Coming Up:

April 27th @6pm-7pm: Future of the Youth Program Meeting

April 28th @12pm: Moral Monday @First Presbyterian Church

May 12th @1pm: Blood Drive @ Westminster

New Elders and Deacons Installation and Ordination Sunday is May 18th 2025

Office is closed Monday May 26th for Memorial Day

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).

Participate:

Final Week to Support the Family Building Blocks Diaper Drive!



We’re in the final stretch of our annual diaper drive—just 176 more diapers needed to surpass last year’s incredible total of 2,180 diapers!

If you haven’t donated yet, this Sunday is your last chance to bring diapers to church. We’re well stocked on Size 4, so Sizes 5 & 6 are especially needed.

Your generosity provides critical support for families in our community. Every diaper makes a difference—thank you for helping us meet this urgent need!

Vacation Bible Camp is scheduled for August 18-22 this year! This may seem like a long way off, but planning is happening now, so don't wait to put it on your calendars and let us know if you want to participate. We are partnering with St. Paul's Episcopal Church again this year for Changemaker's Lab VBC.

• Volunteers: Many volunteers are needed! We need adults and youth (completed 6th grade or older) to help with crafts, storytelling, snacks, games, registration, and moving from station to station with the kids. 

• Children: VBC will run 9:00a.m. to noon Monday through Friday for children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. The cost is $10.00 per child but no more than $20.00 per family. Registration is open now at https://forms.gle/SbyrnV8mbnyd5iXx6. 

If you would like to help or have questions, talk to Terri Crall or email westpreskids@gmail.com.

Blood Drive

Westminster is on a mission to help save lives by hosting a blood drive on May 12, 2025. We hope to see you and other community members there and ready to make a donation! 

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). 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.  

OR you can call or text me at the number below to make an appointment to give a pint of blood or even a Double Red (two units of red cells done by apheresis).  

Kind Regards,

BN - and all the helpers that work at the American Red Cross blood drive. 

The 2025 Westminster Festival of Fine Art Dates: Friday, October 17 - Sunday, October 19

Note that this is one week later than the Festival has been held in the past. This is so that our Show does not conflict with a four day holiday weekend (school in-service day on Friday, Oct. 10 and Columbus Day celebrated on Monday, Oct. 13). We will open on Friday the 17th at noon, with the Artist Reception from 6 to 8pm. Watch for more information in the coming months!

Interested in being part of our planning? Contact Sheila Powell or Doreen Negstad or email us at wpcfafestival@gmail.com We would love to hear your ideas.

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, April 28, 2025. Learn more: poorpeoplescampaign.org.

Join us for Oregon Interfaith Advocacy Day on Tuesday, 

April 29, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem. 

Now is the time for people of faith to rise up in hope and to call for justice and compassion in our legislative system. 

The morning session at St. Mark Lutheran Church will feature a keynote address, training on effective advocacy and issue briefings. In the afternoon, participants will march to the Oregon Capitol Building, where they will present concerns to their legislators. Talking points and legislative appointments will be provided. 

ISSUE AREAS

May include the following: Immigration & Refugees, Housing & Homelessness, Climate & Environment, Healthcare, Hunger, Criminal Justice Reform

SCHEDULE

Morning session: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A sack lunch will be provided for participants.

Afternoon meetings with state legislators: times will vary.

REGISTRATION

$20; scholarships available. Register now.

The Presbyterian Hunger Program strives to walk with people in moving toward sustainable choices that restore and protect all of God’s children and Creation. In Lent, we slow down, take time, and examine our internal spiritual lives and the way we live out our Christian faith in the world around us. PHP's 2025 Lenten calendar is intended to be the beginning of actions intended to create more mindful behaviors throughout the year. Access the resource here:https://hubs.ly/Q03413kW

NWSDS (Northwest Senior & Disability Services) has a program called the Otago Exercise Program. This program is delivered in your home for people 60+ with 2 chronic conditions or an adult with disabilities AND has had a recent fall or is fearful of falling. A trained instructor visits you and provides a set of individually prescribed exercises. The program can last 6-12 months. Participants are expected to do the exercises three times a week, and walk at least two times a week. Progress is monitored through home visits and phone calls. For more information, please call 833-673-9355 or email health.promotion@nwsds.org.

In Loving Memory of Peggy L. Hershey

February 5, 1947 – April 8, 2025

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Peggy L. Hershey, who entered eternal rest on April 8, 2025, in Salem, Oregon, at the age of 78.

Born in Richland, Washington, Peggy graduated from Richland High School and furthered her education at Central Washington State College. In 1967, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she worked for the Equitable Life Insurance Company.

Peggy married the love of her life, Bob Hershey, in 1972, and together they shared 52 beautiful years of marriage. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, survived by her beloved husband, Bob; her two daughters, Jill Renee Lowe (Dirck) and Jamie Leigh Lew (Brian); and her four cherished grandchildren: Avery, Ryan, Ruby, and Samuel.

Arrangements were entrusted to Howell-Edwards Funeral Home of Salem. Peggy will be laid to rest at City View Cemetery.

May her memory be a blessing, and may God’s peace comfort all who knew and loved her.

In Loving Memory of Annette Christiansen

December 18, 1935 – April 24, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Annette Christiansen, who left us peacefully on April 24, 2025, at the age of 89. A beloved community member, Annette touched countless lives with her kindness, wisdom, and humor. Her legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace.

In honor of National Volunteer Week Westminster would like to take a second to thank all of our wonderful volunteers. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do to make this community a better place.

If you would like to get involved please email office@salemwestpres.org.

Reminder about email scams:

Westminster and/or Pastor Kelly will never ask for money or gift cards outside of church-sponsored programs and initiatives. If you receive a suspicious email or text and are unsure whether to respond, contact the church office. 

Westminster Presbyterian Church