Friday Newsletter

April 17, 2026

This weeks bulletin

April 19, 2026

This Sunday

10 am: Worship Service

11 am: Coffee Hour

View Live Stream Here

Upcoming Events

Don't see your meeting or event on the calendar? email the details to the office @ office@salemwestpres.org ASAP to ensure your booking!

New!

https://youtu.be/24-7PRxRdA0?si=yZWRlYG6FTMyTN6i

From the Pastor's Pen:

First, we are starting on a new 7-week series this week called the 7 Marks of Vital Congregations. The PC(USA) Office of Vital Congregations has developed this initiative to work alongside congregations living into transformative actions that increase church vitality. The 7 spiritual practices are designed to strengthen communities of Christ at home and in the world. Vital congregations incorporate:

Lifelong Discipleship Formation
Intentional Authentic Evangelism
Outward Incarnational Focus
Empower Servant Leadership
Spirit-Inspired Worship
Caring Relationships
Ecclesial Health

Read more about the 7 Marks: https://pres-outlook.org/2021/12/7-marks-of-vital-congregations/

Secondly, I deeply appreciate the ability to take three days of study leave earlier this week to engage with the 2026 Yale Divinity School Center for Public Theology Conference. The opening sermon from Rev. William Barber was powerful and I highly recommend it. You can find it here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/N2yzMONlzcs?si=H7cgpRofbsPXHGGD&t=2313

Lastly, spring has sprung and there is a lot happening at Westminster. The staff, elders, and committee chairs are seeking ways to improve the use of building space to meet emerging needs, to streamline how reservations are made, and to communicate effectively among a wide range of interests. It will take some time to bring the different stakeholders to the table and to build processes that reflect this new flurry of activity. Please see the newsletter for announcements about how members & friends can contribute their voices.

Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly

Building & Grounds Invites you!

Building and Grounds invites members & friends to an initial conversation about next steps for Russell Hall on April 19 @ 11:30am in Russell Hall. The space is used by many groups at Westminster and we want to hear from a variety of voices throughout the congregation how the space might be improved. To keep the discussion manageable, we ask that each committee/team send one representative.

Questions? Please contact Building & Grounds Chair, Ted Burney or Elder Bill Faust. (burney.ted.tb@gmail.com or bill@wgfaust.com).

Session is Listening!

Join elders Nikki Fennell and Dick Hughes in Boulder Hall after worship on Sunday, April 19, to share your ideas, concerns and questions.

Congregational meeting for elections - April 19 after worship

Each spring, the Westminster bylaws require session to hold a congregational meeting for the election of the new class of elders, deacons, and nominating committee. In addition, the Book of Order charges Presbyterian congregations to elect “ruling elders and deacons that express the rich diversity of the congregation’s membership and guarantee participation and inclusiveness.” (G-2.0401)

The Nominating Committee, whose purpose is to provide a diverse and inclusive slate of candidates, has nominated the following members for service to the church:

Elders:

Christian Arroliga

Heidi Coleman

Steve Kandra

Deacons:

Pam Garland

Michele Hare

Chuck Baumann

Nominating:

Jackie Hilfiker

Susan Tanabe

Kay Woody

Rachelle Hughes

Sandy McLean

Questions? Contact Sandy McLean, the Clerk of Session (clerk@salemwestpres.org)

Sunday Morning Bible Study

9:00am in Eastminster Room

This week's verses are Mark 10:46-52, 11:1-11

From Session

The Westminster Session met for their monthly stated meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:00 in Russell Hall. The elders started their meeting at 6:00 in order to examine the new elders, Heidi Coleman and Christian Arroliga, which is required by the Presbyterian Church Book of Order-G-2.0402, “Preparation for Ministry as a Ruling Elder or Deacon.” The new elders, deacons and nominating committee will be elected this Sunday, April 19, 2026 at a short congregational meeting. They will be installed on two Sundays in May-the 3rd and 17th and will begin their new roles in June. There will be a Listening Session table in Boulder Hall on April 19th after the service with Dick Hughes and Nikki Fennell. The meeting adjourned after reports and prayer requests at 8:40. The next Stated Session meeting will take place on May 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Russell Hall.

Sandy McLean, Clerk of Session

Men's Night Out

URGENT!

Men's Night out has been moved to April 28th at 6pm due to an event at Thompsons brewery on the 21st.

John Dalen

Office Clean Up

Hey everyone! 👋

You’ll notice a table set up next to the mailboxes in the office with a few items on it. If any of those belong to your committee, please swing by and claim them by May 8th. After that date, we’ll be donating whatever’s left.

Thanks so much for helping us keep things tidy!

Questions? Just email us at office@salemwestpres.org. 😊

Tuesday Yoga

Yoga will be held in Eastminster from 3-4 pm weekly. Please join us! questions? Contact Nancy Crawford - nmcnarycrawford@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed

Would you like to help keep our church building sparkling clean?The Building & Grounds Committee welcomes your volunteer time. Opportunities abound.

Consider trying out one of the following:

Monthly Kitchen projects such as cleaning the oven, microwave and refrigerator
Biweekly - vacuum carpets in the sanctuary, Russel Hall and church entry hallway on Friday afternoon
Damp mop Boulder Hall floor on Friday afternoon every two weeks

Consider making a volunteer commitment for one month or longer.

Contact the church office to sign up. Questions? Contact Ted Burney or Bill Faust

Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, May 11, 2026

01:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Westminster Presbyterian Church

3737 Liberty Rd S, Salem, OR 97302

Room Name: Boulder Hall

As always you can sign up by calling Bill Nelson or Bobbie Clyde or visiting redcrossblood.org

Kind Regards,

Table of Plenty

May 19th = 3rd Sunday of May which at Westminster is

TABLE OF PLENTY SUNDAY

Don't forget your canned or packaged food for our not so fortunate neighbors. (no pre-opened packages and watch those expiration dates on cans!)

Diaper Drive!

The Family Building Blocks Diaper Drive is running through the month of April. This drive provides diapers for classrooms and for families in need. As prices rise, young families need our help. Sizes 5-7 are the most needed and wipes are also needed. Please help fill our crib in the Narthex to overflowing! Questions? Contact Nancy MacMorris-Adix nancymac93@gmail.com

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