Messenger | October 11, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Welcoming the Baltimore Men’s Chorus
• Nominating Committee Invitation
• All Saints Banner Viewing
• Register for Our Fall Youth Lock-In
• Youth Picnic Table Build
• Continue the Conversation at Home
• Savvy Seniors
  

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

The passing of Rev. Dr. Terry Schoener earlier this week reminds us that, while life may be vibrant and consequential, it does not go on forever. We may be assured, however, that death does not have the final word. We may also trust in the reality that the lives we choose to lead may offer lifetimes of legacy and impact well beyond any individual’s years on this earth. Rev. Schoener’s life was not only well lived but continues on in a memory of Christian confidence and a legacy of justice and service. His was a life lived in love and with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Monday began a challenging week for us, and it would seem difficult to find “hope” in the midst of it. The horrific Israel/Palestine conflict evidences the destructive capacity we as humans have when our lives are not lived in love and service to others. For the most part, we may only watch and observe and pray for an end to violence while considering what kinds of lives we choose to live.

At Woods Church we seek to live our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us find hope in our Christian faith and the celebration of lives well-lived. May we follow the examples of people like Rev. Schoener whose legacies call us to be a faithful community whose vision is to serve others and transform lives in the name of Christ.

In peace,

Pastor Nancy

Church News

Welcoming the Baltimore Men’s Chorus

We are excited to welcome the Baltimore Men's Chorus to both services of worship on Sunday, October 22. This vocal ensemble celebrates diversity, fosters equity and inclusivity among their singers, staff and audiences at large. Under the direction of Caite Debevec, this LGBTQ+ performing arts organization has offered musical excellence and intentional community outreach to the greater Baltimore region since their founding in 1984.

Nominating Committee Invitation to All Members

The Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying church members to serve as church officers (Elders and Deacons). Below is a brief description of the role of Elder and Deacon.

ELDERS: Ministry of Discernment and Governance

Elders exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, discipline, and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation. They oversee church ministries related to education, evangelism, pastoral care, mission, financial stewardship, property management, worship and human resources.

DEACONS: Ministry of Compassion and Service

Deacons model deeds of compassion, witness, and service through their works of helping with the sacraments of baptism and communion, praying and visiting those in need, providing opportunities for fellowship and community-building, and welcoming all into the life of the church.

Please search your heart and prayerfully consider serving as a church officer or nominating another member as a candidate.

Contact any member of the Nominating Committee listed below, place your recommendations in the Nominating Committee mailbox in the church office, or send us an email (c/o Jenny Henry) at jennyhenry1188@comcast.net.

We appreciate all your input.

Very Truly Yours,

Woods Congregational Nominating Committee: Jenny Henry, Karen Kissam, Ruth Dunham, Beth Hadley, Bev Haines, Carolann Marone, Pat Moffitt, David Nelson, Nancy Nolan, Diane Rausch, and Dan Raymond

If you would like your name to be added to the list to be called to either bake or serve punch or if you have any questions, please contact Beth Wiley at wiley10@verizon.net or 410.353.1110.

All Saints Banner Viewing

On Sunday, November 5, our church will be holding our annual All Saints service. During our 9:30AM service, banners representing the life of all members who have passed from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, will be presented. The loved ones of those who have passed will be accompanying each banner procession. Because this service can be very emotional to see the banner for your loved one for the first time, often families find it helpful to see the banners in advance, so we offer a banner preview for you. If you have not received an email with the date and time of the preview, please email or call Maureen Adams in the church office. This is a private viewing for the families.

If you have a relative that passed during the time frame mentioned above, and was not a member of Woods, but would like to see their name represented, we will be doing so on a slide presentation. Please send their name, your relation to that person, and their date of passing to Maureen Adams at madams@woodschurch.org. Together, we remember and give thanks for their lives.

Blessing of the Animals Service

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 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.

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

Youth & Children's Ministries

Register for Our Youth Lock-in

Our Fall Lock-In, for the entire Youth program, will be Friday–Saturday, October 27–28. We will begin with dinner on Friday night at 5:30PM, and conclude with dinner and worship on Saturday at 6PM (pick-up at 7PM).

Our theme for this lock-in is Summit, a coming together of a community. There will be lots of opportunities for the Youth to grow together as leaders, and use their spiritual gifts to build community together. Register online



Youth Picnic Table Build

The Youth and Missions Ministries have teamed up to sponsor our annual picnic table build for Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, which will be held on Saturday, November 11. The tables will be given to local Habitat families. This is open to everyone and will be led by our high school youth with support from the high school advisors and members of the Missions Ministry. Any youth younger than grade 6 must be accompanies by a parent or guardian. No skill level is required! All work will be performed between 9AM–3PM. You may come at any time to help and you can leave when you need to.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Continue the Conversation at home about how to love God and your neighbor. We love our neighbors because God loves us. Jennifer Grant helps us think about ways to help our neighbors in her book, Maybe I Can Love my Neighbor, Too. I wonder, how can you love your neighbor? Can you help someone that you don't even know? It is wonderful to think that we all have something in common. God loves each and every one of us.

Education & Small Groups

Savvy Seniors

Savvy Seniors will meet on Tuesday, October 17, 1–2:30pm, to learn about Transitions: Legal Issues for Seniors. The forum will be led by Woods member Randall D. Fisher of the Fisher Law Office in Annapolis. Randy specializes in all areas of elder law (wills, trusts, asset protection) and is a member of the Business Law and Estate Planning sections of the Maryland State Bar Association.

We’ll gather in Fellowship Hall at 1PM for refreshments and the presentation will begin at 1:15PM, followed by a question and answer session. The forum provides a great opportunity for your questions with answers from an expert. You also may join us online via Zoom (Meeting ID: 847 8488 7755 | Passcode: 974083).

Missions News

ACT Fall Anniversary & Kickoff

Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT), has set their fall anniversary and kickoff for Thursday, November 2, at St Andrews by the Bay.

A listening session will be held at Woods in the Founders Room on Sunday, October 15, 10:30–11AM, to share the issues that are most important to ACT and the county. We Need Your Input! We hope you will come and share your thoughts on affordable housing, educator shortages, mental well-being of our youth, and gun violence. See you on October 15! RSVP to bbhadley@gmail.com or jlee1704@gmail.com.

Holiday Greens Workshop

The Woods’ flower committee will be holding a holiday greens workshop on Thursday, November 16, 5:30–7:30PM, in Room 208.. Prepare holiday table designs for you—and to sell at the bazaar. Seats are limited to 24 people with a fee of $25 per person. Materials will be supplied, but be sure to bring a garden cutter (clippers) and any special evergreens you want in your design. Register online

Save the Date for the Holiday Bazaar

Mark your calendars now for our Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 18.

The popular Sweet Shop will be back, offering the famous "Buckeyes" and many other delicious treats, just in time for your holiday festivities. You can support the volunteers who make the candy for the Sweet Shop by donating specific items to help defray their costs. Click the button below for more information and to sign up for a donation.

Place Your Holiday Nut Order

Fall has arrived and it’s time to place your holiday nut orders. Don’t miss out on trying this year’s new nut, Pumpkin Spice Pecans or any of your favorites. Just download the order form or pick one up at the welcome desk and return it to Woods Church by mail or bring it by the office with your check made out to Woods Church and “nut order” on the memo line. The pick up schedule for the nuts is listed on the order form.

Music News

The Secret Garden Auditions

Mark your calendars for The Secret Garden auditions, November 5–6. This enchanting literary classic is reimagined in brilliant musical style. A compelling tale of forgiveness, belonging, and renewal. The Secret Garden won three Tony Awards® and three Drama Desk Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 1991.

Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life.

Cast Details: Approximately 25 actors. We are looking for a cast of all ages, shapes, sizes, races, and gender identities. For more information, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Opus 2: An Evening of Debuts

Join us on Saturday, November 11, 7PM, for Opus 2: An Evening of Debuts! The evening will feature newly composed works by local composers and performances by some beloved musicians! More information to come.

This is a free concert with all donations going to support our Woods Church music department. Come and experience these premiere performances and compositions! This event also will be livestreamed.

For more info email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Church Family News

Death Notice

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Woods' former senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. W. Terry Schoener. Terry was the senior pastor at Woods for 26 years and retired in October 2006. After his retirement, he served as pastor emeritus and will be remembered for his legacy of inspirational faithfulness and pastoral care.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be announced in a future email. A memorial celebration of Rev. Schoener's life and ministry will likely be held early next year.

Please keep Terry's family and friends in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

Beloved God, may your Spirit guide us to that which is true, so we may be set free; to that which is honorable, so we may rise above our weaknesses; to that which is pure, so we may live with integrity; to that which is pleasing, so we may look beyond ourselves; and to that which is excellent and worthy of praise, so we may praise your holy name now and forever.



Amen.