| Opportunities this fall to deepen our 'be-ing'
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Even as I write this letter for the "Caller," our lessons for these Sundays in early September call on us to "be doers of the word, and not merely hearers." In the lessons appointed both from the Old and the New Testaments there is a call to "walk the talk" of faith, to refocus ourselves on the work of God's kingdom, which the writer of James describes as "caring for the orphans and widows in their distress."
These ar e important texts, and helpful reminders that in the life of faith there is both the "be-ing" and the "do-ing;" the be-ing in relationship to God and the do-ing of the work of God. As if to say the be-ing and do-ing are two parts of the same action. (Imagine hands going from the open stance of prayer to the openness of helping the neighbor, one flowing from the other, and you will sense the direction and movement of one into the other, as well as the intention of our Sunday texts).
Inasmuch as Redeemer does quite a bit of do-ing on behalf of our neighbors, a number of people in our congregation have asked that we might offer more opportunities for the "be-ing" part of the action. In other words, more opportunities (beyond worship), to deepen the "be-ing" of our relationship to God. (Because, of course, the do-ing, do-ing, do-ing can become devoid of life if the be-ing is not tended to.) And so, an effort has begun to offer a series of events/opportunities in the coming year for us to deepen our "be-ing" in relationship to God. Three of these opportunities will be offered this Fall, and are as follows:
1) A candlelight labyrinth walk (and ice cream social) at 6 o'clock on Saturday evening, Sept. 29. The labyrinth is an ancient tool used for meditation. Come to learn more about it. Come to be in the spirit of prayer in a whole new way.
2) A Redeemer day-trip to the Lubec region of Maine on Thursday, Oct. 18. We will leave Redeemer early in the morning, and return early in the evening. During the day we will explore the ways in which "fierce landscapes" can deepen our spiritual lives. Don Curtis, who grew up in this part of Maine, will be our guide. There will be more information to follow. But in the meantime, feel free to spend some time with a book by Belden Lane entitled "The Solace of Fierce Landscapes." There will be copies to read in the church library. (If you think this is something you would be interested in doing, please let Pastor Elaine know ASAP so we can begin arranging transportation).
3) "Take a break; take a breath" day, Thursday, Nov. 15. A day devoted to meditation, poetry, yoga and good food. We will be blessed to have a yoga instructor with us in the afternoon. More information about this day is included in this issue of the Caller. If you have any questions, please ask Hella Spencer.
4) In early January we will offer a retreat at Snowbird Lodge in Harrison, Maine devoted to "dream work." More to come... As you can see, there are a number of ways in which we are planning to deepen the "be-ing" part of our spiritual lives in the next year, knowing that the "do-ing" part of our faith always flows from our "blessed be-ing" in Christ. I am so grateful for this new direction in our life together, and look forward to deepening my own be-ing in the love of God with the Redeemer community.
Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Elaine
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Feet, Fun & Following Jesus
In anticipation of our "Fifth Sunday" in September ("Fifth Sundays" offering something a bit different in terms of worship), we will be offering a number of ways to consider the places our feet take us and the practices we are encouraged to take as Christians on our "walk with Jesus." These opportunities include:
- Sunday, Sept. 15 at 9:15 a.m. - The first day of "Sunday School." A treasure hunt for all Redeemer young people following clues that are written on footsteps. The treasure hunt culminates with a "welcome back" celebration.
- Saturday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. - A candlelight labyrinth walk and ice cream social.
- Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8 and 10:30 a.m. - "Fifth Sunday" worship with photography, musica, and sharing by a number of Redeemer folks about standing on holy ground, turning and going the other direction, practicing walking the walk of faith, etc. (Send photos of your feet to Judy Madson ASAP so you can be part of the art piece being made for this worship service).
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Meditating in the labyrinth
On Sept. 29, Redeemer will offer a candlelight labyrinth walk on the newly repainted labyrinth in our lower parking lot. (Thank you to Pam Shellberg, Genevieve Smith, and Polly Cox for refreshing the labyrinth in preparation for this meditation.) An Episcopal congregation in Georgia has incorporated in their sanctuary a replica of the Chartres Cathedral labyrith in France. The Chartres Labyrinth is more than 800 years old. The King of Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland, Ga., offers suggestions on how to walk a labyrinth as a spiritual and meditative practice, and explains why a labyrinth is not a maze. |
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Music ministry potluck and choir practice
Lutherans love music, love working hard, and love to eat...so we'll do all three on Wednesday, Sept, 12. Redeemer's music ministers are invited to meet at Ellen Newton's home in Winterport at 6 p.m. for a potluck dinner. Following dinner and fellowship, the adult choir will gather around Ellen's beautiful piano to take a look at music for our "Fifth Sunday" celebration on Sept. 30.
Please RSVP to Michelle Dokka at mirredokka@gmail.com so we can let Ellen know how many people to expect. |
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An additional Art Camp 'Thank you'
Thanks to all of the members and friends of Redeemer who scoured closets and drawers, basements and attics for all of the precious "junktiques" and curiosities that make popular assemblages possible. This year those gems ended up as circus scenes complete with tents, jugglers, high-wire acts, fierce animals, snack bars, cannonballers and all of the other elements that come with three rings!
A special thanks goes out to some of our pre-constructors: Mike Hewes and Marty Hipsky who gave us a sure foundation and some critical rescue work! And to those patient wagon-masters: Pastor Elaine, Gary Johnson, Harry and Judy Madson, Nancy and Chuck Leibfarth-Orndoff and Samantha Leibfarth, who gave wheels and a sturdy cage to a lot of wild animals! And thanks to Jordan Smith who stopped in to see what Art Camp was all about and became a generous cheerleader and benefactor for another year.
And just what do you suppose is on deck for next year????
--Pastor Conway Stone
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A summer full of music for Michelle
In light of one Sunday's thought-provoking sermon I am reluctant to admit what is so true...my summer has been so busy! But it is has been great. My schedule has included six weeks of music for summer camps and a trip to Norfolk, Va., to the Sacred Music Conference at Virginia Wesleyan College. The latter was five full days of workshops, anthem-reading, worship, and choir, as well as an additional two hours each day of immersion in choral conducting. Over the last year, I have taken online courses specific to sacred music history. The conducting course and conference were the two on-site components needed to fulfill the requirements for a Sacred Music Certificate. The week was a wonderful opportunity to think of nothing but sacred music and worship planning with excellent presenters, teachers and fellow church musicians from around the country. I especially enjoyed two-sessions of gospel/spiritual music with Dr. Barbara Baker. One evening, I had the opportunity to sing in a gospel choir directed by Dr. Baker. Later in the week, Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt presented workshops and conducted a 100-voice choral concert. Both concerts are to be linked to the Virginia Wesleyan University youtube channel and are well worth exploring. With the summer's camps, workshops and classes behind me, I enjoyed two weeks before the school year began -- two weeks of a little rest and a lot of planning for the upcoming year at Redeemer. Adult Choir, youth singers, chimes, instrumental playing, and preschool music all begin again this month. Redeemer's music ministry has a place for everyone. I look forward to working with you in praying musically all year long. -- Michelle Dokka, director of music Psalm 100 |
Scenes from our July picnic
Thanks to Connie Mancevice and Genevieve Smith for sharing their artistic talent through photos from the July picnic "in the spirit of Acts," to which our Sunshine Service guests and Wednesday night supper guests received special invitations. Check the bulletin board and an album in the fellowship hall for more photos.
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Redeemer Lutheran Church
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| A House of Mercy
A Place of Grace
Sunday Services: 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages 9:15 a.m.
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Upcoming Events
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Saturday, Sept. 8 - 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m. - Maine Conference of ELCA congregations meets at Redeemer
Sunday, Sept. 9 - 9:15 a.m. - Camp Calumet Sunday with Music Director Judy Smith and Dave and Pat Mahoney of Redeemer
Sunday, Sept. 16 - 9:15 a.m. - First day of Sunday School for all ages
Sunday, Sept. 23 - 9:15 a.m. - Ken & Katie Batron talk about their ongoing journey on the Appalachian Trail
Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 29-30 - "Feet, Fun, Fellowship, and Folllowing Jesus" - 6 p.m. Sept. 29 labyrinth walk and ice cream social, and special "Fifth Sunday" worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 14 - Octoberfest celebration - following 10:30 a.m. worship service
Thursday, Oct. 18 - Day trip to Lubec
Sunday, Oct. 28 - Reformation Sunday & Harvest Sunday to benefit Bread for the World
Saturday, Nov. 4 - Redeemer Fall Festival
Thursday, Nov. 15 - "Take a break; take a breath" day
Thursday, Nov. 22 - 1 p.m. - Redeemer Thanksgiving dinner
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Staff Listing
| Church Office: (207) 945-3166
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Church Council
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Pam Shellberg, President
Wally Jakubas, Vice President
Cheryl Olson, Recording Secretary
Harry Madson, Treasurer
Rudy Walter, Financial Secretary
Gavin Batchelder
Ruby Herring
Pat Kelly
Roger Pelletier
Lisa Wahlstrom
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 Redeemer Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Reconciling in Christ (RIC) is a program of Lutherans Concerned North America (LCNA) that recognizes Lutheran congregations that adopt a statement that includes the naming of lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual people as welcome to full participation. Redeemer affirms its welcome to people of all ages, genders, ethnic backgrounds, and economic situations. |
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Adult Choir - meets 6:45 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and sings once or twice a month, and on celebration days. Open to all singers of high school age and above.
Youth Singers - meet at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, and sing a few times year, including on celebration days, for the Christmas pageant and spring intergenerational pageant.
Chime ringers - play a few times during the year, and practice at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays a few weeks prior to playing during worship.
Contemporary Singers - sing a few times through the year. Open to all singers and instrumentalists. Practice times for this group to be announced.
Cantors - lead sung Psalms during Advent and Lent, and during special celebrations.
Instrumentalists - are encouraged to share their gifts at any time through the year.
--Michelle Dokka, director of music
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A child dies from malaria every 60 seconds.
Today we are in a special moment where we could turn this around. Working though Lutheran churches in Africa, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is uniquely positioned to provide mosquito nets, insecticides, medication, health care, education and more to help eliminate deaths from this disease-for good.
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Each month, the Caller will bring you a link to a featured blog. This month's blog focuses on creative efforts throughout the ELCA to benefit the ELCA Malaria Campaign, a grassroots effort in partnership with 11 African church bodies to eradicate the illness that kills more than 655,000 people a year in Africa, most of whom are children under five. Read about ideas to make Malaria history.
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Each month, we at Redeemer collect items and supplies through our "Gathering In" social ministry.
The Gathering In for September is diapers and toiletries for the Redeemer food cupboard. In October, the Gathering In will be Harvest Sunday and offerings for the World Hunger appeal.
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Happy birthday and anniversary to members of the Redeemer family celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in September.If you would like your name either added to or removed from the Celebrations list, please send an email to: RedeemerLutheranNews@gmail.com
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BIRTHDAYS
3 Suzanne Mock
17 Emily Herring, Katy Lockard
17 Donald Graham
28 Gary Johnson
3 Oliver and Polly Cox
18 Chuck and Nancy Orndoff 21 Al and Nancy Larson |
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Submit an Article
| Send articles as Word documents or PDFs to: Cheryl Olson,The Caller editor.
Deadline for October Caller is Sept. 23 |
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