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PASTOR’S NOTES Eric Kelley
I am just back from the Alban Institute Seminar on NEW VISIONS FOR THE LONG TERM PASTORATE that was held in San Francisco. What a time it was. It will take a while for me to process the whole experience and to share it with you but it will happen. A long-term pastorate is one lasting beyond eight years. The average pastoral tenure is about five years. I’m coming up on thirteen years as pastor of Williston-West Church so we are well into a long- term pastorate (LTP). The Albin Institute has concluded after years of research that long-term pastoral relationships, when properly built and maintained, are better both for pastors and for congregations. Their research is clear and not ambiguous on this point. LTPs make possible ministries that would not be otherwise, largely because both pastor and congregation become committed to solving issues and problems rather than glossing over them. As with all other relationships, there are both advantages and disadvantages in LTPs, both for the pastor and congregation. These were spelled out in the seminar which made it clear that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. A knowledge of the whole picture is important for us to understand as we consciously plot the future of our church. You, undoubtedly, will hear me referring to the insights I have gleaned from this time away but the focal point of this information will be our October Planning Retreat at Rockcraft Lodge on Sebago Lake. The Rev. Paul Shupe, of the Foreside Community Church, will be our facilitator. He is in a LTP and attended this same seminar last year. Paul is a gifted leader and will serve us well. I promise you it will be most interesting and even exciting so mark October 7 & 8 on your calendar. We are at an exciting place in our ministry and your commitment to this process will help insure our staying on course. Grace and Peace, Eric
 MISSION COMMITTEE UPDATE Madeline Bates From Church World Service… Turkey-CWS helped to provide winterized tents fitted with heating stoves, food, sanitation facilities and other supplies. $100,000 in Blanket Funds has helped provide blankets and bedding, tents, and tarps in the aftermath of two earthquakes. India-CWS provided $70,000 in Blanket Funds for tents, bedding, and blankets following a devastating cyclone. Mexico-CWS provided $47,000 in blankets and bedding following floods and mudslides. In addition, 4,000 Clean-Up Kits and 2,000 Health Kits were sent to assist in recovery efforts. Bosnia-$265,000 in Blanket Funds are providing 15,000 blankets, 10,000 bed linens, 2,000 mattresses, and 5,000 pillows and cases to meet the needs of refugees in Bosnia. 22,000 Gift of the Heart Kits, 6,230 School Kits, 10,000 Health Kits, and 5,000 Sewing Kits have been distributed. U.S.A.-North Carolina: After the devastation of Hurricane Floyd 4,600 wool blankets, 2,200 Gift of the Heart Clean-Up Kits, 3,100 Health Kits, 105 School Kits, and 150 baby blankets were provided. In New Jersey 200 wool blankets and more than 1,200 Clean-Up Kits were sent to help with the relief efforts. South Dakota: The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation was struck by a tornado and CWS provided 400 wool blankets, 600 baby blankets, 240 cotton blankets, 500 Health Kits, and 105 School Kits for distribution to families in need. Williston-West will begin its campaign to help Blanket the World with LOVE beginning September 17, 2000. $25,000 Challenge Continues Stewardship Committee As of May 22, eighteen 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 $7,770. The Stewardship Committee hopes to meet this year’s portion of the Challenge Grant by our Jonesport Retreat, July 22-23. Contributions and pledges so far range from $20 to $1,000 over the three-year Challenge. Thank you to those listed below who have recognized this opportunity to increase our endowment. For others who wish to help, pledge forms are available in the office or at coffee fellowship. Thanks to… |
| Lonnie 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 Kane |
| Eric Kelley | Elizabeth McLellan |
| Norman & Marta Morse | Ralph Mullett |
| Rachel Taylor | John & Gloria Tewhey |
| Bill & Diane Tyler | Don & Linda Zillman |
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Worship Recordings Bill Whelan As you may know, recordings are made of the Sunday worship services every week. There are two copies available for those who cannot make the service or may wish to hear a particular service again. You may borrow a copy or have your own copy made. We have tapes dating back approximately three months and hope to increase this to about six months. If you do borrow a tape, please sign it out. There is a sign-out sheet where the tapes are kept in the Sanctuary. If you’re not sure where to find them, stop by the office and they’ll be glad to assist you. Christian Education Tom Riddell We had a very busy and positive spring with Christian Education. We had a mask-making workshop with the Youth Group, which provided a self-exploration into who we are as Christians. Lise Wilcox was a tremendous help in preparing food for the Youth Group—thanks Lise! Marnie Benatovich came in and led the Sunday School in discussions about Jewish traditions around Passover and other major Jewish holidays. We had a great Lent and Easter season where we tried to understand the passion, crucifixion and resurrection. The Mother’s Day celebration was a wonderful success thanks to the undying support and creativity of Diana Morse. Our hats are off to this wonderful music teacher! Looking forward, we have Sunday School Graduation on Sunday, June 11th. We will be having a celebration and children will receive their Sunday School pins. A special thanks to all the teachers who have participated this year and to all those who have supported in other ways. I am grateful to those who have signed up for the summer session; this is an important show of support for the children and families of the Church. We still have three open weeks--if you are interested please let us know. Also, stop in and see the new painting job that Dale Knight is finishing in the big Sunday School room. What great work! Music Committee Judy Malette On May 6th we held a very successful Cabaret. The evening began with a delicious lasagna dinner. There was plenty of food and I would like to thank all those who prepared food and all those who helped set up and clean up, especially Donna Kane. The Cabaret began at 7:00 pm. Ted Malette was our M.C. and Denise Calkins was our accompanist. The entire cast sang "Cabaret" to kick off the show. We had ten acts beginning with an aria from "Cosi Fan Tutte", and ending with a beautiful song from "Into the Woods" dedicated to Chris Berry. In between there were show tunes and a medley of music by Maggie Robinson’s band, "Mere Mortals". We closed the show with cast and audience again singing "Cabaret". I would like to thank all the participants: Abby DiStasio, Anne Valentine, Diana Morse, Kate Marsh, Maggie Robinson and friends Jeff and Glen, Devan Turcotte, Ned Donovan, Katya Turcotte, Robin Pontbriand, Deb Heald, Roger Wile, Ted Malette, and especially Denise Calkins. Everyone seemed to have a great time and we collected more than $300 for our Apple Tree Project. If you missed the show, it was taped by Michael Donovan so you still have a chance to see some very talented people. I hope this will become an annual event. Let us know if you would like that to happen. Bluegrass Sunday, originally scheduled for May 21st, has been moved to June 11th. Eric was scheduled to be away on the 21st and he didn’t want to miss that very special Sunday. On June 17th the choir is planning to sing at a benefit for the restoration of the Abyssinian Church. June 18th will be the choir’s last performance until September. The following weekend will be the famous Rockcraft Choir Retreat. We’ll see you in September! If anyone may be thinking about joining the choir in the fall, please contact Jim McGirr or me (Judy). Apple Tree News Linda Shiminski & Betty Furman What are "Drakes Room", "Old Man in the Sea", "Pizza Island" and the "Mona Pizza"? The Winners of the Create-a-Pizza contest at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The event took place during Volunteer Appreciation Week. As part of our Apple Tree outreach program we provided our Fellowship Hall for an evening where Littles appreciated their Bigs and both Bigs and Littles felt thankful for their case workers and others who keep the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Portland going. Since Jim and I are Bigs we were a part of this special event. Halfway through the evening I looked around the Fellowship Hall and it was oozing with activity and warmth. We created pizzas that had their pictures snapped as they emerged from the oven and voted on the various categories: funniest, most creative, best name and the most colorful. Prizes were awarded as we devoured our masterpieces. Dessert began for several of us with an ice-cream eating contest, followed by everyone building their own sundae with lots of toppings. This was a build-it -yourself dinner from beginning to end and I don't think that is all we were building! Big Brothers Big Sisters thank you as do all the Bigs and Littles. The Apple Tree’s Food for Thought Sunday program will run through the summer to supply snacks for students who participate in Reiche School summer programs. The last Sunday of each month is designated as a time to bring in fresh fruit, juice boxes, or pre-packaged, nutritious snacks for this program. The very successful and entertaining WWC May 6th Cabaret raised money for the Apple Tree and we’ve earmarked some of these funds to purchase a reconditioned electric stove for the new Reiche School Teen Center. (The small Apple Tree in Fellowship Hall has apples identifying other needs of the Teen Center.) – The Apple Tree is very thankful to the Music Committee and all who attended the Cabaret, …and thanks, also, to all who have supported the Apple Tree with their donated items!
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