Westmoreland Weekly E-News
Monday, June 12, 2017
A Prayer for Pulse  

On this day last year, 49 people were killed in an attack at the Pulse Nightclub, a gay club in Orlando, Florida. Fifty-eight people were wounded.   

We remember.   

We remember that love is a gift. And life is a gift. And all of God's people are beautiful.   

We remember.   

Violence is real. Pain is part of our story. Tears fall easily from heavy eyes.   

And so we remember.   

Justice cries out. Equality is to be sought and cherished. Human dignity is to be cultivated and nurtured.   

And so we remember.   

Peace needs us. Love needs us. The world needs us.   

And so we remember.   

Love. Love love. 

 Amen.   

      --Rev. Timothy B. Tutt, June 12, 2017
Alexis Kassim Going Away Purse

As was announced in April, June 18 will be Alexis Kassim’s last Sunday as Westmoreland’s Associate Minister of Spiritual Formation.  If you would like to help honor Alexis’ service to Westmoreland, I invite you to contribute to the purse.   I hope you’ll join me in contributing to this purse to thank Alexis and to celebrate all that she has contributed to our faith community.  

     -- Gary Walbridge, Moderator
Peace Camp - Please Register This Week!
June 19-23, 5-8pm
Peace Camp, our summer learning experience for elementary school-aged children, is scheduled for Monday through Friday, June 19-23, 2017, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. We begin each evening with a light supper, then move on to music, games, and arts and crafts, all aimed at helping children learn about cooperation and peace-building in a fun setting. For more information contact Pat Nelson.
Picnic: Hello, Summer!  Farewell Alexis!
Sunday, June 18, 11:15am
We will welcome summer and bid farewell to Rev. Alexis Kassim on June 18. Alexis will preach in worship, and we will honor her during that time. After the service, the Board of Spiritual Formation is hosting our annual summer picnic celebration.

We'll provide the main course as well as drinks and cutlery. We ask you to please bring a dish to share :
  • Last Name A-G: dessert;
  • Last Name H-Z: side dish or salad
If you can help with set up, serving, clean up, or activities for our younger members, please contact Rev. Kassim (alexis@westmorelanducc.org).
 
            --The Board of Spiritual Formation
Groundbreaking
Sunday, June 18, 11:15am
As part of our picnic on June 18, we will officially break ground on our building addition and renovation.  


Summer on the Circle Begins
Sunday, June 25
During the summer we will have an abbreviated time of worship (10:00-10:40am) with classes for all ages (10:50-11:30am) from June 25 through July 30.
 
Look for more information about classes on transgender issues, music, architecture, and more.
Take a Book Sunday
Sunday, June 25, 11:30am-1:30pm, Library  

Here's your chance to take one or more books that may be special to you already, or that are new to you, from volumes from the church library that will not be kept in the core collection.  Books will be available on tables in the Library during and after the coffee hour on June 25.  If you wish, you may leave a monetary donation to help pay for shipping remaining books to their future home (which is still being considered).   
New Member Welcome

Mimi Miller has been at Westmoreland since February 2013 when she became the Communications Coordinator and Office Administrator for Westmoreland.  Probably everyone has heard her name, received communications from her, or spoken with her on the phone; and many of you have met her in the office.  In her leisure time, which is about to increase dramatically when she retires on July 14, she enjoys travel, music, ice skating and her grandchildren.  Mimi lives with her husband Wayne in near-by Bethesda. She joined by Letter of Transfer from Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. 
Westmorelanders Continue Their Generous Outreach Tradition with Easter Offering  

The Social Justice and Action Board (SJA) thanks the congregation for their generosity at Easter. Each year all of the offerings collected at Christmas and Easter are used to support Westmoreland’s outreach activities. This year the Easter offering exceeded $11,371, which when combined with the 2016 Christmas offerings of $25,075, will be used to fulfill grants for area organizations that provide much needed social services to many local residents.  

SJA Board members are now visiting the sixteen local organizations that are receiving last year’s financial assistance. The overwhelming takeaway is that the social service needs are greater now more than ever and Westmoreland’s grantees are providing inspiring help. The grantees’ final reports on their activities are also now being submitted and SJA is preparing to select grantees for next year in October.  

So thank you for your generosity — not only for your financial donations at Christmas and Easter but also for your donations to the Sunday children’s collections, refugee support, making numerous casseroles and sandwiches, tutoring and mentoring, and the countless other ways that you help. This generosity of funds, time and spirit truly makes a lasting impact on the lives of many.
June Children's Collection
Sasha Bruce Youthworks
Sasha Bruce Youthworks (a Westmoreland Volunteer Corps host agency and Westmoreland Social Justice grant recipient) strives to improve the lives of homeless, runaway, abused and neglected youth and their families in the Washington, DC area.  They help young people find safe homes, achieve and maintain good health, create and strengthen supportive and stable families, and explore opportunities in education and careers.   

We will collect: new games and books for 11-18 year olds.


Immigrants Welcome.org
 Want to be kept in the loop about UCC's refugee ministries? Sign up for their monthly newsletter here.
              
Want to take action on the justice issues you care about, including immigration and refugees? Join UCC's Justice and Peace Action Network (JPAN) here.

Want to help plan how Westmoreland will carry out our motion in Support of Extravagant Welcome to Immigrants and Refugees of All Faiths? Email Lori Mosher to get involved. 
Giving to Westmoreland
Look for information in the mail and via email about ways that you can support Westmoreland and our work in the world.
   
2017 Annual Giving
Gifts to support the ongoing life of our church -- music and worship, spiritual formation programs, fellowship events, staff salaries, and building maintenance. 
             
Capital Campaign
Gifts to our four-year campaign to build a new entrance, add a new elevator, add a gender neutral restroom, and an updated kitchen. 
 
Children's Collection
Items collect by our children in worship each Sunday to give to local helping groups.
 
Special Offerings
The five UCC offerings (plus our own outreach offering) that go across the country and around the world to meet needs.
Sermon Availability
 Be sure to visit the Westmoreland Sermon Archives to read or listen to past sermons. 

You can subscribe to the Westmoreland Sermons on iTunes Podcast!  Search for "Westmoreland Sermons" or click the icon below.

Sign Up to Host Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour is a time to welcome guests and to strengthen relationships within our church community. This ministry is vital to the life, spirit, and growth of our church. Beverages (coffee, tea, water, juice/lemonade) and tableware are provided by Westmoreland. Food is a welcome addition and is provided by Coffee Hour Host(s). Please sign up to host coffee hour (once per year is recommended) with your family or pair-up with another member of the church.
Donate Flowers for Worship
The flowers on the chancel add much beauty to our worship. Individuals or families may sign up for any given week to provide flowers with a dedication included in the Sunday bulletin.  Please contact Judy Fogt and let her know that you are interested.  The cost is $55. You can mail your check the church office or drop it in the collection plate with a notation that it is for chancel flowers.
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