 | | Pastor Elaine Hewes |
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Welcoming new ideas
along with new faces
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is such a joy to have many new faces at Redeemer in the past months, many of whom do not come from Lutheran backgrounds. Our community of faith will be strengthened by the insights, ideas, suggestions, and questions of those who come through our pink flamingo doors from other denominations, and I look forward to finding ways of integrating their gifts and passions into the on-going work and witness of the Redeemer community. (Of course we are also always very happy to have new "old Lutherans" come through our doors as well! That practically goes without saying. But it is interesting to know that most of the "new" folks in our community have not come from other Lutheran churches).
In the midst of our gladness over the new faces and voices among us however, it has been brought to our attention that the Redeemer community could do a better job of extending a "full" welcome to those newly arrived. Especially as that "fuller" kind of welcome might include helping folks understand "how Redeemer works" in terms of what we do (outreach programs, educational opportunities, worship styles, fellowship, stewardship, etc.), why we do what we do, and how people can become involved in any of the above.
To that end, we invite both "old" and "new" Redeemer folks to share ideas about how we might extend a "fuller" kind of welcome. There is a small task force assigned to this task, and some ideas are already percolating. But we recognize that there are many ways of moving ahead in this effort that we may not think of. So if you have some ideas, please let Cheryl Olson, Wally Jakubas, or Pastor Elaine know.
As we consider this question of welcome, let us remember that in the Greek, the word for "guest," xeno, is also the word for
"host;" as if to suggest the possibility of us "old" Redeemer folks actually being "guests" in the "new Jerusalem" created at 540 Essex Street as new folks "host" us into new, wonderful and unexpected ways of being and doing "Church" (aka "the kingdom of God.") Seeing ourselves as both host and guests will help us stay open, flexible, and a little less sure that "the old way is always the best way!"
Here's to the courage to live into the word "xeno" with our hearts open and our defenses down!
In Christ,
Pastor Elaine
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'The Solace of Fierce Landscapes' field trip
On Oct. 18, 13 people from Redeemer took a field trip to the Lubec area of Maine. Beginning the day with a time of sharing and prayerful preparation in the church sanctuary, we then drove through a brightly colored autumn day and the most beautiful Maine landscape, stopping first at the Quoddy Head Lighthouse (the easternmost point of the continental United States) and then moving on to the reversing falls of the Dennys River. Our "tour guides" were Don Curtis (who grew up in the Lubec area) and Linda and Sylvan Moe (who have long enjoyed a special affinity with this fierce landscape). We ended the day with a chili supper back at the church. We arrived at the river just at the very time the tide was rising high enough to reverse the falls and push up river. We
witnessed the most glorious transformation of the tumult of flowing river water into something that looked more like a placid lake; we listened as the rising tide gradually overcame and utterly silenced the roaring river. Here you see photos, taken by Ardie Hacker, of the rugged coastline at Quoddy Head and the action of the reversing falls.
-- Pam Shellberg
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Quoddy Head Light (Photo by Ardie Hacker)
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Reversing Falls of Dennys River (Photo by Ardie Hacker)
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Autumn at Reversing Falls (Photo by Ardie Hacker)
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| Reflections on our roof and its shelter for all
Dear Redeemer Family,
Since our decision to replace the church's roof, I've been thinking a little bit about what actually makes a house "a house," and how a roof fits into the picture - and definition! It's hard for me to think about any configuration of walled spaces without a roof over them as being "a house." It's much easier to imagine a roof without walls - and with the eyes of my heart, this is how I see Redeemer - with a roof offering shade and shelter to everyone who gathers underneath, but without the walls that separate the inside from the outside, who's in and who's out, who can come in and who can't, who's welcomed and who's not. This is what makes Redeemer "a house of mercy and a place of grace."
At the Oct. 7 special congregational meeting, you authorized the Council to proceed with the project of replacing the church roof as well as authorizing an expenditure of up to $40,000 to pay for it. As we said at the meeting, we are able pay for the project with money from the Coupe-Bitter Fund. This is a good and proper use of those funds, and we find ourselves again blessed to be able to meet the material needs of the church with them.
The Coupe-Bitter Funds were given to the church in gestures of gratitude and great generosity. However, it seems important, for both our spiritual and fiscal health, that we not simply allow such largesse to substitute for our own gestures, nor for an accompanying examination of how we might best steward our resources toward building projects and mission work. Such an examination of stewardship practices will be the immediate work of the church council over the next few months. And we heard from Pastor Elaine a few weeks ago, of one such gesture of generosity - a gift of $1,000 - offered with the hope that it would inspire other such gifts. To the ends of sustaining our house of mercy and place of grace as a sheltering roof with no walls, your gestures of generosity to the roof project will be welcomed.
Sincerely,
Pam Shellberg
Church Council President
Our church treasurer has asked that those who would like to contribute to the roof fund please make a note on the memo line of their check that the contribution is for that purpose.
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New liturgical year time for singing, playing
With the last of the yellow leaves on my maple tree, snowflakes playing hide and seek, and "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" on the repeat track in my brain, I know the "meat" of the liturgical year is upon us. These are the days when a church musician's thoughts move from "Silent Night" to "O Sacred Head" to "Alleluias" and "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" in the bat of an eye. I love this time of year when the reflective and celebratory seasons lie ahead of us, waiting like a present under the tree.
There are many ways Redeemer's people can sing and play through the liturgical year ahead. The adult choir has started working on Advent and Christmas music, already moving me close to tears with their Christmas Eve anthem. Redeemer's youth choir - "Grace Notes" has started working on Christmas pageant music, and the Celebration Choir is born! Rehearsal schedule for each group is listed below - more voices are always welcome. I love this time of year when the reflective and celebratory seasons lie ahead of us, waiting like a present under the tree.
ADULT CHOIR rehearses Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m., and sings twice monthly and on special celebration days. Adult Choir is open to all singers of high school age and older.
CELEBRATION CHOIR practices the first Sunday of each month at 9:15 a.m., and sings on the second Sunday. Celebration Choir is open to all ages, and to instrumentatlists.
GRACE NOTES for school-age children, practices on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 9:30 a.m. Grace Notes sing at various times throughout the year.
CANTORS/PSALM LEADERS - lead the sung responsorial Psalms through Advent and Lent.
GOD'S CHILDREN SING - Babies, toddlers, babies, and preschoolers bring their parents/caregivers to musical play classes on the third Sunday of each month at 9:45 a.m.
WORSHIPPERS - from their place in the pews sing prayerfully and joyfully from their hearts every Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. No rehearsal required.
-- Michelle Dokka, Director of Music
Psalm 100
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Class looks at Gospel of Luke
The season of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and one in which the Gospel of Luke will predominate in the Sunday morning Gospel readings. To prepare for the "year of Luke," the adult education class will dedicate two sessions, at 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 18 and 25, to its introduction. The first session will focus on the unique features of the Third Gospel and provide some general background on its author and first audience. The second session will focus on Luke's message of "boundary-breaking," as illuminated in Jesus' sermon in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:16-33) and the special attention he gives to stories involving people afflicted with leprosy.
-- Pam Shellberg
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Documentary on poverty to be featured
A newly released documentary film, "The Line: Poverty in America - It's not what you think" will be shown at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, in the adult class. The film focuses on the lives of the working poor in America. Read more about this powerful film.
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January dreaming at the Snowbird Lodge
As many of you know, there is an effort this year at Redeemer to begin offering some opportunities to deepen our spiritual lives in new and different ways. To that end we have offered a candlelight labyrinth walk, a trip to the "fierce landscapes" of the Lubec area, and a day of yoga, poetry and prayer (still to come on Thursday Nov. 29; sign-up on the bulletin board).
In keeping with this focus, we will be offering a weekend retreat at Snowbird Lodge in Harrison, Maine (a most beautiful lodge owned and run by Lutheran pastor Dave Thorp and his wife,Shelly). The weekend will begin on Friday evening, Jan. 4 with supper, and end on Sunday, Jan. 6, after lunch.
Dave Thorp has been the leader of many such "dream workshops" over the years, a number of which Pastor Elaine and Michael have attended. He and our own Pam Shellberg will lead us in exploring some of the great dreamers in the Bible (like Jacob and Peter), some of the archetypal images and themes of our dreams, and time to think about how our dreams speak to us.
There will also be plenty of time for good food, conversation, silence, prayer, sauna-time, sleep, rest, etc. The cost for the weekend, including food and lodging, will be about $135.00 per person. There will be spaces for a maximum of 12 people. So please let Pastor Elaine know if you are interested in attending.
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Redeemer Lutheran Church
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A House of Mercy
A Place of Grace
All are welcome here
Services: 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday school for all ages: 9:15 a.m. |
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Staff Listing
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Church Office: (207) 945-3166
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Church Council
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Pam Shellberg, President
Wally Jakubas, Vice President
Cheryl Olson, Secretary
Gavin Batchelder
Ruby Herring
Pat Kelly
Roger Pelletier
Lisa Wahlstrom
Harry Madson, Treasurer
Rudy Walter, Financial Secretary
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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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Upcoming Events
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Thursday, Nov. 29 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. -
"Take a Break; Take a Breath" day of yoga, poetry, clay, good food.
Thursday, Nov. 22 - 1 p.m. - Redeemer Thanksgiving potluck dinner (Sign up on bulletin board in front hall.)
Sunday Dec. 2: 9:15 a.m. -Advent breakfast (please bring your favorite breakfast item...coffee cake, fruit, herring, cheese, egg casserole...)
Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19 - 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Soup supper
Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19 - 6:30 p.m. - Advent Vespers
Sunday, Dec. 16 - 9:30 a.m. - Children's Christmas pageant
Monday, Dec. 24 - 4 and 7 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight services (Holy Communion at 7 p.m. service)
Sunday, Jan. 6 - 9:30 a.m. - Holiday cookie fest |
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Take a Break, Take a Breath
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Sign up on the bulletin board in the hall for "Take a Break, Take a Breath" day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. The focus of this day will be on relaxing and both body and spirit through breathing, gentle stretching, meditation, poetry reading and writing, meditation with clay, table felting, yoga, and good food.
The event is organized by Redeemer member Hella Spencer, who said, "As I was meditating at a recent yoga class, the idea came to me, 'How would it be if we had a mini retreat where some of us could get together and even learn from one another? The time around the holidays can be stressful and this
would be an opportunity to take a break."
No yoga experience is necessary, as the emphasis will be on gentle, restorative yoga. Mats will be provided, and participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing. The deadline to register is Nov. 15, and there is a limit of 12 participants.
The suggested donation of $10 covers refreshments and lunch, part of which will include a "community salad." Participants are asked to bring one ingredient for the salad. Details are available on the sign-up sheet.
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On the Wednesday evenings in Advent (Dec. 5, 12, 19) at 6:30 p.m., there will be an opportunity to gather for a short service of worship as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. We will use the beautiful musical setting of Holden Evening Prayer. Redeemer members will be our preachers, offering some thoughts on the Advent themes of waiting and longing.
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Each month, we at Redeemer collect items and supplies through our "Gathering In" social ministry.
The Gathering In for November will be "Quarters Out the Door," in which we collect quarters to be used for grocery store vouchers.
During the month of December, our Gathering In will be the Jesse Tree, in which we collect warm hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves for children in our community.
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| It has been our practice at Redeemer for many years to declare the month of November "Quarters out the Door" month. During this month we will invite folks to come and put quarters in a basket on the piano while the offering is being received. Over the course of the month we hope to gather enough quarters to make a line of them from the altar to our front doors! The money raised in this effort is used to purchase grocery store cards for folks who come to use our food pantry. |
October Gifts for our Ministry
Total Gifts: $14,548
Building Fund: $1,128
Year to Date Total Gifts: $135,269
Year to Date Building Fund: $10,870
Worshippers in October: 389
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For September, 16 bags of groceries were given out, along with two Hannaford grocery vouchers.
In October, 15 bags of groceries were given, along with two Hannaford grocery vouchers.
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 If you would like your Christmas |
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With the 2012 elections over in the United States, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, offers a post-election pastoral message on video.
"Whether you are rejoicing or lamenting the outcome of the elections, or maybe you are just relieved that campaigning is over, we need to ask, "now what" said Hanson. The Bishop asks us to be willing to engage in respectful conversation with one another.
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| New England Synod Bishop James Hazelwood |
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What is the synod? Bishop James Hazelwood, newly elected bishop of the ELCA's New England Synod, answers that question in an engaging video posted on his blog, "Bishop on a Bike."
"The synod," Bishop Hazelwood says, is not the synod's headquarters in Worcester, Mass., but rather "what is happening out there," from Caribou, Maine, to Stamford, Conn.
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Each month, The Caller will bring you a link to a featured blog. This month's blog , "Back to Basics," originally posted on the ELCA Southeastern Synod blog, examines the recent Pew study on the decrease in religious affiliation in America, but offers some good news as it considers what people are looking for in churches. Read the "Back to Basics" blog by clicking this link..
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The video camera you may have seen on the left side of the church is a new purchase that will allow us to videotape Pastor Elaine's Sunday sermons. As soon as the bugs are worked out, we will be able to provide links to the Sunday sermons in The Caller. Don't worry! The camera is only aimed in one direction.
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Submit an Article
| | Send articles as Word documents or PDFs to: Cheryl Olson, The Caller editor. Photos are also welcome. |
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