Volume LVIII Number 9 September 2017

a publication of westminster congregational united church of christ

http://n-sid-sen.org/?page_id=117https://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessionDetail.aspx?idCamp=367&idSession=159765&campCode=nsshttps://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessionDetail.aspx?idCamp=367&idSession=159765&campCode=nsshttp://www.westminsterucc.org/http://www.westminsterucc.org/

2

Church Staff:

The Rev. Andrea CastroLangJan Shannon, Licensed Minister

All of God’s People

Verne Windham

Janet Hubbard

Nicolette (Nikki) Rode and Kate Johnston

Andréa Reese Hekimian

John Larson

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.

“Come to Camp you say; but what if I don’t know anybody?”You will meet them there! Since there is no possibility ofhiding behind phone technology, (reception is very limited)you will actually end up striking up conversations withothers. There is time and energy for the human connectionat camp!

“It’s not comfortable: I need a good bed, a good pillow,good sheets.” N-Sid-Sen has fabulous new mattresses!Pillows and sheets, too!

“I don’t like to be scheduled into activities.” There will belots of free time at this camp. Any activities you participatein are yours to choose. You can choose to nap the entireweekend if you want to!

“I have special food needs.” This is the one bit ofscheduling that I cherish ; I come to meals that are deliciousand home cooked, healthy and fun, and I don’t have to do athing! Nor do I have to clean up afterwards! The cook atN-Sid-Sen works diligently to provide meals that arewonderful and delicious for those with special foodconcerns.

“It will be hokey; it will be embarrassing.” You can play thegames, join the activities, or not. You can dance with otherchildren and adults, or not. You can come and sing aroundthe campfire, or not. But you may actually have a lot of fun.You may enjoy playing the board games, or building thepuzzle, or going on the forest walk.

“Come to camp!”, that’s what I say.

It is an incredible bargain for time in a glorious piece ofnature, and time with lovely people.

See you there, September 8, 9 and 10.

Pastor Andy ~

3

Pastoral Letter from the National Setting of the United Church of Christ

Last weekend (August 12), a group of white supremacists came to Charlottesville, Virginia, andincited violence to protest the removal of a Confederate monument. Although protest is thebedrock of our nation’s democracy, coming in riot gear proves that they intended to do morethan simply protest.

We, the Council of Conference Ministers and Officers of the United Church of Christ, stronglycondemn the acts of violent hatred expressed by these white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and KuKlux Klan members. Their white robes and burning crosses were replaced with polo shirts,khakis, and tiki torches, while their lynching was replaced with a speeding car barreling througha group of peaceful protesters with the intention of harming and killing others, which it did. Theirvitriolic hatred is the same.

We confess that the events of Charlottesville are systemic and communal expressions of whiteprivilege and racism that continues to pervade our nation’s spiritual ethos. And if we onlycondemn the acts of August 12, 2017, without condemning the roots of racism, whichperpetuate discrimination in our American schools, justice system, business, and healthcaresystems, then we have sinned as well. We must work toward the Kin-dom of Heaven here onearth now for the sake of a just world for all.

We do this by committing to follow the ways of Jesus, who stood with the oppressed, spoke outagainst political and religious powers, and courageously embodied a just world for all as hesought to create it. Today, we must follow the ways of Jesus in addressing the hatred of whitesupremacists and racists among us.

Our local UCC churches must be true solidarity partners with those who march in the streets.Our UCC churches are encouraged to move from the sanctuary and walk alongside otherclergy and community leaders who seek to resist, agitate, inform, and comfort. We must resisthatred and violence. We must also agitate ourselves, and our neighbors to acknowledge anyracism within or among us. We must inform ourselves, and our neighbors what our sacredstories reveal to us of a just world for all. We must lament and grieve with those who are injuredor murdered during violent confrontations with those who mean us harm. And we must comfortthose who have been discriminated against with the transformative love of God.

As we go forward, let us model the legacy of activism through our sacred call given to us by ourUCC ancestors: May we be prophetic truth-tellers like our Congregational Christian forebears,who marched in public squares demanding equality for all. May we serve others, and remainfaithful witnesses like our Evangelical and Reformed forebears, who tended to the needs of theforgotten. And may we be courageous like our non-UCC forebears, who left their spiritual homeand joined the UCC in order to fully live out who God created them to be.

In the days to come, may God's truth, mission, and courage be our guide to embodying theKin-dom of Heaven here on earth.

4

Proposition 1:to enforce racial profiling in Spokane

By Shane Bell

Proposition 1, on the ballot for November 2017, hasnothing to do with approving taxes for buses oraugmenting emergency services in Spokane. Rather,it is an initiative to overhaul the Municipal Code’s‘biased-free’ policing clause with a no-questions-asked authorization to racially profile individualsbased on a ‘perceived immigration status of citizens.’

For more than a decade Spokane’s Municipal Codeand the Spokane Police Department have prohibitedcity officers and employees from racial profilingbased on a person’s color of skin, accent, or dress.Acquiring of one’s immigration status, lest requiredby law or court order, is illegal according to the law.This pernicious and racist proposition would endsuch objective policing, placing the attention of crimeon appearance rather than action.

Per the Office of the City Clerk’s public record, “Thisproposition [Proposition 1] would remove from theSpokane Municipal Code words added by theordinances which prohibit city employees fromacquiring or ascertaining immigration statusinformation in the course of lawful duties.”1 Theaforementioned ordinances protected ‘biased-freepolicing’; so in other words, the crux of Proposition 1is not about what it adds but about what it subtractsfrom the Spokane Municipal Code.

“The SPD does not, has not, and never has beenknown to ask for any sort of residency paperwork ofany community member,” said Spokane PoliceCaptain Tracie Meidl, who has served in the SpokanePolice Department for 24 years. “That is not even ourjob. Even if we were to arrest someone on a criminal____________________________________

1 Office of the City Clerk,https://www.spokanecounty.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/13015

charge and book them into jail, we don’t ask forpaperwork to determine if they are a citizen or not.That is not our business. We respond to crimes, andwe identify people who are involved in crime.”

As the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane(PJALS) has captured so succinctly in their ‘TalkingPoints’ literature, this proposition is bad for publicsafety by creating distrust among communitymembers of color, damages the economy byjeopardizing visitor, tourist, and convention revenue,and serves as a red herring to real issues in ourcommunity such as violence and property crime.

Internet searches on the topic turn up a dizzyingamount of dead ends and previous unrelatedpropositions also titled ‘Proposition 1.’ However,according to the Spokane Office of the City Clerk’spublic record, Jackie Murray of Respect Washington,a special interest group, filed Proposition 1 inNovember 2014. The Spokane City Council grappledwith the initiative but it was ultimately adopted andplaced on the ballot by Council Members Mike Faganand Lori Kinnear.

“My understanding of Proposition 1 is that the focuswill be on if you appear to be an immigrant, and thatif you are anything but white, you will bequestioned,” said Cathy Gunderson, member ofWestminster Congregational United Church of Christand Chair of the WestCAT Group, an affiliate ofSpokane Alliance. “You should be questioned aboutthe crime you committed,” continued Gunderson,“then it will come out if you acted illegally or not.Then you get out of racial profiling.”

Gunderson believes her church has been supportiveof ‘refugee normalization.’ “As a church thatwelcomes everyone, I think that speaks loudly. IfProposition 1 is passed, it will make Spokane anunfriendly city. It pushes one to always have to carrypapers, or an ID. I don’t do that myself, so I don’tthink anyone else should have too either,” saidGunderson.

Israel Musonda, 30, studying Business

Continued at right. . .

5

Administration at Gonzaga University, is concernedabout how Proposition 1 would affect internationalstudents in Spokane. Born in Zambia, Musondamoved to the U.S. with his family when he was fouryears old. “Based on their accent or their dress, manyof our international students could be interrogated bythe police, especially because many of them fly intoSpokane late at night, wearing clothes from theircountries. What kind of message would it send toparents from other countries who want to send theirkids to Gonzaga or other schools here?” askedMusonda.

Formerly in charge of public relations for Gonzaga’sIntercultural Student Union Club, Musonda acted as aliaison between the university and the community.

“That [Proposition 1] would cut ties between us andthe world. From an educational standpoint, we couldlose potential students. It makes the job harder for theschool. It also makes police officers’ jobs harder,”said Musonda. “And I am for the police department.I am for this community.”

“What’s going on behind the scenes?” askedMusonda, pausing. “This has got me thinking. For methere is a personal conviction. There is good freedomand bad freedom. Good freedom is being able to goto a restaurant and not being bothered for the color ofyour skin. Bad freedom is a police officer pullingsomeone over just because they look like animmigrant. This would give freedom for racism tomanifest.”

Latest Update, as of August 25,2017:

Proposition 1 was thrown out by alocal judge and will not be on the ballotin November, unless there is asuccessful last minute appeal. Thisdoes not seem likely.

The group, “Respect Washington”,(which is actually funded by moneyfrom a group in Michigan), had theirProposition removed by SuperiorCourt Judge, Julie McKay.

Rick Eichstaedt, of the Center forJustice in Spokane, told folks gatheredoutside the courthouse: “Now we canreally focus on doing good things inSpokane, and not focus on the type ofhate that Proposition 1 reallyrepresented,” “We told RespectWashington to go back home, stay outof our community, go spend your timeand dollars someplace else,”Eichstaedt said.

XDEN

IED

6

7

October 1, 2017

If you are interested in hearing more about ourcommunity; if you want to get to know others inour faith family; if you think that you want to joinwith us as part of the gospel people working forlove and peace and justice in the world, then Iinvite you to our “new member classes” on SundayOctober 1 and Sunday October 8, during theEducation Hour, 9:30-10:20 am.

We will meet up in Rm 207, upstairs in theeducation wing of the church (it is also the YogaRoom).

There will be an opportunity to meet one another,share a little of our faith journeys with oneanother, ask questions about Westminster and ourwork and mission, ask questions about the UnitedChurch of Christ, and consider your option to jointhis community of faith.

Membership is an opportunity to grow deeper in

relationship with the loving, struggling, hoping,working people of faith who make up Westminster.It is a commitment to grow and support oneanother for as long as you feel the tug of thisrelational work. We won’t ask for a pint of blood,or all your money; we will ask you to give yourselfto this community of followers of Jesus Christ, inthe best way that makes sense to your spiritualgrowth.

The people of Westminster are always honored bythose who wish to join us on this journey of faith!We believe in what we are doing, and what we aretrying to share with the world around us in ourneighborhood, city and world.

If you are interested in this conversation of heartand mind and spirit, contact Pastor Andy(pastorandy@westminsterucc.org) or Pastor Jan(pastorjan@westminsterucc.org) and join us inOctober!

UCC-wide offering

8

http://saychoirs.org/http://pncucc.org/http://treeofsharing.org/receiving/

9

The Joanna Chapter beginsagain the second Wednesday ofeach month. Our first meetingwill be at Brookdale RetirementCommunity in the lunchroom onWednesday, September 13th at11:30 am. We welcome allwomen of the church to join us.You may purchase lunch for$6.00 or just join in the meeting.If you have questions, pleasecall Linda Stephens at(509) 893-1550. We are gearingup for the All Church BirthdayParty in October!

Our Small Group Ministry willbegin planning for the new churchyear. Are you interested in gettingto know a few fellow churchmembers or friends a little bitbetter? Want to be part of a groupthat will be there to listen and toshare with? What about a group toasking those tough, pesky spiritualquestions or life challenges?

I'd like to pull together a fewgroups. Drop me a line and let meknow if you are interested...whatdays/times work best. If you arealready part of a small group,please check in with your host(s) tolet them know you are interested incontinuing.

Jenn Marquis ~marquisjenn@gmail.com

http://saychoirs.org/http://pncucc.org/http://treeofsharing.org/receiving/

10

Your Education and Spiritual Growth Board members and friends have been busy designing learning-and-growth-opportunities (programs, discussions, service opportunities) for the new program year,which starts in September 2017. We hope that you will join in, engage and stretch through the Familycamp at N-Sid-Sen (September 8-10), Adult Forum on Sunday mornings (beginning 9/17/17 at 9:30-10:20 am) and a community Panel Discussion on September 20, 6-8 pm in our sanctuary.

will kick-off on Sunday, September 17, in the parlor at9:30 am. This promises to be a totally engaging examination of our social justice and values and our faithpractices, which enhance and sustain our work. We will examine our values, our stories and theirintersections with the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, what happens in trauma and healing. Ourplanners (Amy Meredith, Pastor Andy, Jenn Marquis and Megan Schindler) have created sessions thatwill be both reflective and active each time. We will see you on Sundays this Fall in the parlor at 9:30am!

Community Panel Discussion on will be inour sanctuary, September 20 from 6-8 pm. All are invited, neighboring churches and congregations areinvited, bring friends and bottled water. (see next page)

Church School class for children in grades 1-6, will meet in Classroom 204 andwill learn through the lessons of The Joyful Path, a curriculum of the Center forProgressive Christianity. “ , lessons are based on theenergy within, the body, the feeling, the heart nature, the will, god within all, theteachings of Jesus and other wisdom teachings, and the intellect.”

Welcome to our learning season, Fall 2017.

Lorna Kropp ~

http://familypromiseofspokane.org/smile

11

http://familypromiseofspokane.org/smile

12

CYRANO

By Edmond RostandTranslated by Michael HollingerAdapted by Michael Hollinger and Aaron PosnerDirected by Chris Wooley

September 8 -24, 2017

The most legendary nose in literature gets a makeover with this lively Americanadaptation of the 1897 French classic. Will Roxane fall for Christian’s dashing looks orCyrano’s daring poetry? Find out in this timeless tale—full of wordplay and swordplaythat’s been an inspiration to writers and lovers for centuries.

Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 pmSundays 2:00 pm

Reserved seating $20.00spokanestageleft.org or http://www.tktassistant.com/Tix?u=StageLeft

Being a mother with kids in school, September always ushers in a flurry of new activity,schedules and adjustments. I don't think church is any different. We are planning curriculum/topics for kids and adult forum, thinking about what are the most important issues that we asa congregation need to address.

I hope you join us at church camp at N-Sid-Sen. If you're reading this at the beginning of themonth…it’s not too late to register. Family camp is a great way to get to know each otherbetter, to take in the beauty of Lake Couer d’Alene and to relax, and let our fantastic camp staffcook for us!

If you’re looking to make a deeper connection with a few folks at Westminster, consider joiningour small group ministries. Contact me directly and I’ll help you make a connection or create anew group if we have 3 or more people. I have a potential Thursday evening opportunity. Ourother co-leaders are Mary Rupert and Francie Light; and Randy and Linda Crow.

If you're interested in the workings of the church, please consider joining us at Council the 4thTuesdays of the month at 7 pm. If you are new, and want to serve on a committee like ServingOur Neighbors (SON), social justice work with WestCAT, or on the Education & Spiritual GrowthBoard….I can hook you up! As always, I love to hear how we can strengthen Westminster and whatwe offer both to our members and our community. Let me know if there are ways that we can supportyour faith journey, what your heart is longing for and as always how can we best be the hands andfeet of Christ.

Sincerely,Jennifer Marquis, Moderatormarquisjenn@gmail.com509-599-2306

http://www.spokanestageleft.org/http://tktassist.com/Tix/?u=StageLeft

13

WESTMINSTER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

July2017

MonthlyBudget

MonthlyDifference

YTD2017

YTDBudget

YTDDifference

Total Income 18,881.76 17,349.99 1,531.77 121,792.83 106,449.93 15,342.90Total Expense 19,867.64 19,929.53 (61.89) 176,235.12 142,756.71 33,478.41Net Income (Loss) (985.88) (2,579.54) 1,593.66 (54,442.29) (36,306.78) (18,135.51)

2017 Pledge Information as of August 10, 2017:

2017Total

Pledges

2016Total

Pledges

2016PledgesReceived

2017PledgesReceived

2017Pledges

Outstanding

2017 AnnualPledgeBudget

MonthlyPledgeBudget

shortage91,109.80 115,479.56 107,077.56 51,490.74 39,619.06 115,000.00 (1,656.64)

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

September 18 “The Six:the lives of the MitfordSisters" by LauraThompson; facilitated byLinda Joy at the home ofJoan Weekes.

October 16 "The UndergroundRailroad" by Colson Whitehead;facilitated by Marilynne Wilson at herhome.

November 20 “Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi;facilitated by Nada Morse at the home ofJanet Ruehl.

December - no meeting!

January 22 “You Don’t Have to Say YouLove Me” by Sherman Alexie; facilitatedby Mary Mackay, at a location tba.

February 119 “Goliath” by MaxBlumenthal.

http://www.spokanestageleft.org/http://tktassist.com/Tix/?u=StageLeft

14

Worship services each Sunday at 10:30 am.

***Worship at N-Sid-Sen, September 10

(lunch will not be provided)

***Summer schedules are ending in September. . .

***Dates to note: 9-1 Pastor Jan on vacation through9-10. 9-4 Labor Day 9-12 committee budgets aredue to Trustees. 9-20Community Panel discussion at 6 pm. (pg 11).9-23 Pastor Andy on vacation thru 9-28. 9-29Pastor Andy will be working offsite. 10-1 and 10-8 New Member discussions (pg 7)

August Attendance8-6 8-13 8-20 8-27

45 70 67 60

Meals on Wheelsstill needs you!

Volunteer Coordinator 456-0397

ORGAN REPAIR FUND as of August 20

Received andPledged $5,317(4,367 / 950)

Goal $6,000

9/2 Jim CastroLang

9/3 Susan Windham

9/4 Sandi Grove

9/5 Karen Wilson-BellSamuel Aaron Ferguson

9/8 John Weekes

9/9 Linda Kraft

9/18 Mary MackayAmanda CastroLang

9/19 Tami Shinaberger

9/21 Hazel KotlanJonathan Windham

9/22 Jazmin Koons

9/27 James HyvonenJulie KoonsSophie Phillips

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 their

photos, 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 thisform.

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.

Liturgist: Sara Weaver

Deacons: Hazel K, Steve P, Mary S, Wes J

Hospitality:Cathy Gunderson,Doris Holdaway, Allan Bonney

Liturgist:Church Camp at N-Sid-Sen. . .

Enjoy!Deacons:

Hospitality:

Liturgist: Jenn Marquis

Deacons: Mary Seaton, Hazel Kotlan

Hospitality: SON Committee

Liturgist: Wes Johnson

Deacons: Lizz Craft, Jon Louis

Hospitality: Michal Chapter

Liturgist: Jon Louis

Deacons: N / A

Hospitality: Potluck Coffee Hour (Everyone)

1 Friday Pastor Jan is on vacation through 9-10

3 Sunday 10:30 am Communion Sunday 3:00 pm AA Group

4 Monday Labor Day

5 Tuesday 7:00 pm Teacher’s long-range planning

7 Thursday 6:30 pm AA Group 7:00 pm Earth Ministry - climate event

8 Friday 4:00 pm Church and Interfaith Camp begins

10 Sunday 10:30 am worship at N-Sid-Sen 12:00 pm Church and Interfaith Camp ends

11 Monday group schedules resume . . . 6:00 pm bell choir practice

12 Tuesday committee budgets due 6:30 pm Deacons 7:30 pm Education & Spiritual Growth

13 Wednesday 11:30 am Joanna Chapter 6:30 pm SON Committee

14 Thursday 6:30 pm AA Group

15 Friday 11:30 am Tree of Sharing Agency meeting

17 Sunday 12:00 pm WestCAT12:30 pm Youth Group

3:00 pm AA Group

18 Monday 12:00 pm Book & Salad6:00 pm bell choir practice

19 Tuesday 2:00 pm Poetry 6:30 pm Trustees (budget review)

20 Wednesday Witness submissions due 6:00 pm Community Panel Discussion

(pg 11)

21 Thursday 6:30 pm AA Group

23 Saturday Pastor Andy on vacation thru 9-28

24 Sunday 12:30 pm Youth Group 3:00 pm AA Group

25 Monday 6:00 pm bell choir practice 7:30 pm Michal Chapter

26 Tuesday 7:00 pm Council

28 Thursday 6:30 pm AA Group

29 Friday Pastor Andy working offsite

OCTOBER1 Sunday 9:30 am NEW MEMBER discussions 10:30 am Communion Sunday | NIN offering 12:30 pm Youth Group 3:00 pm AA group

September 2017

Church Camp(with Interfaith friends!)

September 8 - 10

(See front cover)