Friday Newsletter

Sunday’s Listening Session with elders Nikki Fennell and Dick Hughes will be in the Eastminster Room after worship.

On Dec. 28, your “listening elders” will be Maggie Sather and Angie Willoughby.

We welcome your suggestions, questions, comments or concerns about Westminster. We’re here to listen, answer questions, and ensure your ideas or concerns reach the right people.

In 2026, the Listening Sessions will continue on the second Sunday of the month, beginning Jan. 11.

--WPC Session

The directory is updated an accessible online. Please visit https://onrealm.org/salemwestpres and log in to see it!

If you do not have a log in, please create one. This will send a request to the office to be accepted. Once you are accepted you will be notified via email and able to access the directory online.

There will be limited available printed copies of the directory at the welcome table.

You probably have a few emails from OnRealm about privacy. These are from changes made by office staff. This occurred because the online directory was very out of date, so we made mass changes. Only members who have a password protected account have access to the online directory. the online directory is how we create the printed copies. if you wish to opt out of the directory please email office@salemwestpres.org.

Thank you for all your support of Westminster throughout 2025.

If you would like to make an additional end-of-year gift or have not made a 2026 pledge, it’s not too late.

If you are someone who needs to take a Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA, you can have the money sent directly to a qualified charity, such as Westminster, so you don’t have to pay income tax on the withdrawal. (Check with your IRA administrator or financial adviser for how to do this.)

As always, you can donate on the church website, send a check to the church office, put it in the lockbox on the office door, or use the offering box during worship.

To make a 2026 pledge, go to the website and click on Special Projects, and then on Stewardship 2026. Your pledges enable Session to plan a thoughtful operating budget for the coming year.

Your Westminster Session met on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 in Russel Hall at 6:30. All session members were in attendance. They passed a motion to approve Rosalyn McKeown-Ice as a dual-location Commissioned Elder (Commissioned Lay-Pastor) in the Cascades Presbytery & Presbytery of East Tennessee supporting local outreach ministry serving court ordered adult addiction-treatment programs. They also approved the revised December 2025 Children and Youth Protection Policy. They approved February 22, 2026 as the date for the annual meeting. They moved to Executive Session at 7:18. The session adjourned with prayer at 9:10.

At the monthly meeting, both tasks completed and projects for the future were discussed.

Completed:    

* new double doors for the Education Wing

* motion sensor lights installed over walkway on south side of Boulder Hall

* weatherstripping in Eastminster and Russell Hall

*new batteries for church main entry Handicap pushbutton

*fire extinguisher and exit door lights inspected

*multiple Boulder Hall setups of tables and chairs

Future projects:

*Repair of pothole on Liberty Street entry

*new floor for women’s restroom

*review Energy Trust of Oregon’s proposal for free LED lights and fixtures

The committee welcomes your ideas as we diligently maintain our church, Winola House, Bruce Marsh Lodge and the lush grounds. 

Enjoy the holiday with a little game! Play with family and friends.

Our Stories: Science and Religion

January 11th at 11:30 in the Russel Hall

Speakers: Gene Ice, Jim Nishimura, and Bernie Woody. 

Come hear two physicists and an engineer talk about their careers and gain insights into the compatibility between science and religion. 

During the holiday season, many families and neighbors go without valuable essentials. Salem Public Library is helping fill this gap with their Take What You Need Project. This project provides helpful personal items, available free to all Salem Public Library visitors, in clear pocket holders in bathrooms on the first and second floors. Items include toothbrushes, deodorant, menstrual supplies, nail files, diapers, sunscreen, wipes and much more. During these cold months, donations of hats, gloves, socks and hand warmers are especially appreciated.

If you would like to donate to this project, visit our wish list. Thank you, neighbors, for your generosity!

Sunday school volunteers can sign up is now open online!