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August Chimes

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January Chimes Newsletter

Pastor ~ The Reverend Steve Hill

Minister of Visitation ~ The Reverend Ronald T. Allin

Director of Christian Education ~ Teresa Goller

Administrative Secretary ~ Pat Starbird

Bookkeeper ~ Helen Miller

Director of Music ~ Randall Reyman

Organist ~ Rose Marie Thompson

Sexton ~ Skip Mower

Housekeeper ~ Sharon Moore

Nursery ~ Alyssa McCoy

Millikin University was founded as a Presbyterian school, and we have a long-standing formal covenant with the University. We have several Millikin music classes held at Westminster and several students sing in our choir on Sunday morning. Several of our members are Trustees at Millikin and our pastor supports the “spiritual life” ministry on the Millikin campus.  Rev. Hill is often asked to give the invocation and benediction at graduation.

To learn more about Millikin University, click here:

http://www.millikin.edu/Pages/default.aspx

To contact Rev. Hill regarding an opportunity with the University, call 428-6603 or email him at wpcrev@sbcglobal.net.

The Westminster Presbyterian Church was organized from the Mission Sunday School maintained by the First Presbyterian Church in their building on the southwest corner of West Macon Street and Haworth Avenue in 1908.  In 1917, the church building was erected at West Main Street and Park Place. The original building is now our Blue chapel and Library Lounge, with the Lottie Cook Lounge and kitchen on the lower level.  Some rooms on the second floor are used at present as the office for the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois. This is the southwest corner of our present building.

Following overtures by the sessions of the two churches, the merger of the Second Presbyterian Church and the Westminster Presbyterian Church was effected on November 23, 1920, under the name of Westminster Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Mrs. James Millikin bought the lot east of the Westminster building and presented it to the church for a new building.    Ministers of the two churches, the Reverend J. W. McDonald and the Reverend W. S. Dando, served as co-pastors and the first service of the newly organized church was held in the auditorium of Millikin University on January 2, 1921. Plans were drawn up for a new building to the East of the original structure and it was dedicated on February 3, 1929.  This contains our present sanctuary and gymnasium.

As our church school membership grew, more room was needed and plans were made for the addition of a new Education Unit. This was added to the North of the building and was dedicated on March 18, 1956. This addition also includes a new commercial kitchen, much larger fellowship hall, and even a stage for special events.

In the fall of 1994 the “Affirm the Foundation” Campaign was begun and provided accessibility for all ages and those with disabilities in our Christian Education wing with a second elevator, new staff offices, choir facilities, and needed repairs.

Christie Allen 2011

Jane Ballion 2011

Karen Krows 2011

Brittaney Hillyer 2011

Amy Besser 2012

Ed Day 2012

Esperance Kalala 2012

Rae Nell Spencer 2012

Jack Ballion  2013

Matthew Briggs  2013

Don Leckrone  2013

Joel Winick  2013

Class of 2010-2013

Rick Adams

Charles Hunter

Ardith Shaffer

Ed Woare – Trustee

Class of 2012

Steve Huss – Trustee

Dennis Honnold

Cindy Neff

John Phillips – Trustee

Class of 2013

Susan Gant-Reynolds

Pat Laegeler – Trustee

Diana Rinchiuso

Robert Smith

Introducing….  B. I. G. Time!

B.I.G. Time is a special worship service geared specifically for children! Each Sunday we will meet in the Pratt Chapel following the Children’s Message. During this Worship Service the children will learn to Live their Belief In God through fun songs, interactive messages, prayer, and a few surprises along the way.

Be sure you check us out!!

It is estimated that in over 1500 churches in any given week, children and youth can be found taking part in this program that is giving them a sense of purpose and direction, unconditional acceptance and fellowship,  and puts their faith and relationships in the very center of their lives.

The program also reaches the adults who volunteer their time and talents and thereby develop a deeper relationship with the youth, with each other, and ultimately with God!

The program consists of four parts – Bible study, Worship Skills, Recreation, and Family Time – and is based on Acts 2:42-47

They spent their time in learning from the

apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and

sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.

We look forward to your family being a part of this exciting program.

Why we have a LOGOS Program…

Growing up in today’s world is tough! Young people experience unique pressures and stress that no previous generation has ever known. In the face of this reality, children seek to be known….to be in meaningful relationships with adults. They want to believe that someone cares and so they search to find those relationships wherever they can.

We can be an agent of hope by nurturing our young people into that most important relationship, one with Jesus Christ. A congregation that is living out the practice of mirroring Christ to one another is making it possible for children to “catch” the faith and learn what it means to be Christ-like

Parents and the church must work together to establish and sustain an environment of faith formation that produces a whole life biblical world view. This perspective influences all other activities, experiences and relationships in order to support a child’s journey toward discipleship

40 Developmental Assets

Search Institute has identified the following building blocks of healthy development – known as Developmental Assets – that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

External Assets

1. Family Support                             2. Positive Family Communication

3. Other Adult Relationships           4. Caring Neighborhood

5. Caring School climate                 6. Parent Involvement in School

7. Community Values Children       8. Children as Resources

9. Service to Others             10. Safety

11. Family Boundaries                    12. School Boundaries

13. Neighborhood Boundaries       14. Adult Role Models

15. Positive Peer Influence 16. High Expections

17. Creative Activities                     18. Child/Youth Programs

19. Religious Community                20. Time at Home

Internal Assets

21. Acheivement Motivation           22. Learning Engagement

23. Homework                                  24. Bonding to School

25. Reading for Pleasure                26. Caring

27. Equality & Social Justice          28. Integrity

29. Honesty                                       30. Responsibility

31. Self-Regulation                          32. Planning & Decision Making

33. Interpersonal Competence       34. Cultural Competence

35. Resistance Skills                       36. Peaceful Conflict Resolution

37. Personal Power             38. Self-Esteem

39. Sense of Purpose                     40. Positive View of Personal Future

The LOGOS Program can help in the development of 30 of the Assets!! (They are indicated by the underlined number) Think of this as 30 very good reasons for your family to be involved in LOGOS!

The Four Parts of our

Weekly LOGOS Program

Bible Study nurtures youth and children

into biblically-informed discipleship. In grade

level groups, each class uses a curriculum that is designed to meet their unique needs and learning capabilities.

Worship Skills Worship is essential andcentral to the Christian community. In Worship Skills young people learn about worship and prepare to participate in Sunday morningworship.

Recreation allows young people to experience great fun at the expense of no one else. They participate in games and activities in a non-competitive environment.

Family Time provides an intergenerational celebration over a shared meal. The children are assigned to tables along with two adults who act as “table parents”. The group around the table becomes a family as they share meals together throughout the year. Food is served family style.

2009/2010 Themes

Sept.   16        Tailgate Night

23        A Perfectly Pleasing LOGOS Evening

30        Rise N Shine

Oct.     7          Fight Night

14        Where The Wild Things Are

21        Take Me Out To The Ballgame

28        Trunk or Treat

Nov.    4          Super Hero Night

11        Veteran’s Night

18        Thanksgiving

Dec.    2          “Advent”ure Night

9          Progressive Night

16         Happy Birthday Jesus

Jan.     6          LOGOS Staff (No LOGOS)

13        A Taste of Italy

20        Chocolate Feast

27        Talent Night                                        No LOGOS

Feb.    3          Tres de Febrero                                November 25

10        Chinese New Year                            December 23

17        Ash Wednesday                                December 30

24        Mystery Dinner                                  January 6

Mar.    3          Wild West Night                                March 31

10        drawkcaB Night

17        St. Patrick’s Day

24        Kid’s Choice Awards

Apr.     7          Terrific T’s

14        Closing Banquet

Parent Participation

A very important, if not the most important way you can become involved is to show your child your commitment to LOGOS. In our society, we give time to those activities we value; show your child that LOGOS is a top priority to you by giving your time, seeing that your child comes each week, and discussing the activities. Being there is not only helpful to the LOGOS staff, but ultimately for your child.

If you do not have a weekly commitment to LOGOS we ask that you sign up to help four times throughout the LOGOS year.

Fees

The cost for the 09/10 year of LOGSO is:

*1st child        $90

*2nd child       $80

*3rd child        $70

*4th and subsequent children are free

One half of the tuition is due at registration. The second half will be due on January 13, 2010. No one will be turned away because of finances. Payment schedules and scholarships are available. Contact Teresa if you need assistance.

Visitors

We love when the children and youth invite their friends! We ask that $3 be paid to cover the cost of the meal for each visitor. Advance notice is always appreiciated. If a guest wants to come back, we will contact their parents about joining our LOGOS program. Please provide us with contact information of your guest.

Safety

The safety of your children is very important to us. We ask that you come in the building when you bring your children to LOGOS. At the end of the evening you will need to come into the Fellowship Hall to pick up your child. We will not allow any children to leave without an adult.

Transportation

If you need help getting your child to LOGOS we can provide transportation. Please Let us know if you need transportation when you sign up for LOGOS and we will make arrangements.

Contact Information

Teresa Goller, Director of Christian Education

*Church: 428-6603

*Cell: 972-7093

*Email: wpcteresa@sbcglobal.net

Nursery provided for children under 3 years old

Children 3 years old through 6th grade attend the Worship Service through the Children’s Message time.

Following the Children’s Message we have Extended Care for children 3 through 5 years old.

Children in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to B.I.G. Time following the Children’s Message.

10:35 a.m. Sunday School:

Nursery provided for children under 3 years old.

Sunday School classes are offered for all ages.

11:25 a.m. – 11:45

Children 3 years old through 6th grade are invited to join Rose Marie for music time!

1360 W. Main Street

Decatur, Illinois 62522

Phone: 217-428-6603

FAX: 217-428-2580

E-Mail: wpcdecatur@sbcglobal.net

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor ~ The Reverend Steve Hill  – wpcrev@sbcglobal.net

Minister of Visitation ~ The Reverend Ronald T. Allin

Director of Christian Education ~ Teresa Goller – wpcteresa@sbcglobal.net

Administrative Secretary ~ Pat Starbird – wpcdecatur@sbcglobal.net

Bookkeeper ~ Helen Miller

Director of Music ~ Randall Reyman

Organist ~ Rose Marie Thompson

Sexton ~ Skip Mower

Housekeeper ~ Sharon Moore

Nursery ~ Alyssa McCoy

Recognizing the 7 Ingredients of a Collaborative Marriage — a healthy relationship

Choosing Communication StylesTM — with a map for you to:

• Identify ineffective and effective ways of talking and listening
• Improve the quality of your communication

Using the Awareness WheelTM — a tool to:

• Understand yourself and situations better, a foundation for effective communication
• Apply 6 talking skills to connect in a clear and constructive way

Applying the Listening CycleTM — a guide to:

• Tune in accurately to your partner
• Use 5 productive listening skills

Mapping Issues — a 9-step process that combines the talking and listening skills for you to:

• Make decisions and resolve conflicts collaboratively

Gain skills and tools that improve every aspect of your life — with your partner, your family and friends, and with people at work and elsewhere.

In COUPLE COMMUNICATION I, you and your partner learn to:

• Communicate together more effectively
• Make better decisions together
• Create faster, better resolutions to conflict
• Increase satisfaction as you strengthen your relationship

Learning Formats and Methods

You and your partner participate in one of two formats:

• In a group with an instructor and several other couples
  (in sessions totaling 8 hours)
• By yourselves as a couple with an instructor
  (often six 50-minute sessions)

Enjoy Gaining Your New Skills Through:

• Explanations of the concepts, skills, and processes
• Demonstrations of the skills and processes
• Practice of skills and processes with real issues of your own choice (appropriate for the setting), using skills mats – innovative tools – to speed learning
• Coaching and feedback on your use of skills
• Application of your learning in real situations between sessions

Your Privacy is Respected

You choose together privately, as a couple, the issues you discuss and practice.

User Friendly Couple Materials

As a couple, you use a COUPLE COMMUNICATION I Couple Packet containing:

• 2 Collaborative Marriage Skills workbooks (one copy for each partner)
• 2 Skills Mats (one for talking, the other for listening)
• 2 Sets of 4 Pocket Cards to prompt skill use
• 2 Awareness Wheel pads

The materials are for:

• Use during sessions
• Practice at home between sessions
• Application after the course to reinforce skills when negotiating issues

The workbook in the Couple Packet comes in one of two versions:

• Regular
• With Scripture

Both are softcover, 8 x 10 inches, 144 pages, 2007
The COUPLE COMMUNICATION I Couple Packet is $39.95

To join a COUPLE COMMUNICATION I class, please contact Rev. Hill at wpcrev@sbcglobal.net or call 428-6603

PW Officers for 2009-2010

Moderator: Audrey Sanner

Vice Moderator & Programs: Bernice Doty

Secretary: Jane Ballion

Treasurer: Barbara Phillips

Mission: June Roby

Publicity: Lenore Snyder

Calling: Gladys Nisbet

Nominating Committee: TBA

Representative to Kemmerer Auxiliary: Helen Baulos

Representative to Church Women United: Anne Gray

Least Coin: Circle Leaders

Circle Leaders:

Dinah: Lenore Snyder (429-7140)

Hannah: Rae Nel Spencer (468-3118

Jennie Rugh: June Roby/Fran Livasy

Mary/Martha: Bernice Doty (864-2066)

These are overseen by Randall Reyman, our Director of Music, and Rose Marie Thompson, our Organist/Bell Director, and Youth Music Director.

Westminster has a pipe organ with over 4,000 pipes! Our organist, Rose Marie Thompson, spends hours practicing, looking for just the right sound for each hymn. Our choir director is Randall Reyman. Randall has several trumpets that he plays to enhance the singing of hymns and for special music. Both Rose Marie and Randall are well connected to talented musicians in Decatur and draw upon their gifted friends to share their talents with the Westminster congregation. Westminster also employs several Millikin students to enrich the sound and quality of the choir.

For information on the music program, please contact:

For fees, please contact the Church Office at 428-6603.

Rev. Stephen Hill will officiate at the wedding and he will meet with the couple privately for three sessions.  The first session is a time for Rev. Hill and the couple to share stories.  The second session is to help the couple understand each other’s personality in the context of being a family.  The third session is for planning the wedding service.  There is also the hope that the couple will join with other couples in taking a communication class that will greatly benefit their life together.  This class is called Couples Communication I and it can be reviewed on this web site.

Wedding Information Form

Wedding Policies and Guidelines

All children ages three through 6th grade are welcome to join us!

If you are interested in becoming a member at Westminster we offer a class following “The Presbyterian Handbook”.

The book is divided by “Stuff”:  Church Stuff, Every Day Stuff, Bible Stuff and Presbyterian Stuff.

This is a fun book filled with theology and earthy knowledge.

We will discuss the value of knowing John Calvin in the 21^st century.

We will also discuss how you should respond when someone says “you are sitting in my pew”, page 20.

The Presbyterian Church has two sacraments:  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  We only have two sacraments because a sacrament is a holy sign of God’s grace.  The class will talk about why there are only two and what that means for us.

You will enjoy the class as you build relationships with others and grow in your knowledge and faith in God.

Please contact Pastor Steve if you would like to join this adventurous class by calling  428-6603.

Visitors are always welcome at Westminster!

Our Worship Services begin at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary.

Sunday School begins at 10:30 am.

The third Sunday of the month is our Jazz Service.

Holy Communion is given the first Sunday of each month.

Nursery Care is provided during worship for infants and toddlers under 3 years old. Extended Care led by volunteers is also provided for 3, 4 and 5 year old children.

Please join us!

Please click on the link to the Session & Committee Structure for more information on the organizational structure and how those groups function and help lead the Church.

Program Opportunities Include:

Committees

Christian Education

Deacons

Fellowship

Endowment

Finance

Personnel

Memorial

Mission

Worship & Music

Music Ministries

The Westminster Chancel Choir

Youth Music Program

Handbell Choir

Educational Ministries

Pre-school

Elementary

Pre-teens

Adult Classes

Bible Study Groups

Men’s & Women’s Ministries

Men’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Presbyterian Women

Cheer Guild

Helping Hands

Youth Ministries

LOGOS Program

Jr. & Sr. High Fellowship

For this reason, we offer several adult education opportunities such as classes, fellowship activities and Men’s Bible study.

Westminster’s Mom’s Group!

Faith ~ Friends ~ Food ~ Fun

Our Mom’s Group meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday
of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor.

All Mom’s are invited – invite your friends!

Join us for a time of relaxing,
sharing, learning, and renwal.

A light dinner is provided and babysitting is available.

Please call Cathy at 422-5758 or Teresa at 972-7093
if you have any question.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1360 W. Main St., Decatur
(Enter through the West door and follow the signs.)

We also have a van that is handicapped accessible with a lift for wheelchairs. We offer pick up and drop off for church services and special events.

Coaching – A Skilled Listener

Sometimes you just need someone to listen and help you work through an issue or issues.  Rev. Hill has a variety of skills at his disposal to help you through an issue and help you see God at work in your life. As a coach, Rev. Hill will help you see your gifts, wisdom, courage, hope and strength as you seek solutions to your issue or problem.  He will offer a process that will guide and encourage you to move forward. Coaching is more interested in the “how” rather than the “why” of an issue, so the goal is more action rather than understanding the past.  If you only need someone to listen, Rev. Hill can do that too.

As a coach, Rev. Hill will help you discover your hopes, dreams, desires that are planted by God and find inspired ways to fulfill them.

To contact Rev. Hill for an appointment, call:  428-6603 or email him at wpcrev@sbcglobal.net

Prayer Chain

Westminster has a prayer chain that is used by members and friends to offer up to God our joys and concerns each week, via email.  If you would like to request prayer, please email Rev. Hill at:  wpcrev@sbcglobal.net

If you would like to join the Westminster family in praying for others please email Rev. Hill at:  wpcrev@sbcglobal.net

We believe God works using our prayers and we serve one another in “spirit” through this ministry.

Lynn’s Helping Hands

What Is It?

This ministry is dedicated to the memory of Lynn Olendorf who faithfully started and chaired this caring service to members and their families.

We provide a loving food service to the family of deceased church members, being whatever they desire – a meal in the church fellowship hall or their home, following a memorial service or funeral, or we can provide for a dessert reception in the library lounge or parlor. We also deliver casserole dishes to members released from the hospital after surgery or after the arrival of a new baby, and also to shut-ins. This is an excellent opportunity to serve the members of the church, and their families, when they are in need. We are also looking to increase our mission by hosting receptions following baptisms.

What You Can Do…

A committee of four people serve during one month in a given year. Please give prayerful consideration to joining our mission to provide help when needed. Call the church NOW to join a monthly team. We have openings in several months. If you cannot make a commitment for a full month, we need substitutes that we can call on to help supply food.

What It Can Do For You…

Calling all people with a servants heart.

This is a truly fulfilling ministry as we seek to be servants of the Lord. This is an opportunity to get to know others in the church, as you work together on a committee. From helping others comes true joy.

…as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men.  Ephesians 6:6-7

DEACONS 2011-2013

Christie Allen 2011

Jane Ballion 2011

Karen Krows 2011

Brittaney Hillyer 2011

Amy Besser 2012

Ed Day 2012

Esperance Kalala 2012

Rae Nell Spencer 2012

Jack Ballion  2013

Matthew Briggs 2013

Don Leckrone  2013

Joel Winick  2013

The Band

Westminster offers a blend of traditional and contemporary music at our 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday. On the third Sunday of the month we have a worship service with hymns and sacred music arranged in a jazz format.   Sundays  as scheduled we offer a youthful contemporary sound from select Millikin students with a contemporary message that is Bible based.

You will always hear two Bible passages read and a sermon based on one of the passages. Sermons are written by studying the passage, understanding what the passage was saying to the first century Christians and what it means to you/us as we live our lives in Decatur and in the world.

Rev. Hill often hears people say, “You were preaching to me this morning”. The Good News speaks to all of us, all the time. God uses the music, written words and preaching to support and transform the people of God for “Life”.

Our traditional worship service offers the worship style that is familiar, with real world applications to support your walk with God. We are God-centered and through our music, liturgy and preaching we praise God and find ourselves ready to face the challenges of life when we leave.

Westminster has a pipe organ with over 4,000 pipes!  Our organist, Rose Marie Thompson, spends hours practicing, looking for just the right sound for each hymn. Our choir director is Randall Reyman. Randall has several trumpets that he plays to enhance the singing of hymns and for special music. Both Rose Marie and Randall are well connected to talented musicians in Decatur and draw upon their gifted friends to share their talents with the Westminster congregation. Westminster also employs several Millikin students to enrich the sound and quality of the choir.

Rev. Steve Hill has been preaching for 29 years and still finds new ways to proclaim the Gospel. Rev. Hill might step away from the pulpit and walks down the isle to make the sermon more relational. He will find illustrations from the newspaper, TV or books to add depth and perspective as well as using his own life experience to convey Biblical truth in our modern world.

Congregational leadership is used to lead the service and share moments for mission.

We enjoy serving and worshiping God together!

Many activities are held in our church facilities that serve our congregation and also the community throughout the year. Here is a list of some of the church activities at Westminster: Worship, Sunday School, Weddings, Presbyterian Women, Cheer Guild, Chair Exercise Classes, Committee meetings, (Christian Ed, Fellowship, Endowment, Deacons, Finance, Personnel, Mission, Worship & Music, Trustees), Session, Shawl Ministry, Logos, Choir, Handbells, VBS, Soup Suppers, Chili Cook-off, Movie Night, Funerals, and Memorial Services

Community groups that have used our facilities for their events are: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rules of the Road Class, West End Neighborhood Association, Barbershoppers, La Leche League, Presbyterian Staff Retreat, Flu Shots, Macon County Reading Council, IHSA Contest, Millikin Master Classes, Sororities, Show Choir, Parish Nurse Classes, Choir Festival, Organ Concert, Quilt Guild, AARP Driving Class, Red Cross Disaster Training, Music Recitals, and Narcotics Anonymous.

Rooms available for use for group activities are the Sanctuary (capacity 400 plus), Blue Chapel (100), Main Kitchen, Fellowship Hall (150), Church Parlor (30), Class Rooms, and Large Gym.

Fees are based on the number of rooms used, length of time, and set-up. Any set-up or special custodial assistance needed will be paid by the group depending on set-up and custodial time required.

All fees recommended are at the discretion of the Administrative Secretary who is in charge of  scheduling the groups. Contact the church office at 217-428-6603 for more information.

Community Family Fun Fest

Free inflatables for all ages, free games for all ages, free music by our Praise Band, Door prizes for
all ages. Hot dogs, chips, baked goods $.25 each, drinks, $.50 cents each

Everyone is welcome! Location: Westminsters east parking lot
09-12-10 5:00 p.m.

Millikin University – www.millikin.edu

Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois – www.psei.net

Synod of Lincoln Trails – www.lincolntrails.org