Weekly E-News

Monday, March 12, 2018

Worship Last Sunday, March 11:

The Westmoreland Festival Chorus led worship on Music Sunday, performing various music from Latvia. Click here to listen to 'Passion and Resurrection' by Erik Esenvalds.



To subscribe to our podcast,  click here   - the sermons will automatically download to your device!

Construction Update

Construction has begun inside the building, starting with the kitchen, meaning that the kitchen has been completely sealed off. The Dalecarlia entrance, the Sanctuary doors, and the Conservatory entrance are available to use to get into the building, and there are signs helping to guide people into and through the church.

The stairs from the parking lot to the building are still accessible, and there will always be a number of parking spaces in the lot available to use. When parking on the neighborhood streets, please do so with respect to our neighbors and don't block their driveways or walkways.

Because the kitchen is sealed off , Coffee Hour is now held in the Mabry Room. Please let Samantha ([email protected]) know if you have any questions!

A Lenten Study Opportunity - Shantung Compound

In 1940, Langdon Gilkey, then a recent college graduate, went to China to teach English. Two years later, the Japanese interned all the foreigners in China. Three thousand people, including Langdon, were shipped to Shantung and imprisoned. For the next four years, those 3000 people had to create a society that provided housing, food, schools, and medical care to the internees. Langdon kept a detailed diary of those four years, and 20 years later, he wrote about his experience in an acclaimed book entitled Shantung Compound.



You are invited to discuss this book on Sunday, March 18 before worship at 9:00 am in a Lenten study led by Tom Lenhart. The book is available on Amazon and is a quick and compelling read. RSVP to Tom by emailing him at [email protected]. 

Now Is the Time to Act for Gun Safety

The United Church of Christ, Justice & Peace Action Network recently sent out an email saying that "as people of faith, we are called to heal our society’s acceptance of violence and idolatrous fascination with weapons." They listed the following three things that we can do:

1. Contact your Senators and urge them to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Even as public support for reasonable gun safety measures swells, there are some in Congress who are threatening undermine states’ efforts to strengthen their laws. There is concern that the Senate may attach the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (which the House passed last year) to any positive legislation that might be advanced. This bill would force states with strong concealed-carry permit requirements to recognize permits issued by states with more lax permit requirements.

This is a dangerous step and has widely been opposed by state governors and law enforcement. Take action – Tell your Senators to oppose concealed carry reciprocity!

2. Join the March for our Lives.

The students of Parkland are inviting us to march with them in Washington, DC and at sister marches throughout the country on March 24th. Planning to come to DC? Let us know and we’ll keep you updated on opportunities to connect with out UCC members.

3. Advocate in your State

There is a lot you can do to advance gun safety legislation from home. Download our two-page guide for ideas.

For more information, go to http://www.ucc.org/gun-violence.

Frances Stickles' Memorial Service -

Friday, March 16th at 10:00 am at Asbury

A celebration of the life of Frances Stickles will be held on Friday, March 16th at 10:00 am at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD.

Dottie Slater's Memorial Service -

Saturday, March 17th at 11:00 am at Westmoreland

A celebration of the life of Dottie Slater will be held on Saturday, March 17th at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary here at Westmoreland, with a reception to follow in the Mabry Room.

Westmoreland's 'StillReading' Book Group

“Westmoreland’s StillReading” book discussion group will meet on Sunday, March 18 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in the Parlor to discuss The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. 

Lyra Belacqua, a carefree orphan growing up in Oxford, is suddenly swept up in a dangerous and thrilling journey after foiling an assassination attempt on her uncle, Lord Asriel, overhearing a conversation about Dust, learning that her friend Roger has been kidnapped, meeting the dazzling Mrs. Coulter, and receiving the mysteriously powerful compass. Like several other top-notch novels, this first part of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy is ostensibly “young adult” and “fantasy” literature but wrestles, deeply and ambiguously, with the questions that adults ask. Be prepared for challenges to the church from a powerfully atheist writer who is an absolute master at character, setting, and plot. A thrilling read!

Please join us for conversation and snacks.

Easter Flowers

Westmoreland’s Flower Committee invites everyone to celebrate Easter and honor loved ones by donating $15 or more toward the special floral arrangements that will fill the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. To participate, please click here to fill out and submit the necessary form no later than Wednesday, March 28, for inclusion in the Easter Sunday bulletin on April 1. Donors will be invited to take plants after the worship service.

Easter Coffee Hour

This year the Board of Membership & Fellowship will host Coffee Hour on Easter Sunday, April 1st. 

Due to the renovations underway, there won’t be a kitchen or water available in the Social Hall, so the Board will provide finger foods (deviled eggs, baked goods, fruit and bagels, as well as mimosas), but no casseroles or hot dishes. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Register for Peace Camp

All children in kindergarten through rising 6th graders are welcome to register for Peace Camp, which will be held from June 18 to 22, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm!

Peace Camp is an annual summer experience for elementary school-aged children that explores themes of peace and co-operation. We will meet in the Maby Room each day for a light supper, music, art projects, games, and storytelling. This year, our broader theme will be 'Living in Palestine,' focusing on five cities in Palestine, their biblical significance, and what life is like now for children who live and go to school there.

For more information, please contact Pat Nelson at [email protected]. Click here for the Registration Form!

Youth Summer Mission Trip

We are returning to Hazard, KY to work with the Housing Development Alliance. The trip is scheduled for June 24-30, 2018. The cost per youth will be $100. All youth going must have completed 6th grade. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask the youth who went last year about the experience! RSVP by March 18, 2018 to [email protected] .