Where to start, where to begin as we enter the new program year?   Why with a PARADE, of course!!!

I was so inspired by the Rev. Dr. John Thomas, President of our United Church of Christ and keynote speaker at this year's annual meeting of the Maine Conference UCC in Farmington..... the concept of the church being a tent under which all may gather and huddle to the concept of the church on parade with all ages and persuasions entering the wider community; that did it for me!

Working with Heather, Rebecca and Paul, we celebrate the beginning of our program year on September 14 at our 10:30 am worship service.  We gather in the sanctuary as for many years, but for an abbreviated service before we exit down the steps and parade into Dock Square and back, arriving at our own river-green at 11:30 am for a picnic together. And (no excuses, mind you!), I have secured a trolley for those with difficulty walking or if you just always wanted to ride one!!   Our parade will be a visual presence and reminder that South Church is a real and vital part of this community; a faith group that is engaged beyond our own church doors and is a part of the common life we all share.  It will be a celebration of who we are, what we stand for, and how we envision our common lives.

So mark the calendar, wear a special hat if you wish (along with comfortable shoes) and come - let's be the visible church that we are in one more fashion.  And conclude with a picnic on our rivergreen back 'home'. (Hamburgers and hotdogs provided but bring a salad or dessert to share if you would.)  This will be a first, and we all need to be a part of it!

With more good to come forth, God's people will gather once again, , , , , , , and parade in style!!

Charles

Our theme for this year was “Surfin’ through the Scriptures; Riding the Wave of God’s Love”.  It was held at Church on the Cape in Cape Porpoise.  Each year South Church, Church on the Cape, and First Church join together to hold our VBS camp.  This year, we had about 45 children attend and we had A LOT of fun.  We sang songs, made crafts, played games and heard stories from the Bible acted out by the clergy of each church, as well as members of our churches.  Our field trip was to the Maine Animal Rescue Center at UNE in Biddeford.  The children brought in offerings to help support the work that the center does in helping to rehab seals and sea turtles found on area beaches who have been injured or in need of help.  We ended the week by having the parents of the children come and shared our songs and crafts with them. We had a fabulous week and look forward to hosting the next VBS here at South Church next summer.

This amazing Children’s Choir, sponsored by South Church, St Andrew’s, and Christ Church, will perform at Kennebunk Town Hall October 3 at 7Pm.  The choir consists of 18 children, ages 8-13, accompanied by 11 adults.  It was formed in 1994 to aid orphaned Ugandan children.  Its goal is to rescue 10,000 children by 2023.  The group travels at 5 month intervals and children are homed school while traveling.  There is a lot more information at their website www.watoto.com.

Help is needed to provide for this group while they are here.  Things such as host families, overnights, breakfast, bag lunches and dinners.  If you can help, please contact the church office 967-2793.

There will be no admission charge.  It will all be by donation and all proceeds go to the WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR.   Please come and enjoy this great concert and support a worthwhile cause.

Please Note:  Worship time returns to the 10:30am hour on Sunday, September 7.   Will we see you then?!

Please join us for our first fall meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 23rd at 5:30pm.  This month, we will meet at the home of Heather McLaughlin, 23 Merrifield Drive, Kennebunk.  Her phone number is 985-0033 for directions.  Our topic of discussion will be planning for the group for the upcoming year as well as sharing some information about this year's Women's Retreat at Rockcraft October 17-19.  Please bring a dish to share (potluck).  All women are invited and please feel free to bring a friend.  Hope to see you there!

Plans are in place for a South Church group of 15-18 to spend a week in New Orleans with the disaster recovery program in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  We will be staying at a UCC church set up to host such mission/work groups, February 14-21.  Our volunteer labor will be similar to last year, primarily gutting of house interiors, sheet-rocking, and painting.  What is equally important will be the conversations and visible presence we offer to the residents we meet.  This was an invaluable experience for those who went last year and we wish to offer the opportunity once again.  The list is growing and a first round of plane tickets are being ordered early since it is school vacation week we are going.  Now is the time to express your interest and ask more questions.   The hallway bulletin board has more information.

On July 20, we were pleased to welcome in to membership of South Church Ellen and Marty Fagan along with Sue and George Cressey.  Residing at Kennebunk Beach, Ellen and Marty retired here after many years in the education field in Connecticut.  Maine was a regular summer vacation spot.  And is where their daughter Sue met her future husband George as youngsters.  Sue is a teacher at Kennebunk High school and head of the English Department.  George oversees the business of marketing and selling school buses, particularly busy in the summers.  We welcome this family into our South Church family!

For those of you who missed our annual Favorite Hymn Sunday this past July, it’s because we decided to hold it in the fall this year. Watch for the sign up sheet to appear on the hallway bulletin board to request your favorite hymn. Our worship on Sunday, October 12 will be a service of hymns chosen from those requested.

South Church is fortunate to have a fine group of dedicated singers who enhance our worship on Sunday mornings September to June. Rehearsals are held each Thursday evening from 7:15 ­ 8:45pm in the music room.  Come join this illustrious group this fall.

Chancel Choir rehearsals will resume Thursday, September 4 at 7:15 p.m.  The choir will return to the chancel on Sunday, September 7.

Women:  if you ever feel that life is sometimes too complicated and you would just like to take a moment, breath, and just be, please join us for the fall retreat at Rockcraft Lodge on beautiful Sebago Lake.  Our theme this year is Simple Gifts, based on the Shaker song “Tis the Gift to Be Simple”.   Throughout the weekend, we will explore how the simple wisdom of this familiar hymn might be applied in our own lives.  We will offer the opportunity for quiet introspection, sharing, laughter, and renewal. 

The retreat will be held Friday, October 17th through lunch on Sunday, October 19th.   The cost for the entire stay, including lodging, meals, and linens is $124.00.  For those that can attend only part of the workshop, the fee will be adjusted according.  Please do not let financial restrictions keep you from attending.  Contact Heather McLaughlin or Charlie Whiston if you would need a “scholarship” to attend.

Registration forms and a sign up sheet will be in the hall of the church after Labor Day.  The registration deadline is Thursday, October 9th.   If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Stohlman or Susan Twombly.

Heather McLaughlin

It's Who We Are.  That was the repeated statement made during this year's Annual Meeting held in Farmington, Maine in the month of June.  That statement got me to thinking; Who are We at South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ?  Are we a church that welcomes ALL people regardless of race, sexual orientation, and economic status?  Are we a church that has volunteers for jobs such as teaching our church school children, painting the stall doors, or cleaning our sanctuary?  Are we a church that denounces any form of torture around the world?  Are we a church that will parade outside of our walls and tell the community who we are?  It's a lot of thinking during a weekend long meeting. 

My hope and prayer is that we are a church who believes all of these things and willingly spreads the word and message in our community.  Yet, how do we do that?  Do we know in what direction we are going?  Do you think about our common ideals?  Do I believe that we will all have the same answers?  No, but I truly believe that the process in finding these answers is just as important as the answers themselves. If you would like to share your thoughts on this, please contact me at heather@southchurchucc.org or catch me at the coffee hour after church.  I would love to hear from you!   (Editor’s note:  reflections from other attendees will be in the next issue.)

We have planned a book discussion group this fall.  "God's Politics" (subtitle: Why the Right Get it Wrong and the Left Don't Get It) by Jim Wallis.  With the election coming in November (you have heard, there's an election coming, right?!) this is a faith centered piece which is quite readable to all engaging the reader in taking our faith very seriously into the political arena.  One of the better works out there, it is very helpful in embracing and honoring our soul-filled longings in a process that ultimately transcends democrats and republicans.  Charles will lead this gathering.  All are welcome.

Our thanks to summer work volunteers with the scraping and new paint on the carriage stall next to our church building: Mike Severance, Elizabeth Brockway, Scott Negley, Charles and Selden.  And thank you as well, Selden, for the new coat of stain on the front porch.  Looking good!