Coming Up:



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 @ 10:00 am: Palm Sunday Service

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

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

Mon. April 14 @ 6:00 pm: Women's Night Out

Tue. April 15 @ 6:00 pm: Men's Night Out

Fri. April 18 @ 7:00 pm: Good Friday Service

Sat. April 19 @ 9:00 am: Easter Egg Hunt

Sun. April 20 @ 10:00 am: Easter Sunday Service

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).

Vik's Recognition:

Children & Youth families – You are invited to meet in the office at 9:30am on Sunday to be a part of Vik’s recognition during the service. No need to prep anything, just show up!

After 16 wonderful years with us, Vik Schaaf is leaving Westminster’s staff. But not our congregation!

This is a bittersweet time as we adjust to our new relationship. Vik needs, and deserves, a break from Westminster, so she can wholly focus on her new role at the Oregon Capitol as the WPC children’s and youth programming operates with different leadership.

Here are some things that may be helpful to know:

We likely won’t see Vik around church much, if at all, for several months. She might volunteer in the future with youth- and/or children-related programs but not for six months or longer. That’s so everyone can settle into their new roles.

For the congregation’s part, we must respect that Vik no longer has a professional role in our children’s and youth ministries, and we should refrain from contacting her about that work. Likewise, Vik won’t be initiating contact with our children/youth, alumni or their families, DM-ing with them on social media, and so forth.

Families are welcome, and encouraged, to continue their friendships with Vik — invite her to meals, events, etc. Please understand if she politely declines. (Her personal phone number is 503.580.3288.)

Westminster went through similar changes when John and Gail Moody left church leadership. The professional relationships ended, as they made clear, but friendships could continue. It would have been unethical for them to continue providing pastoral care for any WPC parishioner. (One difference is that we welcome Vik’s continued presence in worship and church life, whereas a former pastor is not to attend services, etc., for an extended period.)

It's important to note that WPC Deacons offer their support for young people in our congregation who might be struggling due to Vik's departure or the current political climate. Deacons can be contacted at westpresdeacons@googlegroups.com.

As far as logistics, “SalemWest,” the WPC youth Facebook account, will no longer be updated; that’s because it’s linked to her personal profile. Mat Worley, the interim youth coordinator, and Matt Crall will continue the “Remind” app for contacting youth. SignupGenius and the NextGen Whatsapp continue for volunteers. (We need volunteers more than ever during this transition!)

Sincerely,

Pastor Kelly & Dick Hughes (Chair, Personnel)

New Members:

Participate:

April is Diaper Drive Month!

Come and help fill the porta-crib in the narthex with diapers and wipes during April. Size 4 is the most needed diaper size. This is in support of Family Building Blocks.

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

It's time to get ready for the Easter Egg Hunt!

Please help us by donating individually wrapped candy, stickers, or small toys. Remember: they need to fit inside a plastic Easter egg. Hop on in to the office with your donations by April 15 please.

Opportunities:

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.

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.

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.

2025 Earth Care Lenten Devotional:

Presbyterians for Earth Care's 2025 Lenten Devotional was made possible by the volunteers contributing their devotions as well as Spanish language collaboration with our

partner organization Red Presbiteriana para el Cuidado de la Creación.

CLICK HERE to download the English language version of the Lenten Devotional

CLICK HERE to download the Lenten Devotional in Spanish

Would you like to receive each devotion on its designated date in your email Inbox? If so, you can request devotional emails through Lent by signing up with your email CLICK HERE

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

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