July 14th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 14th @1pm: Red Cross Blood Drive (Boulder Hall)

July 14th @6pm: Women's Night Out (Gilgamesh)

July 15th @11am: South Salem Connects (Boulder Hall)

July 15th @6pm: Men's Night Out

July 15th @7pm: Yoga (Eastminster)

July 16th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 16th @3:30pm: Dance Class (Boulder Hall)

July 19th @8am: Grounds Clean Up (Details below)

July 20th @10am: Youth Car Wash During Service

July 21st @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 22nd @7pm: Yoga (Eastminster)

July 23rd @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 24th @2pm: Youth Group Baking with Rachelle Hughes

July 28th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 29th @7pm: Yoga (Eastminster)

July 30th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

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

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:

Welcome to REVELATION & RESISTANCE this summer! We are embarking on a 7-week journey through the book of Revelation, a strange and often misunderstood book of the Bible. This past Sunday we kicked off with 3 skills that will aid us in our reading for the coming weeks: 

• Discern, not predict. Revelation was a letter written to the 7 churches in Asia minor in order to describe, interpret and act on the events of their day. It was not written to predict future events.
• Christianity amidst the imperial cult. The Christians in these 7 churches were living at a time when their beliefs about caring for the poor, tending to the widow, and welcoming the stranger were diametrically opposed to the emperor’s cult and everything it touched including culture, economy, politics, military and the arts.
• Imagination is key. “Imagination is to Revelation as music is to words.” (-Scot McKnight). If you have ever made connections between sci-fi, fantasy or fiction to real life you have a good foundation to read Revelation. The wild imagery of dragons, beasts, and monsters is otherworldly in its presentation even though it is pointing to a deeper truth in our lives.

If you are interested in getting a jump start on this week’s text, click here: Revelation 13:1-18. You may notice that the infamous 666 shows up and we will definitely cover what THAT means. Here are some additional resources to support your learning this summer:

• SLIDE SHOW: Westminster’s collective imagination at work, Revelation 1 / July 6, 2025. 
• VIDEO LECTURE: Dr. Scot McKnight discusses his book Revelation for the Rest of Us and provides a helpful overview. https://youtu.be/04Rm93Q1cmo?si=uX-q_M9CDNacxeg6

I appreciated the warm welcome back this week as I returned from our family vacation. I was able to spend meaningful time with my kids, parents, sister and friends at 2 graduations, 1 college visit, and 7 days on the beach. I am so grateful for the ways Westminster cares for the staff and supports time for rest and recovery.

Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly

Participate:

Youth Updates:

*  July 20th, Sunday  - Youth Car Wash  -  

Fundraiser: During the 10:00 Church Service we will be making a splash washing cars for the congregation.

 * July 24th, Thursday  - Youth Group Baking With Rachelle - 

2:00 to 3:30 in the Boulder Hall Kitchen. Come and pick out your favorite goodies to bake.

* July 27th, Sunday  - During the 10:00 Service we will be praying over and wish our Mission Trip a safe and fun trip.

* Aug 2nd to 6th  - Youth Mission Trip to Tucson, AZ

* Aug 10th to 13th - Youth Collective at Camp Adams - 

This camp is being run by our Youth Collective and there is still time to sign up.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1n4iXNdAf_r4q5ipKYG2V5_nUwIc8upjKLUs6eEDBZQs/edit

For questions about upcoming events contact Mat Worley, Youth Coordinator, at youth@salemwestpres.org.

Hiring summer childcare leader

Do you know a wonderful, qualified person who would like to lead our childcare during Sunday worship this summer.?

We need to hire that person ASAP.  They would continue to be assisted by a volunteer. We’re asking that they be available for approximately 2 1/2 hours – 9:30 a.m. to noon (or whenever all the children have been picked up by their families). The pay is $50 per Sunday.

Please spread the word! Applicants should send resumes to: Jobs.SalemWestPres@gmail.com

In the meantime, Summer Sunday Childcare

We would like to have somewhere for our youngest members to go during summer church services. If you are willing to volunteer with infant through five-year-old childcare, please visit our SignUpGenius and sign up for one or more weeks this summer. The goal is to keep our youngest safe and happy during the church service, and allow their parents to worship without distraction. You do not need to teach a lesson, but you are welcome to offer an activity for the kids if you feel like it. You must be current with Child Protection Training. If you have any questions or need to take the CPT, please contact Terri Crall.

Women's Night Out will be held at Gilgamesh at 6pm. Please RSVP with Nancy Crawford (nmcnarycrawford@gmail.com OR 503-540-8770)

Men's Night Out -  Thompson’s Brewery and Public House at 6pm. Please RSVP with John Dalen (john.m.dalen@gmail.com)

Vacation Bible Camp

Sign-ups are open for Vacation Bible Camp. August 18-22, kids entering kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to join us for Changemakers Lab! Spend a week learning about God's love and how kids can make a change in the world. The cost is $10.00 per child or $20.00 maximum per family.  Register here!

Vacation Bible Camp Volunteers

We are still looking for volunteers for Vacation Bible Camp August 18-22. We need registration help Monday morning, snack help any day, and crew leaders to move with kids and help mentor a small group throughout the week, as well as possible one or two day substitutes for a variety of jobs. Whether you can offer just one hour or the whole week from 8:00 to noon, please contact Terri Crall and see where you fit in!

Building and Grounds Cleanup

Saturday, July 19^th from 8:00am to 11:00am. Come one, come all, for a grounds cleanup morning at Westminster. Among the many areas needing attention are:

·        cleaning up the sidewalk along Liberty Road (and cutting back invasive blackberry bushes)

·        placing some leftover beams from the old playground swing set along the entrance drive to prevent erosion

·        removing ivy from trees

·        painting exterior of solarium door.

There is something that fits the abilities of each of us. As always food and drinks (coffee) will start the festivities but then all are out to make the church and its grounds more attractive.

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

School Supplies Drive:

Starting in July and continuing through August, donation boxes will be set up in the Narthex area for collecting basic school supplies for needy students in the community. Take advantage of upcoming school supply sales … all donations are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Opportunities:

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, July 14, 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! 🙏💙

Westminster Presbyterian Church