An open and affirming community, seeking a caring and just society.

PWS Updates – May 2026

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HELP! PWS needs you artists, photographers, quilters and other talented folks to be thinking about what you might be able to donate to our wonderful Holiday Bazaar in October. The Bazaar will be Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24 from 9 to 2. Hope you’ll plan to come and invite your neighbors and friends.

May 7 will be our next Gathering and our own Judy E will educate us on the use and prep of many common herbs. Meeting at 11, lunch at noon and program at about 12:30. Everyone is welcome! (See you at the Bazaar!)

Mary P.
Moderator, PWS

Presbyterian Women of Southminster are hosting the Holiday Bazaar again this year! It is only May, but the bazaar will be coming up soon! Please mark your calendar for Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. The bazaar will be open 9 – 2 each day. In addition to our own sales, there will be outside vendors in the Cana Room and also upstairs in the Genesis Room. Please consider what you can make and donate for the sale and if you can volunteer some time to help! We have a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for donations, set-up help, pricing, sales volunteers, and a clean-up team!

Suggestions for items to make and donate:

  • Baked Goods of any kind, gift containers with candy
  • Home Sewn Items: table runners, placemats, potholders, aprons, pillows, tree skirts, baby blankets, bibs, Quilted items of any kind.
  • Artwork: pottery, paintings. drawings, clay, macrame, painted rocks
  • Potted plants, terrariums, fairy gardens
  • Holiday: Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, table decorations, wreaths, dishes, and
    kitchen items
  • Woodworking: birdhouses, birdfeeders, planters, serving boards, signs
  • Handmade Gifts: crochet, knitting, kid’s toys, soap , sachets, cards picture frames, jewelry boxes
  • Gift Baskets
  • Costume Jewelry
  • Antiques
  • Collectables

Our shoppers really like that we have a variety of things at our sale!

Set-up: We will start putting items on tables Wednesday and Thursday getting everything in place and ready to open Friday AM

Watch for future bazaar updates in upcoming issues of The Messenger.

Is Religion Being Shaped by AI? – 5/3 11:00am

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Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant technological curiosity — it’s reshaping how we work, communicate, learn, and make decisions. The church is not exempt from that reshaping. On Sunday May 3 (11am-12:15pm) we’ll welcome Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan as our guest presenter via Zoom for a special Adult Education session entitled “How Religion Is Being Shaped by Artificial Intelligence.”

Andy has an M.Div. and M.A. of Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He is the Director of Family Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, TN, serves as a spirituality consultant for an AI startup, and has become one of the PC(USA)’s leading voices on the ethical use of AI in ministry and congregational life. He’s also a good friend of Pastor TJ.

Theater & Theology – 4/28 at 7:00pm

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Grace and law. Redemption and relentless pursuit. The dignity of the poor and the corruption of power. Les Misérables has been wrestling with these questions since Victor Hugo put them on the page in 1862… and they’re just as applicable today.

Join Pastor TJ for a special “Theater & Theology” conversation on Tuesday April 28 from 7:00-8:30pm in the Cana Room for a lively conversation about the theological and ethical considerations of Les Mis.

Whether you’ve seen the Broadway Tour (coming to the Morrison Center April 21-26!), watched the film, read the novel, or just know that you’re supposed to cry during “Bring Him Home,” you’re ready for this conversation. All are welcome.

Jesus Was a Migrant Documentary – 4/26 at 11am

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Join us on Sunday April 26 during the Adult Education Class, as we show a new documentary, Jesus Was a Migrant. This 30 minute documentary was produced by bestselling author and historian Dr. Jemar Tisby, and follows him to the U.S.-Mexico border to examine what American Christianity has done for the migrant. The documentary helps us to ask the question “What does our faith actually require?”

Where: Southminster’s Jean Moore Lounge
When: Sunday April 26 at 11:00am

Adult Ed. – Spring Topics

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April 19 & 26: Reflections on Theology Beer Camp 2025
Join Billie Farley for two sessions actively reflecting on her experiences at a unique conference built around historical and current Christian theological thought and diversity. Theology Beer Camp 2025, hosted by Tripp Fuller of Homebrewed Christianity, created spaces and experiences for 600 folks wanting to explore their faith stories and relationships along side theologians, scholars, God Podcasters, and au- thors while focusing on providing time and op- portunities to build relationships. We will view and discuss video clips and materials harvested from the 3 day camp-like experience as well as try out a few similar activities.


May 3: Is Religion Being Shaped by AI?
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant technological curiosity — it’s reshaping how we work, communicate, learn, and make decisions. The church is not exempt from that reshaping. On Sunday May 3 (11am-12:15pm), we’ll welcome Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan as our guest presenter for a special Adult Education session entitled “How Religion Is Being Shaped by Artificial Intelligence.” Andy has an M.Div. and M.A. of Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He is the Director of Family Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, TN, serves as a spirituality consultant for an AI startup, and has become one of the PC(USA)’s leading voices on the ethical use of AI in ministry and congregational life.

May 17 & 24: Bread for the World
Come join our letter-writing campaign asking for more federal support of nutrition programs. Last year “Bread” was able to claw back an increase in the Child Tax Credit and to persuade Congress to fully fund WIC at $7.6 billion for 2025!!!

Upcoming Events

All Church Retreat – August 7-9

Registration for Southminster's annual All Church Retreat at Camp Sawtooth begins this month. The low cost of $30 per person (with a $70 maximum per family) will cover five meals, plus two nights … [Read More...]

Summer Sermon Series in Worship

You probably know the stories. You learned them with felt boards and flannel graphs and maybe a catchy song or two. But Sunday school had to leave some parts out! This summer in worship, we'll be … [Read More...]

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Sunday Schedule

Worship: 9:30am
(except Sabbath Weekends)

Sabbath Weekends

Worship on the Second Saturday of the month is at 5:00pm. The next morning is a day of Sabbath rest, with no worship or activities.

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We are an active congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a member of the Snake River Presbytery.

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