WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHWestminster Presbyterian Church January 26 is Scout Sunday!* Scouts...
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WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Do Justice • Love Kindness • Walk Humbly January 2020 January 7, 2020 Friends and fellow disciples, Happy New Year! Before we jump into 2020 more fully, I want to step back and say, “thank you.” It has been a mighty year, and countless numbers of you have stepped up and served Christ’s church in amazing ways. At this time last year, the Session had been studying our staff structure and was preparing to approve a pile of job descriptions. The Nominating Committee called many of you, who worked to interview, listen to the Spirit, and assemble the wonderful staff team we now have in place! Others of you worked on the planning for the building that is, albeit slowly, unfolding before us. Others of you taught church school, or sang in the choir, or drove for Meals on Wheels, or visited a member of the church in treatment for cancer. Others of you listened and planned, recruited volunteers, went on a summer trip with our youth, knitted prayer shawls, served the shelter meal, contributed planning for the Deacons’ Mission Day in November when we welcomed Pastor Leon of Haiti Outreach Mission. Others of you, as Advent approached, decorated the church so beautifully, planned and practiced and shared so much wonderful music, served meals, bought gifts for Share Your Christmas, came downtown to Bull City Fair Trade, corralled little ones in the pageant. So many of you stepped up, again and again, in amazing ways, seeking the One who is God With Us. I have been humbled by your faithfulness over and over and over again. As we begin this new year, I do so filled with gratitude - for who you are, and even more, for the ways you are glorifying God with your lives. Christ has done much among us, and we can rejoice! But Christ also calls to us, and much work remains. I’ll look forward, praying for what is to come. Some wonderful ways to begin the new year are included on the following pages. Let's get ready to jump right in! The lights of Christmas Eve worship Photo by Mark Hill Tons of gifts donated for Share Your Christmas Photo by Amy Stanfield Christmas Pageant fun! Photo by Cindy Soloe Our awesome Advent dinner team Photo by Kim Garcia Our Tradition of Lovefeast Photo by Mark Hill
Transcript of WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHWestminster Presbyterian Church January 26 is Scout Sunday!* Scouts...
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHDo Justice • Love Kindness • Walk Humbly
January 2020
January 7, 2020
Friends and fellow disciples,
Happy New Year!
Before we jump into 2020 more fully, I want to step back and say, “thank you.” It has been a mighty year, and countless numbers of you have stepped up and served Christ’s church in amazing ways.
At this time last year, the Session had been studying our staff structure and was preparing to approve a pile of job
descriptions. The Nominating Committee called many of you, who worked to interview, listen to the Spirit, and assemble the wonderful staff team we now have in place!
Others of you worked on the planning for the building that is, albeit slowly, unfolding before us. Others of you taught church school, or sang in the choir, or drove for Meals on Wheels, or visited a member of the
church in treatment for cancer. Others of you listened and planned, recruited volunteers, went on a summer trip with our youth, knitted prayer shawls, served the shelter meal, contributed planning for the Deacons’ Mission Day in November when we welcomed Pastor Leon of Haiti Outreach Mission.
Others of you, as Advent approached, decorated the church so beautifully, planned and practiced and shared so much wonderful music, served meals, bought gifts for Share Your Christmas, came downtown to Bull City Fair Trade, corralled little ones in the pageant.
So many of you stepped up, again and again, in amazing ways, seeking the One who is God With Us. I have been humbled by your faithfulness over and
over and over again.
As we begin this new year, I do so filled with gratitude - for who you are, and even more, for the ways you are glorifying God with your lives. Christ has done much among us, and we can rejoice! But Christ also calls to us, and much work remains. I’ll look forward, praying for what is to come. Some wonderful ways to begin the new year are included on the following pages. Let's get ready to jump right in!The lights of Christmas Eve worship
Photo by Mark Hill
Tons of gifts donated for Share Your Christmas Photo by Amy Stanfield
Christmas Pageant fun! Photo by Cindy Soloe
Our awesome Advent dinner teamPhoto by Kim Garcia
Our Tradition of LovefeastPhoto by Mark Hill
January 2020
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Concerns & CelebrationsDottie Bartholomay
Holly Borden’s father Jim Broyles' aunt
Barb Burig John and Ann Dancy
Jim ElkinsPaul Garcia
Jan Hale
Ron HawkinsHarriett Henderson
Deborah Hertzog’s cousinJudy Lamon’s friend
Bryan and Ryan Love and their family Rebecca MatternBeverly McGraw
Mike Meyen's friend
Collin Phillips Jules Taylor’s mother
Pat TrostEllen Vogel’s auntDoug Wellemeyer
Natalie Wolf
Please send prayer requests for the bulletin to [email protected];the information will be received by our staff and Congregational Care Team.
If you have a confidential prayer concern or need, please contact Cherrie Barton Henry, Associate Pastor of Congregational Care & Mission, at 919-489-4974 (ext 108), or [email protected].
Mission Opportunities and more
Martin Luther King Jr. DAY OF SERVICE Monday, January 20Honor Martin Luther King's legacy of serving others by serving our community alongside our friends from the Divan Center, a mosque and Turkish cultural center in Cary.
We'll gather at WPC at 8:00am for a light breakfast, then organize into teams and depart campus between 8:30-9:00 am. We'll return around noon for lunch and conversation.
View the list of serving opportunities, and sign up online at http://bit.ly/2020WPC-MLKday. We ask that you indicate your preference for a volunteer activity by signing up under the appropriate category, but please note we cannot guarantee you’ll be assigned to your preferred site. We appreciate your understanding as we work to make sure all our sites are staffed with the help they need.
Contact: Amy Hill ([email protected], 919-418-0078)
Needed: Donations for CASA Welcome Home Kits As part of our MLK Service Day on January 20, we’ll be assembling Welcome Home Kits for families and individuals served by CASA, a local nonprofit that provides affordable housing for people who are homeless or at risk.
We’re collecting donations of materials needed for the kits – can you help? Items include:
• Medium-sized laundry baskets and detergent
• Bathroom soaps, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toilet paper, and toilet scrubbers
• Kitchen utensils, dish soap, potholders, plastic ice trays, dishcloths and towels, sponges and scouring pads
• Nonperishable food
Please bring donations to the yellow bin in the Mission Center by Sunday, January 19. Thank you!
Contact: Anne Sherman ([email protected])
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Westminster Presbyterian Church
January 26 is Scout Sunday!*Scouts from the Troops chartered at Westminster will help serve as worship volunteers, and we'll hear more about the impact of scouting during "Sharing Our Mission" time. All are invited to a reception in the Parlor after the 11:00am service for refreshments.
* If you are a youth or adult member of a scouting group, wear your uniform to church this day.
W e e k e n d H i g h l i g h t sFriday Evening \\ Fun and games start at 6:30pm
Saturday Morning \\ Intergenerational program exploring our theme: “The mountains are calling...and so is Jesus!”
Saturday Afternoon \\ Free time for hiking, rock-hopping, reading, napping, games for kids, or exploring Black Mountain
Saturday Evening \\ Dinner all together followed by square-dancing
Sunday Morning \\ Casual worship with communion
S t a y i n g a t M o n t r e a tL o d g i n g• Assembly Inn (One room with private bathroom; Two rooms with adjoining bathroom, or Shared room)• Private homes are available for rent around Montreat.
F o o dMeals at Assembly Inn offer a great variety for everyone. Saturday dinner is included in the cost of the retreat. You must sign up for the meal plan (Saturday breakfast, lunch; Sunday breakfast) if you stay at Assembly Inn.
R e g i s t r a t i o nDownload the All Church Retreat registration form for details on lodging, meals, and more at http://bit.ly/20ACretreat, or pick one up from the church office. Bring your completed registration form with payment to the church office by January 26 to reserve your spot. You may pay online at http://bit.ly/2020WPCretreat.
Contact: Marietta Wynands ([email protected])
2 0 2 0 A l l C h u r c h R e t r e a tF e b r u a r y 2 8 – M a r c h 1 M o n t r e a t C o n f e r e n c e C e n t e r
$ 8 5 p e r f a m i l y o r $ 4 0 p e r i n d i v i d u a l , p l u s l o d g i n g
March 16, 2016January 2020
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2020 Mission DaysFebruary Focus: Homelessness
February 9, 9:45-10:45amduring the Church School hour
K-2nd grade – Families Moving Forward
3rd-4th grades – Urban Ministries of Durham
5th-7th grades – CASA + Housing for New Hope
8th grade thru Adults – Families Moving Forward
On Mission Days, we feature a single mission focus across all our Church School classes. The goals are to get our younger members excited about the important work our church does, and send them home with opportunities for hands-on involvement for their families.
On our first Mission Day in November, middle and high school youth joined adults for a visit from Pastor Leon Dorleans, founding director of Haiti Outreach Ministries. Our elementary-age Church School classes learned about life in Haiti and the work of our medical and educational teams.
Be a part of Mission Day on February 9 as we focus on the issue of homelessness in our community.
Contact: Rachel Chang ([email protected])
Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packing DaySaturday, March 710:00-12:00 noon
Hope Valley Baptist Church Gymnasium
We’re excited to be partnering with the congregation of Hope Valley Baptist Church to pack meals for Rise Against Hunger on Saturday, March 7, 10:00-12:00 noon, in the HVBC Gymnasium.
Over the years, WPC has worked with Rise Against Hunger on 11 events and packed 114,324 meals!
At just 34 cents per meal, 80% of Rise Against Hunger's meals are distributed through global partners that administer school feeding programs, orphanages, health clinics, and vocational training.
Make plans to take part in this fun, educational, highly-interactive, highly-impactful event. Meal-packing is suitable for ages 5 and up. Please consider also donating toward the cost of the meals. You can register or donate toward our $3,451 event fundraising goal (or both!) at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/wpc/hvb.
Contact: Jami Howell ([email protected])
Serve with Families Moving Forward February 10-11Westminster provides dinner, dinner hosts, and childcare on Monday and Tuesday nights during our volunteer weeks with Families Moving Forward. Volunteers are needed to pick up, deliver, and set up dinner; eat with the families and clean up afterward; and play with the kids while parents participate in life skills programming.
We partner with Immaculate Conception and Judea Reform on this wonderful mission. Come and help support families seeking to change their lives for the better.
Sign up today at http://bit.ly/FMFfeb2020.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming rotations – March 30-31 and June 22-23.
Contact: Rachel Chang ([email protected])
Stability Returns to Haiti Our friends in Haiti reported last month that with the subsiding of protests, children were able to return to school, which helps restore a sense of normalcy to their lives.
"Today again the Mighty God has granted us his presence and the privilege to welcome the students for another day of school," wrote Nadege Gay, a Haitian school administrator with Haiti Outreach Ministries.
May the peace of Christ prevail in Haiti in the days and months to come!
Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster Presbyterian Church
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Aperture: Third Wednesdays"Learning from the Witness of Ann Atwater"with Jonathan Wilson-HartgroveWednesday, February 19, 6:30pm l Music Room The 2019 documentary, “The Best of Enemies.” tells the story of how Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local leader of the Klu Klux Klan in Durham, ended up co-chairing a committee in 1971 to help desegregate Durham’s local schools.
Next month, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove returns to Westminster to share his experiences of “Learning from the Witness of Ann Atwater,” drawing from the documentary and his deep personal relationship with this remarkable woman who transformed this city. This Aperture event introduces WPC to our Lenten series. Details coming soon!
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is a celebrated spiritual writer and sought-after speaker. A native of North Carolina, he is a graduate of Eastern University and Duke Divinity School. In 2003 he co-founded Rutba House, a Christian intentional community in Durham’s Walltown neighborhood. In 2006, he founded the School for Conversion, a popular education center committed to "making surprising friendships possible." He taught workshops there alongside his mentor and freedom teacher, Ann Atwater, until her death in 2016.
Contact: Marietta Wynands ([email protected])
Christian Education news
NEW Church School Elective On Being a Quiet Christian February 2 - February 23, 9:45 -10:45amFacilitated by Geoff Vaughn
This is a class for adolescents and adults who want connection at church, but also crave quiet and reflective time – perhaps by themselves – for spiritual growth. It's also ideal for those...
• Who need time alone with God at least as much as they need time with a church community;
• Who relate to the solitude and quiet spaces in the Bible and the figures who sought them out;
• Who, when alone, often find greater calm, clarity, and creativity as Christians; and
• Who simply may be looking for new ways to reflect on and engage with the upcoming season
of Lent.
Join us in exploring these topics and more through four Quiet Practices that will involve reading, prayer, breathing,
meditation, and writing, among other ways of engaging with oneself and God. All are welcome!
Spring Women's Retreat
March 20 - 22Southern Charm
House, Holden Beach
Some say hospitality is a special gift that some
people have and others don't. But God's love for us is the greatest example of genuine hospitality. During our retreat together we will spend time listening for God's hospitality extended to us. You are warmly invited to experience hospitality to God, from God, to ourselves and to each other.
Our Spring Retreat program will be led by Margaret-Jean Junkin (M-J). M-J is a graduate of HeartPaths DFW spiritual direction program in Dallas, Texas, and holds a master's in Christian education. She has worked in churches of all sizes, directed camps, and served as Presbytery educator. An ordained elder, M-J currently works as a certified spiritual director, leads chapel for Faithbridge Presbyterian Preschool, and plays keys for the praise team at her home church in Frisco, Texas. She is wife to David and mom to two young men. M-J has a passion for listening to faith stories, noticing our encounters with God, and being an advocate as we journey through this thing we call "life."
The cost is $80 per person, plus lodging. Retreat participants will contribute snacks or salads. Watch for registration coming soon!
Retreat Planning Committee: Suze Bear, Helen Harrison, Carol Mansfield, Mary Todd Peters, and Anne Wolf
Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster Presbyterian Church
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WPC Youth's Souper Bowl FundraiserSunday, February 2, 12:00 noon
Mission Center Second Floor
Enjoy hearty soups and delicious baked goods, all for an excellent cause: To help fund scholarships and summer trips for our youth!
The cost for lunch is a suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 max per family, but contributions of any amount will be gratefully accepted.
Join us for this soup-er fun event and learn how you can help support our youth!
youth groupnews
WPC Youth Group Spring CalendarJan 19 – Iceskating @ Hillsborough Sportsplex: 1:00pm – 3:00pmJan 20 – MLK Memorial Day of Service Time and Location TBDJan 26 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteFeb 2 – Souper Bowl Fundraiser: 12:00pm, WPC Mission CenterFeb 9 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteFeb 16 – Class Dinners! (Details coming soon)Feb 23 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteMar 1 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteMar 8 – Flour War Time and Location TBDMar 15 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteMar 22 – Youth Sunday Practice: 5:30pm–7:00pm, WPCMar 28 – Youth Sunday Run-Through: 8:00am–9:30am, WPCMar 29 – Youth Sunday!Apr 5 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteApr 12 – EasterApr 19 – Youth Group: 5:30pm–7:00pm, Youth SuiteApr 26 – Final Youth Group & Senior Send-OffDon’t forget to bring $5 for dinner, OR prepay $70 for the Spring
Summer ExperiencesJune 14-20 Atlanta Pilgrimage and Service Cost - $350 Deposit - $250June 23-27 Massanetta Middle School Conference Cost - $300 Deposit - $200July 12-18 Montreat High School Conference Cost - $375 Deposit - $275August 22 “Down to the River” Middle School Paddle Trip Cost - $30
To register, sign up online to meet briefly with Alex for a pre-trip conversation. Balances are due February 14!
Volunteer Opportunities
Extending the love of Christ
Welcome Table Volunteers Needed The practice of graciously welcoming one another, especially the stranger, is a reflection of God’s welcome to us. It’s also the purpose of our Welcome Table on Sunday mornings - to warmly welcome one another, guests, and newcomers. Stop by to receive a friendly greeting, get information on the latest WPC happenings, or pick up your nametag.
We’re in need of a few more volunteers to join the Welcome Team. No special skills or knowledge needed - just a friendly smile and a desire to show Christ’s love to all.
Sign up today at http://bit.ly/WPCwelcome.
Contact: Monica Nichols ([email protected])
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January 2020
Durham Congregations in Action2020 Banquet - January 30
All are invited to the Annual Banquet of Durham Congregations in Action on Thursday, January 30, 6:00-8:00pm, at Judea Reform Congregation (1933 W Cornwallis Rd).
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Blair L.M. Kelley, Assistant Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies & Programs and Associate Professor of History at NC State, and the author of Right to Ride. The cost is $15 per person. Please RSVP by January 27 to [email protected] or 919-688-2036.
Contact: Chuck Byrd ([email protected])
Report: November Session MeetingBy Dave Pottenger, Class of 2020
The Session met on Sunday, November 17, 2019. We began the meeting with one of our favorite activities: welcoming seven new people to our congregation. Over the course of the next two weeks this wonderful group of diverse individuals was introduced to Westminster during our Sunday services.
We learned of several planned activities, to be held in the weeks ahead, designed to help us meet and come to know our new staff members a bit better. All members of the church were encouraged to attend.
The meeting then shifted to the annual joint Session-Diaconate meeting. We are blessed to have such a wide array of gifts among the church leaders, and this joint meeting is a great place to fully appreciate this dynamic.
The discussion centered around the topic of how we can continue and grow congregational engagement in the spiritual and physical activities of the church. We identified several areas of strength as well as those that could use additional focus. Emerging from this is a commitment to understand, more fully, the gifts that God has bestowed upon each and every one of us, and build a strategy that puts these gifts in motion in the months ahead. Look for more specifics in the near future!
Community News & Opportunities
Congratulations to Alex Stayer-Brewington, who was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and officially installed as our Associate Pastor for Youth & Their Families on January 12. Hooray!
We look forward to installing Cherrie Barton Henry as our Associate Pastor for Congregational Care & Mission on February 16, at 4:00pm. All are invited to attend this special service and welcome Cherrie in her ministry with us.
Photo credits: Mark Hill
thank YOU!We received $21,975 toward our Christmas Eve Offering
for Durham Habitat for Humanity. Thanks be to God!
January 2020
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd Durham, NC 27707Phone: 919-489-4974www.wpcdurham.orgwww.facebook.com/wpcdurhamwww.instagram.com/westminsterpc_durham
Please find a sub if you're unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday. View schedules at www.bit.ly/wpcServe. Thank you!
SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP, WELCOME, AND NURSERY VOLUNTEERS
Nursery VolunteersInfants, Toddlers, 8:30am 2-5 yr. olds: WPC Nursery Staff Jan 19 Bryan and Ryan Elizabeth Love Jan 26 Lindsay King, Dexter Meath Feb 2 Nancye Bryan, Volunteer needed Feb 9 Megan Theiling, Laura Trantham Feb 16 Rachel and Elise Chang, Cindy Soloe
Welcome Table Hosts Jan 19 Pat Gunter, Volunteer needed Jan 26 Andy Dunk, Volunteer needed Feb 2 Volunteers needed Feb 9 Margaret Dean, Volunteer needed Feb 16 Andy Dunk, Volunteer needed
Acolytes Jan 19 Isabel England-Castro, Rachel Lamont Jan 26 Scouts Feb 2 Hannah and Sarah Wilcox Feb 9 Sam Hertzog, Brynn Meyen Feb 16 Ty and Will Allen
Sound Technicians January 8:30am Gideon Segbefia 11:00am Blair Chesnut February 8:30am Derek Leadbetter 11:00am Lee Katrincic
Lectors Jan 19 8:30am Kay Wellemeyer 11:00am Jeremy Trantham Jan 26 8:30am Bonnie Derr 11:00am Rachel Meyen Feb 2 8:30am Chuck Byrd 11:00am Lee Murphy Feb 9 8:30am Bonnie Derr 11:00am Brad Davis Feb 16 8:30am Bill Stokes 11:00am Mark Hill
Ushers Jan 19 8:30am Dean Lanier, Eric Wolf, Volunteers needed 11:00am Rayner England, CeCe Meath, Riley Meath, Susan Landis, Kevin and Lori Rosemond Jan 26 8:30am & 11:00am Scout volunteers Feb 2 8:30am Bo and Grace Ferguson, Erik and Andy Dunk 11:00am Dave and Nick Mountain, Cathy Snider Feb 9 8:30am Dailey and Bonnie Derr, Jeff and Marsha Scouten 11:00am Volunteers needed Feb 16 8:30am Lois Bender, Gary Carr, Herb Fritz, Richard Watson 11:00am John and Ruth Caccavale, Stanley family
Offering Counters Jan 19 8:30am Laura and Millicent Loehr 11:00am Tali Benignus, Harriette Frank Jan 26 8:30am Lois Bender, Gary Carr 11:00am Tali Benignus, Harriette Frank Feb 2 8:30am Carl and Adella Boxberger 11:00am Bill and Barb Burig Feb 9 8:30am Jeff and Marsha Scouten 11:00am Mike and Kay Rosenmarkle Feb 16 8:30am Ben and TIna Allen 11:00am Bill Young, Jeff Young
Westminster Presbyterian Church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Church Office Hours & Pastors On-Call The Westminster staff is here for you! The church office is open Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm, and on Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm. We welcome you to stop by. Keep in mind our staff’s hours and schedules vary, so you may want to call or email first.
All WPC pastors now have Friday off, and a system of rotating pastors- on-call has been put in place. You can view the Pastors’ On-Call Schedule through September at http://bit.ly/WPCPastorsOnCall.
