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An Evening with
Donald Miller
Saturday, February 22, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Join New York Times Best Selling author, Donald Miller for a meaningful evening and learn how to live
a better story. After writing Blue Like Jazz and several other books, Donald Miller founded Storyline, an
organization that helps people plan their lives using the elements of a story. His musings, reflections and
growing understanding of Christianity has inspired millions in their own definitions of their faith journey and
understanding of loving a God that is relational, and not just a formula.
Donald grew up in Houston, Texas. Leaving home at the age of 21, he traveled across the country until
he ran out of money in Portland, Oregon were he audited classes at Portland’s Reed College. He wrote
Blue Like Jazz, which became a New York Times best seller and was later adapted into a full-length film.
In addition to Storyline, he is also the founder of The Mentoring Project, a non-profit helping to provide
mentors for fatherless children. Don currently lives and works in Nashville, TN.
Childcare is will be available to children in 5th grade and younger, if registered by February 19. Contact
Judy Crochet, judyc@whpc.org, to reserve childcare.
Narratives - Coming Soon!
A Sermon and Life Group series for March 9 – April 27
For the first time, WHPC is writing and producing its own Life Group series. Narratives is designed to make
this season of Lent deeply meaningful and transformative. Using eight common elements of storytelling, we
will spend eight weeks looking at scripture, the world and our own life as we seek to live a better story. Go
to www.whpc.org/lifegroups to sign up for a small group for these 8 weeks. Registration opens on February 13.
The Interim Pastor’s Perspective
Interim Pastor
Al Krummenacher
Interim Associate Pastor
Amy Isbell Hanschen
Interim Director of Mission
Bud Reynolds
Director of Congregational
Life
Mark Charbonneau
Director of Music
Emily Craven
Minister of Congregational
Care
Kathryn Weldin
Interim Director of Local
and Regional Mission
Nancy Pickett
Director of Adult Ministry
Teresa Ward
Director of High School
Ministry
Doug Congdon
Director of Middle School
Ministry
Kyle Bender
Interim Director of
Children’s Ministry
Naomi Ingrim
Assistant Director of
Children’s Ministry
Judy Crochet
Director of Outreach
Ministry
Kristen McMath
Director of
Communications
Nancy Gray
Director of Finance
Anita Maxwell
Director of Facilities
Kyle Key
Office Manager
Cynthia Mohle
Organist
Paul Keith
Librarian
Peggy Greenawalt
Director of Preschool
Susan Bright
“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and grow weary, and the young will fall exhausted;
But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall
mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they
shall walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40:28-31)
I can’t even begin to count the number
of times I have wrestled with this scripture
passage. I am not by nature a patient
person. I like to get things done. I like to be
productive. I like to overcome challenges. I
don’t like to waste time. I am a “doer”.
When the prophet Isaiah first wrote these
words he was speaking to an audience who
had been held captive in Babylon for over
40 years. They yearned to return to their
homeland and prayed earnestly that the
Lord would make it happen. They had grown
weary of waiting for God to act. They didn’t want to wait any longer. Surely
it was time to go home again. What was God waiting for?
I know Isaiah was speaking to the people of Israel, but he was also speaking
to my heart. I often need to be reminded that this is God’s creation and not
mine. We operate on God’s timetable and not our own. When I was a child
my mother would say to me “All things in God’s good time”. I didn’t like to
hear those words as a child. Yet, she was absolutely correct. All things do
come about in God’s good time. So instead of stewing with impatience I am
learning to trust God’s timing and to see “wasted time” as “waiting time.”
Waiting time is full of anticipation and expectation. It is a time to prepare
and make ready for what God will be doing next.
Sometimes whole congregations grow impatient and weary of waiting.
This is especially true during times of pastoral transition. We wonder why the
process takes so long. We question the work ethic of the search committee.
We doubt the plan and process for the pastoral search. It seems like a lot
of “wasted time.” But it is not! The search process is well thought out. We
have competent and qualified people on the search committees. And I can
assure you, they are working diligently and faithfully. It just takes time.
While the Spirit of God is guiding the Pastor Nominating Committees to the
right candidates, perhaps the Spirit is also working on our hearts, healing
wounds, changing perspective, and preparing the congregation to welcome
new leadership.
Remember, God has a plan and purpose for our congregation. Hold on to
the faith that God will renew our strength and WHPC will once again soar
like eagles, all in God’s good time!
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Al
Interim Pastor
The Echo
Nancy Gray, Editor
Travis Hardy, Design
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worship MINISTRY NEWS
Baylor Religious Hour Choir Concert
Join us on Sunday, February 16, at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary for a free concert presented by
the Baylor Religious Hour Choir (BRH). Instituted in 1948 by Dick Baker, the BRH Choir is an
auditioned student ensemble that consists of 44 singers and 4 instrumentalists who sing concerts
around the state of Texas each month. They also take an annual international summer mission
trip. One BRH member, Celeste Ligon, daughter of Julie and Laurence Ligon, is a member of
WHPC. Please come support these fine singers and enjoy a concert of wonderful, inspiring music.
connect MINISTRY NEWS
Stephen Ministry Presents Alan Williams
Please join Stephen Ministry for an evening that will inspire and challenge. All of us have been
touched in some way by cancer either directly or indirectly. Alan Williams, owner of Chick-fil-A,
Westlake, will share his journey of faith, The Blessings of Chemo, on Monday, February 3, 6:30
p.m. in the Parlor. Alan is known for his involvement in multiple local charities and community
activities, particularly involving youth. Alan is a former UT football player who thought he was
still in great shape after college, but found he needed open heart surgery at the age of 37.
Throughout this ordeal, he was moved to reconnect and restore his faith and belief in God. What
followed was quite a turn in his career with Alan beginning a profession that made less money,
required more hours and offered many new challenges. Further challenges were still to come
when he was diagnosed a few years ago with melanoma, and the prognosis—not good. Alan
faced surgery and several months of chemotherapy, yet learned to see God’s hand at work which
he calls, The Blessings of Chemo. For questions, please contact Anita Glickert at aglickert@
yahoo.com, or 512.328.1138.
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connect MINISTRY NEWS
All Church Retreat
Save the date for this year’s All Church Retreat at Mo-Ranch. Join us on April 25 – 27 for a weekend of
fun and relaxation for the whole family at the beautiful Mo-Ranch near Hunt, TX. Register today at whpc.
org/retreats.
WHPC Hosting Selah Spring Tour
Join us at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, for the You Amaze Us tour, featuring Dove Award winning trio
Selah and platinum-selling artist Mark Shultz with special guest singer-songwriter JJ Heller. Tickets go on
sale soon. More details to come at whpc.org/specialevents.
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grow MINISTRY NEWS
Table Talk
The Family Ministry at WHPC has rolled out a new ministry to families with children at home. With
a hope to see families dedicate one meal a week to sit down together and have a family devotional, a
devotional called Table Talk is being emailed each Monday. Whether you have a four-year old or a senior in
high school, Table Talk will be crafted with your family in mind. Sign up to receive these family devotionals
at whpc.org/subscriptions.
Valentine’s Day Date-Night Childcare
February 14, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
To be a blessing to our families, WHPC would like to offer a night of childcare to celebrate Valentine’s
Day, Friday February 14, from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Families must register their child (infant - 5th grade)
ahead of time at whpc.org. For more information, contact Judy Crochet, judyc@whpc.org.
Children’s Ministry News:
Welcome New Children’s Ministry Staff
Children’s Ministry is pleased to welcome Molly Atkinson as Associate for Children’s Ministry. Molly was
WHPC’s previous seminary intern and now will be working a part time position with us. While she finishes
her final semester at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, she will be assisting on Sunday mornings
and Wednesday evenings. Molly has a real interest in Children’s programs and certainly has God-given
gifts for this ministry area.
Also joining the Children’s Ministry staff is Children’s Ministry Intern, Emily Wasser. Like Molly, Emily is
a senior student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and will receive her MDiv in May. She has
much church experience working with and a great passion for children and youth. She particularly has
experience working with children’s choirs and camps. She is a native of Pennsylvania and has been a
Presbyterian all her life.
We’re very grateful to these young women for the help and are so glad to have them on board.
welcome them to the WHPC faith community.
Please
Parents: Please check in all children – birth through 5th grade
Checkpoint Update
While we will always be working to address ways to improve our procedures, we have had a fantastic
beginning with our new Checkpoint check-in system! It is already assisting the overall effort to improve
further the safety and security of our children. A special note of thanks to Sherry Blackburn, Member
Database and IT Coordinator. Most of all, our biggest thanks goes to you, the WHPC community of faith,
for your participation, ideas, and encouragement.
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grow MINISTRY NEWS
Vacation Bible School is Coming!
Vacation Bible School is a wonderful gift to our children
and the community. This year’s 5-day event for children
3 years old through those entering 4th grade, will be
June 9 – 13 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Through
these fun-filled days, children will be given a
lifetime of memories, make many new
friendships, and of course, further their
religious foundation.
VBS requires many volunteers!
Would you please prayerfully
consider volunteering to assist? We
are recruiting Planning Team
members. These include:
Assistant Director/Mission
Coordinator, Decorations Chairperson,
Storytime Leader, Craft Leader, Games
Leader, Preschool Coordinator.
Please call or email Naomi Ingrim,
naomii@whpc.org, or Shannon Livengood,
shlivengood@alumni.utexas.net, if you can assist.
Youth Ministry News:
FOCUS 2014
FOCUS weekend, held this year on January 31 – February 2, is always a significant weekend in the life of
our youth ministry. Hundreds of students join us for worship, service, and illegal amounts of fun. Please
be in prayer for this great event that God would do transformative work in the lives of students.
FOCUS doesn’t happen without a TON of help!
We want to thank the 50+ college volunteers,
the 30+ host homes, the numerous Life Groups
who offer their time, and the countless other
volunteers who help with food, transportation,
set up and tear down, decorations, prayer, and
behind the scenes logistics.
Special thanks to Sally Welch who helped
coordinate all the host homes, Mike Ussery who
helped coordinate food and kept us all fed, and
Kyle Key for his constant help and duct tape
skills.
Youth Ministry Interns
Over the past several months, Kyler Bradshaw has served the middle school youth as a part-time intern.
During his time, Kyler made incredible relationships with middle school boys, coordinated the youth band
for JAM, and co-lead a 6th grade Bible study. Kyler has a servant’s heart and constantly went above and
beyond his role as a part-time intern. We are so thankful for his heart and commitment to WHPC Youth.
Kyler recently headed off to Africa with Experience Mission for the next 6 months. Please keep Kyler in
your prayers and ask God safety and blessings.
Continued on page 7
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grow MINISTRY NEWS
Continued from page 6
We are excited to announce that Ellen Edick is joining the youth ministry team this semester as a
High School Intern. A senior at UT, Ellen has already served as a middle school summer intern and has
helped in the children’s ministry on Sunday mornings. We are extremely blessed to have her as part of
the team and excited to see God use her to reach out to high school girls. She will spend the semester
teaching at Signulls and in Sunday School, meeting with girls one-on-one, and helping out around the
youth offices. Please welcome Ellen when you see her, and thank her for the work she is already doing.
Women Ministry News:
A Woman of Influence: Kim Barre and Mom’s in Prayer in Prison
In Matthew 25:37 Jesus said, ...when I was in prison, you visited
me. Nearly three years ago the Women’s Ministry of WHPC invited
women of our church to participate with the God of Hope Prison Ministries
and travel to Lockhart Prison to visit the female inmates in the faithbased dorm for an evening of worship, singing, and fellowship. Several
ladies from Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church answered that call. The
evening was intimate and touching, as well as eye-opening about the
real need of those inmates to be visited by loving sisters in Christ. Kim Barre attended that evening,
and she still continues to regularly visit the women there, to bring them hope and show them she loves
and cares for them.
Kim and Mom’s in Prayer Ministry are traveling to the Lockhart Prison women’s dorms and join the
women there in praying for their children and grandchildren. They are teaming with other praying
women from the New Braunfels area, meeting on alternating Wednesdays in Lockhart from 2 – 3 p.m.
Kim said, “It is nearly impossible to describe the joy and the excitement the Holy Spirit has given me
because of praying with these broken women in prison”. Any woman is able to pray in prison and come
alongside another woman who needs to see and hear what it’s like to be a praying mother. Moms in
Prayer in Prison has a set format with a template for praying so the guesswork is taken out and the
procedure has an easy flow. If you would like to be part of this important ministry, please contact Kim
Barre, 512.632.1685 or kimbarre@hotmail.com.
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go MINISTRY NEWS
Nicaragua Family Mission Trip
The WHPC Nicaragua Family Mission Trip is fast approaching. June 5 – 14 will be here before you know
it. There is nothing like the experience of serving God alongside family and friends on a mission trip. If
you have heard others talk and want to experience this life transforming opportunity yourself, now is the
time to fill out the application and make it a reality. Go to whpc.org/globalmission and download the
application. Deadline for registering is April 1. The total cost is $1500. Families, individuals, members
and friends are all welcome. For more information please contact Nancy Pickett, nancyp@whpc.org.
give MINISTRY NEWS
A Note From Mobile Loaves and Fishes
The following was sent to WHPC Deacon, Shannon Livengood, following Mobile Loaves and Fishes’
participation in Matthew’s Market last November. The note was written from Courtney, a Mobile Loaves
and Fishes staff member. With Courtney and Shannon’s permission, the note is shared with the WHPC
church family:
There are several churches I really love in Austin (what they believe, how they live it
out and especially the precious, faithful people who make them up) and I don’t know
when I’ve been to one that exudes more of a warmth and cohesiveness than Westlake
Pres!!! A true family you all are!
Suppose this is what results when storms come and people stick it out and learn to
love/serve one another (including those in need and outside the church) through thick
and thin. . . it’s truly incredible.
Have told people all week long about my most warm and wonderful experience with
your precious, life-giving church family!!
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give MINISTRY NEWS
Thank You from Outcry in the Barrio
Local Austin organization, Outcry in the Barrio, is very grateful for your
generous giving of blankets and towels. Pictured is Alfred, with Outcry, as he
picked up the donated items. Alfred shared that the 40 men who stay in their
facility come to them in great need and anything they can do to help make
their transition back into society easier is very much appreciated. Thank you
for caring enough to share.
Update on Toy Drive and Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
The 2013 Prison Fellowship Angel Tree and Forgotten Angels of Salvation Army were a huge success
thanks to the generous support of WHPC. Over 58 families received Christmas gifts through Angel Tree
and approximately 100 unwrapped toys were taken to The Salvation Army to be given out to children
in their program. Several from WHPC also worked at the Salvation Army Toy Distribution Warehouse
to help get all the gifts ready for the families. God bless you and thank you from those who were the
recipients of your generosity.
Burgess Buchanan, Willard Wright, Dennis Pauling and George Brown at the
Salvation Army Warehouse
Sue Block and Vicki Jessich with the Angel Tree and Forgotten Angels gifts.
Christmas Eve Offering a Huge Success
Once again, WHPC was blessed to be a blessing on Christmas Eve. $25,000 was given to Feed My
Starving Children and $20,507 was given to Urban Young Life. These two organizations are very grateful
for the support and will be able to provide physical and spiritual nourishment to children in Austin and
around the world as a direct result of WHPC’s generosity. Thank you to all who contributed to this special
“Give” opportunity.
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give MINISTRY NEWS
Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack Event
The money raised for Feed My Starving Children on
Christmas Eve was used to purchase meals that were
packed on Saturday, January 11, in WHPC’s gym. The
Mobile Pack event brought together over 720 members
of WHPC and volunteers from the Austin area. 152,000
meals were packed and will be distributed to children in
the Philippines through various faith-based organizations
in that country. To put that in perspective, 152,000 meals
will give 417 children one healthy, nutritious meal a day for
a full year!
Feed My Starving Children’s defining verse is Proverbs
22:9: Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
The men, women and children who gathered together to pack the meals, laugh with their friends, wear
funny hair nets and yell out cheers when a new box was packed were certainly blessed by the experience.
We pray that the children of the Philippines will be blessed as well.
WHPC Disaster Relief Team
WHPC’s Local Mission Ministry, joining Christ in transforming our community through loving service,
has committed to form a WHPC Disaster Relief Team. The Presbyterian denomination has been a large
presence in disaster recovery since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The opportunity to serve those in need
has presented itself numerous times since then in various parts of the country. Central Texas has faced
two large disasters in the last three years with the flooding at Onion Creek being the most recent. In
order to become part of the effort to help those in our community, our church will become a member of
the Austin Disaster Relief Network.
The Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is comprised of 110 churches, ministries and businesses
within the Christian community of Greater Austin helping those in need during a disaster. In the Good
Samaritan story, Jesus tells us who our neighbor is and to, “Go and do likewise” to those in desperate
need. The vision is to serve Christ by establishing a church network that will meet the needs of our
neighbors affected by a disaster.
In preparation for these long-term disaster relief efforts, ADRN is developing and training a network
of churches and volunteers to organize, mobilize and connect in the event of a natural or man-made
disaster. Over the last three years, ADRN has brought emotional, physical and spiritual relief to those
devastated by fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornados. This has been accomplished through training
of volunteers to sponsor families and walk with them through the recovery. ADRN volunteers were
present after the Bastrop and Spicewood fires and relief efforts to assist the Onion Creek community are
continuing.
In February, our members will have the opportunity to become a part of the WHPC Disaster Relief
Team, which will join ADRN in their efforts. A representative from ADRN will speak briefly during worship
on February 16 and more information will be available in the parlor on that date. An orientation for those
who want to be a part of this team will be held on March 4 from 6:30 -9:30 p.m. at the church.
Interfaith Hospitality Network Coming Soon
Spring Break is often a time to travel and enjoy time with your family. As in years past, WHPC will
become home to at least four families who would otherwise not have a home for the week. Interfaith
Hospitality Network (IHN) works because of your generosity. Please consider volunteering during the
week of March 9 - 15 and help make WHPC a welcoming environment for families who need a place
to live. You and your family can help with set-up or take down, provide a meal, spend the evening
interacting with the families or spend the night. No training is required, just a willing spirit and open
heart. For more information or to volunteer, go to whpc.org/wherecaniserve.
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SESSION NEWS
Mark Charbonneau Recommended by Associate Pastor Nominating Committee
Since last summer a search committee (David Veal, Emily Steele, Todd Sorrel, Linda Rose and Ray
Mashburn) has been hard at work prayerfully discerning who God would have us call to serve as the
Designated Associate Pastor of Congregational life here at WHPC. After reviewing a great number of
resumes and conducting a handful of phone interviews, the committee has decided to recommend that
the congregation elect Mark Charbonneau to fill the position. Mark will be presented as the candidate
for the position and the congregation will have the opportunity to vote at the Annual Meeting of the
Congregation on Sunday, February 9 immediately following the 11 a.m. worship service. Congratulations
Mark!
Update from Nominating Committee for Children’s Ministry
The Nominating Committee for Children’s Ministry is beginning the search process. If you have
questions or input please talk to any of the members including Hilary Files (Chair), Andrew Assir,
Meghan Sorrel, Tish McKernan, and Carol Beckley. They will keep everyone posted as they progress.
In the meantime please pray for the team and the children of WHPC.
Pastor Nominating Committee Begins Its Journey
On December 8, 2013, the WHPC congregation elected these members to the Pastor Nominating
Committee (PNC): Shannon Livengood, Vaughn Mankey, Betty Hewell, Martha King, David Briggs, Sam
Cangelosi, Vicki Gabriel, and Phil Haag. The role of the PNC is to discern God’s call for the next senior
pastor of WHPC, subject to approval by our regional body (Mission Presbytery) and by our congregation.
The PNC is joyful about this process of discovery and discernment, committed to trust in the Word
and the Holy Spirit, knowing that the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are interceding on our behalf and that
God can do more than we ever ask or imagine. Its recent activities include:
•
•
•
•
•
an informal gathering at Betty’s home to begin to know each other better
a kick-off meeting with Marie Baker, our liaison to Mission Presbytery
a meditation devotional using verses from Romans 8
planning for our continuing spiritual preparation for our role
planning for how we will handle communications, utilize denominational resource tools, and
manage information received
• gathering of background materials useful in writing our Ministry Information Form (MIF)
The MIF describes our church and the role of senior pastor at our church. It will likely take at least 2
months to prepare and be approved by Session and by Mission Presbytery. Then it will be posted to the
Church Leadership Connection website of our national body, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), where
it will be matched with Personal Information Forms (PIF) from pastors. PIFs can also be self-referred
from pastors.
Out of respect for pastors and congregations and in keeping with guidance from our presbytery, the
PNC will keep strict confidentiality around the names and status of potential candidates for our next
senior pastor.
Stay tuned for more information about listening sessions with the congregation, how to submit names
of potential candidates (not yet), and updates on our process. Please keep our PNC, our church, and
our denomination’s pastors in your prayers.
Second Annual Elder’s Breakfast
All Elders, both current and inactive, are invited to attend the Second Annual Elder’s Breakfast on
Saturday, February 8 from 9 – 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy good food and fellowship as a
thank you for your dedicated service to Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church.
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SESSION NEWS
Congregational Meeting on February 9
Make plans to attend a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 9, immediately following the 11
a.m. worship service. The purpose of the meeting is to hear a presentation of the 2013 Annual Report,
and for the APNC to present Mark Charboneau as the candidate for the position of Designated Associate
Pastor for Congregational Life.
Welcome New Director of Outreach Events
Welcome to our new Director of Outreach Events, Kristen McMath. Kristen is a graduate of Texas Tech
University (Class of 2010). She has experience in event planning with the Gram Parsons Foundation and
the Austin Chamber Music Center. Kristen’s responsibilities at WHPC will include planning, promoting and
hosting of events designed to attract and welcome folks to WHPC. She began her part-time position on
Thursday January 16.
my
MyWHPC Event Registrations – register, pay and manage your registrations.
In this scenario our test member, Testy McTester, will register his son (Teenager McTester) and friend
(Joe Cool) for FOCUS 2014.
1) Log in to MyWHPC using your email address and password.
NOTE: You can register anyone in your family and/or guests from your login.
If you have never logged in, click the “Need a login? Click here” link to create your login.
2) From your Home tab, click “Available Registrations”
A list of all events with registration available will appear.
3) Click the “Register” button for your event.
A list of your family members will appear.
4) Use the drop-down menu beside the correct name(s) to choose the correct
registration type.
If you are registering multiple people for the same event, you can register them all together in one transaction.
Optional: add someone who is not in your family list.
5) Click the “Add” button under “Register Additional Individuals/Family”
6) Enter the additional individual’s required information and click “Add”
7) Verify that you have chosen the correct person/people to register and Click “Next”.
If there is a refund deadline, a reminder will pop up.
8) To continue registering, click “Continue”. To cancel the registration, click “Cancel”.
If there are additional questions, you will be prompted to answer them.
9) Fill in the applicable information
(required questions are marked with an asterisk * )
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10) Review the registration details. Click “Next” to continue or click “Back” to make changes.
11a) TO PAY ONLINE: Choose “Pay Online” and enter the required information then click “Next”.
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11b) TO PAY IN PERSON: Click “Pay in Person/by Mail” and click “Next”
12) View/print your confirmation
(the system will automatically send an email confirmation).
Click “Sign Out” to end your MyWHPC session.
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13) Your registration will now appear in the “My Registrations” section of your home page.
The “My Registrations” tab will list all events for which you personally are registered.
The “My Guest Registrations” tab will list all events for which your family members/guests are registered
From this section you can: edit; print receipts; make additional payments; cancel.
my
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Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church (USA)
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