Volume LVIV Number 1 January 2018

a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ

Just writing the numbers “2018” can beoverwhelming!

Another year behind you and me. A tough one, too,for many of us.

We have only today to be alive in, and only our hopesand energy to lead us into tomorrow. So, I wouldinvite you, the good people who are the members andfriends of Westminster Cong. United Church of Christ,to step forward into 2018 in hope and courage, withlove and faith in your hearts.

We have lots of changes before us, as individuals, as achurch, throughout our communities and nation.

And we have each other to hold us up, support us withour burdens, maybe even drag us along when we arereluctant!

Some of our faith community changes will be in ourlay leadership, as Jenn Marquis concludes her two-year commitment as Moderator of the church, andleader of our church Council.

Alan Borgens is taking a well-deserved break from hisseven years serving as a Building Trustee.

Kim Rupert and Kim Kotlan will both be taking asabbatical year from decorating our altar through allthe seasons of the church year. They have served in

this artistic capacity for five years.

There are some of you who will be accepting newleadership roles. Who will be our next Moderator?We do not, yet, know.

As a church community, as a people of faith and hope,we have one another and we have our shared dreamsand values, our faith in God and our trust in oneanother.

Do you have a role to play in guiding this communityof faith forward?

Do you want to give back to this place of support andwelcome, kindness and caring?

Consider your skills and your strengths and considerhow you can help this church community be strong,and loving, and faith-filled, today and tomorrow. Notas it was once before, but as it will be and is, in themidst of changing times, and difficult times.

Teachers? Organizers? Artists? Technologically savvy?Filled with advertising savvy? Cooking skills? Partyplanning skills? Visiting skills? Praying skills? Musicskills? The needs are many.I believe your gifts are many, too.

This is a faith community and we rely on each other inso many ways. Will you join us this year in growing

2018

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and sharing, in serving andtransforming, in protecting anddefending and fighting for what we trulybelieve?

Join us. Bring the gifts you have, to thiscommunity today. This is the only day wehave. But the future is before us, let us gointo the future together.

Welcome, to 2018!

Pastor Andy ~

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.

About

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 and Kate Johnston

Andréa Reese Hekimian

John Larson

Continued from cover . . .

Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 15

Westminster marches with the city!Find our banner and march with us.

See you at theConvention Center at 10 a.m.

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Church SchoolA Change of time for Church School class to duringthe church service, following the Children’s Timein Sunday Worship

The Education and Spiritual Growth Board andChurch School teachers have been consideringmoving the time for our Church School class toduring church time when more children are inattendance. We want to welcome new participantsand will have everyone start church as usual at10:30 am, and then following the Children’s Time,the teachers for the day will lead all kids 1st – 6th

grade upstairs to the classroom (#204) for theclass from 10:45 to approximately 11:40 when thechurch service and announcements are finished.

The Church School class will continue to use thesame lessons, “The Joyful Path”. This is acurriculum from the Center for ProgressiveChristianity. If your child has never come tochurch school before, a parent is welcome to comeand stay as long as they like. We can also answerany questions you may have. In the class weusually have a story, an activity and we talk whilewe are working, and then we end with the “As WeGo” song, the same one that the congregationadopted to close the service.

Children from toddlers/pre-school toKindergartners will continue to go to the ActivityRoom, after children’s time, with our caregiversNicki and Kate. About once a month Patty

Ferguson, our Education and Spiritual GrowthBoard Member, tells a special story with thetoddlers and pre-school children.

We are looking forward to the time when we willneed to have a younger and an older children’sclass.

Adult ForumThe Adult Forum will take on a new topic for eightweeks beginning in January with the Video Series“Sustaining Creation” by The Rev Dr. TerryGallagher, a UCC pastor from Illinois. There is awebsite where the videos for the Adult Forumdiscussion are located, so if you miss one, you cancatch up at home. Each Sunday 9:30 – 10:25 am inthe parlor, the group will watch a short video fordiscussion-started and then share in responses.The “Sustaining Creation” series contains “48Steps to Living Sustainably -Actions We All CanTake “.

Keep this website bookmarked:sustainingcreation.org

In addition, Dr. Gallagher has another series called“Come and See.” So far, there are 17 shortepisodes showing people and groups currentlyworking to help solve our climate crisis. Check itout. Plus, the website has more resources forreading and learning. See you on Sundaymornings in January.

Donate Winter Provisions!The Son Committee is collecting much-needed provisions for local non-profits toserve our homeless community, and they need your help to do so! The followingorganizations are requesting provisions for this holiday season:Volunteers of America, Transitions, Crosswalk, and Blessings Under the Bridge.

People's needs: Reading glasses, women's raincoats, men's/women's winter coats, jam/jelly, twinsheets, quilts, blankets, hand towels, face cloths, cough drops, hand warmers, and lip balm

Please place items in the provided barrels located in the Narthex of Westminster.

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$470 total 'Gift Card' donations toFirst Congregational Church of Sonoma UCC

Thank you for your generosity,Westminster!

On Sunday, December 10, Kim Ruperttaught her students how to make theseamazing bows.

Please submit photos of your FUNraiserevents to mary.l.rupert@gmail.com!

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WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

November2017

MonthlyBudget

MonthlyDifference

YTD2017

YTDBudget

YTDDifference

Total Income 20,061.13 13,600.02 6,461.11 193,141.81 164,599.98 28,541.83Total Expense 29,007.43 19,929.53 9,077.90 267,771.36 224,199.82 43,571.54Net Income (Loss) (8,946.30) (6,329.51) (2,616.79) (74,629.55) (59,599.84) (15,029.71)

2017 Pledge Information as of November 14, 2017:

2017Total

Pledges

2016Total

Pledges

2016PledgesReceived

2017PledgesReceived

2017Pledges

Outstanding

2017 AnnualPledgeBudget

MonthlyPledgeBudget

difference91,109.80 115,479.56 107,077.56 85,363.02 5,746.78 115,000.00 (2,232.84)

The Book and Salad Club continues to meet the 3rd Monday of each month at noon, in thehomes of participants. As always, all are welcome. You need not have read the book toparticipate, however a salad is appreciated. Want more information? You can call Marilynne at747-0659; or talk with any member of the group.

January 22 “YouDon’t Have to SayYou Love Me” bySherman Alexie;facilitated by MaryMackay, at thehome of MargaretEnnis.

February 19 “The Man Without a Face:the Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin” byMasha Gessen; facilitated by MargaretEnnis, at the home of Nada Morse.

March 19 “The Round House” by LouiseErdich; facilitated by Mary Mackay, at thehome of Marilynne Wilson.

April 16 “Klee Wyck Journal” by LouMcKee; facilitated by Lou McKee, at thehome of Linda Crowe.

WeisMemorial

January 13

2 pm

McConnellMemorial

January 6

11 am

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Worship services each Sunday at 10:30 am.

***Dates to note: 1-2 John on holiday.1-6 McConnell memorial at 11 am.Risotto class at 3 pm.1-13 Weis memorial at 2 pm.1-15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day1-18 Pie making at 6 pm.

December Attendance

12-3 12-10 12-17 12-2412-24

PM

78 90 n/a 66 75

1/5 Lori Anne Wallner

1/8 Donna Simanton

1/9 Teresa Schock

1/10 Wes JohnsonScott Marquis

1/13 Delia ThurberStan TroyerDru Powers

1/21 Diana Beers

1/23 Taylor Counts

1/24 Joanna McPherson

1/27 Marcus Soper

1/31 Liam Gates

Have you seen mehiding away in

your house?

Please bring meback to the

Westminsterkitchen!

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I covenant with you, members and friends ofWestminster Congregational United Churchof Christ:

Westminster Congregational United Churchof Christ embraces a spirit of hospitalityfounded in the gospels of Jesus Christ & awillingness to live out that welcome inmeaningful ways.

As an Open and Affirming Church, ourlongstanding culture of welcome extends toall people regardless of sexual orientation,race/ethnicity, gender, physical ability,socioeconomic status or faith background.

In this digital age, the church takes many pictures ofbaptisms, choir performances and concerts, worshipservices, mission trips, special presentations,Sunday School, fellowship activities and communityoutreach projects. We use these pictures to record,to promote, and to celebrate our church ministries.Pictures are used on bulletin boards, in slide showsand PowerPoint presentations, in publications, andon our church website.However, some persons may choose not to have their

photos, or photos of their children, used and werespect their wishes. Therefore, we are providing aMedia Opt-Out form for individuals or families whoprefer NOT to have photographs of themselves usedby the church. This form can be obtained through thechurch office.

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

Liturgist: Amanda CastroLang

Deacons:Hazel Kotlan, Francie Light,Mary Seaton, Jim McPherson

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

Liturgist: Doris Holdaway

Deacons: Jon Louis,  . . .

Hospitality: Diaconate

Liturgist: Ondrej DeZarn

Deacons: Mary Seaton, Hazel Kotlan

Hospitality: Trustees and Personnel

Liturgist: Jon Louis

Deacons: Doris Holdaway, Steve Paulson

Hospitality: N / A

Liturgist: Wes Johnson

Deacons:Hazel Kotlan, Mary SeatonJim McPherson, . . .

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

What: Benefit Concert and RaffleWhere: Westminster’s Social HallWhen: Sunday | March 4, 2018 | 3 to 5 pm

December28 Thursday Andy on holiday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group

29 Friday Andy on vacation

31 Sunday New Year’s Eve 3:00 pm AA group

1 Monday New Year’s Day

2 Tuesday John on holiday 7:00 pm Council

4 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group

5 Friday 5:00 pm Sustainability Team 7:00 pm AA group

6 Saturday 11:00 am McConnell memorial 3:00 pm Risotto class (FUNraiser event)

7 Sunday 10:30 am Communion Sunday 3:00 pm AA group

8 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice

9 Tuesday 6:30 pm Deacons

10 Wednesday 11:30 am Joanna Chapter 6:30 pm SON Committee

11 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA group

12 Friday 7:00 pm AA group

13 Saturday 2:00 pm Weis memorial

14 Sunday 12:00 pm WestCAT 3:00 pm AA Group

15 Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Day 12:00 pm Book & Salad

6:00 pm bell choir practice

16 Tuesday 2:00 pm Poetry 6:30 pm Trustees 7:30 pm Education & Spiritual Growth

18 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group 6 or 7 pm pie making (FUNraiser event)

19 Friday 7:00 pm AA group

21 Sunday 3:00 pm AA group

22 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice 7:30 pm Michal Chapter

25 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group

26 Friday 7:00 pm AA group

28 Sunday 3:00 pm AA group

29 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice

30 Tuesday 7:00 pm Council

Yum! What’s cookin'?!

Jan 28 - Feb 3, we're cooking supper forthree families resettling to our area.

Make tacos, spaghetti, chicken or whatever youlike to eat, for approx. 12-15 folks.

Sign up on Sundays. You will find dining with the families rewarding.