Weekly E-News
Monday, September 18, 2017
Join Tim for a Pastor's Class on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 pm through October 25. Everyone is welcome to take part!

This week, we will discuss the role of the Bible in the Reformation, and how the ideas that Martin Luther presented about the Bible and Scripture are still alive in our society today.  
Worship Next Sunday, September 24:
Tim will continue his Sermon Series on "Pigs, People, and Possibilities" with "Exorcisms."

This Sermon Series, which Tim will lead through October, will focus each week on a different aspect of the same Scripture passage - the story of Jesus restoring a possessed man in Mark 5:1-20.
Worship Last Sunday, September 17:
Tim continued his Sermon Series entitled "Pigs, People, and Possibilities" with "Pseudonyms."

Our Sunday Morning Fall Schedule:

Education Hour for All at 9:00 am
* Nursery Care for Infants, Toddlers and Twos
* Children’s Choir for Pre-K - 5 th Grade
* Youth Group for 6 th -12 th Grade
* Adult Discussion Group
* Chancel Choir Warm-Up


Worship in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am

* Nursery Care for Infants, Toddlers and Twos
* Church School for Children

Our children begin in the Sanctuary with their families, help gather the Children’s Collection, take part in Time for Children, then go to Church School. We have three rooms for Church School with volunteer leaders.


Social Hour After Worship

After the service, we have Coffee Hour in the Social Hall with refreshments provided by church members.
 
Adult Discussion Group: Sundays at 9:00 am
You are invited to join Jill Johnson, Katie Taylor, and Rick Sullivan in the Library at 9:00 am every Sunday morning. They will facilitate a conversation based on Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II's book,  The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement . Jill, Katie and Rick will do the hard work of reading the book and distilling it down into some key quotes and ideas to talk about, all you have to do is show up ready to share your ideas and listen to those of others.
The Next Phase of Building2020 and Our Capital Campaign:
Congregational Information Session - Sunday at 11:30 am

Our long-awaited accessibility upgrade will soon be a reality - we have our building permit and will begin construction very soon. On Sunday, September 24 at 11:30 am in the Social Hall, we’ll hold a congregation information session about Building2020 and our Capital Campaign.
     
Come with your questions about the construction update. Come hear how we expect the building work to progress over the next several months and how that will affect parking and the use of our facilities. Come to volunteer to help move furniture, redirect parking, assist with fundraising events, and more. Come learn the best ways to fulfill pledges or make new/increased charitable contributions to our capital campaign.
   
Your generous financial contributions to date have helped kick off the groundbreaking - and now our capital campaign will enter its next phase. You’ll soon receive reminders of your 2017 capital campaign
pledge - please make your 2017 contribution now. Making your capital campaign contribution early this year will help our finance team as construction begins. 

If you were unable to make a long-term pledge last year or would like to increase your pledge, we welcome additional support to make our church building more functional and accessible for all. Please visit www.westmoreland2020.org to make your 2017 contribution or increase your overall pledge, or reach out to a Capital Campaign Committee member with any questions.

Please be patient with the construction process. And be prepared to help each other, our neighbors and organizations affected by our construction through this next phase. 
Get Acquainted Meal - Sunday at 11:30 am

Are you new to the life of Westmoreland Church? Do you want to know more about our community of faith? Please join us for a Get Acquainted Meal and Conversation at 11:30 am on September 24!

Please RSVP to Janet Moyer ([email protected]) by September 21.
ESL Celebration - Sunday, October 1

Each week our friends at the Briggs Center host English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in our church building. On Sunday, October 1, we will honor and welcome ESL students to our worship service. We are grateful for the work of the Briggs Center and the many connections we share. The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. This ESL Celebration gives us a chance to celebrate the ties we share with people around the world.
 
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 8 at 4:00 pm

Save the date for our Blessing of the Animals! Plan to bring your gerbil, your goldfish, your dogs, your cats, your pet llama, or your pony to this time of blessing and celebrating all God’s creation!
 

Choir for a Day - Sunday, October 15
Join the choir on the Chancel at 9:00 am on Sunday, October 15 for easy-to-learn works that we'll sing in worship that morning. Singers of all skill levels are welcome!
Join the Team for the Walk & 5K to End HIV - Saturday, October 28
LJ Ingram, Chair of the Potomac Association LGBTQ Task Force, is inviting everyone to join our sister UCC churches on the Association team at the 31 st annual Walk & 5K to End HIV. This walk and run will benefit the HIV programs and services of Whitman-Walker Health. HIV remains an epidemic in DC and Whitman-Walker Health focuses on services and education designed to prevent transmission of the virus and provide care to those who are infected. The Walk & 5K to End HIV is a vital part of ensuring we have the resources to continue our support of at-risk and HIV-positive populations.

  • To join our team and participate with us on October 28, please begin here. 
  • To sponsor our team, you may donate directly (with credit to our team) here.
  • To buy a t-shirt to help our cause (a percentage of the proceeds are credited to our team), click here. Order prior to October 3 to have the shirt in time for the event!
  • For further Information on UCC Potomac Association's participation, go to the Fundraising Page.

We’ll see you on October 28!
The church's Office Hours are:
Mondays & Tuesdays, 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesdays, 12 - 3
Thursdays & Fridays 10 - 5 
Volunteer to Assist in the Nursery
It is time for a new list of people who, on occasion, would be willingly to help out in the nursery. Please let Pat know if you would like to be on this list. It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the youngest among us.
Ushers Needed
The Usher Service (US) here at Westmoreland is looking for folks who are willing to usher a few Sundays a year. We’ll train you! If interested, email Greg Perla, the Usher Coordinator, at [email protected]. Please join US!
Donate Flowers for Worship
The flowers on the chancel add much beauty to our worship. Individuals or families may sign up for any given week to provide flowers with a dedication included in the Sunday bulletin. Please contact Judy Fogt and let her know that you are interested. The cost is $50. You can mail your check the church office or drop it in the collection plate with a notation that it is for chancel flowers.
Sign Up to Host Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour is a time to welcome guests and to strengthen relationships within our church community. This ministry is vital to the life, spirit, and growth of our church. Beverages (coffee, tea, water, juice/lemonade) and tableware are provided by Westmoreland. Food is a welcome addition and is provided by Coffee Hour Host(s). Please sign up to host coffee hour (once per year is recommended) with your family or pair-up with another member of the church.
Giving to Westmoreland
Look for information in the mail and via email about ways that you can support Westmoreland and our work in the world.
  
2017 Annual Giving
Gifts to support the ongoing life of our church -- music and worship, spiritual formation programs, fellowship events, staff salaries, and building maintenance. 
             
Capital Campaign
Gifts to our four-year campaign to build a new entrance, add a new elevator, add a gender neutral restroom, and an updated kitchen. 
 
Children's Collection
Items collect by our children in worship each Sunday to give to local helping groups.
 
Special Offerings
The five UCC offerings (plus our own outreach offering) that go across the country and around the world to meet needs.