2023 Annual Report
Annual Meeting
Sunday February 4, 2024 at 11:00 am
Westminster Presbyterian Church
349 North Market Blvd.
P.O. Box 710
Chehalis, Washington 98532
“Glorifying God and Reflecting the Love of Jesus Christ to the World”
Agenda:
Call to Order with Prayer
Report of the Nominating Committee
Election of Corporate Officers
Meeting of the Corporation
Election of Elders and Deacons
Update by the Pastor Nominating Committee
Review of the Budget
Adjourn with Prayer
The office staff and volunteers wish to thank all the authors and contributors to the 2023 Annual Report.
Bridge Pastor’s Report: 2023
I can only write about a quarter (since October) versus a whole year but it seems like it was a healthy year for Westminster Presbyterian. Robin Crawford is a beloved pastor who helped you bridge most of the year and I picked up the baton from him. I saw the church complete the liturgical year, enter into Advent, celebrate Christmas, and now is ministering in a new year.
I have seen an active Session and Diaconate hard at work. The church has two strong Bible studies, great coffee discussion groups, and a music program churches three times Westminster’s size would love to have. The church continues to use technology well – broadcasting the services and helping those of differing abilities enjoy the services. And all the while, the Pastoral Nominating Committee has been meeting regularly, studying pastoral information forms, and interviewing candidates.
This is an important year for Westminster and I am honored to serve as your Bridge Pastor during this period. I can not thank everyone enough for the warm welcome and support not only I but all of my family members have received from the entire congregation. I find Westminster to be filled with educated and mature Christians with joy in their hearts.
I am honored to serve God here with you until this congregation finds its next installed pastor.
In Christ,
Tom Paine
Session Annual Report for 2023
Moderator: Rev. Tom Paine; Clerk: Judy Wilson; Treasurer: Guy Warren
January
Bridge Pastor Robin Crawford was the moderator. The PNC were busy and had three interviews and J Vander Stoep reported to the congregation. The Annual Meeting was scheduled for January 29, 2023. A new custodian was hired, Russell Wheeler. Listening devices were purchased for the congregation.
February
The old website was dissolved. A covenant with Rev. Ralph Carr and the congregation was voted on by Session and will be presented to the congregation. Ralph Carr will be a friend of the church not the pastor when he returns to worship here. The pre-school has a Board to help support the pre-school. Virgil Bluhm was honored for the work he has done at the church. Pastor Robin changed his status from “Bridge Pastor” to “Interim Pastor”.
March
An assistant for IT was voted on for Mike Schieffer to begin a search for a qualified person. WPC sent an overture to Presbytery to show support for protective status for persons with gender identity issues. The first reading will be in May.
April
The Chronicle advertisement was updated this month. Joyce Carr and Mike Schieffer are the Presbytery representatives from WPC. Session voted to upgrade the security system in the Carr Community Center.
May
Warrens returned from their trip to Ireland and the United Kingdoms. Pastor Robin announced that he will be leaving WPC on November 5, 2023. He has been with us since September 2022.
June/July
The PNC reports they reviewed 35 applications and are working on five more. Home communion was given to Bob and Jean Wheeler on July 17th. Pastor Robin introduced the minster outreach program, “One Parish, One Prisoner Program”.
August
The pre-School Board reported to the Session. Kay Odegaard is the new chairman. Matthew Zylstra retired from the Board and chairmanship when he began law school at Berkley. A Parent Handbook was prepared for the 2023-2024 school year. WPC’s 170 Anniversary will be in 2025. “One Parish One Prisoner” was introduced to the congregation.
September
Pastor Tom Paine was introduced to the Session at this meeting. The Session voted to hire him as our “Bridge Pastor to begin November 1, 2023. This will give Pastor Robin and Pastor Tom a week to work together. The PNC did a second interview with one candidate. A school supply drive was held for Chehalis school supplies for kids in need. The Session heard a report about Harrison Square’s Tiny House Project.
October
Session voted to participate in the Hope Housing Collaborative of Lewis County. This is the first step for this organization to have a change in the zoning area near Harrison Square. Joyce Carr and Don Wilson will be our representatives.
November/December
Rev. Tom Paine is our moderator and bridge pastor. He will continue to lead the Transitional Ministry a portion of COM and will become the co-chair of COM in 2024. There was one evening Christmas Eve service at 7:00 p.m. Keith Conant was introduced to the Session as a person to work with IT. Isabel and Jared’s wedding was held in our sanctuary. The Annual Meeting was set for February 4, 2024.
Looking Ahead
We are working on getting name badges for the congregation. A new directory is in the process. Our 170 Anniversary is in 2025. Let’s celebrate! The PNC is working and looking for the best candidate for the pastor at WPC. Keep praying for them.
Judy Wilson
Clerk of Session
Deacon’s 2023 Annual Report
2023 was a good year for the Deacons. We began the year with only 4 Deacons, and grew in membership to 7. Walt King stepped down from being a Deacon as he had competed 6 full continuous years of service. We added Janet Dills, Katherine Gullmert and Nong Plotz, all for 3-year terms. We also added Kay Odegaard for a 1-year term. The roster of Deacons for 2023 was:
Robin Frantz and Wayne Osborn (began service in 2019)
Joyce Carr (began service in 2022)
Judy Wilson (began service in 2022)
Kay Odegaard (began service in 2023)
Janet Dills (began service in 2023)
Katherine Gullmert (began service in 2023)
Nung Plotz (began service in 2023)
As our roster of Deacons grew from 4 in 2022 to 7 in 2023, we needed to generate new Flocks lists. We generated completely new lists rather than trying to shuffle the existing lists. The new lists were completed in mid-March.
During 2023, the Deacons:
Assisted in Memorial Service receptions for
Dianne Fletcher
Norma Zylstra
Deanna Zieske
Virgil Bluhm
Donated $500 to Love INC to assist in building a wheelchair ramp for a disabled person
Restarted the Food Basket to collect food donations for the Chehalis Food Bank
Donated $500 to Love INC for the purchase of Thanksgiving meals for the purchase of 12 Holiday Meal Deal Gift certificates
Purchased and delivered poinsettias at Christmas to our members who are in assisted living situations or otherwise could use some extra Holiday cheer
Provided monetary gifts at Christmas to the WPC Staff to show appreciation for the work they do.
Wayne Osborn
Deacon Moderator
Westminster Pastor Nominating Committee Report
for 2024 Annual Meeting
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
It is this faith that is carrying the PNC as we continue our prayerful work of seeking the pastor God is calling to Westminster. Faith is carrying us through the careful review of candidates and interviews as we continue to lean into the mystery of where God is leading us as a congregation. We covet the many prayers being raised by the congregation, the Presbytery, and the many candidates we have communicated with. We know these prayers are offered through love and commitment to supporting us in our task and through our journey.
After finalizing Westminster’s Mission Study in August of 2022, we began reviewing candidate profiles in September of 2022. Since that time we have reviewed many, many candidates, reviewed sermons, candidate blogs, and church websites. We have conducted interviews with several candidates and have shared neutral pulpit experiences. We have learned to navigate two different candidate/congregation matching platforms, and redrafted our church profile with the change between candidate/congregation matching platforms this past summer. We continue to communicate with candidates and review profiles, and ask for the congregation’s continued commitment to holding the church, this process, and the PNC in prayer.
We thank you for your patience and for your understanding as we have limited our reporting in a commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates. We value your trust in us as we continue to represent thecongregation and discern God’s wisdom and His will for Westminster.
Kathryn Rotter
Annual Report 2023
Building and Grounds (B&G)
Members include: Gaylord Jones, chairman, Robert Capps, maintenance, Don Wilson, Session Rep, Judy Wilson, recorder, Mike Dwyer, consultant, Pastor Tom Paine
2023
• Lighting in the sanctuary was adjusted to allow each fixture to give more light.
• The sound board buzzing problem was cured.
• The older wiring was the cause. There is a mix of old and new wiring in that area.
• The roof on the Carr Community Center (CCC) was done, but a leak has developed in the hallway during heavy rains.
• L and I inspected our elevator and found no big issues. It will have a service scheduled in late January or February. Robert Capps will set this up.
• The Market Street elevator door needs a new door closer. Robert Capps will take the lead on this project.
• The CCC security system has been up graded to 5 G service.
• The boilers used to heat the sanctuary had maintenance and repair work done.
• The slide in the play area has developed some cracks. This is not a safety issue at this time but needs to be watched. The pre-school needs to have input on this issue, should it be replaced? Ways to finance the replacement.
2024
• Several electrical issues need attention because of the old wiring but these are not safety issues. Robert has a list of specific jobs he can work on.
• The roof on the CCC needs to be replaced. Cost estimate is $40,000 to $50,000
• The heat pump in CCC need to be replaced.
• Should these be done along with the roof replacement?
• Should the units be put on the ground level?
• The estimated cost is $30,000 to $40,000.
• The CCC needs to be painted and the plaster repaired.
• How much money are we willing to spend on CCC? This should be discussed at the Annual Meeting.
• The church roof is getting close to the end of its life.
• It is estimated a roof replacement would cost $50,000 to $60,000.
• Moss Control needs to be applied to the church roof.
• The refrigerator in the passageway between the sanctuary and brick building died and needs to be removed.
• Gaylord volunteered his truck to take it away. He will need help.
• Two places to take it are: DB Cooper or the recycling Center next to the landfill.
• The carpet in the sanctuary and fellowship hall needs to be cleaned & is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13th.
• Russell Wheeler, custodian, will made arrangements for cleaning.
• Gaylord closed the meeting at 10:50 a.m. with prayer.
Gaylord Jones, Chairman
Sounds of Westminster
The music program at Westminster is thriving!
Several new members joined the Chancel Choir during the year, and tight space became an issue. The short wall was removed from the chancel area, and the choir is now able to utilize both sides, providing improved seating and a better sound. The group is accomplished and enthusiastic, and we enjoy enhancing worship with a variety of song styles.
Westminster Bells continues as a challenge-oriented, advanced handbell choir. In addition to performing for Stillwater Estates, we performed three Christmas concerts for the community in December - our 34th year! We shared our free-will offering with the Guardian Friends of Lewis County, an organization that provides needs for foster children. We were able to contribute $1450 to this worthy cause. Our last performance of the year was for the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra at Centralia College’s Corbet Hall.
We are also blessed to have Kathryn and Matthew Rotter provide praise songs on a monthly basis. It gives us a chance to worship in a different way and encourages us to stretch our wings!
Carolin Auvil-Greenfield and Jan Snider are our musical anchors, playing lovely piano and organ pieces, together and individually, each week. Their thoughtful presentations and hymn guidance are comforting and a treat for the soul.We are truly blessed to have such wonderful musicians who are willing to share their gifts to enhance our worship services. Please thank these special members when you can.
Carol Days,
Director, Chancel Choir and Westminster Bells
February 2024
Men’s Bible Study and S.A.L.T Group
2023 Annual Report
The Men’s Bible Study and S.A.L.T. (Sharing All Life Together) of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Chehalis meets every Wednesday morning all year long. Usually, six to ten men gather at Hometown Restaurant in Centralia at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and then work our way through the Books of the Bible together.
The idea is to develop relationships and to apply Biblical teachings to our daily lives. Following breakfast and conversation, we take turns reading and applying the scriptures. Beyond our meetings, we try to support each other through challenges, joys, and sorrows. We also consult with each other on projects that require specific abilities and/or expertise. There is much wisdom and capability amongst our members.
Join us Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m. at Hometown Restaurant in Centralia for enriching experiences.
Annual Report 2023 Prayer Team
This year the Prayer Team has met faithfully each Wednesday 10:00-12:00 at the home of Jean and Mel Bluhm 850 SW 18th Street. I have been a member of a WPC Prayer Group for 38 years and the group has been meeting in our home for 5 years. We are a dedicated group and all are welcome to come every week or drop in. We spend part of our time in a Bible Study that included 3 Bible translations and Study Guides. We accept prayer request that are confidential by calling my phone or using my e-mail address.
Annual Report 2023 History Room
The History Room has been totally restored and many thanks to all who took part so willingly. It is a place where people can come to pray in the pews in the church section of the room. It is a cheerful meeting room and it is a place where people can come to just learn or research a project. This year a woman called to learn about her ancestor our 4th minister, Rev. Brouillette and we could provide his pictures and autobiography and soon she will come from Portland to do her research. Another found the younger picture that was in the Witness of our 1st minister, Rev. Whitworth and returned it to the room. One member found the large old Bible of Mrs. Lewis Stearns our first elder. The 2 Autobiographies of Hank and Jenny Kirk are there and the books used in the St Helen’s report on Phoebe Goodell Judson are available. The request we weren’t able to fill was the date a person joined our church. All those facts were removed when in the past the computer failed. Please come to the History Room and just enjoy a time with the Lord.
Annual Report 2023 Church Library
Our Church Library of fiction, research books, a tribute to the Giffey Family and to Beverly Ramsey is in the Giffey Room. The pictures on the wall are a part of the Art Wall collection of our members that are in the Brick building. This Library has been nurtured and kept up by wonderful women in the past but is without a librarian at the present time. Just come in, put your name on the book card, put it in the box, take it home and upon returning it put the card back in and place it on the shelf. Each of us are the care givers of this place where many good books await just the right reader.
Jean Bluhm
2023 Memorial List for WPC
Jim Wahl January 15, 2023
Norma Zylstra January 31, 2023
Deanna Zieske February 10, 2023
Virgil Bluhm February 17, 2023
Joe Greenwood February 24, 2023
Buck Hubbert December 6, 2023
They may be gone but they will never be forgotten.