Volume LVIV Number 10 October 2018

a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ

2018

Sustainability Team Update:

The Sustainability Team has been meeting this year to continue working on how best to meet theneeds of the congregation and address the financial future of the church. With the input of churchleadership, committees and the congregation, the Team has identified specific goals to work towardsin the next two years. We are calling this plan, . The plan wasintroduced to the congregation on Sunday, September 16. All church members and friends are invitedto participate - let's continue with our mission to be the church of inclusion, social justice, serviceand caring for one another.

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monthly newsletter is aWestminster Congregational

United Church of Christ publication.It is usually published around the

28th each month (schedule permitting).

To include something in next month’s edition,email your article to:

or drop it by the church office.

About

The newsletter deadline is the20th of each month.

Church Staff:

The Rev. Andrea CastroLang

All of God’s People

Verne Windham

Janet Hubbard

Nicolette (Nikki) Rode and Kate Johnston

Andréa Reese Hekimian

John Larson

Westminister UCC is a congregation ofprogressive, hopeful, and faithful people.We embrace a commitment to social justiceand human rights because we believe ourfaith calls us to do so. Now, in its secondcentury of life, our congregation isbeginning to reimagine itself as it seeks togrow, flourish and move decisively on thepath to sustainability.

Over the next 24 months, Westminster UCCwill:

● ·Enrich our faith experience by engaging the congregationin new programs, activities and events.

● ·Increase the visibility and awareness in the Spokanecommunity of our history, mission, service and activism.

● ·Strengthen the financial health of our church by engagingin strategic, entrepreneurial activities that result inadditional income to better serve our members, mission,and improve and protect our church building asset.

Specific Goals:1. FAITH: By January of 2021, at least 75% of our active

members and friends will be engaged in existing and/ornew faith engagement activities and/or involvement incommunity ministry activities on a regular basis,resulting in enhanced relationships and increasedspiritual growth and Christian service.

Team: Jane Baker, Mary Rupert, Pastor Andy, YOU

2. CELEBRATION: By January of 2019, we will havedeveloped and begun implementation onawareness/outreach/social media campaign andcelebratory events related to the church’s 140th

Anniversary, resulting in at least 3-5 significant articlesand/or stories in the local media, radio or TV.

Team: Steve Paulson, Jane Baker, Randy Crowe, DorisHoldaway, YOU

3. LEGACY: By December of 2018, we will have establisheda policy, developed educational resources and themechanism to encourage members to include the churchin their estate planning considerations.

Team: Randy Crowe, Mary Rupert, Doris Holdaway, YOU

4. PARTNERSHIP: By January of 2021, we will establish aminimum of 3–5 new, strong local partnerships withbusinesses, arts organizations, or nonprofits, resulting in$15,000 - $20,000 in annual income from rents, eventsand performances to support our ongoing operations.

Team:, Karen Nielsen, Deb Elzinga, Pastor Andy, YOU

5. STEWARDSHIP: By January of 2021, we will have raisedor secured at least $50,000 in grants and outsidedonations to support critical building improvementprojects.

Team: Deb Elzinga, Karen Nielsen, Pastor Andy, YOU

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WHAT SHOULD I TALK TO YOU ABOUT FIRST?!

There is so much exciting activity in Westminster,such a wealth of hopes and dreams, such creativityand generosity of spirit!

1. We are gearing up for our 140th year, and it willbe full of celebrations! Concerts, and feasts,history and storytelling…there will be lots toenjoy! Steve Paulson is leading this team, sotalk to him if you want to be a part of the 2019celebrations.

2. Our Sustainability Team is hard at work; theyrecently presented

to the congregation (see the frontcover of this issue of the Witness) and arebusily creating working groups to respond toour diverse efforts at our vitality, sustainabilityand community renewal. Your interest and

support of our shared FAITH, our 140th yearCELEBRATION, providing for our LEGACY,developing our PARTNERSHIPS, orstrengthening our STEWARDSHIP…whateverarea calls to you, the Sustainability Team hopesfor your support, energy and assistance. Youcan ask Karen Nielsen for details.

3. The Annual Birthday Party bash is just daysaway, everyone gets to be celebrated onOctober 7! Every month of the year will host atable and a cake. The fun begins immediatelyafter worship that day! It’s fun and filling, andthere is cake and pie, for everyone! You can askLinda Stephens about it.

4. The FUNraiser for Westminster will be posting avariety of great skills and activities to bid on, allthrough October in our social hall. OurFUNraiser luncheon will be held on November

4th and it will be a feast! Mary Rupert can giveyou details about this wonderful communitybuilding event.

5. The Adult Forum is hosting a marvelous anddiverse class on “Allyship and Inclusion”. EverySunday at 9:30 am, different members of the

Education and Spiritual Growth Committee,bring insights and experiences to our Parlor.Bring your interest and your questions. Youcan ask Megan Schindler for moreinformation.

6. Are there those among us who want to “stepin”, commit to a relationship with theWestminster community by joining us inmembership? Two membership conversationswill be hosted on October 7 and 14, in theSocial Hall at 9:30 am. Pastor Andy willfacilitate these conversations. Ask her aboutthem!

Yes, we are busy.

Members have been making plans to improve andbeautify our East Entrance. A dinner is beingplanned to thank our tenants for sharing in the careand use of our building with us. New appliancesare expected for the kitchen any day now. Winterwill bring hope for renovation to the bathroomsoutside the social hall. The Trustees have beenbusy writing for a grant to help us with the leaks inour west tower. Pastor Andy is seeking volunteersto help with a monthly program for our youth.Family Promise keeps us cooking. Winter is comingand opportunities to help keep others warm will bebefore us.

Yes, we are busy. But we are also able to rest nowand again. To look around and realize that we laborin love. Love for one another, love of God. We canlaugh, and we can cry, together as a family of faith.We can shout out for justice, stand with those whoneed allies, friends, advocates. We shall not quit.God seeks us and we seek God. So we continue, inhope and in faith, as Westminster UCC!

Remember, Pastor Andy has a newschedule! She is now off Mondayand Tuesday for her weekly break.

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What do you love to do that you canshare with others? Hike? Cook?Paint? Travelogue? Crochet? Youname it! The deadline for donationsto our annual silentauction is Friday, October 12.

To donate please contact MaryRupert at mary.l.rupert@gmail.com orfind someone wearing a crossingguard vest during the Social Hour onSunday. The auction begins onSunday, October 14 and runsthrough Sunday, November 4. So getready to purchase some FUN, too!We will celebrate on November 4with a chili and cornbread luncheon!

spok

anes

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All-Church Birthday Party

Sunday, October 7th

in the social hall after churchCome and join the fun!

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October 7

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WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

August2018

MonthlyBudget

MonthlyDifference

YTD2018

YTDBudget

YTDDifference

Total Income 13,131.02 13,300.02 (169.00) 135,918.11 117,650.16 18,267.95Less Total Expenses 18,732.64 20,636.30 (1,903.66) 181,825.54 170,415.65 11,409.89Net Income (Loss) �(5,601.62) (7,336.28) 1,734.66 (45,907.43) (52,765.49) 6,858.06

2018 Pledge Information as of September 11, 2018:

2018Total

Pledges

2017Total

Pledges

2017PledgesReceived

2018PledgesReceived

2018Pledges

Outstanding

2018 AnnualPledgeBudget

YTD PledgeBudget

difference99,735.12 91,109.80 89,520.80 69,362.84 30,372.28 105,000.00 -637.16

The Book and Salad Club continues to meet the 3rd Monday of each month at noon,in the homes of participants. As always, all are welcome. You need not have read thebook to participate, however a salad is appreciated. Want more information? You cancall Marilynne at 747-0659; or talk with any member of the group.

October 15“Behold the Dreamers: ANovel” by Imbolo Mbue.Facilitated by Marilynne Wilsonat the home of Janet Ruehl.

November 19“The Immortal Irishman: theIrish Revolutionary WhoBecame an American Hero” byTimothy Egan. Facilitated byMary Mackay at the home ofMarilynne Wilson.

December 17“Sunday Stories” by Linda Crowe.Facilitated by Linda Crowe at thehome of Margaret Ennis.

January 21 "Before We were Yours".Lisa Wingate. Facilitated byMargaret Ennis at the home of JoanWeekes.

February 18 "Educated" by TaraWestover

New Member Discussions!Sunday, October 7 and Sunday, October 14

during Education Hour at 9:30 am

If you are interested in hearing more about ourcommunity; if you want to get to know others inour faith family; if you think that you want to join

with us as part of the gospel people working forlove and peace and justice in the world, then Iinvite you to our “new member classes”. Join us inthis conversation of heart and mind and spirit.

Contact Pastor Andy: 624-1366 x311 orpastorandy@westminsterucc.org

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September Attendance

9-2 9-9 9-16 9-23 9-30

51 camp 68 75 88

10/6 Karen Nielsen

10/7 Dian Allison

10/9 Molly Hilby

10/10 Janet HubbardSterling Haberstadt

10/15 Luke Grayson

10/16 Arielle DeZarn

10/18 Kris JeskeCathy Gunderson

10/21 Emily Steinmetz

10/23 Emily Steinmetz

10/29 Bethany Jordan

10/30 Patty L Johnston

spokanestageleft.org

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I covenant with you, members and friends ofWestminster Congregational United Churchof Christ:

Westminster Congregational United Churchof Christ embraces a spirit of hospitalityfounded in the gospels of Jesus Christ & awillingness to live out that welcome inmeaningful ways.

As an Open and Affirming Church, ourlongstanding culture of welcome extends toall people regardless of sexual orientation,race/ethnicity, gender, physical ability,socioeconomic status or faith background.

In this digital age, the church takes many pictures ofbaptisms, choir performances and concerts, worshipservices, mission trips, special presentations,Sunday School, fellowship activities and communityoutreach projects. We use these pictures to record,to promote, and to celebrate our church ministries.Pictures are used on bulletin boards, in slide showsand PowerPoint presentations, in publications, andon our church website.

However, some persons may choose not to have theirphotos, or photos of their children, used and werespect their wishes. Therefore, we are providing aMedia Opt-Out form for individuals or families whoprefer NOT to have photographs of themselves usedby the church. This form can be obtained through thechurch office.

If you have no objection to church use of yourphotograph, you DO NOT need to sign or return oneof these forms.

Liturgist: Margaret Ennis

Deacons:Mary Seaton, Teresa Kruger,Jim McPherson, Karen Mobley

Hospitality: Linda Stephens

Liturgist: Roger Stephens

Deacons: Doris Holdaway, Francie Light

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

Liturgist: Mary Rupert

Deacons: Mary Seaton, Hazel Kotlan

Hospitality: Available for sign-up

Liturgist: Kim Kotlan

Deacons: Francie Light, . . .

Hospitality: Book & Salad

Liturgist: N/A

Deacons: Doris H, Marys, Hazel K

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

1 Monday Budget requests due 7:00 pm bell choir practice3 Wednesday 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA4 Thursday 5:30 pm yoga 6:30 pm AA group7 Sunday 9:30 am New Member Discussions 10:30 am Communion Sunday 11:30 am All-Church Birthday Party 3:00 pm AA group8 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice10 Wednesday 11:30 am Joanna Chapter 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA11 Thursday 5:30 pm yoga 6:30 pm AA group14 Sunday 9:30 am New Member Discussions 12:30 pm Educations & Spiritual Growth 3:00 pm AA group15 Monday 12:00 pm Book & Salad 7:00 pm bell choir practice16 Tuesday 2:00 pm Poetry17 Wednesday 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group 6:00 pm Deacons 6:30 pm Trustees18 Thursday 5:30 pm yoga 6:30 pm AA Group20 Saturday 4:00 pm SAYC in concert21 Sunday 10:30 am Welcome New Members 3:00 pm AA group22 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice24 Wednesday 5:00 pm Council 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group25 Thursday 5:30 pm yoga 6:30 pm AA group27 Saturday 7:00 pm African Children’s Choir - SAYC28 Sunday 10:30 am bring your talents 3:00 pm AA group29 Monday 7:00 pm bell choir practice31 Wednesday 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group