Westminster News: April & May 2007

 

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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.

 

 

Youth Sunday     April 29 worship service

 

 

The children and youth of Westminster Presbyterian Church will lead the congregation in worship on April 29.  The theme for the morning is God’s Amazing Love.  Come and worship God as they lead in word, prayer, scripture, and song, featuring high school seniors Aaron Kornetzke and Jessica Watts, the Joyful Noise Singers, and the Galilean Choir.

 

 

Arboretum Walk     Sunday, April 29, after worship

 

 

Wear your hiking clothes and bring your bag lunch to church. After we'll head over to the UW-Madison Arboretum for a nature hike until around 1:30 pm; with our Naturalist Sue Bridson.

 

 

Church Women United May Friendship Day    Friday, May 4, 9:30 AM

 

 

The annual CWU May Friendship Day is May 4th at Bethany United Methodist Church , 3910 Mineral Point Road. Our Fellowship of the Least Coin monies will be dedicated at the 11 AM worship service.  Coffee and a business meeting will precede the service at 9:30 AM. A luncheon follows at noon with a minimal cost of $6.00.

 

 

Spring Clean-Up at WPC     Saturday, May 5, 8 AM 'til noon

 

 

On Saturday, May 5th, at 8 AM the Westminster Property Committee invites all able-bodied souls to join us with your rakes, brooms, dust pans, window washing equipment and trowels as we clean up the church grounds, the windows and arrange outdoor planters with seasonal flowers, under the supervision of our committee's newest member and master gardener, Karen Sackman.

 

 

Westminster Bridge Club organizational meeting     Sunday, May 6, after worship

 

 

The Westminster Bridge Club will be starting again, and we’ll invite the Nakoma neighborhood to join us as well. There will be an organizational meeting on Sunday May 6th right after church in the lounge; coffee and muffins will be served. Come to this meeting, or if you cannot, contact Ken Sadeghian.  You do not need to have a partner in order to join and play. People can sign up individually and then get paired up when games begin.

 

 

Allied Parent's Day     Monday, May 7, 1 - 5 PM

 

 

Ruth Hein is again coordinating a parent's day at Allied with the After School Program.  On Monday May 7, about 80 children will have a chance to pick a gift for their Mom and Dad or the Person Who Cares for them and then wrap it so they can give it to them that week of Mother's Day. At this point, we need individuals who can help with the set-up, wrapping, and cleanup on Monday May 7th.  We will set up around 1 PM, the kids will shop from 2 to 5 PM, and then there will be pack-up. Contact Ruth at if you can help.  We am short of gifts for men, and looking for item or money donations. We also could use wrapping paper and bows.  Please place donations in the box across from the chapel marked "Allied".

 

 

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

 

 

This year marks 100 years of Presbyterian ministry on the UW-Madison campus.  An anniversary service will be held at Pres House, 731 State Street Mall, Madison, WI, on May 12.  The reunion service is scheduled during UW-Madison’s alumni weekend and will feature the Westminster and Christ Presbyterian Church Choirs in concert with an accompanying orchestra performing “The Spirit That Sets Us Free” by Stephen Paulus. The concert is scheduled for 2:30 pm Saturday, May 12 with a reunion, reception, and Dedication of the Pridham Lounge at 4 PM.  At 1 PM, prior to the concert, hard-hat tours of the new Pres House Residence will be conducted. All alumni and the public are invited to attend. For more information or to RSVP by May 1, contact Linda Lindley at 257-1030 or email Linda@preshouse.org. For more information go to http://www.preshouse.org.

 

 

Rouse Farm and Potluck Supper Picnic     Saturday, May 19, 2 PM 'til evening

 

 

All church members are invited to our annual country fellowship gathering to be held rain or shine; (a dry warm barn is available during inclement weather). Judi and Doug  again extend an invite to spend special time at their farm in the Spring Green / Muscoda area. Consider carpooling or head out by yourself. You might also stop in Muscoda on your way to visit the 25th Annual Morel Festival from 10 am to 5 pm.  Arrive between 2 and 3 PM to take a walk, look for morels, wild flowers and birds. Visit the farm animals too; donkeys, sheep, baby lambs, and go on a hay ride.  At 5:30 PM we will have a potluck supper. Bring a dish to share and something for the provided grill if you like. Beverages, paper plates, plastic ware and cups will be provided.    Listen for reminders in church and sign up on the Fellowship bulletin board in Fellowship Hall to help us plan numbers.  Call Ruth Hein with any questions or to sign-up.

 

 

Confirmation and Education Celebration Sunday     May 20

 

 

Confirmation class and their parents will meet at 9 am with the Session in Room 3. The class will be publicly received into membership during the worship service that morning. A reception for them will take place in Fellowship Hall after worship.

     The children and youth will honor their teachers at a continental breakfast in room 11. They want to thank the teachers for all of their faithfulness to them during the year.

     The adults will meet in the Lounge for a continental breakfast to thank those who have had leadership in Adult Education during the year. The group will also take a look at courses being planned and discuss ideas for topics they have as well.

 

 

Pentecost Offering for Children at Risk, Youth, and Young Adults     Sundays, May 20 and 27

 

 

Through the Pentecost Offering, the church expresses a common commitment to provide hope for children at risk, opportunities for youth and young adults to grow in their faith, and short-term mission service options for young adults.

     The General Assembly’s portion of sixty percent provides leadership development opportunities for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports children-at-risk programs at the national level. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised over $7 million for these ministries that benefit younger members of God’s family.  Forty percent is left with congregations to support ministry with community children.

 

 

John Knox Presbytery youth council at Westminster     Sunday, May 20, 4-6:30 PM

 

 

The John Knox Presbytery youth council is made up of one youth and one adult from churches in the presbytery. The council will meet on May 20 at Westminster to plan for an all-presbytery event in October, as well as planning for youth retreats.

 

 

St. Stephen UMC Youth Group Performs Godspell     Saturday, June 9

 

 

A youth group from St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Texas is coming to Westminster to perform the musical Godspell on Saturday, June 9. We need to find host families for 24 youth and 8 adults for the night of June 9, following their performance. They request a minimum of two persons assigned per home, and guests will need to be returned to the church between 7:30 & 8:00 am Sunday, when breakfast will be served at church. If you have a spare bedroom and think you can help out, please contact Carl Martin or Jeff Zebrowski for details. We don't need a firm commitment yet, but we want to be sure we can find enough hosts in Westminster. This should be an exciting event and your help will be deeply appreciated!

 

 

Introduction to Islam Summer Study     postponed to January 2008

 

 

Ed Daub will host this series of taped lectures and discussion based on the textbook God is One: The Way of Islam by R. Marston Speight (available used). Some time ago, Ed asked a Muslim friend to view the lectures and review the textbook and he indicated that except for a few minor points he believes it is a fair and accurate portrayal of Muslim faith. Ed will arrange to have a Muslim join our gathering to answer questions that arise during our discussion. Since Ed plans to prepare a study handout for the series, please let him know if you plan to attend.

 

 

Vacation Bible School     June 24 to 28

 

 

Westminster's Great Bible Reef Vacation Bible School will be held on June 25 to 28, with a sampler on June 24. Dive Deep Into God's Word! The school is for children aged 3 (by May 31) through those who finished 4th grade, and the cost is $10 for meals, crafts, and a CD of the music.  Programs will be held on June 24 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM and June 25 to 28 from 5:30 to 7:45 PM. Please register by mail or email before June 15.

 

 

Support Westminster's VBS

 

 

YOU are important for a successful Vacation Bible School!  What can YOU do? Sign up to help - with crafts, science lab, music, Bible storytelling, simple meals, decorating, guiding the ‘school of kids’ from one activity to the next!

YOU are important for a successful Vacation Bible School! By registering on-line at westminstermadison.org or with a registration form from the narthex, office or Fellowship Hall.

YOU are important for a successful Vacation Bible School!—by telling your neighbors, friends, relatives to SIGN UP!

Questions: contact Susan Bush at smbush@wisc.edu or Marian Bauer at marianbauer@westminstermadison.org

 

 

 

Church Camp Wyoming for children and youth in grades K through graduating seniors     June 10 - August 5

 

 

Programs are held at Camp Wyoming in Wyoming, Iowa  (about 60 miles from Dubuque). Choose the week that best fits your schedule, from June 10-July 28 (ending Aug. 5);   Prices range from $100-290 depending on the length of the camp.

     “On Our Way” is the theme for this summer. Activities include swimming, hiking, arts, crafts, games, campfires and Bible stories, cookouts, cave exploration, archery, canoeing and creek stomping! (Some age-limits apply on some activities.) There are short-weeks for those in K-grade 2 and weeklong times for those from grade 2 through seniors.  Each camp time has the children and youth separated into age groups. Check out the brochures outside of the church office.  Some scholarship help is available.  Online registration can be found at campwyoming.net

 

 

Lakes and Prairies Synod School     July 22–27

 

 

Why do they keep returning to Synod School?

• Christian fellowship

• Inspiring worship and song

• Growth in knowledge and faith

• Personal and spiritual renewal

• Fun for families and singles of all ages

The school meets on the campus of Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. The theme this year is “Five Smooth Stones: Biblical Themes for Life and Ministry,” with convocation speaker Carol Bechtel, who has written the 2007-08 Presbyterian Women's Bible study on Jonah and Ruth.  There are activities for the WHOLE FAMILY….and special classes for the children and for youth.

     Pastor Alex Thornburg is a workshop leader this year. In addition to Bible study, other workshops include kite-making, stained glass, hand bells, marriage enrichment, pottery, spirituality, writing and much, much more! See the Synod School Brochure in the church office for more details…or visit http://www.lakesandprairies.org/ and click on the 'Synod School' link, or phone 1-800-328-1880, ext. 207.  Some scholarship help is available. Please register as soon as possible.

 

 

Interim Youth Coordinator

 

 

Cecilia Kress has graciously accepted the position of Interim Youth Coordinator for the summer.  Cecilia returns to us from Washington University in St. Louis in mid-May.  She will work with the youth and parents as they get the youth space in shape. Other things like a one- or two-day mission project or some Bible study may be placed into the schedule.  Cecilia was a leader of youth during her time at Westminster and we are glad that she is returning! Thanks Cecilia

 

 

THE CALL OF MOSES…AND YOU?

 

 

God called Moses from a burning bush to come forth and lead the people of Israel.  This call may not be as dramatic, but the Spiritual Formation committee is asking you to prayerfully consider God’s calling you to lead our children or youth for the 2007-2008 school year.  It may be for a six-week term or two six-week terms or for the whole year.  The three and four-year olds and Pre-K 5’s will have a class.  The K-Grade 4 will have a class with the Workshop Rotation model.  Models for the youth (gr. 5-7) and (gr. 8-12) will be determined.   If you hear God’s voice calling you, please let us know; contact Bill Bridson.

 

 

Our Thanks to Dave & Kathy Granquist

 

 

...for their awesome commitment to Westminster PWW and to local Mission funding allocations.

     Kathy and Dave facilitated the April 14, 2007 Rummage Sale for their final time. They have managed 28 sales since 1993; with an average of $2000 being raised each time for mission giving.  As Kathy & Dave retire from their rummage sale duties, we are pleased to announce that members, Sara Pope and Beth Swedeen will be taking the ’baton’ to manage future sales. So our tradition will continue - keep packing those boxes for the rummage sales throughout the year as you go through your closets.

     Finally - $2316 was raised for mission on April 14! We extend a huge thank you to all of you who helped with staffing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and to those who baked for the coffee shop, which generated sales of $113 of the final total.

     The PWW board will be meeting soon to decide where to allocate these monies.  If you have ideas about a community support project or mission you would like to have us support - please contact Lee DeSpain via e-mail or phone.

Submitted by Ruth Hein

 

 

Thank You Dorothy Blotz

 

 

Session would like to thank Westminster member Dorothy Blotz for a wonderful gift to “seed” the Westminster Musician Endowment Fund.  This gift is the beginning of a new endowment fund and we encourage all who have been enriched through enhanced worship music to contribute to this fund.

     Music has long been an extremely important part of the overall worship experience at Westminster. Many appreciate how their worship time has been beautified through participation and experiencing the word through music. Because of interest in quality, worshipful music, this fund has been set up to help ensure the continuance of this legacy.

     With this fund, we are able to hire professional musicians, including capable university students, on an “as needed basis” to enhance worship at Westminster or to support the contribution of a Westminster music ensemble at another location.  This fund is intended to augment the annual commitment of the congregation for special musicians, and not to replace annually budgeted funds or to hire permanent music staff. Oversight of this fund will be by the Session through the Worship Committee and the Director of Music at Westminster .

     As Westminster’s first endowment fund, it will have a principal amount that earns interest which is available for hiring musicians.  In order to grow the fund, unused interest will be added to the principal amount at the end of each year.  The fund will always be open to contributions to the principal as well as the available portion of the fund.  If you have any questions, please contact John Tarr.

 

 

New Food Pantry Box

 

 

The Property Committee would like to thank Eagle Scout Joe Moskwa, from Troop 13, for building a nice new box for our food pantry donations. Not only does the new box look much nicer than the rusty shopping cart we all used, but it holds more items and doesn’t have to be emptied quite so often. This idea might be adapted for other items that we collect for Allied Drive, Porchlight, and others.

       Joe lives just up the street from the church, will graduate from West High School and has been a member of the troop for several years.

     The rank of Eagle Scout gives an opportunity to investigate many skills which may become a vocation or hobby. It is also required that the scout hold positions of leadership as well as complete a project making use of these skills. A Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to their religious institution, school, or community. (Their project should benefit an organization other than the BSA.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, the Scoutmaster, unit committee, and by the council or district advancement committee before they start.

     Joe met with the WPC Property Committee to complete the design, make application, and finally lead some of his fellow scouts to build the project. We would like to recognize Joe for his leadership food pantry box creation for our church.  Watch for another new addition to the Narthex courtesy of future Eagle Scout, Tyler Packer.

 

 

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.