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 Eight months ago the Harding family packed everything we owned into one huge U-Haul truck and a smaller trailer that had to be secured at the last minute. (Some of you reading this ended up finding homes for still more of our stuff that wouldn’t fit!) The horrors of packing aside, relocating provides many challenges, especially when you’re in your forties. How can someone who finds herself in the grocery store, wondering what exactly it was she so desperately needed, ever hope to remember a whole community of new names? We spent over eight years learning names and developing friendships in the Portland/Vancouver area. Now learning new names is solidifying our place here in Arizona. With each new name, God’s plan is being manifested in our lives.Kent is the reason we moved here. He’s Jay’s brother, who offered him a fantastic job opportunity. Kristy, Kaylin, Kelsy, and Kaleb (Kent’s wife and children) generously and patiently joined Kent in boarding us in their home for a month while ours was being finished. Obviously, these five names (which conveniently all start with the same letter—this could be important the older we get!) aren’t new ones for us. But living nearer to the people identified by these names has renewed and deepened our relationships with them. Old, familiar names are a blessing. It is also a blessing to learn the names of people with whom you may not share a lengthy relationship. Gloria is the name of a 20-month-old girl in our new church, and she is as beautiful as her name. Her brown eyes, wispy brunette hair, and crinkle-nosed smile steal your heart immediately. She and her three sisters come to our house every Monday for an art history class I teach. Gabriella, Elena, and Corina Gallarzo are all sweet girls, but Gloria, who was adopted by the family just before Christmas, reminds us that our names here on earth float as mere vapors for but a moment in history. Gloria is HIV-positive and is likely to die in her teens. It’s sad to think of her life ending so quickly, but on the other end of the spectrum we find Doris Warning. Mrs. Warning is a blind, very elderly woman who also attends church with us. I don’t know her yet, but I’m determined to make her acquaintance. At a recent women’s luncheon I had the plea-sure of sitting with two other older women, Bess and Sallie. Sallie told me, “Doris loves it when you play the old hymns.” Sallie also delighted in telling me something else about Doris. “She has a daughter named Storm.” Storm Warning! If that name doesn’t show a sense of humor, what does? I can’t wait to meet Doris. I’m happy to report that humor is a part of our lives here, especially when it comes to our children. We miss our daily doses of Josh’s quick wit and Zach’s subtle “coolness,” but their siblings and their siblings’ new friends attempt to make up for it. Anna and Kathryn (the girl formerly known as Katy) have been blessed with many new friends, but for now let me name just one—Abby. Abby taught us that it is possible to spend a whole afternoon making one candle, giggling the entire time. There’s nothing humorous about pagan worship, but we know that idolaters used to (and still do) recite a litany of names in their rituals. But the Scriptures teach us that one day every knee will bow at only one name—the name of Jesus. In this life we know the blessed privilege of being bound together with an abundance of names under the one name of Christ. In the future, we will all bow at the name of Jesus. Now, that’s a remarkable thought—especially for someone who can’t remember where she put her keys!
Why hadn't he come? He'd said he was going to. He visited so many other places--why not here?
Perhaps the folks from Rome were asking these questions, and thus Paul spent a portion of his letter to the Romans assuring them that though he sincerely wanted to visit them and enjoy mutual blessing, he had been "prevented thus far." Luke gives a similar account of "plans made and plans changed" as he describes Paul's journeys in Asia. The whirlwind preaching-the-gospel tour that we have come to identify as "the Second Missionary Journey" had been quite successful, and Paul was "on a roll," having been used of God to strengthen the churches that were growing in number daily. From Mysia (in the northwest) he eagerly planned to move on to Bithynia (in the north). Now, to be sure, such plans didn't appear to be sinful, and there was every reason to go this way. After all, the Bithynians needed to hear the gospel as much as the Galatians did. And yet . . . "The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them" (Acts 16:7). Instead, in the night, Paul saw the vision of the Macedonian man beckoning them to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, and down the peninsula to Athens and Corinth--places of very fruitful ministry. At the risk of sounding apostolic (we're not) or excessively noble (not us), allow me to say that Cathy and I have experienced a kind of God's "leadership by obstruction" here in the north of Idaho. Our intentions were good--or at least defensible--and the need for a confessing, kingdom-conscious, scandal-free Reformed ministry has been identified for several years. The CREC (Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches) seemed to offer the best means of establishing this base of operation. St. Brendan's, which was being planted in Coeur d'Alene by Christ Church of Spokane, had been two years in the planning. What an opportunity to serve. One problem: we didn't fit. Now what? Somewhat stunned but convinced that our call to this area is clear and authentic, we have begun meeting with some other families for a Sunday afternoon Bible study in Coeur d'Alene. Perhaps this will provide a better context for a foundational ministry of love and shepherding that is so necessary to adorn the truth of the gospel. As God reminds you of us, please pray that our ministry would be effective and that we would (like the men of Issachar) "understand the times and know what to do." Meantime, stop in; visit (we're on the way to all points north--at least the ones worth visiting). There's lots of stuff to do around here. Load up the U-Haul; housing prices are coming back to reality, and there could be a job with your name on it. I know you'd miss the traffic, but you get used to it after a while. We think of you all often. Hold forth the Word; love one another; keep standing for truth! Skip and Cathy Elford Coeur d'Alene, Idaho  Mrs. Cole graciously asked whether I might be willing to make a brief contribution to this newsletter, both to offer an update on my activities in Texas and to share some of the things I have been learning. In the interests of time and space, I have decided to provide a snap-shot rather than a survey of my recent activities.
By way of introduction and clarification, Vision Forum consists of both a ministry dedicated to encouraging, challenging, and equipping families and a publishing and resource company to distribute such materials and help to fund the work of the ministry. Since my return to Texas after the holidays, I have been primarily working in the customer service department, where the day-to-day tasks range from interacting with customers regarding the materials they have ordered, responding to theological questions, and providing information about upcoming conferences and other events. This work has provided ample opportunity for continuing to develop my understanding of biblical, wise, and clear communication. Recently I had a conversation with a customer that left a deep impression and created much food for thought. She was calling regarding an order that she had placed with Vision Forum that had not arrived on schedule. It turns out that because of a miscommunication, the incorrect shipping method had been used, causing the package to arrive several days after the birthday for which it was intended. Understandably, the customer was quite frustrated, and since the mistake had been ours, I did the best I could to make amends. Her response was instructive. Rather than recognizing my efforts at reconciliation, she continued to belabor the issue even more vigorously, making sharp and sweeping judgments about both our competence and our integrity. She could see only that we had failed her (which was true!), and no charity or quarter would be extended. She demanded obedience rather than sacrifice. After the phone call, concluded when the customer realized that I had exhausted my options for helping her, and that she would be unable to chastise the specific individual responsible for the error, I reconsidered the importance of grace as a principle for life and for communicating with others. Grace is something that may be extended, not demanded; we cannot earn the grace of God (Rom. 4:4-5; 11:6), but those to whom God extends grace are duty-bound to extend it to others. The fifth petition of our Lord’s Prayer, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors," becomes a frightening request if we do not. None of us want to be in the position of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. Our relationships with others must be constantly lived in the light of our own utter reliance on the grace of God. Martin Luther went to the heart of the matter when he said, "I will give myself as a sort of Christ to my neighbor as Christ gave himself for me." I am genuinely grateful for conversations such as these because they keep me humble and serve as frequent reminders of the great need to sanctify our speech in light of Christ’s work on our behalf. Christopher is currently serving as an intern with Vision Forum in San Antonio, Texas. He expects to complete this internship in July.  It was so good to be back with our church "home" this past Christmas. But now Bob and I are back in paradise. It is so good not to be cold anymore. Our hands and feet really appreciate being where it is warm all the time, although it does get down to the mid-60s at night here in the winter. To you that may not seem cold, but with an ocean breeze it can mean putting on long sleeves or a light jacket or sweater.
When we returned here on the 4th of January, we awaited the men who were to put in our new countertop in the kitchen. This place (Kukui Plaza) was built in 1976, and when we walked into our new home the first time, people asked me what I needed. I replied, "Two sticks of dynamite." The original gold-colored carpet and avocado appliances were in the unit. So we have completely renovated almost everything: new carpet, kitchen cabinets, bathroom tub, toilet, and marble surround, and finally new flooring in the kitchen, entrance hall, and bathroom. We also have a new refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Every day Bob and I walk to McDonald's for his coffee and my iced tea and over to Ala Moana shopping center to catch a bus home. We walk between two and three miles a day to keep fit. One of the things we love about Hawaii is that people smile at you when you smile at them and they talk to you at the drop of a hat. It is called the Aloha spirit. One lady talked to me on the bus and asked what church I attended, and I told her that I went to the Protestant service at the Ilikai Hotel. She promptly invited me to her church--a Methodist church a block away from here. That's one of the things I love about living here in the Islands: the friendly people. Another thing is that the young people here get up at a bus stop (and on the bus) to give you their seats. Such respect for old people is one of the characteristics of the Oriental upbringing that the children receive from their elders. So all in all, our life is pleasant here. We are privileged to enjoy Westminster's service every Sunday via the Internet, so we still feel a part of you all. God bless you all, and Much Aloha!  Christians in France are a minority, and this is certainly the primary reason for the difficulties of the French church. If Christians there often have such a hard time making themselves heard, it is because they are Christians in a culture that has been "de-Christianized." As far as Protestants are concerned, the issue of minority is even more apparent, since they are a particular kind of Christian in a historically Catholic country. In France, only about 2% of the population would call themselves Protestants. And if we are now talking about evangelicals, they are an even smaller minority, both within their Protestant tradition and thus obviously so much more in French society as a whole. Only some 0.5% of the French population is evangelical. We are part of a ridiculously small minority.
What are some of the effects of this situation? Being such a small minority, and often being so divided within ourselves, has led society as a whole to misunderstand who we are as evangelicals. I could list many articles in popular magazines and newspapers about "evangelicals." Who are they? Are they dangerous? What are they after? In many of these articles, scores of fallacious arguments and misinformation are presented. We can blame journalists for being ignorant and simplistic, but French evangelicals themselves are also partly responsible for the way in which they are viewed and understood. Our poor communication, coupled with our small number and limited resources, has led our culture and society to not know who we are and what we stand for; thus, our society has a negative opinion of us. I recently asked an American missionary who has been ministering in France for years how I could best describe French evangelicals to an American audience. He suggested that evangelicals in France are viewed a bit like Jehovah's Witnesses in the States: evangelicals are a small group, quite strange. Nobody really knows who they are and what they are after. And so society as a whole is a little afraid of them, and would rather not have anything to do with them. I hope this helps you to picture French evangelicals as a minority that people don't really know what to think of. The reaction we receive from society is similar to that of American society to Jehovah's Witnesses. Fortunately, as far as this aspect is concerned, the situation is improving in France. Several actions and projects are being led on a national level, seeking to present evangelicals in a fresh light to the authorities and the media, as well as to all those who wish to be better informed about who evangelicals are. Recent years have seen the emergence of a young scholar, Sébastien Fath, himself an evangelical (he attends the church where I grew up), who is a national researcher (paid by the government) studying evangelicals sociologically. He has been able to do so with warmth, clarity, and the objectivity of the researcher, and has thus been able to publicly refute certain caricatures and false statements about evangelicals. I certainly see this as a positive sign. It is also important to note that evangelicals, despite difficulty, have been able to build and organize structures to gather the different evangelical churches and organizations in order to speak with one voice and display unity within the members. The effects of such structures are beginning to gain momentum. Yet, as you can imagine, if certain things are improving, not everything is. The fact of the matter is that French evangelicals are still very much a minority, and as such they are tempted by the most basic of temptations for any minority group: withdrawal. The attitude goes something like this: "Our voice is not heard; thus, we will just worry about our kind, our fellow Christians. They understand who we are, we can be ourselves around them, and we don't have to constantly defend and explain ourselves." Another effect of our minority status is a certain form of fear or complex. "We are so small. Nobody cares about what we have to say. Even though we know that what we have to say is good and important, there is really no point in doing it. Nobody will hear us. Why bother?" I have to concede that in a society where "size is relevance," we really don't have many people dying to hear what we have to say. But I do think that evangelicals should get rid of this inferiority complex. If they have something important to say, they should make it known. If they think that their viewpoint is relevant, let people hear it. They may not want to hear it, they may reject it, but at least they'll have heard the message. Finally, our minority status and our limited resources have had the effect of leading us to think that we are somehow excused for the poor quality of what we do. I am not saying that everything French evangelicals do is of poor quality, but their standards are just not very high. The word in the churches is that it's better to propose something imperfect than not to propose anything at all. So church services are often not very well structured, sermons not very well prepared or edifying, and musicians inadequately prepared, so that music and singing can be quite poor. This criticism may seem harsh, and I guess it is, but I do think it is true--and important. I am particularly attached to the idea that Christians should seek high quality, even excellence. I think this effort is consistent with our faith. If we believe that our God is all-powerful, all-good, and all-knowing, as Christians we, too, should seek what is good and beautiful in order to testify to God's glory. Of course, the danger here is to glorify the creature more than the Creator (and this is a real danger), but potential for abuse should not eliminate proper use. We as Christians have all we need to be creative, for we are made in the image of a creative God. We have all we need to seek and accomplish quality, for we are made in the image of a perfect God. Our apparently small resources and number are not a good excuse for poor quality--humility, yes, but bad quality, no. To be fair, I have to say that this, too, is starting to get better. More and more, Christians recognize that they need to make particular efforts to better the quality of their worship, their evangelism, and everything else they do. So far, I have talked to you about the difficulties of French Christians in being a religious minority in a secular society, but I would now like to show that there are very positive aspects and consequences of this particular situation--aspects that may be lacking in the American church. In many ways, the French church could, and actually does, envy the status of the American church. I spent five years in the United States, and at first I was shocked to see that there was sometimes a church literally on every corner, that at any time of day you could switch the channels of your TV and find a Christian preacher (not necessarily a good preacher, but a preacher nonetheless), that God could be freely talked about on television, even on non-Christian channels. The church in America is so much more implanted, recognized, and valued than in France. It is so much stronger and had and continues to have a very positive influence on the French church: sending missionaries, planting churches, sharing ideas, writing books that are then translated in order to help Christians in their Christian walks, etc. In so many ways, the church in France, and probably in Europe as a whole, has a lot to learn from Christians in America. So with this in mind, what positive aspects of the French church could possibly help the American church learn and benefit from? I am not a prophet; I do not know whether the American church is ever going to be considered a minority in the United States. What I do know is that weakness, inferiority, and minority are in many ways very good things for the church and for Christians. For instance, when a person enters the door of a church in France, especially an evangelical church, it is probably because that person is searching for something; it is almost never because of social pressure. It is not in order to be seen, for that would make no sense in France. It is not because doing so could help his or her career, for that, too, would make no sense. No, a person comes because he or she is looking for answers, or looking for a true and authentic community. If a person stays in a church and becomes a member, you can also be pretty sure that he or she has made a real commitment. The person has had to think hard about joining a minority group, one that is often looked down upon by society as a whole, and his or her faith must be fairly strong to take that step.  Another aspect is that the French church actually needs help. It is not strong enough to stand on its own, and it is dependent on outside help. So missionaries come to France from America, for instance. And today missionaries also come from Africa to help the French church--and this is truly beautiful, isn't it? They come from these countries that were once French colonies; they come from these countries that received the gospel because French missionaries were sent there to preach it. Now all this is reversed, so that French churches need these people to minister to them. French Christians are learning to put their pride in their pockets and actually listen to and be taught by Africans. They receive from them great teaching and a new way of looking at Christianity. The church of France is getting more and more international, and this is a wonderful thing. We need people from other backgrounds to help us understand the gospel better, and this is happening in France. It is good to be in a state of need, to not have it all together, to realize that Christianity is bigger than our little worlds. Christ is Lord over all the earth, His body is as diverse as there are nations in the world, and each part of the body needs the help of the other parts. This is a beautiful concept.
To conclude, I would like to direct you to Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. I don't think I will need to comment on this text, for you will understand exactly why I chose it: For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Cor. 4:5-10 ESV) Yes, the French church is weak, and it needs much help and much growth, but there is beauty in weakness. For when a church is weak, when a Christian is weak, when they have nothing to boast about, then it is always Christ, and never humans, who receives the glory. Nicolas currently serves with Presbyterian Mission International in France, along with wife Alison and young sons William and Elliot.  It has been said before that all roads lead to Rome, and so it is that I, too, have ended up here at the center of so much history, literature, and culture at the University of Dallas campus just outside of Rome, Italy. Studying in Rome has been the experience of a lifetime.
I am taking a number of classes, including Philosophy, Art, and Architecture of Rome; Western Civilization; Greek; and Western Theological Tradition. In my Greek class, I am studying under a Byzantine scholar who is translating some of the writings of the early church fathers on the integration of classical education and Christianity. How fitting to be studying their words as I work toward my own classical Christian education. My theology class has been a learning experience. The University of Dallas is a Roman Catholic university, so the class is taught from a Roman Catholic perspective. We are reading and discussing early church documents, including the letters of Clement of Rome, the first-century Didache ("teaching"), and the works of Ignatius and Irenaeus. It has been edifying to study the roots of my own faith and see the historicity of my beliefs. Similarly, so many important Catholic doctrines are absent from these early documents, which has helped me to see the very medieval aspects of the Roman Catholic Church. We just finished reading Augustine’s Confessions, a sublime experience. I could not help but feel a profound familiarity with Augustine’s teachings because of his importance to the Reformed tradition. Reading these documents together with other students has given me a good opportunity to share my Protestant faith with Catholic friends, as well as the more distinctly Reformed doctrines with my modern evangelical Protestant friends.  Not everything in Rome is Catholic. I found a small Reformed Scottish Presbyterian church tucked away just across the street from the Italian Ministry of Defense. Because Protestantism is not encouraged in the city of Rome, the government would not let the congregation build a church that looked like a church, so the building is disguised as a government office. The inside is pretty, with a combination of Scottish and Presbyterian imagery, so you can imagine how I fit right in. The church is small, but still alive and doing well. I joined the choir on the first day I was there, and I started singing that Sunday. I have to catch a very early bus from campus in order to make it into the city on Sundays, so I have also been able to help set up for the service. It has been wonderful to connect with the body of Christ thousands of miles from my home at Westminster. The church itself is very international; people from America, Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe worship together every Sunday. Many different first languages are spoken at the church, although the service is in English.
Anyway, the semester continues, and in just a few minutes, I will be headed for Greece for ten days. I will be in Europe until mid-May, and then will return to the States for a summer of work. I look forward to seeing you all again, and I thank you very much for your prayers! Hans Decker University of Dallas Rome Program Roma, Italia
WPC to Colville 2007!
The year 2007 marks the third summer that Westminster will send missionaries for outreach to the Colville Reservation in north central Washington. We have made many friends among the tribes and look forward to continuing our ministry there. We plan to be based in Omak, Washington, July 21 to 28. We invite you to participate in this mission work of the Westminster family. There are many places to serve: in prayer, with financial support, with goods and supplies, with gifts, with transportation help, and as missionaries. In the past, we have been involved in everything from construction to children’s ministry. We have also found a great blessing in visiting the elders of this community. Please consider how you can serve. If you are interested in joining the group that is planning to go, the sign-up deadline is April 1. A deposit of $50 toward the individual’s total cost of $370 is also needed at that time. Please contact Brian and Julie Cole for information or to let us know of your plans to be a part of WPC to Colville 2007! We will be announcing informational meetings in the upcoming weeks. Supporting Missions Worldwide Over the years, Westminster has had the privilege of meeting and praying for many missionaries that God has caused to cross our path. Just look at the "Missions Board" in our church lobby; you will see how the material we receive spills over so that it has nearly consumed the entire information board. In addition to many international friends and Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), you will find updates from locally based "Heart of Hope" ministries to Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF), which has recently located its headquarters in nearby Idaho. We hope to make this information more directly available to you. In the course of his work on the church’s Web site, Bob Hall is creating a page that will feature recent letters from many of WPC’s closest missionary friends. We hope you will use this tool as a reminder to pray for the building of the kingdom worldwide. WPC increased her monthly financial support of two missionaries. We currently have commitments to Nicolas Farelly and Jay Stoms. Nicolas and his family serve in France, where their work Forum Culterel Protestant seeks to foster cultural-based discussion and outreach in Paris and nearby areas. Nicolas may be in the States for a short time this fall and has expressed a hope to visit us once again. Jay and his family live in Lilongwe, Malawi, where Jay instructs students at African Bible College there. The Stoms family has been temporarily based in the Northwest over the last few months, as they have welcomed their second child into their family. They are preparing to return to Africa on March 24. Jay shared news of this ministry with us when he came to WPC on March 11. He also asked us to consider sending a WPC team to Malawi in the future. Administrative Note As Missions Committee chair, I am currently reevaluating WPC’s missions ministry and our approach to its administration. I will be reviewing and making a recommendation for changes to our scope and focus of missions meetings. Stay tuned for a detailed update. Please see me if you have interest in participating. Thank you for your continued prayer for Westminster missions and the building of the kingdom here and around the world.
DONATE MONEY OR GOODS In preparation for WPC to Colville 2007!, each missionary on the team pays a fee for participating in the mission (this covers housing, some food, and some supplies). But this fee does not cover other "team" expenses, such as gas, bottled water, building supplies, cleaning and hygiene supplies, snacks (during travel and at the worksites), and meals while traveling. Would you like to purchase a specific useful item for our trip? We will be compiling a list of specific items that you can purchase and donate. Contact Brian and Julie Cole, colefamfour@msn.com, if you are interested in receiving a copy of this list. You may also simply make a financial contribution toward scholarships or team expenses. Just mark your check or envelope with "Colville" and drop it into the offering plate, and your contribution will be directed to the missions account. Last year the WPC missionaries took many gifts to share and gave away a number of Bibles with handmade bookmarks. In addition to Bibles given to the Bible Club kids, we also took several large-print Bibles. In our work with seniors, we found appreciative homes for these, and we could have taken more. We would like to take Bibles again this year. A large-print Bible costs about $20 and a regular-print one about $5. Perhaps you would like to help us purchase these Bibles. If so, you may earmark your missions donation, noting what you would like the money to be used for. We will also be taking some handmade items to give as gifts. As we have done in the past, we are trusting God to place the making and giving of gifts on the hearts of His people here at Westminster. He knows the needs we will encounter and what specific items will meet the needs. Please contact Debbie Lind if you have questions regarding the donation of handmade gifts or funds to go toward the purchase of Bibles. The session is thankful to our sovereign God for all the people He has brought together, under the headship of Christ, to make up the body of Westminster Presbyterian Church. We are grateful for the gifts the Spirit has manifested within the congregation to edify the church for God's glory. It is uplifting and encouraging to hear reports of care and love within the body that receive no fanfare, but demonstrate a loving and serving attitude and emphasis on others, not self. We are thankful for these sacrificial acts of love that go unnoticed by most. As we begin 2007, the session continues to focus on the church's Identity Statement and goals of "calling sinners to faith," "equipping those who have faith," and providing "avenues of service" as required by the Great Commission. Pastor Bordwine, in his first message of the year, clearly stated that the gospel of Jesus Christ should define the church, as it is the "lifeblood of the congregation." We are to live the gospel and declare the gospel. With this in mind, the session is giving attention to a number of specific areas. Small groups continue to play an effective role in Bible study and fellowship. We will be exploring ways to incorporate service and outreach opportunities into the small groups. If you desire to participate in a small group, please talk to one of the elders. Small groups are currently meeting on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The session also desires to increase the opportunities for discipling within the church. Given the command of our Savior to make disciples and the many examples of discipling that we see in Scripture, a culture of mentoring is necessary for the spiritual growth of the church. We have initiated visitation again with a plan to set aside at least one evening a month to visit members of the church. Charged with spiritual oversight, the elders must know the people under their care and take action to encourage families and individuals in their relationship with the Lord and one another. These visits provide the elders with an opportunity to exhort and encourage, and provide a forum for members to ask questions of the church leadership. There are a number of upcoming events to look forward to this year. The Evening of the Arts is scheduled for June 1. Beginning July 8, we will have our fellowship picnic luncheons every other week. The Colville mission trip is the last week of July. The Heritage weekend will be in August. The church campout is tentatively scheduled for September. More to follow on those last two events . . . Please continue to pray for your officers as they serve God and His people. Pray that God would give them the wisdom that is from above.
Looking back on what has taken place since my previous article in the Witness puts me in the position of overlapping what may have been said before. Here are some of the highlights of recent building-related activity. Upkeep of Our Current Building Of course, the biggest achievement was the replacing of the roof. This was completed in a very professional way, and the roof has proved itself with the weather that we have had this winter. Praise the Lord! Also completed at the same time was the installation of the new HVAC unit, which has proved itself as a valuable asset to the comfort of the congregation during services. Another recent project was the lowering of the ceiling of the cry room in order to provide more contained heat for mothers and their babies. Two men from the congregation worked to install the lowered ceiling. There are a few things left to do to finish up this task, one of which is to wire and hook up the heaters. We hope to have this completed very soon. We are still trying to figure out the correct running of the HVAC unit for the foyer. This is a distinct matter for prayer, as we continue to work to remedy the cold that is experienced when you first come into the church for Sunday morning worship service. Please pray that we can track down the problem that is causing this discomforting condition. New Building??? Regarding our investigation into selling the building/finding a new home, I do not have anything tangible to report. We looked at a church building for sale in Hazel Dell, but it was too small. As to other possible buildings in our area that would meet our specifications, at present there are none. We have had some interest from other churches looking to locate in the area, and our Windermere Realty agent has been in contact with them. But of course, we desire to have a place to go before considering the sale of our current building. I would like to close this with the vivid and serious reminder that we have a lot of church (physical building) to care for and that we must be on top of this at all times. To put it succinctly, if we had the available funds, we would be wise to hire someone full-time to care for the needs that keep popping up. But in the meantime, we can purpose in our hearts to take proactive care of what the Lord has given us. Watch your e-mail and listen for news of upcoming opportunities for you to serve the body here at Westminster. We will be organizing "work days" very soon and encourage you to make plans to help! These are always great times of fellowship and joy as we care for our worship place.
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