October Newsletter

To see the fancified email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cb1010294b4d/wpc-october-newsletter

Dear Westport Presbies and Friends,
Some news for the upcoming month!

News In and Around the Community:

We have an Installed Pastor AT LAST!

This month, we were delighted to establish Dr Jared Witt as our Installed Pastor.
*Photo from the Installation Ceremony.
If you missed the ceremony, you can find it on our website: https://westportpresbyterian.org/sermons/installation/
Enclosed is Jared’s Statement of Faith: https://westportpresbyterian.org/statement-of-faith/

Books & Discussions group meets at 10am on Sunday mornings.

We are currently reading The Separation of Church and Hate, by John Fugelsang.
The next two books this fall:
Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Reslilient Disabled Body, by Rebekah Taussig
The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture, by Wendell Berry

Bible Study:

WPC is continuing our experiment with a new format for a Bible Study and Discussion group this Fall. The goal for our gatherings are to help people become more skilled in understanding Scripture and to lean from one another as we deepen our connections as a community. Please let Jared know if you are interested in Participating. Our next two dates are Oct 21 and Nov 18, 5:45-7PM
Participants are invited to watch the short video and read the study guide before the October bible study: https://yalebiblestudy.org/courses/exodus/

Our Earthcare Committee would like to pass on news from PCUSA:

This Summer, the Presbyterian Church USA’s General Assembly approved a statement (click here for the”Overture”) supporting transitions to farming methods that regenerate the health of our Nation’s soils. To hear an explanation of how social and religious values support regenerative farming, see Bill Moyer’s interview of Wendell Berry, a well-known poet and farmer, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95VcefsgsfE. The audience included some leading environmental advocates. Berry recently passed away.

Children:

Children’s Choir Rehearsal has resumed at 10am in the Sanctuary. The children will sing during the service Introit on October 11.
Children’s Sunday School is transitioning from lesson plans centering on Diversity to our new series, Live in Community.

Our next Church Potluck will be after church on October 25.

Renee and her husband, Fred, will be playing WWII ballads and a few Broadway tunes later on during our potluck. They are calling their collection the “Music of the Night”

Looking Forward:

• WPC is planning a Fall mini-retreat for Saturday, Nov 14, 8:30am-1pm. Save the Date!
• Friendsgiving will be November 15th after church (Jared will be away the following weekend)
• Come decorate the church for Advent on Saturday, November 28 at 10am
• Christmas Market at the church on December 5.
  *This year, we will include a table or two of cookies to be sold there instead of a standalone cookie sale.

Upcoming Events:  If you’d like to be involved at the church, the following are calendar highlights for the month:

• Oct 2 – 6-9PM WCA Visual Art Exhibit opening reception for Morgan Smith
• Oct 3 – KC English Dance, hosted by Martine and Deanna. Beginner lesson at 6:30, dance 7-9PM
• Oct 13 – Our upstairs Neighbors, the Missouri Workers Center, are having a Rally on Tuesday afternoon
• Oct 16 – WCA’s Brown Bag Concert: The Salon Recital: Trumpet and Piano with Allen Wenger and Mia Kim
• Oct 21 at 5:45 – Bible Study
• Oct 24 – Our Storefront Neighbors, the NAAAP, are having a Diwali Event
• Oct 25 – After Church Potluck and music

Committee meetings this month:

• Oct 8 – Worship and Christian Ed is scheduled for 2nd Thursdays at 6. If interested in participating, speak to James.
• Oct 13 – Session meets at 5:15 on 2nd Tuesdays
• Oct 21 – Mission and Outreach is scheduled for 3rd Wednesdays at 8pm. if interested in participating, speak to Madison
• Oct 28 – Stewardship, Building, and Grounds meets on last Wednesdays at 7pm. If interested in participating, speak to Bob

Birthdays
10/3 – Ruth Roush
10/5 – Debbie Anderson
10/9 – Emily Davidson
10/11 – Madison Irwin-Hall
10/19 – James Capps
10/20 – Barbara McCloskey
10/31 – Tony Waterhouse-Leal

Anniversaries
10/5 – Drew Irwin and Allison Rozga
10/9 – Brooke and Christopher Sweeney

If you have information that should make it into next month’s newsletter, please let Martine know.

Keep the faith! WPC