huge thank you to Dan & Ruth Doughty and everyone who helped out and attended the celebration of four years of our ministry at Peoples on June 14. Everything was very special, from the sailing theme decorations, excellent food and homemade cake (made by Carol Bruneau), to inviting our clergy mentor and friend Rev. Meg Queior, to everyone's personal notes and the gifts to our family which included gifts for the kids, note cards and gift certificates to Flatbreads and Portland Schooner Company and free child care by Barbara Nelson! And check out these great Christian sailing T-shirts!

We feel very honored and as I said when I shared my call to ministry story in church a few weeks ago, I can't imagine a better church to be serving than Peoples. And we look forward to more exciting ministry at Peoples in the years ahead. Thank you to everyone!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastors Jamie and Gwyneth

Final Meeting Before Ordination!

I met with Bishop Peter Weaver on June 9 for a one-on-one conversation about call to ministry, joys and concerns of ministry, and prayer. I also shared my call to ministry in church last Sunday, 6/7 - you can click on the link to listen to an MP3.

Also, an article about my ordination was published in this week's South Portland Sentry which you can read at the link above, or go to http://www.inthesentry.com/ (page 7) before 6/19.

Bishop Weaver presented all ordinands with a beautiful framed print of the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, which I am holding in the photo. The Bishop has centered his ministry around this prayer, and I have been inspired to do likewise.

The one-on-one meetings with all of the ordinands were held at the historical Wilbraham Methodist Meeting House. Built as a Methodist Church in 1793, this meeting house, now a museum run by the Athenaeum Society, is the oldest Methodist Church still standing in New England. Francis Asbury held a Conference of preachers there in 1794, and preached there in 1795 and 1805. Jesse Lee held the first official session of the New England Conference there in 1797.

Although it was a 3.5 hour drive for a 30 minute meeting, it was inspirational to be within this historical building for my final ordination interview. Prayerfully, I will be ordained next Saturday, June 20, during Annual Conference at Gordon College.

Celebrating 2009 Graduates!

On Sunday June 14, Peoples Church will celebrate those who are graduating high school or college in 2009. Congradulations to all!

Members of Peoples UMC:

Ryan Gay
Son of Doreen and Alan Gay
Graduated from the University of Southern Maine on 05/15/09
Ryan earned his teaching certificate and is working toward his master's degree.

Chuck Kamilewicz
Husband of Joanne Kamilewicz
Graduated from Maine Medical Center's C.N.A. program on 06/04/09
Chuck will work as a Certified Nurse's Aide at Maine Medical Center.

Robert Kamilewicz
Son of Chuck and Joanne Kamilewicz
Graduated from Portland Adult Education on 03/19/09
Robert will work as a Certified Nurse's Aide at Maine Medical Center.

Kristina Kenney
Daughter of Barbara Kenney
Graduated from the University of Maine at Orono on 05/09/09
Kristina is seeking employment, leading to a career.

Dustin Matthews
Son of Dick and Cheryl Matthews and Tawnya Matthews, Grandson of Chris Ward
Dusty's interests include hockey and lacrosse. Dusty was co-captain of the hockey team for South Portland High School
Graduates from South Portland High School on 06/07/09
Dusty will join the United States Coast Guard after graduation, and will continue his education at SMCC.

Matthew Seidl
Son of Frank and Sally Seidl - Grandson of Chris Ward
Matt's interests are basketball and baseball and he plays for SPHS
Graduates from South Portland High School on 06/07/09
Matt will join the United States Navy following graduation.


Former Peoples Members:

Robyn Renee Gray
Daughter of Chuck and Joanne Kamilewicz
Graduated from Southern Maine Community College on 05/17/09
Robyn will be a registered nurse.

Ryan Wade
Son of Fred and Linda Wade
Graduated from Boston University on 05/09/09
Ryan will continue to teach music at Haviland Middle School in New York.


Relatives of Peoples Members:

Leah Greer
Daughter of Doug and Linda Greer - Granddaughter of Edward and Nancy Greer
Graduates from South Portland High School on 06/07/09
Leah will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.

Jenna Greer
Daughter of Walter Greer - Granddaughter of Edward and Nancy Greer
Graduates from Biddeford High School
Jenna will attend Goucher College in Baltimore, MD.

Kayla Huelin
Grandaughter of Janice Huelin
Gradues from South Portland High School on 06/07/09

Sharon Wade
Daughter-in-law of Fred and Linda Wade
Graduated from Marist College on 05/09/09
Sharon is a school psychologist who is seeking employment.

WOW - A Blessing for the dogs. (and other pets compatible with dogs outside)

Peoples UMC is begining it's WOW (Worship on Willard) services this year with a blessing service for pets. We are working with the South Portland Dog Owners Group (www.sopodog.org) to bring you a service of music, prayer, word and fun. We will be at the Bug Light Park behind the liberty ship at 7:30am on Sunday June 28 - Rain date July 12. Peoples will bring the dog treats and SoPoDOG will bring the people treats to stay and socialize after the service. Bring your best friend and your other friends as well - all welcome.

New Regional Methodist Youth Group

The new regional middle school youth group met for the first time on May 24 and was a great success. Three middle schoolers attended from Peoples, Jema Tapley, Braden Wellington and Jonathon Locke who can't wait for the next event. Youth attended from several other United Methodist churches in the area.

The next youth group is scheduled for June 21 at 1pm. All Junior High youth should meet in the Peoples parking lot at 12:45 pm to carpool to New Light UMC in Portland. Please contact Pastor Jamie for questions or more information.