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Westminster Presbyterian Church Annual Report 2006: Committees |
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The articles below are excerpted from the 2006 Westminster Presbyterian Church Annual Report to the Congregation. |
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Return to the Annual Report main page |
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In recognition of the fact that responsibilities of the Christian Education Committee extend well beyond the traditionally recognized Sunday morning educational activities, the session has agreed to rename the committee “Spiritual Formation (SF)" in 2007. The success of the Spiritual Formation Committee activities this year was highly dependant upon the heartfelt efforts of staff members Marian Bauer (Spiritual Formation overall) and Justine Hollander (Youth). We also recognize and thank the large number of people who contributed to the success of Westminster's children and youth programs, working as teachers, caregivers, and in support of the many educational and fellowship activities. All adult leaders who have contact with youth and children at Westminster now fall under its Sexual Misconduct and Protection Covenant. Spiritual Formation Committee members included Bill Bridson (Chair), Marian Bauer (staff), Sandra Cole, John Wright, Ruth Hein, Cynthia Bush, Harriet Vander Meer, and Justine Hollander (staff). Many of the SF Committee’s responsibilities were accomplished under sub-committees with a SF Committee member being a liaison to the full committee. The sub-committee members were: Adult Program: Harriet Vander Meer (Chair and liaison), Ruth Hein, Charles Franklin, Cynthia Bush (Adult Forum), and Liba and Ed Daub (see their report below) Youth Program: Justine Hollander (staff), Sandra Cole, and Cynthia Bush (liaison) Church School/ Children's Program: Denise Meier (Chair), Betty Thomas, Susan Bush, Beth Dorn, John Wright (liaison), and Marian Bauer (staff) Nursery Program: Ruth Hein (liaison), Kathy Granquist, Jen Williams
Youth Programs (6th - 12th grades) A Long Range Planning Task Force continued to meet to determine the direction of youth programming. A survey indicated a clear consensus that the emphasis should be on Sunday morning activities. On August 26, twenty-four youth and parents met to get acquainted with Alex Thornburg and his family and to discuss ideas about youth ministry. The Sunday morning program for youth grades 8-12 includes the “Sunday Morning Coffee House,” an opportunity for fellowship and informal discussion. Leadership was provided by Justine Hollander (staff), Linda Kwiatkowski, and Mike Johnson. The youth in grades 5-7 are in the JOY Class led by Beth Dohrn and Nancy Zellmer. Cecilia Kress, Peter Schultz, and Steven Smith were the seniors leading Youth Sunday worship on April 23, along with 9 other youth. Their theme was “In God We Trust.” During the year, youth have been liturgists and acolytes. During the year the youth have been involved in a ski retreat, “Souper Bowl of Caring,” Logos East trip, summer mission work week in Madison, hosting the October 15 Fall Festival with Christ Presbyterian Church, golf outing, movie nights, a lock-in and fund raising with a Youth Auction and, beginning in November, selling sub sandwiches. On December 2, they provided free childcare for Westminster parents, so the parents could go shopping.
Church School/ Children (up to 6th grade) Ninth hour educational opportunities were offered for Westminster children throughout the school year. Teachers for the 3 and 4-year-old class were Jamie Ringsmuth and Joanne Gauthier. Helping with Workshop Rotation were Sandy Curran, Liane Kosaki, Carl Martin, Denise Meier, Kathleen Owens, Susan Bush, Doug Halls, Juanita Halls, Lee DeSpain, and Lil Marsh. Summer Church School activities were also offered. The Children and Worship program has provided activities for children leaving the sanctuary following the Children’s Message during the worship service. Charles Franklin has provided leadership with substitutes as necessary. Vacation Bible School was held in June and went very well with almost 20 attendees. Six backpacks were filled with school supplies for children affected by the Hurricane in Louisiana. Blankets were prepared to be sent to El Salvador, as well. Co-directors were Susan Bush and Liane Kosaki. Beth Dohrn and Denise Meier helped with crafts; Liane Kosaki helped with music; Jennifer Meyer, Bud Smith, Marian Bauer and Carl Martin along with some of the youth helped tell the story each day. Thanks to Kate Fletcher and others who helped with the simple meal each day. The Advent Festival was held December 3: Leaders included: Nancy Zellmer, Denise Meier, Ruth Hein, Justine Hollander, Sandra Cole, Marian Bauer and Joe Chrisman. The Christmas Pageant was held December 17 at 5:00 PM. Thanks to Sandy Curran, Susan Bush, Nancy Prine and Joe Chrisman who helped prepare the children musically, and to all the teachers, parents and grandparents who helped the children prepare for the pageant.
Nursery (birth through age 3) Nursery services were provided throughout the year by Monika Allen. In December Monika left to go on a year-long mission trip with her husband. Her sister, Andrea Keapproth has been hired and another person is being sought to help her. The parents of children birth to age 3 have tried to get together monthly for such activities as a trip to the zoo or Olbrich Gardens. There have been opportunities for learning about parenting. A curriculum for use with parents of nursery age children, “Splash” has been distributed.
Respectfully submitted by Bill Bridson, Chair
Adult Education Sunday Mornings at Westminster offered many classes for adult education. They included Bible studies, a class in spirituality, study of John Calvin in the series of Armchair Theologians, a class for young families and discussions on politics, war and peace and other social issues. Our highlight of the year was the intergenerational study of C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Many people were involved with the children reading, acting, viewing the movie, and making puppets of characters in the story as well as making “Turkish Delight.” Some adults studied the books of Narnia, others studied Mere Christianity, Surprised by Joy and Screwtape Letters. The intergenerational study began and ended with a C. S. Lewis Fair in Fellowship Hall. Leaders through the year included: Barb Gerke, Ralph Thomas, Charles Franklin, Carol Wright, Mary Jean Bartholomew, John Wright, Marcia Lund, and all of the people who helped with Adult Forum, such as Ed and Liba Daub and Ruth Hein.
Adult Mid-Week Offerings: |
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Monday |
Morning Study Group: 7:00 - 8:00 AM at the Copper Top Cafe |
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Tuesday |
Evening Bible Study: 7:00 PM, contact by Sue Hummel Second Tuesday of the month Adult Book Study |
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Wednesday |
Evening Bible Study: 7:30 PM, contact by Kathy Waggener |
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Thursday |
Morning Study Group: 9:30 AM, contact by Marian Bauer |
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Saturday |
SPLASH! 9:00 AM, contact Ruth Hein |
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P.W.W. (Presbyterian Women in Westminster), W.O.W. (Westminster On Wednesdays), and Knit Wits will all continue as scheduled |
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Summer Backyard “Bible” Study: Kathleen Owens led a series of discussions on “Faith Conversations: A Look at Talking About Faith With Our Neighbors from Other Christian Traditions.” She drew upon her experience as a member of the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations of the PCUSA. Meetings were held in private homes during the months of July and August.
On October 8, Westminster viewed the Al Gore movie An Inconvenient Truth. We joined hundreds of congregations throughout the country in seeing this movie and having discussions following it. Over 60 people joined together to view the movie with popcorn and discussion.
Respectfully submitted by Harriet Vander Meer, Sub-committee Chair |
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At the beginning of each monthly meeting in 2006 we focused on the Evangelism Committee mission: The Session created the Evangelism Committee in 2004 based on the Presbyterian Church ( USA) Book of Order (G-10.0102 a), which states “the session is responsible for evangelism to be learned and practiced in and by the church so that members may be better equipped to articulate their faith, to witness in word and deed to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and to invite persons into a new life in Christ.”
The following is a listing of our activities throughout 2006, and some plans for 2007. |
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February: |
We ran an ad in the Westmorland Courier inviting the community to Easter Worship and Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt. |
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April: |
We requested that the Deacons “phone their parish members and invite them to Easter Breakfast and Worship”. Through this process we felt we should reach everyone and it would be a reminder to those not attending regularly that they were missed and this would be a chance to connect again. Also in April, we had postcards printed with information on Summer Worship and Vacation Bible School. These were distributed in the bags at the April 29th rummage sale and posted on community bulletin boards. |
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June: |
We had a presence at Jazz in the Park on Lake Wingra with brownies and an information table. |
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July: |
Carol Wright worked with Membership Committee on a mailing with the theme “Re-member, Re-new, Re-dedicate.” |
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August: |
Members received the Re-member, Re-new, Re-dedicate mailing. The “Vine and Branches Outreach” inviting people to visit and worship with us started on August 27th and continued through the end of November. |
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September: |
We had a presence at Monroe Street days with the Swedeen family offering face painting and an information table in Michael’s Frozen Custard parking lot. |
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October: |
Distributed invitation flyers in the Rummage Sale bags on October 28th with an “Join Us for Worship and Christian Education”. |
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November: |
On Sunday November 12th, twenty-five church members distributed 750 door hangers covering the Nakoma Neighborhood and then enjoyed a supper of pizza/salad/dessert. |
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December: |
Participated in Interfaith Awareness Week at the Capitol with a tri-fold poster on Presbyterianism and Westminster’s Mission Statement. We had an information table with the Advent Brochure and Invite to Visit and Worship with us at Westminster. Rev. Alex was one of the speakers in the program. |
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Plans for 2007 We have organized an Adult Forum Series on Prayer to be held Feb. 25th to March 25th at the Adult Ed hour (9 AM) We believe that prayer can be a significant act of evangelism. If we become comfortable with prayer before meals, with our families, in our work settings - it is one way to articulate our faith. We hope you all will try to attend this series. We will consider a canvas of one of the other neighborhoods; i.e. Westmorland, Midvale Heights, Dudgeon-Monroe, before Easter in 2007. We will again consider doing Jazz in the Park, and Monroe Street Days, etc. We welcome ideas from the congregation. We invite members of the congregation to join the committee which is going to have a different structure in 2007. In 2007 Evangelism will join with Fellowship to become Fellowship/Outreach (Evangelism). As chair of the committee I thank the members: Jim Jennings, Virgil Jurrens, Jim Marshall, Carol Wright and staff, Rev. John Helt and Rev. Alex Thornburg. I also thank all of you, who in your own ways, and through other committee activities have contributed to Westminster’s mission of evangelism!
Respectfully submitted by Ruth H. Hein, Chair |
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The Membership Committee is responsible for reviewing the status of church members as active, inactive, or deleted. No member status can be changed without Session action. We encourage members who have moved from Madison to become members of a church in their new home community. Interim Pastor John Helt requested that each Session committee contribute to our 90th anniversary celebration. The Membership Committee chose to write of our members activities in the Westminster News over the past nine decades, with regular installments on the history and heritage of Westminster presented in the monthly newsletter. The committee members were Mary Jean Bartholomew and Barbara and Bill Vogelsang.
Respectfully submitted by Lee DeSpain, Chair |
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The mission outreach of Westminster continues to provide an important part of the church’s activity and identity. We provide financial support with Global Mission grants to five organizations local Mission Grants to sixteen organizations. Members of Westminster also contribute countless hours in direct services and fundraising activities to local organizations with great needs and always-insufficient resources. Our committee this year has had two main foci, the Shelter for the Homeless and Allied Drive. We have tried to simplify the cooking process for the shelter. With the expertise of Lil Marsh and her tasty recipes, the six Friday night dinners for 100-plus men have been cooked in the church kitchen by volunteers. The cost of the ingredients has been greatly reduced by purchasing them at 2nd Harvest food pantry. Dave Granquist is our authorized purchaser. Finding 5:00 AM breakfast servers is not easy, however. Rev. Thornburg and his family stepped right up to serve each monthly breakfast since they arrived in Madison. Several new volunteers have been involved in serving the monthly dinners including students from Pres House and the Girl Scouts. Lots of positive change has evolved in the Allied Drive community and there is promise that this is only the beginning. Many new homes have been built in addition to the new Boys and Girls Club. Mary Jean Bartholomew and Alice Appen are on the Allied Drive Partners Board (a consortium of churches). Rev. Thornburg is attending the Allied Drive Executive Board meetings and hopes to organize a retreat committee to visualize new directions for the board. Areas needing funding sometimes change year to year and we look to Mary Jean and Alice for advice as to where our grants are most needed. The Eviction Fund seems to be of greatest concern at the present. Kate Fletcher organized our participation in the CROP Walk. Westminster sent 19 walkers, more than ever before. We raised $1,650. Other activities included supporting Marian Bauer in filling duffle bags for school children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Several of our members worked at the grand opening celebration of the new Boys and Girls Club. Acting on the request of Mike Bodin, director of the food pantry, we organized a summertime food drive for Allied Drive in June. We also served lunch to the children one day in August, a day not covered by the public school system. We look forward to both continuing and finding new mission projects in the coming year. The 2006 Mission Committee were Ann Smart Martin, Elder and Chair, Alice Appen, Mary Jean Bartholomew, Kathy Granquist, and Peggy Sivesind.
Respectfully submitted by Kathy Granquist |
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The nominating committee members for 2006 were Elders Ed Cothroll (Chair) and Bill Bridson; Deacon Nancy Prine; and Congregational Members Doug Halls, Virgil Jurrens, Bruce Murray, and Marilyn Potter. The report of the committee is on file. |
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The members of the committee for 2006 were Elders Thatcher Root (Chair), Ed Cothroll, Barb Gerke, and Ralph Thomas, and Congregational Members Kate Fletcher, Juanita Halls, and Douglas Rouse. The report of the committee is on file. The committee completed work on two major documents which were subsequently approved and adopted by the Session: Personnel Manual: After a multi-year process of review, update, and revision, the new personnel manual was completed. This had been a major activity in 2005 under the direction of Juanita Halls, and we were pleased to present the final version to Session for approval and adoption. Child Protection and Sexual Misconduct Covenant: This document presents a clear statement of the expected behavior standards and procedures to be followed by WPC volunteers and employees. Development of this document was led by Ed Cothroll and Marian Bauer, and involved extensive investigation of the range of conduct agreements published by other churches and organizations of different sizes and sects across the country. The final covenant agreement was approved for adoption in August by Session, on the timeline suggested by John Knox Presbytery. Copies are available in the church office for examination or signature. |
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The members of the committee for 2006 were David Sweitzer (Chair), Lee DeSpain, Paul Johnson, Beau Meyer, Ralph Thomas, and John Tarr (Staff). The report of the committee is on file. The committee wishes to continue our thanks for work of the “Wednesday Work Crew” who do so much to maintain the building and the grounds. Specifically, we would like to thank Larry Graham, Bill Butler and Jim Kohl for their all their efforts on behalf of the church. We would also like to thank our Treasurer, Dave Granquist and our Assistant Treasurers, Linda Tanke, Peggy Douma, Alice Paremski and Nell Seiberlich for their work every week helping ensure the finances of the church are sound. Finally, we would like to thank John Tarr for all his work on behalf of the committee. |
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Women of Westminster |
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Some seventy years ago, the women of Westminster organized themselves into circles and became part of our national organization, the oldest adult organization still extant in Westminster, with the triple purpose of Bible study, mission and a caring fellowship. This years nationally published Bible study is In the Beginning, Perspective on Genesis. With income from two rummage sales, the second mile pledging of circle members, and the Christmas auction, we provided financial mission support in 2006 to twelve local and national organizations. We wish to thank the many church members who support the rummage sale and auction. We especially owe of debt of gratitude to Kathy and Dave Granquist, Peggy Sivesind, and Ruth Hein who make the rummage sales possible. PWW is a member of Church Women United and participates in the worldwide Fellowship of the Least Coin. The morning, afternoon, and evening circles always welcome new members. Contact Ruth Hein if you are interested. The 2006 PWW Board members are Lee DeSpain, Secretary, Alice Paremski, Treasurer, Ruth Hein, Membership, Mary Jean Bartholomew, study resource, Annabelle Melton, Abigail-Dorcas Circle contact person, Ruth Hein, Esther-Naomi Circle contact person, and Kathy Granquist, Mary-Elizabeth Circle contact person. |
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The purpose of the Worship Committee is to work with the staff to coordinate and carry out activities that support the worship environment of Westminster Presbyterian Church. The Worship Committee works with the pastor and the director of music to prepare and implement worship services every Sunday of the year plus special holidays. The sacred act of worship is the most important corporate activity we do together as a body of believers assemble in our sanctuary in which we pray, praise, and give thanks to God for all of the things he has given us. Worship Committee Membership: Elders Pamela Quin and Harriet Vander Meer, Co-Chairs, Cynthia Bush, and Bill Owens; Deacon Representative Bud Smith, Congregational Members: Margo LaPerre (Ushers and Greeters) Jean Ruhde (Liturgists), and Walt Pridham; Pastor/Head of Staff Rev. Alex Thornburg and Organist and Director of Music Joe Chrisman Worship support is provided by Kathy Waggener, who plans, purchases and arranges plants and flowers; Tom and Georgan Leverentz, who prepare the communion elements; Joel Jones, who tunes the pianos and harpsichord of the church; and the five congregational members of the Sanctuary Guild, Lee DeSpain, Georgan Leverentz, Marilyn Potter, Maxine Jurrens and Gloria Stange, who assist in preparing the sanctuary and congregational areas. The Westminster worship year began with the services conducted by John Helt, our interim pastor, who completed his time with Westminster in June 6. During the summer months, ministers from the presbytery: Ray Bradley, Nancy Enderle, Newt Roberts, Gwen Branfass, Woody Carey, Kenneth Hindmann filled our pulpit. And in August 13, we welcomed a new called pastor, Alex Thornburg and his family. We look forward to working with him in preparing all elements of worship for Westminster. Music in Worship: Three choirs continued their leadership in worship at Westminster: The Chancel Choir, Galilean Choir and the Cherub Choir. The Chancel choir continued to provide worship leadership during the program year. They contributed on an individual or small ensemble basis during the summer schedule. The Galilean and Cherub choirs, although smaller in numbers this year, contributed periodically. Two purchases were authorized by the Worship Committee for the music ministry at Westminster from gifts and memorials: a new grand piano now located in Fellowship Hall and new rehearsal chairs for the Choir Room. Worship Highlights from 2006: The worship highlights of the year were the following: the Lenten Services on Ash Wednesday, the Taize services of song and prayer on the Wednesdays of Lent, Maundy Thursday communion service in Fellowship Hall, the Ecumenical Good Friday Service (involving many churches of all faiths from the community), and our Evening Good Friday service at Westminster. Our Lenten season was filled with meaningful, reflective, and thoughtful worship. The joyful Easter Services filled the air on Easter morning. Our new pastor, Alex Thornburg was installed at a worship service on Oct. 1. The Chancel Choir, interim pastors, representatives from the presbytery and Westminster congregational members participated. “O God Our Help in Ages Past” was our celebration hymn for our 90th Anniversary year of Westminster Church. Our anniversary celebration began with a piano and organ duet recital in February. Throughout the year we sang the hymn and celebrated many aspects of our congregation and history. Our anniversary celebration culminated on Sunday, October 22 in a worship service in which an Alumni Choir participated. The service was followed with a luncheon reception. Thanksgiving Sunday was filled with joyful thanksgiving at which the congregation offered a record amount of groceries, which we donated to the Allied Drive Food Pantry. The Music Ministry continued its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on December 17. The variety and development of the music and musicians augmented and enriched our meaning of Advent. Also on December 17, the children offered a Christmas Pageant in the sanctuary. Two Christmas Eve services were held on Sunday, Dec. 24. A candlelight, family-oriented service was held at 5:00 PM, and a communion, candlelight service was held at 11:00 PM. Goals for 2007: The Worship Committee will continue to examine how we can deepen the worship experience for the Westminster congregation, how to strengthen the message of the sacraments in our worship services, how to incorporate the idea of mission in our worship, and how to more effectively communicate with our congregation. In appreciation: In 2006 Jean Ruhde and Barbara Vogelsang chose to retire from the Worship Committee. In recognition of their many years of service, the Worship Committee thanks them and all of the members of the church who have assisted the committee in the preparation for every worship service.
Respectfully submitted by Harriet Vander Meer, Co-Chair |
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