From the Pastor's Desk

Good afternoon Westminster,

In case you missed this OSU conversation with Drs. Cornel West and Robert George, I HIGHLY recommend it. They draw on the Western intellectual and religious heritage to paint a picture of the public square where we are free to learn, grow, change our minds and to seek truth together. The Presbyterians have played a significant role in this history and it is one that underscores our tradition to this day.

This week we will hear the story of a troubled individual living in Gerasa whose story will help us think through the difference between good intentions and good actions as we consider our well-being and mental health. If you are interested in a deeper dive into these fascinating parables and healings, there is a standing invitation for the Pastor’s Bible Study, every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30am.

Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly

Looking Ahead



2/10 @ 10 am: Memorial Service for JoEve Netz

2/12 @ 6 pm: Women's Night Out @ McGrath's

2/14: Ash Wednesday Experience Drop-In

12:30-1:30 or 5:30-6:30

2/12-2/18: Labyrinth Available

2/18 @ 11:30: Open Time with Elders

2/18 @ 2:30: Labyrinth Experience with guest Rev. Scott Crane

2/20 @ 6 pm: Men's Night Out

2/25 @ 11 am: Congregational Annual Meeting with Potluck

Upcoming in Democracy & Dictators:

• February 4 - Mental Illness, healing & Mark 5:1-20. 
• February 11 – Reproductive rights, abortion & Mark 5:21-43. 

Save the date:

Feb 6 @ 5:30pm on Zoom with Worship Committee who will dedicate their February meeting to exploring creativity in worship to include Children’s Sundays, arts/drama and the like. The meeting is open to all interested folks. Contact Elder Lucy Foster with any questions.

Feb 7 @ 6-7:45pm Leadership Lab (in-person) quarterly planning for March-April-May. The gathering is designed for the elders, deacons, staff, and committee chairs to present their church programs happening in the spring for the master calendar.

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

Participate

Women's Night Out is February 12 at 6 pm at McGrath's in Willamette Town Center. RSVP to Sue Ray (raysu1@comcast.net or 503-319-0511).

Men's Night Out is February 20 at 6 pm at The Ram. RSVP to John Dalen (john.m.dalen@gmail.com or 503-551-7791).

Lent is just around the corner, and there are several opportunities for you to join us in a spiritual practice as it begins. Drop in on Ash Wednesday (2/14) during the hours of 12:30-1:30 or 5:30-6:30 to receive the imposition of ashes and communion from the pastor and to do a self-guided walk on the church labyrinth. You are also invited to Labyrinth Vespers led by the Rev. Dr. Scott Crane on Sunday 2/18 from 2:30-4 pm. This experience will include some instructional time as well as a guided labyrinth walk. In addition, you are welcome to drop in and walk the labyrinth any time the church is open from 2/12-2/18. During the week, the building is open 9 am-2 pm Monday through Thursday. You can also check the church calendar to determine other times the building will be open for activities. Consider making a labyrinth walk part of your Lenten journey this year.

FYI

Stewardship Update: Thanks to all for a successful campaign last fall. If you pledged through Realm online, please confirm that you have not only pledged, but have scheduled your giving. (Pledging does not automatically translate to giving). Annual fees: It’s that time of year. The national Presbyterian church (PCUSA) assesses each congregation an annual overhead fee. It is based on the number of members, so it is called the Per Capita fee. It is now due. This year the fee is $45.60. Please consider giving to cover this cost, if you haven’t already done so. You can pledge online through the church website (Realm), through the envelope labelled Per Capita, if you use envelopes, or you can give through the offering box including a note that it is for the Per Capita fund. If you have any questions about your pledge, giving through Realm, or the Per Capita fee, please contact Terri Crall at finance@salemwestpres.org.

Any committee, team, sub-committee, or group who would like an update published in the WPC annual report, please appoint somebody to write it up and get it to the church office by February 9. Contact the church office for more information.

Items to be included in the newsletter are due the Thursday prior at 9 am.

Give

Okay, folks, Souper Sunday will be here in a week (2/11)!! Hope you are stocking up on lots of soup so that our Souper Sunday will be really SUPER. Every can counts toward filling an empty stomach, as well as filling our faithful BIG BLUE. Fun for us and good nourishment for those who need it. 

Every unit we donate at the Westminster blood drive can help save up to three lives. Each recipient of that blood donation has his or her own story. He or she could be an accident or trauma victim, cancer patient, a mother giving birth, a premature baby, a transplant recipient or surgical candidate. Our impact goes beyond that patient – it is multiplied by the impact it has on that person’s loved ones who are thankful for the unit we donated. Please consider making an appointment to donate on Monday, March 11, 2024. There are many appointments available at nearly any time of day between 1:00pm and 5:30pm. You can use your computer, tablet or smartphone to conveniently sign up using the Red Cross blood donor App which can be found at https://www.redcrossblood.org/blood-donor-app.html (computer), at the Android Play Store or at the the Apple app store. Or you can always contact Bill Nelson at bnelson@pacificomm.net (503-576-1278) or Pam Garland at pamelamagarland@gmail.com.

Westminster Presbyterian Church