Coming Up:



February 7 @ 12 noon: Annual Reports Due to the Office

February 9 @ 11:30 am: Our Stories - Chris Duval

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

February 10 @ 6:00 pm: Women's Night Out at Los Arcos

February 12 @ 6:30 pm: Leadership Lab

February 14 @ 5:00 pm: Parents' Night Out

February 16 - Table Of Plenty "Souper Bowl" Sunday

February 16 @ 11:30 am: Annual Meeting Information Session

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 18 @ 6:00 pm: Men's Night Out

February 22, Bruce Reyes-Chow All-Church Event

February 23, Annual Meeting

February 23 @ 6:00 pm: 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:

Feb 11 @ 10:30 am

Feb 18 @ 10:30 am

Feb 25 @ 10:30 am

Reminder:

Annual Reports Due TODAY, 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.

February Staffing Update:

Vik is on vacation this week, returning Sunday, Feb. 9. The Salem Youth Collective Super Bowl party is at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church.

Ariana and Jeffrey are on vacation Sunday, February 9.

Pastor Kelly is away Feb. 7-15.

If you have questions or emergencies arise, please contact:

•  Church office, Monday-Thursday, office@salemwestpres.org, 503-364-3327
•  Elders Clerk@salemwestpres.org
•  Deacons, westpresdeacons@googlegroups.com
• Personnel Committee (Dick Hughes, ramhughes@gmail.com, or Maggie Sather maggiesatherhome@icloud.com)

Participate:

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. 

Save the Dates:

Youth Super Bowl Party!

First Presbyterian Church will be hosting us for the big game. We will have snacks and beverages. Friends are welcome to attend as well. 3:30 pm, Sunday, February 9, at First Presbyterian Church downtown. Come and have fun!

Women's Night Out!

Monday, February 10, at 6pm at Los Arcos on Commercial Street SE, Salem Please come join us for laughter and camaraderie as we meet together to enjoy each other's company and get to know our fellow Westminster women better. Contact Michele Hare at 408-402-2396 to reserve your spot.

Questions? Contact: vik@salemwestpres.org.

Table of Plenty:

Thanks to all who donated food for Table of Plenty on Jan. 21st. We gave 182 pounds of much needed food for our hungry neighbors. The recipients are always so grateful.

It has been a "Tradition" at Westminster for quite a few years to celebrate "Souper Bowl Sunday" by filling our food boxes with, you guessed it, SOUP! However, since we are just beginning to initiate the 3rd Sunday of the month for our TOP donations, we will celebrate SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY on February 16th. This way those who are really into football can celebrate the winners, and those of us who are not quite that dedicated to the sport, can celebrate the return of our favorite programs at their normal time slots.  

So, watch the soup sales, and we will have our own WESTMINSTER SOUPER BOWL CELEBRATION on Feb. 16th. MMMMM, Good! ~ Jackie Hilfiker 

Westminster Presbyterian is proud to present its first-ever Mid-Winter Concert Series! You are invited to join us in two professional level concerts featuring highly acclaimed musicians.



• February 16 @ 4PM — Patrick Anderson, classical guitar

Join Patrick Anderson as he returns to the Pacific Northwest to present a varied set of classical guitar repertoire featuring composers such as Bach, Turina, Albeniz, Merlin, Björnsson, & Hirschelman. Free admission | Donations Accepted. Refreshments provided.

• February 28 @ 7PM — Fusion Trio, piano trio

 Join Dr. Angie Willoughby (piano), Dr. Juan Sebastian Lopez Mahecha (violin), & Dr. Lina Alejandra Aldana Porras (cello) as they present music from Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Argentinian composer, Piazzolla. This concert is a benefit concert to support the Salem Music Lessons Project (MLP) which funds private music lessons for students in Title I schools. All donations and proceeds go to help fund this invaluable program. Free Admission | Donations Accepted. Refreshments provided.

2025 Annual Meeting:

You are invited to the 2025 Annual Meeting, February 23, 2025, at 11:00 am! Westminster will receive the necrology report, hear a finance update, and approve the pastor’s terms of call. If you have a motion that you would like considered, please send it to the Clerk of Session (clerk@salemwestpres.org) by February 12 @ noon. Livestream for viewing will be available; voting in-person only.

New Member Classes:

A second set of New Member Class dates has been scheduled, 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: March 2 and 9, after worship from approximately 11:30-1:00. Please plan to bring your own lunch. For questions or to RSVP, please contact the church office office@salemwestpres.org, or Katie Nelson.

Tai Chi Classes:

Troop 108's Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction Fundraiser:

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).

Opportunities:

Nurses' Christian Fellowship group is being formed in Salem. Diane Stegmeir, RN, CDCES, is starting a group for nurses and nursing students. NCF provides support and encouragement to members that face the challenges of health care and providing patient care. For anyone interested in getting together for coffee to discuss this opportunity, please contact Diane at DiStegs@aol.com or office@salemwestpres.org.

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.)

Note:

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

Westminster Presbyterian Church