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Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that . . . we might have hope. (Romans 15:4) PROLOGUE to The Story Continues The year is 2006 and Westminster is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. It is fitting to look back and offer a word of gratitude to all who have worked so hard to make Westminster a house of God, proclaiming the word of Jesus Christ. To remember the past is to see that we are here today by the grace of God. The strength we draw from the past will propel us into the future as the next generation takes up the gauntlet of our ministry. In 1981 when Ruth Tompkins wrote Window on Westminster, The First Twenty-Five Years, she raised the questions, “What challenges will we face and conquer as we complete this century and enter the twenty-first? What accomplishments will we be able to celebrate on our fiftieth birthday in the year 2006?” This continuation of the story of our history from 1981 to 2006 seeks to answer those questions as we bring to a close fifty years of ministry. Ruth correctly predicted the need for an additional building, Phase 3, which was constructed in 1990. The growing congregation needed more room. Our worship, Christian education and mission programs expanded. Our ministerial 87
leadership increased to meet the needs of the congregation and the community. In 1999 we paused to state clearly the mission of Westminster. The result was a mission statement: Our mission is to be a caring community of Christians devoted in joyful worship and service to Jesus Christ witnessing to all people the good news of God’s saving grace sharing faithfully the abundant blessings God has given us. The vision from this statement challenged us to sustain mission support, increase youth ministry, foster small groups and expand worship styles. What follows is an overview of the last twenty-five years, picking up the story where Ruth Tompkins left off. It is impossible to include all that has happened or to include all those saints of the church who have contributed so richly to the life of the church. We are forever in their debt for their hard work and dedication. The question is again raised, what will the next fifty years bring? We cannot foretell the future, but we can trust that Westminster will continue to serve our Lord and Savior and to be a witness to his love in our little corner of the world. Anne H. Gensheimer Ann Arbor, Michigan 2006 88
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Window on Westminster
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© 2006 by Westminster Presbyterian
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Contents The First Twenty-Five Year
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DEDICATION to The First Twenty-Five
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Theology we have left to the theolo
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16—the first twenty-five years Re
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ten) membership had increased to 10
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January 7, 1957, with Samuel Porter
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the early years!) authorization of
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day, January 11. A community open h
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A pastoral nominating committee con
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work of the church in our part of t
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month was out. Chairman MacDonald r
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32—the first twenty-five years Th
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God moves in mysterious ways - and
Page 37 and 38: The formal dedication service was a
Page 39 and 40: ing lot were necessary as was a new
Page 41 and 42: Porter), baptismal urn, appliances
Page 43 and 44: After maturity to self-support and
Page 45 and 46: 44—the first twenty-five years Ad
Page 47 and 48: Massachusetts under the care of the
Page 49 and 50: children invited to participate. Ex
Page 51 and 52: choice of three study courses each
Page 53 and 54: Good Scotsman Lloyd MacDonald, surr
Page 55 and 56: proofread”) in a new Church Recor
Page 57 and 58: cern, anxiety and uncertainty ensue
Page 59 and 60: Assembly rules. In April 1957 a dra
Page 61 and 62: wedding and other receptions. These
Page 63 and 64: who have joined Westminster during
Page 65 and 66: 64—the first twenty-five years
Page 67 and 68: There are of course many loyal memb
Page 69 and 70: held frequently at the home of Mart
Page 71 and 72: Audio aids, installed in several fr
Page 73 and 74: of assistance. Volunteers staff the
Page 75 and 76: in St. Andrews Hall, and other proj
Page 77 and 78: oard of deacons in 1978 however, Se
Page 79 and 80: irthday, she chaired the Associatio
Page 81 and 82: 80—the first twenty-five years
Page 83 and 84: gratitude. Our appreciation never w
Page 86: The Story Continues 1981-2006 Anne
Page 91 and 92: The Rev. Richard Miller was Westmin
Page 93 and 94: to complete its work. On May 21, 19
Page 95 and 96: gation received a letter from Assoc
Page 97 and 98: was in place. Larry Woodruff served
Page 99 and 100: With the arrival of Stephen Carl as
Page 101 and 102: 100—the story continues
Page 103 and 104: While the staff search committee wa
Page 105 and 106: In June 2000 a Vacation Bible Schoo
Page 107 and 108: Westminster teens sort food they co
Page 109 and 110: Adult Ministries The spiritual grow
Page 113 and 114: led the choir in the performance of
Page 115 and 116: sition she had held since the churc
Page 117 and 118: as arrangements for our choirs. In
Page 121 and 122: gregational input was needed. Dr. J
Page 123 and 124: quet - all concluding with a celebr
Page 125 and 126: the concrete beams for the main flo
Page 127 and 128: Stephen Murray speaks at dedication
Page 131 and 132: 130—the story continues In 1998,
Page 133 and 134: 132—the story continues A friends
Page 135 and 136: Kornfield (Brazil), Mark and Gwen P
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of adopting six needy area families
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The men have sponsored a Halloween
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The Session of 1986 gathers for a p
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142—the story continues Members o
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144—the story continues
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Wherever the path leads, one consta
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1964 February 2 Pulpit declared vac
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1989 Long term sponsorship of missi
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1999 June Visioning Task Force repo
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154
Page 157 and 158:
First Session of Elders, 1956 Josep
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