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July 29, 2026

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Sing with Our Family Summer Choir
• Americana 250: A Pianorama
• Support Sancti Spíritus
• Youth Fro-Yo Socials
• Confirmation Class Sign-ups
• Pop-Up Programs for Kids
• Tech Volunteers Needed
• Lost & Found
  

Pastor's Message

This week, there was an article in The Atlantic focused on what, on its surface, seemed to be a very surprising statistic: according to a recent extensive study of people living in the United States, Mexico, Australia, and Europe, the number of words the average person speaks in a day plummeted almost 30% between 2005 and 2019. I won’t bother with explaining the methodology here, you can look up the article by Olga Khazan if you’re into such things, but its title summarizes why this is the case: “Another Symptom of Growing Isolation.”

Specifically, the study argues there are two main reasons for this phenomenon, which seem to be related. First, speech requires a listener, and the amount of time the average person spends alone increased notably during that same time period, so of course that would reduce the amount of words spoken. Second, the rise of digital communication means that we spend far less time having actual conversations, whether intentional or in passing. Families stay connected through text groups rather than phone calls; people interested in a romantic relationship spend weeks messaging on apps before ever meeting up in person or picking up the phone. And even casual conversations have become far more rare: we often do self-checkout in stores, so there is no cashier to talk to; you reserve a table at a restaurant through an app rather than by calling the host; we shop online and receive deliveries that are left outside our door without requiring so much as a “thank you” to the delivery person.

Obviously, many of those changes have their own benefits, but one of the side effects has been far less human interaction on a daily basis, which the article argues is contributing to our societal epidemic of loneliness, which has become so severe that the U.S. Surgeon General designated it as a public health emergency in 2023. And he did so not just in a metaphorical or emotional sense: he documented that the physical health impact of such loneliness is the equivalent of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day!

All this makes me think that the Christian church has something important to offer in this time of loneliness. It has been said often that Christianity is a team sport; it requires a community with whom to practice and participate. That is because the Christian faith is not primarily a collection of ideas or beliefs to which we give individual, intellectual assent; it is a set of relationships with God through Jesus Christ, with one another as fellow disciples of Christ, and with our neighbors as those to whom we are called to love and serve along with God. The Greek word translated as “faith” that is used throughout the New Testament, pistis, does not literally mean “belief,” it means “trust,” and trust is fundamentally about relationship. Similarly, the word translated as “church,” which is ekklesia, means to assemble or come together, or more literally to be “called out of” the world into a new community. That’s where we get the word “congregation” for a local church: we are called to come together, to congregate as a community of Christ’s disciples as Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church.

As the summer begins to turn towards the fall, I want to encourage all of us to look for opportunities to connect with other people as a sort of spiritual discipline, a ministry of community through human interaction. Use the checkout line with a cashier and ask them how their day is going. Remember your server’s name at a restaurant and thank them for something specific they did during the meal. Call someone you haven’t seen for a while and tell them you were just thinking about them and wanted to connect. There are innumerable ways, big and small, to see other people and connect with them. In doing so, we don’t simply combat the problem of isolation; we recognize the image of God in another person, and we honor it, and that is always a profound moment and ministry.

Peace and blessings,

—Pastor JC

Church News

Family Summer Choir

Are you around over the summer and interested in singing, then come on by and sing with us! The Family Summer Choir will be singing on Sundays, August 16 & September 6. We will meet at 8:45AM in the Sanctuary Choir Loft and learn the piece that morning. Not to worry all, the tunes are recognizable, and a quick learn!

If you have any questions, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org. Looking forward to hearing you sing!

Americana 250: A Pianorama

On Sunday, September 20, 2PM, in the Sanctuary, join Junghoon Park for his piano recital, Americana 250: A Pianorama! Jung will play works by Bernstein, Beach, Horowitz, and Gershwin.

This concert is free and no ticket is required. A love offering will go to support the Woods Church music program. Questions? Please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Support Our Bagel Ministry

Looking for a way to honor, celebrate and/or remember a family member, friend, or special event? Consider sponsoring bagels following our worship services on Sunday mornings! The cost is $100.

For more information, contact Kathie Hamlett at khamlett@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Support Sancti Spíritus

Cuba is currently experiencing chronic energy, food and fuel shortages with rolling blackouts for anywhere between a few hours to up to 70 hours. The country imports 66% of its total energy supply, leaving limited domestic sources and infrastructure to support more than 10 million people. Our partner church in Cuba, Sancti Spíritus, is experiencing all these shortages: electricity blackouts, food, medicines, and fuel.

Woods Church is participating with two other churches: Graceway in Florida and First Presbyterian in Springfield, Illinois, in sending supplies of medicines and food. Please continue to pray for this faithful congregation and the whole country of Cuba.

If you would like to support this service and outreach initiative, Woods is planning a trip to Sancti Spíritus, January 4–11. For more information, please contact Marty Clayton at martyclayton1973@gmail.com or Delia Edelmann at dedelmann@gmail.com.

Youth News

Sign Up for Confirmation Class

Our annual Confirmation Class for 8th graders will meet every Sunday, 2–3PM, in Room 212, beginning on September 20 (parents are encouraged to attend our first class!). Sign up online!

Confirmation is a chance for a young person to examine and recommit themselves to their walk with Christ, to renew their baptismal vows (or get baptized!) and to join the church. In this class, you’ll learn more about your faith, what it means to be the Church, and how to share your faith with others!

**Taking the class is FREE this year, but our Fall "Youth Summit" retreat (October 17–18) and our May Confirmation Retreat (May 1–2) will each have an enrollment fee, and students are encouraged to attend as they are considered an important part of our year together.

Children's News

Summer Sunday School is Doing a New Thing!

Join us for immersive Bible story experiences each Sunday this summer!

• August 2 – Story & Stretch (wear comfy clothes)
• August 9 – Music & Arts (three volunteers needed)
• August 16 – Traditional Sunday School class led by Ms. Marsha and Ms. Gale
• August 23 – Outdoor Play
• August 30 – Computers & Games
• September 6 – Labor Day Weekend Story & Stretch (wear comfy clothes)

Pop-Up Programs for Kids

Come join us at Woods for our special Pop-Up Programming Days when school is closed! We welcome children in grades K-5 to have fun and explore the Bible through interactive activities like games, art, music, and more. Lunch and two snacks will be provided for a cost of $25. Please ensure your child brings a reusable water bottle. We are excited to have your child join us at Woods!

Education & Small Groups

Weekly Bible Study

Lead Pastor JC Austin and our Interim Pastoral Associate Sarah Wilson offer a weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays, 11AM, to examine the upcoming Sunday’s scripture readings before they are presented in worship.

Join us on Zoom and gain a new understanding of scripture and enhance your worship experience.

Church Family News

Tech Volunteers Needed

Easy to learn! We’re currently looking for volunteers to help with running slides and cameras during our worship services. This would be a great opportunity to support our church behind the scenes and/or pick up a new skill or two!

If you’re interested in helping or have any questions, email Eric Willner at ewillner@woodschurch.org.

Lost & Found

Please check the Church Office’s Lost & Found for items that you are missing. Items will sit on the counter for one week and then will be housed in the sliding cabinet under the staff mailboxes. The collection will be donated at the turn of the next season, so please check the cabinet if you are missing something!

Water bottles, jewelry, and eyeglasses often turn up—have faith!