WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHDo Justice • Love Kindness • Walk Humbly

June 14, 2017

Westminster Presbyterian Church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

In this IssueConcerns & Celebrations 2Lemonade After Worship 2Donate Your Veggie Tales 2

Sign Up to Volunteer in Worship 2Called Good 3

Night at the Bulls 3Session Notes: May 21 3

Scaffolding for Confirmation 4How You Can Help in Haiti 5

Summer Choir Welcomes You 6Summer Sermon Series 6

Lost & Found 6Encore Presentation: As It Is In... 7Westminster School for Children 7

Congregational Meetings 7Church Finance Overview 7

Preaching Schedule 8Worship Volunteers 8

Friends and fellow disciples,

Can God be trusted?

The more time I spend with the Genesis texts that we’re exploring during worship this summer (see page 6), the more important that question becomes. It gets asked in different ways, notably in the Genesis 18 text for this Sunday. The heavenly messengers ask Abraham and Sarah: “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?”

Which seems to me a pretty good question.

Make your list of tragedies that overwhelm us:

• Monday was the first anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, where 49 people were killed; this morning, a man began shooting at Republican members of Congress playing baseball

• Terrorist attacks in Europe• Diagnoses out of the blue• Rifts and strife within families• Poverty that won’t go away, children who are at home for the summer without the meals

they could count on at school during the year

These are things that test my faith. These are things that make me wonder if it’s worth it. These are things that cause me to dare to wonder if God can be trusted.

Which is one reason why I am grateful for the rich stories of Scripture. In times of turmoil through history, God’s people have always asked these kinds of questions. And in reply they would respond with a story. These stories are the people’s way of saying, “I’m not sure I can answer your question directly. But, in my heart, I know that God has been faithful before. Over and over in stories of Abraham and Sarah, of Isaac, of Jacob and Esau and Rachel and Leah, God has shown God’s self to be faithful. We believe that the God who made promises to us long ago will be faithful to them, and to us.”

The stories in Genesis that we’ll be reading this summer are really, really important ones. I hope you’ll read them, and then come to worship in the midst of all your summer travels. And we can listen to these stories, and tell them to each other. And lean into a God who, I do believe, can be trusted with it all.

See you in worship!

Chris

Committee Budget ReportThe next Committee Budget Report will come from the

Personnel Committee in the July 5 newsletter. Check out previous reports from the

Facilities & Grounds Committee and the Youth Council in the

April 26 and May 10 newsletters, respectively.

Carl Boxberger's brotherThe death of Ken Diehl

The marriage of Matt Graham and Angela CaiThe death of John Gunter's brother-in-law

Amy Humphreys

Judy Lamon's friendThe marriage of Diane Leadbetter and Matt Dellaero

JoAnn Lytle-Olson's son-in-lawThe marriage of Kara Pearce and Michael Miller

Barb Vanden Broek

June 14, 2017

- 2 -

Volunteer Opportunities and more

Concerns & Celebrations Please remember the following in your prayers this week.

Sign Up to Volunteer in Worship!

This Sunday, June 18, is the last day that sign-up sheets for acolyte, usher, lector, and/or nursery volunteer teams will be available in the Courtyard. Sign-ups for these teams will remain open online until July 1 at www.bit.ly/wpcServe.

Online sign-ups for worship volunteers are being done through a separate volunteer website, SignUpGenius, this year. You will still use myWPC to access the final worship volunteer schedule and find subs.

What if I can't commit to all four dates on a team?We encourage you to sign up anyway! Worship volunteer coordinators and church staff are here to support you in finding a sub for the Sundays you can't serve. Volunteers on other teams are able to switch dates or sub for you.

What if I've never volunteered in worship before?We'll hold a volunteer training on Sunday, August 27, at 9am in the Sanctuary. Lectors, ushers, acolytes, and nursery volunteers can come meet their coordinators and learn the ropes for their role.

I have more questions...Don't hesitate to contact a worship volunteer coordinator with questions. They're here to help!

Nursery: Katie Walker, kvdwalker@gmail.com Offering Counters: John High, jbhigh@nc.rr.com Sound Techs: Lee Katrincic, lkatrincic@gmail.com 8:30am Ushers: Bill McAvoy, famgrp@aol.com 11am Ushers: Kevin Rosemond, kevinrosemond@mindspring.com Lectors: Lynn Leubuscher, lynn.Leubuscher@sas.com Acolytes: Tina Allen, tina.l.allen@gmail.com; Stacey Smith, sstarheel@yahoo.com

Donate Your Veggie TalesThe church library is seeking donations of Veggie Tales DVDs that your children have outgrown or new copies that you would like to donate to the library. We have recently discarded our VHS Veggie Tales tapes and would like to replace them with DVDs.

Veggie Tale DVD donations may be placed on the bottom shelf on the left side of the library marked "Donations." For questions, contact Kay Rosenmarkle (krosenmarkle@nc.rr.com).

Lemonade After WorshipThe Fellowship Committee will have lemonade in the Courtyard after the 10am worship services again this summer, but we need your help! Sign up to help on one or more Sundays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The job entails only mixing the lemonade, moving the drinks/cups/ice to the Courtyard, and cleaning up 20-30 minutes later. Detailed instructions will be provided. Sign up at www.bit.ly/wpcServe. Contacts: Andy Dunk (adunk@nc.rr.com), Elizabeth Aldridge (mackandliz@mindspring.com).

- 3 -

Westminster Presbyterian Church

CALLED GOOD: A Celebration of Creation

In the beginning, God created the world and called it good. We are inviting all artists in our midst to share their God-given gifts with us through art pieces that celebrate creation.

What: Art show

Where: Parlor

When: July 9 - August 27

Theme: Creation (nature, animals, seasons, light/dark, environment, etc.)

Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, June 28 (bring artwork to Parlor)

Work can be in any medium, 3D or 2D. Size must not exceed 36 inches x 24 inches. Work must be mounted or matted. Include title, medium, and artist name on index card with piece.

A Night at the BullsWestminster will have a night at the Durham Bulls baseball game on Wednesday, August 2, when the team takes on the Charlotte Knights at 7:05pm. Come spend a lazy summer evening watching baseball with your church family.

You can reserve and pay for your tickets online at www.bit.ly/8-2Bulls. Please start with the lowest row (alphabetical order) when buying your tickets. This will ensure that we're able to sit together and don't get separated. Once you select your tickets from the group portal, you will be required to sign into your existing TicketReturn account or create a new account to complete your transaction.

Westminster will have a sign-up sheet outside the Mission Center main entrance and you can submit ticket money (cash or check) to the church office. Make checks out to WPC.

The deadline to purchase tickets is July 28 at 5pm.

Session Notes: May 21

At its May 21 stated meeting, the Session approved a change to the terms of call for Betty’s housing with no resulting net change, and the baptism request for Ruthie Cade Hartman on August 13.

The Session reviewed reports from ten commissions and committees, with special attention to a Facilities & Grounds update indicating that the cost of repairs to the Sanctuary are under budget. There is hope that extra work on the Fellowship Hall can be accommodated. The budget deficit in April was $80,710 and the Ways & Means Commission continues to ask all committees to review expenses to figure out where savings can be appropriately made.

The Stewardship Committee did not meet prior to the Session meeting, but a meeting is scheduled with Horizons Stewardship, which will assist with the stewardship campaign this fall and assess the potential for a capital campaign (see page 2 of the May 24 newsletter for details).

Two policy updates for “Professional Expense and Reimbursement” and “Professional Development, Study Leave, and Sabbatical” for pastors and salaried staff were approved. A strategic plan update, among other things, pointed to plans for a Sunday morning worship service with La Nueva in August, and a need to re-work the facilities review based on feedback from congregation members. Chris intends to provide regular quarterly updates on strategic planning efforts.

Bonnie DerrClass of 2019

March 16, 2016June 14, 2017

- 4 -

Christian Education news

Scaffolding for Confirmation by Heather Ferguson

After reading, 100 Things Every Child Should Know before Confirmation by Rebecca Kirkpatrick, I was reminded of the idea of life-long learning, not just for adults, but for each of us at every age and stage. In these days, the particular learning that happens in childhood and early adolescence can be likened to the scaffolding that recently surrounded our Sanctuary.

Preparations for steel bars being bolted, strong angles being created, and workers climbing higher at each level is like the groundwork, preparation, and building of faith. A safe and secure foundation is laid when young children are loved and cared for by parents, siblings, and grandparents, as well as nursery staff and volunteers, teachers, and leaders. Lower level scaffolding takes shape early on as children begin to see themselves as part of an even greater church family.

As their faith continues taking shape, they are strengthened in hearing and knowing the stories of God’s unconditional love for them and all creation. They ask questions about the stories of Jesus and are invited to wonder with the ever-present safety net of that love.

Pushing upward, children begin to understand the agency God has given them to share the Good News and reach out to the lonely and the sad. Putting the long arc of Scripture together piece by piece, they see the bigger picture as if from the top of a tree. With every level their scaffolding gets higher and higher until they are ready to step off of the strong frame and onto the firm surface of the Sanctuary roof, where the work of God’s people begins!

So what are the ways in which Westminster is helping to build this scaffolding? I hope you will take a look at the Lifelong Plan for Faith Formation (online at www.bit.ly/wpcLPFF) created as a part of the strategic planning process. It outlines all the current ways in which our church seeks to assist in building the framework of faith development.

This fall we will fine-tune the scaffolding that reaches to the steps of confirmation. In Church School on Sunday mornings, the 5th grade class will do a survey of the Old Testament. The 6th grade class will do a survey of the New Testament through a fun and engaging curriculum called CONNECT, which unites biblical characters and the lives of our youth with a blend of solid theology, engaging art, and quirky humor.

The 7th grade class will embark on a year-long exploration of spiritual practices for teens using the curriculum, Way to Live, written by youth and adult youth leaders, and focusing on twenty Christian practices. Each practice addresses a basic area of human need. Each practice is something we learn from and do together with other people. Each practice appears in the Bible, and each has also taken shape in Christian communities through the ages and around the world today. Participating in these practices is a way of responding through action to God’s love for us.

In 8th grade, youth enter the Confirmation class to continue developing their faith. We focus on what it means to be a member of the PC(USA) and of WPC particularly, studying again the Old and New Testaments, the life of Jesus, and how to express our faith in daily life. The confirmands are accompanied on this journey by mentors, who walk with them as they continue to articulate their faith. The culmination of Confirmation is a faith statement, written by confirmands as an expression and snapshot of their faith at that moment in time.

We (and our scaffolding) grow stronger in Christian living as we exercise these practices. The building of all these practices within a community is that community’s way of life. This is what we want to offer our younger youth as they prepare to step into confirmation.

Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster Presbyterian Church

- 5 -

How You Can Help in HaitiPillowcase Dresses & ClothingAt the end of September a team from WPC will go to Haiti to run a medical clinic for a week. They will also visit an elementary school run by Pastor Leon Dorleans to give out dresses, shoes, and other clothes. It is our goal that every child in the school gets a new piece of clothing or shoes.

Help us reach our goal by bringing donations of the following to the green collection bin in the Mission Center:

• new or gently used shirts, shorts, jeans for boys age 4-11

• new or gently used shirts for girls age 4-11• new or gently used crocs, flip flops, and

sandals• fabric, pillowcases, trim, lace, and other

supplies suitable for making dresses

Donations to the Haiti Mission Fund for us to purchase what is not donated are also needed and can be brought/mailed to the church office.

We also need people to make pillowcase dresses. Dress kits are available for check-out in the green collection bin. Dresses need to be completed by September 15. We have again set up a workroom for the summer in Room 203. Feel free to drop by and use our supplies to create dress kits or enhance kits that are already made. If you would like more information on the dress project, contact Helen Harrison (helen.harrison@alumni.duke.edu).

Over-the-Counter MedicinesOne of the reasons we have had successful trips to Haiti the last two years was due to your generosity in purchasing many of the medical supplies we took with us. We again need to appeal to your generous spirit. Starting at the end of July there will be the opportunity for you to be part of this mission again by contributing some of the over-the-counter medicines and other supplies that we need to take for the people of Haiti.

One of the most critical things we will need are iron enriched multi vitamins (prenatal, infant, children, and adult). As you may imagine, the people we will be serving do not have access to the food supplies that we all take for granted, and suffer from malnutrition. This was especially evident to us in the children we saw. We will need to take thousands of vitamins with us. Some of the other things we will be seeking are TUMS, lubricating eye drops, Desitin, A&D ointment, antifungal cream, liquid soap, cough drops, and gallon Ziploc bags.

You will find one or more members of the Haiti Mission team outside the Sanctuary after worship at the end of July with sign-up sheets, and we will ask you to return the items as quickly as possible to the Mission Center and place them in the green collection bin. If you have any questions, please contact Kay Wellemeyer (919-383-6503, kay.wellemeyer@gmail.com). Thank you in advance for your care and love for the people of Haiti!

Global Missions news

March 16, 2016June 14, 2017

- 6 -

This summer, we’ll walk through important stories in Genesis. While we may be familiar with some of them, there is great value in attending to each one – and the larger narrative arc – more carefully. Read ahead and spend time with the Scriptures below before worship.

• June 18 – Gen. 18:1-15 (21:1-7), A son is promised to Abraham and Sarah

• June 25 – Gen. 21:8-21, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away

• July 2 – Gen. 22:1-14, The binding of Isaac• July 9 – Gen 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Isaac marries Rebekah• July 16 – Gen. 25:19-34, The birth of Jacob and Esau, Esau

sells his birthright• July 23 – Gen. 28:10-19a, Jacob’s ladder• July 30 – Gen. 29:15-28, Jacob marries Rachel and Leah

• August 6 – Gen. 32:22-31, Jacob wrestles with God• August 13 (Summer Youth Sunday) – Gen. 37:1-4, 12-28,

Joseph’s dream, Joseph sold into slavery• August 20 – Gen. 45:1-15, Joseph reveals himself to his

brothers• August 27 (Ordination and Installation of Officers) – Ex.

1:8-2:10, Israelites in Egypt, Moses born and taken in by Pharaoh’s daughter

WORSHIP news

Summer Choir Welcomes YouSummer Choir runs from May 28 through September 3 (with the exception of Youth Sunday on August 13), rehearsing only on Sunday mornings at 9am to prepare music for the 10am service. We meet in the Music Room, on the upper floor of the Mission Center above the Parlor, and all are welcome to join in!

Regularity, though always encouraged, is not expected or required. Instead, Summer Choir operates on a come-as-you-are-when-you-can basis. Make this the summer to give us a try by singing whenever your schedule allows. Bring family members and friends with you. Children are welcome too, but those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

What an excellent way to sample choral singing, and what a rewarding way to have a meaningful impact on Westminster’s worship life this summer! We look forward to welcoming you.

Contact: Monica Rossman (919-489-4974, ext. 113; monica@wpcdurham.org).

Summer Sermon Series:

A Promise-Making and Promise-Keeping God

Lost & FoundDid you know? Westminster has a Lost & Found located in the Copy Room.

Forgotten coats, umbrellas, hats, sunglasses, and all sorts of things end up there. If you've misplaced something at WPC, swing by the Lost & Found to pick it up.

Items left in the Lost & Found for more than six months will be donated. Contact: Barb Schmidt (919-489-4974, ext. 100; bschmidt@wpcdurham.org).

Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster Presbyterian Church

- 7 -

On Thursday, June 1, we wrapped up the last of three extra special "Camp Days" at Westminster School. These were three four-hour mornings that parents purchased at our Pancakes for the Playground fundraiser in February. Members of our awesome staff donated their time to lead the fun activities each morning. Hats off to Helen Tharrington, Julie Brinkman, Laura Branton, Penny Morris, Katie Donoway, Samantha Neill, and Robin Lalor for donating their time and part of their well-deserved summer vacation to support the school in this way. Many thanks to our parents for purchasing the slots in our camps for their children. Lastly, thanks to Westminster School's Advisory Board for having the "bright idea" of offering camp days. What a great way to support the school in its fundraising endeavors.

Summer Camp is in full swing now. We still have some openings in the next sessions, so please call the school if you're interested (919-489-8432). This summer we are collecting children's books for Book Harvest, and preschool supplies for LEAP (the Latino Educational Achievement Partnership).

There are also spaces available in our 3-year-old classrooms for the school year. Please help us to advertise our wonderful early education program with your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances!

Happy summer!

Kathy StickleyDirector

Church Finance OverviewWestminster shares an overview of its finances in the newsletter each month.

May Financials

YTD Actual YTD Budget Annual BudgetIncome: $515,600 $479,406 $1,150,575Expense: $462,772 $513,374 $1,232,045Net: $52,828 $-33,968 $-81,470

As we approach the summer, there is generally a slow-down in giving. Please help WPC by continuing to make your pledge payments so we can meet our monthly expenses.

If you are interested in having your pledge contribution automatically drafted, please contact Elizabeth Takla (elizabeth@wpcdurham.org).

Upcoming Congregational Meetings

Congregational meetings have been called for June 25 and July 2 so that the Nominating Committee may present the final candidate for the new class of deacons. The candidate, Jim Young, will be presented twice; at both meetings, nominations may be made from the floor. The vote to approve the nominee as an officer-elect will be held on July 2. See the July 5 newsletter for a bio on nominee Jim Young.

An encore presentation of....

As It Is In HeavenFriday, July 14

6:30pm in the Parlor

We'll have an encore presentation of the film "As It Is In Heaven," which was shown during Lent as part of the Lenten Community Book Read.

This 2004 Swedish film tells the story of a famous conductor who, after suffering a breakdown, moves back to the small village where he grew up. Though craving quiet and anonymity, he is persuaded to work with the local church choir, which transforms his life. This quirky, lovely film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 77th Academy awards. "As It is in Heaven" offers a rich portrayal of human longing and suffering, and the redeeming power of love through music. Come enjoy this movie night with your Westminster friends!

As It Is In Heaven

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH3639 Old Chapel Hill RdDurham, NC 27707Phone: 919-489-4974Fax: 919-493-4553westminster@wpcdurham.orgwww.wpcdurham.orgwww.facebook.com/wpcdurham

The next WPC newsletter will be published on July 5. The deadline to submit material is June 28.

To submit material for publication, contact Communication Coordinator Kara Pearce (kara@wpcdurham.org; 919-489-4974, ext. 101).

The newsletter is emailed. If you would like to receive a paper copy by mail, please contact Kara Pearce.

ACOLYTES 6/18 Grace Ferguson, Katherine McFall6/25 Heath Tuttle7/2 Volunteer Needed7/9 Volunteer Needed

LECTORS6/18 Barbara Rynerson6/25 Collin Day7/2 Blair Chesnut7/9 Lee Murphy

OFFERING COUNTERS6/18 Bill & Mary Anne Pogue6/25 Bill & Jeff Young7/2 Jeremy & Laurel Trantham7/9 Laura & Millicent Loehr

Worship Volunteers for June 18, 25, July 2, and 9*Summer worship services take place at 10am through September 3.

Worship volunteers scheduled for 11am services will serve at the 10am summer services.

To sign up for an open spot on a worship volunteer team, please visit www.bit.ly/wpcServe.

USHERS6/18 Jennifer, Neil & Logan McElroy; Jimmy, Mary Beth & Evan McIntyre6/25 Volunteers Needed7/2 Kevin & Lori Rosemond; Brendan Turner, Volunteer Needed7/9 Barb & Bill Burig; Jeremy & Laurel Trantham; Rayner England, Riley & Cecelia Meath

NURSERY Every Sunday: Infants, Toddlers, 8:30 2-5 yr olds - WPC Nursery Staff6/18 2-3: Bekah & Forrest Perry; 4-5: Mike & Rachel Meyen6/25 2-3: Sandy Taylor, Volunteer Needed; 4-5: Rachel Chang, Volunteer Needed7/2 2-3: Volunteers Needed; 4-5: Volunteers Needed7/9 2-3: Volunteers Needed; 4-5: Volunteers Needed

SOUND TECHNICIANSJune Lee KatrincicJuly Gene Zielinski

Preaching Schedule

June 18Preaching: Chris Tuttle

June 25 - Birthday SundayPreaching: Chris Tuttle

July 2 - Communion SundayPreaching: Chris Tuttle

July 9Preaching: Chris Tuttle

June 14, 2017

Westminster Presbyterian Church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).