January 2017 Westwood World - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/westwoodbaptistchurch2...I can’t forecast what that will mean for you or for Westwood Baptist in this moment of

WESTWOOD WORLD January 2017 1

Westwood World A Publication of Westwood Baptist Church

January 2017 _________________________________________

2017 Edition 1

Jim Abernathy

A Message from Our Senior Pastor

Conclusion often brings opportunity for evaluation. To pause and consider what has transpired before taking

next steps is a familiar course for most of us on this life’s journey.

The conclusion of another year certainly provides such opportunity. As 2016 draws to a close and you look

back, what do you see? Some see accomplishments in the form of family milestones such as a graduation,

wedding, special anniversary, or athletic accomplishment. Some will reflect on moments of sadness in saying

goodbye to an old friend who has relocated, the loss of a cherished pet, or the death of a loved one. Some

might ponder transition in having started a new job or taken part in a contentious political process, or in

stepping into retirement. These are but a few things that may have marked our lives over the past 12 months.

The remarkable thing, however, is that conclusion here is but a gateway to something new.

2017 is coming quickly and with it the initiation of the unknown: a brand new year. It might hold for you

some of the events mentioned above, or there may be brand new experiences, yet unanticipated. The one

constant in the known and the unknown is the promise of the Holy One whose birth we just celebrated. “I will

be with you always,” he told his disciples as he ascended into heaven. The New Living Translation offers

these words from John 14 as Jesus assures his disciples of the presence of the Holy Spirit: “I am leaving you

with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be

troubled or afraid.”

The disciples were, in a sense, facing a beginning moment, a new day. There were many challenges before

them, and it seemed as Christ returned to heaven that they would face these challenges alone. His words,

however, made a difference. Assured of his presence, they stepped into the unknown with courage and

purpose. The church was born, the gospel preached to all the world, and lives, as a result, were changed.

Something ends…something begins.

I can’t forecast what that will mean for you or for Westwood Baptist in this moment of conclusion and

beginning during these last few days of December. I can, however, remind you of those words of assurance

that empowered the disciples to step out by faith into the unknown: “I will be with you always.” In looking

forward, that is enough.

Thanks to everyone who shared in the worship and mission of our church in recent days. What a blessed and

meaningful Advent and Christmas season we have had. God is at work, continuing to challenge us ever

forward. Your faithfulness in attendance, inviting others to join you at Westwood, serving others through

meaningful mission opportunities, and your generous financial giving do make a difference. For the blessing

of 2016, we give thanks. For the promise of God’s presence as we step into 2017, we wait with eager

anticipation.


In Our Prayers . . .

Al & Carolyn Sanders; Aminata Jalloh and her father; Anne Daly; Andy Willetts; Berkley McKenzie; Carolyn

Dickens’ friend Teri Furman; Cathy Hallmark’s brothers Pete and Tommy Burrell; Charles Beam; Chris Skalski; Chuck

Young’s father; Cindy Abernathy’s brother; Dale Yingling and family; Dave Schmitz; Del Purkey’s father; Dennis

Hunt’s father; Ed & Karen Armstrong; Ed Tarlosky; Eddie Maguire’s friends June & Joe Aguello and Angie Brayboy;

Eileen Griffith; Elise Clark; Ellen Abernathy; Eric Williams; Ethel Mitchell; Faye Riley; Greisy Acosta’s mother;

Helen Hill; Jackie Weaver; Jessie Conte; Jim Crupper; John Frazier; Josh Towner*; Joy Earner’s neighbor David

Gordon; Kathy Boothe; Kathy Freeman’s father and mother; Landon Taylor (El Salvador); LaVonne Boyer’s daughter;

Lee Christensen; Lynda Maguire, and her friend Annette Davis; Martha Newman’s sister Mary Ellen, and her friend

Susan Barr; Megan Purkey’s boss John Strange, and Megan and Caryn Devine’s aunt Maureen Devine; Nancy Graham;

Olga Teutler’s father-in-law and her friend’s mother; Pam & Thomas Daly’s friend and neighbor Maryann Ridge;

Robert Poggio* (spouse of MDO teacher, Afghanistan); Wakie Paganelli; Wallace Brinkley, and Brinkley friend Skip

Gallager; and Yvonne Bryant. *Active Duty Military

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Page

Westwood Member News 2 Hypothermia Prevention Shelter 3 Women on a Mission 4 Community Involvement 5 www.GO Older Adult Ministry 5 Preschool & Children’s Ministry 5 Church Family Night 6

Church Life 7 Personnel Committee 7 Music Ministry 7 Adult Education 8 Finance Committee 8 Green Team 8 Youth Ministry 9

Westwood Member News

We mourn the passing of longtime Westwood member Joan

Tarlosky. We extend our Christian sympathies to her husband

Ed and their families.

We welcome Carolyn

Dickens who became a

member of Westwood

on Dec. 11, and Dale

Yingling, who joined on

Dec. 18. Both joined by

transfer of membership

from another Baptist

church.


Hypothermia Prevention Shelter 2017

Shelter Dates: January 22-29

Having to sleep outside in

brutal temperatures is

unimaginable to most of us,

but over 1,000 people in our

Fairfax County community

face this every night. A short

-term solution is the Hypothermia Prevention &

Response Program:

♦ A collaborative effort between Fairfax County, the

non-profit FACETS, and over 40 faith

communities who take turns opening their doors

each night during the winter months.

♦ A warm welcome, a hot meal, and a safe place to

sleep provided to single adults who are homeless.

Facts and Figures from last year’s program:

♦ Program Participants: 386 guests were provided

shelter from the winter cold.

♦ Gender/Age Breakdown: 80% men and 20%

women.

♦ Over 2,000 community members contributed over

22,000 hours of volunteer service last year.

In 2017, Westwood invites you to be

one of the 2,000 county residents again

participating in this program as we

welcome guests through our doors

during the week of January 22-29. We

expect to be at maximum capacity this year, around 40

guests each night.

Westwood will once again be working with Burke

Presbyterian Church, as well as our Iglesia Bautista

Remanente De Dios congregation. We need both

cooks and servers for breakfast and dinner teams,

greeters, game players, and overnight security. We

also need folks to come in the mornings to clean mats

and help re-set the church for our daily use. Different

skills are needed, but everyone should come with an

open heart for welcoming our guests to our church

building.

Signups have already begun. Check the volunteer

boards in the Narthex to find the open spots that need

to be filled. If you are interested in any of these

positions or have questions, please contact one of the

persons listed below.

We will again be collecting

specific items and money.

(Checks should be made payable

to “Westwood Baptist Church”

and should be designated to the

Hypothermia Fund.) Funds will be

used to purchase supplies such as

food, beverages, paper goods, bus passes, and other

items our guests may need. More details will be sent

via the Westwood Express, special emails, and

announcements.

The planning team is looking forward to working with

so many of you again this year as we open our doors to

the most vulnerable of our community. This is a busy

time of year, but please take a few moments to ponder

how you can help in this effort. We are eager to answer

your questions and to sign you up for the place that you

feel led to serve in our Hypothermia Ministry.

Lucinda Marvin

Sandy Milam


Women on a Mission

The Westwood and Friends Women on a Mission want

to thank everyone for their fantastic support of our

November layette project in which we assembled 200

layettes for needy new moms! You provided the

essential baby afghans, blankets, and receiving

blankets that are combined with sleepers and onesies

from consignment sales to make this project a success.

We were able to deliver 50 layettes to each of the

Inova Fairfax, Fair Oaks, and Alexandria Hospitals, as

well as many layettes sent to Healthy Families and

Springfield Gardens.

In November we also delivered tied fleece blankets to

the residents of Braddock Glen Assisted Living

Facility. We saw many familiar faces from years past

and were a blessing to 33 residents. They are always so

appreciative of our gifts to them!

At our December meeting we began a two-month

project for ladies in the Appalachian Mountains. A

CBF missionary serving there requested table runners

for the women she works with to add something

special to their homes. We will complete them at our

January meeting, which will be held the second

Wednesday of January rather than the first. Even if

you weren’t present to begin making a table runner in

December, there is still plenty to do. So plan to join us

on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. for a great beginning

to the new year. Bring a friend. They’ll be glad you

did!

Judi Kern and Joy Earner

A Letter of Thanks for Little Dresses for

Liberia

We returned to Liberia with eight suitcases...EIGHT!

Besides clothes and shoes and supplies for us

personally (two suitcases each), the other four had gifts

of books, toys (wooden cars and beanie babies),

hygiene kits, new clothes and new shoes for both adults

and children. We were especially thrilled for those gifts

for the children and want to extend our profound

thanks on behalf of all of those who have been blessed

by your gifts. As we continue to distribute, we will

send more photos!

We must make special mention of:

• GBC • Toys for God’s Kids • Westwood WOM • Debbie C. • Linda H. • Grace Harvest Team

“As it is written, ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to

the poor, His righteousness endures forever.’” (2

Corinthians 9:9, NKJV)

Dr. Coril Curtis-Warmington Faith and Deeds Ministry, Liberia

Women on a Mission

The church office is closed from

Monday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Jan. 2 for

Christmas.

It will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 for Mar!n

Luther King Jr. Day.


ECHO Needs Your Help

We are now in the period between

the major food drives by the Boy

Scouts, postal workers and the

schools, but the need for food by

ECHO’s clients does not stop. When you are out

shopping, here are some items you might consider

picking up and donating to ECHO. Just bring them to

church and place them in the large gray bin outside the

church office.

♥ Food items – spaghetti sauce, canned meat, canned

pasta, pancake syrup, condiments (ketchup,

mustard, mayonnaise), canned tomatoes,

Jello/pudding, jelly, flour/sugar (2# size) and juice

(large cans or bottles).

♥ Non-food items – laundry detergent, deodorant,

toilet tissue, shaving cream, razors, shampoo, and

adult and children pain/cold/flu medicines.

Dick Marvin

Caring Tree Thank You

The Caring Tree which once held cards filled with

wishes and needs of children living in Springfield

Gardens now has been decorated with gold ornaments

and splashes of small red poinsettias. The brightly

wrapped packages which you purchased and wrapped

were placed under the trees of 33 families in these

nearby apartments.

Thank you for sharing the gift of God’s love which we

all received in the birth of the Christ child. And

although it was not the motivating force in your

participation, reflect on how the words of St. Francis of

Assisi were realized as a result of your activity: “It is in

giving that you receive.” An unanticipated blessing for

each of you. Thanks for helping.

Wishing you a continuing joyful Christmas season,

Pam Seay

Martha Lee Fugate

Community Involvement www.GO Older Adults Ministry

Canasta 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 1-3 p.m. in

Greenspring Village Towne Center

Join us Jan. 10 and 24 for fun and

fellowship. Canasta is a great game

that’s fun and easy to learn.

Happy New Year! After a lovely holiday break, Westwood children’s

activities soon will be back in full swing.

Our January FunDay School lesson is focused on

the Woman at the Well.

On Jan. 11, Church Family Night activities will

resume for both our Preschoolers and Elementary

students. As in past years, children will complete a

mission activity related to our Hypothermia week.

As we head into February, be on the lookout for

announcements for some social activities and

Bring-A-Friend-to-Church Sunday.

Thank You for helping us fill out our FunDay

School teaching schedule through March. We

appreciate Westwood’s commitment to our

children!

Rebecca Larson Director of Preschool & Children’s Ministry

Preschool & Children’s Ministry


Church Family Night

Adult Seminar

On Jan. 11 we will return to our Hazardous Saints: Christians Risking All,

Changing Everything seminar. On this night, we’ll join the Rev. Dr. C.K.

Robertson as we look at the life of Sojourner Truth and see how her life can

challenge us to reflect on how we can relay the love of Christ in creative and

intentional ways. Join us at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204.

On Jan. 18 we will enjoy a potluck fellowship night. Bring a dish or two to

share and come enjoy a night of good food and fellowship. We will spend time

together in prayer and preparation for our week hosting our homeless friends

as part of the Hypothermia Prevention & Response Program.

There will be no Church Family Night activities on Jan. 25 due to the

Hypothermia Program.

The Weekly Schedule Our regular Wednesday schedule begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m.

(reservations required), followed by preschool, children’s and youth

activities at 6:15, and an adult seminar at 6:30. Sanctuary Choir rehearsal

begins at 7:15.

• Preschoolers enjoy puppet fun with “Dina and Theo,” choir with Mr. Ariel

and Mrs. Wanda, and a story, craft, and playtime with volunteer leaders.

• Elementary children split their time between music and missions education.

• Youth meet with leaders for activities after dinner.

Important CFN dates upcoming:

Jan. 4 New Year’s break Jan. 11 First CFN of the New Year Jan. 18 Potluck Dinner Jan. 25 No CFN-Hypothermia Shelter Week

The Wednesday Weekly Schedule

5:30 pm Dinner

6:15 pm Preschool, Children

& Youth Activities

6:30 pm Adult Seminar

7:15 pm Sanctuary Choir

Making Reservations

Deadline is Monday at

noon!

• Online at www.westwood-

baptist.org

• Communication Card in

Sunday bulletin

• Call Church Office at

703-451-5120

• No reservations for

potlucks!

Dinner Prices

Adults/5th grade and older: $5

Children: $2.25

Age 2 and under: Free

Family Maximum: $17

Potluck Fellowship Meals

(no reservations)

January 18

March 1

April 5


Services for Pat Nelson and Joan Tarlosky Arrangements for the committal service

of Pat Nelson and the memorial service

for Joan Tarlosky have been set.

A committal service for Pat Nelson has

been scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 11

a.m. at Arlington Cemetery. All who wish to attend are

encouraged to be at the Visitor’s Center at Arlington by

10:30.

The memorial service for Joan Tarlosky will be held at

the Chapel at Greenspring on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 10

a.m.

Please keep these families in your prayers.

Church Life Music Ministry

Thank You, Westwood Musicians Throughout Advent the choirs of Westwood have

provided the congregation with special music to enrich

our worship celebration of Jesus’ birth. This called for

months of preparation and commitment, not only on the

part of the musicians but — especially for our young

performers — their families as well.

Thanks to all the singers, ringers, instrumentalists, and

families of:

♥ Sanctuary Choir and Youth Singers

♥ Children’s Choir

♥ Handbell Choir

♥ Organ and Piano Duets by Olga and Cindy

Upcoming Events Please join us on March 26 for “March Music” when

the Sanctuary Choir and Youth Singers will present a

program of music in a variety of styles. They will be

accompanied by players from the U.S. Army Band.

On April 23 the Children’s Choir presents the “Spring

Fling Thing” — anything musical can happen!

Work on this special worship music begins in just a

couple weeks, and Westwood’s choirs are always

looking for new musicians. For more information on the

Youth Singers, Sanctuary Choir, and Children’s Choir,

speak to Pat Close; for the Handbell Choir, speak to

John League.

Pat Close, Minister of Music

LEFT: At the CFN

Christmas celebration,

Santa told these three

mischief makers to have

a Merry Christmas!

RIGHT: Hundreds of

Caring Tree gifts were

collected and delivered

to nearby families.

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee continues to evaluate

options and is preparing a recommendation to the

Visioning Council and then to the church for an interim

process that will follow Dr. Abernathy’s retirement at

the end of April. We recently had productive meetings

with the Executive Director of the NorthStar Church

Network as well as the Center for Congregational

Health. Please keep the Personnel Committee in your

prayers as we prepare to make a recommendation about

the interim process.

John Freeman Chair of Personnel Committee

Personnel Committee


Adult Education

Resolutions for a New Year

Too early to think about next year’s Christmas? I

suggest it isn’t, especially if you want to be better

stewards (there’s always room for improvement!) of

God’s creation next year and share this enthusiasm with

your children and grandchildren; they are the ones that

will live with the decisions we make today.

From a Washington Post article by Markowitz and

Zaval, 63% of Americans are concerned about climate

change, but only 47% think the government should do

anything about it. However, studies have shown that

personally contributing to environmental conservation

efforts is seen as one way to build a positive legacy. We

can’t all sign environmental protections into law or

create new regulations, but we can make small changes

in our lifestyle every day that will help the planet.

Please take time to understand what is happening to the

earth, and share that information with your family. Tell

them, for example, that you are cutting back on driving

because the average American driver emits 10,000

pounds of carbon dioxide every year, and that stays in

the atmosphere for 160 years!

What will be your legacy?

Dave Schmitz Westwood Green Team

Green Team

Day/Night Study Starting in January

Our next Day/Night Bible Study will be a

four-session study on the Psalms,

beginning on Monday, Jan. 30, and

Tuesday, Jan. 31. We’ll be using N.T.

Wright’s The Case for the Psalms as our

study guide. Wright explores why the

Psalms are essential, arguing for a

rediscovery of the Psalms as the hymnbook of the Bible

and the daily lifeblood of Christian life.

The Monday morning sessions will take place from 10-

11:30 a.m. in Whitten Hall and will be led by Dr.

Abernathy. The Tuesday evening sessions will take

place from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 17/19 and will be led

by Rev. Gray. Sign up at the Welcome Center;

beginning Jan. 8 books will be available for $5.

Finance Committee

The end of 2016 is rapidly approaching and we have just

celebrated the greatest gift ever given, Jesus the Christ.

We are also three quarters through the Westwood Fiscal

Year and we continue to experience a shortfall in our

offerings compared to our budget. As of December 11,

our offerings were approximately $43,000 less than our

budget plan. Our offerings, gifts and other income

sources are covering our expenses, which through

November have been less than budgeted. The decrease

in expenses is partially due to a staff vacancy, as well as

decreased contributions to Missions, which are a

percentage of our budget offerings. Please join us in

prayerfully considering how each of us can help in

closing this gap between our budget giving and budget

plan. Also, please note that all gifts to Westwood must

be received or postmarked no later than Dec. 31 to be

included on your 2016 giving statement.

Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

The Finance Committee Dennis Hunt, Chair; Erik Larson, Paul Hagen,

Sonja Beavers, Fred Milburn

Spring 2017 Supper Club Signups

As we finish celebrating Christmas, the time to “spring

forward” to Spring is just around the corner! That means

it is almost time to start signups for the next season of

Supper Club. From Sunday, Jan. 8 to Sunday, Jan. 22

you may sign up at the Welcome Center. If you prefer,

you may email or call me to sign-up and I will be happy

to add your name to the list. This is an excellent

opportunity to have fun, food, and fellowship and a great

way to meet other people in the church. Think Spring!

Elizabeth Colley


Youth Ministry From Will

It is that time of year again. The one where we regret

how much we have eaten over the last month and swear

we will never do it again. I know, personally, that the

youth progressive dinner was when I reached my

breaking point, and I swear, I will never eat that much again. Hopefully,

your holiday was filled with equal parts memory-making as well as good

food.

But right now, it is that time of year we sing about, but rarely recognize. If

you are someone who knows all twelve days of Christmas, then you know

that we are in the midst of "Christmastide." Growing up in church, I had no

clue that such a time existed. From this day to Epiphany on January 6th, we

are called to reflect on what it means to have the Christ, the Son of God, in

our midst. On January 1, the Lectionary text comes from the Gospel of

Matthew, and in its words we are called into a life that does more than just

hope for a better future.

As we begin a New Year, my prayer is that we will all hear that call and

lean into the New life we are called to by the Holy Spirit. As we begin the

transition away from Christmas and towards Lent we will be taking a good

bit of time to begin planning for the Spring. On the 14th of January, the

Youth Planning Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. In the coming weeks,

there will be more announcements about time and location in the bulletin, as

well as the Westwood Express.

Planning meetings are a great opportunity to share ideas and offer your

creativity as we try to plan the future of youth ministry here at Westwood.

As the life and experience of church continue to change, it will require the

work of all of us in order to continue breathing life into our ministries. What

that future will look like depends a great deal on who comes to participate

in the work the Holy Spirit is already doing amongst our youth. As that

future unfolds, it may be your spirit, working in concert with God, that

helps bring a new wrinkle to our work together.

This Christmas, as we celebrate the life Jesus has called us into, the youth

invite you to come and express your gifts with us. May the power of the

Holy Spirit, the love of Jesus Christ, and the courage of God Our Father fill

you with warmth and joy this Christmas. May they also inspire you to find

your feet and step out in faith during this New Year. May we then live into

the proclamation that the Body of Christ is the hope for the World.

Rev. Will Clapp Interim Minister with Youth

Weekly Youth Schedule in January

Sundays Cafe 9:30 am Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11 am Youth Dinner 6 pm Sunday Night Live! 6:30-7:45

pm SNL Meals Jan. 1 No SNL Jan. 8 Beecher Jan. 15 Frazier Jan. 22 No SNL Jan. 29 Church

Stay In Touch

https://rallyhood.com/

westwood-baptist-

church-youth-ministry

https://www.face

book.com/ Westwood

Youth

https://twitter.com/

WestwoodYouth

http://www.

westwood-baptist.

org/#/youth

Will.Clapp@west

wood-baptist.org

Documents

January 2017 Westwood World - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/westwoodbaptistchurch2...I can’t forecast what that will mean for you or for Westwood Baptist in this moment of