Volume LVIV Number 11 November 2018

a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ

The Disney Corporation mission statement is known to everysingle employee, whether in Florida, Japan, California oranywhere else. It is this: “Make People Happy.”

Now, Westminster is no gigantic multinational corporationbut we do have our own statements on our mission andidentity. (Check the foyer of the church.)

But right now, and right here, I share with you a few words toremind us who we are and where we are going:● ·We seek to LOVE GOD by loving and welcoming all

people.

● ·We strive to SERVE our neighbors around us, and withinthe church.

● ·We want to TRANSFORM THE WORLD into a more just,compassionate and loving world.

I believe that you and I, both, support Westminster with ourgiving and our pledging, because we believe in this!

Throughout November and into the new year, we will each beencouraged to be generous in our giving, fearless in ourwelcoming, and hopeful for the future of this church in itsmission and activism!

2018

continued on next page . . .

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monthly newsletter is aWestminster Congregational

United Church of Christ publication.It is usually published around the

28th each month (schedule permitting).

To include something in next month’s edition,email your article to:

or drop it by the church office.

About

The newsletter deadline is the20th of each month.

Church Staff:

The Rev. Andrea CastroLang

All of God’s People

Verne Windham

Janet Hubbard

Nicolette (Nikki) Rode and Kate Johnston

Andréa Reese Hekimian

John Larson

C. Smith

Thank you for giving to support our mission!

Join us on these dates:

October 28 - What talents could you bring toour church mission?

November 4 – Budget/Mission Money - how the money that isgiven to the church is used to fund the mission

November 11 – Financial support: How & how much to give tosupport the mission

November 18 - Pledges accepted/Thanksgiving dinner

December 2 – Budget/Mission Money Presentation

December 16 – Budget/Mission Money Vote

Pastor Andy and Karen Nielsen ~

Continued from cover . . .

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~ Kristine Miller

If gratitude is the beginning, then caring for thatwhich we love is the call of stewardship. Andsharing of our resources is part of our stewardship.

If we love Westminster, and the people who gatherin this space, then we will care for these people,from youngest to oldest; straight, gay, Trans; poor orwealthy; well or ill. And we will care for this space:with its high ceilings and stained glass, it’sclassrooms, offices, play spaces and food spaces,crazy nooks and crannies, bell towers and big doors.

So, as you wander around Westminster, I invite youto be grateful, and to be generous in sharing of yourfinances, your skills, your attention. There really isno other place like Westminster in this city. We area mixture of wide welcome and informal fun people,we are brought together with passionate activism,grand architecture, loving worship, and care for theleast and the lost. We play with each other’schildren, feed one another, shelter and clothe oneanother and those beyond our doors.

We sing big, pray hard, argue ideas, laugh often,and weep when we need to weep.

● ·As deeply as you feel the uniqueness of thisplace, may you feel deeply drawn to helpsustain it with your financial support.

● ·Every gift of financial support helps uscontinue our unique and vital ministry to ourcity and to one another.

● ·Every gift helps us share with others a trulygenerous, loving, faith community that is fullof joy!

● ·Every gift helps us continue our activism forjustice, our service to the despairing and thedesperate, sharing our voices and our poweron behalf of those whose voices are not heard.

● ·Every gift helps us lift up the welcoming loveof God, the joy of the Holy Spirit, and thetransforming model of Jesus in our church, inour community, and in our lives.

Pastor Andy ~

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Westminster!Sunday, November 18, 2018

Sharing a feast on the Sunday before the Thanksgiving holiday has been a Westminstertradition for decades! Our community potluck meal features turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. In true community style, our Thanksgiving meal is provided and prepared by our churchfamily. From shopping for groceries to setting tables, from roasting turkeys to making salads,from baking pies to kitchen cleanup, we all have an opportunity to help create and share awonderful, memorable meal. Signup sheets for volunteers and food providers will be at church during the Sundays prior toour celebration. Don’t miss the fellowship and fun of our Thanksgiving feast! To answer your questions or to offer your help, contact Randy or Linda Crowe.Randy: 509-232-9589 randycrowe.crowe@gmail.comLinda: 509-714-8171 revlindacrowe@gmail.com

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Martha (Scheideman) HIBBARD(1920 - 2018)(Age 98)

Passed away on September 28, 2018 atHoly Family Hospital in Spokane after a very shortillness. Born in Dusty, Washington on March 6, 1920.Martha has lived 48+ years in the Spokane Valley,moving into Spokane on the north side in 1998, livingthere for 17 years, then moving in with her son andhis wife Richard and Sally in Clayton, WA for the lastyears of her life. She had a great caretaker in herniece, Jenny. Martha married Allen in Hays, Kansason June 19, 1943. Allen died in 2003.

Martha was the Valedictorian of LaCrosse HighSchool class of 1938 and went on to attend KinmanBusiness School in 1940. She worked as a secretary atFort George Wright Hospital during WWII and then atthe Mead School District until 1982. She was amember of Westminster Congregational UOC,Spokane for nearly 70 years. Martha also served as avolunteer for the American Cancer Society, FoodBank and church activities when she was physicallyable, as well as 4H and Rabbit Club for many yearswhile living in the Valley. Her hobbies includedsewing, gardening and assisting shut-ins when active. She is survived by daughters, Mary Ellen Hibbardof Portland, OR and Dianne (Patrick) Bell; son,Richard (Sally) Hibbard of Clayton, WA; daughter-in-law, Yolanda with three stepchildren of SpokaneValley; grandchildren, Joe (Kalie) Hibbard of DeerPark, WA, Jenny (Craig) Wise, Andrew Hutchason ofPort Orchard, WA and Rachel (Rohan) Story ofNewtown, Australia; and great-grandchildren, CadenWise, Hank Wise, Tyler Wise, Randi Hibbard andnewborn Easten Hibbard all of Deer Park. She waspreceded in death by her husband, Allen Hibbard;daughter, Elizabeth (1968); son, Jerry Hibbard (2014);brothers, Dan and Ben Scheideman; sisters, Eva(Scheideman) LeCaire and Helen (Scheideman) Balsa(2018); parents, John and Carrie Scheideman; and in-laws, Bob and Jeanne Lowther. She is also survived byin-laws, Mary Scheideman of Colfax, WA; CherylScheideman of Spokane, Marty and Marge Jacobsenof Fulton Illinois; as well as many nieces and nephewsfrom both sides of the family; cousins; relations,Esther Gentry and Gertie Scheideman; and a host offriends.

A graveside service was held on Sunday, October14th at 11am at Spokane Memorial Gardens, 5909Cheney Spokane Road, Spokane, WA. Memorialdonations may be made to Westminster UCC, UnionGospel Mission or American Cancer Society.

No matter where one turns today, news of theClimate Crisis is everywhere. This is especiallytrue during this month, with Initiative 1631 onthe ballot.

However, news of the affect of climate changeon our National Parks is hard to find. Accordingto a recent article in the October 12 issue of

our National Parks are being affected byclimate change twice as fast as the rest of thecountry. One reason for their vulnerability isbecause of where many are located. More thanhalf of them are in Alaska which has beenespecially affected by climate change. Othersare in the extremely dry Southwest.

The projection of temperature increases in ourparks over the rest of this century is 16 degrees.This increase could kill the Joshua trees inJoshua Tree National Park, severely melt theglaciers in Glacier National Park, and causeraging wild fires in Yellowstone National Park,which would turn its evergreen forests into agrassland. Scary news indeed.

Doris Holdaway ~

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Renovation of Downstairs Bathrooms

Starting in early November, renovation of thetwo downstairs bathrooms will begin and Iwould love to have some help with this project.If you have remodeling skills, great. If youwould just like to help, that’s great as well.There will be materials to haul up to thepickup to take to the dump, as well as newmaterials to bring down to the basement.

The work goes much better with extra help andthe synergy is amazing! If you are interested inputting some sweat-equity into Westminster,talk to me and see how things might work out.

Peace, Randy Crowe509-232-9589 |randycrowe.crowe@gmail.com Christmas Fund giving December 23

Westminster’s annual

Silent auction

and celebration

Sunday, November 4

after church service with a

chili and cornbread luncheon!

Presently, the is pursuing a

long-term jobs agreement with the Public

Facilities District. This will provide better

jobs and further development in Spokane.

The is planning

implementation of what was learned

during the recent listening sessions.

Cathy Gunderson ~

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WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

September2018

MonthlyBudget

MonthlyDifference

YTD2018

YTDBudget

YTDDifference

Total Income 13,677.71 13,299.96 377.75 149,595.82 130,950.12 18,645.70Less Total Expenses 26,994.98 24,011.31 2,983.67 209,005.52 194,426.96 14,578.56Net Income (Loss) -13,317.27 -10,711.35 -2,605.92 -59,409.70 -63,476.84 4,067.14

2018 Pledge Information as of October 9, 2018:

2018Total

Pledges

2017Total

Pledges

2017PledgesReceived

2018PledgesReceived

2018Pledges

Outstanding

2018 AnnualPledgeBudget

YTD PledgeBudget

difference99,735.12 91,109.80 89,520.80 76,936.93 22,798.19 105,000.00 -1,813.07

The Book and Salad Club continues to meet the 3rd Monday of each month at noon,in the homes of participants. As always, all are welcome. You need not have read thebook to participate, however a salad is appreciated. Want more information? You cancall Marilynne at 747-0659; or talk with any member of the group.

November 19“The Immortal Irishman: theIrish Revolutionary WhoBecame an American Hero” byTimothy Egan. Facilitated byMary Mackay at the home ofMarilynne Wilson.

December 17“Sunday Stories” by LindaCrowe. Facilitated by LindaCrowe at the home of MargaretEnnis.

January 21 "Before We were Yours".Lisa Wingate. Facilitated byMargaret Ennis at the home of JoanWeekes.

February 18 "Educated" by TaraWestover. Facilitated by Linda Joy ata location tba.

March 18 “Wind in My Hair” byMasih Alinejad. Facilitated byNosrat Wipple at a location tba.

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October Attendance

10-7 10-14 10-21 10-28

79 80 82 70

11/1 Judy Lungren

11/6 Linda Joy

11/8 Maxine Kopczynski

11/9 Lew Wilson

11/10 Kimberly Rupert

11/16 Mary Lively

11/24 Steve Paulson

spok

anes

tage

left

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P o i n s e t t i a sBe a part of making our sanctuary

festive!

Each year at Westminster, members of thechurch family purchase beautifulpoinsettias which are used to decorate oursanctuary for Christmas. On the Sundaybefore Christmas Day, and days following,volunteers distribute many of these plantsto church members and friends who arehome-bound and need a little holidaycheer. Deadline for Poinsettia orders isSunday, December 16. Order forms willbe available in December!

2018 Mid City ThanksgivingMeal: Please sign up

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I covenant with you, members and friends ofWestminster Congregational United Churchof Christ:

Westminster Congregational United Churchof Christ embraces a spirit of hospitalityfounded in the gospels of Jesus Christ & awillingness to live out that welcome inmeaningful ways.

As an Open and Affirming Church, ourlongstanding culture of welcome extends toall people regardless of sexual orientation,race/ethnicity, gender, physical ability,socioeconomic status or faith background.

In this digital age, the church takes many pictures ofbaptisms, choir performances and concerts, worshipservices, mission trips, special presentations,Sunday School, fellowship activities and communityoutreach projects. We use these pictures to record,to promote, and to celebrate our church ministries.Pictures are used on bulletin boards, in slide showsand PowerPoint presentations, in publications, andon our church website.

However, some persons may choose not to have theirphotos, or photos of their children, used and werespect their wishes. Therefore, we are providing aMedia Opt-Out form for individuals or families whoprefer NOT to have photographs of themselves usedby the church. This form can be obtained through thechurch office.

If you have no objection to church use of yourphotograph, you DO NOT need to sign or return oneof these forms.

Liturgist: Joyce Malone

Deacons:Mary Seaton, Hazel Kotlan,Doris Holdaway, Wes Johnson

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

Liturgist: Randy Crowe

Deacons: Hazel Kotlan,, Mary Seaton

Hospitality: Diaconate

Liturgist: Morag Stewart

Deacons: Francie Light, Doris Holdaway

Hospitality: Thanksgiving Dinner - sign up

Liturgist: Rachel Plut

Deacons: Maxi DeLaney, Francie Light

Hospitality: WestCAT

Liturgist: Francie Light

Deacons: Doris H, Mary S, Hazel K, Jim M

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (everyone)

1 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga *cancelled*6:30 pm AA Group

4 Sunday Daylight Savings Time ends10:30 am Communion Sunday11:30 am FUNraiser Auction!

3:00 pm AA group5 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice7 Wednesday 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group8 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga *cancelled* 6:30 pm AA Group11 Sunday Veterans’ Day 12:30 pm Education & Spiritual Growth 3:00 pm AA Group12 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice13 Tuesday 7:00 pm Le Donne - Songs of Longing14 Wednesday 11:30 am Joanna Chapter 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group 6:30 pm Deacons15 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga *cancelled* 6:30 pm AA Group 7:00 pm LCCB in concert

18 Sunday 10:30 am Stewardship Sunday11:30 am Thanksgiving Dinner

3:00 pm AA Group19 Monday 12:00 pm Book & Salad 6:00 pm bell choir practice20 Tuesday Witness submissions due

2:00 pm Poetry21 Wednesday 5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group 6:30 pm Trustees22 Thursday Thanksgiving Day

Church office is closed5:30 pm Yoga *cancelled*

6:30 pm AA Group23 Friday Church office is closed25 Sunday 3:00 pm AA group26 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice28 Wednesday 5:00 pm Council

5:15 pm Eleventh Step AA group29 Thursday 5:30 pm Yoga 6:30 pm AA Group