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PASTOR’S NOTES Eric Kelley "What a difference a day can make" is an expression that has taken on a whole new meaning for our generation. Each day has its own set of challenges that call us to respond to life but September 11th has brought us to a different place where we now realize that how we respond as individuals and nations will determine the quality of life for all of us in global terms. We are realizing in a new way that we are a global community and the justice we seek must be inclusive or terrorism will always find a place to incubate and strike like a viper that then slips away waiting for its poison to work. This is a multifaceted issue and involves every area of our lives. One area I hod up for you now is our relationship to the Muslim world. Islam is a solid, good and healthy religion based on their holy book called the Koran. It is different from the Christian Bible in that it does give Muslims specific answers, in many cases, to specific issues. Our bible is more of a guide calling us to loving responses as we deal with both friend and foe. Two holy books, among others, that if followed would assure world peace and give us a kind of global security that we have never known. Andy Grannell of Bangor Theological Seminary reminds us that Osama bin Laden does not find his direction for terrorism in the writings of the Koran. Osama’s al-quida is to Islam what the KKK is to Christianity. The KKK is an insidious parasite and embarrassment to Christianity like the al-quida is to Islam. These movements are dangerous and cannot be ignored. Let us think outside of the boxes that have held us and prevented us from knowing the full extent of the size, complexity, beauty and diversity of our human family. I feel it is God’s call to us now and truly the only hope for a safe and secure world. Grace and Peace, Eric
 From the Moderator Marion Hopkins Our fall season is well underway. Sunday School is in full swing and we are near the end of the study of our long-term pastorate. We are now involved in examining in depth the congregation's role in this relationship. On September 23, about 30 people met after worship to brainstorm goals for our church community with Phil Crane facilitating. We focused on five areas: Strengths to Build On, What's Broken - What Needs Fixing (some people preferred to title this one Weaknesses and Opportunities), Social Justice Projects, Long-term Aspirations, and Building Needs. I want to highlight our Strengths to Build On. We came up with sixteen and I have since thought of two more. They are: powerful preaching, caring community, music program, growing missions program, community made up of sub-communities, urban location, committed community, diverse community, great faith, broad theological spectrum, ongoing education for all ages, growing endowment, historic building, open and affirming community, congregation getting younger, strong lay leadership. I would like to add our award as one of the 300 best Protestant churches in the U.S. and our wonderful web site. You can see that community comes up many times. We need to keep our commitment to each other strong and active in order to grow. Before our Retreat at Rockcraft on October 20 and 21, we will complete the remaining two sessions in our study. On September 27 we will meet to Prioritize Goals. On October 4, Council members will meet with Eric and share answers to the three questions, What would you like to see more of from our Pastor, What would you like to see less of from our Pastor, What would you like him to keep the same? We will have a lot of information from these sessions to help us write a new Mission Statement for our church under the fine leadership of member, Elaine Richer. Please join us the weekend of October 20 and 21 at Rockcraft to participate in this important work. Membership Committee Deb Murray, Sidney Hodgdon, Gloria Tewhey, Phil Crane, & Vicki Morgan Did you know that 70% percent of new church memberships happen for the simplest of reasons? A friend invited a friend to attend a church service. As we mulled over this statistic at our recent membership meeting we made a decision about our annual plans for "Membership Sunday," an idea tried in the past to boost membership. Rather than put the emphasis on one particular Sunday, encouraging members to gather their friends and Please keep your friends, co workers introduce them to Williston West on a specific day, we realize that every Sunday provides that opportunity. EVERY Sunday should be Membership Sunday but we cannot do it without the help of the whole congregation. Please keep your friends, co-workers, and family in mind as you turn your thoughts to our church. Remember that statistics show that it is the most effective way to build membership. Lest you think we are shirking our duties and handing our job over to the congregation, think again. Membership Sunday will take on a new meaning and coming our way on Sunday, December 2nd, the first Sunday of Advent. In the spirit of worshiping at full capacity, the way we do at Christmas and Easter, our goal is to fill the church on a "regular Sunday!" Of course, should you choose to bring a friend on that Sunday, all the better? More details to follow. Finally, some reminders about Membership and what we do and need. 1. We arrange for "greeters," those friendly and welcoming folks outside the church each Sunday. 2. We take responsibility for a month’s worth of coffee fellowships. 3. We update the membership list and contact each new visitor to the church. (yes, those friendships registers do have a purpose) 4. We keep nametags current and make sure you wear them! If you have any ideas or wish to help out with any of these responsibilities, please contact one of us. In the meantime be thinking of some friends who might be curious about visiting our wonderful church. On Recent Events Jim McGirr In the midst of all the tragedy, insanity and sadness of the past weeks it is my great privilege and solace to lead the choir and music program here at Williston-West. My own sadness is profound at the way my home city has been forever altered and of course the enormity of the attack and catastrophes in NY, DC and PA affects us all on so many levels --- it is too much for any one of us and I am very grateful to be part of this faith community and be able to give and receive love and support ---- I am thankful for my musical gift and that I can share it in ways that I hope are helpful to our church to uplift and reflect --- Thank you everyone ---- Nominating Committee Chris Berry It’s fall and it’s time to think about the work of our church. The vitality of our church depends upon participation in and support of its committees and offices. Participating on a committee is a way to serve God by doing important work in the ministry of our church. It is also a way to strengthen our bonds of community, have some fun and get to know fellow worshippers in new ways. Please take a look at the following list to see where you might want to help out and speak to one of the members of the Nominating Committee: Chris Berry, Roxanna Brophy and Bill Tyler. Our church year begins in January, so new members would be on board in January 2002. Moderator: Chief officer of the church. Presides over Council (the governing body of the church) which consists of officers and chairpersons of all committees. Clerk: Takes minutes of all church and council meetings and keeps a list of membership changes. Treasurer: Upholds and communicates the financial situation of the church. Board of Deacons: Assists the pastor in all aspects of worship and spiritual life of the church. Board of Trustees: Cares for the physical needs of the church, prepares the operating budget and oversees the financial affairs of the church. Board of Christian Education: Supervises the Sunday School and the educational work of the church. Missions/Outreach Committee: Initiates and coordinates missionary and community outreach programs. Stewardship Committee: Raises funds for ongoing financial needs of our church in its ministry. Fellowship Committee: Maintains church kitchen and supervises coffee fellowship. Music Committee: Administers music programs, maintains musical instruments and hires Music Director and Organist. Membership Committee: Maintains list of members and friends of the church and coordinates Sunday morning welcomers and greeters. Flower and Garden Committee: Arranges for flowers for Sunday worship and special occasions and maintains church grounds. Pastoral Relations Committee: Maintains an open line of communication with the pastor and the congregation to address problems and concerns. New Member Alert Many new members may not have been here last year for " The Best Little Church Fair in Portland". This is a great event in the life of Williston-West. It brings us all together to work and have fun. It provides an opportunity for everyone to get involved and do their part. In addition it provides a significant boost to the budget. The largest contributor to the bottom lie is the "Silent Auction". This is an easy way to be big help in several ways. One is to look around the house for like-new items that you no longer need, but are too good for Goodwill etc. Perhaps a gift you haven’t decided what to do with. We also solicit items from local businesses. Items and Gift Certificates. You may know of places you frequent that may have items that people would like. If you do not want to make the request we can make it for you. Or better still you might be willing to makes some calls for the church on businesses. Last year we also had some great contributions from members of boats trips in Casco Bay and a cruise and Barbecue on Cushing’s Island. These were very popular items. And your final boost will be to come to the Fair and bid often and bid high. If you can help out in any way, contact Vicki Morgan or George Crockett through the Church office. Thank You. The Chapman Family The Legacy Continues If you have read the fine print below the two round windows over the altar and to the right you will note they were given in memory Charles J. Chapman and Anne Dow Chapman. The Chapmans joined Williston in 1880. They were regular supporters and active in the church with Charles becoming moderator later in the decade. He was also the Mayor of Portland at that same time. He and his brothers founded the Chapman National Bank in 1890. He died in 1898 at which time the window was donated in his memory by his family. Anne Dow Chapman died in 1938 when the second window was donated. They had five children. Gladys Chapman remained active at Williston until her death at 93 in 1980. A son, Philip F. Chapman, stepped in and became President of the Bank after becoming a lawyer. Both father and son were Bowdoin graduates. During his tenure as President he built The Chapman Bank Building at 477 Congress St. We know it today as the "time and temperature" building. He married Gladys Doten in 1909 and they had three children. Philip Jr. was a lawyer and active for many years in Portland. He passed away last year. A sister, Virginia Chapman Lockwood, lives in New Jersey, but still visits Williston when she summers at her home in Cumberland Foreside. A daughter of Charles and Anne Chapman, Marion Chapman Shartle died in 1963. At that time she left a Trust with the income to go to a niece for life with the income thereafter to go to Williston Church. The niece died last year so that we are now the beneficiaries of this income in the name of the " Charles J and Anne D. Chapman Memorial Fund". This is an inspiring story of how a family has supported Williston for 120 years. It is also an illustration of how a forward thinking member of the family was able to take care of a family member and still make a significant contribution to Williston-West. We thank all on the members of this family, many of whom still retain interest in our community. Out of the Closet Dale Knight I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in being mindful of not having food and drink in the carpeted areas. There has been a noticeable change when I come in on Monday morning. Greetings from Fort Kent Linda Zillman (Don Zillman recently became the interim President of the University of Maine at Fort Kent. He and his wife, Linda, moved from Portland to Fort Kent and will remain there for the 2001/2002 school year) Don and I are settling in to our interim life in this beautiful place. Those of you, like me, who had never been above Presque Isle, would be surprised at the profound beauty of the St.John Valley. Rolling hills, fir trees, open sky, a beautiful river, one of the most well kept towns I have ever seen... and extraordinarily friendly people, 95 % of whom are bilingual. |
