Gather / Belong
Jesus said that wherever two or more were gathered in his name he would also be found in that place. Our Christian walk is deeply personal but never individual; we are bound together by God’s accepting love into a community of faith – a community where we may practice together the living of that love in welcoming, accepting, challenging and nurturing one another as we grow in friendship and faith. At WestM we welcome you no matter where you are on your own faith journey and invite you to a place of belonging.
Since we come with a variety of gifts and interests, we also offer a variety of ways to gather including time to celebrate the Spirit through creativity and play:
Student Gathering: We gather each Wednesday evening during regular school terms from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM here at WestM. We share a homecooked meal (free) followed by a time of study and fellowship including singing and prayer. For our gatherings in January we’ll explore our understandings of the nature and practice of prayer. What is prayer? How do I pray? Does prayer really make a difference? We’ll actively engage in various forms of prayer, integrating our body, mind and spirit in prayer and seeking ways to live more creatively the rhythm between the inner life and outer journey of service. Join us and share your wisdom with the community.
Game Nights: Watch the calendar for Friday night game nights during the winter term.
RAP (Random Acts of Play): Just like it sounds, these are Friday nights devoted to fun with friends with some creative variety thrown in. This term watch the calendar for:
Friday, January 18 Cheese-Making (and Pizza making) Party – Did you know that you can make a pound of mozzarella cheese with one-gallon of milk in just 30 minutes? YEP! A-la-Barbara Kingsolver (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle), we’ll make our own cheese, then use our fresh creation to make homemade pizzas. Bring your own gallon of milk (must be low-fat and pasteurized.) Questions? Contact Leah at revleah@comcast.net& Friday
Friday, February 22, 7:00 PM Bowling with the Catholics (and Lutherans) – Join us as we continue this rivalry with the Catholics and welcome new opponents from Luther House. Come help us dominate once again! Sign up by the Wednesday before. You are responsible for the cost (show rental + each game of bowling). Need more information? Contact Leah at revleah@comcast.net.
R2R (Reel to Real): Join us as we view a popular film and share conversation seeking out the images of faith and/or spiritual truth it holds for us (“nutritainment”). The popcorn will be warm and fresh as will time with friends. The dates and films planned for winter term are:
Fridays, January 11 (The Mission), February 8 (Punch Drunk Love), March 14 (Letters from Iwo Jima), 8:00 PM in the student lounge at WestM.
Small Groups:
The Way of Prayer Small Group
Six Tuesdays, January 29 – March 4, 2008, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Westminster House (corner of 23rd and Monroe)
The Way of Prayer is a 6-week intergenerational and ecumenical small group designed to help people expand their understanding of the nature and practice of prayer. Many Christians grow up with a limited vision of what prayer is and how to pray. The Way of Prayer offers many forms to explore and practice, both individually and as a group. People with different temperaments, spiritual types, and learning styles will each find expressions of prayer that draw them closer to God. They will also learn to integrate body, mind, and spirit in prayer, and to live a more creative rhythm between the inner life and the outward journey of service. Cost for materials is $12.00. Leah McCullough and Vicki Hesse will co-facilitate the group. For more information, contact Leah at revleah@comcast.net
Retreats:
Snowshoe Hike
Saturday, February 23, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at WestM (corner of 23rd and Monroe)
If you can walk, you can snowshoe! So, join us as we travel to a Sno-park near Santiam Pass for a day of fun in the snow. We’ll gather at WestM to leave at 8:30 a.m. and return around 4:30 p.m. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring water and lunch in a backpack. You may rent snowshoes at the Outdoor Rec center in Dixon. Please sign up by Wednesday, February 23. Need more information? Contact Tim (tgstover50@comcast.net) or Leah (revleah@comcast.net)
Hammer Camp
When: Fri, Feb 15, 7pm – Sun, Feb 17, 12pm
Where: Camp Magruder UMC Camp 17450 Old Pacific Hwy, Rockaway, OR 97136
Description: A retreat for college students to gather in fellowship and service in support of Camp Magruder as they recover from damage suffered in recent major winter storms. Room and board are free for your volunteer service (donations for food accepted). Tim Stover is the coordinator and you can contact him at: tgstover50@comcast.net 541.753.2242
Pancake Feeds: March 17th from 9:00 AM to midnight here at WestM. All students are invited to join us for our tradition of Finals Week Monday night pancake feeds - a great time to be fed and take a break from the grind of books - or bring them along with your classmates for a group study break with free food.