Messenger | October 9, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
•  Blessing of the Animals
• Service of Wholeness
• Senior Fellowship Dinner
• Woods Church Holiday Bazaar
• Fall Costume Party and Parade
• All Hallows’ Eve Organ Concert
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• Opus 3: An Evening of Debuts

Pastor's Message

Friends, if you are like me, you have been watching the coverage of the stunning devastation from Hurricane Helene, particularly in western North Carolina, over the last two weeks and wondering what can be done to help. One of the blessings of being Presbyterian is that we are part of a connectional church, which means that we always have the capacity to respond faithfully and effectively to community disasters through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), a national denominational agency that does exactly what it sounds like. PDA is renowned both within the denomination and in the disaster relief community in general for its speed and efficiency in responding to natural disasters, both in terms of immediate response and long-term recovery efforts.

I will say that the single most helpful thing anybody can do, by far, is to send money to disaster response groups operating on the ground at a given disaster. I remember being heavily involved in the disaster response to the 9/11 attacks when I was a pastor in Manhattan in 2001, and seeing a literal warehouse full of donated items from well-intentioned people across the country that were either unnecessary or unusable (or both). Money, however, can obviously be used to get whatever is needed, whenever it is needed, and it can always be used for something else if the initial need is fully addressed. So the best answer of what can be done to help as an immediate response to a disaster is always to give money as generously as possible.

To that end, the Session has approved taking an offering to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in its response to Hurricane Helene, which began almost immediately after the storm cleared the area. If you want to support this offering, please indicate “PDA” on the memo line of your check/text/online gift so that we can make sure it is directed properly. Woods will forward 100% of all PDA-designated gifts to this work. In addition to those gifts, please keep the victims of Hurricane Helene in your prayers during this time of great loss and upheaval, as well as for the safety of those who are in the path of Hurricane Milton, which is headed towards Florida as a Category 5 storm as I write these words.

Grace and peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

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 Sue Ward at sward@woodschurch.org.

For those who are unable to make the service in person, we will host a special virtual blessing via Zoom on Monday, October 14, 7PM.

Please register for the virtual blessing my emailing noahsark@gmail.com with your name and your pet’s name, and we will reply with the link to join.

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 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.

Woods Holiday Bazaar Sneak Peek

Save the date: Saturday, November 23, 9AM–1PM! Fall has arrived and it’s time to place your holiday nut orders. Order all your favorites now for pickup later. Just download the order form from our website or pick one up at the welcome desk and return it to the Woods Church office with your check made out to “Woods Church” and nut order on the memo line. Pick-up schedule for nuts is listed on the order form. And remember, 100% of the proceeds support Mission activities of our church.

Questions? Contact Kay Mitchell at kateem936@hotmail.com or 410.757.7103.

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, October 27, and 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.

Children's News

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.

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.

Continue the Conversation at Home

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

Help Our Brothers & Sisters in Sancti Spíritus

Our brothers and sisters in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, are in dire need of over-the-counter medicines. Please help by picking up a list at the welcome desk or in the office, and bring items by Sunday, October 20.

Thank you!

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.

Church Family News

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.