The Adult Education Committee would like to thank the following individuals who contributed to adult Christian education this fall as class leaders: Winston Barham, Sarah Bedford, Adrienne Kim Bird, Barbara Deaver, David Garth, Jim Hassmer, Ken Henry, Earle Hilgert, Beth Hochstetler, Abe Hostetter, Gene Locke, Zanne MacDonald, Molly Peck, Dick Riley, Chip Sanders, Elizabeth Schlipper, Derry Wade, Leanna Whitmore, Ron Wiley, and Gail Wiley. These leaders provided wonderful classes covering the historic and contemporary church, Bible study, spirituality, social justice and life and faith.

The committee has been working on the spring schedule, and is excited to offer another great series of adult Christian education and spiritual growth opportunities (a brochure will be forthcoming in early January). Our spring classes will kick off on January 13 with what is sure to be an outstanding class led by Rev. Jill Duffield, Editor/Publisher of The Presbyterian Outlook. Classes for the remainder of the spring will include offerings on the Old Testament, Hebrew poetry, a Louise Penny book study and Sage-ing as a spiritual practice. In addition, Deborah Rexrode, Associate for Stewardship at Presbytery of the James will lead a class in March on creating a culture of generosity, and, on March 31, Prof. Samuel Adams, Professor of Old Testament at Union Presbyterian Seminary, will return to Westminster to build on his extremely well-received class last year. Additional classes for later in the spring are still being developed. 

Beyond these spring offerings, the Faith and Family, Contemporary Theology, and Opening Doors classes will meet each Sunday, and the Tuesday Evening Bible Study and Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet during the week. 

Plan on joining us in the spring for an exciting curriculum providing outstanding opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship. 

As of this week, 204 households have returned their pledge cards as part of our financial stewardship campaign. Thank you so much for your faithful and generous response supporting the ministries and programs at Westminster, especially to those who stepped in this year to pledge for the first time (14 households), including our new members, and those who stepped up and increased their pledges over last year. 

We are oftentimes are so overwhelmed by the activity of our daily lives that things we intend to do slip through the cracks. As a gentle reminder, members of the Stewardship Committee and Session are contacting those who have not yet submitted a pledge (e.g., 61 households that pledged last year have not yet pledged this year) asking that you faithfully consider how the gifts God has entrusted to you can be dedicated to do God’s work at Westminster, in our community and in the world. Over recent Sundays, you have heard how your pledges this year made our 2018 stories in Music and Worship, Christian Education, Pastoral Care and Fellowship, and Mission and Outreach. With your support, many more will come in 2019 showing our love for God and our neighbors, particularly as we call a new Associate Pastor to lead our social justice and University ministries. 

If you have misplaced your pledge card, you may pledge online, find a pledge card in the pew racks, or call Kate Brinkley in the church office, 434-293-3133, who will be happy to mail you another card or send you a stewardship packet. 

Again, thank you for your support of Westminster’s many ministries and programs and your practice of stewardship this year.

Jim Cauthen, on behalf of the Stewardship Committee

Help beautify the sanctuary during Advent and Christmas. The cost of participation is $20, which covers the cost of a poinsettia and a contribution to the other decorations (wreaths, candles, window decorations, etc.). Deadline for participation is 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 16.  Send your name, dedication, and total cost to the church (Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911) with your check made out to Westminster Church (with “Seasonal Decorations” on the memo line). Questions? Contact Kate Brinkley in the church office, 293-3133 or kbrinkley@westminsterva.org.