Friday Newsletter

Your Westminster session met for its monthly stated meeting on Wednesday, October 15^th at 6:30 pm in the Eastminster room. Several elders were absent and Dianne Greenlee joined on Zoom. Guests were: Rosalyn McKeown-Ice, Warren Binford and Marcia Poehler. During the Clerk’s report, the elders retroactively approved the marriage of Brian Hudson and Melanie Breyer which was officiated by Pastor Kelly on October 3^rd. Brian and Melanie do not attend WPC but saw the “Events” web page and decided to tie the knot on our patio. Rosalyn McKeown-Ice gave a presentation on 12-step prison ministries. The motion to make her a Commissioned Ruling Elder was postponed because of the number of elders absent. Warren Binford and Marcia Poehler gave a presentation on the updated child-protection policy that their committee has been working on. The motion to approve it was also postponed as was the 2025-2026 session goals discussion. The elders thanked Nikki Fennell for heading up the committee coordinating the Presbytery visit the weekend of October 24-26^th. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35. The session will meet again on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Sandy McLean, Clerk of Session

Else Nichols memorial service will be Saturday October 18th @1pm in the auditorium at Capital Manor.

Arthur Hill's memorial service will be November 1st @1pm at Westminster Presbyterian.

All Saints Day is November 2nd. Please submit names to office@salemwestpres.org no later than October 28th @12pm.

Thank you all for the card and coffee to celebrate Pastor Appreciation month. It’s a delight to pastor such a warm and caring congregation.

Be sure to attend the Art Festival's Featured Artist Presentation this Saturday morning at 9:00 am

Featured Artist, Marc Vickery, Wood Turning Artist, will enlighten us all about his wood turning techniques. His personal direction is finding beauty in every piece of wood. Marc has been an artist and dedicated volunteer at our art festival for the past several years. Come and hear Marc discuss his love of wood.  

Coffee and pastries will be served before his presentation.  

The Congregational Vitality Committee would like to thank Westminster for their

generous contributions to the annual School Supply Drive. The supplies were

distributed to the following schools: Lee Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Miller

Elementary, Faye Wright Elementary, Leslie Middle School, and South Salem High

School.

Thank you to all the blood donors and volunteers that showed their support for

the September 22nd Blood Drive. The Red Cross is grateful for our partnership in

saving lives. It was an enormous success thanks to the 34 presenting donors. We

met their collection goal of 100%. The next scheduled blood drive at Westminster

is December 15th.

Photo Directory Update:

Because so few people have sent in photos or updates to their contact

information, we are postponing printing copies or making the directory available

on the website. The Selfie Spot will continue to be made available in Boulder Hall

for the coming month, and a member of the CVC will be there in person during

coffee hour to assist people in getting a photo taken or in updating or adding their

information. Our goal is to have the updated directory ready by the end of

October.

Did you know that last Thursday, Table of Plenty provided food for 53 families? And that was just in the first week of the month, when many people have just received their paychecks or SNAP benefits. By the end of the month, we expect to serve between 65 and 80 families each week!

As Christians, helping our neighbors in need is one of our core obligations. Donating to the TOP boxes is a small but mighty way we can make a real difference. Last month, your generosity contributed 150 pounds of food to assist our hungry neighbors.

Please keep these families in mind on your next grocery run. Canned vegetables, corn, and beans are just 50 cents a can at Winco! Peanut butter and tuna are also in high demand and short supply. Any non-perishable food item you can donate will be gratefully accepted.

Our next dedicated TOP Sunday is October 19th, but the TOP donation boxes are always in the hall. You can bring your donations anytime!

We have a new Sunday School teacher, who will teach Sunday School every Sunday! Her name is Heberlyn Rincon. She has already started to meet our children and families, and you'll hear more about her soon.

Sign up to be a helper in Sunday School! You don't need to plan or lead a lesson, just be ready to help out the teacher and have fun with our kids.  The online sign-up is located here, or talk to Lynnea Lyman if you have any questions before you put your name down.

The donation box of costume jewelry for the Advent Craft is missing! please return to the office if found.

Hi all you congregants, 

Advent Craft is coming up soon. We are looking to help you clean out all the old costume jewelry and handkerchiefs and doilies. You will not get it back unless you come on November 23^rd and make a craft with it. Please look through your old favorites and then donate them to the Advent Craft. you will be amazed on what we're planning. please find the box in the Narthex.

Pamela Schmidling.

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, October 20, 2025. Learn more: poorpeoplescampaign.org.

1. Oct 18 @ 11:30am First Pres (outside steps)
2. Oct 20 @ 12pm First Pres (inside)
3. Oct 24 @ 1pm First Pres (inside)

Watch more about Rev. Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign here: https://open.substack.com/pub/ourmoralmoment/p/moral-movements-expose-evil?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&timestamp=8.0