June 13th: Office Closed

June 13th @6pm: Bluebells Musical in the Sanctuary

June 15th: Fathers Day

June 17th @6pm: Men's Night Out @ McMenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House

June 17th @10am: Bible Study in Russel Hall

June 19th: Juneteenth - Office Closed

For the full church calendar see here. To change or add something to the calendar, please email or call the church office (office@salemwestpres.org), 503-364-3327).

Office updates

Friday, June 13: Office closed.

June 13-July 5: Pastor Kelly is on vacation.

Thursday, June 19: Office closed for Juneteenth

Friday, July 4: Office closed for Independence Day

Whom to contact

  If questions or concerns arise while Pastor Kelly is away, please contact:

--Office Manager Katie Moore during office hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday, office@salemwestpres.org or 503-364-3327.

--Church elders (Sandy McLean is clerk of Session), clerk@salemwestpres.org

--Deacons (Lori Dalen is head deacon), westpresdeacons@googlegroups.com

--Facility Caretaker Rick Cobb, facilitycaretaker@salemwestpres.org

A Note from Pastor Kelly:

Westminster honored the education and music ministries last week during worship. It was a time to recognize the joyful ensembles that provide and minister through congregational music. We also celebrated the countless volunteers that make the children and youth ministries a place of safety and love. Thank you to everyone who gives tirelessly to these ministries. As we shift into summer a number of special things are planned. Look for a preaching series on Resistance & Revelation to kick off in July. The book of Revelation might just be the most misunderstood book of the Bible and we are going to take a look at what it really says about beasts, monsters and fire. The vivid imagery points us to a more hopeful future. In August, Wheel of Fortune (hymnal version) will make its debut for some choose-your-own-adventure singing.

This month, Westminster welcomes three guests to the pulpit that you will not want to miss. Hillary Hughes from the Cascades Presbytery joins us on June 15. Hillary serves an innovative ministry initiative in Corvallis and you can read more about Authentic Hope here: Authentic Hope: Center for Peace and Empowerment | counseling center | 861 SW Madison Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA On June 22, we welcome Rev. Del Burnett to the pulpit. Del served for many years as the pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Salem. During his retirement, he serves on the Commission for Ministry (COM) and is Westminster’s liaison to the Cascades Presbytery. Finally, on June 29 our own Michael Wood will bring us the Word with his engaging and warm approach to preaching. Pastor Kelly will take time for rest and renewal (aka summer vacation) from June 14-July 4. While I will miss the rhythm of our weekly life together, I deeply appreciate the ways Westminster provides for the staff to recharge. During the first half of my vacation I will be at 2 graduations (my son and nephew), 1 memorial service (uncle), and a college orientation. The second half will be an opportunity for rest, reading books, swimming and the like. The elders of the church are available for any questions or concerns that arise over the next few weeks. Blessed summer, Westminster!

Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly

Art Festival News

The Art Festival is in the planning stages, and we are looking forward to another successful Show, October 17 – 19, 2025. 

Sheila Powell and Doreen Negstad have made the difficult decision to step down from our positions of co-chair beginning with the 2026 Art Festival. We will continue with the 2025 Show with the same enthusiasm as in the past.

We and the committee hope to find a new leadership team who will work alongside us this year and take over in 2026. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please have them contact Sheila or Doreen at wpcfafestival@gmail.com The coordination and implementation of the Art Festival can be accomplished by several people, each having their specific responsibilities, and working as a team. Specific duties and timelines will be provided to interested parties.

We appreciate and value the support the Congregation has given us over the years and are looking forward to having you be a part of 2025.

Blessings to All of You, 

Sheila and Doreen 

Session Update:

The Westminster Session met at 6:00 on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 for their monthly stated meeting. Steve Kandra was absent and no guests attended. The Elders welcomed new Elders Nikki Fennell and Diane Greenlee. There was a discussion of Chapter 5 in the book, “Troubling the Waters: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging,” led by Angie Willoughby and Maggie Sather. There was Elder training on “Roberts Rules of Order,” and the role of elders. The elders passed a motion to delay the final commitment for the Youth Mission trip to Douglas, AZ until they can meet with session on July 6, 2025. The session will meet after that for their regular meeting on July 16, 2025 at 6:00.

Sandy McLean, Clerk

Participate:

Mens Night Out:

Mens night out will be at McMenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House on Liberty St. @6pm. RSVP with Bill Faust

Are you unhappy with your nametag? Nancy MacMorris-Adix can fix that! Contact her for any name tag requests you may have. i.e. a magnet nametag, a pin name tag, adjusting the spelling etc.

Floral Designers Needed!

The deacons are currently looking for a couple of people who would be willing to occasionally make bouquets of flowers for memorial receptions in Boulder Hall. If you have experience designing bouquets and would be willing to join our current Floral Designer team, please contact Lori Dalen.

Let’s Celebrate!

This Sunday is extra special—it’s the 3rd Sunday of the month (Table of Plenty Sunday) and Father’s Day!

Let’s honor dear old dad by bringing extra canned or packaged food for our TOP boxes. Together, we can spread cheer and show our care for neighbors in need.

To all the fathers—thank you! Let’s fill those TOP boxes and celebrate our dads with generosity!

Red Cross Blood Drive:

Greetings all, 

We hope that you can help serve our community by donating blood for hospital patients in need. Join the congregation at Westminster Presbyterian Church as well as other community members to give blood on July 14 from 1:00PM to 6:00PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 3737 Liberty Rd S. in Salem, 97302.  

 Your donation can help save more than one life! To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-Cross. OR

You can make a reservation directly on-line for our blood drive at 

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=westminsterpres 

OR you can contact us for an appointment at:

Bill Nelson : bnelson@pacificomm.net

OR

Voice-Voicemail-Text: (503) 576-1278

Opportunities:

Lets join our friend in celebrating Juneteenth!

We’re excited to invite you to this year’s Juneteenth Celebration: Black Wallstreet—a powerful day honoring freedom, resilience, and Black excellence. Join us as we come together for an event filled with culture, connection, and community pride!

 Date: June 19th 12-6pm

 Location: Micah Building

 Featuring: Local performers, food trucks, family-friendly activities, art, vendors, and more!

Whether you’ve celebrated Juneteenth before or are new to it, this event is open to everyone and offers a meaningful opportunity to learn, celebrate, and support one another.

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16hPciausR/

Let us know you’re coming and stay up to date with the latest event details!

The block party will be held June 19th from 12pm-6pm next to the Micah Building at the intersection of Cottage and State Streets, so mark your calendar.

If you’d like to support the event, please reach out to our Community Engagement Chairperson Allie Saunders at community.engagement@sknaacp1166.org.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16hPciausR/

Want to participate in Moral Mondays at the capital with the Oregon Poor People’s Campaign? We meet every Monday, 12pm, at First Presbyterian Church. Contact Michele (michelehare25x2@gmail.com ) or Paul Negstad (pandd.negstad@gmail.com) to join or just show up! Next: Monday, June 16, 2025. Learn more: poorpeoplescampaign.org.

🚨 URGENT: Don’t Get Tricked by Scammers! 🚨

Hey Westminsterites,  

We need to talk about something critical—scammers are getting sneaky, and we want YOU to stay safe. Here’s the deal:

✅ Westminster & Pastor Kelly will NEVER suddenly email or text you asking for money, gift cards, or personal favors. Ever. 

✅ Legitimate requests only happen through official church channels—not random, out-of-the-blue messages.  

🚩 If something feels fishy, it probably is!  

➡️ DO NOT reply—even if it looks real.  

➡️ DO forward it to the church office ASAP so we can investigate.  

💡 A quick double-check protects all of us. When in doubt, call or email us directly—we’re happy to confirm what’s real!  

Stay sharp, stay safe, and let’s keep our community secure! 🙏💙

🕺 New! Community Dance Class Starting July 2nd

Starting Wednesday, July 2 at 3:30 PM, we’re launching a joyful and inclusive dance class right here at church!

This class is open to all ages and all ability levels. No dance experience needed — just come ready to move in a way that feels good for you. All movement can be done standing or seated, and we’ll keep things light, fun, and adaptable.

There are no limits - only creative ways to make movement accessible for everyone in a welcoming, low-pressure space.

We’d love to have you join us - and feel free to invite a friend or neighbor! 🎶🪑💃🕺 If you have any questions, you can contact Christian Arróliga 

Do you know of anyone who has a fear of falling? A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based 8 week program to help reshape thoughts about falling to keep seniors active and moving. We have an in-person class at Salem Hospital starting 6/17 from 2-4 p.m.

Westminster Presbyterian Church