Westminster News: October/November 2006

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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: leaving the church for Vitense at 1:40 PM

For Westminster 's youth In grades 5 to 9. Meet at the church at 1:40 pm to carpool to Vitense Golf. We will play mini-golf and have a soda…all free! If you want to play more golf, do another activity or eat other food you need to bring money!

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

SundayMornings@Westminster  Session Two: Oct. 29 - Nov 26: at the 9th hour

All adults at Westminster will have another smorgasbord of choices to experience different topics and learning opportunities. Session Two of SundayMornings@Westminster begins Sunday October 29 and continues through November 26. Choose a section in which you can participate, learn, contribute and best fits your needs. Session One was well attended and well received. Thanks to all who led those classes and thanks to all who participated!

1

Creation and Genesis with Carol Wright in Room 6

"In the beginning God...."  The biblical narrative of Genesis follows the early heroes of Israel as they attempt to find meaning in life.  As readers of the Bible, we gain from that experience as we extract lessons from their lives and find meaning in our own lives."

2

Getting it Together: Spiritual Practices for Faith, Family and Work by C. A. Wehrheim - In Room 3 with Marian Bauer

Offering a direction toward relief from the business of life, showing how a Christian foundation of faith can provide a sense of balance amidst the struggle.

3

Adult Forum - in the Lounge  

Wisconsin Gay Rights Amendment

October 29

November 5

The Bible on Same-Sex Relations

Exception to the Rule: PCUSA Eyes Third Way On  Homosexuality

Poverty

November 12

November 19

‘The Singer Solution to World  Poverty’ with Doug Rouse

Affluenza’  Video

4

Book of Acts with Ralph Thomas in the Conference Room

A Recital by Liane Kosaki     October 29 at 2 PM

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

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.

Called Congregational Meeting     November 5 after worship

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

Youth Group SUB SALE     November 5 in Fellowship Hall following the Congregational meeting

Purchase a sub for only $3.50. Cold beverage and chips will also be available for a donation. All the money raised will go toward helping the youth do their mission activities and go on conference trips.

John Knox Presbytery Mission Trip to the Gulf     November 1-10

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     November 10 and 11

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.

Evangelism Event: Pizza/Salad Supper & Nakoma Neighborhood Canvas     Sunday November 12^th at 3:30 PM

Come to Fellowship Hall at 3:30 PM to receive materials and maps to go out and canvass the Nakoma neighborhood with a door hanger that invites our Nakoma friends and neighbors to come and visit us during the holidays. Sign up for whatever you feel you have the energy for-enjoy some fresh air and exercise in the process. Return to Fellowship Hall at 5 pm to enjoy a Pizza and Salad supper with your co-canvassers. Mark your calendars and sign up for this event after worship on October 29 or on November 5, so we know how much pizza to order and can allocate the materials for you.

Officer Training/Retreat     Saturday November 18th from 9 AM to noon

The officer training/retreat for new and continuing officers is set for Saturday, November 18, 2006 from 9 to noon at the church.

Workshop Rotation Helpers Needed!     November 19 and 26 at 9 AM

The K-Grade 4 class needs you to help them with crafts on the theme of angels and shepherds from the Luke 2 story on November 19 and with Bible games, computer games and videos on the theme of angels and shepherds from the Luke 2 story.

Thanksgiving Sunday Grocery Offering     November 19 Worship Service

On Thanksgiving Sunday, November 19, our congregation is invited to bring forward their annual grocery offerings to place around the communion table. Our youth and the Worship Committee members will bring the groceries to the Yuma Street entrance after worship and then deliver to the Allied Drive Food Pantry. The Allied Drive Pantry recommends the following items for donation that are in constant demand, but welcome any items you offer. Items needed are: Mac & cheese, chicken noodle/stars and cream of mushroom, and Ramen™ noodle soups, spaghetti sauce, canned corn, green beans and fruit, corn muffin mix, pork & beans, rice or noodles, meal-in-a-can and any paper products. The Worship Committee welcomes your contributions to this effort as we continue our Thanksgiving tradition of sharing our gifts with those in need. Let us fill the church with our offerings! Thank you, The Worship Committee.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration:     Sunday November 19th from 3:00 to 5:30 PM at Warner Park

Experience and celebrate religious diversity and the spirit of gratitude as we enter America's Thanksgiving Season. The Greater Madison Interreligious Association and others sponsor this celebration, with music, meditation, prayers, readings, and other sacred expressions of Thanksgiving. Bring canned goods for our charity food drive. This event will be held at Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive. Contact Ruth Hoffman Hein regarding car-pooling to event and/or to help in any way.

Free Childcare and Activities: Free Time for Parents    Saturday December 2 from 10 AM to 2 PM

Parents:  Could you use about 4 hours without the children for you to get some Christmas shopping done? Our youth will offer free childcare for your children up to grade 4 Saturday, December 2 at church from 10 AM to 2 PM. The children will be divided into groups by age, with older youth caring for the smallest children assisted by one adult, and middle-schoolers and an adult tending to the K-Grade 4 children. Let Justine Hollander or Marian Bauer know how many children are coming, their ages, and length of time you will need care. You should bring whatever food/beverage your child needs for that time. There will be apple juice or lemonade available for the older children along with age-appropriate activities and videos shown.

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.

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. Drop your donation off any time!

Advent Festival     December 3 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM

Join us to prepare yourself and your church for the Season of Advent by creating all types of angels, sharing crèches from around the world, and making Advent wreaths. Help with the greening of the sanctuary and the decorating the trees in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall. A closing worship time will use the newly made Advent wreaths, songs, and prayers. Remember to invite your neighbors and friends.

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!

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!

Fall Festival     October 15

Many thanks to all ... who made the Fall Festival a huge success!! A cheerful mix of about 80 members of Westminster and Christ Presbyterian Churches attended, including children, youth and adults. There was an a-mazing maze! Ask any of our children who made their way through this engineering masterpiece! Thanks especially to the following people who helped with this event: thanks to youth Carolyn Curran, Rachel Hostetler, Henry Johnson,  who got the ‘fishing’ activity started, Kira Dohrn Jones, Aaron and Jason Kornetzke, Kate Martin, Abby Meier, Emma and Noah Thornburg, and Aileen and Michelle Zebrowski; and thanks to adults Susan Bush, Sandra Cole, Beth Dohrn, Ruth Hein, Denise Meier, Justine Hollander and Marian Bauer. Thanks also to Tony Wagner, Thatcher Root, and John Tarr who moved tables out, and to all those folks who donated candy to the cause! We hope we have remembered everyone…but if not, consider yourself thanked with hugs!!

90th Anniversary Celebration     October 22

The church was full of people! The worship service was full of special music! The children’s message, scriptural interpretation by the youth and the sermon reminded us of our past but then to look forward to the 'race which is set before us.' Fragrant aromas circulated from the great food awaiting led people to find their table for the gathering. Decorations were themed in pink, mauve and white. Specially designed magnets were at each place as a remembrance. Our bulletin boards were turned into giant memory-book pages filled with 'past, present & future' events.  Two different booklets of WPC memories were available; one describing the nine decades and the other written about the WPC choir by a long-time former choir member. Delicious cakes were provided with the theme "Our God our help in ages past…our hope for years to come". Jim Marshall, Chair of the Anniversary Committee along with Pastor Thornburg, led the program which honored past memories and long-time members. Special certificates were given to members of over 60 years! Memories were shared by many who had been members or staff at different times. Alex led the people to think about what the church would look like in 2016 at the 100th anniversary. Our event was closed with everyone singing the Doxology… "Praise God from whom all blessings flow"! Deepest GRATITUDE to all who helped in any and every way to make this anniversary year exceptionally wonderful! See you for the 100th Anniversary!

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.

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!