Messenger | September 4, 2024

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Coffee & Conversation with Pastor J.C.
• Blessing of the Animals
• “Youth Summit” Retreat
• Fall Costume Party and Parade
• Choirs are Starting Back Up
• Spirituality for the 21st Century
• Group Spiritual Direction
  

Pastor's Message

Friends, it continues to be a blessing to get to know you, and I am so grateful for all the ways in which you are making me feel welcome. I have so enjoyed visiting so many of the ministries of our church as you meet and work together, and will continue to be doing so in the coming weeks. There is an astonishing range of ministry happening here at Woods, so if I “gate-crash” your meeting or activity, I want to thank you in advance for your patience and grace in letting me join in for a time.

I also want to remind you about the upcoming opportunities for Coffee and Conversation with me. You can find more information here in the Messenger about it, and I hope that you will find a time in the coming weeks to join me. I am eager to get to know you and your stories, what you love most about Woods, and what you hope most for our future together. If you want to join in but are finding Sundays after worship a difficult time slot, please email info@WoodsChurch.org and let us know; if we can get even a small group together during the week of such folks, we will do so! In any case, I look forward to seeing you in worship and everywhere else in the coming days!

Grace and peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

Coffee & Conversation with Pastor J.C.

Starting on Sunday, September 22, through Sunday, November 24, the Rev. J.C. Austin, our new Senior Pastor, will be hosting an hour of coffee and conversation in the Founders Room immediately following our 11AM service. This is an opportunity for you to get to know Pastor J.C. and share your joys and hopes for Woods Church.



We ask that you sign up by contacting Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.org or 443.261.3263 and let her know what date you would like to attend. Alternately, you can stop in the church office on Sunday and sign up for a Sunday that works for you.

Open Dance Classes

In order to bring the community together in a fun and movement-based way, join our Worship Ministry for a series of dance classes this fall! Professional teachers are set to offer a variety of dance styles—including jazz, musical theater, contemporary, tap, yoga, and more! Classes are open to anyone age 12 and over, in & outside the Woods community. All experience levels are welcome, though classes will be taught at an intermediate level with options for beginners and advanced students.

Our first class will be on Sunday, September 22, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. For more information, email Alyssa Barlis at alyssabarlis@gmail.com.

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!

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.

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class

Adult Education is offering a new 11AM study on Sundays, September 22–October 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

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.

Growing in Grace & Gratitude

This year, children—3-year-olds to fifth graders—are Growing in Grace and Gratitude.

Our 9:30AM classes meet every Sunday! 3-year-olds in our PreSchool class gather in Room 107. Our Kindergarteners in the Early Elementary class meet in Room 150. Third graders in our new Bible Navigators class meet in Room 152. Fourth and fifth graders in our Bible Explorers class are in Room 154.

Our 11AM classes begin on Sunday, September 15! 3-year-olds through Kindergarteners will gather in Room 107. Our Elementary Age children will meet in Room 152.



Note: 9:30AM and 11AM stories are usually different. Come make a joyful noise in Children's Ministry!

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home from Sunday morning. We talked about laughing. What makes you laugh? Sarah laughed because she was 100+ years old and God promised that she would have a baby. I wonder if she was surprised? I wonder if she was a little afraid? I wonder if she thought that was impossible? What makes you laugh?

One reason people might laugh is because of big emotions like being scared, unsure, or anxious. I think maybe Sarah felt all three of those. There is a series of books called, "A kids book about..." so many things! There is one about God, Voting, Anxiety, Belonging, Leadership... and so many more. One is "A Kid's Book about Saying Goodbye to a Pet." The book reminds us that "saying goodbye to a pet is really difficult and everyone has permission to feel BIG feelings about it, no matter what those feelings are." Naming the feelings and talking about how they make your body feel is important. Remembering how you felt with your pet is important, too. The book reminds us "that love stays with you, even when it's time to say...goodbye."

One of my favorite Bible verses says that "love never ends." So take a big breath, cuddle up with a trusted adult, and remember, it is okay to cry when you remember. It is okay to laugh when you remember. I wonder, what will you remember about your pet?

Trusted adults: there are lots of current topics about hard situations included in this series. Please ask me if you would like to borrow a book to start a conversation or to explore some language you can use in a conversation with your child.

Music News

Choirs are Starting Back Up

For more information on any of our choirs, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Adult Choir

Rehearsals are on Thursdays, 7PM, in the Choir Room. Join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles and genres of music. All are welcome! We look forward to having you with us!

Children's Choir | Grades 1–5

Rehearsals are on Sundays, 12:15–12:45PM, in the Choir Room. Wahoo! Any child in grades 1–5 is welcome! And yes, we have candy!

Praise Band

The Praise Band is looking for new members. If you like to sing or play an instrument—and have a love of contemporary music—reach out to Sarah Kent at skent@woodschurch.org.

SEEK Band | Grades 6–12

Do you play an instrument, enjoy singing, or just love music? Then come on down! Any youth in grades 6–12, is welcome to join our SEEK Band. We regularly offer music for worship, with many wonderful solo and musical opportunities. Rehearsal are on Sundays, 1–2PM.

Counseling & Care Center Offerings

Spirituality for the 21st Century

Beginning Monday, September 23, 4:30PM, at the Counseling & Care Center, Bill Hocking will present a TED talk by theologian and author, Joan Chittister, on growth as a result of struggle; sharing wisdom gained through personal struggle.

Seminars will be held every other Monday through December 2, in the Large Group Room. Future seminars will feature Father Richard Rohr on love, suffering, and current social justice issues; and Brian Swimme's TED talk, "The Third Story of the Universe."

A complete schedule and summary of presenters' topics will be available at the Welcome Desk. For further information, email Nancy Sullivan at nsullivan@woodschurch.org.

Group Spiritual Direction

Join Bill Daniel in the Woods Counseling & Care Center’s Large Group Room on Monday, September 30, 4:30PM, to learn more about Spiritual Direction with small groups.

This class will offer spiritual direction with intentional action to turn to God. Each member will share an experience, while all prayerfully consider where God is in the situation. Each participant acts as a spiritual guide to the presenter.

Each group will consist of four participants and will practice confidentiality. Groups will meet monthly for six months and have the opportunity to continue to meet on their own after the end of your initial six months with your facilitator.

For more information, please email Bill Daniel at bdfable@gmail.com.

In Our Community

A Job Well Done

Many people have remarked on how beautiful the recently cleaned stone work looks at the front and side entrances of our church this past week.

The Property Ministry extends a big Thank You to Alex of Checkmark Power Washing of Severna Park for his generosity to Woods Church for doing this two day job at no cost to Woods Church for his crew’s services.

A Moment of Prayer

God, you are the source of all truth and understanding;

Draw near to us as we pray.

 Teach us your wisdom from above,

 that we may bear good fruit in our lives.

 Root us beside the streams of your Word,

 that the green leaves of our hearts may flourish,

and we may bear the fruit of your grace from our lives and ministry.

Amen.