Westminster Presbyterian Church

Minutes: Worship Committee Meeting: 9-18-06, 7:00pm, Room 6 (lower lever)

 

Opening Prayer: Joe Chrisman

Those present:  Alex Thornburg, Joe Chrisman, Harriet Vander Meer, Pamela Quin, Cynthia Bush, Bill Owens, Bud Smith, Jean Ruhde, Walt Pridham, Margo LaPerre

Approval of Minutes: Aug 14, 2006 Meeting

 

I. Education and “Examen”

A. Education:  

        1. Discussed ways the Worship Committee can most effectively use the Westminster web site. Note: the WPC web site registers over 10,000 hits per month. Items to include on our web site: Worship Committee membership, its roles and responsibilities, sermons of Alex Thornburg (group looking into a podcast for worship service), information about the liturgical season, a generalized prayer concern list, helpful web links, notes on particular Sunday worship services.

        2. Also discussed if input from the congregation can be included on the web site.

        3. Training sessions for ushers, greeters, liturgists, acolytes, communion servers could be held before/during Session or Deacon meetings, voice checks at the microphone could be done before the morning worship service, discussed at the class of Marian Bauer. We will look into robes for the acolytes.

B. Examen:

1. Discussion of the first 25 pages of article written by the Sacraments Study Group of the PCUSA, “Invitation;” discussion was led by Alex Thornburg and focused on the importance of the sacraments of baptism and communion in our worship services. Concerns such as how often we serve communion and celebrate baptism, who is involved in their preparation, their value, significance and meaning for congregation. Next assignment and discussion will include the remainder of the article. Members are to present their definitions of worship and liturgy.

2. Examen recent worship service: Aug 20 – Sept 17, 2006:

                                Attendance seemed steady and large;

                                New use of youth and acolytes in the service;

                                Music was varied and reflected many styles and good to have the choir back;

                                Good use of the bulletin design and worship notes helpful.

II. Worship Components

A.       Pulpit Concerns:

1. Installation service of Alex Thornburg – Oct 1, 2006, 4:00 pm – Dan Little to give message, Marilyn Sandin-Ross to participate; Deacons will prepare a reception to follow service for the Thornburg family.

2. Write policy statement of process and procedures for the pastor, worship committee and/or office staff to use in securing and working with individuals concerning:

 - Pulpit Supply - Harriet Vander Meer

 - Funeral services - Cynthia Bush

 - Wedding ceremonies - Cynthia Bush

 - Baptism - Harriet Vander Meer

These procedures would include an explanation and information, suggestions for services and scriptures as well as use of the building, fees and scheduling items. Alex and Joe will consult in the development of these resources prior to review by the full committee.

3. Pulpit supply for Sunday, Nov. 26- Newt Roberts and Sunday, Dec. 31 – (hopefully, Newt Roberts with assistance by Marian Bauer)

4. Began to explore the need of Westminster having two worship services.

                The discussion included such things as: why this would happen, when it would happen, how it would happen, what preparations are needed for this to happen, what is needed at Westminster. Worship committee members are invited to attend worship services” at Covenant and Christ Presbyterian Churches as well as any other Presbyterian Churches in the area to see how, where, when and why their services are conducted. Give reports and further discussion will continue at January meeting.

B.      Music Report:

a.       Galilean and Cherub choirs – in a fluid situation due to the numbers of our children and youth. One large group activity is planned for World Communion Sunday.

b.       Chancel Choir has begun another season and will invite choir alumni to participate in the Anniversary Service on Oct. 22.

C.      Sacraments:

Communion Calendar for the remainder of 2006:

1. World Communion Sunday, October 1: Children and Youth will help prepare the communion elements with breads from through out the world. Saturday, Sept 30, 9:30 – 11:30am: class for children and families about the sacraments of baptism and communion will be held.

2. Communion services in December:

Dec 3: Worship and Communion Service

Dec. 24: 11:00pm: Christmas Eve service – candle light, communion service will be held to accommodate the expected large number of worshippers on Christmas Eve, and creates an opportunity for a communion service at that special time.

3. Present worship calendar to Session for approval; begin preparing worship calendar for January – June 2007.

D.      Report on Ushers and Greeters – Margo: scheduled through January 2007    

E.       Report on Liturgists – Jean: scheduled through November 1, 2006

F.       Liturgical Elements

-          Banner in sanctuary: Evangelism Committee will use the “I Am the Vine” banner in the sanctuary Aug 27 through Nov 26, 2006.  Evangelism Committee will be responsible for the implementation.

-          Nov. 19 -Thanksgiving Sunday: the Westminster congregation will contribute groceries as part of their offering during the worship service on Thanksgiving Sunday. The Worship Committee will be responsible for the food donations to be picked up by St. Vincent DePaul Society before Thanksgiving Day.

-          Committee approved use of a new labeled music stand in the sanctuary. This was a gift presented to Joe Chrisman by the choir.

III. Budget Items:

A. Advertising:

As directed by Property Finance and Stewardship, Worship Committee will present the same budget (2006) to Session. Further discussion at next meeting will take place concerning advertising for Advent and Christmas 2006 season as well as any other concerns for 2007.

B. Final report and evaluation of the pulpit and lectern

Sides to the lectern and pulpit are installed and look great.

Actions items:

- Present the worship calendar for remainder of 2006 for Session approval;

- Westminster policy statements to be written concerning:

                Pulpit Supply procedures

                Baptism process and procedures

                Wedding and funeral process and procedures

                Inserts in the worship bulletin

                Items to be included in the pews

 

Date of next meeting:  October 16, 2006 - 7:00 pm, Room 6

Minutes submitted by: Harriet Vander Meer