Gathering at the Well: Our Stewardship of the World’s Water, Fellowship Hall, Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Westminster will host a seminar on issues surrounding this most critical natural resource. Two speakers will address water issues at both the local and global level. Scott Reeise, chief engineer for the city of Peoria, will address local concerns. Dr. Yunus Salami, an engineering professor at Bradley University and head of the local chapter of “Engineers Without Borders” will address global water issues. After each presentation, there will be question and answer period. There will be a 45-minute lunch break between the two speakers for lunch catered by Avanti’s. The seminar is free, but donations will be accepted to help with the cost of the lunch. To register, call the church office (309-673-8501) or sign up online at westminsterpeoria.org.
Two Piano Jazz, Sunday, September 10, Sunday , 4 PM
The 2017 – 2018 season of the Gretchen R. Iben Arts Series at Westminster Church will kick off with a concert of great Jazz for Two Pianos. Derel Monteith of the Derel Monteith Trio will preside at one piano, and John Campbell, now resident in Bloomington, but the world famous as a professional jazz pianist will preside at the other piano. The exciting sound of two pianos is always a treat, and jazz in this form is most particularly attractive. Derel and John will be joined by well-known Central Illinois artists including Jason Bannon on drums, Andy Crawford on bass, as well as Larry Harms on reeds and the nationally known trumpeter, David Hoffman rounding out the group. But the focus will definitely be on the two pianists and their keyboard wizardry, bringing us traditional jazz tunes, popular music and a few standards all to delight the listener.
This concert is a prelude to Westminster’s Jazz Vesper Services which start up again for this season on Sunday afternoon, September 17 at four. Each week David Hoffman and his friends from the Central Illinois Jazz Community bring first-class jazz as a worthy offering of music before God. Some congregational songs are included as well as prayers, scripture and a short homily by Pastor Denise Clark-Jones. The roots of jazz are deeply embedded in the church, and in this service, we return this great American art form to the place where it started. Come and join us … both for the concert on September 10 and also for the Jazz Vespers which will run throughout the academic year.