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Westmoreland Windows Weekly E-News
Tuesday, September 20, 2016

In this issue . . .
Church School Teachers Needed

If you are interested in volunteering to teach in our Preschool, K-2nd, or 3rd-5th grade class for a few Sundays over the course of the year, please contact Alexis at alexis@westmorelanducc.org.
Public Theology Survey
 
This survey will aid Adam Barth in his project to determine Westmoreland's public theology. It should take between 10 - 20 minutes. It is important Adam receives as many responses as possible so he can get an adequate idea of Westmoreland. Please take the time to respond and follow up with Adam Barth at huskers-1@hotmail.com, if you have any questions.

Sermons Online 

 

Be sure to visit our Sermon Archives to read or listen to past sermons.  

 

September Children's Collection
 
During the Time for Children, we will collect clothing to donate to the Pregnancy Aid Center. The Center provides culturally sensitive, individualized medical and mental health care to low-income women, adolescents, and newborns who have Medicaid or who have no insurance. 
 
We will collect baby clothes and children's clothes size 1-6X.

Westmoreland Sermons on iTunes!   

You can subscribe to the Westmoreland Sermons on iTunes Podcast!  Search for "Westmoreland Sermons" or click the icon below.

 


Sign Up for Coffee Hour!

Coffee Hour is a time to welcome guests and to strengthen relationships within our church community. This ministry is vital to the life, spirit, and growth of our church. Beverages (coffee, tea, water, juice/lemonade) and tableware are provided by Westmoreland. Food is a welcome addition and is provided by Coffee Hour Host(s). Please sign up to host coffee hour (once per year is recommended) with your family or pair-up with another member of the church.  Click here to sign up!


Thanks,  Stacey Fannon
Quick Links
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Debbie Parker Memorial Service
Saturday, September 24, 11:00am
 

We will celebrate the life of our friend Debbie Parker this Saturday, September 24 at 11:00am. A reception will follow in the Social Hall.

Debbie worked as the custodian at Westmoreland for over 30 years, retiring in 2014 due to health concerns. Debbie brought sparkle and compassion to the world. She will be missed.

If you would like to assist by serving as an usher, setting up or cleaning up the social hall, or providing food for the reception, please contact Janet Moyer.

If you would like to send a note of support to Debbie's children, Martell and Mia, their address is 5629 Rock Quarry Terrace, Forestville, Maryland 20747.
 
We have created a fund to assist Martell and Mia with funeral costs. To contribute, give your gift to Westmoreland Church (mail it or place it in the offering plate) and mark it "Debbie Parker Funeral Fund." Click here to donate on-line.   
 
Retreat Registrations Due on October 2
October 14-16, 2016 - Camp Wabanna, Edgewater, MD

You are invited to attend the Annual Westmoreland Retreat.  Click here for details.   
 
The retreat gives you the opportunity to:
  •  make new friendships and deepen existing ones,
  •  relax in the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay,
  •  test your daring on the giant swing,
  •  sing old favorites around the campfire, and more!
 
Giving to Westmoreland
 
Look for information in the mail and via email about ways that you can support Westmoreland and our work in the world.
   
2017 Annual Giving
Gifts to support the ongoing life of our church -- music and worship, spiritual formation programs, fellowship events, staff salaries, and building maintenance.  Click here to pledge on-line. 
             
Capital Campaign
Gifts to our four-year campaign to build a new entrance, add a new elevator, add a gender neutral restroom, and make our kitchen functionable.  Click here to pledge on-line. 
 
Children's Collection
Items collect by our children in worship each Sunday to give to local helping groups.
 
Special Offerings
The five UCC offerings (Plus our own outreach offering) that go across the country and around the world to meet needs.
Potluck for Families with Young Children
Saturday, September 24, 5:00pm
 
We'll continue to just have fun and allow families at Westmoreland UCC and other friends to get to know each other better. This potluck is mainly geared toward families with babies, toddlers, or school age kids who are young enough to need to come with you. But, all are welcome! We'll have some drinks (kid and adult), plates, utensils, cups, kitchen supplies, and an oven and stove fired up to reheat your dish. And please invite friends and neighbors to join you! Looking forward to seeing you at our home for this fun evening.  Yonce, JoJo, and Cole, yonceshelton@gmail.com.
Concert Across America to End Gun Violence
September 25, 2016, 7:00pm
Temple Emmanuel
10101 Connecticut Ave., Kensington MD 
Faiths United to End Gun Violence is a nationwide religious coalition working to prevent gun violence. They are organizing and promoting a nationwide  Concert to End Gun Violence  on September 25.
 
Temple Emanuel in Kensington is hosting a local version of that concert and has invited the Westmoreland Choir to take part.
 
You are invited to join the fun, enjoy the music, and take part in this important national effort.
 
Click here for more information.
Judith L. Smith Art Show
Through October 31, 2016
 
Bold wall expressions for home, retail and corporate spaces.  Meet the Artist Reception on Sunday, October 2, 11:30am-1:30pm in the Westmoreland Parlor.

For more information about Judith's artwork, click here.
Book Discussions at Westmoreland
 
"The Gilded Years" by Karin Tanabe
Saturday, October, 15, 1:30 pm, Church Retreat
Westmorelander and writer Karin Tanabe will lead retreat participants in a discussion of her latest novel about the first  African-American student to attend Vassar.
 
"Guapa" by Saleem Haddad
Sunday, October 23, 11:45, Parlor
The Middle East Committee will discuss t his novel that tells the story of Rasa, a young gay man coming of age in the Middle East.
Potluck Supper at the Tutts
 
During 2016, Amy and Tim Tutt are inviting the entire Westmoreland family to their home for a series of potluck suppers in small groups (divided alphabetically) on Saturday evenings from 5-7pm.              
   
Saturday October 1 
Last Names S/T

Saturday October 29           
Last Names U/V/W/X/Y/Z

Saturday November 12       
Newcomers, Oops-Forgetters & Couldn't-Make-It-Earlier Folks
 
Governance Council Update

We're two weeks in to our new church year and so much is already happening!
 
On Wednesday, September 14, the Governance Council had our first meeting of the fall.  In an effort to better keep everyone in the loop, we will be providing provide a brief note after each meeting like this one.  These notes will not be meeting minutes, but instead are intended to provide everyone a brief update about the Council's discussions, actions and focus.  The note will not always be from me as we'll rotate the responsibility.  That way you'll be able to hear from each Governance Council member at some point.
 
At this past meeting, we were fortunate to be joined by members of the Board of Social Justice and Action (SJA).  Our guests were Caryn McTighe Musil (Chair), Ann Norman, Cindy Saunders and Dick Stauffenberger.  Members of the SJA attended to discuss ideas to build on this summer's discussions on race and broaden our approach related to topics like racism, inequality and privilege.  Many ideas were shared and work will continue by both SJA and the Governance Council in the weeks and months ahead.  Each Governance Council member serves as a liaison to each of our Boards.    At meetings in September, Governance Council members will be reaching out to the Boards to discuss these issues and generate more ideas of how the church may respond.  SJA will be reaching out to the many groups that we currently support in the weeks ahead.   They will be looking for additional ways that Westmorelanders may get involved in the work of those groups, particularly ones that address racism and inequality.
 
Another portion of our meeting focused on the typical work ahead related to budgeting and nominations.  We appointed a nominations committee chaired by Doug Gaddis to start that work in the weeks ahead.  Each Board is being represented on the nominations committee by one of their current members.  Please let Doug or me know if you have an interest in serving on a Board next year.  While the time commitment may seem daunting, I've found that my time serving on various boards has been very fulfilling and allowed me to make deeper connections within our faith community.
 
We also received an update on the Capital Campaign.  To date we have over $680,000 in donations.  Hopefully many of you were at church to witness the enthusiasm behind this effort at the kickoff service this week.  We're so thankful to the Capital Campaign Committee, led by JoJo Shelton, for their time and effort to make our church a more welcoming environment for all.  We're so fortunate to have your leadership, enthusiasm and expertise.
 
There are so many exciting things happening here.  We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead.  If you have any ideas, questions or comments, please let me know.
 
Sincerely,
Gary Walbridge
Moderator-Elect