WestminsterMembership, Stewardship, and News

CHIMESOctober 2014 • Westminster Presbyterian Church • westminstergr.org

CHIMESA publication of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

47 Jefferson Ave SE • Grand Rapids • MI • 49503 • 616-456-1456

Senior Pastor letter This month at Westminster 3

Worship Schedule October schedule 3 Weekly Devotions for October 4

Session Report Update from September 4

Educational Programs 5 October offerings

Membership at Westminster Quotes from members 6-7

Staff Updates 8-9

Missions Opportunities 10

Core Missions Camp Henry and WCDC 11

Downtown Pantry Countywide Food Drive 12 Community Ministries Updates 13

Small groups News and events 14-15

64

CAMPHENRY

YouareMore thanYour mistakes

Your fears

Your clothing size

Your G.P.A

Your bank account

The number of friends that you have

You AreBeautiful Awesome

Treasured ImportantEnough

Free Valued StrongComplete Loved Worthy

11

what is this?

Join us at the WPC Deli in the dining room for a quick lunch before checking out

ArtPrize.

There will be a variety of deli sandwich options. To-go boxes are also available.

12:15 - 1:00pm in our Dining Room

Suggested Donation: $8what else?

Going to church? Going to ArtPrize?

Need to grab lunch?

gluten free available!

A fundraiser for the middle school summer trip!

All proceeds will go toward the Middle School Youth Summer Trip.

15

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 3

This month at Westminster...

IntroductIon from the senIor pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace and peace to you in the Lord Jesus Christ and in God our Creator. This issue of the Chimes includes some reflections on church membership. Being a Christian is a matter of accepting God’s love and seeking to express that love. Being a member of a church is an instrument in the expression of that love.

Nearly every aspect of Westminster is available to everyone, member or not: worship, education, pastoral care, mission work, and making pledges. Membership affords only two things: the opportunity to serve as an elder or deacon, and to vote on who shall serve as elders, deacons, or pastors of the congregation.

Membership is a matter of our naming our shared commitment explicitly in covenant with God and with one another. That is the instrument we employ to order our common life. But who gets to be a member? This is what Presbyterians believe:

The congregation shall welcome all persons who respond in trust and obedience to God’s grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the membership and ministry of Christ’s Church…. Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel. (G-5.0103)

This is strong language. In essence, it means that, if someone wants to join the church, we have to let them in. We see their desire as inspired by Christ. Thus, to say “No” would be to reject Christ. This month you will get to hear from some of our members about what

it has meant to be a part of Westminster.

Looking back: September was a huge month for us: we welcomed Rev. Jen Porter as our new Associate Pastor, Kyle Nolan as our new Minister to Youth, appointed Rev. David Baak as Executive Pastor, and approved a 2.5 million dollar capital campaign for mission and building improvements to begin in 2015. Look for more information in this Chimes.

October is when we focus on Stewardship. The Stewardship luncheon is October 12 and Stewardship Dedication Sunday is October 26. The theme this year is: A Life Given by God. The devotionals this month relate to the stewardship of our lives given by God.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Chandler Stokes, Senior Pastor and Head of Staff

Worship schedule october 2014 - 8:30 and 11:00

october 5 : World Communion Sunday Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Rev. Jen Porter preaching on Mission Music: Rachael Eid-Ries, Viola at 8:30a Sanctuary Choir and Cherub Choir at 11:00a. stewardship: a Life Given By God

october 12: who is JesusThird Graders receive their Bibles Rev. Chandler Stokes preaching on Jesus Christ Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14 Music: Cantus Choir at 8:30a Kirk Singers and Sanctuary Choir at 11:00a.

october 19: where did all this come from? Reception of New Members Rev. Chandler Stokes preaching on the Creator Scripture: Genesis 1:1-4 Music: Westminster Winds at 8:30a & 11:00a, Sanctuary Choir at 11:00a.

october 26: how do i work this?Reformation Sunday, Stewardship Dedication Rev. Chandler Stokes preaching on Scripture and Spirit Scripture: 2 Peter 3:14-18 Music: Linda Nelson, Violin at 8:30a Chapel Singers, Carol Choir, and Sanctuary Choir at 11:00a.

Please note the Capital Campaign 2015 update insert to the printed Chimes. For those who

receive this by email click here.

4 Chimes | Westminster Presbyterian Church

devotIons from rev. stokes and sessIon report

The week of October 5

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) Perhaps the simplest form of spiritual practice is awareness. Spiritual awareness is first being mindful that we did not create ourselves; we discover ourselves “made”—not self-created. Everything after that is a matter of stewarding that life we have been given: to care for and use that life well (we say, “to the glory of God, the Creator”). Stewarding our lives becomes our praise of God: I praise you, for… I pray to offer such praise.

The week of October 12

Giving is not God’s way of raising money. It’s God’s way of raising children. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) We know instinctively that people who are generous are just more grown up, that selfishness is childish. The irony of, “The one with the most toys wins,” is obvious: toys are for children. The folksinger Si Kahn names the mature alternative. It’s not just what you’re born with—it’s what you choose to bear. It’s not how large your share is, but how much you can share. It’s not the fights you dreamed of, but those you really fought.

It’s not just what you’re given; it’s what you do with what you got. I pray to give generously and let that grow me.

The week of October 19

All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee. (William How) Martin Luther believed in three necessary conversions in the Christian life: the conversion of the heart, the mind, and the purse. All that we have, says the hymn—all that we have is God’s. The teachers who provided my education, the job that let me work, the opportunities that filled my wallet—all this and much more. I pray to let God convert my purse, too.

The week of October 26

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them… (Genesis 1:27) We are created, created in the image of the Creator, and so we also are called to participate as co-creators in the making of a life. And it seems: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (Winston Churchill) Here is symmetry: The life we are given takes shape in our giving. I pray simply to give and let my life emerge from that.

Session is the governing board of Westminster Presbyterian Church, made up of church members and led by the senior pastor. At its September meeting the Session took the following actions:

• Affirmed the establishment of the position of Executive Pastor and the appointment of Rev. David Baak to the three-quarter time position for a period of three years beginning October 1, 2014.

• Affirmed the appointment of Kyle Nolan as Minister to Youth and their Families, with thanks to the Youth Minister Search Committee.

• Heard an update on the work of the Minister for Mission Search Committee. (see position announcement on page 10)

• Discussed the results of the Capital Campaign Feasibility Study, provided input to the Capital Campaign Committee, and endorsed moving

ahead with the campaign to raise $2.5 million as outlined in the revised proposal from the committee. (See the Capital Campaign 2015 update insert or click here.)

• Approved a $25,000 request to Memorial Trust to help fund the Food Club for three years. The Food Club is a joint effort by multiple agencies to help Pantry clients move from food dependence to food independence, where possible.

• Approved the nomination of Kathy Speeter as the Elder for Membership Growth and Development to replace Carol Lautenbach who will become co-chair of the Capital Campaign.

• Approved Cindy Baron, Steve Baron, and Chris Dugan as Commissioners to the September meeting of the Lake Michigan Presbytery.

OctOber SeSSiOn repOrt

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 5

educatIon

Educational programs offered for all ages

conversations for adults about life and faith - meets sundays 9:40 - 10:40a

Join us in the chapel for most sessions

High School students are most welcome to attend and participate!

October 5 and 12:The Exodus: A Jewish PerspectiveThe enormous story of the calling of Moses, the exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt and the creation of a community of faith is central to Jewish theology and a key story for us as well. Join us for this two-session exploration of the Book of Exodus from a Jewish perspective. Leader: Dr. Sheldon Kopperl, retired GVSU professor and member of Temple Emanuel.

October 19: Inside-Outside-Upside Down: The Book of RuthThe Bible offers us this amazing story of the human struggle to create community. The Book of Ruth helps us to explore important questions about belonging, longing, and family.Leader: Nancy Janisch, M.Div., ministry coordinator for the True North Campus Ministry.

October 26:Death and Memory in the Community of FaithEven people of faith have a good number of worries and questions about dying and death. In these sessions we’ll explore the logistics of preparing ourselves and our families, the nature of the worship service that celebrates a life now ended, and the theology that grounds us as we consider the end of our days on earth.Leaders: Rev. Chandler Stokes and Stephen Baron

Would you like to be reminded of the Adult Classes each week? Sign up on Sunday morning for the e-mail reminder or contact Becky Wells, 717-5532 or beckyw@wpcgr.org to get on the mailchimp email blast.

children’s education and choir - meets 9:30-10:45 each sunday

“Downstairs” Groups — Preschool and Kindergarten Our preschool and kindergarten classes are exploring the stories of those first gathered to become a People of God.

Three and four year olds: Jann Twork, Kristine Hanson Kindergarten: Katie VanHaven, Carrie Moskol Choir: Cara Hyink (director), Lisa Duitman (accompanist)

“Upstairs” Groups: — First through 5th grades Witnesses to God’s Presence. We’ll continue working with the stories in Exodus - plagues, passing through, and wandering. Teachers: Dan Van Til, Jen Kotchenruther, Bill Van Skiver, Yana Faasse Choir: Luanne Barnes, Director

How this works! 1st /2nd graders have class time; 3rd-5th have choir time—then we switch.

Pre-k and Kindergarteners have class until 10:10 and then join together for choir. Parents pick them up at 10:40 and then can get older children at 10:45.

Middle School students (6th-8th) meet in the Middle School Room upstairs.

thursday morning bible study group begins on october 9 A small group of folks gather on Thursday mornings to explore the Bible and wonder together. Good conversation is guaranteed! We’ll take a look at the book of Job this fall using a Kerygma resource called Job and the Life of Faith: Wisdom for Today’s World.

Sherrill Vore, Minister for Christian Education, leads. The group will meet October 9 through November 20, 9:30-11:00a. Participant books are $18. Please contact Sherrill, 717-5541, or sherrillv@wpcgr.org, to register and she will order books.

6 Chimes | Westminster Presbyterian Church

Membership at WestminsterSo, what does it mean to be a member at Westminster? What is it that draws people to our church? I have found that everyone has a story. We spend a fair amount of time in our new member orientation classes sharing our stories and how we each found our way to this church. It is my favorite part of our time together with the new members. I’m amazed at the level of vulnerability present in these gatherings. People feel comfortable here and that is a wonderful gift. We have our joys, we have our burdens, we have questions, we are searching, we are broken, we are healing, and most of all we have a deep desire to extend Christ’s love to each other in the midst of our busy and distracted lives. And so the more we share our stories with one another, the stronger our connections with each other will be.

When asked ‘Why do you attend Westminster?’ a few of our members responded:

susan JennIngs, mInIster for congregatIonal care

I am a member at Westminster by birth, and by choice. My family and I have

come to church here my entire life from Baptism to Confirmation. Now that I am an official member

of our church I choose to attend services and participate in youth group because I have

grown to love our church.

For over four decades Westminster has been where I think God

has wanted me to serve Him in many different ways. It is awesome to watch how the Congregation is willing to accept change as a challenge, opens its

doors to whomever wants to come in, and to share its resources with others without

being judgmental regarding their needs.

I am a member at Westminster

because it is a special church with amazing people who help bring me closer to

God by accepting me, and nurturing me with their own faith. I know that there are always people I

can go to for support or guidance at WPC.

I’ve been at Westminster a long time and I’m

comfortable here. I know the people, they are friendly and it gives me a comfortable feeling.

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 7

Membership at Westminster is for anyone wanting to follow Christ. There aren’t any rules, there isn’t a test, and there isn’t judgment. Just come, absolutely everyone is welcome!

*If you are interested in joining Westminster, or know someone who is, our next New Member Orientation is Wednesday, October 8 & 15, 6:00-9:00p with new members being received during worship on Sunday, October 19. Contact Susan Jennings, susanj@wpcgr.org or 717-5542 to register. We will also have a Saturday session scheduled for January 17, 9:00a-3:30p with new members being received on Sunday, January 25.

The sign at the corner says it, “Absolutely Everyone is

Welcome.” That message reverberates with a handshake and greeting upon entry, then from the pulpit and in the pew. That warmth is

supported in so many aspects, preaching that is both nurturing and insightfully challenging, music that fills the sanctuary with enough reverberation to inspire

the novice and the professional. And there are mission opportunities that offer connections to a broader global community and service to those

on the steps of the Church.

I’ve been at Westminster a long time and I’m

comfortable here. I know the people, they are friendly and it gives me a comfortable feeling.

8 Chimes | Westminster Presbyterian Church

news

Meet our new staff membersNew Minister for Youth, Kyle Nolan : Raised in the Port Huron area, Kyle graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in Writing, and from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology with a Master of Divinity, and most recently spent a year studying theology at the University of Munich in Germany. While completing his M. Div., Kyle served as Director of Youth at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. He also has experience organizing service trips for young people and serving as a camp counselor. He has an interest in how the church lives out its commitment to justice, and did an internship at Atlanta’s Gateway 24/7 Center for the Homeless. In his spare time, Kyle also enjoys photography, drawing, graphic design, and golf.

Jen Porter comes to us from Spring Lake, where she served for the past 8 years as associate pastor. She is a graduate of Hope College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and taught for a year in between college and seminary at an alternative high school launch in Benton Harbor, MI. Jen received her M.Div. from Western Theological seminary in 2006. Jen and Brian have been delighting in this stage of raising a family. Max is a loving 2nd grade, Graham just started Kindergarten, and Zack is holding down the fort while everyone else is off at school. Jen coaches soccer for Max and Graham, plays herself, and has started to learn golf with Brian- his favorite pastime. Jen will be installed as Associate Pastor for Westminster on Sunday, October 19, at 2:30 p.m.

Intern, Jeremy Bork is from Rock Rapids, Iowa and graduated from Northwestern College in 2013. He spent the last year living in Schenectady, NY where he was part of a young adult volunteer program; his time was split between youth ministry in the church and non-for-profit work in the community. For the next three years, he will be attending school at Western Theological Seminary and participating in ministry within our community.

My name is Kyle Kooyers and I am in the second year of the M.Div. program at Calvin Theological Seminary. I hail from the rolling hills and rivers of Pittsburgh, PA and, yes, bleed black and gold! I have spent the past few years in rural Southwestern Pennsylvania exploring community development, working as an AmeriCorps/VISTA with a regional food bank, and living as a member of “The Common House,” a Christian Community of young adults. As a life long member of the PCUSA, I have developed and led programs ministering to students in at-risk communities and I love to build weird and crazy things- ask me about it! A boy scout at heart, I love to combine and play with my knowledge of the outdoors, theological thought, unbridled creativity, and my love for Christian service! I am very excited to learn from and minister with the Westminster community!

Rev. Jen Porter with her husband, Brian, and three sons: Max, Graham, and Zack.

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 9

news

...and changesDear friends, I cannot thank you enough for all the love and support you have shown in these past two years.

Finding my place at Westminster was a tremendous gift to me and I treasure all the opportunities you honored me with: Leading worship, catching coffee, hanging greens, exploring identities, charging youth, baptizing and marrying growing families, blasting emails, forgetting details, growing my voice, and establishing a home of peace and welcome for all. Christ has blessed me with a people who saw me and celebrated my call.

My gratitude overflows as I leave this place--confident and eager for all that is to come. Hoping to see many of you at the Women’s Retreat and at NEXT Church! Rev. Katie Baker

In the fall of 2013, Shelly Boeve stepped in as Interim Director for the Youth Group. During her tenure, she successfully managed the program, ensuring the volunteers, staff, and kids could continue with youth-related activities with minimal disruption. Through her efforts, we have revised, modified, and implemented new procedures to allow the program to function effectively. Shelly was instrumental in guiding the new personnel structure we have in place today. She has led both the Middle School and High School directors in the day-to-day activities, working to ensure that the weekly schedules are ready and available to staff and volunteers. Shelly will continue to work with Kyle Nolan through a brief transition period as Kyle settles in to the position. She will continue to participate in the Youth Committee, sharing her experience and insight. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to tap Shelly’s knowledge and experience during the transition.

After many years as volunteer extraordinaire, Ron Bouwense joined our staff as Facility Manager in August of 2013. Ron’s experience and knowledge of all things WPC is invaluable. Over the last year Ron has overseen the roof and structural repair, the completion of the steam project and a number of other critical needs. Now, as planned, Ron has transferred much of his knowledge to our new Facility Manager, Chris Bronson. With the roof project wrapping up, Ron has decided that the time has come to go back to being a volunteer here at WPC, and has graciously offered to continue on the Facilities Committee and the Architectural Committee. Thank you, Ron, for your grace and generosity to Westminster.

10 Chimes | Westminster Presbyterian Church

mIssIon

World Wide Ministries

Mission Participation Trips for 2015

Start Planning Now! The WorldWide Ministries Committee announces two sponsored trips for Westminster members’ participation in the next year.

We are recruiting about 15 persons to travel, April 24-May 1 or 2, with the organization First Hand Aid to Cuba (led by WPC member Marc Bohland) (www.FirstHandAid.org), and members of theWorldWide committee. As nearly 80 other WPC members who have participated in this ministry will tell you, this is a unique combination of

service (medical supplies), education, and tourism that is possible only because we travel to bring in medical supplies. Look for more information in coming weeks or contact Rev. David Baak, davidb@wpcgr.org.

We are recruiting 10 persons to travel to Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, from September 19 to 26, 2015, with the organization ReMember. (www.re-member.org) This service trip promotes relationship building and solidarity with the Oglala Lakota people. When not on a worksite, volunteers are immersed in Lakota culture through tours and daily discussion, music and Lakota speakers. For more information contact Brian Spangelo, brian.spangelo@gmail.com.

Minister for Mission

Westminster is hiring a full-time, newly funded, program staff position in mission (ordination not required) with primary responsibility for facilitating our vision. (http://westminstergr.org/about/employment). The position is designed to help Westminster become a key place in the larger community for individuals to enter into service through creating transformational relationships with those in need and the organizations pursuing this work.

Qualifications include experience in advocacy, service, volunteerism or similar activity with diverse populations, community organizing, understanding of volunteer services and issues of poverty, and the ability to actively engage congregation and community members. The candidate selected will have a commitment to incarnational ministry, reconciling relationships, and the Westminster vision that “absolutely everyone is welcome.”

For full consideration, please send a cover letter and resume before October 15, 2014 to kathrync@wpcgr.org; or Kathryn Cisler, Church Administrator, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 47 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Benton Harbor Partnership

You are invited to join other volunteers for a Community Work Day with our First Presbyterian church partner in Benton Harbor. The work day is planned for Saturday, October 25 and we’ll be working with folks from Morton School. Please contact World Wide Mission Elder, Pete Land at pland@calvin.edu.

Opportunities

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 11

core mIssIons

Camp Henry - You Are More“More than just a T-shirt”

Camp Henry’s 2014 Theme – You Are More – was much more than just a slogan to print on a t-shirt. Letting campers know throughout the summer that they are more – more than their mistakes, than their G.P.A., their fears, the number of friends that they have, their clothing size, or the size of their bank account – and that they are beautiful, awesome, complete, loved, worthy, free, valued, strong, treasured, important, and enough – was a powerful message that resonated deeply with not only campers, but countless parents as well.

We sold You Are More theme posters for $1 this summer – hoping that campers would take a poster home and place it somewhere where they could view it daily to be reminded of how amazing they are and to extend the impact of Camp Henry beyond their six day experience at camp. We were thrilled to sell out of these posters – and to re-order more. We had teachers purchasing dozens of posters to put up in their classrooms, Youth Pastors getting posters to share and distribute to their youth groups, parents purchasing extra posters for siblings and neighbors, and even one High School Principal asking permission to print 4 foot by 8 foot banners to hang throughout her High School. What a blessing and honor for the Ministry and Mission of Camp Henry to spread beyond the summer campers and their six day experience at camp.

CAMPHENRY

YouareMore thanYour mistakes

Your fears

Your clothing size

Your G.P.A

Your bank account

The number of friends that you have

You AreBeautiful Awesome

Treasured ImportantEnough

Free Valued StrongComplete Loved Worthy

Westminster Child Development Center has had one fun summer! The summer of 2014 marked new traditions that included trips throughout the city. In past years only our school-age children got out and around town, this

year was a bit different and children of all ages were enjoying what our community has to offer. Here are just a few of the trips we went on this summer; Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids Public Museum, The Children’s Museum, Sweet Yo’s, Grand Rapids Public Library and the Downtown Market. We are always looking for new ideas so if you have any please send them our way.

For more information about Westminster Child Development Center contact Amber Marz-Momany, Director at 616-458-8480, 616-717-5549 or email amber@wpcgr.org.

WCDC summer fun!

12 Chimes | Westminster Presbyterian Church

Downtown Pantry notes

mIssIon and specIal mInIstry

October is “Harvest Time” in earth’s northern hemisphere; a time to pick crops and prepare for the long winter ahead. I remember my mother canning fruits and vegetables, making applesauce, and my sharp-shooting father hunting to fill the larder for winter.

At your Food Pantry we treat October with that same respect. This year, October 4 through 11, is the time for the Kent County Food Drive; a time that pantries collect food and donations to assist them in filling a growing need for the coming months.

Once each month your pantry provides approximately one week’s food to our clients. It is common for the pantry to go through over a ton of food each week. The number of clients we have served through the end of September is more than 10% higher than 2013. Meanwhile, the price of food has increased significantly this year, making it challenging for pantries to fill the need. The numbers can become daunting and depressing.

The County Wide Food Drive is vital for pantries. Many grocers make the drive a convenient outlet by hosting canned goods sales and collecting food in stores. Please participate in the Food Drive this year and bring your gifts to Westminster. Bags and shopping lists will be provided on September 28 and October 5. We ask that filled bags be brought back to church by October 12.

Can’t shop? Please remember to assist with a donation. There are times when we can purchase food for as little as $ .16/lb.

Please help us fill the larder for our clients and neighbors.

Attention All College Bound Students!

A new school year has begun and you have a lot to look forward to this year. Many great experiences await you, and you have many decisions to make, not the least of which is what school you will be attending next year. Perhaps you have been thinking about Alma College, a Presbyterian liberal arts school, located about 50 miles north of Lansing. If you visit their website, www.alma.edu, you will get a sense of the wonderful educational opportunities available there. As you are making your decision, cost is another factor to consider. Westminster offers a way to make attending this school more possible for you. The Minnie Behl Scholarship program, offers up to 10% of the yearly cost of tuition, books, and room and board to members of Westminster, and up to 5% of the costs to non-members/relatives of Westminster. We think it is important to let you know early so that you can more seriously consider this school given the scholarship opportunity available.

Applications for the scholarship are available in the WPC office by contacting Cindy Hardy, Financial Manager, at cindyh@wpcgr.org or 717-5583. Completed applications are due back to Cindy by the end of April, 2015. Senior High Youth Group members, expect to get some additional information via email in the next month. Any questions, please contact Mary Carrington at mwc545@sbcglobal.net.

Minnie Behl Scholarship Opportunity

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 13

Community Ministries

peter Boumgarden, elder for communIty mInIstrIes

This past Spring, the team at Community Ministries administrated a survey asking the congregation where they saw themselves as gifted and where they currently serve. Thank you for your engagement with this process and your willingness to share a bit about yourselves.

A big piece of this vision is helping the congregation name what we are already doing as a form of ministry-- whether that be the teams we coach, the schools we serve, or the way we reach out to our neighbors. We believe it is important to be able to see the theological thread of service in all that we do already.

Another piece of this process, however, is getting a better sense of our own giftings as a congregation so that we might reach out to organizations in the community and ask them their needs in line with our gifts. In the past we have been good about giving our dollars, but perhaps less good about hopping into a partnership of service with those in needs. We believe this support helps them and it changes us, and we want to do it better.

Out of that survey, we have identified nine different areas where Westminster tends to see themselves as gifted. They are the following:

Academic Skills (e.g. Tutoring) Administrative Skills (e.g. Strategy, Research, Events) Artistic Skills (e.g. Visual, Musical, Food) Athletic Skills (e.g. Coaching) Communication Skills (e.g. Written, Presenting, Marketing / PR) Manual Labor (e.g. Moving, Cleaning, Building) Relational Skills (e.g. Children, Non-Children, Counseling) Teaching Skills (e.g. Teaching, Mentoring, Preaching) Technical Expertise (e.g. Science, Medicine, Law, Computer)

This fall, as we make financial allocation decisions to a variety of local ministries, our hope is not to stop with financial capital alone, but instead to move towards better offering the rich human capital already embedded within the conversation. In this way, we hope to better ask how we might serve this larger community in particular, and in doing so to really start to live out the Westminster benediction in our daily activities.

As we progress in the fall, please keep an eye out for a variety of different things we will be doing in this new FINANCIAL CAPITAL + HUMAN CAPITAL approach, as we lean into participation in ministry and not merely patronage.

First, as mentioned elsewhere in the Chimes, we are advertising a position for Ministry of Mission for a full time role to support this and other similar work going on at Westminster. They will be tasked with helping lead and support this updated vision for participation and not merely patronage at the church. If you know of someone who might fit this role, please let us know!

Second, we are in the midst of figuring out a communication and web strategy for our group. Our plan is that these tools help us become a portal whereby you might find opportunities for service, whether you are a formal member of Westminster or not.

14 Chimes | Westminster Presbyterian Church

small groups

Small group news and eventswomen’s retreat

BARA: WOMEN CONNECTING THROUGH CREATION

Fri. & Sat. October 10—11, 2014(late Friday afternoon through 4:00p Saturday)

Friday/Saturday fee -- $51Saturday only -- $24

Partial Scholarship Help Available As Needed

Please contact Susan Jennings regarding registration or with questions! susanj@wpcgr.org, 717-5542

The Hebrew word bara suggests the idea of shaping or creating. It names the way in which we are invited into partnership with God in the shaping of our own lives and those around us. During our retreat time this year Rev. Katie Baker will help us explore the biblical foundation of that invitation and some of the many ways that we embody that creative agency. We may not be poets or painters, singers or actors but there are, in fact, countless ways that we see, process and then respond creatively to our world, to one another and to our God. Come share your own experience and try out a new form! There will be a number of workshop opportunities to learn and practice creativity, led by members and friends of WPC. Registrations are available NOW in the Gathering Place, by download on the website, or by calling the church office.

exploring faithThe Exploring Faith book club has begun it’s second season. Our book for October is “God’s Problem,” and deals with why we suffer, by Bart D. Ehrman (2008, Harper Collins). The book club will be discussing “God’s Problem,” when we meet on Wednesday, October 1 from 1:30-3:00p at the home of Mary Ann Walters, 341 College Ave. SE (between Cherry and Wealthy). New members are always welcome. The group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, September through May. Join us. Questions: Contact Chuck Strikwerda, 245-6929.

pww mexican potluck“It was a very nice evening. I’m glad I came.” Those were the sentiments of women who came to the PWW Mexican potluck on September 10. Forty women enjoyed fabulous Mexican food, Mexican music, and best of all, a relaxed time to renew friendships, and make new friends, as well. PWW is for all Westminster women, of all ages. There was a 60 year age span of those attending this gathering. What fun to learn and share with one another. We all were blessed to be together and we’ll do it again. The next event: Join other Westminster women and friends at the Fall Women’s Retreat at Camp Henry on Friday evening and Saturday, October 10 & 11. Registration forms are in the Gathering Place, on the website, or contact Susan Jennings, susanj@wpcgr.org.

fasd (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) One of our longstanding commitments at WPC has been supporting those with special needs, particularly those within the FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) community.Raising awareness and creating a space of welcome, there are two groups that meet at Westminster: an FASD support group for those diagnosed with or passionate about the FASD community and an FASD parent(s’) support group for those who have children with FASD. August’s meeting held much celebration as three members’ birthdays were recognized and honored with sweet treats and presents from fellow group members and their families! Following the opening of gifts and discussion about important summer events the group was divided into two teams. The teams held a friendly competition and completed a scavenger hunt within the church building. The FASD support group will meet regularly (on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:30pm) in the youth space of the church. The FASD parent(s’) support group will meet at the same time in the conference room. Please contact Michele with any questions or interest in the FASD support group! Phone: (770) 329-9563, Email: seachele47@gmail.com. *Parents are free to contact Barb Wybrecht directly. Phone: (616) 241-9126, Email: bmwybrecht@gmail.com.

Westminster Presbyterian Church | Chimes 15

small groups

westminster presbyterian adults Westminster Presbyterian Adults is a group of vibrant adults 55 and up. You are invited to join us for an outing on Thursday, October 9 to Southern Exposure Herb Farm in the Battle Creek area where we will enjoy lunch, tour an old farm home , and make a herb craft to take home. Reservation forms are in the church office service center. Your reservation will be confirmed by turning this form in with $10.00 per person to Cindy Hardy’s mail box. Please make your reservation by October 2. Questions, contact Jan Dildine by phone at 866-9281 or janet.dildine@comcast.net. Looking ahead: On Thursday, November 13, Luncheon at church with program: Monument Men.

westminster works Westminster Works has begun its third year as our career, re-employment, and vocational guidance ministry. Larry Bratschie, Westminster Works Ministry Coordinator, and Ken Soper, weekly Work Search Roundtable Facilitator, host a Roundtable everyThursday morning 9:00-11:00am. Roundtable has 5-8 individuals weekly participating, and we have seen over 20 individuals who reported back they have landed new work, assisted by the Westminster Works ministry. For more infomation on the Westminster Works program please contact, Larry Bratschie, at larbratch@msn.com or 616-229-6246.

wpc fiction book groupThe WPC Fiction Book Group meets on the third Sunday evening of the month at 7:00p in the Youth Lounge. We are reading “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett for our meeting October 19. Award-winning, bestselling author, Ann Patchett has written a provocative and assured novel of morality and miracles, science and sacrifice set in the Amazon rainforest. Patchett delivers an enthrallingly innovative tale of aspiration, exploration, and attachment in State of Wonder—a gripping adventure story and a profound look at the difficult choices we make in the name of discovery and love. (description from Amazon). Get a headstart on our future reads.November 16, 2014 – “Still Life” by Louise PennyJanuary 18, 2015 – “Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver. Please join us.

Small group news and eventsmidweek churchmen’s luncheonWeekly buffet luncheon Wednesdays at 11:30a, followed by fellowship and meditation, led by Rev. Don Gordon. Westminster Dining Room. October 1: Dr. Douglas Kindschi, Director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University and Ruling Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Topic: “The Interfaith Challenge: Is Tolerance Enough?” October 8: Dr. Henry Holstege, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Calvin College. Topic: “Health Care: A Moral Imperative.” October 15: Commander Scott Chando, Active USN, served at Camp Victory in Iraq. Topic: “On the Ground: Iraq.” October 22: Dr. L. James Harvey, active Christian layperson, formally involved in “International Management Consulting.” Topic: “Run Thru the Tape.” October 29: Rev. Robert Langenberg, Senior Pastor of Eighth Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, and regular participant in Churchmen’s Luncheon. Topic: “The Secret to Life.” (Philippians 4:13)

what is this?

Join us at the WPC Deli in the dining room for a quick lunch before checking out

ArtPrize.

There will be a variety of deli sandwich options. To-go boxes are also available.

12:15 - 1:00pm in our Dining Room

Suggested Donation: $8what else?

Going to church? Going to ArtPrize?

Need to grab lunch?

gluten free available!

A fundraiser for the middle school summer trip!

All proceeds will go toward the Middle School Youth Summer Trip.

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Grand Rapids, MI

PERMIT NO. 323

connect with westminster online

Stay connected with us online for up-to-date news and information about our congregational life and ministry.

www.westminstergr.org

facebook.com/westminstergr

twitter.com/westminstergr

The deadline for November Chimes is October 10. Please submit any and all information for the Chimes to: chimes@wpcgr.org or to Becky Wells at beckyw@wpcgr.org. Thank you.