Westminster. Stories. Hospitality. Westminster Presbyterian church. Inside Stories from: Pastor Kathleen

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1 Westminster Stories Westminster Presbyterian church 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, 18 who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. 19 You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10: While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 As we anticipate Christmas in this season of Advent, we prepare our homes for the coming celebration. We break out storage boxes in the basement and set up Christmas trees with their ornaments; we unpack various Christmas paraphernalia that decorate our homes; we place our picturesque manger scenes in prominent places for us to see Mary, Joseph, and the smiling baby Jesus; and we put up the Christmas lights that shine in the darkness outside. It is beautiful, meaningful, warm, and welcoming. Advent means coming and we make preparations for the coming of the Christ child. What we forget is this child comes as a stranger to a strange city. He is a refugee. Joseph and Mary are forced to leave home at the whims of a distant empire for the purposes of a census. They come to a town with no room for them to find shelter so the child is born November 25, 2014 Issue #532 Hospitality in a manger amidst dirt and straw and animals. Joseph, Mary and Jesus did not find welcome and hospitality in a cold dark world. A central component of Jewish law was the welcome of the sojourner or stranger who comes to a different land. This law was rooted in the Jewish historical experience of being slaves in Egypt before their deliverance. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Central to our faith is the capacity to offer hospitality to the stranger. For we as Christians know that the Christ we encounter may well be the stranger we meet on the road. Many of us could share stories of experiences of hospitality in our lives. Times when we offered welcome to a visitor at church or served food at the homeless shelter. These are good examples. But another challenge in the season of Advent is to offer hospitality to those most unlike us a person of a different culture or race or social economic status. This requires us to leave our comfortable pews to see Christ in the Other. An even deeper and more difficult form of hospitality is to see ourselves as being welcomed by others. To be willing to let others offer us shelter and light when we are the stranger. That requires of us a willingness to be vulnerable and in need of the hospitality like the Christ child that resides in our heart. Can we in this season of hospitality not only offer welcome to others but risk being welcomed by others? Grace and Peace, Alex Inside Stories from: Pastor Kathleen Pastor Alex John Tarr Joe Liverseed Anna Eherenman Also: December Calendar of Events Member Prayers and Notes

2 December Events Christmas decorations start popping up in stores before Halloween. We are reminded to start buying gifts well before Black Friday. Then the church comes with this season of Advent that gets lost in the9th Hour Classes in December: Sundays 9-10am 9th Hour classes will meet December 7th & 14th. Confirmation and High School classes will continue with their previous studies. Adult Education-- Lives of Great Christians video series will continue with: Augustine, St. Patrick, St. Benedict, Leo IX, Gregory VII, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi, and others. Each week we cover one or two lives. See Guidebook in the bottom video cabinet in the library. 9th Hour Kids (ages 3-5th grade) Preparing our Advent Play All kids are invited to join in on our Advent Play, Welcoming Jesus. We will be picking costumes and rehearsing on Dec. 7th, and have our dress rehearsal Dec. 14th. The performance will be Dec. 21st. December 21 st : There will be no Adult Education, Confirmation, or High School classes on December 21 st. Everyone is invited to attend the 9 th Hour Kids Advent Play, Welcoming Jesus in the Narthex at 9:15am. December 28 th & January 4 th : There will be no 9 th Hour Classes over the winter break. We will resume classes on January 11 th. Advent Devotionals If you would like to add to your reflections during the advent season there are several devotional options to choose from. Booklets with reflections are available in Narthex for you to take home or carry with you through the season. There are also Advent Calendars and Coloring books for families available in the Children Worship rooms and nursery. If you would like to receive a daily devotion, you can go to d365.org to sign up. Parent s Night Out, Dec. 6 th 3:30-8:30 Parents if you need time to get the jump start on the holiday shopping without the kids around, or just get out on your own in the midst of a busy season bring the kids to the Youth Suite between 3:30-8:30 on Saturday, December 6 th. We ll have games, crafts, dinner, and cookie decorating for kids ages 6 months-10 years. All donations will support the Youth Mission Trip to Chicago in Summer Friends and grandchildren are welcome! If you have questions please contact Pastor Kathleen. Worship at Oakwood, December 10 th Westminster and Covenant are continuing to offer a monthly communion worship at Oakwood-West on second Wednesdays at 1:30pm. All are welcome to join us; you do not need to be an Oakwood resident. This is a great way to pause and reflect mid-week. The worship is held in the Oakwood Chapel. This month we will celebrate Advent with song and prayer. 9 th Hour Kids Advent Play Please join us in the Narthex for the kids Advent Play on Sunday, Dec. 21 st at 9:15am. The kids will be presenting their play Welcoming Jesus. The artwork throughout this issue of Westminster Stories is inspired by the Advent Play. Page 2

3 December Events Continued... Youth Movie & Dinner: December 21 st All youth are invited to meet at church around 3pm (exact time TBD) to go watch Exodus: Gods and Kings and then get dinner and discuss the movie. Stay tuned to the Westminster Youth Update s for our exact movie/meet up time. Don t get the s? Contact Pastor Kathleen. Unbroken Book Study begins January 11 th In January we will be offering an Adult Education series with discussions of the book Unbroken by Laura Hillebrand and the themes it raises. This will include discussions of war, bravery, resilience, veteran s concerns, and other topics that this New York Times Bestseller raises. The class will include a presentation by Rick Berry, from the Wisconsin Veteran s Museum. We will also have afternoon opportunities (dates TBD) to go to the Veteran s Museum as a group and to go see the movie version of Unbroken. This class will be led by Donna Norton with participation from Abe Aberle and Karen Pridham. A few copies of the book are available through our church library. They are also available at the Madison Public Library. Celebrating Dr. King: Children & Youth Service Day, January 19 th, 9am-2pm Westminster is joining with several other congregations in hosting a day of learning and service for our children and youth (grades 1-12) on MLK Day. We will be focusing on the ways in which Dr. King listened for the Holy Spirit s guidance as he spoke out against injustice and how we are called to do the same. We will meet at First Congregational church (across the street from Camp Randall) for worship, then all middle and high school youth will go out into the community to serve for the day, while the elementary aged kids stay at First Congregational for a series of activities. Everyone will join together again for a closing worship and reflection. Adult helpers are needed to shepherd kids and youth through their activities. The registration forms for kids will be coming out early in December. Please contact Pastor Kathleen with any questions or if you are interested in taking part in the celebration. Mission Updates Angel Tree: Please remember that all Angel Tree gifts need to be wrapped with their tag attached and returned to church by Sunday, Dec. 7 th. We will be delivering the gifts to the Joining Forces for Families Office in Allied Drive that week. There are 13 tags on the Angel Tree that are not part of the gift drive but instead requests for Movie Theater gift cards for families from Thoreau. Group Health is providing Winter Break boxes for the homeless families at Thoreau with many necessities. Our congregation will be adding a bit of family fun with a movie gift card. Movie gift cards need to be in by Dec. 14 th. Thoreau Partnership: Many thanks to all who helped prepare treats for the PTO bake sale! All of our contributions were very much appreciated and the sale was a great success for the PTO. Thank you to everyone who made beanbag covers! We had over 60 covers made and delivered. This month s artwork provided by Westminster s 9th hour kids Issue #532 November 25, 2014 Page 3

4 December Events Continued... Thanks! We also used Pentecost Offering funds, and resources from direct contributions and the annual budget to purchase 81 snow pants for children at Thoreau. The Westgate HyVee has once again donated Turkeys for 12 Thoreau families that are receiving the ingredients for a full Thanksgiving feast from the teachers, staff, and PTO. The HyVee Turkey donation was arranged through our efforts. Christmas Joy Offering: The fourth Special Offering of the year will be taken on December 21 st. This is the Christmas Joy Offering and goes to support a Board of Pensions fund for PCUSA clergy and families facing special financial difficulties and to support our PCUSA racial ethnic schools and universities. Porchlight Men s Shelter: We will be cooking and serving dinner at the Men s Shelter on Dec. 12 th and breakfast on Dec. 13 th. If you would like to help please contact Sara Hayes or Pastor Kathleen. PWW Annual Soup Auction and Luncheon To be held Saturday, December 6 at 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall. You are encouraged to bring home made food items, handcrafted items, or an item of your choice to be auctioned. All proceeds go to local missions. Call Pat Marshall, , with any questions or ideas. By Mike Hansen To the WPC congregation: It has been several weeks since I left my position at Westminster, and I continue to marvel at the wonderful memories, in October as well as the years previous to my retirement. Your parting gifts are a lovely reminder of your thoughtful generosity, especially with the gift of money which I will ably put to good use. As I read through all the fun and loving cards you sent my way, I am humbled and grateful for all the ways we made friendships; and to say how much you are missed. I now have my new dog "Willy" for over 2 weeks and we are getting on well, visiting the dog park almost daily, and enjoying each others' company. He is a true companion who keeps me moving! Travel plans include a trip to Michigan for Thanksgiving (and perhaps Christmas), doing some driving and taking the dog along. Please know you are on my mind. Thank you deeply for all that you have done for me. Blessings and warm hugs, "MIKE" Hansen This month s artwork provided by Westminster s 9th hour kids Page 4

5 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols submitted by: Joe Chrisman In the worship service on December 14th, the Westminster Chancel Choir will lead us in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The structure of this 75-minute, alternative worship service is based on services led by the King s College Choir and conducted annually at their chapel in Cambridge since choral compositions that exhibit our rich heritage of Christmas music. Please invite a friend to worship with you at Westminster on December 14th. ~Joe Chrisman, Minister of Music~ The creator of the original Cambridge service described it in this way: Its liturgical order and pattern is the strength of the service; the main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God, from the Creation to the Incarnation, through the windows and words of the Bible; the scriptures, not the carols, are the backbone. This service is rich with musical offerings, many of which are drawn from the European carol tradition. However, as with all worship services at Westminster, the faithful expression of God s word is our primary focus. In this service especially, the music the handmaid of the liturgy is our response to God s word proclaimed. In this Festival, we have an opportunity to respond to God s word through carols and This month s artwork provided by Westminster s 9th hour kids Issue #532 November 25, 2014 Page 5

6 Musings submitted by: Joe Liverseed As I walk down the steps into the basement kitchen area, wiping the sleep away from my eyes and letting out a healthy yawn I can already hear the sounds of cheerful voices and sausages sizzling on the skillet. I enter sluggishly and see the Lepien family-troy and Tonja along with their two kids Sophie and Aidan already hard at work preparing a breakfast of pancakes, sausages, cereal, applesauce and hot java for a small army of hungry men. Jeff Hayes, our fearless leader, is conducting the whole operation like a skillful composer not missing a note. As for me, it's 5:10 on a Saturday morning and I still haven't decided if I'm awake or still dreaming. Then the smell of those delicious, hot cinnamon flapjacks hits me and I conclude, for better or for worse, I must be awake. I grab a white Styrofoam cup, pour myself some joe, and quickly jump in on a second griddle, hurrying to throw a batter together and catch up to Troy who is already rolling perfect little golden brown flapjacks off his skillet like an assembly line. Meanwhile, Tonja diligently cooks up over a couple hundred sausages and Sophie and Aidan help by dishing out applesauce and getting the serving line ready. I forgot what Jeff was doing besides teasing me about my odd-shaped pancakes. By the time the men began shuffling through the line at six o'clock, many looking just as groggy eyed as I was an hour earlier, the work on our end was mostly over. Sophie and Aidan masterfully manned the serving line, dishing out generous servings of flapjacks and sausages to all who passed through. Mornin', thanks miss, Thank you kindly, and 'Appreciate it brother echoed across the kitchen walls as we stood back and watched the appreciative faces, smiles, and morning yawns of our brothers at the Porchlight men's shelter receive what may have been their only hot meal of the day. Some expressed their thankfulness in their own way, letting out more of a grunt or subtle nod than a full blown thank you. But regardless of what was expressed by those 100 or so men who filed through that morning, both spoken and non-spoken, there was a common message of gratitude, appreciation and togetherness passed between them and us. In a word, there was hospitality. Hospitality is a two-way street I have come to find out; it is something you both give and receive. Sure, in this case of helping serve breakfast at Porchlight on a Saturday morning it would be easy to say that us volunteers were the clear hospitable ones, that us six were on the giving end of the hospitality street. But what I would like to reflect upon is the ways in which the tables were actually turned; that is, how we were actually the receivers of a deep and moving hospitality from our brothers at Porchlight. To let us into their home (if even only for the night) and cook for them requires both vulnerability and humility. To wake up and reveal themselves to complete strangers and walk through a line to be served breakfast because you weren't able to provide that meal for yourself demands complete nakedness of self and pride. It requires the hospitality to let others in and see you at your weakest and most vulnerable. I experienced a deep sense of hospitality in that kitchen and dormitory because those men let us in to their lives, if only for a brief moment. I came that morning half asleep and expecting to dish out hospitality like pancakes, and instead I received it like a mustard seed. In faith, J.D.L. Page 6

7 The Road Home submitted by: Qiana Holmes-Abanukam The Road Home, formerly known as Interfaith Hospitality Network, is a family shelter that was started in 1999 by 30 Madison area congregations. It was in response to a growing number of homeless families in Dane County. Besides our family shelter, the Road Home also has 6 housing programs and provides intensive case management. Some housing programs are one year long, others are two years long and some are permanent housing. I became affiliated with The Road Home fall of Like many people, I moved to Madison for a fresh start. The plan was to stay with a friend until we could secure the funds to purchase a duplex. The plan was short lived and left me scrambling to find a place for myself and my children. I got an intake interview that same week with a shelter case manager at The Road Home and within 2 weeks I was moving in. Things have definitely changed ten years later - now the shelter waiting list is sometimes 3-4 months long. I got into housing December 2005, days before Christmas and left without case management. I started volunteering for The Road Home in March 2006 through one of their buddy congregations and I was happy to be in a position to give back. I thought of all of the things people often don t think about moving into a new place (like a can opener) and started creating "Welcome Home Baskets" for families moving into housing. The band of over 50 congregations The Road Home partners with are all wonderful, each with a set of amazing volunteers. The volunteers take care of our families in shelter by providing warm home cooked meals in the evenings, activities for the children and Issue #532 November 25, 2014 a safe place to sleep at night. They make sure there are lunch provisions for the families to take for work or school, so they don t have to worry about spending money. My current role at The Road Home is Rapid Rehousing case manager. This program provides rental assistance and case management for a year. One thing I like about working at The Road Home is the continued hospitality of staff and volunteers in encouraging and supporting all clients. Even though, we re a small agency we have the hearts of giants. I often leave at night with mixed emotions, sadness for those we had no room for that day and those I support that are taking steps towards a brighter tomorrow. Sincerely, Qiana Abanukam The Road Home Rapid Rehousing Case Manager This month s artwork provided by Westminster s 9th hour kids Page 7

8 Westminster Hospitality submitted by: John Tarr Westminster strives to show hospitality and one of those ways is to see our building as something to share the use of with others. God calls us to live in community sharing resources as well as understanding. Rather than a rental facility, we look to be a safe place where all groups share space and build relationships with each other. Below is a list of some of the groups using the building: Madinah Academy of Madison A Pre-K 3 rd Grade school using 9 classrooms and fellowship hall Monday through Friday. They are starting their 3 rd year with us. Nakoma League Dinner Theater Neighbors gather in February, in our fellowship hall, to share dinner and watch a play written by neighbors based on the neighborhood. Many of the actors are Westminster members. Doin R Thing Doin R Thing In part due to Westminster being willing to host this activity, this group of special needs people gather one Friday each month for a party to do their own thing. This month the UW Marching Band joined them. Special Olympics Holiday Party and Awards Banquet Kaleidoscope A three week children s summer arts program. Girls Rock Camp of Madison Three week long summer music programs for girls ages Thoreau School - Teacher Training, PTO Pancake Breakfast, Talent Show, student ESL testing and peer mediation training have had a place in our building. Madison College For over 30 years MATC has offered arts classes to the community in our building. Westside Garden Club Fall Workshop this group creates floral arrangements for the holiday season. Girl Scouts - Troop meetings and Father/ Daughter Pancake Breakfasts Piano Technicians Group This group of retired piano techs meet once a month to learn new skills. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Meets once a week. Church Women United held one of their quarterly meetings in our newly renovated space. John Knox Presbytery We have hosted Presbytery meetings as well as committee meetings. AA Meets once a week. African Women s Group Holiday Dinners St. Louis Boy Scout Troop - overnight on way to Boundary Waters Girls on the Run of Dane County We are the inclement weather location for elementary girls learning about fitness as they prepare for the Jingle Bell Run. This month s artwork provided by Westminster s 9th hour kids Page 8

9 Poinsettia Order 2014 You are invited to share in the Christmas decoration of the sanctuary by purchasing a poinsettia plant. At a cost of $13 each, you can choose to take one home after the 7pm worship service Christmas Eve, or leave it in the sanctuary until after the New Year. This is a lovely way to remember someone who has passed, or to honor someone living; family or friends. Please complete this form and return it to the church office with your payment. We wish to contribute to the Christmas floral fund and order a poinsettia from the Flower Committee at a cost of $13 for each plant; make check payable to WPC; memo poinsettia 2013 Our Name: Please designate: (circle one) in Memory of -or- to Honor a loved one Thank you for your contribution to the beauty of our sanctuary throughout the holiday & into the New Year! You may also contribute to the general flower fund or provide flowers any time of the year by calling the church office. Contact Gay Didriksen for information. ORDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE BY DEC. 18, 2014 Issue #532 November 25, 2014 Page 9

10 Praying Through God s Word Be a rainbow in someone else s cloud. Maya Angelou Please remember these Members and Friends in prayer. Betty & Darwin Carpenter Ed & Liba Daub (at home) Betty Fox (Thurman) Jim Gainey (Bush family) Betty Paddock (Hebron) May Peters (Sebring Asst. Care) Ed Sheldon (Ruth) Millie Stevens Marion Sweet (Elliott) Mayme Williams Toni Vial Pamela Quin Linda Schultz Howard & Judy Thompson SESSION NOTES from Meeting November 24, 2014 * A report from the Ad Hoc Investment committee and action to transfer money from the recommended accounts to into an Endowment Fund. Feb. 7, which will focus on racial differences/divides in our education programs. * Heard a report from the Nov. 15th Presbytery Meeting in Richland Center * Approved a restructuring of committees for 2015 * Approved budgeting funds for Kathleen Owens to attend the meeting of Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Conference "Fear Not" in Baltimore, Mon. Feb. 2-Sat. The new format of Westminster Stories features stories from members around a different topic each month. This monthly mailing will focus on spiritual development and reflection, providing an opportunity to celebrate where the Holy Spirit is working in our midst. To submit your themed story for an issue, contact church staff. NEXT THEME: Epiphany Stories due by December 17, 2014 Page 10

11 December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 1PM Staff meeting 7 PM Stewardship 2 9 AM West garden club 3 7 PM AA meeting 7:30PM Choir rehearsal 4 9:30AM Thursday study group 5 5:30 PM DBSA 6 11 AM PWW Auction & Soup Lunch 3:30 PM Parent s Night Out 7 Food Pantry Sunday 9AM 9th Hour Education 10:15AM Worship 11:30 AM Mission 8 7 PM Worship Commitee 7PM Education Committee 9 12 PM Connections 10 1:30 PM Worship at Oakwood 7 PM AA meeting 7:30PM Choir rehearsal 11 9:30AM Thursday study group 12 5:30 PM DBSA 13 9 AM Choir dress rehearsal 14 9AM 9th Hour Education 10:15AM Worship, Nine Lessons and Carols 11:30 AM Youth Council 15 9:30AM Knitwits at Marian Rhode s 1PM Staff meeting 6 PM Joint Deacon/Session Meeting 16 9:30AM Abagail Dorcas Circle 1PM Esther Naomi Circle 17 7 PM AA meeting 7:30PM Choir rehearsal 18 9:30AM Thursday study group 5:30 PM Mary Elizabeth Circle 19 5:30 PM DBSA 7PM Doin Our Thing Dance :15 AM Children s Advent Play 10:15AM Worship 3 PM Exodus movie & discussion 22 1PM Staff meeting 23 6 PM Christmas caroling 24 5:30 PM Carol sing 6 PM Christmas Eve Service 7 PM AA meeting 25 Christmas Day Office Closed 26 5:30 PM DBSA :15AM Worship PM AA meeting 7:30PM NO Choir rehearsal Jan 1 New Year s Day Office Closed Issue #532 November 25, 2014 Page 11

12 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Westminster Presbyterian Church 4100 Nakoma Road Madison WI Call: Fax: We are especially thankful for : N O N - P R O F I T O R G U. S. P O S T A G E P A I D M A D I S O N W I P E R M I T N O Westminster Mission Ever seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, we strive to follow Jesus Christ by being Attentive to the Word, Faithful to our covenant with God and each other, and Diligent in ministering to the needs of the world. Facebook: Westminster Presbyterian Church-Madison, WI Web: westminstermadison.org Office open Monday through Thursday 8AM-4PM Rev. Alex Thornburg Office hours: Mon through Thurs. 7am to 3pm Cell: Home: alexthornburg@gmail.com Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Pastor Office hours: Monday & Thursday: 9am to 1pm; Tuesday & Wednesday: 11am to 3pm (cell) kcookowens@gmail.com Joe Chrisman Minister of Music Home: westminstermusic@sbcglobal.net Anna Eherenman Office Mgr. Office hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-3:30pm info@westminstermadison.org John Tarr -Administrator Office hours: Monday Thurs. 12noon to 4pm jtarr@westminstermadison.org Dorothy Blotz -Accompanist dblotz@charter.net Vern Forsberg -Pastor Emeritus vernandsallyforsberg@gmail.com Helpful Online Resource s: Presbyterian Church U.S.A. John Knox Presbytery, Richland Center Worship Schedule Education Classes for All: 9am Sunday Worship Service for All: 10:15am Sunday ~Child Care all morning~ Toward a church as generous and just as God s grace. Westminster is a member of the Covenant Network, welcoming & honoring all! Visit: covnetpres.org