Messenger | June 19, 2024

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• An Introduction to Our New Head of Staff
• Celebrating Charlie Phelps’ 106th Birthday
• Stewardship Update
• Tuesday Night Thrive
• Pilgrimage Trip to Greece
• Prayers for the Family of Jimmy Beardmore

Pastor's Message

What an exciting time for our great Clouds of Witnesses who have so prayerfully and diligently brought us to this time. On Sunday, we voted as a congregation to call the next Senior Pastor and Head of Staff to Woods, and he will be here in time for Kick-Off Sunday, September 8! The Rev. JC Austin will join us in going forward from the foundation faithfully put in place by past, present and future witnesses to God's creativity at Woods Church.

The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians: "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and others are building upon it. Let each one take care how he/she builds upon it. For no other foundation can anyone lay that that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

At Woods, our foundation is sure and certain, and—as we welcome Rev. Austin to lead us in continuing to build and grow—we do so with confidence that God has called him to this time and place.

Together, we will continue our vision of transforming lives and society in the name of Christ. Thank you to our Pastor Nominating Committee and to all who have contributed to the work of the Kingdom.

Blessings,

—Pastor Nancy

Church News

An Introduction to Our New Head of Staff

Woods Church has called as its next Head of Staff, the Rev. JC Austin, who will take up his position on August 27, 2024. JC’s call was approved by the congregation following a candidating sermon on June 16, 2024, and we look forward to his move to Maryland and his leadership at Woods.

JC is a lifelong Presbyterian, and comes to us with an impressive array of experience. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998, and at the conclusion of his studies, was awarded the Graduate Study Fellowship in Parish Pulpit Ministry, which allowed him to select a location to pursue further education. JC elected to study in Cape Town, South Africa, studying the work of the theological dimensions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa.

JC currently serves as Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He arrived at First Presbyterian in 2017 following a schism in that congregation, and guided the church through a difficult transition, rebuilding the governance and staff of the church and helping the congregation to articulate its mission statement and priorities. Subsequently, First Presbyterian was able to triple worship attendance and institute a revitalized contemporary worship service in addition to its traditional service.

Prior to his call to First Presbyterian, JC served as Vice President for Christian Leadership Formation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. He conceived, developed, and launched the first seminary based, internationally certified training program for leadership coaches in the U.S., and created targeted leadership programs to train and support entrepreneurial pastors and women pastors.

For 10 years before his call to Auburn, JC served at Madison Avenue Presbyterian in New York City, working one year as a Pastoral Assistant for Development, Stewardship, and Evangelism, then nine years as Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Stewardship. In that role, he oversaw a demographic shift that brought in many younger members to the congregation and doubled annual giving participation and stewardship levels.

JC’s hobbies include barbecuing (he began experimenting with smoked meat during the pandemic), guitar, and many genres of music. His son will be a sophomore at Georgetown in the fall, and JC looks forward to being a bit closer to the university.

Stewardship Update

This Stewardship season, our Clouds of Witnesses have pledged $1,183,561, which represents 76.8% of our $1,540,000 goal. Thank you so much for your continued support of Woods missions.



If you have not done so already, please make your pledge online at woodschurch.org or fill out a pledge card in the front office.

Celebrating Charlie Phelps’ 106th Birthday

Woods member Charlie Phelps will be 106 years old on Thursday, June 27, and the Rehabbers are planning a Birthday celebration for him at Woods that day. If you would like to give him a card, please drop it off in the church office.

Charlie, his wife Helen, and their family joined Woods in 1964. Charlie was a co-founder of the Rehabbers and served on that Ministry well after he turned 100.

Tuesday Night Thrive

On Tuesdays, July 9 and August 13, gather with us for a time of praise and prayer followed by food, friends, and fun in Fellowship Hall. Look for more details in the weeks to come.

(Jesus said) “…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”—John 10:10

Summer Worship Schedule

Join us for worship on Sundays this summer for a blended service at 9:30AM. This single-service will continue through Kick-Off Sunday, September 8.

We're Looking for 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.

Mission News

Pilgrimage Trip to Greece

Elder Bill Hadley is planning to conduct a 10-day pilgrimage to Greece “In the Footsteps of Paul” in October 2025. He is holding an information session on Sunday, June 23, 10:45AM, in the Room 212. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.

CEDEPCA Intercultural Encounter Trip

A Baltimore Presbytery/Guatemala (CEDEPCA) Intercultural Encounter Trip is coming this fall. If you are interested, we would love to have you join us November 2–9, to see the wonderful work this mission partner has accomplished with our mission dollars. This trip will focus on immigration and how their new president, Bernardo Arevalo, is working really hard to bolster the economy—especially for the indigenous people, so they have a livelihood and means to stay in their homeland.

If you would like more information concerning this trip, email Sher at sheratkinson@earthlink.net or call at 410.647.4824. We will fly out of BWI Airport.

Mission Trip to Sancti Spiritus

Come meet our brothers and sisters in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, November 6–13! If you’re interested, please attend an informational meeting following worship on Sunday, June 9.



If unable to attend, or for more information, contact Marty Clayton at mclayton@breezeline.net.

New Art Exhibit

Please visit the new art display in the Gallery. This month’s art exhibit is titled, Tropical Summer Love by artist Michelle Nelson Love. Michelle grew up at Woods and was recently married in our sanctuary. Most of her art has been created while living on the beautiful island of Oahu. Aloha from Hawaii!

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class: Wrestling with Doubt

Woods is offering a new Adult Education class on Sundays through June 30, 11AM, in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom, featuring Wrestling with Doubt: Finding Faith, by Pastor Adam Hamilton.

Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a Heaven? How can we know? Often, we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God.

Study books are available on the office credenza.

Children's News

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at home from Sunday morning. We heard about Phillip, the man who God sent south. God sent him south, but he didn't really know what was going to happen, but he said, "Yes," anyway. On the way, Phillip saw a man who was on his way home after worshiping in Jerusalem. This man was reading the writings of Isaiah. Phillip asked the man, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The man said, "How can I unless someone explains it?" So, Phillip told the man about Jesus, and how he came to Earth to show us how to live. The man believed and was baptized!

Phillip was sent by God to help! Today, we prayed for our elders and deacons who God called to help us. We also prayed for the WoodsWork team of youth and adults who are heading to Virginia to help others in the name of God. These folks all said, "Yes!" They said a HOLY "Yes" to being sent by Woods Church in the name of God.

A holy yes is a way of being kind. That reminds me of When We are Kind by Monique Gray Smith. The book tells us ways that we can be kind to each other, the Earth, and ourselves.

I wonder, how does it feel to be kind? How does it feel when someone is kind to you? Be on the lookout this week for ways that God can use you to be kind, with a holy yes?

Church Family News

Prayers for the Family of Jimmy Beardmore

It is with sadness that we share the death of James Beardmore. Jimmy has been a friend of Woods for many years, attending with his parents, late Clayton (Bud) and current member and mother, Phyllis Beardmore. He often attended the men’s Bible study.

A Service of witness to the Resurrection will be held at Woods Church on Sunday, June 23, 2PM, in the sanctuary. A reception will follow.

Please keep Jim’s mom, Phyllis, and all of their family and friends in your prayers.

A Moment of Prayer

Lord God, we look to you as author of all good things and give you thanks for giving us more than we can ever imagine. Be with us in days of challenge and days filled with grace. In all days, O God, we ask that your Spirit will embrace and guide us.

In Christ's name, Amen.