Westminster News Sunday, August 15, 2010

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Welcome to worship at Westminster Church. If you are worshipping with us for the first time, we hope you will sign the guest book in the lobby and stop by the “Welcome Table”. Please help yourself to any of the materials and information provided. You may also wish to fill in a “Welcome to Westminster” card to be found in the pews and place it on the offering plate or give it to an usher. As we are able to be of help, we look forward to doing so.

New to Westminster? Never joined us for coffee before? Don’t hesitate to come! To find the lecture hall, go through the door to the left of the choir loft. For a guaranteed conversation, look for today’s host who will be wearing a name tag featuring a coffee cup logo.

Greeters: As you came into the church this morning Carol Latter and Tom Ford greeted you.

We extend our congratulations to Joseph and Diana Hanstead who were married here yesterday. We wish them God’s blessing.

In hospital this week: Carol Burns (Riverview) and David Swan (Victoria). Let’s keep them in our prayers.

This week in the Winnipeg Presbytery prayer cycle, please remember the people and work of the Hungarian United Church.

Bob Burton and his family want to thank members of Westminster for the support of our family at Margaret’s funeral August 5th. The formation of a choir, the ushering and catering services, the custodian and office staff support and the ministerial care were most gratefully appreciated.

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LIFE AT WESTMINSTER

TODAY - “Obey”, the final sermon of Rev. Geza Szemok’s three part series.

Rev. Campbell is on holidays and will return to work on Saturday, August 28.

The 82nd Westminster Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will hold their registration evening on Tuesday, 7 Sept in the Lecture Hall from 6:30 - 7:30PM. We welcome all boys and girls, from 5 - 14 yrs of age, to come down and see what the world of Scouting can offer you. We are also looking for leaders who will make our programs even better. Training is provided. For further information contact Jim Palmquist at 775-1939 or gejfp48@yahoo.ca.

UPCOMING SERVICES AT WESTMINSTER
August 22nd and 29th - Rev. Szemok preaching.
September 5th - Rev. Campbell preaching.



West Broadway Community Ministry is always in need of coffee, tea, whitener,
sweetener, sugar, mayo, peanut butter and canned fish or meat. Your donations are most
appreciated. Please see the bulletin boards for other items that are in demand at West
Broadway Community Ministry.

Update: United Church Response to Flooding in Pakistan

August 10, 2010

Pakistan continues to struggle in response to massive flooding, which has affected millions of its citizens. The United Nations says the number of people affected by flooding over the past two weeks is 13.8 million — more than the combined total of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Continuing monsoon rains have washed away roads and bridges and are hampering relief efforts. The rains also sometimes make it impossible for relief and rescue helicopters to reach stranded communities.

The United Church of Canada, together with other members of the global ACT Alliance , is continuing to monitor and respond to the crisis. As a result of donations made by its members, the United Church sent $25,000 to ACT immediately following initial news of the crisis, and has now sent an additional $40,000 also to be used for ACT’s work on the ground. ACT members in Pakistan are working diligently to deliver assistance including food, water, tents, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical care.

The United Church is also exploring options to respond to the crisis through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

While the United Church has decided that at this point in time, it will not issue a formal appeal for assistance, the church will receive donations to its Emergency Response Fund and channel these through the ACT Alliance to provide a coordinated response.

Rock Lake United Church Camp – 100th Anniversary Celebration - Saturday, September 4th – Lunch, Dinner, Campfire Sunday, September 5th – Church Service 10:30 a.m., Barbecue. Please register if attending: Fran 523- 4287, Lois 825-2394, Barb 242-2745, Neita 873-2443. Everyone welcome!



Royal Canadian College of Organists Summer Recital “Pipes ‘R Us” Thursdays from 12:15 – 12:45 @ All Saints’ Anglican Church, corner of Broadway and Osborne. This week’s performance by Erwin Kitsch (August 19). Donations accepted.

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MINUTE FOR MISSION

Transformation through Drama

Gary MacDonald is an overseas personnel serving with the Amity Foundation and is funded by Mission and Service. He works as an English teacher at Hexi College, Gansu Province, China. Many of his students are from small villages and are timid and shy in their approach to English and even to life in general. Gary and another teacher decided to put on a play. Not one student had participated in such a thing and most were unsure what drama was. With more faith than common sense, the project began.

To accommodate a cast of 30, a simple plot was turned into a full-length story with singing and dancing, even though none of the students had sung for an audience before and most had never thought of dancing anywhere! There were many rehearsals and much doubt. Songs were practised. Dances were taught to students wearing homemade cloth shoes.

Then something happened: faces became brighter; students who had spoken English in shy whispers opened up in beautiful confidence; imaginations emerged as students developed their roles.

That was three years ago. Many of those students are still on campus, role models among their fellow students both in and outside the classroom. In the annual drama, seasoned performers guide novices. Onstage new confidence and strengths are found. In real life, characters are transformed and developed. It is a wondrous thing.

Your Mission and Service gifts support Gary’s work helping young Chinese students become excellent teachers and strong individuals. Please give generously.

We are a united church! We work together to support education across Canada and in many foreign countries.