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Westmoreland Windows Weekly E-News
Monday, May 15, 2 017
 
In this issue . . .

 

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

 

Sunday Flowers

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 $55.

You can mail your check the church office or drop it in the collection plate with a notation that it is for chancel flowers.
You are Needed in Church School 

Our children need kind, caring grown ups to lead in our Preschool, K-2nd, or 3rd-5th grade class for a few Sundays over the course of the year. It's fun and important, To volunteer, contact Alexis at alexis@westmorelanducc.org or sign up at SignUpWestmoreland.org.
Olive Oil Sale null

The Middle East Committee will sell olive oil on behalf of the Olive Oil Ministry at least twice each month after church in the Social Hall. However, olive oil and olive tapenade are available daily in the church office during business hours.

Westmoreland Sermons on iTunes!   

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

 


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
Quick Links
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Age in Place Meeting
Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 7:00pm, Westland Middle School 
 
If you want to stay in your own home and "age-in-place," let Little Falls Village be your connection to the community.  The Village helps people like you connect with neighborhood volunteers who can provide non-medical services like transportation, keep you connected to a social network, and provide resources to support your independent lifestyle.

You're invited to learn more about Little Falls Village at a community meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria at Westland Middle School, 5511 Massachusetts Avenue.  Make plans to attend this important meeting to get all your questions answered. Let the Village know if you need transportation.  
Please RSVP to info@littlefallsvillage.or g or call 301-320-3267.
Bike to Work Day
Friday, May 19
 
Bicycling is good for the environment, fun for your mind, and healthy for your body. Visit BikeToWorkMetroDC.org for more information.
Last Chance for Pictorial Directory Photo
Monday May 22 and Tuesday May 23, 3:00pm-9:00pm   

Two additional "make-up" sessions have been scheduled for Westmorelanders who were unable to have their photos taken in April for the pictorial directory.  Appointment times are available at the church on Monday and Tuesday, May 22 and 23, 3:00 - 9:00 pm. 
 
Click here to sign up.
Graduation Sunday 
Sunday, May 21
 
We will honor all our graduates in worship on May 21 at 10:00am. If you, or someone in your family is graduating this Spring, please send their full name, institution graduating from, and any future plans to Mimi Miller by May 17 so that we can include them in the bulletin.
Get Acquainted Lunch &
New Member Welcome
Sunday, May 21, 11:30am
 
If you are new to Westmoreland and want to know more about our community of faith, you are invited to a Get Acquainted Lunch and Orientation Session. RSVP to Janet Moyer. We will formally welcome new members into the life of our church on Sunday, June 11.
Adult Study - The Pastor's Class
Sundays, 9:00am, Library

You are invited to join me in the Library at 9:00 on Sunday mornings. As you may know I am in a doctoral program at Wesley Seminary, focusing on how the church engages (or not) in public life. I will lead this class based on material I am reading in my program. Each week I will bring paragraph, an idea, or an article for discussion. 
 
 
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Friday, June 2, 8:00pm-Midnight, National Cathedral


Please join us at the National Cathedral the evening of June 2, to commemorate National Gun Violence Awareness Day (also known as Wear Orange Day), honor those who have been killed or injured by gunfire and to reinforce the message that enough is enough.   The west façade of the Washington National Cathedral will be illuminated in orange from 8 pm to midnight for all to see.
 
The Wear Orange campaign began on June 2, 2015 in Chicago to honor Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago high school student killed in 2013 by gunfire one week after she performed at President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

To learn more visit WearOrange.org.
Concert to Benefit Bethesda Cares
Sunday, June 3, 7:00pm, Sanctuary

The Westmoreland Festival Chorus is partnering with the Great Noise Ensemble, Washington DC's preeminent ensemble dedicated to New Music, for a concert on Saturday June 3rd, which will raise funds for the local charity Bethesda Cares, Inc. The program will comprise music of living composers, including the premier of a new work, and will feature mezzo-soprano Lena Seikaly. Join both Armando Bayolo (GNE) and Alec Davis (WFC) on the podium as we explore aspects of human perspective, society, and time.
 
Program
 
-Osvaldo Golijov: Ayre (2004)
-Alec Davis:
Ruminations on words by Charles Bernstein (2017)
-Christopher Cerrone:
The Branch Will Not Break (2015)
 
Church School Celebration
Sunday, June 11
 
This will be our last day of Church School on our school  year schedule. We will honor and thank our teachers in worship on June 11.

 
(Note: Our end-of-year picnic is not on the 11th.)
The Equality March for Pride and Unity
June 11, 10:00am-2:00pm, National Mall
 
The Equality March for Unity and Pride will take place the same day as the Capitol Pride Festival. Westmorelanders are encouraged to take part in the march and festival as a show of justice and solidarity with LGBTQ persons. Because this march is on a Sunday, we are exploring ways to connect marchers who will be on the Mall with those who are gathered here at Westmoreland. If you plan to take part in the Equality March, please email Tim Tutt at tim@westmorelanducc.org, so that we can arrange a Westmoreland meet up.
Picnic: Hello, Summer!  Farewell Alexis!
Sunday, June 18, 11:15am
 
We will welcome summer and bid farewell to Rev. Alexis Kassim on June 18. Alexis will preach in worship, and we will honor her during that time. After the service, the Board of Spiritual Formation is hosting our annual summer picnic celebration.

We'll provide the main course as well as drinks and cutlery. We ask you to please bring a dish to share :
  • Last Name A-G: dessert;
  • Last Name H-Z: side dish or salad
If you can help with set up, serving, clean up, or activities for our younger members, please contact Rev. Kassim (alexis@westmorelanducc.org).
 
            --The Board of Spiritual Formation
Peace Camp
June 19-23, 5:00-8:00pm
 
Peace Camp, our summer learning experience for elementary school-aged children, is scheduled for Monday through Friday, June 19-23, 2017, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. We begin each evening with a light supper, then move on to music, games, and arts and crafts, all aimed at helping children learn about cooperation and peacebuilding in a fun setting.

 
Refugee Support Group Update
 
Thank you to all who attended and made the Syrian dinner a success on April 30. Our Syrian cooks made a delicious and plentiful meal for 50 people. Please contact nancy.pielemeier@gmail.com or email the cooks directly if you would like to engage the cooks:
 
 
Our group has also moved quickly to help our Iranian family relocate to Montgomery County, and we have agreed to provide rent assistance for a year, with 100% support the first month, reducing gradually to zero.  If you would like to contribute to this effort, please make a check or contribute on line to the "Syrian Refugee Project." Blessings to all in the Westmoreland family for your help in welcoming strangers. 
Summer on the Circle Begins
Sunday, June 25
   
During the summer we will have an abbreviated time of worship (10:00-10:40am) with classes for all ages (10:50-11:30am) from June 25 through July 30.
 
Look for more information about classes on transgender issues, music, architecture, and more.
May Children's Collection
The Human Rescue Alliance
 
The Washington Humane Society and the Washington Animal Rescue League have come together to form the Humane Rescue Alliance. This organization provides affordable medical services and adoption. They strive to protect and advocate for animals, and "support and celebrate people's love and compassion for them."
 
We will collect: 
  •  Towels (new or gently used),
  •  Pillow cases,
  •  Peanut butter,
  •  Cat food (wet)
 
VOLUNTEER NEEDED : We need a Westmorelander to deliver these donations at the end of the month.  Please contact Amy Prichard Tutt if you would like to volunteer. (amyptutt@yahoo.com)

Want to be kept in the loop about UCC's refugee ministries? Sign up for their monthly newsletter here.
              
Want to take action on the justice issues you care about, including immigration and refugees? Join UCC's Justice and Peace Action Network (JPAN) here.

Want to help plan how Westmoreland will carry out our motion in Support of Extravagant Welcome to Immigrants and Refugees of All Faiths? Email Lori Mosher to get involved. 
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.  Click here to give on-line to the Annual Fund. 
             
Capital Campaign
Gifts to our four-year campaign to build a new entrance, add a new elevator, add a gender neutral restroom, and make our kitchen functionable.  Click here to give on-line to the Capital Campaign. 
 
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.