Volume LXIII Number 4 April 2019

a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ

2019

The joyous proclamation of God’s love and promisesfulfilled! It’s been my favorite holy day for a long long time.Especially in times of travail, in dark valleys, at death’sdoor; Easter is the proclamation of life and hope, oftransformation and possibility through the life giving powerof God.

Yet, we do not get to Easter by ignoring pain, by runningfrom the confusion and darkness, the hardness and thesuffering in life.

If we can learn anything from Jesus, it is that faithfulwitness, trusting hope, determined nonviolence, andforgiveness, lead us to Easter.

I encourage you to enter into Holy Week as a journeythrough the dark valleys, to the light of Easter morning.Let Jesus be your guide and companion as we read, sing,and pray the stories of his final days and hours.

1. We begin on Palm Sunday in worship, withcelebration of the humble “son of David” who comesto Jerusalem. Then, we will sing through the story ofhis passion and death.

2. On Maundy Thursday at 7 pm, we will enter into thestory of the Last Supper with a table of bread andwine and grape juice, set for all. We will share inpoems, in walking meditation, in gentle song.

3. On Good Friday at 5:30 pm, we will recount thepassion, we will drape the cross in black, we willponder in prayer and song.

4. On Holy Saturday at 10 am, Pastor Andy will share aGerman Easter egg dying tradition in the churchkitchen. This is a family fun event, bring a dozen hardboiled eggs and some old nylons you are willing to cutup into small squares. Easter eggs have an ancientsymbolic past rich in meaning…they are more than justdecorations! Also, on Holy Saturday, from 1-3 pm, thechurch members and friends are invited to wear theirgardening clothes and come plant flowers, clean upWinter detritus, and help us prepare our grounds forthe glory of Easter morning!

5. On Easter morning, we will share in a communalbrunch that begins at 9 am!

We will needlots of food to share with the 25 young adults and theGuardians who are their guides. Bring an extra largeegg dish, or a bigger ham, or a larger bag of sweet rolls!Food is a form of community making, and fun…let usshare our celebration with one another and our youngguests!

6. Easter morning worship at 10:30 will include trumpetfanfares and joyful song and prayer! Plan to worship injoy and thanksgiving, wear your “Easter best” thatmakes you happy, and welcome the Risen Christ, intoyour heart, your soul, your life! There will be balloonsand sidewalk chalk too!

Pastor Andy ~

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monthly newsletter is aWestminster Congregational

United Church of Christ publication.It is usually published around the

28th each month (schedule permitting).

To include something in next month’s edition,email your article to:

or drop it by the church office.

The newsletter deadline is the20th of each month.

Church Staff:

The Rev. Andrea CastroLang

All of God’s People

Verne Windham

Janet Hubbard

Nicolette (Nikki) Rode

Andréa Reese Hekimian

John Larson

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Plucker MemorialApril 61 pm

Come celebrate the life ofBill Plucker

Prayer can be many things and we can do prayer in a lotof ways. Like a good friendship, we can ask for help, wecan share time together holding our frustrations,sorrows, joys.

As scripture promises, God hears our prayer and is withus; listening is crucial. A dear friendship starts withlistening.

Invite God in.

Make a date . . . time to read together,  go for a walk. . .or linger together for a little bit, each day.

Share your life, let God be involved in it. God listens.

Then, take some time to set aside your stuff and beavailable to God.

Look and listen, what is God trying to share with you?Notice it

Consider asking questions : Is that really you, God?

Does that really align with the Gospel message?

Like deep friendships, it is mostly about being together,being present to God. Noticing what God is trying toshow you and how you are changing as you spend timewith God. As we listen, we build a better relationshipand deeper connection with God and with our friendsand family.

When can we do this?

In life, anywhere, in the ordinary day.

And when we listen to others, we are participating inlife with God.

And make this your own.

Jennifer MarquisSpiritual Director ~

Orders are being taken for Easter Lilies to enhanceour Chancel area for Easter Sunday worship. Liliesmay be taken home after the Easter service orgiven as a gift to one of our homebound or illmembers.

Please complete the order form below and return,with your payment, to the church office byApril 14, 2019. Make checks payable to WCUCC.Please note “Easter Lily” on your check. Or orderonline from westminsterucc.org, choose ‘Other’ onthe input screen and note: Easter Lily.

Given by: ______________________________

or of (please circle):

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

I will pick up my plant(s) after worship onEaster morning.

Please deliver this plant to someone who ishomebound or ill.

I wish to help deliver plants after the worshipservice.

Included is $ _________ for _________ (# of)lilies at $12.00 each.

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Sponsored byPacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ

This spiritual retreat for women of all ages is anopportunity to acknowledge that we are woven into the

web of all creation, and to celebrate our connections withGod and with one another. This retreat is a time to nurtureyourself and your soul. At beautiful Camp N-Sid-Sen on

the eastern shore of glorious Lake Coeur d’Alene, we willweave a tapestry of time together. We will take time for

discovery, sharing, singing, worshiping, praying, andrelaxing. In community and in solitude we will experience

a time of restoration and renewal.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1968

Register online at www.n-sid-sen.orgCost: $110 (cabins) or $125 (lodges)Weave Us Together leadership team:Rev. Lynn Nelson bamba2@q.com

Rev. Linda Crowe revlindacrowe@gmail.comRev. Courtney Stange-Tregear courtney@pncucc.org

Terry Zakar tazakar@hotmail.com

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Peat Moss! Yes, peat moss! What does peat moss have todo with climate change? A lot, apparently.

It is gardening season, and many of us will be buyingpotting soil for our gardens and garden pots. Finding agood potting soil is sometimes confusing. Look for aproduct that contains ground conifer bark (called fines),compost, perlite or vermiculite, and either peat moss orcoir. Sometimes it will also contain slow release fertilizer.

So again, why is peat moss an issue? Much peat moss isnot sustainably harvested. It contains a lot of carbon,which in this time of global warming, is a concern. Whilea few farms have restoration projects to restore the bogs,in most cases, when it is harvested, carbon is released intothe atmosphere. Peat moss took thousand of years toform. It is better to leave the bogs alone to hold on to thecarbon they contain.

Coir fiber is a sustainable product. It readily absorbs andholds water. It comes from the coconut husk which, solong as we have coconuts, we will have coir fiber.

Next time you go to that garden center in search of pottingsoil, read the label!

Doris Holdaway ~

Spokanestageleft.org

Summer Parkways

June 206 - 9 pm

Summer IS coming!

Yeah, and so is . Celebrating our 140thAnniversary, we will share our joy at a booth (similar tothe Pride booth) during the Summer Parkways’ four-mile-long loop street party.

Between Comstock and Manito parks, all sorts of non-motorized travel on traffic-free streets will occur. Folkstravel the loop skating, walking, jogging, skateboarding,pushing scooters, etc. This is the 10th year and the crowdhas grown to attract a several hundred. Kids selllemonade and cookies in front of their homes; neighborsshare activities such as stilt walking; plus lots ofentertainment along the loop.

All ages participate, shouldn't we? A sign-up board tostaff our booth will be coming out late April. Meanwhile,save the evening of June 20th to help with our booth onManito Blvd.

Cathy Gunderson ~

Oddjobs? Who ya gonna call?

A group of Gonzaga students have formed a group thatcan be contacted to perform: pet care, moving help,general labor, babysitting, application help, shoveling,raking, or cleaning, to name a few. You name the price.Find them at oddjobbers.org

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Westminster’sMember and Friend Directory

The office will be updating the church directory, in the near future. If you are chair of a committee, and havenot already updated the office with changes or additions to the 2019 / 2020 roster, please email the office atoffice@westminsterucc.org.

Once updates are received, a draft directory will be emailed for preview before publishing. If you are notalready subscribed to receive directories and updates by email, but would like to, go to the website footer atwestminsterucc.org. Use the “Sign-up for our emails!” link. If you are already subscribed for other emails, youwill get a notice. Follow the prompts to update your preferences.

April 15 "Pachinko" by MinJin Lee. Facilitated byMargaret Ennis at the homeof Marilynne Wilson.

May 20 "Educated" by TaraWestover. Facilitated by KayStevenson at the home ofKaren Wilson-Bell.

June 17 "Wind in my Hair"by Masih Alinejad.Facilitated by Nosrat Wippleat the Park Bench in ManitoPark.

WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

February2019

MonthlyBudget

MonthlyDifference

YTD2019

YTDBudget

YTDDifference

Total Income 13,549.24 14,450.00 (900.76) 31,640.23 28,900.00 2,740.23Less Total Expenses 21,431.69 22,047.67 (615.98) 44,339.23 42,645.34 1,693.89Net Income (Loss) (7,882.45) (7,597.67) (284.78) (12,699.00) (13,745.34) 1,046.34

2019 Pledge Information as of February 15, 2019:

2019Total

Pledges

2018Total

Pledges

2018PledgesReceived

2019PledgesReceived

2019Pledges

Outstanding

2019 AnnualPledgeBudget

YTD PledgeBudget

difference122,983.12 104,530.12 101,165.12 22,531.24 100,451.88 100,000.00 5,864.57

The Book and Salad Clubcontinues to meet the 3rdMonday of each month at noon,in the homes of participants.As always, all are welcome.You need not have read thebook to participate, however asalad is appreciated. Wantmore information? You can callMarilynne at 747-0659; or talkwith any member of the group.

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I covenant with you, members and friends of WestminsterCongregational United Church of Christ:

Westminster Congregational United Church of Christembraces a spirit of hospitality founded in the gospels ofJesus Christ & a willingness to live out that welcome inmeaningful ways.

As an Open and Affirming Church, our longstandingculture of welcome extends to all people regardless ofsexual orientation, race/ethnicity, gender, physicalability, socioeconomic status or faith background.

In this digital age, the church takes many pictures ofbaptisms, choir performances and concerts, worshipservices, mission trips, special presentations, SundaySchool, fellowship activities and community outreachprojects. We use these pictures to record, to promote,and to celebrate our church ministries. Pictures are usedon bulletin boards, in slide shows and PowerPointpresentations, in publications, and on our churchwebsite.

However, some persons may choose not to have theirphotos, or photos of their children, used and we respecttheir wishes. Therefore, we are providing a Media Opt-Out form for individuals or families who prefer NOT tohave photographs of themselves used by the church. Thisform can be obtained through the church office.

If you have no objection to church use of yourphotograph, you DO NOT need to sign or return one ofthese forms.

Liturgist: Cathy Gunderson

Deacons:Doris Holdaway, Mary Seaton,Hazel Kotlan, Sara Weaver

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

Liturgist: Kyle Lehman

Deacons: Maxi DeLaney, Wes Johnson

Hospitality: Trustees & Personnel

Liturgist: Nevan McCann

Deacons: Mary Seaton, Hazel Kotlan

Hospitality: Easter Brunch (sign-up)

Liturgist: Doris Holdaway

Deacons: Wes Johnson

Hospitality: WestCAT

Liturgist: Matt Wood

Deacons:Sara Weaver, Jim McPherson,Doris Holdaway

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

4/8 Marilynne Wilson

4/13 Frances FakasiiekiGabe Ferguson

4/18 Randy Crowe

4/20 Janet Ruehl

4/23 Lorna Kropp

March Attendance

3-3 3-10 3-17 3-24 3-31

76 70 77 N / A 67

1 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice3 Wednesday 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group 6:30 pm SON Committee4 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group6 Saturday 1:00 pm Plucker Memorial7 Sunday 10:30 am Communion Sunday 11:30 am bow class w/ Kimberly

3:00 pm AA group8 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice9 Tuesday 9:30 am Tai Chi w/ Jane10 Wednesday 11:30 am Joanna Chapter 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group 6:30 pm Deacons11 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA group12 Friday 7:00 pm Le Donne in concert14 Sunday Congregational Vote for Moderator

12:30 pm Education & Spiritual Growth 3:00 pm AA group15 Monday Tax Day

12:00 pm Book & Salad 7:00 pm bell choir practice16 Tuesday 2:00 pm Poetry17 Wednesday 5:00 pm Trustees

5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group18 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group

19 Friday20 Saturday 9:30 am Tai Chi (make-up class)

21 Sunday

3:00 pm AA group22 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice23 Tuesday 9:30 am Tai Chi w/ Jane24 Wednesday Pastor Andy working offsite thru 4-28

5:00 pm Council 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group25 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA group28 Sunday 3:00 pm AA group29 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice