Westworth United Church

ANNIVERSARY PLANS

Plans for celebrating our 60^th Anniversary year are taking shape.

Be sure to circle the weekend of November 20/21 on your calendar.  The Saturday will include a social gathering – most likely a stand-up reception followed by a sit-down dinner and entertainment – and the Sunday service will be a special one.  As you may know, the Province of Manitoba is using the “Homecoming” theme this year, and we hope that in that spirit former members will join us on this special weekend.

What better time than an anniversary to spruce up our church home?  Saturday, May 1 is the date for a Spring Clean.  Those who offer their time to help freshen up our church building will be treated to a barbeque.

And we’re glad to report that “The Stories Project” is coming along.  Video recordings of interviews with a number of people who were part of Westworth in its first decade have been completed and editing has begun.  We hope to have a final product available for sale at a nominal price in the Fall.

Programs involving children are being developed as well.  A kick-off event to welcome back Church School students and their families is anticipated for the Fall.  And as Advent approaches watch for details of an old-fashioned inter-generational tree-trimming party.

UCW RUMMAGE SALE

The UCW Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 9 to 12 Noon.  If you have any rummage to contribute it can be brought to the church any time on Friday, April 23 or left in the room at the foot of the stairs at the west door prior to that date.  If you are available to help with the sale please call Janet Windatt at 269-9567.  There will be a wonderful variety of items for sale!

“BEYOND” SUCCESSFUL

This year’s “Beyond These Walls” event (on March 21) was one of our most successful yet.  Attendance was good, the energy was high, and as always people had trouble deciding which of the focus groups to attend.

Those who have been asking how they can support Joseph Akol Makeer’s project to build a girls’ school in Sudan can make out a cheque to “Westworth United Church Children’s Fund”.  Write “African Soul, American Heart” on the memo line, and we’ll see that it gets to the right place.

MEN’S RETREAT

Once again the men of our congregation are planning to go on retreat.  The dates are set – June 11-13 – but there is to be a change of venue from previous years.  The property on Lake Winnipeg where we have gathered annually since 2002 is not available this year, but Allan Baker and Kent Magarrell have generously offered their cottages at Falcon Lake.  The dynamic will be a bit different – the location is less isolated than “Jadri” – but we are looking forward to an enriching time.  Craig Batty continues as our registrar.  For more information, contact him at 489-6275.

VBS 2010

Please reserve these dates – August 23-27!  The Christian Education Committee has started planning for Vacation Bible School 2010!  Baobab Blast – God’s Great Get Together combines the richness of Africa with the theme of creating community.  The Baobab Tree is the symbol of community around which our week will unfold, as we learn the Bible stories that teach us about God’s unconditional love and acceptance.  Registration forms will be available soon.  The cost is $60/week full days and $30/week half-days.  Campers may be sponsored for $60.  Last summer Westworth was able to sponsor 10 children who attend our VBS.

Westworth United Church — Spring until Summer!

*** For up-to-date calendar information, check out our website at www.westworth.ca.