Coming Up:

June 1: Arianna and Jeffrey on Vacation

June 1: Graduation Sunday

June 3 @7pm: Women's Retreat Planning Committee

June 7th @3pm: Juan Lopez Student Recital

June 8th: Pentecost and recognition of Education and Music

June 9th @6pm: Women's Night Out @ Los Arcos in South Salem

June 17th @6pm: Men's Night Out

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).

Urgent Notice:

The Kitchen is back up and running! Thank you Building & Grounds team for you amazing effort on getting the kitchen fixed.

Session update:

The WPC Session met on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00 for its regular monthly meeting. The meeting started at 5:30 with a potluck dinner to honor the outgoing Elders- Katie Nelson and Luann Barnes. All Elders were present and guests were: Incoming Elders Dick Hughes and Nikki Fennell, along with Lucy Foster and Ann Montague from the Welcoming Journey Core Team (WJCT) and Matt Crall, Mat Worley and Warren Binford from the Youth Oversight Committee. The session approved two motions from Buildings & Grounds; one for an application for a $7,500 Barnabus Grant for electrical upgrades to the education wing and the other to provide a 3-month hiatus on Winola house rent to Salem 4

Refugees. They discussed Chapter 4 of the book Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging. The first focused discussion was an update and two motions from the WJCT. Both were approved:

Motion #1- The WJCT proposes that the following statement be posted on the front of our church website:                                                                                                     “Welcome to Our Church- Come as you are. There is a place for you in our community, united as one body with many members here. Rooted in the love and grace of Jesus Christ, we are a community united as one body with many members. As part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we affirm that all people are created in God’s image and we are called equally to follow Christ in faith and service. We joyfully welcome all: regardless of any age, race, ability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, into the full participation in the worship, ministry and mission of our church. There’s always an ear to listen here and a heart open for you.”

Motion #2- The Welcoming Journey Core Team (WJCT) proposes that Westminster be authorized to publicly register its welcoming attitude by signing up with the More Light Presbyterians and the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The requirements are that our Session agree with the following statements for each organization, respectively. This will allow us to display their logos on our website and become part of their listings of welcoming churches. In the future, there may be additional, more local registries that we might look to include our church in, to get the word out in our community.

The session approved a youth mission trip in August to Douglas, AZ.  Right now there are four youth and three adults going on the trip. (Youth Oversight Committee).

The next session meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 6:00 in Russell Hall.

Sandy McLean, Clerk

Participate:

Youth:

🚀 Volunteers Needed!

Help us clean the Youth Room this Saturday, May 31, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.

As a thank-you, we’ll have doughnuts for all helpers!

🎓 Celebrating Milestones!

This Sunday, we’re honoring two of our high school graduates and recognizing students who recently earned their driver’s license or permit. Let’s cheer them on for their achievements!

💻 Social Media Interns Wanted!

Passionate about social media? Apply now to join our team!

👉 Apply Here

VACATION BIBLE CAMP

VBC needs volunteers! Even though August 18-22 seems a long way off, it's closer than you think! We are in the thick of planning now. We need station helpers, crew leaders, and people to help with registration and snack. If you are thinking about helping in any way this year, or have any questions, please contact Terri Crall and let her know.

Registration for kids is also open now. VBC will run 9:00am to noon on August 18-22. The cost is $10.00 per child or $20.00 maximum per family. Please put us on your kids' summer calendar for a fun end of summer camp! Email westpreskids@gmail.com with any questions.

Women's Night out:

Women’s Night Out for June 9th @6pm will be at Los Arcos on south Commercial. Please RSVP to Betty Fennell at 503-851-5333 or betty@fennells.net.

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.

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, June 2, 2025. Learn more: poorpeoplescampaign.org.

Memorials:

Saturday May 31, 2025 @ 11:30am - Alicia Bonesteele

Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 1:00 at Virgil T. Golden in Salem - Annette Christensen

Heads Up: Spotting Email Scams ⚠️

A quick but important reminder: Westminster and Pastor Kelly will never unexpectedly ask for money, gift cards, or personal favors via email or text. These requests only happen through official church programs—never out of the blue!

If you get a message that feels off, don’t reply. Instead, forward it to the church office, and we’ll check it out. Staying alert helps protect our whole community.

When in doubt, reach out!

Westminster Presbyterian Church