Pledges to Westminster’s budget for 2001 went “over the top” of the $143,000 goal by mid-March, and the Stewardship-Budget Canvass Committee wishes to say a special thank-you to all who have pledged and are contributing to the mission and programs of the church.

To further express their appreciation, the committee has arranged for members to get parking lot permits for use during the week by calling the church office. This custom has been followed in other years and permits issued in the past remain valid. (Check with the church office to find out if your license number is on the approved list, so your car won’t be towed.)

The committee, co-chaired by Nancy Burton and Lois Wilson, has already started planning for development of the 2002 budget. Budget  hearings  with  committee chairmen will be held this month, so funding requests can be submitted and explained.

      Social events are expected to take place again over the summer, with the schedule coordinated by Susan Filipp and Lois Wilson. And a “spiritual gifts inventory” of members may be taken to identify people’s ministry talents and interests–as we seek to rebuild our church community through renewed vision and faith. P

Mission Plan Will be Worked on at Retreat

       Members of the New Vision Task Force, the Session and the church staff will attend an overnight retreat at the Rensselaerville Institute on May 11 and 12, in an effort to finish the mission study process by the end of May so a plan can be approved by the Session in June. Then, with the approval of the Albany Presbytery, the work of our Pastoral Nominating Committee can begin.

      The aim of the plan is to have a better understanding of ourselves as a congregation and to create a consensus about the future direction of our church, according to Task Force Chair Anne Older.

       “The aim of the plan is to have a better understanding of ourselves as a congregation and to create a consensus about the future direction of our church....”

       A congregational dialogue was held after church on  April 29,  for discussion of a draft vision statement, mission statement, and one and three-year goals, all of which had been mailed out earlier. Results of the work at the retreat will be mailed to all members during the week of May 14, and a second congregational dialogue will be held on Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m.

      The Task Force met twice during April to draft the vision and mission documents, based on material submitted by the study groups that met for eight weeks this winter.

Lectionary for Lord's Day

 May 2001

 6    4^th Sunday of Easter

    Acts 9:36-43; Ps. 23

    Rev. 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

 13   5^th Sunday of Easter

    Acts 11:1-18; Ps. 148

    Rev. 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

 20   6^th Sunday of Easter

    Acts 16:9-15; Ps. 67

    Rev. 21:10, 21:22-22:5;

    John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

 27   7^th Sunday of Easter

    Acts 16:16-34; Ps. 97

    Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21;

    John 17:20-26

Policy Exception OK’ed

      With Session approval, the Rev. Sandra Hanna has invited former pastor Albert Newman to co-officiate at the baptism of Tyler Schaad at Westminster on June 3. The child is the grandson of longtime member Dr. Harold Wilson, and the Session decided to grant an exception to Presbytery policy relating to former pastors in this instance.

      The Session also directed the Rev. Hanna, the Rev. Cass Shaw of the Albany Presbytery, the Rev. Newman, and Session Clerk Lois Wilson to meet to discuss the policy and its future implementation at Westminster.

P

  Save These Dates...

      On Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. to noon, WOW (Westminster Outreach Workers) will return to the South Mall Towers for a second round of spring cleaning.  Additional volunteers are welcome and may call Mary Jean Tedrow to join the crew.

      On Wednesday, May 16, there will be a recognition luncheon for volunteers in the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry.

      On Thursday, May 17, at 6 p.m., a joint meeting of the Session and Deacons will be held in the Welles Room.

      On Tuesday, May 22, from 7 to 9 p.m., the Christian Education Committee will sponsor a dinner and program on “Celebrating Gifts of Women.”

      On Pentecost Sunday, June 3, there will be a FOCUS taizé service at 5 p.m., followed by supper provided by the FOCUS ministry.  Later that evening, the musicians of Voce Magna will present a Cantata Cycle for Voices and Strings: “The Members of Christ’s Body” by Dietrich Buxtehude.

      On Sunday, June 17, at 2 p.m., the Westminster Choir will perform the Requiem by John Rutter with a chamber ensemble.

      Watch for more information on all of these upcoming events.

How to Communicate With Sick and Lonely Topic of May Program

      How many of you have not known what to say or how to act around someone who was suffering, seriously ill or lonely?

      The Board of Deacons is sponsoring a potluck supper program on Wednesday, May 9, at 6 p.m., featuring a video, “Communicating with Compassion,” produced by the Adventures in Caring Foundation. It discusses four key ways to communicate with people with compassion, including listening skills that can help lift the spirits of the sick and lonely.

      Those attending are asked to bring a salad, main course, or dessert to share, and beverages will be provided.  Deacons Diane Bossung and Dodie Seagle will lead a brief discussion following the video. You are urged to take advantage of this educational opportunity, and learn how to make a difference in the lives of others.  Call the church office to say you plan to attend.    P

CROP Walk Reminder

      The annual CROP Walk will take place on  Sunday, May 6, beginning at 1 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Albany.  There is still time to get pledges and walk with both Westminster members and hundreds of other caring people from around the Albany area.  If you can't walk this year, you are urged to support one of the walkers from Westminster.

      The walk benefits hunger programs both globally and locally.  Last year we earned a “Golden Sneaker”  for our support of the CROP Walk – let's strive for the matching shoe in 2001!

Sunday Taizé Services Will Continue Through Summer

      After consideration of a report submitted by Al Fedak, Minister of Music and Arts, the Session voted at its April meeting to continue to hold weekly Taizé services every Sunday at 5 p.m. throughout the summer months.  The services began last October and the Session agreed then to evaluate their effectiveness  after six months.

      While attendance at the services has averaged only about 25 people, those who do come have said they find them extremely meaningful.  Also, new programming often takes some time to build interest and attract people, the Session and staff believe.  In addition,  it is expected that during the warm weather months, more church members may wish to have an alternative service to attend.

      The summer Taizé services will be held in the Welles Chapel, which will be cooled by air conditioners, due to the heat of the sanctuary in the summer. During weeks when staff members are away on vacation, musicians will be hired if there are not enough volunteers. A fund for the Taizé services has been budgeted, but not yet used, and a free-will offering of more than $300 collected at the services is also available.  If the after-service meals and use of the labyrinth also continue – yet to be determined – volunteers will be needed.

Organ ‘Transplanted’

      All parts of the Skinner organ were removed from the Older home last month. Six Austin Organ Company employees loaded  trucks for the trip to Hartford, CT – and  the beginning of a new life for Westminster’s pipe organ, which has resided in the Older home since the mid-70's.  The refurbished organ is expected to be re-installed in our sanctuary next year.

Volunteers, Donations Support Food Pantry

      Westminster is one of 10 faith communities supporting the FOCUS Interfaith Pantry.  The pantry served 8,328 people from 3,008 families during 2000, including 3,677 children and 353 seniors aged 60 or older.  The pantry, located in Trinity United Methodist Church, is also supported by the five other FOCUS churches, Congregation Beth Emeth, First Unitarian Universalist, New Covenant Presbyterian, and St. Andrews Episcopal.

      One of 47 food pantries in Albany County, the FOCUS pantry covers a designated area in the city and is open 8 to 10 days per month, including two Saturdays.

      The pantry is a place for ministry too.  Jim Cameron, who is leaving his post as food pantry administrator soon and moving from the Capital District with his wife, remembers a visitor who said, “Last night I was raped, and I have just come from Albany Medical Hospital.” He arranged for her to be counseled by  FOCUS Community Minister Debra Jameson.

      When people arrive at the pantry, they are interviewed at the intake desk for eligibility information.  Later, in a second interview, they select the food and commodities they would like.  Volunteers bag orders using sturdy bags – since the recipients will be walking home with their groceries. After their basic order is complete, people may pick up some additional items from donated fresh food.  The goal is to allow people to leave with groceries within an hour.

      Basic food choices usually include juice, pasta, peanut butter, rice, soup, crackers, macaroni and cheese, powdered milk, cereal, and three or four meat choices.  Depending on availability and the size of the family, people may also select from among toiletries donated by member congregations – such as toothpaste, deodorant, and toilet paper.

      Ways for Westminster members to help, according to Cameron and Pantry Food Coordinator Peg Hanlon, include donating toiletries and other items not available from grant funds; collecting coupons for diapers, baby food, and other expensive items; unloading trucks and vans; and helping with data entry of more than 700 records (to be done after a new pantry administrator is hired).

      Westminster member Sidney Kent has been a FOCUS volunteer for more than 15 years, first at Westminster for the FOCUS Breakfast Program – to set the tables and help cook and serve.  For the past several years, he has manned the intake desk at the food pantry every day the pantry is open.

      Our FOCUS Food Pantry volunteers for 2000-01 are board member Mary Jean Tedrow, and two members who are there every day the pantry is open – John Seiloff as an interviewer and Sidney Kent at the intake desk.  Volunteer packers and drivers include Marianne Rings, Allan Tedrow, Arthur and Sally Buell, Bill Mayer, Lois Thompson, Michael Shrader, Tom McPheeters, Norm Andrews, and Karen Durgee.

Lois Wilson

May 2001