Messenger | November 12, 2025
Messenger is here!
November 5, 2025
This week's release at a glance:
- Pastor's Message
- Browse Our Advent Brochure
- Pastor JC & Sarah’s Open House, November 14
- New Member Class, November 16
- Calling All Artists!
- Baked Goods for Sale at Our Holiday Bazaar
- Holiday Nut Orders
- Putting Our Eggs in One Basket
- Bound for Bethlehem: An Advent Journey
- Children’s Mission Workbook is Coming!
- Christmas Club
- Advent Event 2025 is Cute as a Button
- Woods Christmas Concert, December 6
- Urgent Food Drive for SPAN
- Cuba Mission Trip Update
- Mission Trip to Guatemala
Pastor's Message
It’s that time of year once again: the time of year when Thanksgiving has to fight for its place among our holiday celebrations. Stores shift over almost immediately from being defined by Halloween to being defined by Christmas, as soon as November 1 rolls around, if not earlier; the first Christmas decorations I saw in a store were on October 30 this year! Much of that is driven by simple economic necessity on behalf of the store owners and managers: Christmas is by far the most important season of the year for most retail stores, and a successful Christmas season literally makes the difference between a profitable year and a disastrous one. That said, since stores are a major part of our public space, Thanksgiving often seems to get trampled from behind by overeager Christmas decorations and celebrations, just as it is standing up to take its own place as the central celebration of November.
But it’s very important to make time and space for Thanksgiving, both the holiday and even more so, the practice it embodies. There has been significant research in recent years about the health benefits of practicing gratitude: it lowers stress, depression, anxiety, and blood pressure, and it improves quality of sleep, heart health, and immunity to disease. But while we might not know all those specific correlations, none of that should be a surprise to Christians in general. Scripture constantly invites us to give thanks, not as an obligation to be fulfilled but as a joy to be experienced. To be thankful means to recognize the many blessings that we receive from God on a daily basis, right down to the very breath we draw every 3-4 seconds, on average. Gratitude is the only appropriate response to God’s grace; as Meister Eckhart, the medieval Christian mystic, once said: “if the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”
With that in mind, in this season of Thanksgiving, I want to express my thanks to God and all of you for two important things. First, I am thankful for the gathering this Friday evening celebrating the upcoming marriage between Sarah Johnson and myself. Sarah, as many of you know, is Senior Pastor at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and I am eternally grateful for her in so many ways. It means a great deal to both of us that you wanted to celebrate this milestone of our lives, and we are so looking forward to being with you all this Friday starting at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall.
Second, I want to take the opportunity to say how thankful I am to be your pastor! It’s hard to believe it’s already been more than a year since I first came to Woods. It has been a wonderful year of getting to know you and this ministry we have together, and I am very grateful for the staff, the Session, the Deacons, and the whole membership of Woods in making me feel very much at home from the first day. As Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for everything we have shared together in this past year, and for the promise that the future holds!
Peace and blessings,
—Pastor JC
Church News
Browse Our Advent Brochure
Woods Church is pleased to present this year’s
Advent Brochure, highlighting all the special events and opportunities to celebrate the season together. We invite you to explore, participate, and experience the joy and hope of Advent at Woods.
Click here to download a copy. Enjoy!
Celebrate with Pastor JC and Sarah at an Open House
You are invited to an Open House on
Friday, November 14, 5:30–7:30PM, to celebrate the upcoming January marriage of Pastor JC and Sarah.
RSVP online or by emailing Maureen Adams at
madams@woodschurch.org.
Baked Goods for Sale at Our Holiday Bazaar
Our Holiday Bazaar is set for Saturday, November 22, 9AM–1PM!
Calling all bakers! Bring your pies, cakes, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and other treats to be sold at the Baked Goods Table. Drop off the goodies on Friday, November 21 or early Saturday morning.
Mark your calendars and bring your children, your neighbors, and yourself for a day of shopping and socializing. 100% of the proceeds from the Bazaar support mission activities of our church.
Holiday Nut Orders
Fall has arrived and it’s time to place your holiday nut orders. Don’t miss out on any of your favorites. Just download the order form or pick one up at the Welcome Desk and return it to Woods Church by mail or bring it by the Office with your check made out to “Woods Church” with nut order on the memo line.
If you have any questions, contact Kay Mitchell at 410.757.7103.
Calling All Artists!
The Gallery at Woods is hosting their Annual Advent and Christmas Exhibit on Monday, November 24.
Register your artwork for this exhibit (deadline November 14) by providing your name, art title, and contact information to Jenny Henry at jennyhenry1188@comcast.net or Pam Ward at pward@woodschurch.org.
Your artwork must be framed and ready to hang (wire on back) and there is a three-piece limit. Artwork will be dropped off to Pam Ward in the Church ) from November 17–21, 9AM – 4PM.
Putting Our Eggs in One Basket
Woods Church partnered with Wayman GoodHope AME Church to provide 130 dozen eggs to SNAP for the month of November. My Brothers Pantry will be securing and distributing the eggs to families in need, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this way. Wayman and Woods have done several outreaches together, and thank all of you who have contributed to this joint effort.
Children's News
Children’s Mission Workbook is Coming!
On Sunday, November 23, our elementary age Children’s Sunday School Class will learn about how they can be part of the work of the Church. How do we help make “Thy kingdom come?” It is our annual opportunity to think about how we want to be part of God’s work in the world in this place.
Advent Event 2025 is Cute as a Button
Woods Church family and friends are counting the days until Christmas. We begin with our annual Advent Event full of resources and activities to prepare your home for the countdown to Christmas Eve! This year's preparation it is as cute as a button.
When? On Sunday, November 30, between services in Fellowship Hall, or Monday, December 1, 5–5:30PM, before Dinner Church in Fellowship Hall.
Christmas Club
During Advent, the children and friends of Woods Church are invited to journey towards the manger of Christmas morning with Christmas Club. We will journey together through Advent learning about the different ways Christians prepare and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Do you need a little extra “merry” in your holidays this year? How about an extra moment of fun and friendship? Join a group of friends who like to read, craft, and play games? Then, Christmas Club is for you! Sunday nights in December, 5–6:30PM, includes a potluck summer. Contact Kat Green for more information.
PART Book Club, PART Christmas Party, PART Craft Club, ALL FUN!
Education & Small Groups
Bound for Bethlehem: An Advent Journey
Distractions and uncertainty abound in the tumultuous time in which we live. People today are “seeking” often unaware they are seekers, much less what they are seeking. Mary and Joseph also lived in a world riddled with political division and fear. Although the journey was initiated because of the state census, their journey was a fulfillment of prophecy and a representation of hope for humanity. Like modern day pilgrims they faced uncertainty, experienced solitude and support, and learned to be in the moment and allow God to claim control.
On Sundays in Advent, November 30–December 21, 5–6:30PM, we will follow Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem and explore what it means to participate in a spiritual pilgrimage. A potluck supper will be held in Founders Room prior to class.
The course will be taught by Kathy Lohff and include parallels with modern spiritual pilgrimages. Children’s activities will be provided.
Pastors’ Bible Study
Lead Pastor JC Austin and Associate Pastor Nancy Lincoln Reynolds 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.
Music News
Woods Christmas Concert
On Sunday, December 6, 7PM, in the Sanctuary join us a for Storybook Christmas Concert, Wonder and Glory! The concert will include the Adult Choir, Praise Band, SEEK Band, Children’s Choir, Woods Dancers, Elysian Dance Theater, guest musicians, and members of our Woods family telling the stories of their Christmas treasures. We will sing popular Christmas Carols and enjoy in the sounds and the music of Christmas! It’s a Christmas chapter not to be missed!
The concert is free, but registration is required at
www.woodstix.org. Please email David Merrill at
dmerrill@woodschurch.org with any questions.
Open Dance Classes
In order to bring our community together in a fun and movement-based way, join our Worship Ministry for a series of dance classes this fall! Professional teachers are set to offer a variety of dance styles including jazz, musical theater, contemporary, tap, yoga, and more!
Open to anyone ages 12 and over in and outside the Woods community. All experience levels are welcome, though classes will be taught at an intermediate level with options for beginners and advanced students.
We meet on
Sundays, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. For more information email Alyssa Barlis at
alyssabarlis@gmail.com.
Mission News
Urgent November Food Drive for SPAN
Did you know 1 in 9 Marylanders may no longer receive SNAP benefits due to impending stoppage of federal food aid? This will have an immediate effect on food requests above and beyond our typical needs.
Please donate canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, beans, pasta, rice, instant potatoes, broth, bouillon, canned fruit, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. Place donations in SPAN bins behind the Welcome Desk in the Church lobby.
Cuba Mission Trip Update
Sadly, the Presbytery of Baltimore needed to postpone the Cuba Mission Trip due to an outbreak of multiple mosquito-born tropical diseases. The supplies we collected will still be ferried down to Cuba by a few people who will drop them off and return immediately.
Please keep our siblings in Christ and all the people of Cuba in your prayers as they endure this epidemic and recover from hurricane damage on the eastern part of the island.
Woods is still planning a trip for March and we will be asking again for specific medicines and other items requested by Sancti Spíritus, such as cloth, yarn, children’s shoes and summer clothing, and kitchen supplies as needed.
Mission Trip to Guatemala
The Baltimore Presbytery Guatemala Partnership Spring Mission Trip—in collaboration with the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPA)—will take place March 14–20, 2026.
Find out more about CEDEPA and the upcoming trip on Sunday, December 7, 10:30AM, in Room 212.
The cost is approximately $2,200. Adult and youth scholarships are available. The deadline to sign up is December 31, 2025.
The CEDEPA is an ecumenical educational organization headquartered in Guatemala that works to transform lives in Central America. They have four areas of focus: Biblical and Theological Training, Women’s Ministry, Disaster Ministry, and Intercultural Encounter.
For more information, contact Michelle Wallen at
mwallen@baltimorepresbytery.org or visit
BaltimorePresbytery.org.
Cecelia McKay Good Neighbor Fund – How Is It Done?
In September 2025, The Cecelia McKay Fund expended $1,555.51 to 7 households. But we received 25 requests for financial assistance by phone, email or letter. So what is the process to determine who we help?
Messages are picked up from voicemail (ext. 345) two times a week. Dick Moore then responds to each by phone in order to understand their issue / location / need/ and other information the person wishes to share. If the person is a member of Woods Church, Dick refers them to a Pastor to discuss the need, after which the Pastor and Dick will determine appropriate help from the Cecelia McKay Fund. If not a member of Woods, then the phone “assessment” includes:
- Financial need (we only assist with utility “shut off” or eviction prevention), and we do not assist with mortgages (exception may be for a member);
- If person owes more than $2,000 they must have other commitments to get the amount below $1,500 before we will assist;
- Location of residence (our area is Severna Park, Millersville, Arnold, Pasadena and those “Annapolis” addresses this side of RT 50), but we provide limited help for nearby “out of area” if other churches help;
- They must have they been to SPAN, NCEON, ACDS (rent), Community Action(BGE) and received help from at least one of the above.
Once a decision is made to meet with the person at Woods (usually Monday or Thursday), all documents are copied and further financial counseling is done (other organizations who might help, how about next month, ideas for additional work, get father of the children to help (pro-bono legal, phone number is provided if needed). At this meeting, a commitment letter is provided for a specific amount (up to $400 for in our area and $100–$150 for out of area in need).
Dick Moore then fills out a summary paper and submits all documents to finance for check writing and mailing. A spreadsheet (back to 2008) is kept with a list of names, dates, and the amount of help provided. Woods only assists once a year, but most clients are new.
A monthly report is submitted to Missions Elder and the Pastor.
