a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ

Transcription

1 a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ Volume LVIII Number 11 November 2017 Our stewardship campaign this year is entitled. My journey is entwined with Westminster. This wonderful group of people we call Westminster UCC helps me live into my faith and values. It reminds me of who I m called to be, and challenges me where I have become complacent. It is where I experience God s grace and loving friends. I have received emotional support, guidance and encouragement over the years, here. I continue to grow as a speaker, a group leader and spiritual director, and that is a direct result of the encouragement that I have received from many of you. Thank you! (I would love to hear how Westminster has impacted your journey, let s talk some time.) I am amazed at all the work that we do collectively and individually in our daily lives. As a congregation, we encourage each other to be the hands and feet of Christ in this challenging world. We prepare meals, we visit those who are grieving, listen to each other, we donate to organizations like Crosswalk, Transitions / Women s Hearth and Odyssey. Our pastors, members and friends speak out for justice, and pray and bless our wonderful city and organizations through their support and advocacy. We are artists, teachers, students, friends, family members, volunteers, business owners, health care workers, clergy and office workers, who try and live our values each and every day wherever we are. So, part of my spiritual journey also includes responding to the call to support Westminster by pledging each year. It is just part of my response to

2 Continued from cover encountering God s love. When I am filled, I am able to give back. Not because I have to, or even because I m asked, but because I truly love this community which God has breathed love into. I want to support us, because I believe this community breathes God s love into others, too, while they are here. About monthly newsletter is a Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ publication. It is usually published around the 28 th each month (schedule permitting). So this Fall, we ask you to prayerfully consider supporting / contributing to Westminster financially. It is through your support that we, as a church entity, are able to nurture your spiritual life, provide opportunities to serve, tend to this beautiful building and be a support when people are in need. Also, I want to point out that some denominations receive support from the national office, but this is not the case with our denomination. We are reliant on your generosity for our ministry. Please join me in supporting Westminster through your pledge and your prayers. We will be collecting pledge cards now through November 19. Thank you so much for being the beautiful, loving generous Church. Jenn Marquis, Moderator ~ To include something in next month s edition, your article to: or drop it by the church office. The newsletter deadline is the 20 th of each month. Church Staff: The Rev. Andrea CastroLang All of God s People Verne Windham Janet Hubbard Nicolette (Nikki) Rode and Kate Johnston Andréa Reese Hekimian John Larson Westminster welcomed our newest members in October: Jerry and Gail Hilton (Transferred ) Marian Whitfield (Transferred ) Morag Stewart (Transferred ) Joyce Malone (Transferred Phyllis Wilkerson (Transferred ) Sydney and Richard King ( ) Rebekah Smith and Shane Bell ( ) Bob and Lu Schroder ( ) Sara Hoikkala ( ) 2

3 Giving, sharing, celebrating the joy of gifting: I do indeed think on these things when I consider you, the community of faith gathered at Westminster. Your generous and vital spirit shines out of you! When you strive to live out the truth that you are the beloved of God, and we are the blessed children of a loving Creator, then you and I can begin to live out of that deep deep well of love and acceptance. It makes us less fearful in the midst of uncertainty. It makes us more patient in adversity. It gives us reason to hope in spite of the hurt and despair around us. And it teaches us that we can love generously in all the ways we can. Your stewardship team have said this to me, and they see these virtues in you. So, together with them, I invite you to imagine church as something wonderful, a community of faith hope and love, that you can support with your time, energy, money and talent. Join us in worship on Nov. 5 and see our narrative budget and our line item budget for next year. Hear the honest and hopeful testimonies of members on Nov. 12 and 19. Celebrate with thanksgiving on Nov. 19. Let us bless our giving and our gathering as a family of faith. We are so much more than just a historic building, or a long history in the city of Spokane. We are a part of the Body of Christ and sent in Christ s name to spread the message of love and justice, hope and peace, in the midst of our dark and destructive world. We are people who share our money and our love, who share laughter and prayers and tears to support, and strengthen one another. Just recently we received a gracious gift of $5, from a friend of the church who simply said, This is what we mean when we say we are church at Westminster. I hope you will support it, and support one another in being people who follow Jesus on the path of generosity. Pastor Andy ~ 3

4 Celebrate Thanksgiving with Westminster! Sunday, November 19, 2017 Sharing a feast on the Sunday before the Thanksgiving holiday has been a Westminster tradition for decades! Our community potluck meal features turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. In true community style, our Thanksgiving meal is provided and prepared by our church family. From shopping for groceries to setting tables, from roasting turkeys to making salads, from baking pies to kitchen cleanup, we all have an opportunity to help create and share a wonderful, memorable meal. Signup sheets for volunteers and food providers will be at church during the Sundays prior to our celebration. Don t miss the fellowship and fun of our Thanksgiving feast! To answer your questions or to offer your help, contact Randy or Linda Crowe. Randy: randycrowe.crowe@gmail.com Linda: revlindacrowe@gmail.com FUNraiser Silent Auction By Shane Bell Westminster s annual fundraiser is entirely about FUN and connection, while raising money for the church budget. We didn t want to auction stuff, we wanted to auction things that would bring us together. We decided that we would auction FUN. Everything that we auction is supposed to make a connection, said fundraiser organizer Mary Rupert. The auction began October 15 and lasts through November 5, with signup sheets for all items in the Social Hall. On November 5, a celebration of everyone s efforts will be held in the Social Hall, with a catered lunch. 4

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7 WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST September 2017 Monthly Budget Monthly Difference YTD 2017 YTD Budget YTD Difference Total Income 16, , , , , , Total Expense 13, , (6,470.51) 215, , , Net Income (Loss) 2, (6,554.51) 9, (65,259.74) (49,190.83) (16,068.91) 2017 Pledge Information as of October 10, 2017: 2017 Total Pledges 2016 Total Pledges 2016 Pledges Received 2017 Pledges Received 2017 Pledges Outstanding 2017 Annual Pledge Budget Monthly Pledge Budget difference 91, , , , , , , The Book and Salad Club continues to meet the 3rd Monday of each month at noon, in the homes of participants. As always, all are welcome. You need not have read the book to participate, however a salad is appreciated. Want more information? You can call Marilynne at ; or talk with any member of the group. November 20 Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi; facilitated by Nada Morse at the home of Janet Ruehl. December - no meeting! January 22 You Don t Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie; facilitated by Mary Mackay, at the home of Margaret Ennis. February 19 The Man Without a Face: the Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen; facilitated by Margaret Ennis, at the home of Nada Morse. March 19 The Round House by Louise Erdich; facilitated by Mary Mackay, at the home of Marilynne Wilson. April 16 Klee Wyck Journal by Lou McKee; facilitated by Lou McKee, at the home of Linda Crowe. 7

8 Worship services each Sunday at 10:30 am. *** Congregational Budget schedule: - Narrative handout on November 5 - Q & A on November 12 - Budget vote on December 3 *** Dates to note: 11-5 Daylight Savings Time ends. FUNraiser party at 11:30 am Veterans Day Caretaker John will be on holiday Very important: The building is closed to all traffic - absolutely no admittance after 5 pm Stewardship Sunday Thanksgiving 11/1 Judy Lungren 11/6 Linda Joy 11/7 Deb Roth 11/8 Maxine Kopczynski 11/9 Lew Wilson 11/10 Kimberly Rupert 11/16 Mary Lively 11/19 LeRoy Ashby 11/24 Steve Paulson The Joanna Chapter meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 am. We meet at Brookdale Retirement Community in the lunchroom. We welcome all women of the church to join us. You may purchase lunch for $6.00 or just join in the meeting. If you have questions, please call Linda Stephens at (509) October Attendance "You'll poke your eye out!" If you remember that phrase, you are in for a treat with A Christmas Story at the Civic Theater Saturday, Nov 18 at 7:30 pm Doors open at 6:30 and tickets are available now from Cathy Gunderson - $35 adults, $25 students this musical is a benefit performance for Family Promise. Get your tickets now for an enjoyable evening with the Leg lamp, Ralphie, and the longing for a Red Rider Air Rifle. 8

9 Liturgist: Deacons: Hospitality: Jane Baker Hazel Kotlan, Steve Paulson, Mary Seaton, Doris Holdaway FUNraiser Auction I covenant with you, members and friends of Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ: Liturgist: Deacons: Hospitality: Walt Thurber Francie Light, Jon Louis Book & Salad Liturgist: Deacons: Hospitality: Liturgist: Deacons: Hospitality: Liturgist: Deacons: Hospitality: Ondrej DeZarn Mary Seaton, Hazel Kotlan Thanksgiving Dinner Potluck Linda Stephens Francie Light, Karen Mobley WestCAT Rachel Plut Hazel K, Steve P, Mary S, Jim M Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone) Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ embraces a spirit of hospitality founded in the gospels of Jesus Christ & a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways. As an Open and Affirming Church, our longstanding culture of welcome extends to all people regardless of sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, gender, physical ability, socioeconomic status or faith background. In this digital age, the church takes many pictures of baptisms, choir performances and concerts, worship services, mission trips, special presentations, Sunday School, fellowship activities and community outreach projects. We use these pictures to record, to promote, and to celebrate our church ministries. Pictures are used on bulletin boards, in slide shows and PowerPoint presentations, in publications, and on our church website. However, some persons may choose not to have their photos, or photos of their children, used and we respect their wishes. Therefore, we are providing a Media Opt-Out form for individuals or families who prefer NOT to have photographs of themselves used by the church. This form can be obtained through the church office. If you have no objection to church use of your photograph, you DO NOT need to sign or return this form. 9

10 1 Wednesday All Saints Day 2 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group 5 Sunday Daylight Savings Time ends 10:30 am Communion Sunday Narrative Budget handout 11:30 am FUNraiser Auction! 3:00 pm AA group 6 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice 8 Wednesday 11:30 am Joanna Chapter 5:30 pm Music & Arts 6:30 pm SON Committee 9 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group 11 Saturday Veterans Day 12 Sunday 11:30 am Congregational Budget Q & A 12:00 pm WestCAT 3:00 pm AA Group 13 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice 14 Tuesday 6:30 pm Deacons 7:30 pm Education & Spiritual Growth 16 Thursday Caretaker John is on holiday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group 17 Friday 5:00 pm building closed - no admittance (customer requests absolutely no admittance to the building from 5 pm to 1 am. Thank you.) 19 Sunday 10:30 am Stewardship Sunday 11:30 am Thanksgiving Dinner 3:00 pm AA Group 20 Monday Witness submissions due 12:00 pm Book & Salad 6:00 pm bell choir practice 21 Tuesday 2:00 pm Poetry 6:30 pm Trustees 23 Thursday Thanksgiving Day Church office is closed 6:30 pm AA Group 24 Friday Church office is closed 26 Sunday 3:00 pm AA group 27 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice 7:30 pm Michal Chapter 28 Tuesday 7:00 pm Council 30 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group Budget 2018 The proposed 2018 Westminster Budget will be presented to the congregation after church on Sunday, November 5. The following Sunday, November 12, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, so mark your calendar and join us for this important part of our church life. Questions are encouraged so please don't hesitate to ask! Church members will vote whether to approve the budget after church on Sunday, December 3.