Coming Up:



January 26 & Feb 2 @ 11:30 am: New Member Class

January 26 @ 3:00-6:00 pm: Worship Committee Retreat

January 26 @ 6pm: Youth Group at Westminster

February 2 @ 6pm: Youth Ice Cream and Games

February 7, Annual Reports Due to the Office

February 9 @ 3:30pm: Youth Super Bowl Party

February 12 @ 6:30 pm: Leadership Lab

February 16 @ 3:30pm: Youth Salem Capitals Basketball Game

February 16 @ 4:00 pm: Classical Guitar Concert (Patrick Anderson)

February 17, Office Closed for President's Day Holiday

February 22, Bruce Reyes-Chow All-Church Event

February 23, Annual Meeting

February 23 @ 6pm: Youth Group at Westminster

February 28 @ 7:00 pm: Benefit Concert (Piano Trio)

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).

Bible Study:

Tuesday Bible Study w/ Pastor Kelly:

Jan 28 @ 10:30 am

Feb 4 @ 10:30 am

Feb 11 @ 10:30 am

Feb 18 @ 10:30 am

Feb 25 @ 10:30 am

Reminder:

Annual Reports Due February 7

Calling all elders, deacons, chairs, and staff - Annual reports are due to the office no later than February 7, 2025, for publication on February 14th. Please submit as a Word document to: office@salemwestpres.org.

From Your Session:

The Session met for its stated meeting on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:00 in Russell Hall. All elders were present, Dick Hughes from Personnel was a guest. The elders approved the Memorandum of Understanding v.2 with Iglesia de Cristo, the Spanish speaking church that uses our facility. The elders voted to host the October 24-25, 2025 Presbytery Meeting. They approved another “Diaper Drive” for Family Building Blocks, date TBD. They discussed the Introduction to their new book: “Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging.” The focused discussion centered on the Budget Information Sessions held on January 12^th. They voted to adopt the Creative Budgeting Initiative. Members will submit suggestions by February 16. They also voted to adopt the 2025 budget. They discussed the upcoming Annual Meeting on February 23, 2025. The meeting adjourned with prayer at 8:00.



Sandy McLean, Clerk of Session

NEW! Creative Budgeting Initiative Feb 20 – Apr 11, 2025.

After an engaging 2025 Budget Information Session on January 12, the elders would like to extend an invitation to the congregation for a season of Creative Budgeting. This will run February 20 – April 11, 2025. The session invites any individual, group or team at Westminster to propose ideas they may have for the next fiscal year utilizing the current levels of income. The elders hope this will be an opportunity for Westminster to think outside the box and consider new perspectives. In addition to Westminster’s treasures, the time and talent of volunteers is an indispensable resource as well so please feel free to include this in your proposals as well.

Because the financial reports represent a variety of priorities as well as sensitive areas like staffing and jobs, the session invites the congregation to establish shared guidelines to lead this process before getting started. If you have a suggestion to make for something that would help this conversation be respectful and dignified, please email the Clerk of Session, Sandy McLean, clerk@salemwestpres.org by Feb 16, 2025.   

The session will run the Creative Budgeting Initiative from Feb 20 – Apr 11, 2025.

Packets of information will be available in the office starting February 20 and will include:

1.     Project guidelines

2.     Current budget forecasts

3.     Points of contact

Please submit your proposal via email, including name & contact info, to the Clerk no later than April 11, 2025.

Upon conclusion of the initiative, the session will report back to the congregation. 

Worship Committee Retreat:

The Worship Committee is holding a retreat from 3:00 - 6:30 pm on Sunday, January 26. They will be joined by the ushers and members of the NextGen Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee to consider topics related to worship in the coming months. They will be meeting in Russell Hall, the Sanctuary, and Boulder Hall. For more information contact: Angie Willoughby

Save the Dates:

Questions? Contact: vik@salemwestpres.org.

New Member Classes:

The New Member Class dates have been updated, so please mark your calendars. This is an opportunity to meet to learn more about what it means and how to become a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church: January 26 and February 2, after worship from approximately 11:30-1:00. Please plan to bring your own lunch. If you are unable to attend these dates, a second opportunity will be on March 2 and 9, also from 11:30-1:00. Please for questions or to RSVP, please contact the church office office@salemwestpres.org, or Katie Nelson.

WOMEN'S RETREAT! May 2-4:

It’s been six years since our last Women’s Retreat, so it’s time to have another one. Come join us for a weekend (or just for Saturday) at Lincoln City. More information to come, but mark it on your calendar. Sign-up will start on March 2. Questions? Contact Susan Ray (raysu1@comcast.net).

Serve:

The Congregational Vitality Team is looking for people to be a part of the Westminster Greeters Team. There is a need for one or two friendly faces to stand at the front door and welcome people to worship on Sundays. It is a 30 minute commitment prior to the beginning of the service, and it is FUN!. Even if you can only sign up once every 6-8 weeks, it is appreciated. If you would like to add your name to the pool, please contact Katie Nelson (nelsonkatieallstar@gmail.com). 

Support:

Interested in supporting the Presbyterian response to the California wildfires? Click here: Southern California Wildfires | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Pray:

Sheila Lichy's mother, Dorothy Dorey, passed away on January 12 in New Jersey. She was 102 years old.

Note:

Comcast appears to be bouncing emails again. Let the office know if you are not receiving church communications. Thanks.

Westminster Presbyterian Church