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What’s Up at Westminster?

 

A lot.

 

 

In education and for adult interests:

  1. We now have a focused, deliberately paced bible study with Sara Weaver twice a month, presently going through the book of Exodus.
  2. We have a new volunteer leader who has approached Pastors Andy and Marj about starting another bible study, in a different format.
  3. We have the group, “Questioning Believers” which meets Wed. nights at 6:30, to share a light meal, read and discuss various books, including the Bible.
  4. We have a very well attended CAFÉ Hour (9:40-10:20 am) Adult Forum each Sunday, which has a rotation of volunteer leaders. Nurture Board coordinates this.
  5. We have the Poetry group which meets monthly under the supervision of John Geary.
  6. The Book and Salad reading group, meets monthly.
  7. The Spirit and Service book group, meets monthly.
  8. The group for Women’s Spirituality and Art, known as “Creative Spirits”, meets monthly.  Deb Rose coordinates this group.
  9. We still have three of the long standing Women’s Chapters (Sara, Joanna and Michal) which meet monthly.
  10. We have a Knitting group which meets monthly.
  11. We have a Saturday crafting group that meets monthly.  Robin McLain is the contact person.
  12. A Group for parents of Students who have left home: the Full Nesters meets when the parents decide to call a meeting.  Cindi Abbott coordinates this group.
  13. A group that meets for Spiritual Disciplines and Prayer and discussion, together weekly.  Mary Rupert coordinates this group.
  14. We have a new CAFÉ Hour Middle School Age group being formed in February, meeting every Sunday.
  15. We have a newly forming Technology Group working to create a website for the church, in spite of the lack of funding.  Completely coordinated by volunteers, this effort begins now and hopes to have a website available to the church by April or May.
  16. We have an Adults and Youth Outdoor Activity Group which begins in February and will meet according to the interest of those who attend.  Chris Aumack is the coordinator for this group.
  17. We have a very successful CAFÉ hour for elementary age (Sunday School), with a satisfactory curriculum at last, and though small in number, it is being staffed by teams of two adult volunteers, every Sunday through the school year with a few holidays as exception. 
  18. We are currently involved in a season of deep listening to one another to discern our future together, find words for our self-understanding to help us welcome those who do not know Westminster yet.  Kris Jeske and Steve Paulson coordinate this effort.
  19. We continue to have a hugely successful Church Family Weekend in Sept. at Camp N-Sid-Sen.  Nurture Board coordinates this weekend.
  20. We strive to find some leadership for continuing the tradition of the “May Tea”.
  21. Game Nights, sprinkled throughout the year. Our Open and Affirming group hosts one, others are hosted by volunteers from throughout the church.
  22. Yoga class meets in the Parlor most weeks.  Francie Light is the instructor.
  23. We have a “Prayer Chain” which will carry your prayer requests in their hearts, whenever you ask for their support.  This is coordinated by Nada Morse.
  24. Three or four times a year we offer a New Member Inquiry Class and Potluck, to help our friends and guests learn more about Westminster and the United Church of Christ and explore the possibility of joining us in our shared journeys of faith.

 

 

 

 

Our Organized Outreach beyond our Care of One Another:

  1. We have organized MANNA concerts as a fundraiser for 2nd Harvest and Meals on Wheels, for the past five years: Marian Thackray is retiring from role of Coordinator and Fundraiser: this position needs to be filled.
  2. We have had another successful Christmas Market this year, for the first time, fully organized by church member volunteers.  Steve Paulson is heading up this project again in 2009.  He is seeking another team member.
  3. Meals on Wheels continues as a long term service of volunteers in the church to feed shut in and vulnerable elders.  Chuck Fisk coordinates this.
  4. We have had our 26th straight year of the Tree of Sharing.  Dru Powers is resigning from the Coordinator position and this position will need to be filled.
  5. Outreach Board is becoming ever more well educated and active in Spokane ministries that need and deserve our church support.  This support is growing far beyond $$, and into an inclusion of members in service actions to others.
  6. We continue to offer LIFE FEED to our hungry neighbors, on 5th Saturdays.  Outreach coordinates this effort.
  7. Pastor Marj continues to advocate and evangelize in the greater community, on our behalf, including with community partners through the Spokane Homeless Coalition and a more inclusive outreach effort on spiritual needs within the LGBT community.
  8. This includes our co-hosting of the monthly potluck with The Inland Northwest LGBT Center, in the Social Hall on first Saturdays, creating safe space for all.
  9. We continue to be present at Odyssey Youth Center, during Pride Week and the Parade, during Unity in the Community, the MLK Jr. day events, and college activities at Gonzaga, Eastern and Whitworth.
  10. Both pastors continue to accept opportunities to speak on the radio and take every opportunity to lift Westminster up in the newspapers and TV as well.
  11. We have a strong Core Team (known as “WestCAT”: Westminster Christian Action Team) with a significant presence in the actions and deliberations of the Spokane Alliance on every level, from strategic planning to specific actions both locally and regionally in the state.  Pastor Andy often takes leadership in this organization’s actions when asked.  Co-chairs for WestCAT are Steve Paulson and Nick CastroLang.
  12. The Felsorakos Group supports our connection to the Unitarian church and the village community of Felsorakos, Romania.  Coordinator is Lou McKee.

 

 

 

Worship

  1. Worship artistry continues to be offered through the gracious gifts of dedicated volunteers who seasonally beautify our altar and worship space a great deal with very little money.  Barb Safranek and Deb Rose work with the pastors and the Music and Arts Committee.
  2. An entirely new music ministry is beginning for the 10:30 service as a variety of music begins to find its place in our monthly worship (especially when Scot is not available one Sunday a month, but not exclusively so).  Chris McLain and Bill Easley are leading this effort.
  3. The 8:30 service continues to grow; beginning with approximately 8 people three years ago and currently serving between 15-35 people every week.  Paul Grove and Susan Windham bring musical gifts to this service every week.
  4. Greeters have been added to supplement the welcoming work of the Deacons on Sunday mornings.
  5. Jessie Vignali provides excellent supervision of our youngsters in the Social Hall for those who are too young to remain for the whole of the 10:30 worship service.
  6. The Church members, musicians and choir have been asked to return to Rockwood to provide Sunday worship at this retirement community.
  7. We continue to enjoy a picnic and relaxed informal worship, each summer at Cowley Park, usually in July or August.

 

 

Stewardship

  1. Westminster continues its 4-year improvements campaign for all wiring and electrical throughout our building, thanks to the Simanton Foundation.
  2. The House Committee has taken on some of the duties of the Trustees in overseeing the beautification of our rooms and spaces, while also watching out for safety and controlling expenses to the church.  Elsa Distelhorst chairs this sub-committee to the Trustees.
  3. In 2009 the Trustees had their most ambitious budget based on membership pledges in years, which allows us to cut our deficit almost in half.
  4. The church staff agreed to budget cuts in salaries and hours in 2009, and still the church continues to grow in membership, bathrooms are painted, signs are repaired, flowers are planted and ceilings patched and protected. 
  5. Brochures on rental and on building use are updated. 
  6. The Mary T. Gamble Society is founded and planned giving brochures are available, as is a workshop on planned giving.

 

 

Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ involvement

  1. Pastor Andy chairs the Eastside Committee on Ministry
  2. Pastor Marj is a delegate to Synod ’09 and represents the Eastside in the yearly planning of the Conference Annual Meeting
  3. Pastor Marj is the Eastside consultant for congregations exploring the ONA process.
  4. Breean Beggs is a member of the Conference Personnel Committee.
  5. Kathy Ellsworth is a member of the Conference Personnel Committee
  6. Jim CastroLang chairs the Church Development Committee for the Conference
  7. Mary Mackay serves on the Global Ministries Committee.
  8. Sara Weaver serves on the Educational Ministries Committee.
  9. Church members and children attend camps at N-Sid-Sen Camp and Conference Center in Harrison, ID

 

 

Who Else Uses the Westminster spaces?

  1. The Spokane Area Children’s Chorus rents two offices and accesses three other rooms as well. 6 choirs practice and perform in our building.
  2. Spokane Opera rents space yearly
  3. Youth Orchestra rents space and practices here
  4. The American Guild of Organists meets here and plays our wonderful instrument
  5. Other musicians, within the church and outside the church, request permission to use the organ and the pianos.
  6. Our church has an open policy towards others using our facility for weddings and memorial services (usually with one of our own pastors, but not always)
  7. Eastern Washington University uses our space for annual concerts
  8. Odyssey Youth Center hosts events here
  9. Circle of Security rents space for meetings
  10. Spokane Folklore Society rents space for concerts and dances
  11. Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators rents space
  12. Discovery School rents the sanctuary
  13. Plum Mountain Refuge (Buddhist center) rents space
  14. The Inland Northwest LGBT Center monthly potluck is here
  15. Connoisseur concerts (Bach Festival and Mozart in the Park) rehearsals

 

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(If you are interested in learning more about any of these activities, please call the office 624-1366

Please understand that it was not feasible to print every name and phone number for every person who either leads or coordinates these various activities.  We seek to protect our members security and privacy, so please call the office to learn more about us!!)