Westminster News: December 2006 / January 2007

 

 

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Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols     Sunday December 17 Worship Service

 

 

The Westminster Chancel Choir will lead us in this special worship service, based on services led by the King’s College Choir and conducted annually at their chapel in Cambridge since 1918.

 

 

Christmas Pageant     Sunday December 17 at 5 PM

 

 

Children age 3 thru Grade 12 will fill the parts of angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, Isaiah, King Herod, star carrier, innkeeper and census taker. Be sure to come and witness the story of Jesus’ birth presented in word and song. There will be child care for the smallest children. Rehearsal schedule: Sundays: at 9-10 am  Dec. 3, 10, and 17.

Dress rehearsal 1-2:30 pm  Sat. Dec. 16.

 

 

Sanctuary Floral Decorations

 

 

The WPC Flower Committee invites you to contribute to the Christmas decoration of the sanctuary.  Single poinsettias will be ordered from the Madison Youth Choirs for $15 each.  You may choose to take one home after the 11 PM worship service Christmas Eve, or leave it in the sanctuary until after the New Year.  Print and submit the order form found here by December 21.

 

 

Interfaith Hospitality Network     Your Help is Needed on Thursday December 21

 

 

It is a privilege to serve Interfaith Hospitality Network. Westminster volunteers are needed to help when people are housed at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Thursday, December 21.  The meal to be served will include a main dish to be provided by WPC member Julie Madden. We will also need people to make salad and dessert.  We will need child care to be provided by two more volunteers.  Approximately twenty-two people are expected to be served and your contributions of time and food will be most welcome.  Call Mary Jean Bartholomew and be a part of this rewarding experience during the holidays.

 

 

Christmas Joy Offering     Sundays, December 17 and 24

 

 

Presbyterians have long celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by giving generously to an Advent offering.  The Christmas Joy Offering recognizes the faithfulness of current and retired church workers by providing funds to help them through difficult times.

     Governing bodies, congregations, and employing organizations offer the grants to church workers who have financial need or an emergency. These grants are an expression of Presbyterians’ faithful witness to and sharing of the love of Christ for all people.  Again and again, recipients of grants large and small say that as important as the financial assistance was, what really sustained them was the knowledge that the church was standing with them in their time of need. 

     This offering will be received during worship services on December 17th and December 24.  You may also mail in your contribution to the church office. Checks may be written to Westminster Presbyterian Church with the memo of “Christmas Joy”

 

 

RECYCLE THE WARMTH!     January 7 to 28

 

 

The 15th Annual Blanket Drive for St. Vincent de Paul is scheduled for January 26 to 28.  St. Vincent de Paul is committed to helping neighbors in need and this drive helps provide blankets, pillows and sheets to all those seeking help, and you can make this possible!  All the bedding they collect or purchase during this drive will be given away during 2007 to needy individuals and families who come to our Service Center on Culmen Street .  Another way to help is to contribute toward the purchase of additional bedding (new sheets, pillows, and mattress covers) to meet the requests we receive.  A special blanket collection bin will be set up at church starting around January 7, along with envelopes for donations.

 

 

Westminster Game Night     Saturday January 20 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

 

 

Westminster's Family Game Night will be held in Fellowship Hall with snacks and fun for all - children, youth, and adults. Bundle up the family, invite your friends, and come on over for a fun evening. Please bring a simple snack and, if you wish, a family game to share.

 

 

Installation of Officers     Sunday January 21

 

 

New church officers will be ordained and installed during the worship service.

 

 

Church Women United Conference     Saturday January 27

 

 

The Church Women United Conference will be hosted by Westminster on Saturday, January 27, beginning at 8 AM. Meetings will be held in Fellowship Hall, the sanctuary and classrooms.

 

 

12th Night Players Dinner / Theatre     Saturday February 3 from 4 PM to midnight

 

 

The 12th Night Players dinner and performance will be held in Fellowship Hall. More information to come.  

 

 

SKI & SNOWBOARD with family and friends     Thursday, February 22nd 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 23rd. 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.

 

 

CALLING ALL CROSS-STITCHERS

 

 

A very special WELCOME sign is going to be created, and when complete, will be displayed just above the door leading into the sanctuary.  We would love to have your help with this project!   The material is easy-to-work-with 6-count Aida cloth.  Please call Julie Madden if your fingers are ready for a winter project.

 

 

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 Abuse Covenant

 

 

On August 28, 2006, in a proactive spirit, the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church adopted a Child Protection and Sexual Abuse Covenant. The covenant is available 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.  

 

 

It is a Privilege to Serve Meals at the Homeless Shelter

 

 

Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve homeless shelter meals. Every second Friday night of the month we serve dinner. Every other month we cook and serve dinner. Every second Saturday morning, we cook & serve a hot or cold breakfast. More volunteers are needed, especially for breakfasts for the rest of 2006. Please consider being a breakfast chair, or help provide a Saturday breakfast. Contact Ann Smart Martin or sign up in Fellowship Hall.

 

 

 

WHAT HAPPENED?

Dinner and breakfast was prepared and served by Westminster volunteers!

WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?

At the men’s shelter in Grace Episcopal Church!

WHO WAS THERE?

Eighty men were served a delicious dinner of chicken and pasta salad, potato salad, fresh fruit & ice cream dessert!   The “others” involved were the shop & prep & cook & serve crews who created the total dining experience!

WHO WERE THE “OTHERS”?

Dale & Nanci Bjorling, Sue Bridson, Cynthia Bush, Sandra Cole, Joel DeSpain, Gay Didriksen & Bob Goller, Kathy & Dave Granquist, Marge Hamann, Michael Johnson, Joel & Connie Jones, Julie Madden, Lil Marsh, Ann & Carl Martin, Thatcher Root, Susan Sweitzer, Dick & Peg Zimmer.

WHAT DID THEY DO?

They cooked & prepped the chicken, chopped & mixed the fresh fruit, made potato salad, delivered and served French toast & ham for breakfast. 

THEY MADE IT ALL HAPPEN!