AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Tai Chi & Kung Fu
The scene at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church was chaotic but charming on June 5, 2016 with critters of multiple species arriving for the 8th annual Blessing of the Animals – one of many important programs created by the Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds during her 23-year tenure as the church’s Associate Pastor.
Smiling broadly while conducting the Blessing of the Animals service from the top step on that day ten years ago, Rev. Reynolds explained that she was inspired to create the service following an encounter with a chipmunk on a path behind the church.
“The chipmunk stood looking at me and wouldn’t move out of my way despite gentle urging,” Rev. Reynolds said. “I finally asked, ‘Will you move if I give you a blessing?” I blessed the critter, who we later named Clarence. He seemed content and scampered away. His reaction motivated me to imagine blessing all animals.”
Following the service, Rev. Reynolds blessed a passel of pets before stopping in front of Thomas Shade who cradled a portable aquarium in his arms containing croakers Froggy & Goggles.
“The first time we met Froggy and Goggles, Thomas and his mother Jacquelynne told us the species’ life span is normally two years,” she said. “But the frogs came back to be blessed the next year, and the following year, and this is their sixth year.”
This past Sunday, February 8, the Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds, preached her last service as Associate Pastor of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. Woods’ Senior Pastor, the Rev. J. C. Austin had announced her retirement through the church’s Messenger news bulletin three days earlier.
“After 23 years of good and faithful service, the Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds is retiring from both her position as Associate Pastor here at Woods and from congregational ministry in general,” Rev. Austin wrote. “In retirement, Nancy will be focusing on her psychotherapy ministry and will continue serving as the Director of the Woods Care & Counseling Center.”
He added that the combined February 8th worship service would be the last conducted by Lincoln Reynolds. Following a brief congregational meeting to formally act upon her request to retire and dissolve the pastoral relationship, there would be a reception in Nancy’s honor in the Fellowship Hall.
Rev. Reynolds’ warmly received sermon, “Into The Woods”, blended scripture, a recounting of her arrival at Woods as an ordained pastoral psychologist, and her transition to being associate pastor at the behest of the late Rev. Dr. Terry Schoener.
Rev. Reynolds was at the forefront of so many initiatives that are ongoing. She touched on many of them during her sermon and briefly spoke about a few of them with us.
“As you know, being at Woods Church has been a blessing and an opportunity to not just serve that congregation but the Severna Park community since 2003,” she said.
“Woods has always been a kind of light on the hill and I’ve been privileged to help all of us through some difficult as well as joy filled times. Together we addressed the concerns with adolescent suicide and were able to not only decrease the numbers but also establish interventions and preventative actions that led to research and understanding the problems. Our public schools and county organizations worked valiantly together. Parenting for a Different World, a non-profit whose mission is to provide programing and resources around resilience, coping and help seeking behaviors, grew from our community’s efforts to enhance mental health and wellness and support parents in supporting their youth.”
One of our earliest interviews with Rev. Reynolds took place in May 20, 2010 midway through extensive rehabilitation of the small white house at 17 Cypress Creek Road that would begin life anew as the Woods Counseling Center. The counseling center actually began as an initiative of Rev. Terry Schoener in 1983 and operated as The Pastoral Counseling Care Ministries from an educational wing of the church for 17 years. After Rev. Reynolds took over in 1993, the counseling center expanded adding more therapists and requiring additional space. Subsequently renamed Woods Counseling & Care Center, the facility now has eight therapists in addition to director Nancy Lincoln Reynolds.
In January of 2015 the Rev. Nancy Lincoln Reynolds hosted the showing of the film, “In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom” which explored human sex trafficking. She also was part of a panel discussion afterward with Amanda Weikel from The Samaritan Women in Baltimore, Anne Arundel Police Detective Bernard Adkins and anti-demand volunteer Nick Weikel from the Safe House of Hope. Woods’ Youth Pastor, the Rev. Nick Cheek also spoke briefly providing a child/parent perspective.
We later met with Rev. Reynolds in February of 2017 when the Parenting For A Different World program was introduced with a “call to action event” at the Severna Park Community Center. Hosted by Woods Counseling & Care Center in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Youth Suicide Prevention Awareness Team and Ellie’s Bus, the event featured University of Chicago professor and author Anna Mueller of “Adolescents Under Pressure”.
A strong supporter of a robust music ministry, Rev. Reynolds was instrumental in a collaboration between Woods Church and Wayman Good Hope AME Church’s Chozen Music Ministry to stage a concert featuring four well-known gospel groups on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Organized by Chozen members Larry Coates, Gerard Coates, Dana Anderson, and Lewis “Moone” Day, the concert was simultaneously a celebration of the gospel group’s 10th Anniversary and the release of its new CD “A Family That Prays”.
Because the Presbyterian Church requires that retired ministers worship elsewhere for a few years after leaving a church, the Woods congregation will miss seeing Nancy Lincoln Reynolds each Sunday but she won’t be far away.
“I will be directing the counseling and care center which has now grown to include collaborative organizations like the VA Center and Hospice,” she said. “The Care Center is developing its focus on spiritual formation and development, and the five psychotherapists and clinicians will continue to offer psychotherapy treatment.”
“As for me, I very much embrace the opportunity to work with people in life challenges and mental health concerns,” Lincoln Reynolds added. “As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I see my work as an opportunity to help provide individuals, couples and families with fulfilling and rewarding lives.”
Earleigh Heights VFC Bull, Oyster & Pig Roast February 21st
A reminder that Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company will be holding a Bull, Oyster & Pig Roast on Saturday, February 21st from from 5 to 8 pm with music and fun till 10 pm. A delicious menu including Pit Beef, Pit Turkey, Pulled Pork roasted on site, Raw Oysters, Oyster Stew, Oyster Fritters and more. For tickets, visit Home | Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company.
Jing Ying Institute celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year with Open House Feb. 28
Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi will be hosting Lunar New Year classes, activities and festivities through the end of the month culminating on February 28th with a free Open House featuring a traditional Lion Dance performance at 3 pm followed by demonstrations of Tai Chi and Kung Fu forms as well as weapons. Entertainment, crafts, and treats are all free for families to enjoy. There will be several giveaways and contests to add to the fun. For more information or to register for the free Open House, visit Chinese New Year.
Coffeehouse Concert at Woods Church Fellowship Hall – Feb. 28th
Join the Woods Church Praise Band for an evening of acoustic music. The concert begins at 7:30 pm. This is a free event with no tickets required.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
