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THE PORTLAND NEW CHURCH
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| Weekly News |
Oct. 24, 2009
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THE ARTS IN WORSHIP
The  Sacred Dance Guild
The highlight of my week was meeting with a lively group of seminary students preparing for interfaith chaplaincy through ChIME. They had invited me to talk with them about sermons. As I began to prepare, I realized "sermon" has many possible meanings. We looked at sermons throughout history, and today. A trend today we focused on was bringing the arts into worship.
Join us Sunday to experience an artistic Contemplative Service ... with no sermon .... or is there a "sermon" in the art and music of the service? Stay for cider and donuts with the worship committee to talk about "worship with the arts."
Rev. Wilma
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Sunday Service
Oct. 24
...art is from heaven itself...
Emanuel Swedenborg, [HH 185].
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Annual Meeting
Nov. 8th, 12:30 P.M.
9:30 AM Pancake Breakfast & Fall Festival
10:30 A.M. Stewardship and membership service
12:00: Light snack
12:30: Annual Meeting
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Another [yawn] Meeting?
We all have busy lives, filled with way too many meetings. At church, we just want to worship -- right? -- and not be bothered by more meetings? WRONG!
Our worship is the spirit of our church! Swedenborg taught us that matter and spirit co-exist. Where is the "body"? of our church? It is our building, our committees, our people who give time to running the church.
And the HEAD of our church body is the ANNUAL MEETING where all the decisions get made.
Recently, our treasurer Roger Buck asked in a service: "Who runs things around here? Who makes the decisions?" [If you are thinking the minister, you are SO WRONG!]
The minister is your employee! .... and you only have a minister if you ask her to come work for you and work out a contract.
Ultimately who decides on whether to invite a minister? THE MEMBERSHIP
If you are an official member of the church, you have a vote on all the major decisions about the church. You vote directly on motions at the annual meeting, and you vote for the members of the Council for the coming year to carry out your wishes.
Don't wake up Monday morning to learn that the congregation has made a vital decision about the church that you disagree with. BE THERE TO VOTE! If you're not a member, come and share you opinions with the members.
You will soon receive detailed information about the motions for discussion and vote.
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CELEBRATE NEW MEMBERS: Nov. 1st
Next Sunday, we will have a brunch after church to celebrate the people who have joined this past year: Lucas, Page, and Dan.
Page is our first distance member, living in Pennsylvania.
She will be in this area next week for a conference, and will be at church on Sunday, November 1st! {she was on the other end of the speaker phone during our new-member service last summer!]
Come meet Page, and welcome her in person to our congregation!
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MAINE ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting
Saturday, Nov. 14th
11:00 A.M.
Fryeburg New Church
Fryeburg, Maine
Rides available from Portland New Church
DON'T MISS THIS VITAL ANNUAL EVENT!
WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS!
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 Equal Marriage Events
The Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality will be working next week-end to remind people to vote. If you would like to help, contact Katy Jane of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.
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| Denominational Statement, 2004 |
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Therefore, we do so declare and affirm that couples, irrespective of sexual orientation, deserve the right to legally join themselves together in a union of love called marriage. ...
The Swedenborgian Church, therefore, lends its support to ministers and congregations who, as a result of their own discernment processes, decide to offer their services and sanctuaries to people irrespective of sexual orientation who wish to join themselves together in holy marriages.
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| Contact Information |
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Rev. Wilma Wake
The Portland New Church
207 772-8277
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Upcoming Events
Nov. 1st
10:30 A.M. Discussion Service
11:30 A.M. Coffee & Brunch to welcome new member Page Morahan and other new members.
Nov. 8th
9:30 AM Pancake Breakfast & Fall Festival
10:30 A.M. Stewardship and membership service
12:00: Light snack
12:30: Annual Meeting
11:00 A.M.
Maine Assoc. Annual Meeting
Fryeburg New Church
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