Messenger is here!

September 17, 2025

 This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• World Communion Sunday, October 5
• Blessing of the Animals Service
• Free Watercolor Workshop
• A Message from the Woods Church Gardeners
• Kindness Connections
• Adult Education Class
• Pastors’ Bible Study
• Presbyterian Women’s Circle Bible Study
• Music Ministry is Tuning Up
• Open Dance Classes
• Free Acting Class
• Support SPAN at the Broadway Songfest Concert!
• Cuba Mission Trip

Pastor's Message

Friends, it has been a difficult week since my last pastor’s message; during that time we experienced the assassination of Charlie Kirk and a firestorm of public responses to it. As I mentioned in my sermon last Sunday, that has included a number of statements by public figures and on social media calling for an increase in political division, conflict, and even violence. Others have made a point of being publicly unconcerned by his murder, while some have even tacitly justified it or actively celebrated it. Still, others have sought to play down Kirk’s political activity and inflammatory statements entirely and depict him as a kind of modern Christian martyr, which brings a whole set of new challenges with it. And for those able to avoid those various temptations, many are left with a sense of deep malaise and foreboding about the health of our common life and the future of our country.

To that end, Pastor Nancy and I have decided to convene a new Community Conversation on Tuesday, October 14, 6:30PM, in the Sanctuary that we are calling, “Who Is My Enemy? Being Community in the Midst of Conflict.”

As the two of us have talked about all these issues, one of the primary dynamics we see in our society that is contributing to both the vitriolic nature of politics and the radicalization of more and more people towards extremist positions and political violence is viewing those with whom we have political disagreements with as enemies, not merely opponents or even adversaries. In society in general, enemies are people who are motivated to harm us; therefore, we cannot trust them, reason with them, or work with them. Enemies are to be eliminated if you can, and contained if you can’t; that’s it.

And yet, Jesus commanded his disciples to love their enemies. Most Christians struggle mightily with what that means and what we should do about it. More than a few just ignore it or minimize it, dismissing it as an idealistic notion that doesn’t really work in the real world. However, I think he meant exactly what he said; Scripture certainly seems to think so, anyway. So what are we supposed to do about that? That’s why we need a Community Conversation about it: we need to spend some time reflecting on what it means to be someone’s enemy, what it means to have enemies, what that means for how we are to treat them.

But as we prepare to do that, I invite you to spend some time thinking about what Jesus said, and I offer this as one of my thoughts to get you started. One of the things I appreciate most about Jesus’ commandment is that he expects us to have enemies, and that we won’t necessarily be able to change that. He says we are to love our enemies, which means that they remain our enemies while we love them (or at least they might remain so). As I said in a sermon last spring on this topic, that doesn’t mean we must feel affection towards them, in the modern sense of love. It doesn’t mean that we accept, affirm, or tolerate violence, hate, or abuse. It means we attend to their well-being, and that may include opposition; if you love someone who is doing harm to themselves or others, staying their hand from doing so is an act of love. As I concluded that sermon last spring:

Love not only includes but demands holding the other accountable for their words and actions, for their commitments and responsibilities. That’s certainly what Jesus did throughout his earthly ministry, and what he calls us to do through the Spirit even now. But it means identifying ourselves and basing our behavior on God’s love rather than our enemies’ hate, using God’s measure of saving grace towards us rather than our enemies’ measure of hate towards us to determine how we will live.

If enough of us did that, both towards our enemies and as enemies ourselves, I think we would be in a very different place as a society right now. At the very least, perhaps, we might be able to embrace the hard-earned wisdom of Nelson Mandela, who once said: “if you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then they become your partner.” I hope you will plan to come to this conversation in October, and explore how enemies might partner for peace, true peace, together.



Blessings and peace,

—Pastor J.C.

Church News

World Communion Sunday

Home Communion will be offered on World Communion Sunday, October 5, following our 9:30AM service. This is a day for Christians to remember their shared faith and fellowship with believers around the globe, recognizing their unity in Christ.

If you would like to be included or know of anyone in the congregation who might appreciate having communion brought to their home, please contact Maureen Adams at 410.647.2550 or email her at madams@woodschurch.org.

Blessing of the Animals Service

The Deacons’ Noah’s Ark Ministry will hold their annual Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, October 5, 1PM, at the front of the church. The wonderful Pastors at Woods Church will personally visit with each pet and bless them. There will be prayers, songs, scriptures, fellowship and treats for your pets. A certificate of the blessing also will be given to show that your pet has been blessed!

All are welcome, invite your neighbors and friends! For more info, email noahsark@woodschurch.org.

Free Watercolor Workshop

Looking for a meaningful way to relax, create, and connect with your inner artist? Join our Watercolor Workshop and dive into a colorful world of self-expression. No experience needed!

The workshop will be held in Fellowship Hall, 10AM–12PM. Register online.

A Message from Our Gardeners

Unlike most birds that nest in spring, American Goldfinches wait until mid to late summer to breed. That’s because their chicks are raised on an all-seed diet—no insects—and they time their nesting to when thistle and other wildflowers go to seed. This unique strategy ensures plenty of food for parents and babies.

Many thanks to Jenny Henry for the picture on the right of a finch at Woods. They are usually too quick to photograph.

Children's News

Kindness Connections

Can you be-leaf it is fall?! One way we show our belief is through Kindness Connections. Every week, we are watching the Kindness Connections add up on the bulletin board in the Children’s Sunday School Hallway. Put YOUR name on a leaf each week and tell Ms. Kat or Ms. Lindsey how YOU made a Kindness Connection at home, school, work, or play. The Kindness Connections are really piling up!

Education & Small Groups

New Adult Education Class

On Sundays, through October 19, 11AM, Adult Education is offering a study on Matthew: the Gospel of Promised Blessing, by professor M. Skinner. Matthew portrays Jesus and his message as full of tender compassion and urgent warning. This six-part exploration of an enigmatic Gospel takes us into the themes, topics, and tensions at the heart of Matthew’s story about the life and work of Jesus.

We will meet in the Office Conference Room and on Zoom. Books are available in the office.

Pastors’ Bible Study

Lead Pastor J.C. 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.

Presbyterian Women’s Circle Bible Study

The Women's Circle Bible study will meet in Room 212 and on Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month. We will be studying the Horizons Bible Study, Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ. Come and join us for this interesting study.

Click here to download a flyer. If you have any questions, please contact Bev Haines at 410.551.8412.

Music News

Music Ministry is Tuning Up

Be a part of our Music Ministry at Woods! For questions about our choirs, bands, or arts offerings, email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Adult Choir

Come join us as we sing and lead worship through all styles of music. All are welcome to come and sing! We rehearse Thursday evenings at 7PM, in the Choir Room. We look forward to having you with us!

Children’s Choir | Grades 1–5

We meet on Sundays, 10:30–11AM, in the Choir Room! Wahoo! Any child in grades 1–5 is welcome to come sing! And yes, we have CANDY!

SEEK Band | Grades 6–12

Do you play an instrument, enjoy singing, or just love music? Then come on out! Any youth in grades 6–12, can join our SEEK BAND. The SEEK BAND offers music for worship regularly, with many wonderful solo and musical opportunities. Our first rehearsal is Sundays, 12:15–1PM, in the Choir Room.

Praise Band

Do you play an instrument, sing, or just love music? Then join our Praise Band! Our Praise Band leads worship at the 11AM service, with rehearsals on Thursday nights at 7PM. Reach out to Sarah Kent with any questions at skent@woodschurch.org.

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.

Our first class will be on Sunday, September 21, 2–3:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. For more information email Alyssa Barlis at alyssabarlis@gmail.com.

Free Acting Class

Have you ever wanted to get your feet wet with acting, or brush up on your skills? Then come out to our free acting class on Sunday, September 28, 3:15–4:15PM, in Fellowship Hall. The class will be lead by Atticus Boidy who is well loved in the area and is known for his creative and award winning directing. Atticus will lead you through acting warm-ups, discussions, games, and challenges. It will be fun for any age. No sign up required—all are welcome.

For questions, please email performingarts@woodschurch.org.

Mission News

Support SPAN at the Broadway Songfest Concert!

Join us for an exuberant, fun-filled salute to Broadway and Movie Musicals at the Broadway Songfest Concert on Saturday, September 20, 5PM, at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Parish.

Live Concert: Enjoy an evening of music celebrating a wide variety of Broadway and movie favorites.

Online Auction: Bid now on amazing items, including a week at an Ocean City condo, autographed fan items from local sports teams, artwork, gift cards to restaurants, theaters, the symphony, and more! Bidding runs now through the end of the Songfest concert. The auction is open to everyone—whether or not you can attend in person.

100% of net proceeds support SPAN, helping provide food and financial assistance to those in need right here in Anne Arundel County.

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Concert tickets must be purchased in advance via credit card, PayPal, or check sent to SPAN.

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy an inspiring evening while supporting a vital local mission!

Cuba Mission Trip

Please consider being part of a Woods trip to our partner church in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. The dates are March 10–17, and approximate cost is $1,800. Marty Clayton will be at the Missions table on Kick-off Sunday to answer any questions.

A Moment of Prayer

Gracious God, as you reveal yourself to us we pray for a willingness to discern and perceive. Enable us to be not just story-tellers but story-doers. Let our hearts be open to who you would have us be and what you would have us do. We give thanks for your persistent presence in our lives.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.