Messenger | January 31, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Coffeehouse Concert
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
• Souper Bowl of Caring
• Upcoming Youth Events
• Let's Raise Some Dough
• Prayer: Family of Sue Brayman

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

Kathleen Norris visited a Benedictine monastery in South Dakota and was struck by the diversity present in the small community. But one monk said their group was full of "real people" - monks who can meditate all day and others who can't sit still for five minutes; monks who are scholars and others who are semi literate. "But," he said, "our biggest problem is that each man here had a mother who fried potatoes in a different way." (The Cloister Walk)

Like this monastery, Woods Church is also full of "real people." We're a diverse group who have vastly different life experiences, personality types, and strong opinions on everything from politics to how to fry potatoes. Those differences are part of our church's strength. They allow us both to approach the gospel from our unique perspectives and live out the gospel through mutual respect and a myriad of gifts. 

Past ministers at Woods have spoken about our church as a "big tent." The idea is that our church is a place where all and sundry may come through our doors and all will find a welcome. I generally like that metaphor. Tents provide shelter without having "edifice complexes" about their building. Tents don't have doors that can be locked. Tents allow us to freely move around inside without there being special spots reserved for only a few. 

Yet I'd like to add one adjective to this ecclesiastical metaphor. No community can survive long without honest conversations - dialogue on things about which we differ; sharing stories so we might understand one another better and pray more sincerely for each other; learning opportunities that bravely go deeper than superficialities so that real spiritual growth is possible. So my hope for Woods Church is that we will always be "a big, noisy tent." If we're noisy that likely means kids are in the mix, youth are speaking up and participating, strangers are asking questions, and members are actively worshiping, praising, praying, and studying together. That seems like a great goal for the church Woods is and the church God is calling Woods to be!

Peace in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Coffeehouse Concert

Join the Praise Band and friends for an evening of acoustic music, fellowship, and fun on Saturday, February 10, 7:30PM. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Sarah Kent at SKent@woodschurch.org.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Do you love pancakes? Join the Children's and Youth Ministries for a pre-Lent Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 13, 5:30–7PM, in Fellowship Hall. Donations accepted. You can get ready for Lent and make a Valentine to share with friends at Sunrise Senior Living.

Service of Wholeness

Join us in the Sanctuary for a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, February 21, 6:45PM. This is a deeply spiritual service of prayer, laying on of hands, and anointing by the pastors and elders for those experiencing emotional or physical concerns. If you would like to attend, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or email her at madams@woodschurch.org.

Apportionment is Due

Our congregation is one of 63 Presbyterian churches in Baltimore Presbytery, and one of almost 10,000 churches in the PC(USA). Each congregation is asked to pay a "per capita" assessment to support the work of our entire denomination. For everyone listed as a member of Woods Church as of the end of 2022, we are asked to contribute $40. These funds go to the General Assembly ($9.85), Synod ($1.15), and Presbytery ($29) branches of our denomination.

Not every church is able to contribute the full per capita, so honoring our commitment to this apportionment is very important to the overall health of our denomination. We include a full payment of this obligation in our annual budget and then encourage each member to contribute the cost of this $40 per member apportionment.

On behalf of the staff and leadership of Woods Church, we thank you for your generosity and continued support.

Missions News

Thank You From AHoH to Community Partners

Guatemala Intercultural Encounters Trip

Are you interested in participating in the Guatemala Intercultural Encounters Trip with the Presbytery of Baltimore, April 6–13? Intercultural Encounters designs and facilitates experiences of encounter, reflection, dialogue, and mutual service between people of the U.S. and members of Central American communities in search of a more just, tolerant, and equitable world.

If you’d like to sign up or want more details, contact Sher Atkinson at sheratkinson@earthlink.net ASAP.

Education & Small Groups

“Spiritual Warrior” Pathway

On Sunday, February 4, 11AM, Woods member John Officer will join us in Room 208 to discuss his approach to discerning and navigating a more effective path through life by encompassing traits from both our warrior and spiritual selves.

Productivity without a spiritual component can result in a hollow existence, while spirituality without warrior function may limit our effectiveness in getting things done. Pulling from his years of experience as a highly successful coach at the collegiate level (including 30 years at the USNA), Officer has identified a pathway to greater personal fulfillment in his concept of the “Spiritual Warrior.”

Youth News

Souper Bowl of Caring

Woods youth will be collecting the Souper Bowl of Caring offering after the 9:30AM and 11AM worship services on Sunday, February 11. Monetary and canned food donations will be accepted. All proceeds will go towards the SPAN Food Pantry to help feed the hungry in our community!

Upcoming Youth Events

On Saturday, February 10, middle schoolers are going tubing at Whitetail Resort! We will depart from the church at 9AM, via bus, and return at 5PM that same day. 6th-8th graders are invited to join us for a day of fun on the slopes!

On Friday–Sunday, February 23–25, high schoolers are spending the weekend skiing at Ski Sawmill Family Resort! 9th-12th graders are invited to join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship. We will leave from the church on Friday, 5PM, and return on Sunday, 6:30PM.

WoodsWork registration is open! All rising 8th graders through graduated 12th graders are invited and encouraged to join us on our building trip to Roanoke, Virginia, June 18–26.

Children's News

Getting Ready for Lent

Kat has several copies of Glenys Nellist's book, ‘Twas the Season of Lent. It is a lovely picture book with a story and short prayer for every day of Lent. The publisher made them available to the Baltimore Presbytery Educators for a reduced rate. They are $12 while supplies last. Please see Kat Green or Frances Carty if you are interested in having one of the books.

Also, mark your calendar for the Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 13, 5:30–7PM, in Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy the fun and make a valentine for a friend!

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's continue the conversation at home from Sunday. In Sunday school, the disciples were in a boat. Jesus was asleep. A storm started to blow and the disciples were scared. What did they do? They woke up Jesus! They asked Jesus if he cared that they were afraid. Of course Jesus cared; Jesus made them feel safe. In worship Pastor Randy asked us where people go when they don't have anywhere to stay. One friend suggested they could go to the stable. What a perfect answer.

Yes, our church is a place where people can stay when it is cold out. Winter Relief helps churches be hospitable and welcome folks who are housing insecure. It let's them know that we care; Jesus cares. There's a space between being afraid and responding to it. That space is remembering that God is with us. It is asking for Jesus to help, to be with us, to care about whatever storm we are going through. Isn't the stable the place where we heard the story about God being with us? Jesus does care if we are afraid. Jesus wants us to feel safe.

"Hippos Remain Calm" by Sandra Boynton takes well loved characters and shows how they stay calm. It shows how they respond when a friend is afraid, or doesn't want to be alone.



Sometimes remembering that we are not the only ones in a storm or a boat can help. I wonder, what do you do when you are afraid? Is there something you do for a friend when they are afraid? Remember, you can always reach out to God. Jesus will always care if we are afraid, and he is always right there in the boat with us.

Music News

The Secret Garden

Come and experience this beautiful musical, March 8–10 & 15–17, 7:30PM! This is a truly poignant and uplifting story about love, hope, and finding one's home. The story follows that of 12-year-old Mary Lennox, and her journey in finding her home: The Secret Garden. Within the church, we will use the imagery of a garden to represent our church and church community, as we nurture one another, grow and learn together, and guide each other along the way. We have incredible vocalists from the surrounding area, professional choreography, and beautiful lighting!

Tickets are $15; doors open at 7PM. For more information, please visit our ticket website at www.woodstix.org.

In Our Community

Let’s Raise Some Dough

On Thursday, February 8, 4–9PM, part of the proceeds collected at Squisito's Pizza in the Magothy Gateway shops (147 Ritchie Hwy E, next to Harris Teeter) will support the Woods Church music program!

Our recent fundraisers with Squisito's have raised $525 in cash and gift cards. Let's add to that total!

Church Family News

Prayers for the Family of Sue Brayman

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Woods member Sue Brayman. Sue was a member of Woods Church since 1971 and served as an Elder and Deacon, and was a member of the Borland/Jensen Christ Care Group.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be announced in a future email. Please keep Sue's family and friends in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

Loving God, I give you thanks for breath and life, for the people I will see today, for family, neighbors and friends. Help me to give thanks especially for the people who pull me to new understandings and show me sides of life that I have not known or appreciated. By your grace may I follow where you lead today; in Jesus' name.



Amen.