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Pastoral Letter & 
Westmoreland Windows Weekly E-News
Monday, May 9, 2016
Pastoral Letter
Reflections on Mother's Day and Gun Violence
 
Dear Westmorelanders:
 
The original Mother's Day Proclamation -- written in 1870 by Julia Ward Howe -- called on "all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or of tears" to arise and "to bewail and commemorate the dead." She urged women to "then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each learning after his own time, the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God." Howe called on women "to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace."
 
Yesterday we celebrated Mother's Day 2016. The human family still aches with violence.
 
Last week three people were shot and killed and three others shot and wounded at Montgomery Mall, at a grocery store in Aspen Hill, and at High Point High School. The baptism of tears still flows -- this time very near our homes.
 
Like you, we grieve these acts -- the latest in the long litany of gun violence. Please join us in prayer for the victims of gun violence. Let us pray too for the perpetrators. And for our entire nation.
 
Like you, we yearn for practical ways to make our streets safer.  We offer these steps:
  • First, Montgomery County clergy are planning a vigil in the coming days to lament this tragedy. Watch for more information.
  • Second, Westmoreland's Gun Prevention Group is re-organizing itself. Judy Cooper, Betsy Doyle, Polly Gordon, and Diane Kupelian have offered to provide leadership to that group. Contact them to be involved.
  • Third, the United Church of Christ has recently released a new study guide to help us think faithfully and theologically about responding to gun violence. Click here to read that material.
  • Fourth, you are invited to take part in a gathering on Sunday, May 22, at 5 PM at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street, NW, Washington, DC.  This is a gathering of faith-based groups from the DC area who are working together to curb gun violence. Dr. Daniel Webster, a gun violence expert from Johns Hopkins, will be the keynote speaker. Our own Little Falls Ensemble will provide music. Plan to attend.
 
When Julia Ward Howe penned her Mother's Day Proclamation, she was responding to the scourge of war that tore families apart. War still stalks the human family. And gun violence in our neighborhood streets rips families apart as well. The issues are complicated, and solutions seem hard to see.
 
Together, women and men, we must arise "to bewail and commemorate the dead" and to "solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace."
 
Our governmental entities at various levels have failed to respond to the plague of gun violence. As Christians we must speak out, echoing Howe's reminder of "the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God." May God inspire us to action and bless us with peace.

   
 
Timothy Tutt, Senior Minister  Alexis Kassim, Associate Minister 
   
In this issue . . .
2016 Church Directory

The 2016 church directory is available in the church office during the week and in the Narthex on Sunday.  You can also get the directory on the member area of our website.
 
Sign Up for 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.  Click here to sign up!


Thanks,  Stacey Fannon

Sermons Online 

 

Be sure to visit our Sermon Archives to read or listen to past sermons.  

 

Westmoreland Sermons on iTunes!   

You can subscribe to the Westmoreland Sermons on iTunes Podcast!  Search for "Westmoreland Sermons" or click the icon below.

 


Shaw Community Ministry
Send a Kid to College/Send a Kid to Camp!
 
Please consider making a financial donation to the Shaw Community Ministry scholarship and summer camp programs. Funds are greatly needed to support both programs, and your gifts will have an immediate and direct impact on the work of this small non-profit. Please make your check out to "Shaw Community Ministry," designate if you'd like it to go to the scholarship or the general fund, and address it to: Shaw Community Ministry, 1701 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Questions: Contact Melissa Herman at hermanml@aol.com or 301-897-5609.
Peace Camp
June 20-24, 5-8:00pm   
Peace Camp is our annual summer camp experience for K-5th graders. This year we will explore Paul's letter to Philemon along with the UCC's resolution to change the name of the Washington football team and discuss, "what's in a name?"
 
For more info or to sign up, please contact Alexis.
Save the Date!
Church Retreat 

When   
October 14-16

Where
Camp Wabanna,
Edgewater, MD

Contact
Doug Hallward-Driemeier

Camp Wabanna

Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Sermon Series - The Book of Revelation

May 15              
Revelation 21
"Politics of the Wind"
 
May 22 
Revelation 18
"Preaching to
the Proletariat"
 
May 29
Revelation 17
"War and Women"
 
June 5 
Graduation Sunday
 
June 12 
Revelation 7 & 19
"Roadkill at the End of Time"
Adult Spiritual Formation: "Becoming Wise"
Sundays, Through June 12, 9:00am, Library

New Adult Spiritual Formation discussion beginning May 1. Jill Johnson will lead us in reading Krista Tippett's new book,
Becoming Wise . Tippett is the host of On Being, a national public radio program, and was recently awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama. Class schedule is as follows:
 
  • May 8: Chapter Two "Words: The Poetry of Creatures"
  • May 15: Chapter Three "Flesh: The Body's Grace"
  • May 22: Chapter Four "Love: A Few Things I've Learned"
  • May 29: Chapter Five "Faith: The Evolution"
  • June 5: Chapter Six "Hope: Reimagined"
  • June 12: Closing reflections
Men's Group
Thursday, May 12, 6:30pm, Parlor
 
"Beating Up the Body Politic: A Conversation about How NOT to do That" Subtitle: "Men's Group Discussion on Civility in Politics, the Current Political Cycle, How Different Sides Might Find Common Ground, and More. Potluck dinner. RSVP to John Edie @ johnedie66@gmail.com or 301-325-2100.  
 
Contact John Edie for more information.
Potluck Supper at the Tutts

During 2016, Amy and Tim Tutt are inviting the entire Westmoreland family to their home for a series of potluck suppers in small groups (divided alphabetically) on Saturday evenings from 5-7pm.
 
Dates and Groups

Saturday May 14 - 
Last Names H/I/J
Saturday May 21 - Last Names K/L
Saturday June 25- Last Names M/N 
Saturday September 17- Last Names O/P/Q/R 
Saturday October 1- Last Names S/T 
Saturday October 29- Last Names U/V/W/X/Y/Z 
Saturday November 12 - Newcomers, Oops-Forgetters &
                                         Couldn't-Make-It-Earlier Folks

RSVP to  tuttpotluck@gmail.com
Invitation to Muslim Sisters and Brothers
Sunday, May 15

On Pentecost Sunday, May 15, we are inviting Muslim friends and neighbors to join us for worship and conversation at Westmoreland. This invitation is designed to create trust and community in the face of anti-Muslim political rhetoric. This is one small way we can share life with each other, learn from each other, and seek peace together.  Click here for the letter we have sent to DC-area Muslim congregations and groups.  Please invite your Muslim friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family members to join us on May 15.  We will celebrate a baptism in that morning-so our guests will see how we welcome the youngest among us. The choir will prepare music that is inclusive and hospitable.  We will explore the Pentecost story-which is, in part, about God transcending language, culture, and geography. Mark your calendars to take part in this day and be prepared to welcome and include our guests.
"Westmoreland's StillReading" Book Group
Sunday, May 15, 4:30-6:00pm, Library

We will discuss "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks, a novel set in 1665 that examines the impact of a plague on a small English village. Brooks, whose other novels included March and People of the Book, examines how young housemaid Anna Frith tries, with the Rector and his wife, to hold together the community and meet the medical and spiritual needs of the beleaguered villagers-and how the experience permanently broadens Anna's view of the possibilities of a life of service.

Please join us for conversation and snacks!

                     --Brad Case
Film Series and Potlucks
The last Wednesday of each month
   
Wednesday, May 25: "Capitalism: A Love Story" - a documentary that explores the social costs of pursuing profits over the common good.
 
Hosted by the Board of Spiritual Formation. Come one, come all!
Graduation Sunday - Calling all graduates!
Sunday, June 5, 10:00am

Graduation Sunday is June 5! Graduates from high school on up will be recognized on this day. Please send your graduate's info (full name, school graduating from, next steps) to Mimi Miller, mmiller@westmorelanducc.org, by May 29.
200 People and 9 Pies
Let the fun begin! 
 
You did it!  In his sermon on January 10, Rev. Tutt challenged the congregation to have worship attendance of 200 or more people for nine Sundays before June 12. Tim said that if we have nine Sundays with attendance of 200 or more, he will let the middle and high schoolers "pie" him with nine pies at our summer picnic on June 12, and he will bake nine pies for the congregation to enjoy for dessert at the picnic. Congratulations, you did it! And Here is an attendance update:
  
January 3        165     
January 10      196     
January 17      185     
January 24      no worship - bad weather
January 31      194
 
February 7    261
February 14     155
February 21     195
February 28  243
 
March 6          204
March 13          180
March 20        252
March 27        406  - Counts for two 200+ Sundays!

April 3              161
April 10          223
April 17          207  
April 24            192
May 1              197
May 8             216 
Children's Collection in May: 
Baby Items for Interfaith Works
 
Interfaith Works is an interfaith coalition of 165 congregations in Montgomery County (Westmoreland Church is a founding member) that provide shelter, clothe, and feed our homeless neighbors in need with the goal of helping them become self-sufficient. IW is a Westmoreland Social Justice grant recipient.
 
We will collect the following items to support their Welcome Baby! program to help newborns and families get off to a good start:
  • Receiving blankets,
  • Burp cloths,
  • Wash cloths,
  • Newborn sized diapers,
  • Diaper bags.
Parlor Renovation
In anticipation of the Parlor renovation in June the current Parlor furniture is being offered for sale to Westmorelanders.  Please click here for a listing of the Parlor furniture and price.  Contact the Property Chair, Roy Grossnick, if you are interested in purchasing any of the items listed.

--Roy Grossnick, Property Chair

Westmoreland Art Exhibit

The All Westmoreland Art exhibit is now hanging in the hallway and in the Social Hall. We hope you will take time to view the exhibition and admire the talents of friends and fellow members of Westmoreland. In this exhibit, we also remember deceased members of our community through their artwork.
"Marriage Reimagined" by George Singleton
Board of Social Justice and Action Update
 
The Board of Social Justice and Action will be beginning its grant proposal review process this spring. Grants will be awarded in the fall, and we look forward to sharing with you what we learn during the review process. Due to the congregation's generous contributions to the Christmas and Easter offerings, our pool of monies to distribute has reached a record high. Many thanks to you all!