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PASTOR’S NOTES Eric Kelley I recently listened to Governor King speak at Portland Rotary and like most I am always impressed with his ability to communicate with humor, pertinent facts and a sense of genuinely caring for all the people of Maine. We are fortunate to have had him in the office for two terms and although he is now considered a ‘lame duck’ he seems to still be able to accomplish a good deal and isn’t slowing down a bit. In speaking about the Maine economy he said that in constructively addressing the issues that face the people of Maine it is important not to lose the Maine we love that affords the life style that keeps us here. We have to be careful that in ‘growing Maine’ we don’t lose the social and physical environment we cherish. The strip mall that runs from Ellsworth to Bar Harbor was an example he cited of how a scenic drive can be lost and a quality of life compromised. I must admit that I want to see economic development in Washington County but when something does happen I always wonder what we are losing. He referenced two of his favorite philosophers, Charles Darwin and Wayne Gretzky. I’m surprised he didn’t throw in Mark Twain and Will Rogers but he didn’t. When Gretzky, was asked how he got so many goals he said it is simple, "Most go to where the puck is and I go to where it is going to be." He weaved into this Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest, which is often interpreted as the biggest, most powerful and aggressive running the show. However, the fittest and those that survive to usher in the new day are those that are the least rigid and best able to adapt to change. The implications he drew are obvious. First, we must have a realistic vision of the future with a sense of where things will be so we do not get lost in short term solutions for long term problems. Secondly, we have got to look at serious changes that show an ability to adapt while not compromising the Maine we love. Being a person who cares about the church I of course found his references speaking to the circumstances of Maine in general as having a good deal to say about what we face in our mainline religious traditions. Although we see some churches growing and we are one of them the statistics for the whole are pretty discouraging. Each year we receive a UCC Statistical Handbook and each year the graphs are all going the same way – down, as they have been for several years. We will not collapse in the near future but if we do not want to go the way of the dinosaurs we must not be dinosaurs. I do hope that at Williston-West we can be like Wayne Gretski with an ability to see where things are going and that we will honor the wisdom of Charles Darwin when he theorized that the rigid who cannot change will not survive. In a world where everything changes more than we want we come to the church looking for stability where things do not change. Stability in the church will not come with rigidity but through a willingness to follow the winds of the Spirit into the adventure of a new day. We know where this got Jesus but if he hadn’t had the courage to do what he did we would not have the blessings of the Spirit we share today. What will we leave for our children? The Lenten journey is a good time to look at the reality of our time and our lives that the walk we make with Jesus may rescue us from rigidity, grant us a vision of the future and set us free to follow where the Spirit leads. Grace and Peace, Eric
 Moderator's Notes Phil Crane Last week I got two tips from friends. The first was an e-mail from a friend telling me about a bio-tech stock he thinks I should buy because " . . . it’s going to take off and change your life." The second was an evening call from another friend to tell me to turn on my TV to watch the amazing performance of Olympian Sarah Hughes. I was already watching but she said that she knew that this was an event that I would not want to miss. Fascinating how a stock tip or a great sports event are things that we readily share with friends - - but we are reticent about sharing our own faith pilgrimage and our church involvement with the same friends. As I learn the job of moderator I become more aware of what a wonderful fellowship Williston-West is – the way lives are touched – the role we play in the community. In my opinion there is much going on here that can change people’s lives, as mine has been changed. There are events here that are too important to miss. So – I encourage you to take a risk. Invite a friend. I know that evangelism has become a "dirty word" in many circles today but imagine the gift you can give when you give someone a "tip" about Williston-West. Lenten Program 2002 February 28th, March 7, 14, 21 at 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Soup & Discussion March 28th at 7:00 P.M. Maundy Thursday Service of Tenebrae March 29th at 7:00 P.M. Good Friday March 31st at 6:00 A.M. Sunrise Service March 31st at 10:30 A.M. Celebration of the Resurrection Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall Christian Education Comm Tom Riddell The children are gearing up for the Easter season. Our work focuses on simple concepts that allow them to understand Jesus, and his mission. We have been looking at the risks we take in our faith and the rewards that come by taking those risks. Our curriculum follows the church lectionary so what you are getting in adult form in church is what the kids are getting in child form in Sunday school. Over the next few weeks we will be organizing for the Pennies for Pencils Campaign. This campaign will raise money to provide school supplies for the Kiryandongo Refugee Camp in Uganda. We are trying to have the children reach out and connect in a Christian way to others in our community and abroad. If you have any input or want to get involved please let us know. We are currently looking for a person or persons that are willing to teach a (six-week) semester with the youngest group in Sunday school. We are hoping to have this in place as soon as possible—so if you were thinking about stepping forward please do. We can set you up with a partner, or split the semester with others. If you can’t commit for six weeks we can fill in. You can get the support you need if you want to try it out. Music Notes Judy Malette The music committee is pleased to welcome Roger Wile and Sally Campbell to fill out our team. We look forward to a great year continuing the tradition of great music and service at Williston West. The next Contra Dance will take place on Friday April 12 at 7:30 PM. The last dance saw a great response and we have been asked to do host these more frequently. That may happen in the future, but for now we plan on sticking with our quarterly dances. Mere Mortals will once again provide the music and John McIntyre will be the caller. These are beginner dances for all ages. If you have yet to give it a try, plan on joining us for a great time and a good workout. The planning for the 2002 Cabaret is well underway. It will take place on Saturday, June 1st. Once again, the missions committee will work with us to put on a meal. This has become a great tradition and a night of fantastic entertainment. We are always looking for "talent", so if you played the Tuba in the high school band, this is the time to get it out of the attic and practice. Singers, dancers, magicians, clowns and comedians are encouraged to polish up their shtick and join us as we raise money to sponsor a camper at "Seeds Of Peace Camp" Remainder Trusts George Crockett, Stewardship Committee This past year Williston-West was the beneficiary of two " Reminder Trusts". These have various forms, but essentially they are a way that someone can meet their immediate personal and family needs and also benefit the Church. They can provide several tax advantages to a donor. A Trust is now established to carry out the wishes of the donor and then when it terminates the remaining assets would go to the Williston-West. There are several ways these can be written. Consult your attorney or estate planner to find that one that best fits your needs. From the Trustees Cindy Stewart Our new Trustees are anxious to get busy in the upcoming months. The "old guard" welcomes the new faces and fresh energy! As in the previous year, we have created sub-committees to not only share the workloads, but to also be more efficient. The Building Committee is the busiest committee with the responsibility for addressing up-keep, repairs and improvements of our beautiful historic building. Bob Morgan chairs this group and welcomes questions and concerns. Bob reports that our roof problem is soon to be corrected when the weather cooperates. The Personnel Committee handles church staff - excluding the Pastor. Gracie Johnson, Les Hodgdon and myself welcome your questions and concerns. We conduct performance reviews of staff and assist Eric with any issues he may have. Denise Johnson, our new Treasurer has agreed to fill a vacant seat on the board for the remaining one-year term. We welcome Denise’s "institutional knowledge", here expertise and dedication. If anyone has questions around the building, finances, the office, equipment or staff, please feel free to contact one of the Trustees throuth the Church office. Christmas Fair Planning Sally Campbell It’s never too early to get started! There are a few committees that need leaders:
If you are interested, please contact Sally Campbell through the Church office. The fair last year was not as well attended as years past, so we have made it our goal to get at least 75% of all members to attend. The fair is fun, great food and there is a table just for the children so you can shop and know they are happy. We have lots of yummy baked goods, out of this world cheese, beautiful handcrafts, unique ornaments, and the silent auction is the best! Let’s not forget the wonderful surprises in Granny’s Attic. Please mark your calendars for the Christmas Fair, December 7, 2002 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. A Missions' Timeline Calendar Betty Kelley 4 April 28: Collection for One Great Hour of Sharing Your contributions to this ecumenical collection help to support world-wide missions for disaster relief. 4 May 19: Olive Tree Children’s Clothing Drive Be sure to save the outgrown clothing of your children to bring in for this collection or you can shop at a thrift store (infant to size 16 is what we’re looking for). Clothing is shipped to the Mount of Olives for distribution in the Bedouin community just outside of Jerusalem. 4 May 19, following coffee fellowship: Seeds of Peace Movie, "Peace of Mind"; (This is a tentative date-confirmation will be made before the next newsletter!) Stay after church to watch this documentary featuring Seeds of Peace campers and learn how the camp experience impacted their lives. The Missions Committee will provide sandwiches and drinks and past Seeds campers will be there to speak and answer questions. You won’t want to miss this powerful film and talk! 4 June 1: Williston-West Cabaret Come and enjoy dinner and/or Cabaret performances by many talented members of our church community. This fundraising event’s proceeds go toward sponsoring a Seeds of Peace camper. 4 June 15: Annual Planting Outing at the Seeds of Peace Camp Be looking for sign up sheets to donate flats of annuals, perennial cuttings from your garden, and/or a day of gardening at the camp. It’s loads of fun—the camp is in Otisfield, Maine, about one hour from Portland, and we take a picnic lunch, plant flowers, and know that we are helping to beautify the grounds and make the camp a more welcoming place. 4 Last Sunday of Every Month: "Food For Thought Sunday" Bring in nutritious snacks for the students of Reiche School. Good nutrition is so important to a productive learning environment and our donations of snacks are an easy way for us all to make a difference is the lives of local children. Simply add an item or two to your weekly shopping list and bring the snacks in on the last Sunday of each month! 4 On-Going Project: "The Apple Tree" The Apple Tree is our local mission project, a "giving tree" concept that strives to fill some needs of three local organizations: The Center for Grieving Children, Portland West’s Learning Center, and Reiche School. Look for the Apple Tree in our fellowship hall, pick an apple from the tree, and return the item indicated on the apple for us to deliver. Apple Tree Supports Center For Grieving Children Betty Kelley The Center for Grieving Children is located on York Street here in Portland. Its mission is to provide loving support to grieving children and the community through peer support, outreach and education. They provide a safe environment for those whom are grieving the death or coping with a life-threatening illness of a family member or friend. The Center provides bereavement peer support groups for more than 75 children and teens each week. Twenty-six families currently attend their Tender Living Care Program and their Outreach program provides support to hundreds of children, teens, and adults each year. Their newest program focuses on working with refugees from war-torn countries. Death can have a profound effect on a child’s life and often there is no place for a child to mourn their loss. The result of these losses in children and teens can be lack of concentration, poor academic performance, lack of interest in school and life, depression, substance abuse, etc. In addition, these physical, emotional, social and academic troubles can often continue into adulthood if grief is not expressed. Research studies have concluded that bereaved children without strong, consistent support systems are at high risk as children and later in life for substance and alcohol abuse, depression and destructive behavior. To provide a safe place to express their feelings of loss can build a foundation for dealing with other difficult experiences in their lives. The Center receives no government grants, does not charge fees for its services (although families do make donations) and is not a membership organization. Individual and corporate contributions, events, and foundations support The Center. It is also a United Way funded affiliate. How can you help to support The Center for Grieving Children? Pick an apple from Williston-West’s Apple Tree—we’ve identified many of their small needs or you can become a volunteer at The Center. Volunteer opportunities abound at The Center for Grieving Children! - Office support is always needed. Help send out mailings or work on the computer and special projects. -Become a Support Group Facilitator. Facilitators work with children and their families one night a week. Intense 25-hour training is required prior to being placed in a support group and you are asked to commit for one year. -Special Events Projects often require volunteers. Talk to companies about becoming sponsors, find more volunteers, help design brochures, distribute materials, etc. The Center hosts three major events each year: Portland Stage Benefit Concert, Grief Conference, and the Pet Walk. -Serve on the Board of Directors. The Center is always looking for new board members with various areas of expertise (i.e., marketing, fundraising, legal issues and program development). For more information about volunteering, call 207-775-5216. UCC Cumberland Association Update Cindy Stewart In December I was asked to serve a three-year term as a member of the Cumberland Association Church and Ministry Committee as a lay representative. Although I have a full plate with chairing the Trustees at Williston West this year, work and family - being the "type A" I am, I agreed to serve. I have been a life-long member of the UCC, but I admit that I have been less than clear on the structure of the UCC and how it functions at a local level. Many of us got our first taste of local function this past fall and for many it was less than positive. So, I hope that by serving on this committee it may help to more fully understand the UCC and the Cumberland Association and represent Williston West as well. I will try to let you know on at least a quarterly basis, what is going on in this committee, how it functions, and what the responsibilities are. I welcome questions and comments from all. The Church and Ministry Committee presently consists of seventeen members. Our conference minister, Jean Alexander, is a standing member and lay members and clergy represent the balance of the committee from area churches. The committee’s purpose and mission is.." to encourage, preserve and uphold the highest ethical standards for both clergy and churches" in the UCC and in the Cumberland Association. There are three sub-committees with specific responsibilities. The Sub-Committee for Review performs periodic reviews that are not disciplinary, but rather assists and encourages ministers to keep themselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong. This process also assists and encourages local churches to be clear in their mission, and to be generous and fair in their relationships with their pastors and other staff workers. The Sub-Committee on Discipline of Clergy and Churches address questions and concerns that may arise concerning an ordained, licensed, commissioned minister with standing in the Cumberland Association or a Student In-Care of the Cumberland Association, or a congregation of the Cumberland Association. The sub-committee uses the published Manual on Ministry, which has been approved and accepted by the UCC. I hope this sheds some light on the Cumberland Association as it has for me. I serve with some very dedicated, energetic and dynamic people who are devoted to their churches and to the Cumberland Association. We meet once monthly at Woodfords Church. |
