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Friday Newsletter

November 8, 2024

This Sunday

9 am: Jesus' Parables Discussion Group

10 am: Worship Service & Sunday School (dismissed partway through service)

11:15 am: Stewardship Wrap Up Lunch

3:30 pm: Youth Collective

Please join us after service this week to celebrate the closing of the stewardship drive (bring your pledge card or pledge here) and to take this opportunity to intentionally build community together!


In Boulder Hall we will have a "build your own baked potato" bar and family-friendly building-themed activities set up at each table. Invite a friend and come join the fun!

From the Pastor's Desk


Westminster Friends & Family,


We have so much to unpack in the coming weeks and months regarding this most recent election and unpack we shall! Of course, we’ll do it “decently and in good order” (a popular Presbyterian mantra) with opportunities for church-wide prayer and discernment. In the immediate future, I encourage you to make these upcoming events a part of your faith practice this month:


  • Nov 10 @ 11:30am Stewardship Baked Potato Bar & All-Ages Building Project
  • Nov 10 @ 4:30-5:30pm Vigil for Democracy (First UCC, 700 Marion St; Marion Street lawn)
  • Nov 17 & 24 @ 11:30am Election Debrief Listening Circles (hosted by Westminster’s elders & Pastor Kelly)


Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly


In case you missed it, Westminster’s handbell choir shared a wonderful piece, Built on this Rock, this past Sunday. Enjoy it here, and share with family and friends.


Prayer for the week:

The God of Jacob executes justice for the oppressed;

and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;

the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the strangers;

and upholds the orphan and the widow,

but the way of the wicked is brought to ruin. (Psalm 146:7-9)



Peace,

Pastor Kelly

From Your Leadership


Leadership Lab summary – The elders, deacons, chairs & staff met on 11/6/24 for early preparations re: the 2025 class of elders, deacons & chairs (elections in the spring) as well as updates on what is new in Children & Youth:

  • Next Generation Steering Committee (infant-grade 5) is coordinating families of young children for ministry and education. Contact: Ariana Recher (chair) or Vik Schaaf (staff).
  • Oversight/Steering Committee (grades 6-12) is supporting and nurturing ministry with youth. Contact: Dick Hughes (co-chair) or Sandy McLean (co-chair).
  • Safety Team is spearheading Westminster’s efforts on safety, policy and congregational best practices with minors. Contact: Warren Binford (chair).

Looking Ahead


Nov 3-Nov 17@ 9 am: Jesus' Parables Discussion Group

November 9 @ 9 am: Fall Bulb Planting (helpers welcome!)

November 10 @ 11 am: Stewardship Wrap Up Lunch

November 11 @ 6 pm: Women's Night Out at Original Roadhouse Grill (on Lancaster!)

November 19 @ 6 pm: Men's Night Out

November 24 @ 3 pm: Advent Craft Event

December 9 @ 6 pm: Women's Night Out Cookie Exchange

December 16, 1-6 pm: Red Cross Blood Drive


Access the full church calendar here. To add or correct something, please email office@salemwestpres.org.

Opportunities

Discussion Group

You are invited to join a three-week discussion series entitled "Digging Deeper: A Discussion on the Teaching of Jesus of Nazareth in Three Parables", led by Karen Freed and Ann Montague. The series will take place on Sunday mornings, 9:00 am-9:45 am, November 3, 10, and 17 as follows:

  • November 3: The parable of the Mustard Seed ( Mark 4:30-32)
  • November 10: The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
  • November 17: The parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

The purpose of the discussions is to create a time when we can discuss the teachings of Jesus in a safe, inclusive, and interactive space. “We gather together to discern the mind of Christ and the will of God and to commit ourselves to living these values in the world” (Bruce Reyes-Chow, Everything Good About God is True, p. 43).


Bowling Party

Everyone's invited to go bowling together on Saturday, November 16, at 1 pm at AMF Firebird Lanes. You can sign up on the form in Boulder Hall or contact Michele (408-402-2396) to RSVP by Nov 9.


Women's Night Out at WPC! Cookie Exchange is Monday, December 9 at 6 pm. Bring five dozen cookies to exchange and a salad to share.

Our Stories

Starting in January 2025 the Congregational Vitality Committee will host “Our Stories” on the second Sunday of the month after worship in Russell Hall.


Our Stories is an effort for church family members to know one another better. After the isolation of the pandemic, members moving away, and new members joining WPC, we the congregation need to be intentional about knowing one another.

 

We are looking for church family members who will share stories about their professional life, their hobbies, their family, their spirituality, etc.


We plan to have individuals or small groups present. We need to know about you, your history, and your talents so we can create a list of themes and presenters.


  • Have you taken a trip or adventure you would like to share?
  • Have you written a book?
  • What is/was your career and how does/did your religious beliefs shape your career?
  • Are you a scientist or engineer?
  • Are you an artist?
  • Are you a teacher?
  • Did you work in sales or retail?
  • Did you work in a factory?
  • Were you in the military? Where were you stationed?
  • Have you worked with the natural world (e.g., farmer or a hydrologist)?
  • Have you lived abroad? What did you learn and how did it change you?
  • Do you have a memory of a grandparent that helped you define who they were?
  • Is there a saying that shaped how you act in the world? Who told it to you?


Please email Rosalyn McKeown-Ice (rosalynmckeown@hotmail.com) with answers to these questions, or to volunteer to present on another topic.

Give

Outreach for Social Justice Food/Book Drive through November 17 (bring donations to big bin in Boulder Hall). These items will be used to fill the little free library/pantry that was installed at the bottom of our parking lot this summer. Many school kids and neighbors walk across our property--help us extend hospitality and care in this simple, practical way! Non-Perishable Food: pasta, cereal, granola/protein bars, crackers, peanut butter, noodles, flip top canned goods, pet food, any easy grab-and-go individually packaged snacks. Early Reader Books (no picture books). Questions? Please contact Michele for questions (408-402-2396) about food and Sue Ray (503-319-0511) about books. 


Our Next Generation ministries need many more trusted adults to join our work with children and youth. Opportunities include helping in Sunday School, Youth Group, with infant and toddlers, and on special projects or as part of our committees. It's restorative to be around younger generations! We support and serve our children and youth by doing so in a safe space. That’s why we’re putting out this urgent call for volunteers. For any children’s or youth activity to take place — including nursery, Sunday School and Youth Group — we must have several adults on hand who have completed WPC’s Child Protection Training. The training is online. To participate, please contact Vik Schaaf as soon as possible at 503.580.3288 or Vik@salemwestpres.orgThank you for investing your time in our Next Generation.


Thanksgiving will be here sooner that we think. Table of Plenty is usually open on Thursday evenings, but always on Thanksgiving they open on Tuesday evening. This year that is Nov. 26. We will be taking the food from the TOP boxes over to weigh and shelve on Tuesday, November 19. Please bring your food to share by that date. A bit of an update: TOP averages between 40 and 70 families a week. Last week they served 80 families! The need for food for our neighbors continues. Thanks be to God that we are able to share with them!

In the Community

Westminster Presbyterian Church

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3737 Liberty Rd. S 

Salem, OR 97302

PHONE: 503-364-3327

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