huge hug to all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to make this event such a meaningful and profitable success. This year we will be able to donate the total proceeds of $831.45 to Habitat for Humanity to help in their continuing efforts to provide affordable housing for folks needing a hand up in improving their living standard. God's blessings to you all. Stephanie Creel Christian Education

Vacation Bible School Plans Made! Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means…Vacation Bible School! This year is going to be like no other, and you won’t want to miss it! Westminster Presbyterian is partnering with All Saints Episcopal, St. George’s Chapel and St. Edmond’s Catholic Churches to provide VBS for our church families, their guests and children throughout the community. We are planning for 75 children, ages 4 years old through graduating 5th graders. The program will be held at All Saints on Olive Ave., because they have the space to accommodate a larger program. A steering committee comprised of members from all 4 churches, including John Mossel, Silvia Ritchie and Dianne Deming of Westminster, has already been meeting to plan this exciting event. The VBS staff will consist of volunteers from the partnering churches. VBS will be held June 16-20, from 9:30-12:30pm each day. Set in the canopy of a vibrant and exciting rainforest environment, this lively VBS program will engage the kids as they discover that everyone can do their part to care for God’s creation. Through kid-friendly Bible stories that emphasize stewardship, combined with a jungle of hands-on, fun-filled activities, at Rainforest Adventure kids will learn that it is fun and faithful to share the good news of Jesus’ love with everyone! At Rainforest Adventure kids will hear stories about Jesus, make cool crafts, learn catchy rainforest rhythms, play zany games, eat yummy snacks, and make lots of new friends! Please use the registration form included in this newsletter, or download one online at www.westminster-presbyterian.com. Bring your kids, invite your grandchildren, neighbors, friends’ children. It will be an exciting adventure for all! If you would like to help with Rainforest Adventure, please call Dianne (226-1817) or email her at ddeming105@verizon.net. She will be pleased to hear from you. Also, set-up day will be Saturday, June 14, 9am-noon at All Saints. All of the saints are welcome to come and help.

Westminster Yard Sale So, how are you coming on cleaning those closets, straightening those shelves, clearing that clutter? Remember, the Westminster “Every So Often” Spring Yard Sale is coming up on May 17! Housewares, furniture, toys, baby equipment, objects de arte, tools, hobby supplies, holiday decorations, decorative items, jewelry, pocketbooks, hats, just about anything EXCEPT clothes and encyclopedias is welcome. Please bring your treasures to the church on Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16. If you need someone to pick up your donations, please call the church office and let Carol know (227-2109). Experienced yard salespeople are needed to help price items Friday evening. The pre-confirmation and post-confirmation classes and their parents will be working the sale and setting up. Anyone else wishing to help is also welcome. Call Dianne Deming or John Mossel to volunteer

Directory Update/Supplement I think it will be several years until we have a new church directory (at least I certainly hope so!) But we have welcomed at least 15 new members since the directory was published last fall! Thanks be to God! Although these new members have received a copy of the directory, they do not appear in it! We have received some great new members and it would help us all to recognize them and know how to contact them. Therefore, the May (possibly June) edition of the Chimes will feature pages containing pictures, addresses, and phone numbers (where desired) of our new brothers and sisters in Christ at Westminster. These pages can then be added to your directory. If you are a new member, please call Don Smith @ 644-7320 ; or Sally Cordrey @ 645-2091 (theduffster@comcast.net) to set up a photo opportunity one day after church (no charge except for multiple copies, enlargements, etc.) If you do not wish to participate, it’s okay – but we would love to have you do so. This is also an opportunity for anyone to add any changes (address or phone numbers, etc.) you may want to include. Help keep our directory up to date! Sally

The Westminster Choir is always looking for new choral singers. We particularly would welcome altos and tenors, but all interested singers should give us a try! Speak to the Music Director (home phone: 226-0559) or just come to rehearsal on Thursday nights at 7 pm. in the Chancel.

Due to the large number of WPC members who attend Clear space Productions events, CSP would like to extend a 20% discount to all congregants for our next three shows: Sherlock Holmes (March 13-16), Broadway Voices, featuring Broadway star Deidre Goodwin (May 31/June 1) and South Pacific (July 24-27). When making reservations please ask for the "Westminster Discount." For reservations, call the box office at 302-644-3810. Discounts cannot apply to online purchases.

The deacons are in need of 2 lb. size coffee cans! The cans are used to take Altar flowers to people's homes after the service each Sunday. If you have any, please bring them to church for the deacons. And, if you receive any flowers from church, please return the cans!

If you want Circle I to send a greeting card to someone for a special occasion call Pauline Cottingham (telephone number available at the church office, 302-227-2109).

Volunteers are needed to deliver the children's story time during worship. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex. Please put your John (or Jane) Hancock on the line next to the Sunday you would like to serve. Lay people demonstrating their commitment to Christ in this way is meaningful not only to the children, but to the entire congregation as well. Books of children's sermons are available in the church library for those who would like help getting the creative juices flowing. Questions may be directed to Rev. Dianne Deming (telephone number is available in the church office, 302-227-2109)

Thrift Shop Volunteers Needed - Male and female volunteers are urgently needed at the New Life Thrift Shop. Hours are flexible; however, a commitment is desired. The Thrift Shop relies heavily on volunteers for a wide variety of jobs. If you can give a few hours a week, contact Dutch Kelly at 644-0171. the New Life Thrift Shop is located behind Jiffy Lube on Route 1.

Volunteers are needed to invite churches to join the Habitat for Humanity ministry of working with persons in need so that they may own decent affordable homes. Please call Lisa Smith at the Sussex Habitat office, 855-1153.

If you want the Deacons to send a greeting card to someone for a special occasion, call Pauline Cottingham (her phone number is available at the church office 302-227-2109).

Circle One If you have someone in your family - or a friend - who would appreciate a greeting card (birthday, get well, sympathy or other occasion), Circle 1 would like to send them one. Please see or call Pauline Cottingham (Pauline's phone number is available at the church office, 302-227-2109).

A "Prayer Chain" card is available by the doors of the church. The new card has an updated contact list to initiate special prayers for people in need.

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Prayer Requests to Partner Churches
(Westminster Presbyterian of Rehoboth Beach, DE is a Habitat for Humanity Partner Church)
Please pray:
-for Jesus’ care and guidance for our Habitat families; our church partners; Kevin Gilmore, our Executive Director; our volunteers; our homeowner families.
-for full-time employment for Habitat homeowners so they can have benefits and sufficient income to support their families.
-for Seaford residents, that they embrace Habitat as a beneficial program for their community.
-for guidance for the Sussex Habitat Board and Committee leadership as we grow to address the tremendous affordable housing need in the county.
-for guidance and your helping presence as the Lewes-Rehoboth Area Churches consider building a Habitat home
And God, please bring us more construction leadership to help with the Ellendale project of three homes.