Westminster News: February & March 2007

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Confirmation Classes     Sundays from 9 to 10 AM beginning February 4

Westminster youth (7th Grade and up) are invited to attend Confirmation classes, schedule to start Sunday, February 4. The group will meet with Pastor Alex from 9 to 10 AM in Room 5. Eligible youth will receive a letter with all the specifics. Don’t hesitate; this will be an important, fun and blessed time for each student.  Contact Pastor Alex or Marian Bauer if you have any questions.

SKI & SNOWBOARD with family and friends     Thursday, February 22^nd, from 6 to 10 PM

Attend this fun for all event at Devil's Head in Merrimac, WI. We will carpool from Westminster , and Madison schools are closed on the 23^rd. Lift tickets are $10, and rentals are $18 ($16 for juniors & seniors). Contact Ken Sadeghian for more information, and go to www.devilsheadresort.com (call 1-800-472-6670) for conditions and directions.

Third Annual Madison Area Church Officer Training Program     Saturday, February 24

Westminster will host the Presbytery's Third Annual Madison Area Church Officer Training Program this year.

Care Cards - JOY Class mission project     February 18 & 25 in the Narthex (may be extended)

The WPC JOY (Jesus/Others/Yourself) Class has created “Care Cards”.  Each greeting card pack contains four cards made exclusively by WPC youth from grades  4 thru 7, and will be sold to raise money for the local Domestic Abuse Intervention Services agency.  

     You can purchase each greeting card 4-pack for $12, which will feature colorful, hand-stamped sentiments such as ‘joy’, ‘wish’, ‘grateful’ and ‘always’. The cards will first be available for purchase during the Valentine Tea on February 17th.  Joy Class members will also sell cards and take orders in the Narthex before and after Sunday Services during February. Remember, this sale is for a good cause!

John Knox Presbytery Youth Lock In     This Spring

Westminster will host the John Knox Presbytery Youth Lock In this year for students in grades 6 to 12. Alex Thornburg and Justine Hollander are planning the Lock-In, which is hoped to be the start of many presbytery-wide youth events. See YOU there for Fellowship and Fun, Food and Friendship, . . . and Prayer.

Youth Sunday Planning Sessions     Sundays, February 25 to March 18 from 4 - 5 PM

All youth (grades 4-12) are encouraged to attend the Youth Sunday planning sessions from 4 - 5 PM on Sundays February 25 to March 18. You will choose hymns, prayers, scriptures, share instrumental and vocal music talents, usher, greet, design the bulletin cover and give the children’s message!  Remember, it’s YOUth Sunday! You make the choices!  Afterwards, we will gather in the sanctuary with other church members for a brief time of scripture and prayer, followed by a simple meal in Fellowship Hall.

A Spiritual Journey on Sundays During Lent     Sundays, February 25 to March 18 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Join us on Sundays, February 25 through March 18, for a spiritual journey for the whole church family! From 4 - 5 PM

Childcare provided in the nursery for children less than 3 years

Children age 3 to grade 3 will make a Lenten Banner in room 11

Youth grades 4 - 12 will prepare for Youth Sunday in room 5

Adults will explore The Spiritual Journey of Lent with Pastor Alex in the lounge

Afterwards, we will gather in the sanctuary for a brief time of scripture and prayer, followed by a simple meal in Fellowship Hall.

All-Church Potluck     Sunday, March 11, after worship

Join your Westminster family for an all-church potluck following the worship service.  Bring a dish to pass (something green or Irish if you like!) and enjoy some food and fellowship.  Sponsored by the Fellowship/Outreach (Evangelism) Committee.

Goodbye and God Bless Justine!     Sunday, March 25, after worship

On Sunday, March 25, a farewell reception will be held following worship to say goodbye to our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Justine Hollander. Please attend to wish her well and thank her for all her activities for and with our Westminster youth.

Madison-West Side Community Forum on Universal Health Care     Sunday, March 25, 2 - 4 PM

Did you know: One in ten of your neighbors lack health insurance? Catastrophic health care costs are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in Wisconsin? More employers are offering less health care coverage because of rising costs? Come and hear about three proposals to create a universal health care system for our state.

     This non-partisan, educational event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches & Madison West Side Clergy Association. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S Segoe Rd., Madison, WI

Westminster & Westmorland: Neighborhood Canvas     Sunday, March 25, 4 PM

Help spread the word about Westminster!  We will canvas the Westmorland neighborhood with door hangers on Sunday, March 25th, to describe the worship opportunities available during Holy Week and Easter as well as upcoming activities related to Earth Day.  We’ll meet at the church at 4:00. You’ll be given a map and a stack of door hangers.  All you have to do is hang a door hanger on the front door of each house on your map.  It will take about one hour, and then we’ll all meet back at the church for pizza, salad, and beverages.  Listen for announcements about when to sign up.  Plan to make it a family event! Contact Jim Jennings, Ruth Hein or Cindy Kornetzke for more information.

One Great Hour of Sharing     Palm Sunday, April 1

This offering supports ministries of compassion and justice from emergency relief to long-term development through:

Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Self-Development of People

     What do my gifts to the Presbyterian One Great Hour of Sharing offering do? Within the PC(USA), programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing have evolved over the last half century along with our understanding of how best to stand with people in their suffering and offer an authentic witness to God’s healing love. Like our ecumenical partners, we focused our early efforts on those in acute need as a result of wars or natural disasters.

     Contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing make a difference in the lives of people. Whether they take the form of immediate relief to people experiencing a time of crisis or of partnerships with communities, focused on long-term solutions to chronic problems, those gifts are a powerful, tangible witness to the healing love of Christ for all people.

Easter Sunday Breakfast and Egg Hunt     Easter Sunday, April 8, 9-10 AM

Join your church family for Easter Sunday Breakfast (Worship Services are at 8:15 and 10:15 AM). The cost is $5 adults, $2 children (age 2 & under free), and $15 maximum per family. Children up to grade 3 are invited to the Easter Egg hunt in room 4. Get your tickets on March 18, 25 and April 1 in the Narthex or during Fellowship Hour. Donations of small wrapped candy treats, to be placed in plastic Easter eggs, are greatly appreciated. Please drop them off at the office by Sunday, April 1.

Westminster's Spring Rummage Sale     Saturday, April 14, 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Spring is just around the corner…time to take a good look around your home and figure out what you haven’t used in the past year.  Do you really need it?  In addition to the usual things, think about CD’s, DVD’s, office supplies, garden tools, games, kitchen gadgets, anything clean and useable. Check with your friends and neighbors too.

     Drop-off & Sort on Thursday, April 12, 1:00 - 8:30 PM. Drop-off, Sort & Price on Friday April 13, 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM. The sale is from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 14. Clean-up on Saturday, April 14, 1:30 - 3:00 PM. Please contact Ruth Hein or Kathy and Dave Granquist  with  any questions. New volunteers are always welcome. Remember, those who help can buy early…thanks in advance for your continued support.

Earth Day Every Day     Sundays, April 15 to May 13 at 9 AM and other times

Caring for God's Good Creation, an intergenerational mini series offered in spring 2007 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, will study the book “Earth-Wise: A Biblical Response to Environmental Issues”  by Cal DeWitt. Co-facilitators Sue Bridson and Doug Rouse have planned many other events.

Pres House Celebrates 100 years!  1907-2007     Saturday May 12, 2007,  2:30 PM

Alumni Reunion and Concert of Sacred Music featuring "The Spirit That Sets Us Free" by Stephen Paulus for choir, organ, and orchestra. Presented by the choirs of Christ Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow at Pres House, 731 State Street Mall, Madison, WI 53703. For more information, call 608-257-1030, email info@preshouse.org, or go to http://www.preshouse.org.

PWW Soup Supper Auction a huge success

The PWW-sponsored SOUP SUPPER AUCTION was a huge success. $1,065 for local missions was collected from auction bidder/buyers; not bad for an evening of fun and good eats!!  Thanks to all who attended this event in December, and thanks to the makers of the delicious soups and bread which were served and enjoyed by everyone! PWW is considering the 2007 auction event to be held on a Saturday, so please plan to attend again.  Many Thanks…Pat Marshall and Marian Rohde

Souper Bowl of Caring: Thank You from Westminster's Youth

Westminster's youth thank you for your support on February 4. More than $215 was raised for the Madison Second Harvest Food Bank, the charity chosen by the youth this year.

Mitten Tree

Knitting Baskets are located in the Narthex to accept your creations of mittens, scarves, and hats that will be donated to children in the community, through March 2007.  The latest stock of donated items have been delivered to both Allied Drive and Lapham school children.  Drop your donation off any time!

Your Change Creates Change!

We remind you that the loose change you put in the Sunday offering plate goes to support our ‘adopted’ child, Alex Ortiz, who lives in El Salvador. Now, another child at has come under the wing and hearts of Westminster from Harvesting in Spanish!  She is  three-year old Adriana ‘Arely’ Campos Orantes.  She and her four brothers came to Shalom Children’s Home in El Salvador when their father abandoned the family.  Their mother could not take care of them in such a dangerous area with drug trafficking and gangs.  ‘Arely’ is receiving much loving care and learning that Jesus loves her.  Arely is a sweet, happy little girl who always wears a big smile.  Check the bulletin board (near the chapel) to see the beautiful picture of Arely along with her story and information.

     So remember that all your loose change placed into the offering plate on Sundays helps support both Alex and Arely!

Westminster's Child Protection and Sexual Misconduct Covenant

On August 28, 2006, in a proactive spirit, the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church adopted a Child Protection and Sexual Misconduct Covenant. The covenant is available on this website and in the office for review. In addition, you may sign a document showing you concur with this new covenant. All those who plan to work with our children and youth - both volunteers and paid staff - during any time of the year are now asked to sign this document.