The Link
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, mi
Volume 29, number 3: March 2015
Blessing Groceries, Blessing Bread,
Acknowledging God’s Blessing
W
hat does it mean when in our church
service or at a meal we give a blessing? Well,
actually that sentence represents a bit of a
misnomer. We do not bless anything. We actually ask
for God’s blessing upon our endeavors, our collections,
our offerings and our meals. And whether everything
we’re offering is visible and up front or we bring forward
a small sample of our giving as a symbol, the result is
the same. God gives us blessing – for our service, our
sacrifice, our offering. The focus is not upon our accomplishment but upon God’s grace.
So with that in mind, elders from the Worship and
Mission Committees, and ushers met with me to discuss
how best to ask God’s blessing upon all the wonderful
generosity of the congregation with groceries for Hope
and bread for Riverside. I know it has been a bit of a
logistical problem. After some very good discussion
and creative ideas, the decision was made to bring one
or two Hope bags up with the offering for the prayer of
dedication to God on the third Sunday of the month.
The rest will remain near the door so they can be easily put in cars for delivery. Baskets of bread on Com-
munion Sunday will be brought in at the beginning of
the service – along with the loaf of Communion bread.
They will remain at either end of the Communion table
as a reminder that the bread we break nurtures and
strengthens us for service in the world. The tables of the
poor are an extension of the Table of the Lord.
On another note, Holy Week is at the end
of this month, and services are listed in this newsletter.
Please do note that on Easter we will have two services!
Invite your friends and family to share the Lord and the
hope of the resurrection.
And below you will find a copy of a letter to be sent to
the entire congregation.
I am hoping you will
avail yourself of this opportunity to take a first
step toward the search
for a new pastor.
Peace and grace,
Rev. Shipman
Past, Present, Future: Let's Talk!
Friends in Christ,
There is a familiar and humorous story – an anecdote
about the big city salesman who got lost in Vermont.
Driving along a backcountry road, he came upon a
farmer getting his mail at the end of the driveway which
led up to the farmhouse. “Excuse me, sir,” said the weary
salesman. “Could you please tell me where I am?” “Yep,”
came the reply. “You’re in Gallup’s Mills.” With a sigh
the frustrated salesman asked, “Well, could you kindly
direct me to Lyndonville?” Pondering for a moment, the
farmer replied, “You can’t get there from here.”
Anyone who has ever been lost in strange territory
can empathize with the salesman. A congregation facing that time between the end of one pastorate and the
beginning of another is in strange territory, wondering
how to get there from here.
The season of Lent is often described using the
metaphor of “journey.” The time a church goes through
between called pastors can be described in the same
way. It is like getting on a train that
visits each one of the stations required in this issue
by presbytery. Yet alongside, or perhaps You can help!, 2
underneath that journey is one of equal Holy Week and Easter, 3
importance, having to do with moving HEART Rotating Shelter, 4
from confusion, uncertainty and anxiety Homemaking made easy, 4
about the future to focusing on the pres- Touched by the homeless, 5
ent. How do people of faith find their Session highlights and more, 6
way through such thickets of feelings? Events & announcements, 7
How can a congregation come to a state March calendar, 8
of readiness to greet a new leader and
Listening Circles, continued on page 2
Continued from page 1
Listening Circles are a step toward a new called pastor
begin a new period of worship and ministry,
unhindered by unresolved problems and
conflicts from the past, and with a new
Listening
understanding
of its mission? These are
Circles
the questions you and I will begin to address in the coming months.
In March, I will facilitate Listening Circles
in which you can come together in groups of
not more than 12 people to express your feelings and
thoughts concerning the past, as well as your hopes for
the future. The simple act of just listening to another
person – and having them listen to you – in a safe,
non-judgmental space is often an act of healing and
reconciliation in itself. Call it a first step toward that
joyful day when you will have a new called pastor.
So how does this work? Well, it works best with
strong participation. Sign-up sheets are posted in the
Narthex beginning this week, and also available online.
You may choose any listening circle, but you will sign
up for only one. The listening circles are about 1 to 1.5
hours in length, and will be offered at various times
for maximum participation. In the event that there are
more groups than I can handle, I will bring in trained
facilitators from the presbytery with much experience
in helping other churches through this process. At the
conclusion, a report will be prepared for the Session and
the congregation summarizing the themes that emerge
from all the groups.
I do strongly encourage your participation as we begin our journey from here to there with God’s amazing
grace and loving direction. The listening circle schedule
is below, with sessions in bold type. Sign up online
(http://bit.ly/list_cir) or in the main entry at church.
Each session meets in room 113.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Shipman
You can help!
One Great Hour of Sharing offering, col- Mercy House Sunday meals: Our youths will
lected during Lent, provides relief to those affected
by natural disasters, supplies food to the hungry, and
helps to empower the poor and oppressed. Our goal
this year at Westminster is $4150.
coordinate the March 22 meal; sign up on the mission bulletin board to help that day or other times.
Contact: Katherine Simpson.
Ecumenical Center and International Residence needs drivers for events, plus support in
Hurricane Sandy recovery continues – with
your help. Westminster members and friends are in- other ways for residents. Sign up here.
vited to take part in a mission trip to Point Pleasant,
Riverside birthday cake ministry: Bake a
NJ, April 12–18, sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster
birthday cake for 50 on the first Wednesday of AuAssistance. Find out more on the mission bulletin
gust, September, November or December of this year.
board. Cost is $200.
Contact: Katherine Simpson.
Habitat House of Faith welcomes Westminster
Your thoughts and questions: Did you like
workers of all skill levels, April 24 and 30, and May
writing and giving the scriptural Valentines? Would
1, 14 and 30. Contact: Ron Fairchild.
you like to help plan the next Servant Sunday? What
Detroit summer mission trip, July 12–17: We’ll are your thoughts on ways Westminster can reach
lead the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church fine outside our church community to embody Christ
arts camp; we’ll work with Central Detroit Christian and bring the Kingdom of God to our neighborfor lasting neighborhood renewal; and more. Come hood? Please contact any committee member: Greta
for the week, or for a day or two. Contact: Greta Buck. Buck, Ron Fairchild, Marjorie McRoberts, Bill Sharp
(elder), Katherine Simpson (elder), Kay Tuttle or
Roger Vance.
2
Holy Week and Easter: Worship and Celebrate
Palm Sunday Worship: Sunday, March 29, 10:30 am
Maundy Thursday Worship: Thursday, April 2, 6:30 pm
Good Friday Worship: Friday, April 3, 7 pm
Children’s Easter Celebration: Saturday, April 4, 10 am
Easter Sunday Worship: Sunday, April 5, 8:30 and 11 am
Easter Brunch: Sunday, April 5, 9:30 am
Easter Brunch starts the day’s celebration with
wonderful food and friends
Easter Sunday, April 5, 9:30 am (between worship services)
Don’t miss this delightful annual Westminster Easter Day celebration.
We’ll share delicious casseroles, fruit and breads in a festive atmosphere.
Please sign up in the fellowship hall entry to contribute breakfast
casseroles or quiches; breads, including muffins or pastries; or a fruit
plate. Sign up there also to help with set-up (Saturday at 3 pm), serving or cleanup.
Please bring food to the church kitchen on Saturday, April 4, between 3 and 4:30 pm, or on Easter morning
before 9:15, so we can be ready to start at 9:30 sharp. Hot foods may be delivered on Saturday with clear instructions for baking or warming, or you may bring them ready to serve on Sunday morning.
Hope to see you at this celebratory event!
Easter flowers decorate our sanctuary and brighten the day for many. Sign up soon – and
before March 29 – in the fellowship hall entry to purchase flowers. You may take yours home after worship on Easter Sunday, or donate them so the deacons can take them to Westminster at-home members.
Postage stamps travel further than you might think
For many years, Westminster has helped support a
community of people with developmental disabilities
in Bielefeld, Germany, through the simple act of saving
postage stamps.
At Bethel bei Bielefeld, 120 of the residents “process”
postage stamps which come from all over the world.
They are packaged in plastic bags and then sold in
variety stores with the proceeds helping to support the
program at Bethel.
Thank you to all who have contributed through the
years, including to the recent donor of a huge bag of
stamps. Please save your cancelled stamps, including a
3/8-inch border, and place in the box in the fellowship
hall entry.
Injured mission co-workers have safely returned home to Kansas
February 5, 2015; Presbyterian News Service; by Kathy Melvin, World Mission, Louisville
Gwen and John Haspels, mission co-workers who spent armed bandits on a rural road in Ethiopia.
more than 40 years planting churches and doing comAfter the attack, John drove Gwen four hours to the
munity development work in remote areas of Africa, nearest hospital in Aman, Ethiopia. They were then
have safely returned home to Halstead, Kansas, to con- transferred . . .
tinue medical treatment and recuperation. They were
Read the full article from the Presbyterian News Serinjured October 1, 2014, when their car was attacked by vice online at http://bit.ly/haspels_return.
3
HEART Rotating Shelter: THANK YOU!
HEART rotating shelter at Westminster provided warm
and meaningful fellowship for many Westminsterites
as well as the 25 men who found gracious spiritual and
physical shelter, food, necessities and friendship during
their overnight stay February 9–16.
In an outpouring of love, over 70 volunteers participated, sharing friendship, food and car space, as
well as helping with setting up and restoring the space.
Thanks to the generosity of countless donors, coordination by the choir, and assistance from children’s and
youth ministries, more than one gentleman misted over
while discovering the new hats, gloves, heavy socks and
toiletries in the Blessing Bags. (The bounty was so large
that we were also able to bless the Riverside Community
with items as well!)
One guest shared gratitude through tears the day
after he found a pair of brand new jeans, just his size,
in the collection of mostly used clothing. He wanted
the donor to know that they were the first pair of new
pants he’s had in ten years, and he loved them. Evening
snacks were a big hit, as were Saturday and Sunday hot
breakfasts, full dinners, and warm rides in private cars.
Thanks to Westminster children, youths and their
leaders who gave up “their” space for a week, the teen
room became a relaxing gathering place for games,
foosball, puzzles, movies and fellowship, and the children’s classrooms became a dormitory for the week.
Valentines from the congregation were also a big success, with many propped up for display on or near our
guests’ mattresses. (Riverside guests also enjoyed their
Valentines cards.)
Over and over we heard that this was a special place
with very kind, friendly and loving people. We extend
a special thanks to Melissa Burkhart for helping us to
unleash that warmth and love during her talk before
the week began.
We wore our HEARTS for mission on our sleeves all
week, and when everyone left on Monday morning, we
were saddened to see our friends head out again into the
bitter cold, moving on that evening to St. Mary’s for the
week. We pray for their safety, hoping some will return
for worship with us, and that they’ll find housing soon.
Still, we know many will need us again next year. We
also pray for Ann Arbor’s leaders as they struggle to find
ways to end homelessness and pray that some of us will
care enough to make a difference in that process as well.
Homemaking made easy
Westminster volunteers, together with folks from four
other area churches including Ann Arbor First Presbyterian, will work with Habitat for Humanity of Huron
Valley to rehabilitate a home. The 2015 House of Faith
in in the Gault Village subdivision of Ypsilanti; it is a
three-bedroom, one bath home with basement and
garage on an attractive lot with mature trees.
As in the past, we will remove existing siding and
replace it with new vapor barrier, blue board insulation
and vinyl siding. Exterior doors will be replaced. Inside,
we’ll remove drywall from exterior walls and insulate
to EnergyStar levels; we’ll then hang and paint new
drywall. Kitchen cabinets and flooring will be replaced
and the bathroom will be gutted and rebuilt to modern
standards. All baseboards and window and door casings
will be replaced and painted, and new shelving will be
installed in closets. Finally, we will repair exterior decks
and upgrade the landscaping. When finished, it will be
a home any of us would be proud to call our own.
To make all this happen, we need your help! You
need not be a skilled craftsman or have a degree in
homebuilding. Our house leader, Paul, is a full-time
Habitat employee and is always on site to instruct and
assist. Paul is a pleasure to work with; this will be our
fourth house done under Paul’s supervision.
All skill levels are welcome and all tools are provided.
Westminster has committed to work on April 24 and
30, and May 1, 14 and 30. Work hours are 9 am–4 pm,
with one hour for lunch. Please sign up (soon) in the
fellowship hall entry. Please contact Ron Fairchild for
more information (734-417-0815).
4
Touched by the homeless . . .
by Bruce Spiher
I didn’t know what I was getting into when I volunteered,
but I quickly realized that I was blessed to be part of
the Westminster team that hosted 25 homeless men the
week of February 9.
Melissa Burkhart was right when she reminded the
volunteers that our homeless guests are not different
from us. Except for lacking a permanent home, they
are us.
In fact, if you saw them in a crowd, you would not
have guessed that most of them are homeless. Many of
them certainly didn’t look homeless – if there even is a
“homeless” look. None of them wore sweatshirts or ball
caps that said “homeless” on them. Instead, they wore
sweatshirts that said University of Michigan and Eastern
Michigan University – just like we do.
The guests who felt like talking at our party were
great conversationalists. They talked about the weather
and local news and national news and sports, just like
we do. I overheard two of them compare the merits of
various championship golf courses – a topic I couldn’t
even keep up with.
And they all had their own stories to tell – just like
we do.
Not surprisingly, some of our guests were military
veterans. I talked to one who had been in the Army and
another who had been in the Air Force. They had served
our country – just like some of us have.
One guy, probably in his late 20s, told me a little
about his days at Pioneer High School, and how he
helped launch a philosophy course there, which is still
popular with students today. He was very proud of his
contribution.
One man lost his home because of the medical bills
that accrued during his wife’s five-year battle with leukemia – a battle she ultimately lost. He said the financial
loss wasn’t important because the treatments helped
keep her alive a little longer.
Another guy became homeless when the elderly
woman he was taking care of suddenly died – and
her children immediately sold her home, leaving him
without a place to live.
One man, a carpenter, proudly showed me his photo
portfolio of some of the great projects he has worked
on over the years – including many homes for other
people. The work looked impressive! He, and several of
the other guys are currently working – but still home-

less. Another guy is a
cook downtown. And
another is a precision
toolmaker.
Some of them had
 –
well developed humor.
One guy, who was raised in
Detroit, told me that he had
recently moved from Montana
after living there for 14 years. On his
first day in Ann Arbor, he was stopped by a
police officer because he looked homeless. The officer
asked our new friend, if he lived under the bridge near
where they stood. Our guy looked the officer in the eye
and politely pointed out that even children know that
trolls live under bridges. In contrast, he was a vagabond.
At least three of them had obvious physical disabilities. And when you looked them deep in their eyes,
you could tell their pain medication only helped a little.
All of them ate snacks and drank coffee or lemonade
last night, just like we might do in the evening. We
should have made more coffee than usual Friday morning because it was so cold outside, but we didn’t and
we ran out. But there wasn’t a single verbal complaint.
There may have been a couple of short-­lived frowns,
but that was it.
When they left Westminster Friday morning, I
walked them to door and wished each of them well. They
thanked me for our hospitality, and I thanked them for
allowing us to be their hosts.
As I held the door for them, I could feel the bitter
cold on my face – and I was still inside. The temperature
outside was minus 11 degrees with wind chill included. I
watched as they walked the 30 yards or so through the
parking lot to the bus stop, and I said a silent prayer
asking God to look after them and thanking Him for
the special gifts I received that day.
Westminster had opened its heart to them and given
them food and temporary shelter and a basket full of
small gifts, including warm socks and toiletries. Like
my fellow volunteers, I gave them a little of my time
and friendship. But they gave me so much more. They
gave me extraordinary gifts of insight, humility, and
friendship.
And yes, there was even a gentle but unspoken reminder that I need to do more to help others. We all do.
rotating
shelter
5
Highlights of the February 17, 2015 Session meeting
Session approved a fundraising request to
In April, Session will have several planning
hold a free will offering to support Juliana Celestino, meetings to gain clarity of purpose for the church.
Isaias' mother, who is 87, lives in the Philippines and
There was consensus with Rev. Shipman’s plan to
was recently injured in a fall. Without insurance, she
hold informal listening sessions with the congregation.
may not be able to get the care she needs.
The Children’s Ministries Committee and Rev.
Two worship services are scheduled for Easter
Shipman will focus on revitalizing our ministry to
Sunday at 8:30 and 11 am, with the Easter brunch held
children.
between services. One service will be held on Palm
Revised facility rental pricing was approved.
Sunday (previously two were planned).
Session meeting minutes from the January 20 and February 9 meetings are now available in the fellowship hall entry.
Continue your giving easily
Historically, 70% of American families give each
year to charity. However, only 6% to 7% of American
families make any provision for charity in their estate
plan. While there may be a number of reasons for this
drastic difference, one big reason is that some people
don’t realize how easily they can provide for charity
after they are gone.
You can provide support to Westminster Presbyterian
Church at your death without changing your will. You
can simply change the beneficiary designation of your
retirement account. This is one of the most efficient
ways to give. As retirement accounts accumulate pre-tax
dollars, this allows for the principal to grow faster than
if income taxes had to be paid each year. During retirement years, account owners use these assets for their
living expenses. Income taxes are paid as withdrawals
are taken. The theory is retirees’ income will be less
than when they were working, so their tax rate will be
less – potentially at the lowest tax bracket, currently 10%.
When retirement account owners die, the remaining
balances remain pre-tax. Whoever receives a distribution will be required to pay the income tax, based
on the tax bracket of the recipient. This rate could be
higher than the retiree’s tax rate. In addition to income
tax consequences, certain estates will also be subject
to estate taxes.
Designating Westminster Presbyterian Church of
Ann Arbor Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of your
retirement account will allow funds to pass from your
retirement account to the church’s endowment fund
free of any income or estate taxes. Your generous support of Westminster Presbyterian Church will continue
through your legacy giving. You may contact Margaret
Klammer, chair of the Endowment Committee for more
information.
Per capita payments support our denomination
An important aspect of our denominational affiliation statement, you found a blue envelope enclosed as a
with the Presbyterian Church (USA) is our financial means of making a personal offering toward the paysupport of the operations of the Presbytery, Synod ment of our per capita obligations. Through January
and General Assembly through our faithful payment 2015 we have received over $1,900 in such contributions
of the per capita assessment. For 2014, this amount –approximately 20% of our total assessment.
was $24.24 per member, or approximately $9,300 for
All members are invited to contribute toward their
our congregation. The total is based on the number of $24.24 per capita assessment to support the work of the
individual members, thus a family with four members denomination. Any contribution placed in the Sunday
represents a per capita assessment of $96.96. Historically, morning offering with a designation of “per capita” on
Westminster has paid 100% of its assessment out of our the check or envelope will be used for this purpose. Adgeneral operating funds. However, for the current fiscal ditional blue envelopes are available in the main entry
year Session suspended these payments as one of several for this purpose. Please do not hesitate to contact Dave
means of balancing the operating budget.
Wright, Financial Secretary, at
should you have any questions.
If you received a September 30, 2014, contribution
6
Sixty Plus Club learns about China
Outreach Ministries
The World War 2 Era
and the National
Memorial
On Friday, March 20, at noon, Mary and Lynn Degener
present our program, "China Outreach Ministries: ComMen’s Breakfast, Saturday,
ing to America; Forever Changed,” about this ministry
March 14, 8 am
to Chinese students and scholars studying in the US.
All are invited to this preAll are invited to come for lunch at noon in the fellowsentation on World War 2, inship hall preceding the program. RSVP to Phoebe Vance
cluding information on how
or 971-4870) or sign up in the
(
loved ones can add names of veterans to the memorial's
fellowship hall entry.
In February, the snowflake master recruited disciples: online registry of remembrance.
Sign up in the fellowship hall entry so we can plan
accurately for food.
Adult learning opportunities listed
Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of
Refinement Two class groupings have formed, one
meeting on Sundays at 9:15 am (room 30, lower level)
and the other on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm (library; led
by Joe Neely and Ned Simpson). Lent can be a time for
reflection and self-examination, and this book is meant
as a companion for such a journey.
Old Testament Bible study is studying the book of
Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied from 739 to 681 BC to a nation
that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. Sundays at 9:15
am in room 32 on the lower level; Tom Brown leads.
Women’s Bible study group is reading An Altar in
the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor, the second and
fourth Wednesdays of each month, 1–2:30 pm . Please
contact Alice Chambers.
Thursday book group is reading An Altar in the
World, by Barbara Brown Taylor. All are welcome. Meets
1–2:30 pm, in room 118.
And in case you haven't had a chance to see one
of Tom Clark’s snowflake displays, you're in luck: Go
to the University of Michigan Taubman Health Center
Gifts of Art Gallery, anytime before April 5, and enjoy!
And our teens? What are they up to?
Westminster finances are reported
January 2015
Budget
Keep track of Alpha, Omega and Young Disciples events
on our web site.
Actual
Pledges
39,55629,319
Other income
6,261
+5,693
Expenses
45,817−58,342
Receipts minus expenses = <$3,066> (deficit)
Year-to-date balance: $85,567
Questions or concerns? Please contact Marilyn Sleder,
Treasurer or Dave Wright, Financial Secretary.
Westminster Endowment Fund
Contributions as of Feb 28, 2015
$195,095
Market value as of Feb 28, 2015
$293,241
Market valuation gain since Jan 30, 2015 $18,668
7
Westminster Presbyterian Church
1500 Scio Church Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
734 . 761 . 9320
www.westpresa2.org
Sunday worship, 10:30 am;
Classes for all ages, 9:15 am
Wednesday Night Live!
Dinner, classes, choir rehearsals
for all ages beginning at 5:45 pm
The Link
March 
Sunday
monday
tuesday
wednesday
 4:45 PM Riverside 












Worship with
7 pm Mary/Martha
communion, :3 am; small group
classes for all at :5 am
Tom Hilbish
Celebration of Life,
4 pm
Worship; Sunday
7 pm Missional
Detectives, :3 am;
Monday committee
classes for all at :5 am meetings
:3 am Inquirers’ Class
:45 am Listening Circle
Children-Led Worship
7 pm Mary/Martha
at :3 am; classes for small group
all at :5 am
:3 am Inquirers’ Class
:45 am Listening Circle
April Link deadline
Worship; Sunday
Detectives, :3 am;
classes for all at :5 am
:45 am Listening Circle
Palm Sunday
Worship at :3 am;
classes for all at :5 am
:45 am Listening Circle
thursday
 pm Thursday book
Community Gathering group
5:45 PM Wed Night Live!
dinner and activities
6:3 PM Listening Circle
7:3 PM Choir Rehearsal
noon Sarah Circle


7 pm Session meeting
friday







 pm Women’s Bible study  pm Thursday book
4:45 PM Riv Cmty Gath group
5:45 PM Wed Night Live! 2:3 PM Listening Circle
dinner and activities
6:3 PM Youth Listen. Cir.
7:3 PM Choir Rehearsal
 pm Needlecrafters
 pm Thursday book
4:45 PM Riv Cmty Gath group
5:45 PM Wed Night Live! 7 pm Deacons meeting
dinner and activities
6:3 PM Listening Circle
7:3 PM Choir Rehearsal
 pm Women’s Bible study  pm Thursday book
4:45 PM Riv Cmty Gath group
5:45 PM Wed Night Live! 2:3 PM Listening Circle
dinner and activities
6:3 PM Listening Circle
7:3 PM Choir Rehearsal
saturday

8 am Morning
prayer
Mission Committee
meeting,  am
8 am Morning
prayer


8 am Morning
prayer
noon Sixty Plus Club
8 am Morning
prayer

:3 am Listening
Circle
8 am Men’s
Breakfast
:3 am Listening
Circle




4:3 PM Listening
Circle
6 PM Japanese Cuisine
Night