News from Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ woodridgechurchri.org. God has made everything suitable for God's own time

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1 THE MAY WOODRIDGE WORD 2018 News from Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ woodridgechurchri.org From the pastor's desk... God has made everything suitable for God's own time For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (NRSV) This time of year, we both wind down the church year and welcome the coming of Spring. The passage above reminds us that God is always at work in the midst of this time and every time, as well as in our everyday routines and tasks. And God continues to create the beauty of our earth and the beauty of our lives both in the church and out.

2 Welcome new members! Maureen Brown is a clinical lab scientist at Kent Hospital. She has two adult sons and lives in Cranston. Larry Celani and Adama Sarty have two daughters and reside in Cranston. Regan Landolfi is a Cranston student. Patricia (Tricia) Pardini and her partner, Tom Cullen live in Cranston. She is a paralegal, working in the Providence office of Gordon & Rees. Margaret Pine, a Cranston resident, is married with four children and eight grandchildren; for whom she is a day-care provider. Branden Romeo is a high school senior, planning on college. Coming up in worship... May 6: Communion May 13: Mother's Day message * * * May 20: Pentecost, baptism, and reception of new members June 3: Communion and confirmation Sunday June 10: Children's Day * * * Christian Education & Youth News Upcoming Events! Mark Your Calendar May 18 - Fri. Fundraiser for Foster Kids, at Woodridge 6-8 pm details below May 20 - Sun. Confirmation Ceremony at Edgewood, during 10 am service. June 3 - Sun. Confirmation Ceremony at Woodridge, during 10 am service. June 10 - Sun. Family Picnic, after 10 am service, in Fellowship Hall and outside.

3 From the Associate Pastor of Music & Healing Ministry You are invited to connect with each other and our community! Healing Ministry PrayerConnect Do you need spiritual support or a reflective moment? Perhaps just some daily words of encouragement? You can receive this daily reflection And it can come to you privately in your -of-choice each day, Monday through Friday. Why not sign up and see what can come? You can catch the three weekly editions on Facebook at this address: Associate Pastor Sermon Series upcoming April 29 & May 6 How is God Important to Us? o April 29 How important are the whys and withs of God o May 6 Is God important enough to live with the consequences? June 17, 24, & July 1 - TBA Music Ministry Choir & Chimes. Thursday rehearsals continue Chimes 6:30 pm in the sanctuary Choir 7:30 pm in the music room. This is a good time to try us out. We need more to join! We will be concluding our season on Pentecost Sunday, May 20, after which we will enter our summer mode. Let us know if you have any special requests or talents you would like to share in this upcoming time. Prime Time Chimes group rehearsals Sundays, right after worship in our sanctuary! Do you play an instrument? We are looking to build up the band. How about you? Please continue to pray for all our ministries, that they will grow and expand into many places, guided by the Spirit. Amen! With you on the journey, Rev. Bob nolan062400@gmail.com Phone: (401)

4 Fundraiser for Foster Kids End-of-Year Mission Bake Sale Friday, May 18, 6-8 pm at Woodridge This bake sale will be part of a Spring Fling Vendor Fair Fundraiser, in Fellowship Hall Each direct sales vendor is donating 20% of their sales from the night to foster families. The Christian Education Committee will sell baked goods and all of the proceeds from this sale will go to foster families. The CE Committee would appreciate any baked good donations and any help to sell the goods on that night. Look for a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the office. Questions? - please contact Heather Ashworth by at hashworth@cfsri.org The Annual Plant Sale will be held on Sunday, May 20 at Stamp Farms in Cranston. Remember to mention "Woodridge Church" when you check out so that the church receives a portion of your sales. Invite family and friends too. They have a great selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, hanging baskets, etc. * * * Thank you for your continued support of the ministries of the church through pledges, offerings and special gifts. Keeping your support up-todate even when circumstances keep you away from church on Sunday is very much appreciated. The family of Mildred Mimi Hanson wishes to extend our profound gratitude to all that attended her Celebration of Life Service. Also, a special thank you to those who served during the collation. Sincerely, The Hansons

5 Service Committee update Through the Month of April Interfaith Food Pantry Saturday 4/14/18 o April Count Families: 72 Adults: 108 Adults over 65: 31 Children: 118 New to Food Pantry: 13 o YTD Count Families: 273 Adults: 469 Adults over 65: 86 Children: 488 New to Food Pantry: 22 o May 12th is Woodridge Church s next food pantry Saturday (Woodridge volunteers will next help at the food pantry Saturday, May 12.) A Successful Lenten Collection for Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center ended April 15th. Mission trip to Philadelphia April 16 through 20 occurred with Edgewood UCC. 9 youth and 5 adults participated. One Great Hour of Sharing collection $ donated in March. * * * The annual Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 9 weather permitting.

6 For your information... Woodridge Church Security Measures A. During worship services: 1. Exterior door to Fellowship Hall will be locked when the service begins. 2. Main doors to the sanctuary are to be locked soon after the start of worship service by usher 3. One usher will remain in Narthex throughout service to open door for latecomers. 4. Exit door closest to the organ is not to be used to access the sanctuary or to be left ajar prior to worship service. B. Doors in the front of the sanctuary should not be used to enter or leisurely exit the sanctuary. They are for emergency exit only. C. Evacuation Plan: 1. In the case of an emergency during the worship service, it is important for people to evacuate the building if the situation permits them to do so and gather at a predetermined rally point. 2. The rally point will be in front of the Masonic lodge on the Reservoir Road side of the building. 3. Sunday School students and teachers will practice evacuation drills with the same rally point as their destination. D. A Knox Box master key holder will be installed near a main entrance to the church (to be determined). The Knox Box allows for a key to be placed inside securely with access limited to police and fire personnel. During alarms and emergencies, responding personnel are able to gain access to buildings immediately. E. The purchase of medical trauma kits will be investigated.

7 WARRANT The 2018 Spring Meeting of Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2018, in Fellowship Hall immediately after the worship service at which time the following agenda will be in order: 1. To hear staff, department and committee reports. 2. To discuss any new business that may come before the meeting. Holly Cole, Clerk Marsha S. Southard, Moderator Deadline for our next (June) issue May 21; to be mailed/ ed the end of May. Visit our website for the year-to-date financial report, latest board meeting minutes, birthdays & anniversaries and the prayer list: For the latest news, to be added to their list, and most anything else about the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ, visit their website: Woodridge Congregational Church An Open and Affirming Congregation A Caring and Welcoming Community Find us on Facebook:

8 THE WOODRIDGE WORD ~ May 2018 Published by: Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ Cranston, Rhode Island Rev. Scott Spencer, Pastor woodridgechurchri.org Rev. Bob Nolan, Associate Pastor of Music and Healing Heather Ashworth, Sunday School Coordinator Dan Blackford, Administrative Assistant / revscottspencer@gmail.com nolan062400@gmail.com frobig4@aol.com woodridgechurch@verizon.net