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Westmoreland Windows Weekly E-News
Monday, March 27, 2 017
 
In this issue . . .
Television Needed

The refugee support group is looking for a good television for a refugee who is working full-time and unable to attend ESL classes so would benefit from watching television to help with English acquisition. 

If you have a TV to donate, please contact Nancy Pielemeier at nancy.pielemeier@gmail.com.  Thank you!

 

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

 

Sunday Flowers

The flowers on the chancel add much beauty to our worship. Individuals or families may sign up for any given week to provide flowers with a dedication included in the Sunday bulletin.

Please contact Judy Fogt and let her know that you are interested.  The cost is $55.

You can mail your check the church office or drop it in the collection plate with a notation that it is for chancel flowers.
You are Needed in Church School 

Our children need kind, caring grown ups to lead in our Preschool, K-2nd, or 3rd-5th grade class for a few Sundays over the course of the year. It's fun and important, To volunteer, contact Alexis at alexis@westmorelanducc.org or sign up at SignUpWestmoreland.org.
Olive Oil Sale null

The Middle East Committee will sell olive oil on behalf of the Olive Oil Ministry at least twice each month after church in the Social Hall. However, olive oil and olive tapenade are available daily in the church office during business hours.

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
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Sandwich Making for Martha's Table
Tuesday, March 28, 10:00am, Kitchen
 
All hands on deck on Tuesday morning, in the Westmoreland Church kitchen for Martha's Table sandwich making. First-timers, children and grandchildren welcome. With enough help, it does not take much more than an hour. Questions? 301-229-7766. Sponsored by the Briggs Center for Faith and Action.
Easter Flower Sign-Up
 
W estmoreland's Flower Committee invites everyone to celebrate Easter and honor loved ones by donating $15 toward the special floral arrangements that will fill the sanctuary on Easter Sunday.
 
Place your order no later than Tuesday, April 11, for inclusion in the Easter Sunday bulletin on April 16. Donors will be invited to take plants after the worship service.
Voices From The Holy Land 2017 Film Series
Sunday, April 2, 2:30pm,
National Cathedral Perry Auditorium 
 
You are invited to attend the screening of two short film this Sunday at the Washington National Cathedral and to participate in a Panel Discussion titled "From Angst to Action: Sowing the Mustard Seeds of Justice" about justice and human rights in the Holy Land. We are an official Sponsor of this timely film series.
 
The Living of Pigeons
The short film, The Living of Pigeons, presents a day in the life of Palestinians passing through Checkpoint 300, a border crossing between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The film provides a haunting glimpse of the surreal early morning hours and the daily experience of "rush hour" at Checkpoint 300.
 
East Jerusalem: Six Voices
East Jerusalem: Six Voices is a short film project bringing together video diaries from four Palestinians and two Israelis living in the embattled neighborhood of the title.   The film gives faces and voices to people navigating the complex reality of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
 
Free Admission and parking
A White Historian Confronts Lynching
Monday, April 3, 7:00pm, Bethesda Public Library
 
The Bethesda Friends Meeting will present a lecture and poetry reading on lynching.
 
Poet Marcia Cole
Historian Susan Strasser seeks to provide historical perspective to people grappling with contemporary issues of race and racism. Dr. Strasser, Richards Professor of American History Emerita at the University of Delaware. The talk will be followed by poet Marcia Cole (www.historyworthwhile.com) reading her powerful
"A Bitter Suite," winner of the 2010 College Language Association Creative Writing Contest first prize in poetry.
Church Photo Directory
 
After 11 years and many requests, the church has embarked on a new pictorial directory for our congregation.  Photo sessions will be held in the social hall April 20-22 and April 27-29 as follows:
 
Thursday, April 20, 2:00 - 8:30 PM
                                    
Friday, April 21, 2:00 - 8:30 PM 
Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM 
Thursday, April 27, 2:00 - 8:30 PM 
Friday, April 28, 2:00 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, April 29, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
 
The pictorial directory will make it easier to get to know other Westmorelanders and we need YOU to make it a success.  There is no cost to participate and each household will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and free pictorial directory.  You will also be able to purchase additional pictures for your personal use.  The photo sessions are open to friends and neighbors (although of course, they won't appear in the directory).  This is a chance for people you know to have lovely photos taken by professional photographers at our group discounted rates.
 
To sign up click here

Vickie Allin is coordinating this project.  However, we'll need volunteers to help with registration during the photo sessions.   If you can spare 3 hours of your time on any photo session day, or if you can help in other ways, please contact Vickie at church or by email: vickie.allin@verizon.net.
Exhibition of Quilt Artistry by Ann Harwell
Now through April 23

The Westmoreland Arts Committee is announcing an exhibition featuring Fabric Artist, Ann Harwell. Her work is displayed in the Lee Hansley Gallery in Raleigh, NC, in Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery in Winston Salem, NC and in many homes. You might recall Westmoreland Arts Committee's winter 2015 exhibition of Ann Harwell's beautiful astronomy-themed quilts. This spring's exhibition will run until April 23, 2017, and features Ann's floral-themed quilts. Please enjoy the quilts with your eyes and not your fingers.
Are you Taking Part in Upcoming Marches?
 
There are four national marches planned in DC in the coming weeks that resonate with the values of Westmoreland and the UCC: 
  • March for Science on Saturday, April 22
  • People's Climate March. Saturday, April 29
  • Immigrants March on Saturday, May 6
  • LGBT March on Sunday, June 11
 
First, are you planning to take part in any of these four marches? If so, please contact Tim Tutt at timtutt@westmorelanducc.org or 301-229-7766. We are looking for people to organize Westmorelanders' participation in these marches.
 
Second, our Social Justice Committee is offering our building to church and school groups from across the country who may be coming to DC and who need non-luxury sleeping arrangements. Providing hospitality to marches is a way that Westmoreland can exercise the Christian virtue of hospitality and can encourage others to take part in the democratic process. Would you like to help host groups that may stay in our church? If so, please contact Caryn McTigue Musil, our SJA Chair at Musil@aacu.org.
Adult Study - The Pastor's Class
Sundays, 9:00am, Library

You are invited to join me in the Library at 9:00 on Sunday mornings. As you may know I am in a doctoral program at Wesley Seminary, focusing on how the church engages (or not) in public life. I will lead this class based on material I am reading in my program. Each week I will bring paragraph, an idea, or an article for discussion. 
 
This Sunday, April 1, we will discuss the idea of reparations for three specific groups -- reparations for Native Americans whose land was taken, reparations for African Americans who were enslaved, and reparations for Japanese Americans who were interred during World War II. 
 
April Children's Collection
So Others Might Eat

So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) is an interfaith organization that helps the poor and homeless of Washington, DC by providing food, clothes, and health care.  Additionally, they offer services such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling.  They are a Westmoreland Volunteer Corps host agency and a Westmoreland Social Justice grant recipient.
 
We will collect the following items for their food bank: 
 
  • Pancake Mix,
  • Syrup
  • Ground Coffee,
  • Non-Refrigerated Creamer

Want to be kept in the loop about UCC's refugee ministries? Sign up for their monthly newsletter here.
              
Want to take action on the justice issues you care about, including immigration and refugees? Join UCC's Justice and Peace Action Network (JPAN) here.

Want to help plan how Westmoreland will carry out our motion in Support of Extravagant Welcome to Immigrants and Refugees of All Faiths? Email Lori Mosher to get involved. 
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 to the Annual Fund. 
             
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 to the Capital Campaign. 
 
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.