Messenger | October 2, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Homebound Communion
• Blessing of the Animals
• Service of Wholeness
• Senior Fellowship Dinner
• Fall Costume Party and Parade
• All Hallows' Eve Organ Concert
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• Opus 3: An Evening of Debuts
• Condolences to the Family of John Hollis

Pastor's Message

The first Sunday in October is celebrated by many different Christian denominations all around the world as World Communion Sunday, a chance to lift up a theology of Christian unity that transcends the differences of nation, culture, and language without erasing them, so we experience unity in Christ without being forced into uniformity. We will be symbolizing that most obviously, on Sunday, with examples of bread from different cultures on the table.

But: Did you know that World Communion Sunday began because of the efforts of a particular Presbyterian congregation? It’s true! In the 1933, the Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh began the observance of World Communion Sunday as a program of their particular congregation. The senior pastor there had served as Moderator of the General Assembly a few years earlier, and as a result of his travels in that role, he felt that churches needed to make an intentional effort to promote unity and cooperation across national, cultural, and denominational boundaries. Shadyside Church began to celebrate it, and within a couple of years it had been adopted as a denominational initiative by the General Assembly. Eventually, the National Council of Churches adopted it in 1940, and it began to spread both nationally and internationally. But actual participation spread a little more slowly, both within and beyond the Presbyterian Church. It wasn’t until 1940 that it really began to take off.

Now, remember what was going on in the world in 1940. In many ways, it was the bleakest days of World War II, when most of Europe had fallen to the Nazi regime. The world was a very grim, violent, and divided place, and hope for a better future was in short supply. It was in that environment that the observance of World Communion Sunday really began to spread. That history reminds us that World Communion Sunday is really a bold proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, laying claim to the promise that in Christ our unity is greater than our deepest divisions, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. So, I hope you’ll make a special effort to be in worship this Sunday to be a part of that celebration and proclamation!

Grace and peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Homebound Communion

We will be offering Communion to those who are homebound on Sunday, October 6. If you would like to receive the elements of communion, please call the church office at 410.647.2550.

Welcoming Bansuri flautist John Wubbenhorst

On World Communion Sunday, October 6, we will welcome Bansuri flautist John Wubbenhorst to our 9:30AM service.

John has the unique distinction of being a fluent virtuoso on both the Bansuri (bamboo flute) and Western flute. He is truly a World musician having played and studied Western classical and jazz as well as Eastern music in Europe and Asia. Today he performs in a variety of contexts and has played with many renowned musicians including Paul Horn, Victor Wooten, Hariprasad Chaurasia, and many others. He has performed at Universities and Festivals worldwide—including The Smithsonian Institute, the German Embassy, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; Rotterdam Conservatory in Holland; Naitauba, Fiji; Calcutta and Madras, India; Berlin, Germany; and California State University, and the Universities of Michigan, Nebraska and Kansas.

Blessing of the Animals

Our Noah’s Ark Ministry Blessing of the Animals service will be held on Sunday, October 6, 1PM, at the front of the church. Our wonderful pastors will personally visit with each pet and bless them. A certificate of the blessing will be given to show that your pet has been blessed! There will be prayers, songs, scriptures, fellowship, and treats for your pets. All are welcome! Invite your friends and neighbors to join us!

Woods Church Nominating Committee Invitation

At Woods, we gather to worship, to pray, to grow in faith, to minister to those in need, to share our sorrow, and to share our joy. We treasure our time together as brothers and sisters in this congregation of believers. Now we ask you, our brothers and sisters, to prayerfully consider supporting our congregation by nominating names of candidates to be part of our Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC).

We’re putting this APNC together now to ensure that our Associate Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds can transition from her current full-time position at Woods to focus on her work at the Counseling Center, sometime in the second half of 2025.

Our goal is to minimize the length of the transition period between associates and ensure that we continue to move forward as a congregation with momentum and purpose.

Please search your heart and prayerfully consider serving or nominating another member as a candidate for the APNC. Please place your recommendations in the Nominating Committee mailbox in the church office or email Jenny Henry at nominations@woodschurch.org.

Coffee & Conversation with Pastor J.C.

These conversations with the Rev. J.C. Austin, our new Lead Pastor, will be continuing this fall, but we are changing the schedule for them to allow for a wider range of timeslot opportunities than just ones following our 11AM service on Sundays. So, the next gathering will be on October 13 after the 11AM worship service in the Founders Room, but then we will have one on Tuesday morning, October 22, 10AM, and Monday morning, November 4, 10AM. Evening gatherings also are in the works, so if that timeslot is best for you, keep an eye out for announcements of those opportunities soon.

Contact Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.org or 443.261.3263 to let her know which date you want to attend, or stop off in the church office on Sundays and sign up in person.

Pastor J.C. Meet & Greets

In an effort to get more Woods members to meet and chat with our new head of staff, Pastor J.C., we are starting a series of in-home "meet & greet J.C." gatherings. A number of Woods members have offered to host a 90-minute gathering in their home, with refreshments and conversation, and invite 10–15 of their Woods friends to meet Pastor J.C.

If you are interested in either hosting a small gathering in your home or attending one of these events, please reach out to Pam Ward at 410.647.2550 or pward@woodschurch.org.

Service of Wholeness

There will be a Service of Wholeness on Wednesday, October 16, 6:15PM, in the Sanctuary. 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, contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

Senior Fellowship Dinner

The Deacons of Woods Church will be hosting a Senior Fall Fellowship Dinner on Friday, October 18, 5:30–7:30PM. Members who are 65 and older (plus guest) are invited to attend to enjoy dinner, desserts, and music. Wear your favorite country hat or boots.

Please RSVP to Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or madams@woodschurch.org.

Woods Holiday Bazaar Sneak Peek

Save the date for our Holiday Bazaar, which will wake place Saturday, November 23, 9AM–1PM. All proceeds support Mission activities of our church.

Baked Goods Table

Calling all Bakers! We need cookies, cupcakes, cakes, pies, tarts, mini-loaves, breads, or whatever is your specialty. Please bring your items to the church on Friday, November 22. Questions? Contact Maribelle Carter at reinaldcarter@gmail.com or Sally Sachse at bsachse@msn.com.

Homemade Jams are Back

Lots to choose from: triple berry spice, strawberry, spicy strawberry rhubarb, cherry pie spice and spiced raspberry. Questions? Contact Sarah Ward pisces2girls@yahoo.com.

Volunteers are Needed

Please consider volunteering for a few hours before or after you shop. Contact Pam Blumenthal at mblumenthal1941@gmail.com or Beth Hadley at bbhadley@gmail.com.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class

Adult Education is offering a new 11AM study on Sundays, October 6–13, and October 27–November 3, featuring Context by Rev. Josh Scott. Exploring the chapter behind the verse, Context looks at Bible verses we know by heart but may not know the people, places, and times that give them meaning.

Rev. Scott delves into these well-known Scripture verses, exploring their true meanings by examining them in their original biblical context. Through this process, he unveils fresh and enlightening interpretations.

Books are on the office credenza. We’ll meet in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom.

Youth News

“Youth Summit” Retreat

All youth in grades 6–12 are invited to join us for our beginning-of-the-year retreat at West River Retreat Center, Friday–Saturday, October 4–5!

Any questions? Contact Oliver Page, our director of Youth Ministry at opage@woodschurch.org.

Children's News

Sunday School Offering

We are collecting new or gently used coats (please make sure they are clean) of all sizes to benefit HOPE for All, a Woods Church mission partner. Donations may be dropped off through Sunday, October 20. Look for a bin in the Sunday School wing to place your items.

Fall Costume Party and Parade

Join us on Friday, October 18, 4:30–6PM, at Boone Station to meet the Rev. J.C. Austin, our new pastor. Break out your Halloween costume, play games, listen to music, and be part of the costume parade for SunRise assisted living at 5:30PM.

Non-perishable food donation for SPAN is welcome.

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday morning. We were talking about going on a journey. We sang "Pharaoh Pharaoh" with Pastor J.C., and the 11AM band joined in!

In Sunday School, we talked about how the children of Israel were enslaved by the pharaoh of Egypt. They cried out to God, and God answered them by sending Moses to lead them out of Egypt back to home. There are so many times that Moses calls out to God for help. Right away, the people needed a way through a huge sea! So God helped them go through the water by sending the water up and giving them a dry path through it. A friend noticed that Moses waited until everyone had crossed into freedom before he crossed. He stood between the Children of Israel and the army that was coming towards them!

There are so many wonderful books about how enslaved people journey to freedom. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is one of my favorites. She listened and remembered everything that people said about the way to freedom. She stitched it like a map into a quilt. When she left, she didn't need the quilt because she KNEW the way to freedom. She left the quilt behind so that other people could use it to make the journey to freedom.

I wonder, how can we help others make a journey through things that are unjust, or hold them back, or make them afraid? Can you help them cry out to God? With you and God, they are not alone!

Music News

All Hallows' Eve Organ Concert

On Tuesday October 29, 7PM, join organist Roderick Demmings, Jr., as he presents a free All Hallows' Eve organ concert. His performance will include works by Bach, Buxtehude, Massenet, Boëllmann, and Brahms, as well as readings by Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Dickens. It’s sure to be spooktacular!

A love offering will be collected to support Indigenous music throughout the year! This concert is sure to be Spooktacular! For more information please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Woods church will be presenting the musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, March 28–30 & April 4–6 . And auditions are just around the corner! Come join us on this exciting adventure! What makes a monster and what makes a man? Step into the heart of Paris and experience the powerful tale of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This evocative musical, inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel and the acclaimed Disney animated film, brings to life the story of love, acceptance, and heroism set against the backdrop of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Join us as we follow Quasimodo, the gentle bell-ringer of Notre Dame, and his journey to find acceptance and love in a world that shuns him. Alongside the courageous Esmeralda and the conflicted Claude Frollo, the story unfolds with themes of compassion, justice, the resilience of the human spirit and finding your sanctuary.

Auditions November 3 and 4

Go to wmpcauditions.com for more information and to sign up for an audition slot.

Behind The Scenes Help

Interested in helping behind the scenes with the show? We would love too have you! Please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Opus 3: An Evening of Debuts

Join us for an exciting evening of music on Saturday, November 9, 7PM! The evening will feature newly composed works and performances by classical guitarist Alec Green, renowned pianists Jung-hoon Park, and Roderick Demmings, Jr., and original choreography by Elysian Dance Theater. This is a free concert with all donations going to support our Woods Church music department. Come and experience these premiere performances and compositions!

For more information, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org. This event also will be available via livestream.

Mission News

Picnic Table Build

Our Youth and Mission Ministries will be holding our Annual Picnic Table Build on Saturday, November 16, 9AM–3PM. Help out as your time permits. No skill Level is required! Tools—and lunch—will be provided!

We will be building 28 picnic tables. Most will be given to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake families. Extra tables will either be sold in the Habitat Restore or taken on the WoodsWork mission trip to be donated to the new habitat homeowners.

This is open to all members of Woods and members of the community, and will be led by the high school youth with support from the high school advisors and members of the Missions Ministry. Any youth younger than 6th grade must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Liability forms are required and are available at the beginning of the build. You must wear work boots or closed toe shoes.

Work will take place in the parking area next to the garage storage units and the WoodsWork shed.

Questions? Contact Oliver Page at opage@woodschurch.org or Scott Wiley at wilecoy2us@gmail.com or 410.353.1491.

Yarn Requested for the Guatemala Partnership Trip

There is a request being made for yarn to be taken to Guatemala for the women who create beautiful scarves for their prayer shawl ministry. The yarn will be taken by the Presbytery of Baltimore group traveling there, November 2–9. This will include visits to the Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA) programs that support women and families. There is a box in the church office for dropping off your yarn over the next few weeks. Please donate what you can.

For questions contact Bev Haines at 410.551.8412 or Sher Atkinson at 410.647.4824.

Counseling & Care Center Offerings

Spirituality for the 21st Century

Bill Hocking's next Seminar will be held on Monday, October 7, 4:30PM, at the Woods Counseling & Care Center, Large Group Room. Bill will lead a discussion on the work of Richard Rohr, a Franciscan Priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Fr. Rohr teaches contemplation and social justice issues, with an emphasis on love and suffering, the exclusionary nature of religion and how the "Cosmic Christ" relates to the vast universe.

For more information, contact Bill Hocking at billhocking100@comcast.net or Nancy Sullivan at nsullivan@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Condolences to the Family of John Hollis

It is with sadness that we share the death of Woods member, John Hollis. John was a member of Woods Church since 1986.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Woods Church on Saturday, October 5, 1PM, in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow.

Please keep John’s wife, Barbara, and all family and friends in your prayers.

We’re Hiring 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.

A Moment of Prayer

God who always sees us: help us to see you.

When we feel distanced from one another

 and from ourselves, meet us;

stir up within us an awareness of your

 presence that cuts through our isolation.

Come to us wherever we are, near or far, so

 we may always know

there is no place we can go that is beyond

 your love's reach.

Through Jesus Christ we pray; Amen.