October 16, 2019 Friends and fellow disciples,   My goodness, last Sunday was a full one! After a really fun morning of worship (on the first rainy morning we've had in a while), we called some staff! These new team members come with so many gifts and as the result of much hard work and prayer from three fantastic Search Committees.

Upon unanimous vote at last Sunday's Congregational Meeting, I’m happy to announce the  Rev. Cheryl Barton Henry (“Cherrie”)  will be our new Associate Pastor of Congregational Care & Mission. Her first day with us will be December 1. I invite you to join me at the Presbytery’s meeting on Saturday, October 26, at First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield, to support Cherrie and Alex during their examinations by the Commission on Ministry. Of course, they’ll pass with flying colors, but it would be nice to show them our support.

But wait, that’s not all - I have more good news! At its meeting on Sunday, the Session approved the hiring of  Marietta Wynands  as our new Director of Christian Education. She will begin on November 25. Marietta brings 20 years’ experience working with all ages and stages in her ministries. She holds a Masters in Christian education from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is a certified Christian Educator with PC(USA). Thanks to our Search Committees and to Monica Nichols for all of their hard work and leadership these last several months.

I have another invitation for you: Come to church this Sunday! Come and hear how your pledges make it possible for Westminster to provide meaningful financial support to nearly 20 local and global organizations that provide care and vital services to our brothers and sisters in need. You’ll be amazed at the incredible work our Local and Global Missions teams are doing to make sure these resources reach the organizations and populations that need it most. All of this - mission partner support, property management, staffing, and program support - is bound up together. It's not about “the money we give away” vs “the money we spend at the church” - All of these pieces build upon each other, enhancing each other, as we love God and neighbor in southwest Durham and beyond. There is a lot of excitement ahead! Chris

TONIGHT: Aperture at 6:30pm Come tonight to hear the Rev. Reynolds Chapman, Executive Director of DurhamCares, speak on “ The Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope: An Ancient Practice for Here and Now ,” all about the practice of pilgrimage and why we need it today in Durham. He'll share about the theology of pilgrimage, the history of Christian pilgrimage, and how pilgrimage can be part of all of our lives. Since 2016, the Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope, a DurhamCares program, has led more than 300 people on a journey of discovering how Durham’s story, their own stories, and God’s story are interwoven. Reynolds will discuss his work with the program and offer practical steps for making pilgrimage a part of everyday life.  Contact :  Carol Mansfield

Mission Days with Pastor Leon Dorleans, Nov. 3   We’re excited to welcome Pastor Leon Dorleans, founding director of Haiti Outreach Ministries, to Westminster on Sunday, November 3. Pastor Leon will speak with our middle and high school youth and adults from 9:45-10:45am, and he will preach on that Sunday as well. Our elementary-age Church School classes will learn about life in Haiti and the work of our medical and educational teams. Pastor Leon’s visit marks the first of our new  Mission Days , one Sunday each quarter when we’ll focus on a single mission in all our elementary through high school Church School classes. The goals are to get our younger members excited about the important work our church does, and send them home with opportunities for hands-on involvement for their families. Additional Mission Days are scheduled for February 9 and April 26 and will focus on addressing issues here at home. Don’t miss ‘em!  Contact :  Rachel Chang

Lovefeast Choir Needs You! Our Lovefeast Choir consists of singers drawn from the Chancel Choir and the Westminster congregation/community as a whole. This year’s Lovefeast will be held on Sunday, December 1, at 5:00pm , and promises to be a very special experience. If you love to sing Christmas music, but don’t have time to be a regular member of the Chancel Choir, this is your chance to join in the festivities with a very limited time commitment. Lovefeast Choir rehearses only twice, and singers are encouraged to attend both rehearsals. But even if you can only attend one rehearsal, we want you to be part of the experience. Rehearsals will be Saturday, November 2, 1:15-2:15pm (come at 12:30 pm to have lunch and meet fellow singers), and Thursday, November 21, 6:15-7:30pm (only rehearsal with the organ in the Sanctuary). On the day of Lovefeast, December 1, we’ll meet in the Music Room at 4:00pm for a brief warm-up prior to the 5:00pm service. Join us, won’t you?  Contact :  Monica Rossman

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