Messenger | August 23, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

Pastor’s Message

Come Home to Woods: A Place to Belong

Choirs & SEEK Band Are Tuning Up

Children, Youth, & Families Open House

Confirmation Class

Fall Seminar: From Age-ing to Sage-ing

Coming Soon: Savvy Seniors

Continue the Conversation at Home

Woods Women's Circles

Backpack Buddies Program

Pastor's Message

Dear friends and family of Woods Church,

Think of the various ways people cry out for help (including yourself). It is not always a loud shout of "Help!" Sometimes it is a quiet request—perhaps asking for a favor, requesting a ride to an appointment, or needing assistance in sorting out some bills or paperwork. For most of us, asking for help can be difficult. We like to be independent and self-sufficient. But there are times when we simply need someone else's help to get through our day.

People who ask for help in the Bible often were often quite bold in making their requests. There were the lame, blind, and impoverished who shouted from the side of the road to get Jesus' attention. There were the people who knelt at Jesus' feet to ask for a special healing of a family member, or the time when the disciples woke Jesus up in the boat when they were sure they were about to drown in a storm. Invariably Jesus listened to their concerns and acted on their behalf. In the end, that is the way we too should respond when someone says "Help me" to us.

I just finished reading Matthew Desmond's powerful book Evicted, which describes the hardships endured by poor families struggling with inadequate and unstable housing options. What I found particularly troubling was reading about a single mother who called 911 because her young son was having an asthma attack or another woman who called 911 because her domestic partner was physically abusing her. Even though they received help from the paramedics and police, the act of calling for help was also considered to be legitimate grounds for eviction. Paradoxically by calling 911, they created a nuisance and could be considered now a rental-risk by the landlords.

My point is that we need to see both the "asking for help" and "being asked for help" as part of a larger spiritual dimension in our daily lives. To hear someone else's request for help with patience, empathy and honest concern will always go a long way, even if we can't provide all they need. In the same way, being willing to ask someone else for help is simply part of recognizing our mutual interdependence and living in a world shaped by Christ's commandment to "love others as we wish to be loved ourselves." To help is to love—and to be helped is to receive love. In both the giving and receiving, we are blessed.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Best Wishes to Ted Markle

Ted Markle, our talented church organist, has taken a new position at a Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Maryland, much closer to where he lives. Ted's last Sunday will be August 27. A reception in his honor will take place in Fellowship Hall following the 9:30AM service. Join us for this event as we celebrate Ted and wish him well at his new position.

Come Home to Woods...a Place to Belong!

Our annual Woods Kick-off celebration is Sunday, September 10, 12–2PM. This free event includes food and games for the young and young-at-heart, including a boxed lunch, Kona Ice snow cones, bounce house, scavenger hunt, and more!

Come learn about the ministries of Woods Church, and find the place where you belong.

SPAN Food Drive

On Kick-Off Sunday, September 10, Woods Church will host a SPAN Food Drive. Consider making a difference and supporting our neighbors by purchasing some of the items listed below. Donations may be dropped off at the Missions table on Kick-Off Sunday.



• Canned meat and fish
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Hamburger and Tuna Helper
• Instant potatoes
• Breakfast items: pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal, cereal, coffee and tea
• Pasta, sauce and other canned tomato products
• Snacks: nuts, bars, crackers and cookies
• Vegetables: cans, fresh, or frozen
• Basic toiletries: shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, soap
• Basic cleaning products: paper towels, laundry detergent, dish soap
  

Music News

Sing in the Family Summer Choir

Come and sing with our Family Summer Choir on any of these Sundays, August 27, or September 3. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings, 8:45AM, in the Sanctuary Choir loft.

For more information, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Choirs & SEEK Band Are Tuning Up

Adult Choir
The Adult Choir’s church year has begun! All are welcome to come and sing as we sing and lead worship through all styles and genres of music. We rehearse Thursday evening’s, beginning August 31, 7PM, in the choir room. We look forward to having you with us!

Children's Choir

Our Children’s Choir is about to start back up! Wahoo! Any child in grades 1–5 is welcome to come sing! Our first rehearsal will be Sunday, September 17, 12:15–12:45PM in the choir room. And yes, we have CANDY!

SEEK Band

Do you play an instrument, enjoy singing, or just love music? Then come on down! Any youth in grades 6–12 can join our SEEK Band. The band offers music for worship regularly, with many wonderful solo and musical opportunities. Our first rehearsal is Sunday, September 17, 1–2PM.

For more information about any of these opportunities, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Youth & Children's Ministries

Youth Group Summer Gathering

Our last Youth Group gathering at Rita's Italian Ice will be on Wednesday, August 23, 5–6PM. Stop by for a free Rita's ice!

Continue the Conversation at Home

Deacon Kelly Nowottnik helps us Continue the Conversation at Home with the books, Stone Soup and Old Turtle and the Broken Truth. If everyone's little bit is combined, we get plenty for everyone! Sometimes we hold onto what we have when we are afraid. Sharing is a brave act of trusting in God's goodness. It turns "me" into "we."

Children, Youth, & Families Open House

Join Oliver, Kat, and all of our volunteers for youth and children's ministries on Kick-Off Sunday, September 10. Our fun will start at worship, 9:30AM, then we'll enjoy snacks and an Open House for families of children and youth. Parents should pick up their children in their respective classrooms. Grab a donut, see our meeting spaces, meet our teachers, and hear about our upcoming year!



Then stick around for our 11AM worship service, and enjoy our Kick-Off Picnic at noon! There will be a bounce house and boxed lunches—and Sundae School's the cherry on top!

Confirmation Class

Confirmation Class at Woods returns on Sunday, September 24, for any students in grade 8 and up who haven't yet been confirmed. If you are class of 2028 and are on Realm, you should receive a registration letter soon. If you don't fit that description, but are interested in taking the class, please reach out to our Youth Director Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org so you can be added to the list!

Education & Small Groups

Biweekly Faith Connection Group

What: We Make the Road by Walking Discussion Group

Details: Join us to discuss We Make the Road by Walking by Brian McLaren. This book's 52 readings will guide us through growing our faith together. Each chapter is 3–4 pages. If you are seeking a faith connection, come. The book can be purchased on Amazon.

Location: Boone Station Gazebo

(Inclement weather: Room 150)

When: Sunday, August 27, 11AM–12PM

POC: Reach out to charitymatta@gmail.com.

Children’s Church Club is available for this group gathering.

Woods Women's Circles

 The Women's Circles of Woods Church will be starting a new monthly Bible study in September from New Horizon's Bible Study. You are invited to join us for this hope-filled study, titled Sacred Encounters. The author, Rev. Olive Mahabir, invites readers to consider Jesus, "the good shepherd," who shared the good news through sacred encounters with everyday people.

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 10AM, in the Founders Room, or on the fourth Wednesday of each month, 7PM, on Zoom. Copies of Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke–Acts will be available each Sunday in August at a table in Fellowship Hall. Stop by to sign up and pick up a book. (Cost for the study guide is $10.)

The contact for Tuesday morning Circle is Bev Haines, bhaines2218@gmail.com, and for the Wednesday evening Circle it's Nancy Nolan, msmum@sent.com.

Fall Seminar: From Age-ing to Sage-ing

Led by Bill Hocking, this seminar presents a new approach to aging—one of life-long learning, healthy lifestyle practices, and spiritual growth. It's an inspirational look at aging and how to develop a creative, fulfilling aging process.

"Sage-ing" refers to becoming "spiritually radiant, physically vital, and socially responsible." The seminar delves into our interconnectedness with the earth, with nature, and discovering the most rewarding work of a lifetime: becoming a sage.

Book: Age-ing to Sage-ing (2014 edition) by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Ronald Miller

Zoom: 10AM, September 16, and every third Saturday through May 18, 2024

In Person: 4:30PM, September 18, and monthly through May 20, 2024, Large Group Room, Woods Counseling & Care Center

To Register: Email billhocking100@comcast.net or nancy.sullivan@woodsccc.org

Coming Soon: Savvy Seniors

Woods Church is offering a program for Woods members and the Severna Park community aged 65+. Monthly forums are designed to educate and promote a sense of connection and inclusion among participants as they experience the physical, financial, and social changes aging brings.

Topics include Aging; Health & Wellness; Estate Planning; Grief, Loss, & Legacy; Meaningful Movement; Tech/Media Savvy; and Elder Law.

When: Every third Tuesday, 1–2:30 pm, beginning September 26

Where: Woods Church, Fellowship Hall

What: Refreshments, conversation, forum presentation and discussion.

Contact: swilson@woodschurch.org or nsullivan@woodschurch.org

In Our Community

Backpack Buddies Program

Did you know that in spite of the fact that Anne Arundel County has the lowest county poverty rate in Maryland, there are over 33,000 people living in poverty and nearly 1/3 of them are children! 59% of the children at Annapolis Middle School are in the school's free lunch and breakfast program (585 children). However, many of these students go home at the end of each week to a house with little or no nutritious food. This is why the Backpack Buddies Program was developed.

In order to serve the neediest students (about 75 students) at Annapolis Middle School, the Woods Church Backpack Buddies program requires $250 for each child! This provides:

• Nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack for each Saturday, Sunday and holiday of the school year;
• Monthly "First Friday" lunch of Pizza or Chick-fil-A.
• Safeway grocery cards sent to families prior to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter.
• Target gift cards for each student's birthday.
• Under Armor high school backpacks with school supplies for the 8th graders.

Won't you please consider full sponsorship of a child ($250) or whatever you are able? Donations can be made directly to Woods Church with AMS Backpack Buddies in memo section. Donations also can be made online at WoodsChurch.org. We also need sponsors to help pack the backpacks on Friday afternoons. Let us know if you are willing to help.

For more information, contact Susan Bohlman (susanrbohlman@gmail.com), Kim Erickson (kmericks22@gmail.com) or Penny/Dick Moore (irpmoore@verizon.net).



Church News

Service for Emily Johnson

A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held for Woods member, Emily Johnson, on Sunday, August 27, 1PM, in the sanctuary. A reception will follow. Please continue to lift Emily’s family and friends in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

O God and author of life, you cast your glory all around us. You reveal yourself in ancient stories and the give-and-take of common life. By the power of your Spirit, abide with us now wherever we might be. Open our hearts to the possibilities of this day - opportunities to serve, to reflect, to pray, to be at peace. We pray this in the name of Jesus—our hope and confidence and Savior.

Amen