Messenger | June 12, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Congregational Meeting
• Notes From the PNC
• Installation and Commissioning on Sunday
• Stewardship Update
• WoodsWork Commissioning
• VBS Registration Deadline
• Service for Elder Reinald Carter
• Prayers for the Family of Annie Jones

Pastor's Message

What exciting times we are living in here at Woods Church! Everywhere we look, we see signs of change and new life: Stephen Minsters, Elders, Deacons, and WoodsWork participants being commissioned, ordained, and/or installed. Fellowship in all sorts of settings from Second Sunday to PWOW. And, as always, renovation and growth to our facilities and environment.

This Sunday, our tireless Pastor Nominating Committee will present a candidate who will preach in worship at 9:30AM, and then be voted upon at the Congregational Meeting following worship as potential Head of Staff and Senior Pastor at Woods. The congregational meeting will begin at 10:30AM.

As you will read below, both worship and the meeting will be livestreamed on Zoom. If you are participating online, since this process is confidential as per Presbytery protocol, please know that all members of Woods will be emailed a Zoom link so that you may log in to view the service and meeting, and vote.

As with all things Woods, your participation is welcome and essential. Please make every effort to be a part of this important morning.

Blessings and thank you to all of you as our Clouds of Witnesses continue to grow!

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

Congregational Meeting

A special called meeting of the congregation of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church will be held on Sunday, June 16, following the 9:30AM service. A quorum being determined, the meeting will be called to order following a review by the PNC chairs of the candidate evaluation and selection process to:

• Vote on a recommendation from the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to call the preaching candidate as Woods Senior Pastor and Head of Staff.
• Approve the terms of call
• Authorize certain church officers and members to execute the Baltimore Presbytery Certificate of Call form.
  

Notes From the PNC

Dear Woods Congregation,

I know we are all anxious to ascertain that our next called head of staff will have the capabilities to lead Woods into the coming years. To that end, the PNC—starting over a year ago now—developed a list of competencies we wished to see in our next pastor. The Presbyterian system for finding a match includes a list of 33 competencies, and churches seeking pastors—as well as pastors seeking churches—are asked to pick their top 10 competencies. In concert with the Session, our PNC selected our wish list prior to beginning our search.

Our search was extensive and wide-ranging; the PNC watched literally hundreds of sermons, hired a consultant team, conducted over 12 initial Zoom interviews, conducted three in person interviews, and sent follow up questions to a select group of candidates, both to continue the conversation and to assess written communication styles. Once that process narrowed our selection, we conducted many extensive reference calls. At the conclusion of a year of hard work, we made our final selection.

Our selected candidate chose as the top ten competencies to bring to the table the following, which accorded nicely with our goals:

• Compassionate
• Preaching and Worship Leader
• Spiritual Maturity
• Teacher
• Public Communicator
• Organizational Agility
• Strategy and Vision
• Funds Developer
• Interpersonal Engagement
• Bridge Builder

The qualities in bold directly correlated with the list generated by our Session and PNC, and, in our discernment process, we were able to ascertain that the selected candidate also met our other “Top 10” capabilities—which included willingness to engage conflict, change agent, collaborator, and decision maker.

We would love to give you more specific information on our candidate, but—as became increasingly clear during our reference calls—the national Presbyterian community is a tightly knit circle, and to maintain confidentiality in an age of vastly increased connectedness, we must hold off on giving biographical information until you have the opportunity to attend the candidating service this Sunday. I can assure you that the selected candidate comes to us with a strong educational background including a Master of Divinity, has experience serving as called head of staff of a sizable church, as well as prior experience as an associate pastor, and has experience training others in Christian Leadership Formation.

We feel fortunate to bring you a candidate who is not only a strong preacher, but who feels called to a church “that is centered in a rich and dynamic worship life, and which uses that center as a base from which to go forth in active ministry.”

We look forward to introducing you on Sunday, June 16.

Sincerely,

—Your PNC

Stewardship Update

This Stewardship season, our Clouds of Witnesses have pledged $1,161,861, which represents 75% of our $1,540,000 goal. Thank you so much for your continued support of Woods missions.

If you have not done so already, please make your pledge online at woodschurch.org or fill out a pledge card in the front office.

Installation and Commissioning on Sunday

Please join us on Sunday, June 16, for the Commissioning of the WoodsWork youth and leaders before they depart to build houses in Roanoke, Virginia. We also will be installing and ordaining our new Deacons and Elders.

Join us in praying for and welcoming these new leaders to our church.

Summer Worship Schedule

Join us for worship on Sundays this summer for a blended service at 9:30AM. This single-service will continue through Kick-Off Sunday, September 8.

We're Looking for an Accountant

Woods Church is looking to hire an accountant—someone to maintain the various church funds and accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the church’s Financial Policies & Procedures Manual. This is a benefit eligible, 40-hour per week position. Knowledge of accounting software and Microsoft Office applications required.

If you’re interested in this position, please contact John McLaughlin at 410.647.2550 x335 or jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Serving People Across Neighborhoods

SPAN needs basic toiletries—such as shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste—as well as basic cleaning supplies—like laundry and dish soap. There also is a high need for mashed potatoes and pancake mix. Items can be dropped off in the SPAN boxes in the Welcome area.

CEDEPCA Intercultural Encounter Trip

A Baltimore Presbytery/Guatemala (CEDEPCA) Intercultural Encounter Trip is coming this fall. If you are interested, we would love to have you join us November 2–9, to see the wonderful work this mission partner has accomplished with our mission dollars. This trip will focus on immigration and how their new president, Bernardo Arevalo, is working really hard to bolster the economy—especially for the indigenous people, so they have a livelihood and means to stay in their homeland.

If you would like more information concerning this trip, email Sher at sheratkinson@earthlink.net or call at 410.647.4824. We will fly out of BWI Airport.

Mission Trip to Sancti Spiritus

Come meet our brothers and sisters in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, November 6–13! If you’re interested, please attend an informational meeting following worship on Sunday, June 9.



If unable to attend, or for more information, contact Marty Clayton at mclayton@breezeline.net.

New Art Exhibit

Stop by the Gallery to view a new art exhibit, titled We Partner with Others, Near and Far, to Share Christ’s Love with All, and enjoy photos of Woods’ mission partners from around the world.

The Mission Ministry works to offer immediate assistance, long-term development, love, and encouragement to all, as well as to advocate for justice and speak out against the exploitation of “the least of these.” We are a missional, servant church, and through the Missions Ministry, we strive to inspire, equip, and connect the congregation of Woods Church to go into the world and serve as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in accordance with his teachings. The ministry is responsible for allocation and oversight of 11% of the total contributions received at Woods, which are designated for Mission Outreach.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: Wrestling with Doubt

Woods is offering a new Adult Education class on Sundays through June 23, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom, featuring Wrestling with Doubt: Finding Faith, by Pastor Adam Hamilton.

Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a Heaven? How can we know? Often, we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God.

Study books are available on the office credenza.

Children's News

Vacation Bible School Registration Deadline

Vacation Bible School (VBS) registration for participants closes on Saturday, June 15.

Let's remember together that as children of God, we know Hope Floats! Sign up to be part of the stories, the fun, and the joy as we jump into God's words to us through water Bible stories July 15–18. Together, we will hear God talk to Noah, Moses, John & Jesus, and Peter. Call the church office if you need help signing up.

And join us for VBS Supper Club each day, 6:30–7PM. Be a part of the fun! The cost is $5per meal! Sign up through Realm or call the church office. Registration for VBS Supper Club closes on Monday, July 1.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at home from Sunday morning. Our Stephen Ministers were commissioned on Sunday. These are folks who are trained to listen to people and to sit with them when they need a friend or companion. We prayed for them and thanked God for them. Then, we went to our classes and learned about the early church. It grew, and Grew, and GREW! Soon, there was some arguing. People were worried that things might not be fair. Does everyone have food? Is everyone taken care of? Will everyone feel welcome? Jesus' disciples chose Stephen, and a few others, to help the church take care of people. It was their job to be sure that everyone had food and everyone was treated fairly.

The Big Umbrella by Amy June and Juniper Bates tells us that there is room for everyone under a big friendly umbrella. I wonder if there is some way we can make sure everyone knows that there is room for them in our church?

During Sunday School, the children shared their snacks with the rest of the church. Our Sunday School Offering was so much bigger than usual! The children reviewed their workbook of the church's mission and service projects. The children thought that the children's lunch program at Harundale Presbyterian Church might be a way to help be sure everyone had food and everyone was treated fairly. So, the children will be asking the Woods Children’s Ministry and then the Session to send their offering to the Harundale lunch program.



I wonder if there is someone in your family, neighborhood, community, or church who may not have enough food or be treated fairly. How can we make room for them under the big friendly umbrella of God's family?

Church Family News

Service for Elder Reinald Carter

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Reinald Carter will be held at Woods Church on Saturday, June 15, 1PM, in the sanctuary. A reception will follow at the Chartwell Country Club at 1 Chartwell Drive, Severna Park.

Please continue to keep Reinald’s wife, Maribelle, and all of their family and friends in your prayers.

Prayers for the Family of Annie Jones

It is with sadness that we share the death of Woods member, Annie Jones. Annie was a member of Woods Church since 1983. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Woods Church and announced in a future email.

Please keep Annie’s daughter, Courtney Szymanski, and all of their family and friends in your prayers.

A Moment of Prayer

Lord God, we look to you as author of all good things and give you thanks for giving us more than we can ever imagine. Be with us in days of challenge and days filled with grace. In all days, O God, we ask that your Spirit will embrace and guide us.

In Christ's name, Amen.