July 19th @8am: Grounds Clean Up (Details below)

July 20th @10am: Youth Car Wash During Service

July 21st @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 22nd @7pm: Yoga (Eastminster)

July 23rd @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 24th @2pm: Youth Group Baking with Rachelle Hughes

July 28th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

July 29th @7pm: Yoga (Eastminster)

July 30th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)

For the full church calendar click here. To change or add something to the calendar, please email or call the church office (office@salemwestpres.org), (503-364-3327).

Whom to contact

  If questions or concerns arise while Pastor Kelly is away, please contact:

--Office Manager Katie Moore during office hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday, office@salemwestpres.org or 503-364-3327.

--Church elders (Sandy McLean is clerk of Session), clerk@salemwestpres.org

--Deacons (Lori Dalen is head deacon), westpresdeacons@googlegroups.com

--Facility Caretaker Rick Cobb, facilitycaretaker@salemwestpres.org

The Oregon Ironman competition on Sunday will affect people traveling through central Salem and part of southwest Salem on Sunday. Traffic impacts include:

• Front Street SE to Trade Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle traffic

• Commercial Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle traffic

• Mission Street (Commercial Street to Saginaw Street S): Local traffic only

• Saginaw Street S (Mission Street to Owens Street): Local traffic only

• Owens Street between Liberty Street SE and River Road S: Closed to westbound traffic 

• River Road S between Owens Street and Minto Island Park Road: Closed to southbound traffic

Session Update:

The Westminster Session met for their stated meeting on Wednesday, July 16 at a new time-6:30. The elders discussed Chapter 6 of the book Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging. Sandy McLean was elected clerk and Bill Foster was elected as President of the Corporation for one year terms going from July 2025 to June 2026. The elders adopted the Session Covenant and Goals for 2025-2026. A motion was passed from the Worship Committee to establish a task force convened by Jeffrey Larkin with representation from the Worship Committee, Building & Grounds Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee to evaluate and recommend options to replace the video system in the sanctuary. A motion was also passed to approve CVC’s Gospel of Mark Bible Study after Labor Day 2025. Look for more information on this Bible Study in August. The next stated session meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 6:30.

🚨 URGENT: Don’t Get Tricked by Scammers! 🚨

Hey Westminsterites,  

We need to talk about something critical—scammers are getting sneaky, and we want YOU to stay safe. Here’s the deal:

✅ Westminster & Pastor Kelly will NEVER suddenly email or text you asking for money, gift cards, or personal favors. Ever. 

✅ Legitimate requests only happen through official church channels—not random, out-of-the-blue messages.  

🚩 If something feels fishy, it probably is!  

➡️ DO NOT reply—even if it looks real.  

➡️ DO forward it to the church office ASAP so we can investigate.  

💡 A quick double-check protects all of us. When in doubt, call or email us directly—we’re happy to confirm what’s real!  

Stay sharp, stay safe, and let’s keep our community secure! 🙏💙

Participate:

Youth Updates:

*  July 20th, Sunday  - Youth Car Wash  -  

Fundraiser: During the 10:00 Church Service we will be making a splash washing cars for the congregation.

 * July 24th, Thursday  - Youth Group Baking With Rachelle - 

2:00 to 3:30 in the Boulder Hall Kitchen. Come and pick out your favorite goodies to bake.

* July 27th, Sunday  - During the 10:00 Service we will be praying over and wish our Mission Trip a safe and fun trip.

* Aug 2nd to 6th  - Youth Mission Trip to Tucson, AZ

* Aug 10th to 13th - Youth Collective at Camp Adams - 

This camp is being run by our Youth Collective and there is still time to sign up.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1n4iXNdAf_r4q5ipKYG2V5_nUwIc8upjKLUs6eEDBZQs/edit

For questions about upcoming events contact Mat Worley, Youth Coordinator, at youth@salemwestpres.org.

NextGen Committee:

Members of the NextGen Committee, parents and other interested persons are invited to meet Sunday, July 20, after worship with representatives from the Personnel Committee. We’ll discuss the next steps in hiring someone for the children’s program. Please join us about 11:30-ish in Russell Hall. If you’d like to join by Zoom, let Lynnea Lyman know (her contact information is in the church directory).

Vacation Bible Camp

Sign-ups are open for Vacation Bible Camp. August 18-22, kids entering kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to join us for Changemakers Lab! Spend a week learning about God's love and how kids can make a change in the world. The cost is $10.00 per child or $20.00 maximum per family.  Register here!

Vacation Bible Camp Volunteers

We are still looking for volunteers for Vacation Bible Camp August 18-22. We need registration help Monday morning, snack help any day, and crew leaders to move with kids and help mentor a small group throughout the week, as well as possible one or two day substitutes for a variety of jobs. Whether you can offer just one hour or the whole week from 8:00 to noon, please contact Terri Crall and see where you fit in!

Building and Grounds Cleanup

Saturday, July 19^th from 8:00am to 11:00am. Come one, come all, for a grounds cleanup morning at Westminster. Among the many areas needing attention are:

·        cleaning up the sidewalk along Liberty Road (and cutting back invasive blackberry bushes)

·        placing some leftover beams from the old playground swing set along the entrance drive to prevent erosion

·        removing ivy from trees

·        painting exterior of solarium door.

There is something that fits the abilities of each of us. As always food and drinks (coffee) will start the festivities but then all are out to make the church and its grounds more attractive.

School Supplies Drive:

Starting in July and continuing through August, donation boxes will be set up in the Narthex area for collecting basic school supplies for needy students in the community. Take advantage of upcoming school supply sales … all donations are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Do you have any of those green or brown cardboard containers from berries or fruit? Don’t toss them—bring them to church!

You can drop them off on the table in Boulder Hall, where they’ll be given a second life at a local farm. 🌱 Every week, fresh produce from this farm is donated to a food bank in North Salem, helping feed those in need.

Your small act of recycling makes a big difference! Thank you for your support. 🙏

—Mary Snethen

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, July 21, 2025. Learn more: poorpeoplescampaign.org.

Westminster Presbyterian Church