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2025
WESTWOOD LUTHERAN
ANNUAL REPORT
Reflections on 2025
There are many ministries, events, and moments to celebrate at Westwood in 2025. Pastor Jason Van Hunnik and Pastor Sarah Scherschligt open this year's annual report by reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is unfolding. We invite you to explore the annual report and be reminded of how, in 2025, Westwood lived into our "Leadership in a Culture of Grace" theme.
Click "CC" in the video menu bar for closed caption subtitles. (4:17 runtime)
Council President's Report
Kari Hentges
Council President
Grace and peace to you.
This year, our shared theme of Leadership in a Culture of Grace has shaped and inspired our ministry together. At Westwood, we believe leadership is something each of us carries, and this community continues to embody it through service, listening, and generosity. The many ways this congregation lives out a grace-filled commitment are truly inspiring.
One of the year's most significant highlights was the launch of Rooted in Hope, our three-year, $1.4 million capital appeal focused on building needs, welcome and security, and environmental sustainability. We are deeply grateful that more than $1.2 million has already been pledged, a remarkable testament to the strength of this community's support for our mission and future. Work connected to the appeal will continue in the coming year, and we extend heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed and helped shape this effort.
This year also brought meaningful leadership transitions, including:
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Celebrating Shannon Eide stepping into the role of Director of WECC, becoming only the third director in more than 40 years.
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Welcoming Kim Good as our new Director of Operations, whose experience and steady presence have been tremendous gifts.
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Being blessed by the ministry of Intern Pastor Aaron Schutte, whose energy and passion enriched our community.
Another important development was a series of community listening sessions held in late 2025 and early 2026. Conversations with neighborhood leaders helped us better understand emerging needs and opportunities. Their insights will guide our discernment as we explore a future outward-facing capital appeal and continue strengthening our commitment to listening deeply and responding faithfully.
In addition, the Church Council adopted a new Advocacy Policy, offering a thoughtful framework for how Westwood engages public issues in ways that reflect our mission, values, and ELCA commitments. This policy equips us to act with clarity and compassion as we seek to be a faithful presence in the world.
Thank you for the generosity you have shown through your time, talents, and financial giving. Your gifts sustain worship, faith formation, outreach, music, pastoral care, community partnerships, and so much more. Every contribution is an act of trust in the ministry we share.
We are deeply grateful for our pastors and staff at Westwood. Thank you for the dedication and care you bring to this community each day. Your leadership makes our ministries possible and helps them thrive.
As we step into a new year, I am mindful that we do so in a very challenging time. Even amid these challenges, I remain hopeful. God continues to call us into meaningful ministry, and this congregation continues to respond with generosity, creativity, and courage.
I look forward to what we will do together as we seek to be a steady, grace-filled presence in our community and in the world.
In peace,
Kari Hentges
Council President
Nominations Team
Elizabeth Kalpin
I live in Saint Louis Park with my husband, Steve, and our two daughters. We started attending Westwood in 2012, and it's become a second home for us. You may recognize me from Westwood sailing trips, women's retreats, the community meal, or family events at church. Any opportunity to be social, I am in! Outside of Westwood, I am a middle school Language Arts teacher in the Minnetonka School District. My outside interests include hiking, paddling, and arts and crafts.
Amy Priddy
I have lived in St. Louis Park for nearly 40 years, where my husband, Scott, and I raised our two daughters. We joined Westwood in 2009, and our family now includes two sons-in-law and three grandkids. My professional background is nursing, and I retired from a career in healthcare about eighteen months ago. I enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Mike Seehusen
My wife, Kristina, and I have been attending Westwood for nearly ten years. We were married at Westwood in 2021. One of the highlights of my involvement at Westwood is providing adult leadership for the senior high youth trips and chaperoning our group at the National ELCA Youth Conference in 2024. I've also been part of the Westwood sailing ministry trips. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, doing crossword puzzles, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Re-elected for Year 2:
Jessica Gilbertson, Cheryl Stark, and Ann Marie Janke;
Thank You!
Council Nominees
Liz Teigland
President-Elect
(2-year term) &
President (2-year term)
My name is Liz Teigland, and I live in the local community with my family. My husband, David, and I have been married for more than 12 years and are proud parents of two WECC graduates, Soren (11) and Rory (6).
Since graduating from the University of Iowa, I've built a career in the food industry, specializing in biotechnology and dairy protein processing. I have been an active member of the Westwood community, serving on the WECC Parent Advisory Committee during the challenging pandemic years and, most recently, participating in the Buckthorn Removal Project through the Environmental Sustainability Team.
I am inspired by the vibrant Westwood community and eager to serve on the council and support the church's mission in the years ahead.
Julie Scroggins
Secretary
(3-year term)
My name is Julie Scroggins, and I am proud to say I have spent my life at Westwood! While I don't remember being baptized by Pastor Nielsen, I do remember being part of Choir School with Ronnie Nelson, building relationships and having fun with friends at Camp Wapogasset, Pastor Groehler performing our wedding ceremony, and Pastor Hunstad preaching at our sons' Confirmation service at Westwood.
I am so grateful for the many experiences of candlelit services, singing "Silent Night," the hopeful Easter-morning worship, and the inspiring words in our Pastors' sermons. I enjoy the fun atmosphere and the people at the Community Meal, as well as our caring, dedicated community here. Westwood has always been a source of inspiration, guidance, and hope for me.
Joe Arko
Member at-large
(3-year term)
My name is Joe Arko, and I live in St. Louis Park with my wife Julie. We have three adult sons who were baptized and confirmed at Westwood and continue to live within the Twin Cities area. We have been members of Westwood for 30+ years. We have loved participating in the many small groups, youth programs, and a variety of volunteer opportunities over the years. We are so grateful for the friendships built through this wonderful family we call Westwood.
I am a recently retired IT leader with over 38 years of experience. I enjoy traveling, biking, hiking, and fishing with family and friends. I am honored by the opportunity to serve on Westwood's council and to continue to build on this amazing journey.
Chris Vatsaas
Member at-large
(3-year term)
My name is Chris Vatsaas, and I live in St. Louis Park with my wife, Kelsey, and our two children, Gabe and Ginny. Our family officially became members of Westwood in 2023. When we first visited Westwood, Kelsey and I quickly connected with the church’s connection to community and social justice. We have participated in several small group opportunities, and our children enjoy the Message, Vacation Bible School, and more.
I am a shareholder and family law attorney with the law firm of Tuft, Lach, Jerabek, & O’Connell, PLLC. I am also the past President of the Alumni Board at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and am on the board of the St. Louis Park Boys Basketball Association. I look forward to the opportunity to serve this wonderful church community and contribute to its good work!
We want to thank our outgoing council members, Kari Hentges, Gina Jacobson, Luke Yost, and Marcia Rose, for their dedication of time, talents, and commitment as they served.
We appreciate all you've done!
Member Spotlights
Ann & Doug Duin
After Doug retired (former pastor), we began attending various churches, but none quite worked for us. Our daughter said, "Come and worship with us at Westwood." Wow! We immediately experienced Westwood as an open and affirming congregation that truly welcomes all people.
Amid sickness during the pandemic, pastoral care via Zoom, and a connection to a parishioner who had experienced cancer meant more than words can express.
We thank God for Westwood's messages, music, ministry, and connections. Pastors tackle troubling texts and provide Biblical direction amid traumatic times; the music brings comfort and joy, especially as our children and grandsons sing in choirs. Westwood's ministries have local and global outreach, and we are so thankful for the small groups and "Westwood U" sessions that show how Westwood, while providing us with solid direction, also actively tries to be better. Westwood practices the Prayer of Good Courage and connects us with incredible people seeking God's direction.
It's such a blessing to attend church with our family. After one service, our grandson James said to Ann, "You knit. You should knit baptism blankets!" So, Ann's working on one now.
(Photo: Doug, Ann, daughter Erica, and her family)
Financial Report
Total Gifts Given
$1,578,345
faith giving for pledgers and non pledgers
Average Gift
$2,991
annually per household
Household Contributions
522
given to the
General Operating Fund
Member Spotlights
Samuel Farrand
My upbringing was shaped in an Evangelical faith tradition that often emphasized exclusion rather than inclusion. While faith was central to my upbringing, I found myself longing for a community that more fully embodied the heart of Jesus’ message — one rooted in love, compassion, and genuine care for others. As I got older, it became increasingly important to find a church that lived out “loving thy neighbor” in tangible, meaningful ways; ultimately drawing me to Westwood.
From the beginning, I experienced a community that didn’t just talk about the gospel, but actively practiced it. Westwood’s commitment to caring for all people, advancing racial equity and social justice, and honoring environmental sustainability resonated deeply with my own values. There is clear alignment between what I believe faith should look like in the world and how Westwood shows up — both within and beyond its walls.
My Confirmation and continued involvement at Westwood have been affirming experiences, grounding my faith in a community that prioritizes inclusion, justice, and love. Westwood has helped reshape what church means to me, not as a place of judgment or exclusion, but a living expression of the gospel. It is a space where faith and action meet, and where I feel both challenged and supported to live out my values. I have been welcomed to participate at Westwood in multiple ways, largely through our LGBTQIA+ community and our new Communications Advisory Group. My husband, Carson, and I currently reside in St. Louis Park with our 16-year-old chihuahua, Jacks. (Photo: Carson, Sam, and Jacks)
Rooted In Hope Capital Appeal
In 2025, Westwood completed multiple capital improvements to the campus and building space thanks to your continued generosity. Major highlights include:
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Replacement of the roof above the kitchen, workshop, and cold storage area
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East sidewalk replacement and additional parking lot striping
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New ADA entrance to the berm playground
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Preventive treatment of various Oak and Ash trees and removal of dead trees along the lakeside; kept a 10-foot section of on oak tree as a continued habitat stump
There will be significant projects underway as we look to the plans for spring 2026.
Facilities and Campus
General upkeep and maintenance included other significant work on Westwood's facilities. The repairs remained separate from the capital appeal work. Actions included:
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Installation of Coastwide dispensers to streamline the use of consumable products throughout Westwood
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Replacement of the north irrigation system
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Updated major overdue plumbing repairs throughout various parts of the building
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Lower level 2 (LL2) remodel of areas impacted by the flood
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Change of sanitation provider to Suburban Waste Services to reduce contamination fees
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Completion of the WECC south side playground with a new deck, fence, and turf
Core Values
The Core Values Team exists to bring a core value lens to all our decision-making so that Westwood’s five core values are lived out in every aspect of our congregational life.
The first of our significant accomplishments this past year was the creation of a Westwood Advocacy Policy, adopted by the church council in November. The policy provides guidelines for how Westwood engages with advocacy as part of our individual and communal vocations. Another was the Community Listening Sessions, which included stakeholders from our wider community. We can understand the joys and concerns of our neighbors with an eye toward shaping our next outward-facing initiative.
Highlights from each of the core values include:
Interfaith Relationships: Pastors are in dialogue with leaders from a variety of faith traditions; staff visited the Rabata Center to learn more about Islam, and members attended Eid celebrations.
LGBTQIA+ Affirmation: Westwood’s annual Pride event featured newly elected bishop Jen Nagel and Clare Housing. Author Colby Martin gave a talk entitled “Not an oxymoron, why LGBTQ Affirming Christianity Makes Sense.” Westwood’s LGBTQIA+ team is a valued community with small groups and social events throughout the year.
Child Well-Being: The WECC met its goal of funding three students with public subsidies, broadening the reach of its excellent education. Westwood remains a community that highly values children.
Environmental Sustainability: A newly formed environmental sustainability team removed piles of buckthorn as a first step in our plan to restore the lakeshore. They also held eco-house tours and developed a quarterly newsletter. The Rooted in Hope capital campaign was shaped around this value and puts us on a path to reduced carbon dependency.
Race Equity: The Race Equity Team held a seven-week series on the curriculum “Race and Christianity.” They also held monthly Zoom conversations and distributed a monthly newsletter. Staff incorporate race equity into staff development, with on-site visits to San Pablo Lutheran Church and the historic site of a lynching in Duluth.
Congregational Stats
Worship Attendance
In-person weekly
457
avg.
Worship Attendance
Livestream weekly
135
avg. with 1.5 ppl per view
New Members
95
via class
Baptisms
32
all ages
Facebook Followers
1237
+3.9% from 2024
Instagram Followers
718
+7.4% from 2024
Podcast Annual Downloads
2535
avg. per episode 45
Westwood App
183
avg. weekly users
WECC Report
Westwood Early Childhood Center continued to thrive in 2025, serving children and families with care, stability, and a commitment to inclusive, high-quality education.
2025 Highlights include:
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Served 116 children and their families over the course of the year.
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Offered tuition scholarships and subsidy support to expand access to high-quality care.
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Created opportunities for families to connect through family breakfasts, holiday chapels, and monthly nature walks.
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Engaged with Rise Early Learning Center through staff trainings, classroom observations, inclusive teaching, and sharing best practices.
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Partnered with STEP, providing food, clothing, and school supplies as needs arose.
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Navigated a year of transition while maintaining program stability, strong enrollment, and consistent care from trusted educators and staff.
Community Partnerships
The Westwood Road Map continues to guide the Community Partnerships Team's efforts. We are thankful for the members of the Community Partnership Team and their work: Karl Cambronne, Brenda Knutson, Nancy Schafer, and Randy Romsdahl. We are grateful to the specific teams working on outreach projects and for the overall generosity of this congregation's support—Thank You!
Highlights of the work from the Community Partnership Team include:
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In 2025, Westwood contributed over $200,000 to our Community Partners, Cause of the Month recipients, and Holiday Fair Grant recipients!
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A five-person delegation from Arusha Road Lutheran Church in Dodoma, TZ, spent two weeks in April in worship, fellowship, and relationship-building.
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In September, the Community Partnership Team joined with the Environmental Sustainability Team to empower over 120 people to serve our community through different organizations as part of "God's Work. Our Hands."
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Beyond Westwood's regular Community Partnership commitments, additional funds were directed to STEP in response to the government shutdown in 2025.
For more information, please visit the Community Partnerships page on Westwood's website or watch the January 25, 2026, Westwood U session.
Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation
Member Spotlights
John Staub & Erin Kelley
Our family discovered Westwood this past summer when we relocated from Maryland to be closer to family. Westwood's pillars of grace and vocation, along with the value "All Are Welcome," resonated with us. It was easy to see from the outside that Westwood focuses on building community and caring for the wider community. We were also drawn to the vibrant youth and family program for our three children, as well as the rich music program.
Our timing felt fortuitous with the fall focus on the Vocation of Friendship. We joined the study groups for parents of school-age children and made meaningful new connections and sustained friendships that were changing with our move. The midweek Community Meal has provided an organic setting for mingling and building friendships. We have appreciated the warm invitations to join activities, whether choir or ice block sledding, that strengthen our faith and help us praise God humbly.
Recently, at bedtime, our youngest child said she had started praying. She clarified she wasn't asking for toys or for things to go her way, but for her connections with friends and family to be meaningful and joyful, and to protect her from her fears at night. This can only be because of the many small interactions the past few months, at the Message, the Children's Choir, Pause 345, and the Community Meal. (Photo: John, Liam, Maeve, Erin, and Finn)
Congregational Care
The past year has been one of new connections between two growing ministries: Gift of a Lift and Lay Visitations. We have many congregants who help offer rides to church activities and medical appointments, as well as congregants who are paired with an elder and provide a monthly visit for conversation and communion.
The Thursday morning coffee-and-conversation group has become a grounding time for those who attend. Connection and relationship building continue to be desired and thriving.
Music + Worship
Here are a few fun facts related to worship this year:
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In 2025, the Worship Team helped lead “It Sounds Like Hope”, an original song commissioned for Westwood’s Advent theme, “Listening in a Culture of Grace”.
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In-person weekly attendance continues to be strong and growing as new members join.
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Online presence remains steady, with worshippers regularly engaging with comments or prayer requests on our "Tell Us You're Here" form.
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Christmas Eve Worship attendance was very close to 2024. The 8 pm service has been the most-attended worship time for two years running!
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Volunteer participation grew with Westwood's Hospitality, Audio/Visual, and Sanctuary Adornment ministries—We are grateful for all you do to make Westwood's worship vibrant and welcoming!
Our musical ensembles continue to provide numerous opportunities for faith development and fellowship through meaningful musical experiences. Highlights include:
Guest musicians blessed our worship in 2025:
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Magnum Chorum
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VocalEssence: Singers Of This Age
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Loring String Quartet
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Synod Senior Band
...and many other talented instrumentalists
Worship Team musicians continue to grow their roster with even more talented individuals to lead music for 11 am Worship.
Participation continues to grow with the number of children singing in the Children's Choir and young people singing in Cantemus (middle and high school choir).
The kids continue to thrive on a weekly basis.
Westwood Ringers hosted the Anthornis Festival featuring other regional area ensembles through Handbell Musicians of America.
A Cappella Choir presented Mozart’s Requiem with Chorus Polaris and the Mississippi Valley Orchestra in Lent and Vivaldi’s Gloria in Advent with soloists from within the choir.
Westwood has become one of the most desired spaces for concerts in the Metro West area. We hosted more than 20 concerts and welcomed over 4,000 people into our beautiful facilities. Here is our list of musical partners in 2025:
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Augsburg Centennial Singers
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Bach Society of Minnesota
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Handbell Musicians of America
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Magnum Chorum
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Northern Lights Chorale
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Oratorio Society of Minnesota
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The Singers
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Synod Senior Band
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Uniting Voices (Chicago)
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VocalEssence
Children, Youth & Family Ministry (CYF)
The past year was a wonderful year of faith formation and growing in community together for CYF! Westwood had the highest number of students registered for CYF ministries since prior to the pandemic.
Highlight for Children, Youth & Family includes:
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112 campers for Vacation Bible School (VBS)
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63 campers at Camp Wapo (week-long youth)
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22 campers at Wapo for SEEDS (younger kids weekend camp)
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22 youth ventured to the Bay Area in CA for a service-learning trip
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125 children and youth led worship through the Christmas Program
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...and countless other connections throughout 2025!
It's wonderful to have children, youth, and their families growing in faith together, and to experience year after year of increased involvement at Westwood.
In addition to kid connections, a record number of parents participated in a Lenten book study of “Woven” by Meredith Miller. A special thanks to the Westwood Foundation for purchasing over 80 copies of the book! The team held a two-week Family Stewardship Event with 19 families actively involved; another successful Parents’ Night Out; over 75 families participated in the Advent Festival; and Westwood members made and delivered 9 meals to families with new babies. A new Wednesday evening fellowship hour was launched for grades 3-5.
The CYF team appreciates the additional support from Westwood parents and members who served in the Sunday Message programming, as VBS and Camp Westwood volunteers, and in other events. Thank you!
Young Adults
Westwood's Young Adult (YA) ministry really came alive in 2025!
Throughout the year, we gathered at Westwood and beyond. The Young Adult ministry grew through engagement in small groups, Vocation of Generosity in the winter, and Vocation of Friendship in the fall. A new monthly ‘Unch (sometimes it’s brunch, sometimes it’s lunch), and other meet-ups added to the fun!
The Young Adults also gathered for service to pack meals at Westwood in April, and multiple times at Feed My Starving Children, in September with Westwood’s “God’s Work, Our Hands” team, and again as a smaller YA group in November. As they look toward 2026, they will keep exploring restaurants and breweries in fellowship together and are excited to continue growing in their faith and serving in the community!
3rd Chapter Ministry
2025 began with three separate 3rd Chapter Generosity Small Groups. The groups examined the multitude of ways the (third) stage of life invites us to give, be hospitable, and reach out. After reading the book "Infectious Generosity," many people have reflected on the generosity of time, talents, and financial resources as a spiritual practice.
The 3rd Chapter has established annual events, including the Progressive Dinner, Fall Small Groups, and summer Happy Hours. New activities and groups include a Women's Book Study, a monthly Handwork Gathering, a Single Women's Study & Support Group, and a few service events, including packing food at Every Meal. A new partnership was formed in late 2025, serving Aquila Elementary students and immigrant families. It is proving to be an essential link in our community, meeting their changing needs during anxious and challenging months.
Pastor Tania remains busy planning spring and summer themes for "days away" events. Her connections continue with Legacy Giving as she visits, encourages, and receives commitments from members who will include Westwood in their estate plans. She supports people in finding a place to connect, serve, and grow at Westwood.
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Prayer of Good Courage
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through joys and perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.