In-SPIRE-ation April 2010
News from Westminster United Church
 Greetings!

Happy Easter! 

Now begins the 40 days of Easter where our scriptures on Sunday will tell us stories about Jesus' post resurrection encounters.  Please join us to continue to hear the Easter message. Thanks to all who helped Holy Week at Westminster to be so meaningful for so many.  I am so blessed to work with such dedicated volunteers who care deeply about living their faith in action.

After Church this Sunday in the Friendship Room, we invite folk who are new to the community of Westminster to join us for fruit and a cold drink, just so that people can meet new folk in an informal way and learn each other's names.  Even if you can only come for a few minutes... please drop by.

Holy Baptism will be held April 18th.

Confirmation classes for youth run April 20, 27 May 4, 11 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.at the church.

Adults wishing to join the church by Profession of Faith - Bring your lunch - We will meet after church April 25 and May 2.  A good review for those who just want a refresher of United Church knowledge.

Anyone wishing youth confirmation, to transfer their memberships or join by profession of faith are asked to call the church office.  Confirmation, profession of faith and transfer of membership will be held Sunday May 16th.   Youth from our congregation, accompanied by leader Pam Mauti, attended a Presbytery wide Confirmation retreat at Muskoka Woods.  From all accounts it looks like it was lots of fun and educational.  Next retreat will be in May.

The Westminster Crosscheckers Hockey team will play in at the Honeywood Arena in the United Church Wholly Hockey Tournament this week.  Game times are April 8 - 7:00 p.m. and April 10  -  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Please join us as fans.

A sincere thank you to Margaret Boggs and her family for donating the communionware and candlesticks to Westminster. These vessels were dedicated on Easter Sunday.

The Bells of Westminster presented a new banner to be used whenever they perform and they would like to invite you to the upcoming Bell Concert on April 25th with guest bell choirs. See the notice below.

Thanks to all who responded to our Easter Appeal.  The focus of the letter was two-fold:  firstly, to encourage folk to increase their giving by $10.00 per week so that we could wipe out our operating debt and maintain a balanced budget; secondly, pay for the new furnace.  Good News! We were able to exceed the furnace fund challenge which leaves us with approximately $20,000.00 dollars to raise towards our $65,000.00 furnace expense!  That is impressive fundraising in 7 months!  Thank you for believing in providing a warm sanctuary and Christian meeting place for the United Church folk and those we serve in the Town of Orangeville.  Help us pay off the loan for the furnace a.s.a.p. If any other donor wishes to issue a challenge speak to our treasurer.  Over time, we will see if our request forextra donations per week materialize.  The Lord loves a cheerful giver.

Mark your calendars - June 27th after Church Congregational meeting

See you in church, Rev. Sandra
Jewelry Sale
Annual Jewelry Sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon. on Saturday, April 17th
 
Jewelry donations gladly appreciated - please contact Tanya Ellacott or Tina Torrie through the church office
 
Come find some great treasures! 
Attention Young People!
 
Next Youth Gathering:  Monday, April 12th at 6:30 p.m.  Pepperoni pizza will be ordered.  $5/person. (Grades 7+)  Come out for some good old fashioned fun (whatever that is...).  Friends are welcome to join us!
 
Area churches are working diligently together for the youth of Orangeville for our first "Youth Unity Worship Event".  Come on out on Sunday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Westside High School Theatre.  Many are planning on attending and friends are welcome to join in the experience. (Focusing on High School Students)
 
Area youth groups (ages 14+) are coming together to experience the 30-Hour Famine from noon on Friday, April 30th to Saturday night, May 1st.  Please contact Janet Jones if you are interested in participating.  Fundraising sheets will be available in the Youth Room this Sunday! 

Friday, April 9
√ Friday Activity Nights Potluck Supper 6:00 p.m.  A time of fun and fellowship! 

Saturday, April 10
√ Wholly Hockey Tournament Schedule:
   Saturday, April 10th at 10AM Westminster Cross Checkers vs. Saints and Sinners
  Saturday, April 10th at 3PM Westminster Cross Checkers vs. The Wild Thornburys

Sunday, April 11
√ Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. -  Outreach for Social Justice - Speaker TBD

Monday, April 12
√ 6:30 p.m. Youth Gathering (for youth in grades 7+) *ordering pizza!  RSVP Janet Jones

Wednesday, April 14
√ Prayer Circle9:15-9:45 a.m.
√ United Church Women(UCW) are off to Stage West
√ Learn to Run 5K clinic begins at 6:30 p.m. 
√ Baptism Classat 7:30 p.m.

 Friday, April 16
√ Friday Activity Nights Potluck Supper 6:00 p.m.  A time of fun and fellowship! 

Saturday, April 17
√ Learn to Run Half-Marathon Clinic 9:00 a.m.
√ Annual Jewelry Sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  (Jewelry donations gladly appreciated - please contact Tanya Ellacott or Tina Torrie through the church office)

Sunday, April 18
√ Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. - Baptism Sunday

Monday, April 19
√ Westminster's Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 21
√ Prayer Circle 9:15-9:45 a.m.
√ Learn to Run 5K clinic begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Friday, April 23
√ Friday Activity Nights Potluck Supper 6:00 p.m.  A time of fun and fellowship! 

Saturday, April 24
√ Clothing Depot from 9-12 (everything 50¢ except: coats & jackets $1.00, Socks, underwear, toys and some household items 25¢) *Volunteers needed - Great for those in need of volunteer hours*    

Sunday, April 25
√ Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.
√ The Bells of Westminster & Friends Spring Concertbegins at 4:00 p.m.
Joy Bells & Bell Tones from Barrie area under the direction of Rochelle Mulholland will be joining The Bells of Westminster under the direction of Shirley Jemmett in Orangeville to celebrate 26 years of this unique music instrument in the Dufferin County. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults $8.00 for Seniors/students (18 & under)/ $25.00 for a family of four. This is a fund raiser for our group to finally purchase the last 6 bells to complete our 3rd octave & to acknowledge the memorial of the our first 2 octaves of bells. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling ahead 519-942-8675 (Shirley Jemmett) or 519-941-0381 (Church office)

Wednesday, April 28
√ Prayer Circle 9:15-9:45 a.m.
√ Learn to Run 5K clinic begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Friday, April 30
√ Friday Activity Nights Potluck Supper 6:00 p.m.  Board games, cards and?   A time of fun and fellowship!  Westminster Church.  Everyone Welcome.
√ Area High School Youth participate in the 30-Hour Famine starting at noon.  Please support the youth in this very meaningful challenge. (Ages 14+).  For information, please contact Janet Jones. 

Saturday, May 1
√ Area High School Youth participate in the 30-Hour Famine - ending tonight.  Please support the youth in this very meaningful challenge. (Ages 14+)
√ Tree Planting With the Scouts -- The 4th Orangeville Scout Group invites anyone to help us plant trees for James Dick Aggregates. You can help the environment, earn community service hours for high school students, and support a local business and the Scout Group that Westminster sponsors. Join us on Saturday, May 1, from 9 am to noon, with lunch provided. Bring a bucket to carry saplings and a shovel. Wear boots and clothes for the weather because we will plant hundreds of trees rain or shine! Location TBD. Please notify Chuck Heron if you plan to attend -- 519-941-4491.

Sunday, May 2
√ Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, May 5
√ Prayer Circle 9:15-9:45 a.m.
√ Learn to Run 5K clinic begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Friday, May 7
√ Ham Dinner from 5-7 p.m. This year, we will also be having a "Toonie Sale" in conjunction with the dinner.  Both are being co-ordinated by the U.C.W.  What is a "Toonie Sale"?  Come out on May 7th, bring some toonies and join in the Fun Draiser.  You will be pleased with what we have to offer.  For further information, contact Dorothy Donnelly at 519-941-3639.
√ Friday Activity Nights Board games, cards and?   A time of fun and fellowship!  Westminster Church.  Everyone Welcome.
 
 Westminster United Church
247 Broadway  *  Orangeville, Ontario  *  L9W 2Z5
Phone:  519-941-0381     Fax: 519-941-0385

To donate online, click the image below 

canadahelps

 
A Time for Women's Spiritual Restoration x 2! 
 
Wednesday, May 11th from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Cost: $10 includes a morning feast and supplies.  *Registration closes May 4th*
 
Saturday, May 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Cost: $20 includes snacks, lunch, and supplies.  *Registration closes May 22nd*
 
Advance registration only. Registration forms and schedules will be available in the church office starting Tuesday, April 14th.  (Financial subsidy available)