J une 5, 2019

Friends and fellow disciples,

'Tis the season...for final exams and graduations and closing rituals of all sorts. I'm headed to a kindergarten class for an end-of-year celebration for our youngest today, and the next week will be filled with many of those things for our family and for many of you as well. As the school year winds down, I am even more grateful for the educators among us who teach and coach and walk alongside our young people. I also give thanks to our God who equips us for the journey and walks alongside us as changes come.
This weekend promises to be a great one, with events Saturday and Sunday that I hope you'll support with your time and energy. Beyond that, please look ahead to VCS beginning on June 16, along with a Congregational Meeting about our exciting Fellowship Hall Project.
TONIGHT at 5:30pm: Fellowship Hall Project Information Session
Last month, the Session received and reviewed the reports of the Fellowship Hall Building Committee and Commitment Committee, then voted unanimously to approve the Fellowship Hall project. Thanks to the generosity of this congregation during last year's Capital Campaign, three-quarters of the funding needed for this project has already been raised and secured. Detailed estimates have been prepared by a team of expert architects, engineers, and builders; additional financing will be needed to complete the project. The final Information Session on the project will be held tonight at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall - I would love to see you there to show you the updated plans! There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 16, to approve financing for the Fellowship Hall project and begin moving forward. What an exciting time in Westminster’s history! Contacts : Dana Lange , Dave Pottenger
  SATURDAY: Rockin' Westminster Work Day
All ages invited to help "rock" the church on Saturday! The big project for the day is “rockin’" our new property on Old Chapel Hill Road so that it can be mowed. We’ll also clean out the garage in preparation for storing items from the Fellowship Hall as the building project gets underway. Bring buckets, carts, wheelbarrows, work gloves, and a happy heart to help. Sign up now for a 9:00am-noon or 1:00-3:00pm shift. Contacts : Helen Harrison , Jeremy Trantham
SUNDAY: Summer Kickoff - Worship & Potluck Luncheon with La Nueva Jerusalén  
We’re kicking off summer this Sunday with a day of worship and fellowship with our partner congregation, La Nueva Jerusalén. Come get some of Forrest Perry’s famous barbecue, and bring a side dish or dessert to share (we'd like to see a few more desserts on the sign-up list). Let’s give our La Nueva friends a warm Westminster welcome! Please RSVP now so we can plan well. Contact: Beth Day
Vacation Church School: “Take Me to the Water: God’s Love Flows,” June 16-17-18, 5:30-7:30pm
Stories about water are featured often in the Bible. They not only reflect the refreshment and life that water provides, but also show that God is present and active in our lives. In baptism we refer to the waters of creation, the waters of the flood, the water God’s people passed through into freedom, and the water in which Jesus was baptized. Join us as we delve into a few of these water themes through drama, games, art, and singing at VCS. Fun learning for the whole family - Register now !
Want to be a part of this awesome summer ministry? We are in need of....
  • Crock Pot Cooks to bring crocks of macaroni and cheese for Monday and baked beans for Tuesday
  • Bakers to donate homemade cookies/bars/brownies for each night
  • Kitchen Assistants to help with meal set-up and clean-up on one or more nights

Please let us know if you can help. Contacts : Kristina Gilbert , Dawn Wilcox
Sing with the Summer Choir!
Summer Choir is a great way to sample choral singing with minimal time commitment, while providing a great service to your church. All are invited to sing with our Summer Choir, which provides anthems for worship through September 1. Rehearsals happen only on Sunday mornings at 9:00am in the Music Room. Whenever you are in town, drop in and join in making sweet music for our worship.  Contact : Monica Rossman
I was watching news coverage this morning of the start of commemoration events for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. I continue to be inspired by the sacrifice of those who served in a tumultuous time in our world. Not many of those saints are still with us; we must listen carefully to their stories and continue to honor their commitment. I thank God for the commitment of those who step into harm's way for us, all the while praying for God's deep peace with justice to envelop the world.

Blessings to you in these days, friends.