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PASTOR’S NOTES Eric Kelley We hear a lot about spirituality today in this world of a shopping center faith where we identify our needs and then walk the malls of religion until we find what we want. In the old days this meant going to church and it still does for some but for an ever increasing segment of our population it means finding the latest guru of what’s happening next. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some great teachers out there with much to offer but there is much more that is simply not worth our time and diverts us from the introspective journey we all need to take. The message of Lent is not pretty, easy or even nicely packaged but it is exactly what many of us need to hear in this consumptive, workaholic world that easily seduces us into believing that if we accumulate enough and consume enough that we will be happy and satisfied. It is strange how this works in that when we enter this path and it doesn’t work we simply try harder. This reminds me of the old definition of insanity which goes like this, ‘Doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results’. Lent isn’t the somber time it used to be but it remains a time for us to reflect on life and our place in it as followers of Jesus Christ. Or church is helpful to us in this process. The Agape Meals give us an evening with fellow church goers to reflect of the significance of this journey for us. The readings during Lent will challenge us to look more deeply at just exactly what it is that we spend our precious time on as we are reminded that there days are not a dress rehearsal but the real thing. Lent is our special time to follow Jesus from temptation to God’s triumph in the Resurrection. Lent is a time to breath deeply in the presence of God and to ask for the courage we need to see ourselves just as we are. There are many blessings to be found in a conscious spiritual journey. I invite you on this Christian Pilgrimage through Lent 2001. It is not a journey for the fainthearted but then anything worthwhile requires a personal investment. Grace and Peace, Eric
 $25,000 Challenge Grant – 97% of Goal and Counting! Stewardship Committee As of February 27, 2001, forty-four members and friends of Williston-West have stepped forward with pledges or contributions to the $25,000 Challenge Grant to our endowment. The total to date is $24,170. The goal of the anonymous donor is to raise awareness of the endowment and its importance to the church. Contributions and pledges so far range from outright gifts of $20 to $1000 and pledges over the three-year period of up to $1,000. In order to receive the full $25,000 of the challenge we need to raise another $830. Donations and pledges in any amount are welcome! The Stewardship Committee is encouraged by the fantastic response to this Challenge. The anonymous donor has made a payment to the Endowment for the year 2000 for $9000 to match the gifts and pledges of members and friends for the first year of the three-year Challenge. Inside the cover of this month’s newsletter is a Challenge Grant pledge form, for your convenience. The pledge form can be returned to the office or placed in the Sunday offering. Thanks to… |
| Lonnie & Bev Allen | Marjorie Armstrong |
| Don & Jan Beddie | Michael Beebe |
| Ted & Judy Malette | Bruce & Marion Hopkins |
| George & Stephanie Crockett | Michael Donovan & Diana Morse |
| Chris & Marge Harding | Dan & Donna Kane |
| Eric Kelley | Elizabeth McLellan |
| Norman & Marta Morse | Ralph Mullett |
| Rachel Taylor | John & Gloria Tewhey |
| Bill & Diane Tyler | Don & Linda Zillman |
| Jeffrey and Prisilla Armstrong | Ken & Amy Partridge-Barber |
| Howard & Susan Arnold | George & Eleanor Berry |
| Bruce Fifield | Jane Honeck |
| Phil Chase | Frank & Ruth Coffin |
| Carleton Lane | Gardner Lane |
| Gunnar & Ingrid Elofson | Gore Flynn & Beth Stevens |
| Barbara & Charles Goodale | Joel & Becky Gratwick |
| Erik Hanna | Les & Sydney Hodgdon |
| Scott & Audrey Hutchinson | Paul & Victoria Kendrick |
| Lloyd & Ellen Knight | Sarah Meacham |
| Sumner Moulton | Peter & Debbie Murray |
| Peg O’Brion | Gardner Lane |
| Harry & Jane Sawyer | Jim & Linda Shiminski |
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Altar Flowers -->Millie Perkins donated flowers to honor Margaret Bates. -->Susan Pettingill gave flowers in memory of her father, Dr. Richard C. Britton. There is now a FLOWER CALENDAR at the rear of the sanctuary so people can sign up for special dates to honor or memorialize loved ones. By checking it, you can see what dates are available and mark off your preferred date. If you have any questions, you can talk to any member of the Flower Committee, or call the church office regarding your chosen date. We will continue to publish such donations, unless requested not to. Mission Committee Update March 12th, Governor Angus King will proclaim March as Mentoring Month because of the positive role mentoring plays in our community. As you know support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Portland is one of our youth-oriented missions. This program is near and dear to our hearts as Jim and I have been mentoring for two years now. You may have wondered what the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is all about and ways you can help. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is "as simple as putting a friend into a child’s life and as essential as putting hope into a child’s future." Big Brothers Big Sisters works primarily with kids' ages 7 to 14 from single parent homes because it is clear that these children may become "at risk." Placing them with safe, positive adult role models, help a child in need steer clear of problems before they start and sets them on the path to responsible, productive lives; broadening their world view and enriching our community. There are both boys and girls in the program but right now there are dozens of boys waiting for a Big Brother. The organization is seeking volunteers to make a small commitment that can make a big difference in the life of a child. "Bigs", adult mentors, agree to be a friend to a child, a "Little", for at least a year and to see him or her for three to five hours either weekly or every other week. It doesn’t matter if you do not have much experience with kids. If you know how to be a friend and are a responsible adult, you are well on your way to being able to help. All volunteers are carefully interviewed and trained. You’ll be matched with someone who shares your interests, and a professional case manager. Jim and I have found our case manager to be a knowledgeable and supportive friend. There is even a drop-in support group for Bigs if you have issues or merely want to touch base and socialize over pizza. Jim and I have found that it is not only a way to enrich the lives of our Littles, Jeni and Mike, but our own lives. If you want to learn more about the program just ask either Jim or me and we will be happy to share our experiences and help you get connected if you wish. You can call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 773-Kids, write to GPBBBS@gwi.net or visit their website at www.greater portlandbbbs.org to find out more about this and other opportunities like their school based programs which allow you to become slowly acquainted with mentoring. Bowl for Kids Sake, a fundraiser set for Saturday, March 24 is another way you can help Big Brothers Big Sisters. Bowl for Kids Sake generates a major portion of the program’s funding and will help reach a new goal of 250 matches by the year-end 2001. Last year we had a WWC team. This year we already have one team; Jim, myself, Mike and Jeni. There is a pledge sheet on the church bulletin board so check it out. The goal is to raise $200 per team. The week of April 23rd is Volunteer Appreciation Week and the Greater Portland Big Brothers Big Sisters will be having their Volunteer Pizza Night at WWC again this year on Thursday, April 26th. Last year they were thrilled with the space and the event was a big hit. If you can contribute toppings for the sundaes, just drop off the item, labeled BBBS off at church sometime before the event. Contributions to help purchase other items for the event can be given to me, Jim or Betty Furman. The people at Big Brothers Big Sisters have told me numerous times how deeply grateful they are for all we do at WWC. We could not do the things we do without volunteers like you! |
