WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Do Justice • Love Kindness • Walk Humbly
March 22, 2019
Dear friends and fellow disciples,
Lent has always surprised me with its complexity.
We know we are called to slow down, reflect, and prayerfully prepare. We do so in a spirit of
penitence, bowing ourselves, humbly, before the One who was crucified. We know the pain
of the Holy Week stories that await us.
But all the while the daffodils spring up, and buds spring forth on the tree limbs; there are
signs of new life and the smell of the Bradford pear trees. We plan for spring breaks, and try
to steal a few days out of town, away from the relentless pace. March Madness beckons, and
productivity decreases as we huddle around televisions and cheer on the Goliaths we know
and the mid-major Davids we learn about along the way. Emotionally, we are pulled all sorts
of directions, most of which move us away from carefully paced penitence.
I continue to invite you to spend time with The Confession of Belhar, and read it, as it shapes our Lenten reflection. We had
a rich conversation last night at Aperture about the saints of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church who stood firm in the
face of oppression and proclaimed their faith in the God of justice and hope. Come to worship, read the daily devotional,
and pray for God's own wisdom for us and our world.
As we move through Lent, know that behind the scenes our three Search Committees are hard at work. Last week,
members of all three teams enjoyed dinner and a time of fellowship together, before receiving an orientation and training
on the work ahead with our Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. The Search Committees then gathered into their
groups to discuss next steps. There was a wonderful energy and excitement in the room, but we were also feeling a bit
overwhelmed – it’s A LOT of work, and it is work that will require a great deal of care, discernment, and prayer.
One of the biggest considerations in this process will be maintaining the level of strict confidentiality required to ensure
a positive, balanced, equitable, and successful search process that honors both the church and all the candidates the
committees will be speaking with. Presbytery representatives instructed Search Committee members to approach all
of their work with the highest level of confidentiality. What does this look like in practical terms? It means Committee
members can’t discuss any details of their work with their spouses, and our Committees’ youth members cannot share
information with their parents. Likewise, Committee members may not converse with members of the church about their
work, even in the most casual sense. This doesn’t mean that Committees can’t share with us where they are in the process
- we'll receive periodic progress reports from each team - but they can't share names and places related to their work. Let
us all work together to take great care with this.
The most important thing you can do, truly, is pray for them and for the candidates with whom we’ll be speaking. The
foundation of all of this work must be prayer. Please pray for all of these folks - see a listing of each committee on page 7.
And, be sure to thank them for their willingness to serve!
As these committees get going - they are working to have their first meetings in the next couple of weeks - you can
expect to hear regular updates from them. These good folks will be walking the line of respecting your interest, but also
maintaining the level of confidentiality required. We ask that you send any suggestions that you have to Monica Nichols,
who will keep the information on file and provide it to the Committees when appropriate. We are so thankful to Monica for
all her hard work to keep our Committees organized and on track moving forward. It’s a big job!
This is a lot to digest, I know. But seasons like this make me all the more grateful for you - leaders who step up, over and
over again. And for the God who created it all and sustains us with more than enough for the journey. I'm grateful to be in
it with you.
Westminster Presbyterian Church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
March 22, 2019
Concerns & Celebrations
Sharon Barnes Mark Howell
Lennie Barton Judy Lamon’s friends
The Rev. Bill Bigger Lynn Leubuscher’s father
Danielle Bishop Beverly McGraw
Linda Clack Pru Meyer’s friend
Ralph Coonrad Sue Murphy
Brandon Garcia's friend Chip Reinhardt
Tully and Natalia Fletcher on the birth of a daughter, Jeff Scouten’s sister
Barbara Fletcher's granddaughter Bob Timmons
Katie Hanczaryk Ellen Vogel’s aunt
Ron Hawkins' brother
WORSHIP news
Sunday Morning Preaching Schedule
March 24 Third Sunday of Lent
Chris Tuttle - Confession of Belhar, Part II (cont.)
ekklesia
March 31 Fourth Sunday of Lent
a worship service @ westminster
Alex Stayer-Brewington - Confession of Belhar, Part III Contemplative. Contemporary.
April 7 Fourth Sunday of Lent, Communion Peaceful. Participatory.
Sermon by Carrie Tuttle - Confession of Belhar, Part IV A retreat for weary souls eager
to find connection with our Creator
April 14 Palm Sunday
Chris Tuttle - Confession of Belhar, Part V and one another.
April 21 Resurrection of the Lord - Easter Sunday, March 24, 4:00pm
Chris Tuttle Join us for this final service of the season
April 28 - Birthday Sunday
Youth Sunday
May 5 - Communion Sunday
Libby Boehne, Presbyterian Campus Minister
Duke University
May 12
Music news
Chris Tuttle Save the Date!
May 19
Chris Tuttle
Sunday, May 5, 7:00pm
May 26 - 10:00am Summer Worship Schedule Begins Annual Spring Choral Program
Alex Stayer-Brewington
Inspirational & Interactive l Reception to Follow
Contact: Monica Rossman (monica@wpcdurham.org)
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Westminster Presbyterian Church
LENT & HOLY WEEK at WESTMINSTER
LENTEN STUDY & SERMON SERIES: THE CONFESSION OF BELHAR
In June 2016, the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) took the rare step of approving a
recommendation to add The Confession of Belhar to our Book of Confessions. It was written as a protest against
ideas held by the white Dutch Reformed Church that used the Bible and the Confessions to justify the harsh,
unjust system of Apartheid. There are five parts to Belhar, and we will explore each one during the Sundays of
Lent and on Palm Sunday (see page 2 for the preaching schedule).
You can download a full text of the Confession at http://bit.ly/Lent2019-Belhar. We will also utilize a study
guide, Lenten Reflections on The Confession of Belhar, which is available for purchase in the Mission Center.
Lenten & Holy Week Happenings & Worship Services
Wednesday, April 3, 6:30pm Sunday, April 14 - Palm Sunday
"Lenten Imagery as Seen in Modern 8:30am & 11:00am Worship
& Contemporary Art" Children are invited to gather in the
Led by Ruth Caccavale Courtyard 10 minutes before each
Music Room service to line up for our Palm Parade
Hear a discussion of Lenten with their Fish Banks for One Great
influences on art in our modern Hour of Sharing.
times. Ruth is a former professor
of art with Rutgers University and
currently serves as a gallery guide
at the Nasher Museum. A gifted teacher, some of you may April 18 - Maundy Thursday
remember a few years ago the excellent class Ruth taught, along 7:30pm Worship
with Monica Rossman, on the music and art of Holy Week. We Come remember the intimacy
hope you will join us. of the upper room and the Last
Supper as we gather around the
Friday Morning Prayers, table in communion. Remember
Throughout Lent the words Jesus gave us as he
The Congregational Care Committee departed, his agony, his betrayal
invites you to pray with them on by Judas, his final hours on the cross.
Fridays at 7:00am. Wherever you
are at that hour, take a few minutes April 19 - Good Friday
to pray for those you know and 12:00pm Worship
love, and for the needs of the world. 2:00pm Prayer Walk
Know that the Congregational Care of the Passion
Committee and others will also be
Experience a unique adaptation of
praying at that same time, that we might be bound together as
the “Prayer Walk of the Passion,”
our hearts are lifted to God. Prayer Concerns & Celebrations are
an intergenerational, interactive
included in the worship bulletin.
event depicting the transformative
moments of the Holy Week. “Prayer Walk of the Passion” touches
Holy Week Silent Campus the core of who we are as Christians. Come and see! Sign up at
http://bit.ly/WPCprayerwalk.
To maintain our rhythm of worship and
reflection, we do not schedule meetings on our
April 21 - Easter Sunday
campus during Holy Week. The only groups that
Resurrection of the Lord
will meet are support groups (NA, OA), Bible
studies, and groups that support Holy Week 8:30am & 11:00am Worship
worship services. We pray you will join us in this Special music by Chancel Choir
journey: Come by, take a walk, or sit and Brass Ensemble
and pray in the Memorial Garden. 9:45am Potluck Easter Brunch
Bring your favorite breakfast
dish to share; beverages provided.
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March 16,
March 22,2016
2019
Community Opportunities and more
Families Moving Forward
Volunteers Needed April 8-9
WPC’s next rotation with Families Moving Forward is coming
up fast! Please consider joining us by signing up to cook, serve
dinner, or provide childcare on April 8 or 9 at http://bit.ly/
AprilFMF. Our help allows families in the FMF program to
participate in important life skills and parenting training.
Mark your calendars for our following rotation - June 24-25.
Contact: Rachel Chang (racheljoychang@gmail.com)
CROP Hunger Walk, April 7 A Delicious Way to Support Families
We challenge all of Westminster to fight world hunger one step Moving Forward
at a time by participating in the CROP Walk, an 8-kilometer walk Want to help support Families
and symbolic journey that is the typical daily trek for thousands Moving Forward while enjoying
in developing countries to gather fresh water. delicious food prepared by a
Durham's 2019 CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, April 7, distinguished local chef?
at 2:30pm and begins at Duke Chapel. Sign-ups for walkers are Chefs for Change is a
available in the Mission Center, or you can sign up, sponsor a fundraising dinner series
walker, or make donations at https://www.crophungerwalk. that pairs the burgeoning
org/durhamnc/wpc. Durham food scene with the
Last year, WPC raised $14,000 and won the "golden sneaker" needs of families experiencing
award for money raised by a church of our size! Our 2019 goal is homelessness. This is more
$15,000. than a dinner - this is a fine dining experience with a purpose.
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us, either as a Get details, dates, and tickets at fmfnc.org/chefsforchange.
walker or sponsor!
Contact: Neil McElroy (mcelroy_neil@hotmail.com)
Hope and Healing: Faith Communities & the Suicide Crisis
Faith Connections on Mental Illness 9th Annual Conference
Friday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm
St. Thomas More Catholic Church (940 Carmichael St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514)
Westminster is one of many local sponsoring congregations of this important annual
event, which is focusing this year on the church's response to suicide. The conversation
will be initiated by The Rev. Rachel Keefe, who will present how faith communities can
respond morally and ethically to this mental health challenge. Rev. Keefe’s book, The
Lifesaving Church: Faith Communities and Suicide Prevention, will be featured. Other
topics to be discussed include:
• How faith communities can offer hope to those living with suicidal thoughts
• Mental health issues facing those incarcerated in our local jails and prisons, including
suicide
• Methods and challenges for engaging clergy to foster mental health resiliency for our
faith communities
Registration and full details at http://www.faithconnectionsonmentalillness.org/annual-
conference.html.
Contact: Nancye Bryan (919-942-4033)
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WestminsterPresbyterian
Westminster PresbyterianChurch
Church
All Things Haiti
March 31 is Undy Sundy!
Haiti Education Mission Team Though their trip has been postponed, Helen Harrison and Emily
Strader are collecting new underwear for girls and boys in the
We will commission our Haiti Education Mission
HOM schools, in addition to supplies for the sewing school
Team on Sunday, March 24, at the 11:00am worship
operated by Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM).
service.
Political unrest in Haiti appears to have subsided, so March 31 is “Undy
our team is proceeding with plans to travel early next Sundy,” the day to
month. bring in donations of
new underwear for the
Please keep these folks in your prayers as they make
children.
final preparations for their trip:
You can also drop off
Lisa Beaman Kelly Leder
donations in the green
Izabella Cope-Mulseh Jo Ann Lytle-Olson bin in the Mission Center.
Tamara Cope-Mulseh Jonny Megazzi
Peggy Force Dorene Palermo If you would like to help provide supplies for the sewing school,
Kristina Gilbert Jules Taylor please consider making a donation to the Haiti Fund. You can
Kathy Hancock Stacy Whitenight drop a check into the offering plate, or give online at www.
Kim Henry Lenette Whitworth wpcdurham.org/give. Be sure to add a note directing your gift
toward the Mission Stitches' sewing trip.
Lisa Lazarus Elsa Woods
Contact: Helen Harrison (heh@adornments.biz)
Christian Education news
Sojourners Begin New Study Topic
The Sojourners are beginning a new, short-term study: Half
Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things
the Bible Doesn’t Say.
Join Adam Hamilton, via DVD, in
searching for the "whole truth" by
comparing common Christian clichés
Suitcases Needed to the message and ministry of Jesus.
Hamilton is senior pastor of the United
The Haiti Education Mission Team is in need of large, checkable,
Methodist Church of the Resurrection
rolling suitcases to transport school supplies, clothing, and shoes
in Leawood, Kansas, named the most
to the HOM schools.
influential mainline church in America by
Sizes needed: Extra large - Approx 20 x 30 x 12 The Church Report.
Large - Approx 16 x 26 x 10 The class schedule will be:
Clean out your closet and LOAN the team a suitcase or GIVE a March 24: "God Helps Those Who Help
suitcase that can be left in Haiti (HOM schools use the suitcases Themselves"
as storage). Be sure to let the team know if you wish to have
your suitcase returned or will be donating it for the mission trip. March 31: "God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle"
Please bring suitcases to church by Monday, April 1. Thanks! April 7: "God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It"
Contact: Dorene Palermo (dorenepalermo@gmail.com) April 14: "Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin"
Each class features a brief DVD presentation, followed by
discussion, with no homework. Join us on Sundays at 9:45am in
Room 205 of the Mission Center.
Contact: Bill Pogue (bmapogue@aol.com)
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March 16,
March 22,2016
2019
youth ministry Summer Pre-Trip Meetings
news Pre-trip meetings are mandatory for all youth
who plan to participate in summer trips.
Final Youth Group & Senior Send-Off We'll discuss trip logistics and expectations for
how we'll conduct ourselves while we're away.
Sunday, April 28, 5:30-7:00pm We also ask that each youth have one parent/
At our last Youth Group of guardian in attendance at the meeting.
the 2018-19 school year, we'll ASP - May 29 @ 6:30pm
celebrate everyone who's
graduating this year. Yay! Massanetta - June 5 @ 6:30pm
If there's a high school senior Montreat - June 12 @ 6:30
you'd like to honor, please let All meetings will take place in the Youth Suite.
Alex know by April 14. If you cannot make a meeting, please make
Contact: Alex Stayer-Brewington (alex@wpcdurham.org) arrangements to meet with Alex at another time.
Contact: Alex Stayer-Brewington
(alex@wpcdurham.org)
Flour War FUN!
On Sunday, March 10, we
met up with youth from First
Presbyterian, Trinity Avenue, Reminder: Sign Up to Serve the Shelter Meal
and Mount Bethel for pizza, WPC Youth will be serving dinner at Urban Ministries on
fellowship, and a rousing Tuesday, March 26.
evening of throwing colored
flour at other Presbyterians. Come from 6:00-8:00pm for an evening of service and
It was wild! fellowship!
Sign up at http://bit.ly/WPCYouthsheltermeal
Celebrate Westminster School with the Gift of Reading
Join us in celebrating 50 years of Westminster School for Young Children by donating a book to our school library.
We are updating and diversifying our school library by filling it with new titles given in honor of Westminster students, families, and
friends. Each book purchased from our Amazon Wishlist will be given a nameplate recognizing the donor, and each book will be
enjoyed and loved by children for years to come.
Please follow this link to our Amazon Wishlist: http://bit.ly/wsycbook. Don’t forget to include a gift tag with your name and the
message you’d like printed on the book’s nameplate. Thank you for your donation!
Save the Date: Celebrating Carol Van Hise on Saturday, May 4
All are invited to a celebration of Carol Van Hise as she retires from 50 years of loving, faithful service to Westminster School for
Young Children, on Saturday, May 4, 2:00-5:00pm at WPC.
We're planning a number of special ways to honor Carol and give her a special way to remember her years with us. If your children
attended WSYC, please send a photo to carolsretirement50@gmail.com.
In addition, a scholarship fund has been established in Carol’s honor. If you would like to give, please send a check payable to
Westminster School with “Scholarship Fund” on the memo line.
Contact: Kathy Stickley (kathy@wpcdurham.org)
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WestminsterPresbyterian
Westminster PresbyterianChurch
Church
In the Library
The Good News from North Haven that Ollie Lundin, her next-door neighbor, has dumped an entire
By Michael L. Lindvall basket of oak leaves from one of his trees into her yard. It seems
Call number: Fiction L that just the day before she raked up those same leaves that
had blown from his tree overhanging the fence separating their
-- Reviewed by Pete McWilliams
adjacent yards. Then she put them back into his yard, and now
For those who enjoy reading short he was returning them! To seek surcease from this comical
stories by the likes of, say, William border war, Alvina seeks the pastor’s intervention. “In the end,”
Trevor or Katherine Mansfield or the minister admits, “I had no biblical ammunition for her to
John Updike, The Good News from aim at Ollie Lundin, who, she said, ‘was a Lutheran of some
North Haven is a marvelous book kind and would probably pay attention to Scripture.’” What
worth reading…and rereading. It fits should a minister say or do when confronted by a literal-minded
into a genre that could well be called parishioner who sees so much unfairness of things, to borrow
church literature, but it is more than the title phrase of another short story, by CDB Bryan? Does
that. It delineates a year in the life Jeremiah 31 have anything to say about the Jefferson Street leaf
of a fictional congregation in a small war?
Minnesota town. Although the author, There are further reverberations of both Old and New
Michael Lindvall, is a Presbyterian Testament in the remaining 17 chapters, which span the
pastor, as a writer he possesses the artist’s keen eye for size, lives of these Minnesotans from one Christmas to the next.
shape, and perspective and combines the storyteller’s delightful One can imagine folksy Fred Craddock in the pulpit of North
knack for narration with a Garrison Keillor-like wit and wisdom. Haven’s Second Presbyterian Church. One can hear the echoes
The characters in this series of interconnected vignettes are of the sage words of Jeremiah or Amos or Hosea. One can
well-developed people drawn from real life. They struggle picture oneself wrestling with the domineering director of the
with issues of life, death, and faith. They dispute with unruly Christmas pageant, learning to dance, going on a treasure hunt,
neighbors. They contend with uncooperative appliances and or pondering "The Dreadful Omniscience of God" (the title of
vehicles. But they also appreciate such ordinary things as new- one of the chapters).
fallen snow. They enjoy acting and painting. They live lives of Eugenia Price comments that “...Lindvall has blended skillful
ordinary people seeking God’s unmerited grace. storytelling with sharp, clean darts of truth.” Of the book she
Consider, for instance, the two obstreperous characters in adds, “You will never forget its stories, its people, and [its]
the hilarious chapter with the improbable title “The Jefferson reassuring truth.” North Haven is, in the end, a community that
Street Leaf War.” Alvina Johnson, who has lived on that street affirms that life is good and worth living well. To get this book
for almost fifty years (and who takes inordinate pride in her from the church library is to laugh. And to cry. And to come
weed-free, leaf-free yard) returns from her Tuesday evening closer to comprehending the meaning of grace.
Bible Class study of Jeremiah’s “new covenant” only to discover
Nominations for Elders and Deacons
The Nominating Committee has begun its quest to identify seven new elders and four new deacons to
serve in the class of 2022. The congregation is invited to submit nominations. Please email names to
nominatingcommittee@wpcdurham.org or place them in the box on the Mission Center reception desk.
Contact: Bonnie Derr (bbderr@nc.rr.com)
WPC Search Committees
Thanks to the individuals who answered the call to serve on our Search Committees, and to Monica Nichols, who's serving as Search
Teams' Logistics Coordinator. Please keep them in your prayers. We'll receive updates on the Committees' progress later this spring.
Director of Christian Education Associate Pastor for Associate Pastor for
Thelma Allen, Michelle Ferguson, Congregational Care & Mission Youth & Their Families
Kathe Graves, Evan McIntyre (youth), Linda Barnett, Mitch Dozier, Anne Beckwith,
Collin Phillips (youth), Fritz Simonson, Susan Landis, Evan McIntyre (youth), Cameron Carrow (youth),
Mercer Stanfield Rachel Meyen, Helen Tharrington, Katie Donoway, Molly Furman (youth),
Woody Warburton Paul Garcia, Mark Hill, Ashley Messick,
Shannon Wylie (youth), Jeff Young
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March 22, 2019
Celebrate Someone Special: Easter Lily Donations
If you’d like to donate toward the Easter lilies in honor, memory, or celebration of
your loved one(s), please give online at www.bit.ly/myWPCevent, or complete
the form included in Sunday’s bulletin insert. Dedications are $10 each. Please
make checks payable to WPC with “Easter Lilies” in the memo line. Place your
form and check in the offering plate or bring it to the church office.
Dedications will be published in our Easter bulletin. Donated Easter lilies will
adorn our Memorial Garden on Easter Sunday. If you make a donation and would
like to have a lily, feel free to take one from the garden after the 11:00am service
on that day.
Contact: Bonnie Derr (bbderr@nc.rr.com)
WORSHIP VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
Please find a sub if you're unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday. Sign up at www.bit.ly/wpcServe. Thank you!
Nursery Volunteers Ushers
Infants, Toddlers, 8:30am 2-5 yr. olds: WPC Nursery Staff Mar 24 8:30am John Atkins, Dave and Sara Pottenger,
Mar 24 Jeremy and Laurel Trantham Louis and Mary Quin
Mar 31 Scott Simon, Julie Swiggett, Jeremy and Laurel Trantham 11:00am Jami and Ally Howell
Apr 7 Heather and Will Turner, Carrie Tuttle, Mar 31 8:30am Quinn and Katherine McFall, Bill and Jackie Whitt
Melinda and Georgia Vaughn 11:00am McLaughlin family
Apr 14 Robert Brame, Volunteer needed Apr 7 8:30am Volunteers needed
11:00am Kenzie Brannon, Nancy Pearman, Pam Smith
Welcome Table Hosts
Apr 14 8:30am Logan and Lynn Toms, Volunteers needed
Mar 24 Margaret Dean
11:00am Chang family, Nichols family
Mar 31 Volunteer needed
Apr 7 Monica Nichols Offering Counters
Apr 14 Monica Nichols Mar 24 8:30am John High, Bill Whitt
Acolytes 11:00am Alex and Mary Denson
Mar 24 Thomas and Patrick Dean Mar 31 8:30am Marge Enberg, Mike Meyen
Mar 31 Ty Allen, Graham Donoway 11:00am Laura and Millicent Loehr
Apr 7 Spencer Hill Apr 7 8:30am Carl and Adella Boxberger
Apr 14 Abby and Sarah Simonson 11:00am Anne Wolf, Will Yancy
Apr 14 8:30am Laura and Millicent Loehr
11:00am Alex and Mary Denson
Lectors
Mar 24 8:30am Linda Van Gombos 11:00am Davis Bingham
Mar 31 8:30am David McQuay 11:00am Lynn Leubuscher
Apr 7 8:30am Chuck Byrd 11:00am Cameron Carrow
Apr 14 8:30am Bonnie Derr 11:00am Dana Lange
Sound Technicians
Mar 24 8:30am Derek Leadbetter 11:00am Gideon Segbefia
Mar 31 8:30am Gideon Segbefia 11:00am Mark Hill
Apr 7 8:30am Derek Leadbetter 11:00am Mark Hill
Apr 14 8:30am Derek Leadbetter 11:00am Mark Hill
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd Durham, NC 27707
Phone: 919-489-4974
westminster@wpcdurham.org
www.wpcdurham.org
www.facebook.com/wpcdurham
Westminster Presbyterian Church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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