Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI Volume 23, number 5: May 2010
Growth, Generosity, and Growth
by Rev. Stephen Carl
What are you going to be when you
grow up? It’s a question children are often
asked. Sometimes children will not wait for the question and will just announce, “When I grow up, I’m going to be . . ..”
Growing is knit into living things. Without growth, life ceases to be. But growth for us happens in different ways: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, relational. It isn’t surprising, therefore, to discover that growth is an essential concept in scripture. The Gospels skip over several years of Jesus’ life simply by saying that he “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”
The Stewardship Team this year recognizes the breadth and depth of stewardship with the theme of “growing in the knowledge of God.” We all know that stewardship is about more than money. Stewardship is an integrated concept that takes into account all for which we are responsible: taking care of our bodies, our minds, our relationships, the environment, our resources and more. Stewardship is essentially a generative concept; it is about investing ourselves in those things that perpetuate the life God has created and offers us. A part of that is generosity. Generosity is integral to spiritual growth. We experience spiritual growth that motivates us to be generous, and our generosity enhances and enables our spiritual growth. There is a correlation between the two.
I have witnessed through the years transformation in the lives of individuals as they grow in their faith and spiritual life. A guaranteed outcome of spiritual growth is generosity. And the testimony of those who give of their time, energy, talents and resources is that they value their continued spiritual growth.
Our stewardship theme of “growing in the knowledge of God” will continue beyond the pledge campaign. In the past few years we have included in the stewardship pledge campaign the opportunity to participate in a “time and talents” survey. Rather than lump that into the pledge drive, this year the theme of growth will continue and a spiritual gifts inventory will be a part of the fall season. In this way, our hope is to have a broad and inclusive participation in reflecting on what God is doing to generate spiritual growth. In the meantime, I encourage and invite you to explore the ways that God is nurturing you in your spiritual growth.
Dare to Embrace the Wind
by Rev. Cathi King
I hate playing golf in the wind. I love playing golf, but it’s just that when the wind starts blowing . . . hard . . . it messes with the ball . . . or maybe, more significantly, messes with my mind. I don’t play enough, or rather I’m not skilled enough, to be confident about how much extra club I should take, or how far off target I should aim to let the wind compensate. I’m always over-thinking and over-swinging. “Swing easy when it’s breezy,” is the wisdom of golf pro Mike Areddy of Travis Pointe. And while that’s great advice, it’s just one more thing to think about. Not that I have that much control in the best of circumstances over where my golf ball will go after I hit it, but in the wind, all bets are off.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind . . . (Acts 2:2)
My Pentecosts are rarely large, powerful gales; rather they are usually small gusts that change my life a little at a time. Like the rushing wind of Pentecost, however, they are unpredictable and unexpected.
(Joyce Rupp, May I Have This Dance?)
In fact, my problem with the wind goes beyond golf. I worry about what the wind, with its uncontrollable energy is going to wreck: my hair, my outdoor dinner party, my hanging plants . . . all my best laid plans.
I’m thinking this is a vocational hazard for me, or for that matter, for anyone who believes in the Triune God, for the wind is frequently a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, in Scripture. Would that I could turn my face up and open my arms toward the strongest gusts of wind . . . reminding me of the exquisite untamable nature of the Holy Spirit rushing through my life refreshing it, renewing it, changing it.
So I’m working on a plan to more fully engage the wind; to repent of my aversion. I’m not talking about becoming a storm chaser and running out to the end of a pier to face the full onslaught of a tornado or incoming hurricane. I’m talking about prayerfully relaxing into the breezes that appear whenever and wherever I am. I’m talking about letting go and letting the wind take the moment where it will.
And so the plan unfolds . . . I had an unexpected opportunity to walk a labyrinth while on a retreat with my professional women in ministry colleagues. It was set outdoors, and it just happened to be a beautiful sunny day . . . and windy. Turning in one direction, I received the full warmth and light of the sun. And in the other direction, I faced the wind. Throughout the walk I practiced relaxing into the wind, opening my arms . . . lifting my face . . . taking it in. And I paused, equally, in both directions, to thank God for the sun and to thank God for the wind.
St. Francis of Assisi has a prayer of thanksgiving to God in which he honors the elements of nature as his brothers and sisters:
“All praise be Yours, my God, through Brothers Wind and Air, and fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods, by which You cherish all that You have made . . .”
In this coming season of Pentecost, may we be mindful of the wind . . . the freedom, energy, power, refreshment, surprise of it. May we dare to embrace it and in doing so, prayerfully reflect upon the ways in which the Holy Spirit unexpectedly comes upon us . . . blowing us into a new direction, lifting our hearts, changing our plans.
The poet David Whyte, in his poem “What to Remember When Waking” writes that in the first moment of each morning:
. . . there is a small opening into the new day which closes the moment you begin your plans.
What you can plan is too small for you to live.
May the wind of Pentecost remind us of the abundant life God calls us to live . . . every moment . . . every day . . .. Embrace it.
Bid on a kid!
What? Yes, that's right, bid on a kid and get some help with that never-ending “to-do” list. Our teens are available for hire on Sunday May 2 after church to clean, rake, paint, mulch, whatever. And yes, they do do windows!
The renting begins at 10 am in the fellowship hall; cake and coffee are provided by the Stewardship Committee. In addition to the live bidding, there will also be a silent auction in which additional services can be had for a price! These may include babysitting, cleaning and yard work for another time, or perhaps a youth may offer to bake a birthday cake for you during the year. All proceeds go towards mission projects and programs.
See you on May 2 and thanks for supporting our youths as they “bear fruit in every good work and grow in their knowledge of God.”
Square dancing is great fun!
Friday, May 14, 7 pm; $5 per person
Time to dust off those cowboy boots, plaid shirts, bandanas and poodle skirts for a square dance at Westminster. A professional caller will start promptly at 7:30 pm.
Even if you’ve never square danced before, you’re guaranteed a great time. Sixth graders through adults, singles and couples, are encouraged to come and enjoy the evening. The dancing will end around 10 pm.
Bring some snacks to share. Drinks will be provided. Please contact Al Banning (734-971-6163) with questions and sign up in the entry to the fellowship hall.
Come journey with Paul this summer
It’s time to think Vacation Bible School! We want you to be in our caravan so mark your calendars for the evenings of Monday, June 21 through Wednesday, June 23.
Last year we met Paul in Rome, near the end of his ministry. We heard many of his words of faith and wisdom. This year we’ll explore his earlier years, starting with a time when he was known as Saul.
In our first day together we’ll travel to Damascus to hear firsthand the account of his conversion, and we’ll meet Ananias. On day two, we’ll find ourselves in Antioch, as Saul and Barnabas, called by the Holy Spirit, set out to preach to the gentiles. We’ll finish our journey in Philippi where we’ll meet Timothy and Lydia, some of Paul’s close friends.
Paul preaches to us all. Come along and listen. Plan to attend Journeys with Paul: Vacation Bible School 2010.
More of our new officers are introduced
Marla Johnston is a deacon helping to serve Care Group Adam.
This graceful woman who adds so much to our worship with her dancing was once a dairy farmer. Marla’s family moved around a lot until she was ten years old, when they settled on a dairy farm outside of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. “We had our own cattle and lots of chores to do each day.” After high school, she left the farm behind when she moved to Rolla, Missouri, to earn a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and a masters degree in metallurgical engineering at the University of Missouri.
Marla met her husband Michael at the Presbyterian Church in Rolla, and they were married there nineteen years ago while in graduate school. They each found good jobs in Michigan, and so moved to Ann Arbor in 1992 shortly after graduate school. They have two children, Katheryne, in the eighth grade at Scarlett Middle School, and Luke, in the fifth grade at South Arbor Charter Academy, and a well-loved dog, Lucky. When Luke was born, Marla decided to be a full time mom. Before that, she’d held positions with IBM, ARCO Alaska and Ford. She currently finds enjoyment in a variety of volunteer activities.
The family began coming to Westminster three and a half years ago. Since joining the church, Marla has been active on the Children’s Committee, helps with the third grade Sunday school class, assists with youth activities, and pitches in wherever else there is a need.
What are some of her other interests? “I love to quilt. It is like a big puzzle that you have to put together to create a work of art. I also enjoy crafts of all types, spending time outside, walking my dog and staying warm.”
Betsy Parks-Brantmeyer is a deacon helping to serve the Ruth Care Group.
Betsy, a native of Findlay, Ohio, has a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry from Bowling Green State University and a PhD in molecular biology from Ohio University. She is married to Mark Brantmeyer, an analyst at Ford, and they have two children, Thomas, age 8 and in the third grade, and Gillian, age 5 and in kindergarten. Both children attend Lawton School. They also have several pets including two senior cats and a puppy.
The family began coming to Westminster a few years ago and Betsy joined the church in the spring of 2008. She has been helping as a member of the Children’s Committee, as well as by becoming a deacon. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school in the classroom and in various school related groups, including the Cub Scouts. The Brantmeyers are looking forward to helping with the new Westminster sharing garden.
According to Betsy, “Both kids especially enjoy the children’s programming that Westminster has to offer. Vacation Bible School is particularly a favorite!”
Doug Tidd is a deacon serving Care Group Paul.
Doug grew up in that fair state to our south, in Ashtabula, Ohio, on Lake Erie. Doug, his parents, and his three older brothers attended the First Presbyterian Church in Ashtabula. “Though I was raised in the church, I encountered Christ in a more personal way at a David Wilkerson youth crusade in my home town during seventh grade. I became more active in my Christian walk and even served as a youth counselor at a Billy Graham movie called For Pete’s Sake in eighth grade. I remember going to all ten nights of Graham’s Cleveland crusade a year or two later. I have constantly seen and felt God’s hand in my life during times when I reached out to Him.”
After high school, Doug went to Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, and graduated with a degree in business administration. Degree in hand, Doug took a job in Dallas, and it was at his church in Dallas that he met and married his wife Elizabeth in 1986. They now have one daughter, Sarah, a senior at Pioneer High School; she plans to attend Western Michigan State University in the fall.
It was a position with a local bank for Doug and a job with Unisys for Elizabeth that brought them to Ann Arbor. About ten years ago, after twenty years in the financial services industry, Doug made a career shift to become a senior data analyst at Thomson Reuters in Dexter in their tax and accounting division.
Doug and Elizabeth have sung in Westminster’s Chancel Choir since they joined Westminster in 1989, and Doug has been a deacon and the church treasurer during a term as elder. He’s has also taken part in four Westminster mission trips, three to Mexico, and one to Eagle Butte, South Dakota.
What kinds of things does Doug Tidd enjoy? As an avid cyclist and the current president of the Ann Arbor Bike Touring Society, he has logged almost 4000 miles in the past year, and is involved with the Pedal Across Lower Michigan annual bike tour. Digital photography became a hobby about five years ago, and with it came the pleasure of learning about new equipment and the many features of Photoshop. Doug also enjoys hiking, waterskiing and downhill skiing, as well as reading techno-thrillers.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Men: Improve your health
Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, May 8, 8 am
Dr. Don Nease will address common health concerns of men and what to do about them. Come enjoy breakfast and good conversation. Please sign up in the entry to the fellowship hall.
Sixty Plus members will thrill to fighter pilot training
Friday, May 21, St. Andrews Fellowship Hall
Lunch and program beginning at noon
Ralph Lange will present the DVD Operation Red Flag, which follows a young fighter pilot through his rigorous training program. RSVP to Marlene Pelkki (769-3061) or Bonnie Terpstra (668-8577).
Bike ride aids Hope Food Bank
Saturday, May 22, 11 am
Start at Mitchell Field, 1900 Fuller Road
Get your bike ready now for a Ride for the Hungry to support the Hope Food Bank. This is a family-friendly ride along Washtenaw County’s Border to Border Trail. Fill your backpack, panniers, and trailers with nonperishable food items. The Hope Clinic web site lists current needs. Elizabeth Tidd, ride captain, can answer your questions (734-662-0205).
Sign up now for summer campout
Still in a quandary to find some fun and exciting things to do with the family this summer? The 37th annual Westminster campout will fill the bill. There are plenty of fun things to do: crafts, swimming, bicycling, outdoor worship, and of course campfires and s’mores.
The weekend is August 6–8 at the Port Huron KOA. Campsites and cabins are available. Please contact Al Banning for reservations by June 13. This is a great opportunity for members new and old to spend time together and get to know each other better.
Sustainability and Middle East issues presented in adult classes
Adult Education classes encourage discussion, reflection, prayer and disciplines of life-long learning, discernment and faithful and Christ-centered action in the world. You are welcome to join any class at any time.
Bible study: Exodus An in-depth study, led by Andy King. A variety of resources and perspectives are used to explore this foundational book of the Old Testament. Meets Sundays at 10 am in room 32 on the lower level.
Sustainability As God’s people we are called to be stewards and caretakers of the one Earth God has created. If we are serious about loving God and neighbor we need to understand how our lifestyle choices impact those things God has deemed good in Genesis. We will address the areas of air, food, water, shelter, community, transportation, economy and energy as we dialogue toward a better way to care for God’s creation. Please join us at 10 am on Sundays, May 9–June 13. Andy King and Roger Vance will lead the class.
Understanding Israel and Palestine This three-part class grapples with the challenge of understanding Israel: the land, the country, and the people. The first part presents an understanding of Judaism and Jewish peoplehood. In the second section we learn about the connection between the people of Israel and the land of Israel over the ages and the emergence of modern Zionism. Finally we learn about the founding of the state of Israel and its ramifications for the Arab-Israeli conflict. Meets Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 pm, April 14–May 19; led by Bryce Babcock, Robin Hess and Bill Kuhn.
Memorial garden a place of rest for all
Westminster’s memorial garden, established in 1991, provides space to inter cremains of loved ones as well as a haven of peace and beauty for all. The garden is on the west side of the church, by the fellowship hall, and is entered through wrought iron gates at either end. Bronze memorial plaques with names of those interred are on the church wall on the north side of the garden. Currently, 48 interments have taken place and 88 agreements have been signed.
A brochure with more details may be found in the rack by the entrance to the sanctuary. Please contact Memorial Garden Committee Co-chairs Anne Gensheimer or Bonnie Terpstra for more information.
Westminster finances are reported
Westminster members have responded with caring and generosity to recent collections for charitable causes:
- Food Gatherers (Souper Bowl of Caring): $557
- Haiti earthquake recovery (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance): $14,125
- Hope Clinic (Masquerade Ball): $850
- 30-Hour Famine: $1,306
- Therapaws (Katheryne Johnston’s confirmation project): $246
- Hope Clinic Food and Care & Share Pantry (Audrey Sleder’s confirmation project): approx. 50 items
- Sport equipment, games and art supplies
for Huron Valley Boys and Girls Clubs
(Claire Hughes’ confirmation project): approx. 50 items
March finances
| Pledges received | $38,382 |
| Other income | +7,382 |
| February expenses | -53,950 |
| Receipts minus expenses | <8,185> |
| Year-to-date balance | <$5,295> |
Questions or concerns? Please contact Jeff Kennedy, Treasurer or David Hammond, Financial Secretary.
Get Lost! Embrace Disorientation
This one in a series of meditations on hospitality taken from the book God’s Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World, by Amy G. Oden.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19, NRSV)
In this passage, God reminds the Israelites of God’s love for strangers, for widows and orphans, that is, for those on the margins. But God takes another step here and ties love for the stranger to Israel’s experience of being the stranger. Surely this was an experience that the Israelites wanted to leave behind. We don’t want to remember the times we have felt powerless and vulnerable. We want to remember the stories of our victories and accomplishments. But the message is clear: if we want to love the stranger, it’s important to stay in touch with the experience of being the stranger.
The longer we’ve been in a congregation, the more likely we have lost touch with the disorientation of being a stranger. We know where things are, we know to whom to go, we know how to get things done. We know. To be a stranger is to not know. In order to pay attention to God’s welcome, we need to keep in touch with that experience of not knowing.
Truth be told, we do have the experience of being the stranger who doesn’t know. Remember your first day on a new job? Remember moving to a new home? These experiences of disorientation, of being lost in one’s own life, are key experiences of being the stranger who does not know.
No doubt being lost or not knowing can be anxiety-producing, so it may be hard to see how it can be part of God’s welcome. At the least, it helps us remember the experience of being the stranger. Disorientation gives us compassion and humility for others who are themselves strangers. Being the stranger who does not know keeps that memory fresh and real so that when we welcome strangers into our church family, we are aware of the disorientation and vulnerability that can entail.
Being lost returns us to vulnerability, to powerlessness in a life that is mostly privileged. We are available to God and to God’s welcome in a particular way in our lostness. And if we dare stay in that disorientation just a bit, we will find ourselves deeply in God’s life. Vulnerability reveals the truth about ourselves–that we cannot do it alone, that we don’t know it all, that we are not in control–and so we come to God unmasked. We know God’s welcome even when we are lost, even when we are the stranger who does not know. So get lost! And “remember that you were strangers.”
Experiment Get lost. Choose to be a stranger. Visit an unfamiliar church, preferably of a different denomination. Be present to your own vulnerability, to your uncertainty about where to sit and what to do. Let yourself be a stranger, even if it’s uncomfortable. Trust that God will meet you there. Afterward, reflect on what you experienced. What was it like to be a stranger? What hospitality was extended to you? How did you receive it?
Other items of interest on our web site
Westminster’s new photo directory is available online as well as in print. If you are in the new print directory, then you have access to the online version.
There is a link to the directory on the church web site home page as well. For your first visit, click the “Forgot password” link. You’ll be prompted to enter the email address associated with your name in the Westminster database, and you’ll then receive log in information at that email address. If you have difficulties with this process, please contact Marti Burbeck.
Once you’ve logged in, you can change your user name and password, and you can add, show or hide address, phone and other information.
Please treat your log in information in the same manner as all computer user names and passwords. Access to this directory is for the convenience of Westminster members only and is restricted to that group of people.
Sermon recordings are placed online early each week. You can listen on your computer or on your mp3 player; subscribe to the rss feed to automatically receive the podcast as soon as it’s online.
For the most up to date calendar information, check the online calendar.
The Westminster Weekly, plus sermon title and Sunday Bible readings are placed online on Fridays. Get the week’s news early, and give God opportunity to prepare your heart for Sunday’s worship.
Westminster Presbyterian Church 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-761-9320 | westpresa2.org