February 15, 2012
Annual Meeting 2012
At the annual congregational meeting on January 22, the congregation thanked Pierre Toureille, and newly elected Moderator, Mary Grossnick, presented him with tokens of the congregation’s appreciation. Hanns Kuttner was elected Moderator-Elect. The slate of officers and board members was approved. A few board positions still needed to be filled and have since been taken care of. Stewardship chair, Bob Musil, announced that we have received 143 pledges totaling $520,000. The congregation approved a 2012 budget of $796,728.
A Hauntingly Beautiful Opera Is Coming to Westmoreland
On Saturday, March 10th, Music and Arts at Westmoreland will present “Riders to the Sea” by Ralph Vaughn Williams. The opera is based on a one-act play by John Millington Synge. The story tells about a family long ago on one of Ireland’s Aran Islands as they face losses to an unrelenting sea.
Dr. Grace Cho, opera coach at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and a musician familiar to many Westmorelanders and audiences, will direct the production, to be performed by the chamber choir Voix de Femmes, Annick Kanter-Saint Hubert, artistic director. Sarah Maines, Shalisha Nason Kerr and Elizabeth Winn will be the soloists. In addition to the opera, the concert also will include a series of delightful songs performed by Voix de Femmes.
Tickets and reservations are not required for the free concert, which will begin at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the work of the Marie H. Reed Learning Center in northwest D.C. Westmoreland Church has a partnership with the school that provides volunteer tutoring in reading, math and science and financial assistance.
Come to hear this thought-provoking story set to Ralph Vaughn Williams’ memorable music on Saturday, March 10th, and visit with Grace, Annick Kanter-Saint Hubert and the other artists at the reception afterwards.
Visit: http://westmorelanducc.org/boards/Arts_Com/music-a/
Rev. Maddox to Conduct Lenten Study
For the weeks of Lent, Rev. Bob Maddox will lead repeat book discussions (in an effort to accommodate more peoples’ schedules) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Carpenter’s House, 5148 Massachusetts Avenue. The first session is Tuesday, February 14 and then again on Thursday, February 16, 12 noon – 1 pm. The book is “Saving Jesus From the Church” by Robin Myers.
Dr. Maddox says, “Among the several books we have discussed across the years, this has the most to offer us directly as we increasingly open ourselves to God’s new future.” It points quite clearly in the direction of 21st century ministry and service.
If you already have the book, begin reading the first chapter or so. Copies are available in the church office for $10. It is also available for Kindle, Ipad and “smart” phones.
Even if you cannot attend the weekday sessions, Dr. Maddox heartily commends the book to the Westmoreland Church family. It is a readable, insightful book that gathers up the past twenty years of Jesus studies. Robin Myers is a UCC pastor in Oklahoma City, OK
Parking is available in the Westmoreland lot and in the lot of the Washington Baptist Church (former Briggs Church).
Saturday Tutoring Begins at Marie Reed
For all of you who have wanted to tutor at Marie Reed School, but have not been able to do so during the week, here is your opportunity. On February 18, Saturday tutoring, 9 – 11 am, starts up again. This is also a good opportunity for high school students who would like to earn community service credits and you are welcome to bring along a parent or friend. We tutor in reading for one hour and math for one hour – - simple skills. The school is located at Kalorama Road and 18th Street in Adams Morgan. For those wanting to go as a group, meet in the Westmoreland parking lot at 8:20 on Saturdays. Questions? Contact me at gmcdavid@verizon.net.
These sessions have meant a lot to the children and we hope to have significant participation of our youth and adults this year. Gary McDavid
Westmorelanders Get Together Around Movies and Books
Westmoreland’s “StillScreening” movie discussion group will have its first meeting on Sunday, March 4, 4:30-7:30. Adults will meet in the Mabry Room to watch “The Apostle,” while children will watch “Up” in the Youth Room (with supervision). Following the movies we will come together for a brief pizza dinner, after which adults will discuss their movie while kids watch a “VeggieTales” short. Robert Duvall received an Oscar nomination for his performance as Sonny, a Texas preacher whose happy life suddenly spins out of control. Taking a new name, “The Apostle E.F.” flees to Louisiana, where he preaches on street corners and over the radio, and starts to renovate an old church. A wonderful movie; all are welcome. Brad Case will facilitate the discussion.
Westmoreland’s “StillReading” book discussion group will next meet on Sunday, April 1 (Palm Sunday), 5:00-6:30 in the Parlor to discuss “Death Comes for the Archbishop” by Willa Cather. Missionary priest Father Jean Marie Latour works gently and tirelessly to spread his faith and to build a soaring cathedral out of the local golden rock while contending with unforgiving terrain, derelict and sometimes rebellious priests, and his own loneliness. This book shares a limitless, craggy beauty with the New Mexico landscape of desert, mountain, and canyon, and its evocations of that landscape and those who are drawn to it suggest why Cather is acknowledged without question as the most poetically exact chronicler of the American frontier. All are welcome. Snacks are served; Brad Case will facilitate the discussion.
More Ways to Enjoy Fellowship!
The Board of Membership and Fellowship is sponsoring a “Presidential Chili Lunch” on Sunday, February 19 for all the Westmorelanders who attend church that Sunday. There will be different types of chili – - red, white and vegetarian – - and all the toppings. If you can contribute a pot of chili and bring it in a crockpot to church before the service, please contact Diane Kupelian: dianekupelian@gmail.com or 301-907-8260.
The Parents’ Group Winter Potluck Dinner will be held at the home of Ron and Mary Sue Johnson, on Saturday, February 25, 6:30 pm. RSVP to Mary Sue at johnson.marysue@gmail.com and let her know what you can bring. Parents’ Group is primarily composed of parents of college students and recent grads, but all are welcome!
Help the Hungry by Dining Out!
Last year 150,000 Montgomery County residents visited local food banks for assistance. And nearly 1 in 3 children in the county is at risk for hunger. But you can help! The annual “Thanksgiving in February” is on Tuesday, February 28. By dining at local participating restaurants that will donate a percentage of their profits that day to non-profits that provide food to our hungry neighbors, you will contribute to their efforts. Get a group together – neighbors, friends, fellow Westmorelanders – - and have lunch or dinner out. See a list of the participating restaurants in the brochure at church or visit www.thanksgivinginfebruary.org.
Youth News
Youth Raise Money for Bethesda Cares
Did you have a tasty cup of homemade soup on Souper Bowl Sunday? If you did, then you helped Westmoreland’s Middle School youth raise $329 for Bethesda Cares. Thanks to our youth for their efforts and to those who contributed.
Time to Plan for the Summer Mission Trip
It’s time to start looking forward to one of the exciting activities that will be available to youth from Westmoreland this summer. The week of July 1-July 7 youth from Westmoreland will join forces with youth from other UCC congregations in the Potomac Association for a mission experience with Habitat for Humanity in West Virginia. This trip is open to rising 9th graders through graduated 12th graders and the cost is $385 per person. It’s time to start planning. Please let John Forrest know ASAP if you are considering going on this trip.
Lincoln Westmoreland Housing: The Board Needs You
For those unfamiliar with this outreach project, Lincoln Westmoreland Housing (LWH) is a joint collaboration between our church and Lincoln Temple, an inner city UCC church in DC, to provide housing to low-income families in the Shaw neighborhood. The LWH board operates a 108-unit apartment building, which Westmoreland and Lincoln Temple built after the riots in 1970 that left many without shelter and is now planning to build a new 50 unit building next to the old one. The board, comprised of members of Westmoreland and other area UCC churches, coordinates closely with the tenant’s organization and Shaw Community Ministries to provide services, empower the residents and provide significant financial support.
The LWH board is currently looking for replacements for two Westmoreland positions that have become vacant following the rotation off of Caryn Musil and Tad Baldwin who have served faithfully for many years. Meetings are quarterly; housing or urban planning experience is not necessary. There are lots of opportunities to think creatively, make a difference and have some fun along the way. Please consider this request and contact Dave Jacobs (dejacobsdc@gmail.com or 202-607-0938) if you’re interested.
Meet Our New Member
Please extend a warm welcome to D. Lee Alekel who joined Westmoreland by letter of Transfer from Ames UCC, Ames, Iowa on February 12. She and her husband, Ted Peterson, have been attending Westmoreland since October 30, 2011 and live in Rockville. Their son, Lucas, a freshman at Virginia Tech, visits Westmoreland on school vacations. Lee is Program Director, Women’s Health at the National Center for Complementary Medicine, NIH. In her leisure time she enjoys walking, bicycling, singing and cooking.
Congregation Notes
Congratulations to Westmoreland member Marie Wilson and her husband, Max, on the birth of their first child, Graham, on January 12.
Our blessings and best wishes are extended to Westmoreland member Michael Neuroth on his Ordination into Christian ministry on February 11 at Westmoreland. Mike was also installed As Advocate for International Issues with Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ. The service was attended by Conference and Association ministers, his family, and members of Westmoreland and Hope UCC. He will be joining Hope UCC in Alexandria where his wife, Amber, is the senior minister.