Messenger | August 9, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

Pastor’s Message

Best Wishes to Ted Markle

Cecilia McKay Good Neighbor Fund

Woods Women's Circles

Continue the Conversation at Home: Change Sings

Red Cross Blood Drive

New Art Exhibit

Pastor's Message

Dear friends and family of Woods Church,

I've always been fascinated by the "Blue Zones" in the world. Have you heard about them? These are communities in which people live the longest lives on earth. The current life expectancy in the U.S. is just over 77 years (and sadly this number is going down). But in "Blue Zones," residents typically live between 90–100 years of age.

Most of these communities are outside the United States, such as in Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; and Nicoya, Costa Rica. However, there are a few U.S. communities that are seeking to increase their longevity through living by core principles associated with Blue Zone areas.

What are the healthy principles that appear to be central to longer life expectancy? There are nine core ideas:



• Make movement a part of your daily routine
• Know your sense of purpose
• Prioritize stress relief
• Eat until you're 80% full
• Eat a largely plant-based diet
• Drink alcohol in moderation
• Connect with your community
• Put family (whether biological or chosen) first
• Choose social circles that support healthy behaviors

Don't feel like you have to do all nine principles at once, but see if you can implement a few of them right now. Move around every hour - and do physical activity you enjoy. Go meat-free at least one or two meals every week. Improve your sleep quality and take time to de-stress. Spend dedicated time with loved ones. Find something to do that gives shape to your day and meaning to your life.

A pastor (Robert Meneilly) once said "Old age begins the day you trade in your dreams for memories." Christian faith is about living meaningfully now, dreaming about a better future, and caring for those in the church family and the community at large. Church is a big part of personal "Blue Zones." So re-commit yourself to a faith lifestyle that adds years to your life as well as life to your years.

All the best in Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Best Wishes to Ted Markle

Ted Markle, our organist and accompanist, has taken a new position at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Maryland. Christ Memorial is about five minutes from his house. Although this is a huge loss for Woods, we are grateful for the eight years Ted was here, and we are grateful for his leadership, kindness, and immense talent. We will surely miss him and his ministry.

Ted's last Sunday at Woods will be Sunday, August 27. A reception in his honor will take place after worship in the Fellowship Hall. We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate Ted, and his amazing accomplishments!

Thank you, Ted!



Support the Woods Cecilia McKay Good Neighbor Fund

We have a need for donations to replenish dwindling assets in the Cecilia McKay Fund. You can imagine that with the paucity of rental units, people who previously were doing OK now have a rent increase in addition to gas, food, etc.

Your very generous donations during COVID have been a God-send….but they will soon be depleted. This fund provides financial assistance to those with eviction notices, power cut-off, or other utilities if deemed appropriate.

The Cecilia McKay Fund is not a part of the Woods budget and is only funded by direct donations. Won't you help with this important effort of outreach to the community? (Checks should be made out to Woods Church with Cecilia McKay in memo line).

"By my works I will show you my faith" (James 2:18)



Sing in the Family Summer Choir

Come and sing with our Family Summer Choir on any of these Sundays: August 13, 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. The game is

Ministry Announcements

Continue the Conversation at Home

Do you have a dream for your child? Do you have a dream for yourself? God has a dream for us, God's children. God wants us to live together and work together to tell everyone that they are loved, valued, and enough. We invite you to Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday's story of Joseph, the dreamer. Amanda Gorman's book, Change Sings, invites us to "dream with the cries of tried-and-true dreamers." I wonder, how can we all dream together to make God's "kin'dom" come?

Calvin the Chipmunk Asks, "How's Your Summer Goin'?"

Have you travelled near, far, or been stay-cationing at home? Calvin reminds you and your family to reflect on how you have been involved in Woods Church Mission and Service activities in the past year. We want to celebrate that! How? "X" marks the spot on our Mission and Service Bingo! Download your sheet or pick one up at the Welcome desk at church.

If none of those activities are accessible for your family, add your own 5 boxes as a "bonus bottom row" and name the ways you and your family helped out from August 2022–August 2023. Bring your Bingo marked card to church! We have a sweet treat for those who serve in the name of Jesus!

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.

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: Sundays, August 13 & 27, 11AM–12PM

POC: Reach out to charitymatta@gmail.com.

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

In Our Community

Coed Softball

Our next game will be on Sunday, August 13, 2PM. We'll team up with Saint John's to take on Heritage Church at Elvaton #1.



No experience required! Players must be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2022. Play as your schedule permits

If you are interested, contact Andrew Wiley at 443.867.8803 or wileyas1@gmail.com.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church (1281 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis, MD 21409) is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, August 18, 10AM–3PM. Consider supporting the cause and donating blood.

New Art Exhibit

"Summer Fun," a new art exhibit featuring works by mother and daughter artists Jenny and Melissa Henry, is on display in the art gallery. The pieces reflect their different styles, techniques, and personalities.

The exhibit will run through September 11, and is available during normal church hours, 9AM–5PM.

A "meet and greet" with the artists will be held on Sunday, August 20, after worship from 10:30–11:30AM.

Congregational Prayer

May our God, who searches every heart, and may Jesus Christ, who overcomes every division, and may the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness, lead each of us onward in our lives, that we may serve our God with confidence, strength and joy.



Amen.