For
the past couple of years, and certainly the past couple of months, peace and
reconciliation are two actions that seem difficult to achieve. The Windham Area
Clergy Association hopes to change that by hosting a community worship service
of “Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation” on March 5, 2017, the first Sunday of
Lent at 2:00 p.m. at the Windham Hill United Church of Christ, 140 Windham
Center Road.
“The March 5 service is a response
to the deep divisions, stress and anxiety that the clergy have observed in the
nation in recent months,” stated Rev. Jane Field, clergy of Faith Lutheran
Church and a new member of the association. “As a group, we feel that the
communities of faith are in a unique position to offer ‘safe space’ where
people can come and practice listening to one another with deep respect and
mutual love, seeking common ground and building up the community. When people
of faith model this kind of radical hospitality by ‘practicing what we preach,’
we offer a sign of hope and healing to a wounded world and become what the
prophet Isaiah said God calls us to be: ‘repairers of the breach...restorers of
streets to live in.’”
After
approximately a five-year hiatus, the Windham Area Clergy Association was given
new life this past fall when Rev. Tim Higgins and Deacon Wendy Rozene from St.
Ann’s Episcopal Church, reached out to the new clergy in the community.
“It was
all about timing,” Rev. Higgins stated about both the clergy association and
the community worship service. “This is how God works. The timing was
right and I felt inspired to initiate something again, with the new folks
involved. Deacon Rozene and I reached out to the new clergy as well as others
and we hosted the first two gatherings here at St. Ann's.”
The clergy
association is focused on the “Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation” worship service
now but will continue to meet monthly for lunch, support, prayer, and to discuss
community events and projects. The overlap of outreach services is also being examined.
Those who
are either presently active in the association or have expressed an interest to
participate include the clergy from: St. Ann’s Episcopal, North Windham Union
Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Greater Portland Unity Church, Windham Hill
United Church of Christ, Windham Assembly of God, Cornerstone Assembly of God
and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church.
“The clergy
association is open to any faith and congregation in the Windham and Raymond communities,”
Rev. Higgins said.
Acting as
the chair and facilitator of the association, Rev. Higgins stated that if other
area clergy are interested in participating, they are welcome to call
him at: 207-632-4046 at or email: revtimhiggins@gmail.com
The
location of the March 5 community worship at Windham Hill United Church of
Christ was chosen due to the significance of the bell.
“It is the
oldest bell in the town of Windham,” Rev. Sally Colgrove explained. “It has
been a part of our church since it was built in 1834-35. The bell comes from a
foundry in the Boston area out of one of the workshops of Paul Revere. The bell
rings every Sunday but is also rung on special occasions for the community with
the hope of peace. It was rung at the end of the Civil War, World War I, World
War II and on 9/11.”
The five
congregations and leaders that will participate in the first community worship
in five years include Rev. Sally Colgrove of Windham Hill United Church of
Christ, Rev. Tony Searles from Windham Assembly of God, Rev. Debra Girard of
North Windham Union Church, Rev. Tim Higgins and Deacon Wendy Rozene from
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and Rev. Jane
Field from Faith Lutheran Church.
Musicians
from each congregation will provide the music for the service. The combined
choir will be led by conductor David Hansen, music director at Faith Lutheran
Church. Hansen will be accompanied by the Windham
Hill music director, Andrea Rosenberg.
Each
church in the community is unique and has something to offer individuals of the
Windham and Raymond area. The diversity and variety of approaches presented by
each church has the potential to meet everyone’s spiritual needs and to provide
a sacred “home” they can call their own.
“We are initiating neighborhood
faith sharing groups for the Lenten Season using a variety of resources,” Rev.
Higgins said of his parish, St. Ann’s Episcopal. “We will meet in members’
homes in Gorham, Cumberland, Westbrook, Windham and Raymond. These groups will
have a small church feel whereby folks can experience great fellowship, bible
study or book study right in their own neighborhood.
Rev. Higgins also added that on
March 1, Ash Wednesday, he and Deacon Rozene will be at the Post Office from 11:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. offering ashes and prayer as part of their, “Ashes To Go”
initiative.
“Faith
Lutheran Church is a small and vibrant community of spiritual seekers who love
one another like family and who welcome everybody who walks through our doors,”
Rev. Field said of her congregation. “We are open and inclusive in our
hospitality, and in our approach to worship, embracing creativity and
diversity, and our minds are open to seeing things in new ways. One of
the greatest strengths in our worship life together is an exciting music
ministry that includes a talented director able to weave in classical music,
contemporary, gospel, and even show tunes; and two young adult leaders who
provide vocal and instrumental music every week. We are passionate about
serving folks in need beyond the walls of our church building and putting our
faith into action by working for compassion, justice and peace in the world.”
“Windham
Hill United Church of Christ is a church which prides itself on being an
inclusive and welcoming community of faith, following the example of our
Lord Jesus Christ,” Rev. Colgrove said of her church. “We have a long history,
being the founding church of the Town of Windham, but we work hard to keep pace
with our society and culture. We have a mission of supporting one another in
good times and hard times through service, prayer and action, and all are
welcome to participate with us regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, economic
status, intellectual ability or physical ability. We are a church for all ages,
with a lively church school, youth program and music program. We love to eat
together, play and travel together, and serve our community in any way we
can."
“Windham
Assembly of God is a Church that has been serving the people of Windham and the
Lakes Region since the mid-70s,” Rev. Tony Searles stated. “It has grown from a
handful of people with no place to call home, to a group of Christ-followers
who found a place to establish their ministries in North Windham on Route 302. Today,
we have people from all over the Lakes Region, and some come from even further
away, to worship with us! The Church also operates Windham Christian Academy, a
Pre-K through 12th grade Christian School that serves the families throughout
our region by providing a quality education with a Biblical world-view. The
mission of our Church is to connect with God, connect with others and to
connect others with God. We do this in a variety of ways, but our heart
is to express the love of Christ to our community and build bridges to them.
We hope folks that may be looking for a Church home might consider
Windham Assembly of God and come visit us at 10 a.m. on Sundays!”
“At
the warm and welcoming North Windham Union Church, UCC, Route 302, members and
friends are walking together and learning what it means to be a child of God in
2017.” Rev. Debra Girard said. “Our worship service is at 10:00 a.m. and all
are welcome into God’s church as we are grounded in the ‘Word of God with
Christ as the Head of our church.’ Each
week our services are highlighted by our choir and led by Minister of Music,
Dr. Richard Nickerson. What is special about North Windham Union Church, UCC? The people that choose to worship God together
and the joy that emanates from our sanctuary. The church is also becoming known
for its Music with a Mission series of concerts which host Maine musicians and
raise money for local charities.”
All five churches, each with their own personality, come
together for the March 5 worship with the same mission. “This is a general invitation to folks to
pray for peace and reconciliation, whatever that might mean for them,” Rev.
Field stated about the service.
“It’s a time
for prayer, song and scripture with the hope of bringing our community
together. We look forward to welcoming
all members of the community,” Rev. Colgrove added.
