photo by Bill Kenny, 2022

June 2023

A Note from Alyssa

When I began my ministry at Woodfords back in February 2020, I looked ahead to June of 2023 with a touch of anxiety. I knew that it would be a significant month in my vocational life. Having been hired as a designated term minister under a 40-month contract, I understood that June 2023 inevitably would serve as a transition point.

If we, as pastor and congregation, had discerned by last autumn that it would be time for our cooperative ministry to conclude at the end of my initial contract, this June would have been full of farewells and leave-taking. But since we decided that there is still more ministry for us to undertake together, we instead will gather this month to celebrate the transition to a new stage in our collaborative relationship.

During the 2pm worship service on June 18, I will be installed as Woodfords’ next settled minister, and we will voice and confirm the covenant that binds us in ministry to one another, to the community, and to the wider world. I will promise to serve Woodfords “faithfully, preaching and teaching the word of God, administering the sacraments, and fulfilling the pastoral office, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.” In turn, you – as members of this spiritual community – will be asked to receive me as your pastor and teacher, to labor with me in the ministry of the gospel (the good news of God’s love, compassion and justice), and to offer me “due honor and support.” (Note the word “due,” which emphasizes the idea that honor is not automatic and must be earned.) Finally, representatives from other churches and the Cumberland Association of the Maine Conference, UCC will affirm the covenant that binds the wider church to us (as the pastor and people of Woodfords) in “mutual ministry in Christ’s name.”

As someone who did not grow up in the United Church of Christ and only discovered the denomination as a young adult, I always have loved the UCC’s emphasis upon mutuality, covenant, and collaboration. Ministry and service are not activities that a local pastor, or an individual spiritual community, shoulders alone. Instead, ministry is something that we do together, in partnership with the wider church. My ministry would not be as effective without all of you, and your ministry would not be the same without me. When it comes to making this world more like God’s realm, our impact is magnified when we collaborate; we collectively achieve much more than we could ever accomplish on our own.

This summer, Woodfords will begin a process of strategic dreaming and visioning, with the help of coaches and consultants from a consulting group named Convergence. (Formerly called “The Center for Progressive Renewal,” Convergence may sound familiar to many of you. It is the same group that worked with Woodfords in the years before my arrival.) The visioning process will start with a summer survey and then move into in-person conversations in the autumn. Through Woodfords’ newest round of work with Convergence, we will gain insight into our church’s current challenges and opportunities. We also will gather your thoughts, dreams, and hopes related to our faith community’s future. Together, all of us will explore how God is calling Woodfords to minister and serve in upcoming years … and then set to work making that ministry vision happen.

Friends, I cannot express how fortunate I feel to possess the opportunity to help envision our community’s future with you. I am grateful every day for the love, trust, and faith you have shown in calling me as your settled pastor. When I reflect on the past 40 months, I marvel at all that we have confronted, weathered, and overcome together. Thanks to God for resilience, and thanks to all of you for your patience, steadfastness, courage, and support. 

Here’s to Woodfords’ bright future, and to our bright future … together.

With much love and affection, your sibling in Spirit—

Rev. Alyssa

Music

A Celebration of Music

June 4, 2023

10am Worship

A Service of Hymns, Psalms, Scriptures and Prayers with the singing of our TWO new Woodfords hymns!

Congratulations to the winners of Woodfords Church Hymn Writing Contest - Anne McNair and Patrick Michaels!

The Search

In October of 2022, Woodfords announced a contest for a new hymn that would speak to the life of mission of our church community. As we celebrated the Church's 150th year, we requested a new song that expressed our mission statement: creating community, championing justice, and growing with God.

The search was shared nationwide though professional organizations including the National Hymn Society, American Guild of Organists, and the UCC Musicians Associations. Many hymn writers viewed our website, read our newsletters, and then created new compositions of musical expression. We were so pleased to receive hymns from composers from all over the United States (including local submissions), Canada, and the United Kingdom.

In late February, The Hymn Search Committee received the initial packet of music for their perusal and study. In late March, we met, and sung through the hymns, and shared our thoughts and observations. The group was committed to finding a text that spoke to the true community of Woodfords, and with a melodic tune that was singable, and created a unified presentation.

Several other criteria were stated in the healthy exchange of discussion:

         There needs to be a message and a melody.

         The hymn should have several verses and harmony.

         There should be a clear reference to our faith heritage and vision.

         The hymn should include inclusive language.

At the conclusion, we were delighted to select TWO hymns that represent Woodfords.

Two?

#1 Tune: Woodfords

We come here for solace, we come here for grace.

We come here to worship in this holy space.

As others before us sang loud hymns of praise,

With voices united new songs we now raise.

#2 Tune: Woodfords Church

Mission in living, ministry making,

Draws us all in with one holy call;

Called to be faithful in new communion,

Being like Jesus, room for us all.

The first expresses the journey of worship and faith, and the second of

mission, and the sharing into the community.

And the tune? Woodfords has a name in an original melody!

A sincere THANK YOU to the Hymn Search Committee: Kristen Crean, Glenn Dunne, Elsa Geskus, Bill Carter, Pam Meader, Fran Seeley, Rev. Lodewick, and Paul Schnell. An Additional thank you, to Robyn Roope, and her administrative assistance preparations of music packets. We are delighted that this project was supported with funding from the Special Music Fund of Woodfords Church.

We now share here information about the composers —

( ….and you will have to come to WORSHIP to hear the live music!)

We Come Here For Solace  by Anne McNair

Hymn Tune: Woodfords

About the Composer:

Anne Acker McNair was born and grew up in Raleigh, NC. She has had dual careers as a music teacher/composer/church musician and as an actuary. Her music degrees are from St. Andrews Presbyterian College (B.M., sacred music/organ and music education, 1976), Georgia State University (M.M., music education, 1981), and the University of S.C. (Ph.D., music education, 2010). She also holds a degree in statistics from the University of S.C. (B.S., 1995).

Anne recently retired as Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia. From 2005-2014, she served as Director of Choirs for Children and Youth at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. She is active in the Presbyterian Association of Musicians at the national level and has served as an elected board member (2010-2013), president elect (2014-2016), and will serve as president (2016-2018).

She and her husband, William McNair, were Co-Conference Directors of the Montreat Worship and Music Conference in 2013. Anne’s writings have been published in “Call to Worship”,”presbyterian Outlook” “Perspectives”, and in the “Journal of Research in Music Education”. Her choral compositions have been published by Mark Foster Music and by Augsburg Fortress. She has been a clinician at the Montreat Worship and Music Conference in NC, the Mo Ranch Worship and Music Conference in Texas, and will serve as clinician at the Dallas Choristers Guild Midwinter Conference in January 2024. She enjoys writing both hymn texts and hymn tunes for use in her church. Three hymn tunes have been published by Darcey Press.

**************************

Living in Mission by Patrick Michaels

Hymn Tune: Woodfords Church

About the Composer:

Patrick Michaels has been a professional church musician for 48 years. He was born in Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota as a music major. Michaels worked at two churches in that area before moving to the Boston area. He has been the Minister of Music at St. James's Episcopal Church, Cambridge, for 39 years, where he has led the community in a vibrant and innovative music program. He began encouraging and supporting members of the congregation to compose musical Psalm settings for the church's own use; this program has yielded an abundance of wonderful settings of the Psalms which are sung every week, and the composing continues to this day. Michaels was also the Director of Chapel Music at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge from 2004--2012, where he helped expand the repertoire of and encouraged music-making from all members of the community.

Michaels began writing hymns (both texts and tunes) in the 1970s and has attended various hymn-writing workshops sponsored by The Hymn Society since that time. He has benefited especially from the professional advice of Brian Wren and Al Fedak. Patrick Michaels' texts and tunes are published in denominational hymnals, in various supplements, and in single-author collections in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Wayne Leupold published his first single-author collection of hymns, From Depths of Love: The Hymns of Patrick Michaels, in 2015. Michaels is a member of The Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada. His other profession is teaching piano, which he has done since 1969.

He is married to the Rev. Laurie A. Rofinot, and they have one adult daughter, Marian Rose.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you to the all the participants in the Woodfords Ringers and the Chancel Choir for their music shared during worship throughout the year. 

Their musical contribution to our services with anthems, hymns, and offertories is greatly appreciated.

Events and Opportunities

Portland’s Newest Farmers Market Starts This Month

Thursday Afternoons in the Woodfords Parking Lot

We are thrilled to announce that Woodfords is hosting Portland's newest Farmers Market this summer. Between June 1 and October 5, swing by on Thursday afternoons between 3 and 7pm to enjoy fresh food and support local vendors. We hope to see you there! For more information, including a list of vendors, CLICK HERE.

June 17 – Pride Parade & Festival

Woodfords is once again participating in Portland’s Pride Parade, which will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, June 17. We’ll gather at Monument Square by 12:45pm for a 1pm parade kickoff time. This year, we’re planning to march with friends from several other Portland faith communities, including Williston-Immanuel United Church and HopeGateWay. If you’re not up for walking in the parade, you can support marchers and other thirsty people by handing out water with our friends at Williston-Immanuel United Church (156 High Street).

The parade will be accompanied by a Pride Festival in Deering Oaks Park. It will run from 1-5pm.

Last year’s parade was a blast, and we hope to have just as much fun this year. If you plan to join in, please email Jenny Wriggins (jennywriggins@gmail.com) and let her know whether you’re planning to (a) walk with us or (b) help hand out water at Williston-Immanuel United Church. That said, RSVPs aren’t mandatory. If you want to make a last-minute decision to join us, please do! 

2pm on June 18: Rev. Alyssa’s Installation

Pilgrim Lodge News

June 11 Open House

Would you like to learn more about Pilgrim Lodge, the Maine Conference, UCC camp that is located in West Gardiner on beautiful Lake Cobbosseecontee and was just named one of the nation’s best summer camps by Newsweek?

Visitors are cordially invited to visit the property between 1 and 3 pm on June 11. This is a great opportunity to see camp before coming as a camper, to introduce family and friends to this special place, and simply get back to camp as the season begins.

Take a tour, walk the labyrinth, eat a cookie, bring a friend … all activities are free and open to all. CLICK HERE for more information.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for Camp

Pilgrim Lodge offers summer programming for diverse individuals of all ages. Sabbath, stories, adventures, expeditions, arts, praycations, multi-generational connections, Pride, Hogwarts and so much more: No matter where you are on life’s journey, or what you believe, or what your interests may be, there’s something for you!

Woodfords has scholarship aid available to help make camp accessible for all – contact Rev. Alyssa if you’re interested in learning more – and all Pilgrim Lodge sessions offer tiered pricing. We don’t want anyone to miss out on spending time at this amazing place, which offers incredible opportunities to connect with nature, other people, and the Holy (however you define it).

CLICK HERE for the full schedule of camp sessions.

June 20 - 27: Bach Virtuosi Festival

Concerts at St. Luke’s Cathedral and Etz Chaim Synagogue

Johann Sebastian Bach is celebrated as the creator of numerous masterpieces of church and non-secular music, both instrumental and with vocals. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. This year marks the eighth year that the Bach Virtuosi Festival will bring together world-class musicians to share the music of Bach. 

Click here to learn more about the repertoire and world-renowned musicians from the Bach Virtuosi Festival. 

Championing Justice

Championing Justice Committee Update

Woodfords members have been volunteering at the Preble Street Food Hub on the third Saturday of every month. These meals provide the primary source of nutrition for people in need.

However, Preble Street’s mission is much broader than just providing meals for the homeless. Their mission is: To provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger and poverty and to advocate for solutions to these problems.

In addition to nutritious meals, Preble Street provides crisis intervention, clean clothes, healthcare, shelters and permanent homes, with the goal of meeting urgent needs as well as creating solutions to end homelessness and hunger.

According to Preble Street’s website, their impact has been to help:

• 150 homeless youths find safety, services and housing
• 358 veterans and their families to receive housing support
• 1 million meals served to families and individuals in need
• 600 homeless adults have basic needs met and work toward goals
• 100 survivors of human trafficking to reclaim their lives
• 31,025 shelter nights avoided through supportive housing



Woodfords Church, through our Championing Justice committee, is providing volunteer and financial support for these programs.

Notices

Caregivers Circle 

Meetings are held monthly. 

If you're interested in attending, kindly contact Rev. Charlotte Bell by calling her at 603-582-0117. 

HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY

Peggy Clark 06/03

Cecilia Ritter 06/04

Matthew Smith-Erb 06/07

Mary Bonauto 06/08

Elizabeth England 06/08

Patricia Wilbur 06/08

Madison Ross 06/09

Alden Sawyer Jr 06/09

Carolyn Bird 06/10

Kristen Crean 06/10

Betsy Gervais 06/10

Beth Lunt 06/12

Fred McKeeman 06/12

Gregory Goodspeed 06/13

John England 06/15

William Carter 06/16

Abigail Kate Gervais 06/16

Norma Salway 06/17

Lorraine Canterbury 06/18

Rochelle Hale 06/18

Emily Segal 06/18

Leslie Ouellette 06/20

Betty Lou Jones 06/21

Elizabeth Gray 06/22

Elizabeth Humphrey 06/22

Iris Walter 06/23

Lindsay Ross 06/24

Peter Sampson 06/24

Carol Carpenter 06/25

Constance Kent 06/25

June St. Lawrence 06/25

Bradley Belanger 06/26

Jude Swicker 06/28

Robin Carter 06/29

Bradley Belanger 06/30

HAPPY JUNE ANNIVERSARY

Janet & Robert Stewart 6/27 59 years

Peter & Marjorie Sampson 6/15 55 years

Nicholas & Elaine Nadzo 6/21 54 years

Gregory & Nancy Goodspeed 6/18 53 years

David & Susan Clark 6/10 51 years

Bradley & Deborah Belanger 6/16 50 years

Meghan & Kurt Graser 6/24 17 years

Have Something on Your Mind?

Want to Talk about a Joy or Concern?

Have a Prayer Request?

If you would like to schedule time for a pastoral care conversation with Rev. Alyssa, do not hesitate to be in touch (alodewick@woodfordschurch.org). She would be happy to talk via Zoom or the phone, or to have an in-person visit.

Also, Alyssa is always open to receiving prayer requests. Drop her a line with a description of what you’d like her to pray for – and don’t forget to indicate if you would also like your prayer request to be added to the Woodfords prayer list. (Alyssa’s default is to consider all prayer requests she receives confidential, unless the requestor explicitly says otherwise.)