Westminster News: September/October 2006

 

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

N

e

w

s

 

W

e

s

t

m

i

n

s

t

e

r

 

 

Understanding the Middle East     beginning September 13

 

 

A free symposium sponsored by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters

 

 

Bread, Cup, Water, Worship     September 30

 

 

A Workshop on sacraments for children in Kindergarten-Grade 4 and their parents will be held on Saturday, September 30 from 9:30-11:30 AM in Room 11. Come to learn about the sacraments and worship in the Presbyterian Church using a hands-on method. (Sunday, October 1, 2006 is World Communion Sunday.) Call the church at 238-3121 or by email by September 15th to let us know you will be attending . There will be child care for siblings younger than Kindergarten age.

 

 

Installation of Reverend Alex Thornburg as Pastor of Westminster     October 1 at 4 PM

 

 

On Sunday, October 1, this congregation and the membership of the John Knox Presbytery will conduct a special Service of Worship to Install Alex Thornburg as a Minister of Word and Sacrament for the  John Knox Presbytery and Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. You are invited to attend this worship service, which will begin at 4:00 PM in our sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

 

 

October 1st is World Communion Sunday: 2006 Peacemaking Offering

 

 

Most congregations receive the Peacemaking Offering on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October. This year the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s theme, Swords into Plowshares: Living the Ways of Peace, is taken from the great vision of peace found in Isaiah 2:2–4. Learn more about the Westminster and PCUSA peacemaking programs at the links above.

 

 

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, because of your generosity, we will begin sponsoring another child, a little girl, from the school where Alex resides! So, keep checking the car crevices, inside your pockets, down the sofa and all those other special places knowing that your loose change offered is change making change, facilitating a big difference in these young lives. Thank you!

 

 

CROP Hunger Walk: We walk because they walk     October 8 at 1:30 PM at Christ Presbyterian Church

 

 

CROP hunger walks are "Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty," neighbors walking together to take a stand against hunger in our world.  Together we raise awareness and funds for international relief and development, as well as local hunger-fighting.  Walk through Tenny Park, bike around Lake Monona, or rock at the church. Registration begins at 12:45 PM at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St.

 

 

View & Discuss the Movie An Inconvenient Truth     October 8th at 7 PM

 

 

Hundreds of congregations throughout the country will participate in viewing and discussing An Inconvenient Truth, a movie on global warming that is "the most important film to be shown in America this year." Interfaith Power and Light, an ecumenical group that believes "global warming calls for a religious response … motivated by the call to be responsible stewards of God's creation," is sponsoring the program. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us in viewing and discussing this film

 

 

HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday  October 8

 

 

October 8th, 2006, is HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday. It’s a matter of faith. Africa stands to lose an entire generation to the AIDS epidemic that is sweeping the continent. In some pockets of sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 percent of the population is infected with the virus that causes the disease. The crisis is cause for despair, but for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s African church partners it also is a matter of faith and a call to action. They offer prevention programs, provide home-based patient care, and tend to parentless children. Their material resources for ministry are modest, but their hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ is boundless. As one of the most influential institutions in Africa, the church is in a position to make a huge difference in the battle against AIDS. African leaders take heart in the experience in Uganda, where the HIV infection rate was cut from 13 to four percent through a massive education campaign. It's a matter of faith.

 

 

Fall Youth Festival     October 15 from 2 - 4 PM

 

 

Fall Festival for children up through Grade 5 sponsored by Westminster and Christ Presbyterian with participation of other area Presbyterian churches Bring a can of food to help feed the hungry. Come in a non-scary costume, if you wish. Come and bring a friend to enjoy games and crafts, paint faces, go “fishing”, decorate pumpkins, with food, prizes, and lots of fun! Parents and grandparents, come and enjoy talking with one another while the children are having fun. Anyone who would like to donate a bag of wrapped candy for the event, contact Marian Bauer.

 

 

PEACE and JUSTICE Issues in the World Today     Thursday, October 19 at 6:30 PM, Orchard Ridge UCC

 

 

Iona Community leader, Kathy Galloway, will be the featured speaker. Please RSVP to Ed Daub.

 

 

Ninety Years of Faith and Faithfulness!     October 22 after worship

 

 

Gather. Dine. Share. Laugh. Pray. Look to our future. Westminster's 90th Anniversary Celebration is in Fellowship Hall following the 10:15 AM worship service. We will gather for a potluck luncheon (meat course and dessert provided, please bring your favorite salad or side dish to share) and an historical perspective program. You will be able to view an array of photographs and historical stories that will be displayed and shared throughout the afternoon program. If you have photos to share, please bring them to the celebration for display.

 

 

Calling all Past Chancel Choir Members!     October 22

 

 

Westminster’s 90th Anniversary celebration will culminate in a special service of worship Sunday morning, October 22. If you sang in the choir at any point during those 90 years, we  invite you to join the “Alumni Choir,” gathering both current and former Chancel Choir members to lead in the October 22 worship. Please contact Joe Chrisman, Organist and Director of Music, for more information.

 

 

The 2006 Pictorial Church Directory

 

 

The 2006 Pictorial Directory has arrived and will be distributed beginning October 15. Those who had their photograph taken, or those who submitted a photo, will receive their free copy of the directory. Directories can also be purchased for $5.00. The WPC Deacons will be publishing an updated parish directory in early January 2007 that will include address, phone number & email addresses of members of the congregation. Email addresses are not listed in the Pictorial Directory. Contact Marian Bauer with any questions.

 

 

Children's Sabbath    October 22

 

 

The PCUSA’s Light a Candle for Children 40 Day Prayer Virgil culminates in the National Children’s Sabbath on October 22, when thousands of congregations unite in witness for children through prayer, education, and worship. This year our celebration, “Congregations Stand for Healthy Children: Bringing Hope and Healing”, is a partnership of the Children’s Defense Fund, the Presbyterian Church USA’s Office of Child Advocacy, and Presbyterian Women. Learn more about the PCUSA's Decade of the Child.

 

 

Fall Rummage Sale     Saturday October 28 from 8 AM to 1:30 PM

 

 

The Westminster rummage sales support the mission activities of our church. We appreciate your donations and help with intake, sorting, and pricing on October 26 and 27, and with the bake shop, selling, bagging, and cleanup on October 28. Signup in Fellowship Hall or conract Ruth Hein or Peggy Sivesind.

 

 

Youth mini-golf outing     October 28

 

 

For Westminster 's youth In grades 5 to 9.

 

 

Being Presbyterian - Inquirers Class     Sundays, October 29, November 5, 12, and 19 at 9 AM in the Chapel

 

 

Please join us for an exploration of what it means to be Presbyterian. This class is great for those interested in joining the church, recent new members, and/or anyone who just wants to revisit the meaning of being Presbyterian. Each class will cover a particular subject, so don’t worry if you cannot make all of them. Come when you can!

 

 

 

October 29

November 5

November 12

November 19

 

Grace and Presbyterian Theology

Grace and Presbyterian Worship

Grace and Presbyterian Polity

Grace and Westminster Church

 

 

A Recital by Liane Kosaki     October 29 2 PM

 

 

Liane, a soprano and Chancel Choir member, will include pieces by Mozart, Bernstein, Copland, Blitzstein, and American show tunes. She will be accompanied by Beverly Pizzingrilli.

 

 

All Saints Sunday     November 5

 

 

All Saints Sunday, a special time and service to remember and honor our loved ones who have died in 2006.

 

 

Congregation Meeting     Sunday, November 5, after worship

 

 

There will be a called congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, November 5 for the purpose of electing officers.

 

 

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.  

 

 

Puppets - Puppets - Puppets FUN!

 

 

Puppets can be created by children, youth or adults! So ... if you have an interest in making puppets and preparing short playlets [for church school classes, a fellowship event, or a visit to a nursing home, etc] … contact Marian Bauer by email or call 238-3121 to let her know you are interested. We will then plan when to meet and have lots of fun!

 

 

Advent Festival and Christmas Pageant     help needed

 

 

We need your expertise and special gifts to help with the Advent Festival (Sunday afternoon, December 3) and the three rehearsals and performance of the Christmas Pageant (5 PM on Sunday, December 17). If you are interested in facilitating either of these special events, please contact Denise Meier or Marian Bauer.

 

 

Thank You for the Memorials and Other Gifts

 

 

The session wishes to thank the many members and friends of Westminster who contributed memorials and other gifts to this past year. Through their thoughtfulness and recognition of what God is doing among us, all things really do come together for good.

 

 

John Knox Presbytery Mission Trip to the Gulf     Register by September 30

 

 

There is still MUCH to do.  John Knox Presbytery is organizing a second mission trip to D’Iberville, MS, November 1-10, 2006.  Thanks to generous support for this mission, the cost of the trip is just $300 per person (transportation, lodging, meals).  Registration deadline is Sept. 30.  For more information go to www.jknox.org or call Rosemary at 1.800.424.7935

 

 

Bonhoeffer's Witness: Challenge for Today

 

 

A conference to be held at Luther Memorial Church on November 10 and 11. 2006 marks the centenary year of the birth of Dietrich Bonhoeffer - German theologian, pastor, pacifist, and martyr. Registration forms are available in the Westminster church office.

 

 

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!