Friday Newsletter

On Sunday, 11/30 (and each Sunday in Advent) children are invited to gather at the sanctuary doors to participate in the candle-lighting before being dismissed to their children’s program. (Battery-operated candles also available). 

Darrell Tallman Memorial service will be December 6th at 2pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The Annual Cookie Exchange and Salad Potluck is coming!

Dec. 8, 6:00 pm in Boulder Hall

Traditionally part of Women's Night Out, this is open to the whole church (not just the women!). Bring a salad or appetizer to share and 5 dozen of your favorite cookies. After dinner, you will get to choose 5 dozen various cookies to take home from among all the different offerings to jump-start your holidays. Everyone is welcome! 

Do you have questions, concerns or suggestions about the church? Bring them to elders, who will be available from 11:30 a.m. to noon-ish in the Eastminster Room on Sundays.

A couple of elders will be present each Sunday to listen, seek answers for you, and ensure your concerns or suggestions reach the right people.

This is an idea, borrowed from other congregations, that has been percolating since earlier this fall. We look forward to listening.

WPC Session

Georganne McPherson

I am from Southern California. I lived there for most of my life until I moved 

to Salem. I was raised Episcopalian, baptized as an infant, and confirmed 

as a young girl. As an adult I went to the Baptist church and was baptized 

there. When I moved to here, I attended to Calvary Chapel, until the 

Pandemic. After that, I watched church online, until I met Dianne Greenlee, 

who invited me to Westminster. I am so blessed to be here. I attend 

Tuesday Bible study. I enjoy reading and music. I listen to old hymns and 

contemporary hymns and songs. One of my favorites is “In Christ Alone.” 

Thank you for being so welcoming

Sunni York

I have been a Presbyterian all my life. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I joined “Campus Crusade for Christ” in college in 1965.

Having been married to my first husband, who was a Baptist, I became baptized at Salem Heights Baptist Church.

Len and I married in 1991 and later became members of the Redmond Community Presbyterian Church, Redmond Oregon.

My Mom Carma Koch was a member of Westminster. She volunteered in the office and Pastor Moody referred to Mom and others as his “Office Angels” as they cleaned up numerous boxes of old files. For many years John sent Mom the Sunday bulletin with a special note while she was in Assisted Living. He eventually performed Mom’s funeral in 2012.

Prior to retirement, my working years were primarily as an Administrative Assistant. Initially, I started working for the Oregon Employment Department “Central Office” in Salem, Oregon. My last position was working for the Eastern Oregon, Department Of Human Services, District Office. Combined I worked 34 years with “State” service. After retirement from the State, I worked as an Administrative Assistant for the George Fox University satellite office in Redmond, Oregon.

Hobbies include Interior Design, golf, walking and travel.

Len York

I was Baptized and Confirmed as a Catholic and attended church on a regular basis with my Mom in Southern California. As a teenager and then going into the U.S. Army, I did not attend church very often. However, my belief in God continued to grow as I realized at about 25 years old that he has always been watching over me.

After Sunni and I were married in 1991, we occasionally attended a Presbyterian church in Baker City where we lived for our first 12 years. During that time, when in Salem, I occasionally attended church at Westminster with Sunni and her Mom (Carma Koch). We eventually moved to Redmond, Oregon where we became members of the Redmond Community Presbyterian Church, Redmond Oregon. I was on their HR committee.

A few moves later we landed in (McNary Estates) Keizer, Oregon. For me, Westminster in Salem was the only clear choice for our next Church Family!

My last significant employment leading to retirement was working with the Oregon Employment Department. After a short period in Springfield I became the Assistant Manager in The Dalles. I was then hired as the Manager responsible for the Baker City and John Day offices. For 12 years, in Eastern Oregon, I was responsible for both facilities, Personnel matters, providing services to citizens in both Counties and assisting with a variety of Economic Development projects in Eastern Oregon. I retired from the State and was hired by T-Mobile to assist with the hiring of employees for a new Call Center in Redmond, Oregon. I eventually was a recruiter working in the HR office.

Hobbies include golf, walking and travel. I especially enjoy working with grandkids and teaching them how to invest.

Tuesday Bible Study @ 10:30am schedule: 

11/25 Leader: Pastor Kelly

Sunday Bible Study:

The pre-worship Bible study (9:00 - 9:45 a.m.) is going well. We are studying the Gospel according to Mark. We welcome new participants and drop-ins. Participants should bring a Bible with them to class. If you forget, borrow one from the sanctuary or Russel Hall. 

Although this is an "adult" Bible Study, youth are welcome to join. Children are invited to bring coloring books or small toys when or if they accompany an adult.

Please join us in Eastminster.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Outreach for Social Justice Committee bulletin board (just outside Russell Hall) and pick up a copy of Advent Devotions to simplify Christmas and consider creation care during the busy Christmas Season. Like Mary reflects in the Magnificat, preparing for the birth of Jesus is a time to make new resolves, run fresh risks, and embrace new lives. 

We will decorate the church for Advent on Friday, November 28, at 10 am. A soup and bread lunch will be served for all who help. No skills (other than following directions!) required. For questions, call or text Nancy MacMorris-Adix 503-999-8148. 

Yoga will now be on Tuesdays from 3pm to 4pm in Eastminster. There is room for 2 more people! please contact Nancy Crawford for more details. 

Sunday, November 30  

9:30-11:30 am Sunday school with teacher Heberlyn.

11:30 am-12:00 pm rehearsal for Children's Music Program with Ariana and Terri.

 Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. That’s why Westminster Presbyterian Church is on a mission to help save lives by hosting a blood drive on Monday, Dec. 15 from 1:00PM to 6:00PM in Boulder Hall at Westminster (3737 Liberty Rd. S. Salem, OR 97302 ) . The community is invited to take part in this special event and donate blood for hospital patients in our neighborhoods and across the nation. The need for blood is constant, but only 3 percent of the U.S. population donates. By rolling up a sleeve, donors can play a critical role in the treatment of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) OR you can call Bill Nelson directly at (503) 576-1278 to schedule an appointment. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history questionnaire found at RedCrossBlood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight.  

Please hurry and call Bill to see if your favorite time spot is still available!  We already have 21 of 39 appointment spots filled, but we need more to keep up the reputation of Westminster as a great place to give blood!  

One Fair World

Gifts That Give Hope

Mon – Sat

10:00 am – 05:00 pm

Sunday

10:00 am – 02:00 pm

Closed on major national holidays

OFW is a registered non-profit organization. If you'd like to support our mission, OFW is conducting a year-end campaign. Click the donate page above or visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/step-in-for-one-fair-world-salem

Event: Really Really Free Holiday Gift Market

Date: Thursday, December 11

Time: 2:30 - 6 pm

Location: Salem Public Library Main Branch 585 Liberty St. SE Salem, OR

Stressed about holiday shopping? Instead go holiday swapping! In cooperation with Circular Salem, the library is hosting a free holiday gift swap! 

2:30-4 p.m. Drop off "regiftable," non-food items that are in new or great condition. Any age group is fine! Wrapping supplies will also be gratefully accepted.

4-6 p.m. Shop the swap and pick up presents for your loved ones! No donation is required to shop. There will be wrapping stations available to wrap your treasures yourself, or a volunteer can do it for you! 

https://cityofsalemlibrary.libcal.com/event/15802574 

Event: Free Infant and Toddler Clothing Swap

Date: Saturday, December 13

Time: 9:00 - 4 pm

Location: McKay High School Room 135 2440 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97305

Come to the McKay Holiday Market for some goodies, and while you're there get free baby and toddler clothes! Sizes preemie to 6t, clothes should be freshly washed. We will accept any condition so long as they are clean but please organize by size if donating more than a large grocery bag's worth. NO DONATIONS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE! And please, if you know a family in need of baby or toddler clothes who aren't able to attend, go to the swap for them!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRS7VzkEuso/?img_index=1