From the Pastor's Desk

Grace and peace to you friends,

Teams at the church are busy behind the scenes planning the 2023 annual meeting. It will take place on Feb 26, 2023 at 11am in Boulder Hall. In the Presbyterian church, we are deeply committed to the concept of 'shared power', which is so elegantly on display when the whole congregation gathers. We believe in the fundamental premise of voting rights, the right to speak, as well as the right for everyone to be fully informed about the operations of the church. The ‘presby’ part of our name refers to the way that we task elected elders to carry out the work and discernment of the church. Those elders have made space during the annual meeting for you to hear from, and provide feedback on, three key initiatives – strategic planning, Matthew 25, and community childcare partnership. These projects are ready for the wisdom and discernment of the congregation – please plan to come and contribute! In addition, I plan to share a state of the union during worship with a review of where Westminster has come and the future into which she is headed. Hope to see you there!

Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly

Participate

• Plan to attend Labyrinth Vespers with Rev. Scott Crane on Sunday, February 19, 6-7:30 pm. We'll refresh our knowledge of the history and meaning of the labyrinth in the Christian tradition and then have a chance to experience it ourselves. The labyrinth will be available throughout the week as well.

• Join us for a new way of commemorating Ash Wednesday (February 22) with Journey to the Center experiences. The labyrinth will be available, and from 12 to 1 and 5:30-6:30 you are invited to come for the imposition of ashes, to take communion, and to walk the labyrinth. Meditation suggestions will be available if you like. We also invite you to do a Meditation/Prayer Walk on our beautiful grounds.

• Breaking the Myth of Presbyterian Fear of the "E" Word: A Leader Formation Webinar

February 23, 2023; 7:00 – 8:30 pm (eastern)

Registration Deadline February 15, 2023 - REGISTER HERE

Presbyterians have a long and rich history of evangelism. Rekindling the yearning to share the

Good News of Christ’s love, we will incorporate the Yao mores of kalibu and ulongo, radical

welcome, and relationship. Employing these concepts we can live into our quest to answer

Jesus' call to make disciples of all people.

• The Salem Public Library’s annual Salem Reads month begins in February. The book for this year is Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, who grew up as a bi-racial child in South Africa during apartheid, when it was illegal to have such a heritage. There are a number of events and discussions scheduled by the library. You don’t have to read the book to take part in any of these events, but the Mission Peace Eco-Justice committee highly recommends it to you. You can pick up more information in the narthex, or read it here.

Save the Date

• March 13, 1-6 pm: Red Cross Blood Drive at Westminster

FYI

• Letters went out last week to a number of Westminster members with whom deacons and staff have lost touch. The purpose was to ascertain whether these members wanted to retain or resign their membership. We are required to attempt to keep our membership rolls current. If you did not receive the letter but would like to change your membership status, please contact the church office. Thank you!

• The Buildings and Grounds committee will display items that we found stored in Eastminster. Look for them on the long table in Boulder Hall and take what you can use. Any item left after coffee hour on February 19 will be donated.

• If you have participated in a child protection training, but NOT turned in an application, please get it to Vik before the end of February so she can get you cleared and ready to help!

• Deadline for placing info in the Friday Newsletter is every Thursday at 9 am!

In the Community

Westminster Friend Rosalyn McKeown-Ice was published in the Nov/Dec 2022 issue of Horizons magazine.

Assured of God’s Love: “I was in prison and you visited me”

Rosalyn McKeown-Ice describes her experience of leading a prison ministry at an incarceration and addiction treatment facility. She shares what she learned about the individuals working towards sobriety and a relationship with God rooted in love, and ways congregations, presbyteries or PW groups could support these often-ignored members of God’s family.

Ask her about her experience with prison ministry, or check out the article soon to be obtained by the church library!

Thank You

"Thank you to the congregation for the support I have received. The prayers, cards, and hugs are wonderful. Ben so loved this church." --Bev Silveira

"Blessings to all at Westminster who have supported us for so many years! Your time, talent, and treasure is so appreciated!" --Table of Plenty and all recipients

Pray for

• Peggy Hershey as she recovers from a surgery that went well.
• The Romeo family as Betsy's mom passed away on Wednesday.
• Grubby Hain who is scheduled for a procedure on Monday.
• Krystal Peterson as she recovers from surgery.

Give

• Direct link to give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's efforts for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria: https://pma.pcusa.org/donate/make-a-gift/gift-info/DR999999/?appeal=PDA&package=TSE23-ABA



• Per capita for members this year is $45.60. Questions? Contact the church office or a member of Stewardship or Budget & Finance committees. Thanks!

Westminster Presbyterian Church