From Your Session:

The session met for its monthly stated meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 6:00. All elders were present and Dick Hughes was a guest. The elders approved a motion for Communion to be held at the Women’s Retreat, May 2-4 in Lincoln City. The elders discussed Chapter 2 of the book, “Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging.” Motions were passed to approve two youth mission trips; a March 26-29 trip to Reedsport along with St. Paul’s Episcopal and First Christian DOC Churches. The other motion allows our youth and oversight committee to proceed in planning a Presbyterian Border Ministry trip to Douglas, AZ with Frontera de Cristo possibly from August 3-8. This trip will be for senior high students. The next stated meeting of session will take place on April 16, 2025.



Sandy McLean, Clerk of Session

Coming Up:



Sun. March 23 @ 6:00 pm: Youth Group at Westminster

Mon. March 24 @ 5:00 pm: Solo Women's Group

Wed. March 26-Sat. March 29: Youth Collective Spring Break Service Trip

Sun. March 30 @ 11:00 am: Celebration for Vik's 16-year Tenure at WPC

Sat. April 5 @ 9-12 pm: Annual Spring Cleanup

Sat. April 12 @ 3:00 pm: Jean Nelson Memorial Service

Sun. April 13 @ 11:30 am: Our Stories Salon in Russell Hall

Sun. April 13 @ 4:00 pm: Passion Cantata

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:

CREATIVE BUDGETING INITIATIVE

Feb 20 – Apr 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.

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

1.    Project guidelines:

a.    Ask questions. Be curious & kind.

b.    Anonymous submissions are an option. 

c.     Budget & finance is hosting “office hours” during coffee hour on March 3 & April 6.

Come ask your questions.

2.    Current budget forecasts (included)

3.    Points of contact:

a.    How to submit your ideas?

                   i.     Email: clerk@salemwestpres.org

                   ii.     Drop off: Clerk mailbox in the office

                   iii.    Mail: Attn: Clerk of Session Westminster Presbyterian Church 3737 Liberty St S,

Salem, OR 97302

                   iv.     Due: April 11, 2025

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

Spring Clean Up and Planting Day: Saturday, April 5 at 9 or 10 am

Please sign up to come to church on Saturday, April 5 in the morning to help clean up the grounds. The sign-up sheet is in the narthex just outside the office window. We need many hands so we hope to see you there.

If you have questions, ask Pamela or Ted.

  Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much - Helen Keller

Save the Dates:

CELEBRATING VIK:

As most of you are aware, our beloved Youth Director, Vik Schaaf, completed her work at Westminster and moved into a brand new job in February. Her 16 years (yes, SIXTEEN YEARS!) at Westminster impacted generations of youth and enriched the Church in countless ways.  

We’re excited to celebrate Vik after worship on Sunday, March 30! Some folks also have inquired about giving monetary gifts to Vik. Yes! You’re welcome to bring a gift (cash, check, gift card, fidget spinner, stress ball, freak flag, whatever) in addition to what the church leadership has planned.

Women's Retreat! May 2-4:

LAST CHANCE to sign up for Women's Retreat is this Sunday, March 23. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to get away and get renewed at the beach! Come join us for the weekend (or just for Saturday) at Lincoln City. 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.

There is a new support group at Westminster for single women who are dealing with grief. The Solo Women's Grief Support Group meets on the fourth Monday of the month in Boulder Hall at 5:00 for a potluck meal and discussion. The next meeting is March 24. Any single woman is welcome to join us. Contact: Deacon Betty Fennell

Salem First Pres - Women @ Noon:

Salem First Pres has extended an invitation to the women of West Pres to drop in or attend on Zoom, their book club at noon on Wednesdays most weeks. The book they are reading right now is "The Return of the Chaos Monsters and Other Backstories of the Bible" by Gregory Mobley. Contact Christine Talbert at 703-944-1952, or email: talbertcc@earthlink.net, if you want additional information. They are a small group with half belonging to other churches and they invite diverse perspectives and usually have lively discussions.

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

Pray:

Please join us in praying for the family of Lynn Wentz who recently passed away.

Also please pray for the family of Jan White, who passed away recently.

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