Westminster Presbyterian Church                                                                                                                  

Minutes to Session: Worship Committee Meeting: 8-14-06, 7:00pm

 

Opening Prayer: Harriet Vander Meer

Those present:  Alex Thornburg, Joe Chrisman, Harriet Vander Meer, Cynthia Bush, Bill Owens,

Margo LaPerre, Jean Ruhde, Bud Smith,

Membership: We welcomed Bill Owens, new elder; Bud Smith, Deacon Representative, Rev. Alex Thornburg, new pastor, also looked at current complete WC membership.

 

I. Education and “Examen”

A. Education:  

1. Looked at our Roles and Responsibilities of the Worship Committee and briefly noted the responsibilities of the Worship Committee in Directory of Worship sections W-1.4000 – W1.4009 from the Book of Order as we begin the relationship with our new pastor.

2. Briefly reviewed the recommendations from the Worship@Westminster Class held

April 23 – May 14, 2006, some of which have been implemented

B. Examen:

1. Discussed possible follow up Worship Committee activities to educate, inform and examine and help prepare the congregation for worship services at Westminster.               

        2. Examen: Defined as an attempt to find the gift of grace each day

Alex  recommended that we “examen” not only our personal lives but our worship life at Westminster and have the Worship Committee “examen” the worship services at Westminster. To help us in this, we will discuss the article written by the Sacraments Study Group of the PCUSA  entitled, “Invitation”. Our first discussion will cover the first 25 pages of the article at the next WC meeting.

3. Recent Worship Services: Examen worship service of Aug 13, 2006:

                                Attendance: 188 – seemed to be a full house.

                                Length of the service: 1 hour - timely

                                Order of Worship seemed to flow smoothly and well

                                Music: fine

                        Children’s Message: Alex will share this worship component with Marian for the next few months. Message will always relate to the lectionary. How often – to be determined

                                Bulletin: develop ways in which we can further utilize the bulletin for worship purposes.

 

II. Worship Components

A.       Pulpit Concerns:

-  Reviewed the Pulpit Supply of July 2 – Aug 6. The WC will formulate, define and write a list of procedures required in securing Pulpit Supply List for Westminster.

- The WC will formulate, define and write a funeral and wedding policy statement to include procedures, suggestions for services and scriptures as well as use of the building and scheduling items.

B.       Music Report: all groups will begin during the month of September.

C.       Sacraments:

a.       Baptism

The worship committee will formulate a statement on baptism to be used along with a book for parents and families with children being baptized.

b. Communion - Calendar for the remainder of 2006:

- Saturday, Sept 30, 9:30 – 11:30am, Marian Bauer will teach the youth, children and their families about the sacraments of baptism and communion.

- World Communion Sunday, October 1: Children and Youth will help prepare the communion elements with breads from through out the world.

 

- Communion Worship services during Advent still being determined.

- Other calendar items: Aug 20: Memorial Service for Betty Roberts

                           Installation service for Alex Thornburg - to be decided

D.       Report on Ushers and Greeters – Margo      

- Ushers and greeters are scheduled through September.

- Described the membership and responsibilities of the Sanctuary Guild.

E.       Report on Liturgists – Jean

Liturgists are scheduled through Sept 10.

F.   Liturgical Elements

-          Banner in sanctuary: Evangelism Committee will use the “I Am the Vine” banner and leaves to be placed in the sanctuary for the Aug 27 worship service and remain into the Pentecost Season. Evangelism Committee will be responsible for the implementation.

-          Nov. 19 -Thanksgiving Sunday: As in the past, Westminster will continue to have the congregation offer groceries as part of their worship experience on the Thanksgiving Sunday worship service. Needs to be determined whether Mission Committee will be in charge of the food distribution.

-          Bulletins: Discussed how the bulletin can be used more effectively as an element of the worship: include prayer concerns and joys, use the lectionary or notes for future worship services, include more prayers and readings. 

 

III. Budget Items:

A. Advertising:

- Review the 2006 and discuss the 2007 advertising budget: the process, the products and effectiveness of our print communications used throughout the year in newsletters, bulletins, newspaper and yellow pages.  Prepare a budget to send to Session for approval.

B. Music:

                - Chancel Choir rehearsal chairs will be delivered soon

                - Choir robes have been cleaned – under the expected cost

C. Report on update of pulpit and lectern

John Tarr is in communication with the company, but has not received a schedule for implementation. He will keep us informed.

D. WC will examine the number and position of hymnals and Bibles located in the pews to determine if there are enough of each and they are distributed evenly.

 

No actions items

 

Date of next meeting:  September 18, 2006 - 7:00 pm, Room 8

Closing Prayer: Alex Thornburg

 

Respectfully submitted by

Harriet Vander Meer