HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday Join us for Palm/Passion Sunday worship at 10:00 a.m. on March 28 for a worship service with a two-fold experience. Rejoice as we celebrate Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem and his triumphant reception. Then, as sinister forces gather around him, the Passion of Christ begins, pointing us toward Good Friday and a sense of foreboding. Childcare is provided.

Maundy Thursday Come and experience both the intimate joy of the Last Supper with our Lord and the despair of the descent into darkness as Jesus is arrested. Don’t miss our Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae worship service at 7:00 p.m. on April 1. A light supper is at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall and will precede this moving service. This is an evening for the whole family! Child-care is provided.

Good Friday Jesus has been tried, sentenced and hung on a cross to die. Come and join us as we mark this penultimate event in our journey to the open tomb. Our Good Friday worship service is in the Sanctuary, 12:10-1:00 p.m., on April 2. The Westminster Choir will sing. Is this the end? Has our jour-ney been for naught? Childcare is provided.

Easter He is risen! Hallelujah! Two identical Easter services will take place at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Easter morning, April 4. Dr. McConnel will preach and the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be received. Coffee Hour will follow each service. Childcare is available for both services. Come and celebrate the central miracle of the Christian faith! Child-care is provided.

Chimes

New Members ................. 2-3

Confirmation Class Received . 3

Among Our People .............. 3

Parish Notes .................... 4-5

Adult Education ................... 6

Children’s Ministry Corner ..... 7

Palm Sunday Book Sale ..... 8

Done In a Day ..................... 8

Taizé Service ...................... 9

Do You Love Me? Feed My Sheep .............. 9

Sermon ........................ 10-11

Self Nomination for Standing Committees of Session ......... 12-13

Easter Flowers .................. 12

The Real Story Behind the Westminster Ivy ................. 14

Creative Hands ................. 14

Did You Know? ................. 15

Our Lenten Journey .......... 16

March/April 2010

Inside This Issue

of Westminster Presbyterian Church

The

A monthly newsletter of events and opportunities for the members of Westminster

Where Loving God and Neighbor Is Transforming Lives

Page 2 The Chimes

Have You Met Our Newest Members Yet? On Tuesday, February 16, the Session was delighted to receive our current class of new members after sharing delicious homemade desserts prepared by our Evangelism, Hospitality and Membership Committee. Their sponsors introduced them to the Session, and then all had an opportunity to share their faith and their experience of Westminster. We joyously recognized them in worship on February 21. Here are their pictures and brief bios to help introduce them to you. We are a big church family to get to know. Their pictures are also posted in the Fellowship Hall display case near the kitchen. Be sure to introduce yourself when you spot them at church.

Dave and Judy LaRue live in Dayton and have three adult sons: Fred, Greg, and Doug; and five grandchildren. They both appreciate the traditional service here and have al-ready joined the Lambda Presby Group. Dave graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown State University. After working for two different compa-nies over a 30-year period, they began to run a family owned franchise business 18 years ago, and continue to do so, on a semi-retired basis. Both Judy and Dave enjoy reading and traveling. Judy describes herself as a “bird watcher,” but not a true “birder.” Jim and Betsy Hughes are their sponsors.

Bill and Dorothy Lewis live in Kettering and have two children, The Reverend Katherine M. Douglass, who is currently completing her PhD at Princeton, and Kevin who completed his MBA at the University of Dayton and is now living in Indianapolis. Bill is a college professor at the University of Dayton, teaching marketing courses in the School of Business Administration. Prior to teaching, Bill worked on the accounting and finance staff of Chrysler Corporation. Dorothy has recently retired from her career as a Dental Assistant and is looking forward to new adventures that will include travel and anything outdoors including hiking, canyoneering, kayaking and camping. She also loves to cook. Cindy and Ken Knotts are their sponsors.

Kathy Myers lives in Beavercreek and has four adult children: Kelly, Julia, Kevin and Jeffrey Myers. Just last December her husband, Richard Myers, passed away. Kathy is a piano teacher. She enjoys family (which includes her dogs and cats) as well as her children. She likes sewing, enjoys creative hobbies and travel, and “of course music helps to fill the years!” she writes. Kathy is looking forward to getting involved here in teaching, flower arranging, sewing, tutoring, Circle and WPW, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry, just to name a few. Kathy’s sponsor is Becky Bower.

Darrell Carter has been a resident of Dayton, on and off, for 45 years. He has two grown children: Jay who is 39 and Denise who is 37. His career has been in education, working more recently with troubled youth in detention facilities. He is now semi-retired. Darrell is excited to be a part of the Westminster Church family. You may have seen Darrell because he has already served as a greeter, and has just joined one of the regular teams of ushers. His sponsor is Charlie Hardwick.

Marilyn Roddy has lived in Dayton for most of her life. She has three adult children: Rebecca Beasley, a Westminster member, Roberta Buegess, and Rae Jean Kenrick; and several grandchildren, among them Matthew and Ben Badillo, also members. Marilyn is a retired registered nurse who has spent many years caring for family members as well. While she was active in church at Slifers and Southminster some years ago, she is now ready again to become an active member here at Westminster. Marilyn enjoys sewing. Pat and Peter Torvik are her sponsors.

March/April 2010 Page 3

Deaths January 24, 2010 Mary Zelia King

February 15, 2010 Jeanne Elizabeth Jefferis

February 22, 2010 Mildred Jane Maharg Faulkner

February 28, 2010 Marilyn Dowell March 9, 2010 Jack Plummer

Confirmation Class Received on March 7 With joy, on Sunday, March 7, we recognized and welcomed Daniel Baird, Lydia Brazie, Abigail Collins, Christopher Ingram, Patric McCready and Erin Paquette into Westminster Presbyterian Church, and commissioned them in their calling as Christians and members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Among Our People...

Mary Tymeson lives in the Sycamore Glen Retirement Community in Miamisburg, and has sung in the Westminster Choir for several years. She has two grown daughters, Martha and Carol, who live in New York and Maine, respectively. Each has three children for a total of “six wonderful grandchildren!” Her husband, The Reverend Dr. Gale Tymeson, was a United Church of Christ pastor who was retired before his death in 2005. Mary taught “mostly third grade” for 26 years in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and also served as a mezzo soprano/alto soloist in Presbyterian churches in Pittsburgh. She is a member of the Motet Choir at Chau-tauqua Institution in New York. Mary’s sponsor is longtime friend, Evelyn Battenberg.

Rose Wilde is living in Dayton while serving in the U.S. Air Force where she has just started a new job. Rose began at Westminster by playing in the Adult Bell Choir, and then joined the Westminster Choir. Rose also plays the cello. She considers herself “a practical idealist,” and is interested in sewing, camping, Habitat for Humanity, mission trips, and environmental concerns, just to name a few of her wide-ranging interests and talents. Sarah Sessions is Rose’s sponsor.

Page 4 The Chimes

Parish Be a part of one of our Interest Groups

All Interest Groups are open to everyone and provide a great place to bring a guest or two or three! Singles, beginners and all walk-ins are welcome.

• Bridge Interest Group #2 on Mondays, March 22 and April 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the West Parlor • Bridge Interest Group #1 on Tuesday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m., in Fellowship Hall • Bell Choir Interest Group on Thursday, May 6, at 5:15 p.m., in Room 300

Labyrinth open walk

Come walk the Labyrinth, noon-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, in Fellowship Hall. Invite a friend or two to come along for the walk. All are welcome.

Monkeys and lions and tigers. . . OH MY!!

Yes, the Older Adult Ministries Just Friends group is going to the zoo. Won’t you come along too? On Friday, April 16, we will leave the parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and travel to the Columbus Zoo. The cost is just a mere $11.00 to cover the bus, parking and admission. Lunch is available at the zoo food court. Then, after leaving the zoo in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy dining at Schmidt’s in the German Village. We should return to the church parking lot by 7:00 p.m. For additional information and reservations, please phone Sally Frost (299-1234).

Church tour

Are you interested in finding your way around the church and learning more about the beautiful building? Stop by the Welcome Center at 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, May 2, after worship, for a brief tour that will conclude at 12:15 p.m.

Urban Nights is coming to Westminster on May 14

Join the fun of getting ready to welcome downtown Dayton into our amazing church! Our first Urban Nights 2010 Organizational Meeting is Monday, March 22, at 5:30 p.m. We’ll finish by 6:30 p.m., we promise. Come and get involved. Questions? Contact Joyce Ferguson or Laurie Davis.

Dine with 7, 8 or 9!

Do you remember the fun you had a few years back when you attended Dinners for Eight, or Dine with Nine? On May 7 (we know that’s a long way off) your Fellowship Committee invites YOU to “Dine with 7, 8, or 9!” This is an opportunity to meet and eat with church members you may not know, in the comfort of someone’s home. We need host homes, as well as diners. The host or hostess opens their home to a small number of people and provides the entrée and beverages. The other diners supply an appetizer, salad, or dessert. It’s quite easy and a lot of fun. Here’s the catch: you need to let us know you’re interested by April 18 (not quite as far off), so we have ample time to put the groups together. Please contact Jerry Shell (513-897-2882 or 937-902-5214 or jtshell38@yahoo.com) if you would like to host the dinner or if you would like to join others as diners.

Thank you for supporting the Souper Bowl of Caring

The Junior High Youth would like to thank all those who gave to the Souper Bowl of Caring offering that was collected following worship on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7. Many food items were collected and donated to the Foodbank and approximately $1,550.00 was donated to aid hungry people in our community. The money will be used to support the E.J. Brown Parent’s Night Out Program, a once-a-month event where the Westminster Youth prepare and serve a healthy meal for the tutoring students and their families.

March/April 2010 Page 5

Notes

New members are always welcome in our choirs Now is a great time to become a part of Westminster’s music ministry.

Children's Choirs and Youth Handbells (Sundays)

11:20-12:15 Genesis Singers (4 and 5 year olds, pre-kindergarten) – Rm. 104 - Holly Martin, Director Senior High Bell Choir (grades 9-12), Rm. 300 – Jerry Taylor, Director

11:30-12:15 Cherub Choir (grades K-3), Theater – Marcia Wood, Director Calvin Choir (grades 4-6), Rm. 100 (Choir Room) – John Neely, Director Junior High Bell Choir (grades 7 and 8) Rm. 301 – Brent Manley, Director

Youth Choir (Sundays)

5:00-6:00 Knox Choir (grades 7-12), Rm. 100 (Choir Room) – John Neely, Director. Supper and youth fellowships follow.

Adults (Thursdays)

7:30-9:30 Westminster Choir, Rm. 100 (Choir Room) – John Neely, Director. We promise an excellent musical experience and great fellowship.

Please contact John Neely (223-7285 or john@westminsterdayton.org) for details.

Music Notes

THE BELLS ARE RINGING Through the generous gift of the family and friends of John Bindeman, a 66-bell digital carillon has been installed in the organ. The carillon sounds from the 1926 Echo organ chamber (balcony) and high in the main organ (Chancel). The sounds of the bells have been digitally sampled (note by note) from the world-renowned carillon at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. The Walker Technical Company of Zionsville, Pennsylvania, provided, installed and tonally regulated the addition. This is the same company that provided and installed both the operating system for the 2002 organ console and the Celestial Division in 2007. This wonderful addition to the organ will be dedicated at the Festival of Hymns on April 25. The gift is given in memory of John (Jack) Bindeman, a long-time, dedicated member of the Westminster Choir, who died on August 30, 2008.

FESTIVAL OF HYMNS Sunday, April 25, 10:00 a.m. “Jesus Christ—God’s Grace-Filled Gift” An abundance of congregational singing, scripture readings and anthems by the Westminster Choir. Don’t miss this festive day!

Page 6 The Chimes

Adult Education Opportunities Let’s Learn and Grow Together

Every Sunday, 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Lectio Divina: Sunday Morning Meditation and Prayer

Room 206 This class experiences the ancient practice of “sacred reading” of the day’s scriptures, seeking a personal word from God through the biblical text. Veteran or experienced class members lead the group.

Sundays, March 7 through March 28 11:20 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Sabbath: The Welcome Visitor West Parlor

Leader: Dr. Jacqueline Nowak Why study Sabbath during Lent? Both are opportunities for reflection, spiritual practice, sharing, and taking time. Sabbath is celebration in the midst of somberness; joy in the midst of a journey toward sorrow; promise of the resurrection.

Interpreting Jesus’ Death: Divergent Views Chapel

Leader: Dr. David L. Barr, Professor of Religion, Wright State University Christians have never agreed on the meaning of Jesus’ death. Over the centuries multiple interpretations have been advanced (including Ransom, Substitution, Satisfaction, Moral Influence, Conquest, and others) without any one theory claiming general ascent. This series will show that the controversy goes back to the earliest days. It will examine how the story of Jesus’ death took shape and how it was then constructed in novel ways by the Synoptic Gospels, reconstructed by John, and deconstructed by the Gnostics.

Living the Green Bible: Theology, Ethics and Spirituality of Earth Stewardship Rooms 203-205

Leader: Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI, PhD, Director of Marianist Environmental Education Center This class is an overview of faith and environment perspectives including scriptures (Green Bible), ethics and church teaching. We will explore the gift of land as a place to encounter the sacred and the values that ground us in land care. We will highlight Judeo-Christian land ethics, spirituality resources, and the practicals of native plant landscapes. Learn what Presbyterians, Catholics, Jews and other faith groups are doing to protect creation. Participants will search out favorite Bible passages related to God’s creation and share ideas for living green in our prayer and actions from individual homes to church and workplace.

LOOKING AHEAD... Sunday, April 4

No Education Classes-Easter

Sunday, April 11—One Sunday Only Special Education Event

Details to come!

Beginning April 18 through May 23 Buddhism

Leader: Dr. Sandy McConnel The First to Follow Jesus

Leader: The Reverend Ray Merz

March/April 2010 Page 7

START THINKING SUMMER! Wondering where your children could spend time being outside and physically ac-tive, making new friends, having fun and growing spiritually all at the same time?

That’s an easy one. The answer is:

KIRKMONT CENTER SUMMER CHURCH CAMP! Where the theme this summer is:

Be a Hero: Living Like Jesus Just to make it even easier, Westminster Presbyterian Women is offering ten $100 Camperships to the first ten children who register for a week at Kirkmont.

You can select from a variety of camps held throughout the summer:

• June 12-13, Grandparents’ Weekend. 

• June 13-16 is Beginner’s Camp designed as an introductory experience for young campers (grades 1–4). 

• Music, Art, Discovery Camp, runs for seven days, from June 13-19, for grades 3–8, and several more camps for children and youth – 12th grade. 

Check the Kirkmont Web site (http://www.kirkmontcenter.com/) for the full schedule, and registration materials.

Questions? Contact Julie Preisser or Laurie Davis and they will be delighted to talk with you about our wonderful camp, just north of here in Zanesfield.

CH

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C H I L D R E N ’ S M I N I S T R Y C O R N E R

One generation shall laud your works to another. Psalm 145:4a

Page 8 The Chimes

Palm Sunday Book Sale for our Partner-in-Education

The Mission Committee is sponsoring our annual Palm Sunday Book Sale in Fellowship Hall. Representatives from Barnes and Noble will be here selling a variety of children’s books that we can donate to E. J. Brown in late May for their annual book fair. Last year we transported nearly 1,100 books to the school, and each child took home 2-3 books for summer reading. E.J. Brown is a pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade school, and we

need books for all these levels. Please consider purchasing a book or three to donate to the children. Keep in mind that the school is predominately African-American, and we always need more books appropriate for these children.

We also will be accepting new or gently used books up until May 21. Just drop them off in the yellow “Fun Bus” near the Church Office. We often lack books for the upper grades, so please be sure to include books for the 7th and 8th grade students. Questions? Contact Jim Henry (223-7285 or jim@westminsterdayton.org).

Local Mission: Done in a Day Saturday, May 22 Mark your calendar now for the next “Done in a Day” (DID) project! Help us put faith into action as we spend a Saturday morning assisting local agencies. Participating agencies will be identified in a bulletin insert at a later date.

Interested individuals should meet in Fellowship Hall at 8:15 a.m. After introductory comments and instructions, members head out to a local worksite. Everyone will work at a local agency from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and then return to the church by 12:15 p.m. for lunch and the opportunity to share mission experiences with members from other worksites.

Participants are asked to contribute $10.00 in advance--$5.00 for a Westminster Presbyterian “Faith in Action” t-shirt and $5.00 for the brown bag lunch. Money can be turned into the Church Office at any point.

Contact Becky Bower (434-8889 or rebekah.bower@wright.edu) with your name, contact information, t-shirt size, and worksite preference by Monday, May 17. Directions to each site and opportunities to car pool with other members will be provided.

March/April 2010 Page 9

Thursday, March 25, 5:30-6:10 p.m., Sanctuary

If you missed the Ash Wednesday service, this is a chance to experience the Taizé liturgy. The liturgy for this service originated with the Taizé community founded in France in 1940. This community is an ecumenical, intentional community with a twofold purpose: to seek communion with God through personal prayer and the beauty of community prayer; and also to be a leaven of peace and trust in the midst of humanity. A traditional Taizé prayer service includes listening to God through simple, meditative songs, scripture, prayer and silence in the beauty of the Westminster Sanctuary.

NEW TAIZÉ SERVICE!NEW TAIZÉ SERVICE!

Do You Love Me? Feed My Sheep. One Great Hour of Sharing gives each of us an opportunity to share what we have to help change the lives of our neighbors who are in need around the world. This offering supports the ministries of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, The Self-Development of People and the Presby-terian Hunger Program as they seek to provide tangible evidence of God’s love to our brothers and sisters around the world. This year’s offering theme, drawn from Jesus’ last encounter with his disciples, highlights the message he leaves them; to focus not on one’s own needs but on those of others. “Do you love me?” he asks three times. Three times he repeats a variation of the instructions, “Feed my sheep.”

It’s never too early to begin the practice of giving to others in need. One excellent way to begin to teach your children about this is with the “Fish Bank” and “Sharing Calendar” connected with our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Each day for four weeks the calendar has a fact, such as “Not everyone has a place to sleep at night,” and something related for your child to count: “Give one coin for each bed in your home.” Your children can count the beds, the coins, and put them in the bank. If you do this one, short, maybe three-minute practice each day (perhaps after dinner or before bedtime), your “Fish Bank” will be filled by Easter, and the money will be used to help alleviate the causes of homelessness, hunger and disease all over the world. This is a great way to prepare for the victory of Christ’s resurrection. Jesus came to save the whole world. Banks and calendars are available at the Parents’ Table in the Fellowship Hall during Lent.

This offering (Fish Banks, too) will be received in worship on Easter Sunday, April 4. Please give generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing.

Page 10 The Chimes

Peacemaking: The Believer’s Calling by The Reverend Dr. George H. McConnel

As preached on February 21, 2010

Matthew 5:1-11

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for

they will be called children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9 New Revised Standard Version)

When Tony Campolo was in a church in Oregon, he prayed for a man who had cancer. In the middle of the week, he received a telephone call from the man’s wife. She said, “You prayed for my husband. He had cancer.” Tony said, “Had?”

Whoa, he thought, it’s happened.

She said, “He died.” Campolo felt terrible. “Don’t feel bad,” the woman said. “When he came into church that Sunday, he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn’t take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew toward God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence. “After you prayed for him, a peace came over him and a joy came into him. The last three days have been the best days of our lives. We’ve sung. We’ve laughed. We’ve read scripture. We’ve prayed. Oh, they’ve been wonderful days. And, I called to thank you for laying your hands on him and praying for healing.” Then she said something incredibly profound: “He wasn’t cured, but he was healed.”

Jesus said, “Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!”

(Matthew 5:9 Good News Bible)

An elderly couple lived together in a Presbyterian nursing home. Though they had been married for 60 years, their relationship was strained with constant arguments, disagreements, and shouting contests. The fights didn’t stop even in the nursing home; the couple argued and squabbled from the time they got up in the morning until they fell in bed at night. The nursing home supervisor eventually threatened to throw them out if they didn’t change their ways. Even then the couple couldn’t agree on what to do. Finally, the wife said to her husband, “I’ll tell you what, Joe; let’s pray that one of us dies. After the funeral is over, I’ll go live with my sister.”

Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9 New Living Translation)

Some years ago a funeral was held for Grace Thomas in the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia. Not many people remember Grace Thomas today; indeed I had almost forgotten about her myself until I chanced across her story in a book I was reading this week and had my memory of her stirred. Grace was the daughter of a Birmingham, Alabama, streetcar conductor and his wife. When she married in the late 1930s, she moved to Atlanta and took a clerking job in one of the state government offices. Through her work, she developed an interest in law and politics, and she enrolled in a local law school that offered night classes. After years of part-time study, she finally completed law school, and her family wondered what she would do with her law degree. They were shocked when Grace announced that she had decided to enter the 1954 election race for governor of Georgia. There were nine candidates for governor that year, eight men and Grace, but there was really only one issue. In the famous Brown v. the Board of Education case earlier that year, the Supreme Court had declared racially “separate but equal” schools unconstitutional and thus paved the way for integration of the public schools. Eight of the gubernatorial candidates spoke out angrily against the court’s decision. Only Grace said that she thought the decision was fair and just and ought to be welcomed by the citizenry. Her campaign slogan was “Say Grace at the Polls.” Not many did; she ran dead last, and her family was relieved that she had gotten this out of her system. But, she had not. Eight years later, in 1962, she ran for governor again. By then, the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, and her message of racial harmony was hotly controversial. She received death threats, and her family traveled with her as she campaigned, in order to provide protection and moral support. She finished last again on Election Day, but her campaign was a testimony to peace, goodwill and racial tolerance. One day Grace made a campaign appearance in the small town of Louisville, Georgia. In those days, the centerpiece of the town square in Louisville was not a courthouse or a war memorial but an old slave market, a tragic and evil place where human beings had once been bought and sold. Grace chose the slave market as the site for her campaign speech, and as she stood on the very spot where slaves had been auctioned, a hostile crowd of storekeepers and farmers gathered to hear what she would say. “The old has passed away,” she began, “and the new has come. This place,” she said, gesturing to the market, “represents all about our past over which we must repent. A new day is here, a day when Georgians, white and black, can join hands to work together.” This was provocative talk in the Georgia of 1962, and the crowd stirred. “Are you a communist?” someone shouted at her. Grace paused in mid-sentence. “No,” she said softly. “I am not.” “Well, then,” continued the heckler, “where’d you get those damned ideas?”

Sandy McConnel

March/April 2010 Page 11

Grace thought for a minute, and then she pointed to the steeple of a nearby church. “I got them over there,” she said, “in Sunday school.”

Jesus said, “You are blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really

are, and your place in God’s family.” (Matthew 5:9 Message Bible)

A friend of mine named Lee Eclov tells this story: I called him Two-Phone Joe. The first time I met him, I was sitting at an outdoor table at my favorite coffee spot. He came out, cell phone pressed between shoulder and ear, talking a blue streak. He had a cup of coffee in one hand, a Coke in the other, and another phone on his belt. When he put his cup down to hang up, I said, “Man, you’ve got to relax a little!” And, that’s how my friendship got started with one of the most hyper guys I’ve ever known. Joe and I talked often. Actually, Joe ranted and raved, and I mostly listened. Once I was sitting at an inside table and he came in, assaulting his phone as usual. He talked, loud and angry, the whole time he ordered, and then, after he sat down, he kept arguing for the whole coffee shop to hear. When he finally got off the phone, I said, “Joe, come here.” “What?” he barked guardedly. “Sit down here,” I repeated. “Why?” he asked, but he sat down. “Joe, I don’t know if anyone has ever done this for you before, but I am going to pray for you right now.” Joe’s eyes got big, and he looked at me like I was crazy. Before he could run, I just put my hand on his arm and quietly prayed for a few seconds, asking God to quiet Joe and to give him peace. “Thank you,” Joe said softly, and I wondered if that might have been the first holy moment in Joe’s entire tumultuous life.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God.

(Matthew 5:9 The New Jerusalem Bible)

In times of emotional stress, a hormone, neuropeptide Y (NPY), is released into the body. This hormone undermines the body’s immune system and literally makes you sick. That’s what a team of Australian researchers at Sydney’s Garvan Institute scientifically confirmed in 2005.

According to Fabienne Mackay of the institute, “During periods of stress, nerves release a lot of NPY, and it gets into the bloodstream where it inhibits the cells in the immune system that look out for and destroy pathogens in the body. That stress makes you sick is no longer a myth; it is a reality, and we need to take it seriously.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for it is they who will be recognized as children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9 New Testament in Modern Speech)

One of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, writes this in his book, Mere Christianity: A car is made to run on gas, and it will not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on himself. He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9 New Revised Standard Version)

With St. Francis of Assisi, let us pray... Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace! Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. Oh, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; It is in dying that we are born to eternal life! Amen.

Page 12 The Chimes

Self Nomination For the Standing Committees of Session

Members of the congregation are asked to serve for up to a three-year term on eight standing committees by request of the Congregational Nominating Committee. Members who rotate off after serving a committee are given a year’s sabbatical before being eligible to serve again on the same committee.

The Nominating Committee is scheduled to meet in early May to choose candidates for the vacancies on eight standing committees for the 2010-2011 program year. Listed below are the descriptions of the standing committees. If you are interested in serving on one of the committees, please fill out the form at the bottom and return it to Judy Hamilton at the Church Office by Wednesday, April 21.

Building and Grounds Committee Mission Statement: The mission of the Building and Grounds Committee is to maintain and rehabilitate the real property of the church: the building, the grounds, and the parking lot. The committee recognizes that the church building is a place of worship and an architectural treasure. It will strive to pass it on to the next generation in as good or better condition than it was received. Therefore, all repairs, additions and renovations will be of the highest available quality, while at the same time being cost effective.

Education and Practice Committee Mission Statement: The mission of the Education and Practice Committee is to encourage faith formation through education and spiritual practices for all ages.

Evangelism, Hospitality and Membership Committee Mission Statement: The mission of the Evangelism, Hospitality, and Membership Committee is to provide opportunities for evangelism to be learned and practiced by the congregation, to lead the congregation’s ministry of hospitality to visitors, and to welcome new members into the church body.

Fellowship Committee Mission Statement: The mission of the Fellowship Committee is to offer opportunities for the members of Westminster to increase their congregational friendships in a variety of settings and in an environment of love and warmth.

Mission Committee Mission Statement: The charge of the Mission Committee is to demonstrate God’s love and compassion, to enrich the lives of people in need, and to encourage social justice and peacemaking through education.

Personnel Committee* Mission Statement: Working with the Pastor/Head of Staff, the mission of the Personnel Committee is to as-sure the adequacy of personnel and personnel administration for the church. The committee will:

• Form and interpret personnel policies, including Equal Employment Opportunities. • Assist in establishing position descriptions and work responsibilities for each position. • Recommend terms of call for pastors, terms of employment for non-ordained staff and review

salary actions. • Evaluate effectiveness of policies and personnel. • Serve as confidential support for the Pastor/Head of Staff.

*To serve on this committee, you must be an ordained elder.

March/April 2010 Page 13

Self-Nomination Form I would like to be considered for serving on the following committee(s):

____ Building and Grounds ____ Mission

____ Education and Practice ____ Personnel*

____ Evangelism, Hospitality and Membership ____ Stewardship and Finance

____ Fellowship ____ Worship, Music and Fine Arts

___________________________________ _______________________ Name Phone

Stewardship and Finance Committee The mission of the Stewardship and Finance Committee is twofold: First, to educate the congregation about stewardship and encourage generous financial giving as a matter of spiritual practice. Second, to monitor the Session’s adopted budget.

Worship, Music and Fine Arts Committee Mission Statement: Worship at Westminster is guided by our Directory of Worship and led by our Pastors. The Mission of the Worship/Music and Fine Arts Committee is to plan, evaluate and encourage Sunday worship, special worship, weddings, and funerals. The committee will also oversee the church's music minis-try and its fine arts.

WESTMINSTER CHURCH EASTER FLOWER FUND Please print names as you wish them to appear in the bulletin.

In honor of ____________________________________________________________

In memory of __________________________________________________________

Celebrating ___________________________________________________________

I will pick up my flower(s) after the 11:00 a.m. Easter Service.

My flower(s) may be given to shut-ins.

Given by ______________________________________________________________

Suggested donation: $10.00. Amount enclosed $____________.

Deadline is Monday, March 22.

Easter Flowers You are invited to share in the decoration of the Chancel for Easter morning by sponsoring white lilies and other spring flowers. The Easter Sunday bulletin will include names of the donors and names of those being recognized. You are welcome to take your sponsored flower home with you after the 11:00 a.m. service or leave the flower to be delivered by the deacons and other caregivers to Westminster members who are unable to attend worship.

It is suggested that gifts be at least $10.00, but we will honor any amount you wish to include. Checks and the filled-out form below must be received in the Church Office by Monday, March 22. Please make your checks payable to Westminster Presbyterian Church and mark “Easter Flowers” in the memo line.

Page 14 The Chimes

Creative Hands: Westminster Presbyterian Women’s Spring Gathering Come, learn, share, enjoy!

Come: WPW Spring Gathering, Saturday, April 17, 1:30-3:30, in Fellowship Hall

Learn: about the handmade crafts of the women of Appalachia and about the creative hands of the women of Westminster.

Share: with others a treasured piece of handwork done by your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother or creative you.

Enjoy: Christian fellowship and dessert. Bring a friend; make a friend.

All Westminster women (plus friends and neighbors) are invited to listen to Dr. Carol Baugh share with us stories about the women in Appalachia and the importance of their quilting, weaving and making of other unique crafts. You will have an opportunity to share a piece of handwork that you have brought with you, while you enjoy a delicious dessert. Plan to visit exhibits and demonstrations of many different types of handwork and crafts done by the creative women of Westminster.

Reservations are needed so we know how to plan. Please call or e-mail Sharon Jones (426-1391 or jonesrsd@woh.rr.com) by Monday, April 12. The Birthday Offering will be collected during the short business meeting. There is no charge for the gathering, but a freewill donation will be accepted. The nursery will be open by reservation only. Please let Sharon know if you need childcare.

The Real Story behind the Westminster Ivy Have you ever wondered who planted the ivy in front of our church? Urban legend has it that it came from Westminster Cathedral. The real story is even more interesting.

In 1850, ivy taken from the ivy planted at Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb in Paris was presented to the United States by France as a goodwill gesture. The cutting was planted at Mount Vernon where it thrived. A gardener from Mount Vernon presented a cutting of the ivy to the Reverend Prentiss de Veuve, who was pastor of First Presbyterian Church from 1881-1889. Reverend de Veuve brought the ivy to Dayton. Seventy-five years later, Agnes Hall, who had helped preserve the plant, presented the ivy to Betty Coleman, president of the Women of Westminster 1954-1955. She gave the ivy to Dr. Hugh Ivan Evans, Westminster pastor 1923-1955. Following the annual Women of Westminster May breakfast in 1955, Dr. Evans planted the ivy in front of the church with the silver trowel used to lay the cornerstone of Westminster in 1925.

This wonderful story was “dug up” for us by Dawn and Milt Ross. Their Presby group is one of six groups that volunteered to help care for our grounds last year. The volunteers did a wonderful job, and the Building and Grounds Committee plans to work with volunteer groups again this year to keep our grounds beautiful. Each volunteering Presby group took responsibil-ity for one section of the church landscape. They planted, pruned, weeded and kept their section tidy. Would you like to help? It just takes a few hours a month for any one volunteer, but we do need the Presby group to commit to continuing to work throughout the growing season from spring through the fall clean up. If interested contact Pat Torvik (937-374-0521 or patorvik@att.net).

March/April 2010 Page 15

Did you know??? • Westminster has a covenant relationship with Pastoral Counseling of Miami Valley Hospital, meaning

that our members are given a discount when they use the services of the pastoral counselors. Their records indication that our members received 64 hours of counseling from January 1 through November 30, 2009. As a result of this relationship our members have received a combined $3,520.00 reduction of their out-of-pocket expense. If you need the services of Pastoral Counseling of Miami Valley Hospital, please call (937) 208-6606. Your visits are always confidential.

• Kirkmont Center offers camps for adults, grandparents, youth and children. Check out the summer schedule at www.kirkmontcenter.com.

• Youth Sunday and High School Graduate Recognition is May 2.

• Each of the students in the 2010 Confirmation Class had an older adult mentor. The mentors joined the students for three class activities and held them in prayer throughout the year.

• We have assembled and sent over 200 Hygiene Kits. Hygiene kits are a project of Church World Service and are the first supplies that are sent out following a disaster. Over 35,000 were sent to Haiti in January following the earthquake. The kits we sent replenish the supply so that there will be kits available the next time they are needed.

• That Westminster collected and sent $9,672.65 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to be used in the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. For more information about Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the work that is happening in Haiti and Chile visit www.pcusa.org/pda.

Distribution Date: Friday, March 19 Information Deadline for Next Issue: Thursday, April 8 4:00 p.m. www.westminsterdayton.org Chimes Editor: Judy Hamilton judy@westminsterdayton.org

Our Lenten Journey — 2010 Our theme this Lent is Peacemaking: The Believer’s Calling

Please journey with us this Lenten season. Bring a friend!

Thursday, March 25 *5:30-6:10 p.m. – Taizé Service

Sunday, March 28 *10:00 a.m. – Palm/Passion Sunday

Maundy Thursday, April 1 6:00 p.m. – Dinner in Fellowship Hall

*7:00 p.m. – Tenebrae service with Communion

Good Friday, April 2 *12:10-1:00 p.m. – Good Friday service

Easter Sunday, April 4 Two identical services

*9:00 a.m. and *11:00 a.m. One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

*Childcare provided

Westminster Presbyterian Church 125 N. Wilkinson Street Dayton, OH 45402

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