Community News (June 12, 2009)
Two area pastors to be ordained
Two South Portland pastors will be ordained Saturday, June 20, in the United Methodist Church, New England Conference: Rev. Lynne Campbell who has served as pastor of Thornton Heights United Methodist Church since 2006, and Rev. Gwyneth Arrison, who has served as co-pastor of Peoples United Methodist Church since 2005.
The process toward ordination in the United Methodist Church requires years of preparation, mentoring and examinations after graduating from seminary and several years of experience pastoring.
Both Campbell and Arrison passed final examinations this spring and are approved for ordination during the New England Annual Conference held at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass.
“The path from initial call to ordination can be a long and sometimes difficult journey, but God places signposts along the way – people and situations that remind us that God is good, all the time – and I’m so very grateful,” Campbell said.
The process for ordination in the United Methodist Church is intended to help those who feel called to ministry to further discern their call, and during the probationary time serving a church to ensure that a pastor shows evidence of fruitful and transformational ministry. In the United Methodist Church this process is led by a group of pastors and laity at the conference level with input from the local church.
Thornton Heights UMC is located at 100 Westbrook St., South Portland. For worship times and other information visit www.thorntonheightumc.com.
People UMC is located at 310 Broadway in South Portland. For worship times and other information visit www.peoplesumc.com.
Wakefield scholarship awarded
The first Darcy Wakefield Scholarship recipient has been chosen at Southern Maine Community College. Kerri-Jean Newsham, of Westbrook, a graduate of the liberal studies program, was awarded the $500 scholarship at the college’s commencement exercises May 17.
The Darcy Wakefield Scholarship is given in honor of Darcy Wakefield, an SMCC faculty member from Cape Elizabeth who died at 35 from ALS. The scholarship is given to women who are graduating and continuing their education at four-year institutions. The recipient is chosen based on a 500-to 750-word essay in response to a prompt. This year’s prompt was based on a quote by poet Mary Oliver. She asked, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
In Wakefield’s book “I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted – and ALS” (Avalon Publishing, 2006), she explored the urgent need to make her life meaningful and rich. In her professional life at SMCC, Wakefield had answered Mary Oliver’s question by being a dedicated and disciplined writer, a committed graduate student, a revered teacher, a reliable and loyal colleague, and a considerate friend. In short, she was an exemplary human being whose quest for self actualization was matched by her ethical commitments to others.
Newsham, a liberal studies graduate, will be attending Smith College, Wakefield’s alma mater, in the fall.
‘It’s Only A Play,’ at Lyric June 19
It’s the opening night party. Terrence McNally’s look at the inside world of theater includes memorable characters such as the excitable young author, the brilliant but unstable director, the pill-popping leading lady and an egotistical but insecure comic actor who passed up a chance to star in the play. The happy tone with which the evening begins grows steadily worse-and funnier as the reviews (all bad) come in, and everyone seeks desperately to pin the blame on each other.
For more information contact the Lyric Box Office at 799-1421.
The production will run from June 19 through June 28.
Nicole Chaison at Cape library
The Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth will host Portland author Nicole Chaison for the premier stop on her tour to promote her book, “The Passion of the Hausfrau: Motherhood, Illumunated.”
The event will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 16. It is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.
The book is the first of its kind, an epic hero’s journey told by a mother – the Hausfrau – whose odyssey is a constant adventure of pandemonium, sleep deprivation, madness, and transcendence. The Hausfrau weaves a tale of sidesplitting trials and addresses age-old questions: Does a good mother have to give up her own dreams? What is a good mother, anyway? And is there a bathing suit that will fit her gargantuan behind?
Smith graduates from McAuley
Meghan H. Smith of Cape Elizabeth, daughter of Gregory and Barbara Smith, recently graduated with academic honors from Catherine McAuley High School in Portland. At McAuley, Smith was a member of the School’s National Honor Society, Key Club, Science Club, Book Club, Math Team, band, and Ethical Leadership Institute. She represented the school through Dirigo Girls State, was the recipient of the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Book Award, and placed second in the VFW’s ‘Voice of Democracy’ Essay Contest. Smith will continue her education in the fall, studying political science at Boston College.
Funtown tickets available
South Portland Recreation Department will be selling tickets to Funtown and Water Country at a discounted rate. Funtown/ Splashtown day combo passes are available for $26 each, or approximately 25 percent off the price at the park. Water Country passes are available for $28, about a 22 percent discount off the gate price.
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