Messenger | October 4, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Peace & Global Witness Offering
• Place Your Holiday Nut Order
• Register for Our Fall Youth Lock-In
• Continue the Conversation at Home
• Missions Welcomes Karen Jackson
• ACT Fall Anniversary & Kickoff
• Meet the Artists

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

A couple months ago, Perry Bacon, Jr. wrote an essay for the Washington Post titled "I left the church—and now long for a 'church for the nones.' ("Nones" is a term social scientists use to describe Americans who say they don't belong to or practice a particular religious faith.) Perry had grown up in the church, but for a range of reasons, including believing that his personal views differed from some church doctrines, he only rarely attends church now.

What was interesting to me is that he wrote a short paragraph about the church he would be willing to attend. He said this: "Start the service with songs with positive messages. Have children do a reading to the entire congregation and then go to a separate kids' service. Reserve time when church members can tell the congregation about their highs and lows from the previous week. Listen as the pastor gives a sermon on tolerance or some other universal value, while briefly touching on whatever issues are in the news that week. A few more songs. The end. An occasional post-church brunch."

As you can imagine, there is a whole lot to unpack from his suggestions. On the plus side, Perry is asking for music that is uplifting, for children to be a visible and active part of the worship life, and for current events to be part of the larger vocabulary of faith. Overall I think Woods Church does a good job in these areas. Sharing about highs and lows only indirectly comes up during our times of intercessory prayer (more commonly in the Contemporary service), so perhaps that idea merits more intentional consideration in our worship planning.

But I had to chuckle with his sermon suggestions. Yes, tolerance is an important topic, but I'm not sure it is helpful to jettison the rich range of scriptural topics solely for a weekly self-help church "TED talk." And Perry failed to name any part of worship that might touch on a sense of transcendence—the "otherness" of God that fills us with humble adoration as we consider what it means to worship a Creator, sovereign God. Worship is not about us; it's about our stepping into an experience that dares to regularly talk about what is just, what is loving, sacrificial, grace-full, and true, doing so openly in communion with a God who saves and redeems us on a daily basis.

If Perry were here, I'd talk more with him about these things. Perhaps you would be willing to be part of similar conversations about Woods church. And hey, I'm always happy to join a good post-church brunch!

Peace in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Randy

Church News

Peace & Global Witness Offering

The Peace & Global Witness Offering is one of the four annual PC(USA) special offerings. Funds collected go to support mission co-workers here and around the world. Additionally, 25% of the funds stay with Woods Church for our own peace and justice efforts. Look for this special envelope or give online.

Do You Like to Bake Cookies?

Would you be willing to bake cookies or serve punch for funeral receptions here at Woods? We are looking for individuals who are willing to make homemade cookies (usually 4 dozen at a time) for funeral receptions held at Woods. You would not be called for every reception and it would be on an “as available” basis. Cookies can be dropped off either the day before or at least one hour before the service—whatever fits your schedule. We also are looking for individuals who are willing to serve punch during these funeral receptions.

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.

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.

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

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



Continue the Conversation at Home

Continue the Conversation at Home with Saint Francis and the Animals: A Mother Bird's Story by Phil Gallery and illustrated by Sibyl Mackenzie. On Sunday, we heard about how we have been blessed to be a blessing. The children saw our new "blessing box" for SPAN donations. We have been blessed with plenty to eat. We can share those blessings with others who need food.

St. Francis reminded us that there are ways that all of creation helps take care of us. Francis would give thanks to the trees for shade and the sun for warmth. Being grateful reminds us that everything is God's. We can be thankful for how all things are connected.

Sunday afternoon we had a "blessing of the animals" to remember how St. Francis loved all of creation. I wonder, how have birds, trees, flowers, animals, pets, or other parts of creation blessed you? Are there ways we can take care of them in return?

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.

Missions News

Missions Welcomes Karen Jckson

You may have met Karen Jackson as the administrative assistant for Property. And now, we are excited to announce that she has expanded her staff hours to include Missions Ministry coordinator. Karen will be working with the Missions Ministry members and Woods Church Ministry partners to coordinate programs in keeping with the ministry goals, communicate missions opportunities to the broader congregation, and facilitate engagement in Mission Ministry events and outreach efforts.

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.

In Our Community

Hard Drive Destruction & Paper Shredding Event

Do you need to get rid of unneeded hard drives and sensitive documents, but not sure how to go about doing so? You’re in luck!

The Bay Area Disciples Ministry Group of the Baltimore Presbytery is hosting a Hard Drive Destruction & Paper Shredding event on Saturday, October 7, 12–4PM, at Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church parking lot (1657 Crofton Parkway, 21114).

There’s a maximum of 4 boxes of paper/hard drives per trip. Hard drives must be out of their computer cases. Click the button below for a flyer with details.

Meet the Artists

The Annapolis Watercolor Club featured in our current exhibit “Brushstrokes” will be in the gallery Sunday, October 8, following the 9:30AM service to discuss their artwork. The club devotes itself exclusively to the practice, education, and promotion of watercolor as an art medium. It is a vibrant, active, and enthusiastic organization with over 150 members.

The exhibit will run through November 6, and is available for viewing during normal church hours, 9AM–5PM.

Church Family News

Please join us in giving thanks for new life to the following Woods families:

Nick and Lauren Loughlin, on the birth of their son, Wyatt John Loughlin, born 9/20/23.

Tivy and Mike Binnix, on the birth of their granddaughter, Layla Mackenzie Binnix, born 9/9/23. Parents are Justin and LeighAnn Binnix.

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.