PASTOR’S PEN . . .
by Pastor Dave Templin

Winston Churchill once said, “History can be a great teacher.  Yet, most of the time, we simply get up, brush ourselves off, and learn nothing at all.”   (continued)

STEPHEN MINISTRY . . .
by Susan Maycinik

10 times to hold your tongue.  It’s nearly always best to remain silent in the following situations:

1.  When you’re tempted to say, “I told you so.”

2. When you’re criticized.  A response may be called for, but it is usually best not to give it in the heat of the moment.

3. When you have information that makes someone look bad.

 (continued)

We are off to see the Mariners!

On Saturday, July 2nd we will be planning to catch the Mariners vs. The Texas Rangers.

Reservation Deadline will be May 30th.

Call Pauline W. or the church office for more information and to reserve your seats.
 

These funds are used to provide many of the administrative expenses involved in the work of the church without unduly impacting the offerings given for mission.  And, as they are collected “per capita” – the same amount for each active member – it is the most equitable way to share these operational costs across the church.

For 2005 the total Per Capita cost is $39.93 per person.  This amount is composed of three parts supporting the local presbytery ($26.26), our synod ($8.10), and the General Assembly ($5.57).  

Many people help in supporting the church budget by contributing separately in addition to their pledge to cover the Per Capita amount. 

If you would like to do so, you may make out a check to Whidbey Presbyterian Church for the total per person amount and include it in the offering plate on Sunday morning.

Thanks for your support!

~ Pastor Dave

Laura had lots to tell us, so we all remember Santa Elena still needs our prayers and support.

Thank You to our hostesses! The Key Lime pie was delicious.

Our speaker for the April 21st meeting will be Dottie Villesvik. We will learn a lot I’m sure. Please bring your sack lunch for the noon meeting.

We will finish our study of Grace in April with just two more get-togethers; one on April 7th at 10:30am in the Blue House and the other on April 21st at 10:30am in the Blue House, just before our regular meeting.

The evening Bible study is going well and will meet April 13th at 7pm in the Blue House.

It’s time to start working on boutique items and ideas. After the Bible study on April 7th we will have a sack lunch and inspiration time to plan some projects. If you have a new idea or a twist on an old sale item please join us in the Blue House at noon! If you want to start a home project and need ideas, join us. Workshops will begin as soon as we have some projects lined up.

One more reminder; the NPSP gathering of PW is in Mukilteo on April 20th. We are making name tags and need some suggestions as well as nimble helping hands. If you would like to attend please let Marilyn A. know before April 15th.

   The flowers appear on the Earth; the time of the singing birds is come.

             Song of Solomon 2:12
 

Greetings from the office!!  Spring is here and with it the birth of new life everywhere.

As most of you know I am expecting a child sometime in July. It looks like I may go early based on my doctor’s predictions.

My husband and I are thrilled with the prospect of becoming parents even though we had not planned on this for a few more years. But it seems the good Lord had other plans.

So, sadly, I must tell the WPC church family that I will be leaving my position here in the office on Friday May 6th to get more rest and prepare for the upcoming delivery and the full-time job of becoming a mother.

I have loved working here and would love to stay but it is important that one of us stays home with the baby, as we are not fans of childcare outside the home for a newborn.  Also, my husband will be leaving on deployment at the end of May for 6 months so that adds to the issue somewhat. ☺

I will miss the people I see on a daily basis and the interactions that I enjoy with all of you. Thank you for all the kindness and support you have shown to me this past year.

               ~ Heather Rhoade
 

Session Report.

1) Approved switching the church email and website to Parcom.net with whidbeypres.org as the domain name. Marcia Townsend is working on this project.

2) Stewardship reported the One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be taken in early June this year, following the “40 Days of Purpose” emphasis.

3) Approved the pastor’s request for following leaves:

May 13-20 (performing a wedding in Kaui)

July 9-31  (vacation - 20 working days)

December 27-Jan 1 (vacation – 6 working days)

4) Approved serving communion at the April 1^st wedding of Justin Ross and Nicole Brown

5) Received the report of the North Puget Sound Presbytery meeting held in Port Angeles on Feb 26^th

6) Approved Sunday School offerings and birthday money to go to Samaritan’s Purse Project.

7) Approved Vacation Bible School dates:  June 20-24

8) Received an update report on completing the new kitchen furnishings.

     —Gerry M., Clerk of Session
 

Free Tax Preparation - AARP/ IRS Tax Aide Program.  This is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax preparation service offered to all taxpayers who are within certain criteria.

This criteria permits preparation of most non-complex forms and the service will be available at the following locations until April 15th.

Oak Harbor Library:         Tuesdays -  1pm to 7pm

Bayview Senior Center:        Thursdays - 1pm to 7pm

Coupeville Library:              Fridays - Noon to 3:00pm

Taxpayers should bring a copy of their 2003 tax return, social security card, W-2’s and all tax related documents. Picture ID is advised if possible.

Most returns will be prepared on IRS furnished computers and free filing is available
 

Sunday School News.  The youth Sunday school will be doing a workshop rotation on "The Great Commission" during the month of April. 

During this workshop, the kids will be doing a food drive for the Help House. 

A food donation box will be placed in Heritage Hall if others in the congregation wish to participate. 

The Sunday school's food drive will have a weekly food theme (although, we will certainly accept any appropriate types of food).

The first week of the food drive will be "favorite snack" week, followed by "favorite cereal", "favorite soup", with the last week being "favorite peanut butter & jelly" week.
 

The library features cassettes,  video tapes and a vast assortment of non-fiction and fiction as well as new and classical books for all ages from preschool to adult.

A variety awaits everyone, come check us out!

       Have you seen me????

“Listening to God” – Video (card still in pocket)

If you have, please return me to the church library as soon as possible.
 

Tall Timber Ranch Needs Help!  This is a great place to do some short term mission service!  We always need people to serve as camp counselors at kids camps and to help with projects around the camp.

Work Weekend is Memorial weekend, May 27th-30th to get the facilities ready for summer.

Work and Worship Week is June 19th-25th when some major projects will be worked on.

This year we plan to completely remodel the Ephrata Cabin and workers will be needed every weekend (Thursday-Saturday) starting in May and continuing all summer.

Jim Caulkins from Wenatchee will be heading this project and he plans to spend every weekend on it, but if you have time earlier any week Jim would like to hear from you about your availability any time.

This project will start April 29th & 30th with some dismantling of the existing structure.

Please call Pauline W. or the church office if you can help, in April especially.
 

We will be bringing back the breakfast service in Heritage Hall at 8:30am with our traditional service starting at 10:00am

We will be needing families to serve as breakfast hosts and musicians to provide worship leadership. Let the Worship Team know which Sundays you can help this summer.
 

                                 Suzanne McCrea
 

George Bernard Shaw reportedly wrote, “Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?”

Because the needs of our church may change between now and the time that your estate is distributed, “unrestricted” (undesignated) gifts provide the most flexibility.

But you may want to specify that the funds be used or placed in an endowment for a specific area of our church's work (for example: “mission, Christian Education, Christian Music, buildings and grounds, etc”)

Most of us hope to leave the world at least a little better than we found it. By having a will, and including the church in that will, we have an opportunity to do just that.

What we believe and what we own can be passed on, at least in part, to the people and church we love and support. All it takes is some planning to assure that the passing occurs according to your wishes.

Contact a member of your Wills and Endowments Committee if you have any questions. We will be happy to assist in any way that we can.
 

This will encompass many different aspects of the mission committee and their various missions that they contribute to.