Weekly E-News
Monday, October 16, 2017
Join us for a weekend of making new friendships and renewing old ones, spiritual renewal, and stunning physical beauty on the Chesapeake Bay. Friday evening, enjoy songs and s’mores around the campfire. Saturday morning we will have an interactive activity to explore cultural barriers to communication, focusing on racial differences. Saturday afternoon we will reflect on how we can better respond to racial injustice with a conversation about “Just Mercy” (a powerful book about race and the criminal justice system). And there will be time to relax or try the giant swing, and join in evening intergenerational games. Sunday morning, we will worship together in the midst of God’s beautiful creation. For more information or to see about late registration, contact Doug and Mary Hallward-Driemeier .
Worship Next Sunday, October 22:
Jill Johnson will preach "Looking for a Loophole" here at Westmoreland.

There will be no Church School due to the retreat, but there will childcare available in the nursery for children under 5.

At the All-Church Retreat, we will join together for an informal outdoor worship service on Sunday morning.
“500: A Study of the Reformation”
 
Join Tim for the final Pastor’s Class on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this Wednesday from noon to 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to take part!   
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!
Reformation Sunday Music featuring the Aeolus Quartet - Sunday, October 29
 
On Sunday, October 29, Westmoreland will celebrate the 500 th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation during worship with special musical guests the Aeolus Quartet. This is a featured group of musicians from the New Orchestra of Washington. They are joining us as part of NOW’s collaboration with Westmoreland as our Ensemble in Residence. The musical offering will feature a journey through the Lutheran Musical Heritage, including works by Luther himself, along with Bach, Schütz, Mendelssohn, and others.
NOW Concert - Sunday, October 29
from 3:00 to 6:00 pm

Join NOW in celebrating Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, with Mozart’s magnificent Requiem in D Minor, featuring the voices of National Cathedral’s professional choir,
Cathedra. Experience the vibrant culture of Mexico with two gorgeous contemporary works by Javier Alvarez and Emmanuel Arias Y Luna, performed by NOW’s new string-quartet-in-residence, the Aeolus Quartet.

General Admission: $30
Students & Youth (12-18): $15
Kids (Under 12): Free

Use the promo code WESTMORELANDNOW for 2-for-1 tickets!
Names to Include for All Saints' Remembrance

All Saints’ Sunday is Sunday, November 5. As part of our worship service, we will name and remember those who have died since November 1, 2016. If you have names of people who have died in the past year to include in our remembrance, please pass along those names to Samantha ( [email protected] ) by noon on Wednesday, November 1.
Learn About the Upcoming Vote to Include Gender Identity in
Our Open & Affirming Statement

The Governance Council has unanimously voted to propose a change to our Open and Affirming
Statement. The Statement, approved in 1999, says, “We are an open church, affirming the dignity and worth of every person as created in the image of God, welcoming into our fellowship people of all ages, races, abilities and sexual orientation who acknowledge Christ as our foundation and who seek to embody the mind and spirit of Jesus.” The proposal is to change that sentence to read, “…welcoming into our fellowship people of all ages, races, abilities, sexual orientation, and gender identity who acknowledge…”  

The Governance Council has set a congregational vote to take place at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, November 19, on this change. In preparation for this vote, Tim Tutt will lead three informational sessions about the proposal: Sunday, November 5 at 9:00 am; Monday, November 6 at noon; Thursday, November 9 at 7:00 pm. Church members are encouraged to come to whichever session works for their schedule.
Tables of Thanksgiving - Sunday, November 5
 
The Board of Membership & Fellowship invites everyone to celebrate the abundance of our blessings at the annual Tables of Thanksgiving after worship on November 5. BMF will provide the turkey, trimmings, dessert, and utensils. We request that Westmorelanders bring a “table-ready” side-dish to serve 8.
Westmoreland's StillReading Book Group Meets Sunday, November 5

Westmoreland’s "StillReading” book group will meet on Sunday, November 5 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in the Parlor to discuss “The Secret Scripture” by Sebastian Barry. This book combines two narratives, both focused on religious and political upheavals in Ireland during the 1920s-30s: Roseanne McNulty recounts her 100-year life spent mostly as a patient in a mental hospital, while chief psychiatrist Dr. Grene investigates how she came to be confined. The novel was awarded the Costa Award and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize. Please join us for discussion and snacks!
Giving to Westmoreland & A Letter from Geoff Lilja, Stewardship Chair
Dear Westmoreland Friends,
 
On Sunday, October 1, we talked about the journey of Stewardship and our connection to Westmoreland’s missions. This mission is about extending our blessings through the work of this Church to our community, our children, and each other, because we are certain that this is ultimately what God desires. The world is broken and hurting and we are called to proclaim that God is still speaking a
healing word.

Our faithful financial stewardship is one way that we can be instruments of God’s grace, compassion, and kindness on a journey that makes known the generosity of God through our own gifts. This month, we will be on a journey to determine our own place as faithful stewards in the ministry of Westmoreland. This journey will conclude on November 5. I ask that you offer an estimate of giving by filling out a pink Pledge Card by that time so that we may build a budget that responds to our mutual priorities. You may also make your Pledge electronically below.

God has done and continues to do remarkable things through Westmoreland – things that matter in our community! I thank you for all you have done and for your generosity.
 
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Lilja
Chair, Stewardship
  
Gifts to support the ongoing life of our church -- music and worship, spiritual formation programs, fellowship events, staff salaries, and building maintenance. 

Gifts to our four-year campaign to build a new entrance, add a new elevator, add a gender neutral restroom, and an updated kitchen. 

The five UCC offerings (plus our own outreach offering) that go across the country and around the world to meet needs.
 
Children's Collection
Items collect by our children in worship each Sunday to give to local helping groups.
The church's Office Hours are:
Mondays & Tuesdays, 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesdays, 12 - 3
Thursdays & Fridays 10 - 5 
Leaders and Helpers Needed to Teach Church School
Every week, we need one leader and one helper to teach Church School for the preschool class, the K - 2nd grade class, and the 3rd - 5th grade class. Click on the link below for more information or to sign up!
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
Flowers add beauty and meaning to our Sunday worship service. Individuals or families may sign up for a date to donate with a dedication in the worship bulletin. Please contact the Flower Chairman, Judy Fogt by phone (301-229-1183) or email ([email protected]) and she will give you the details. And THANK YOU!
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.