May 29, 2019

Dear friends and fellow disciples,

At the end of a hot holiday weekend, it was a deep privilege to gather in the Fellowship Hall on Monday night with our friends from The Divan Center. We met, put on nametags, exchanged handshakes and initial pleasantries. We had set up rugs in the parlor, and they offered evening prayers as the sun set. Then, they shared the Iftar with us, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset in Ramadan. We all went through the line, fixed our plates, and ate together. As you can see from the picture below, the Fellowship Hall was full of Christians and Muslims eating together, discussing matters of life and faith. Ella Brooks and I sat at a table with some other middle school girls. It was amazing to hear stories of these sixth graders who were fasting for the first time. I think, in the sharing of the meal and in all of our conversations, we saw a glimpse of the ways God calls us to be friends and neighbors to each other. 

TONIGHT at 5:30pm: Fellowship Hall Project Info Session
Last week the Session received the reports and affirmed the work of the Fellowship Hall Building Committee and the Commitment Committee, and voted unanimously to approve the Fellowship Hall project. We’ll hold a series of Information Sharing Sessions for you to hear and ask questions and receive updates about the project. These sessions will be held in the Fellowship Hall, with the first one happening tonight at 5:30pm .  It's really important that we all share in the work, and I hope to see you at one of these meetings. Additional Information Sharing Sessions will be held on Sunday, June 2, at 11:15am and Wednesday, June 5, at 5:30pm . Contacts : Dana Lange , Dave Pottenger
THURSDAY & JUNE 4: Proctor with a Pastor
Githens Middle School and Hope Valley Elementary need our help to make sure End-of-Grade test administration goes well. Afterwards you’re invited to enjoy lunch with one of the pastors – with Chris on May 30 or with Alex on June 4 . We need a few more volunteers for each date. The pastors have a friendly competition going to see whose date will fill up first - Sign up now ! Contact :   Jim Young  [This just in: Githens also needs proctors on June 3. Please contact Anne Sherman to help.]

SUNDAY: VCS Interest Meeting & Registration
Vacation Church School will be held June 16-18, 5:30-7:30pm, with dinner served each evening. VCS is for all ages, so bring the whole family and invite your friends! Please register early so that we can plan well. Want to learn how you can be a part of this fun summer ministry and help make VCS awesome? Join us for a  VCS Interest Meeting on Sunday, June 2, after worship. Lunch will be provided . Contacts : Kristina Gilbert , Dawn Wilcox
SUNDAY, JUNE 9: Summer Kickoff - Worship & Potluck Luncheon with La Nueva Jerusalén  
We’re kicking off summer with a day of worship and fellowship with our partner congregation, La Nueva Jerusalén on Sunday, June 9. Forrest Perry will be cooking his famous barbecue, and we're asking everyone to bring a side or dessert. Let’s give our La Nueva friends a warm Westminster welcome! Please RSVP and let us know what you're bringing . Contact: Beth Day

We Love Our Worship Volunteers!
Did you know it takes multiple teams of folks to make worship happen every Sunday? Ushers, lectors, acolytes, sound techs, offering counters, welcome table folks, and more! We're currently working to fill these teams in preparation for our new program year, which begins in July. Drop by the Worship Committee's table this Sunday to sign up or learn more. Thank you! Contact :  Bill Fine
This Sunday we'll welcome new members, celebrate with the children of Godly Play, and commission a big ol' group of WPC youth and adults who are going on summer trips, too. It will be good to pray over these wonderful folks, praying God's blessings on them as they learn about their faith and work together over the summer.

I'm praying for you all in this busy and full time. What a journey!