Westminster World 

Worship At Westminster 

(Listen to past sermons on our website)

Westminster Presbyterian Church is a safe place for all people  

to worship regardless of race, creed, age, cultural background  

or sexual orientation.  

Sunday, February 5, 10:45am - Scout Sunday - Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday 

The Scouts of Pack 61 will lead us in worship.  The Souper Bowl
of Caring will also be collected. 

Sunday, February 12, 10:45am - Communion
Pastor Dries will be preaching from  Mark 1:40-45
Quote:

"The kingdom means freedom also for lepers. They are not the last group to be ostracised because of their illness. Most people who live with a disability can tell stories about being ostracised, especially if that disability is to be seen. People with AIDS carry
a similar stigma."  From  "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Epiphany 6, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia. 

 

Sunday, February 19, 10:45am - Transfiguration of the Lord   

 Pastor Dries will be preaching from Mark 2:1-12  

 Quote:

 "Perhaps that is what some of us and our congregations need: to be interrupted by human need to remind us what we are about. In the minds of the many "paralytics" of need in our societies: what do we have to do to be heard? Unroof the churches!"  From  "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Epiphany 7, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.

Potluck meal at 6:00pm in The Meeting Place followed by a meditative Ash Wednesday Service with a combined choir and Pastor Dries and Bruce Ballantine (Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church) leading worship.      

Sunday, February 26, 10:45am - First Sunday in Lent 

A Lenten Carbon Fast

"Forty days of Lent. Nine hundred and sixty hours. Fifty-seven thousand, six hundred minutes. This time before Easter is one for reflecting on and fasting from the actions, objects, or attitudes in our life that separate us from God. For many, it is also a time of renewal and reconnection, to our Creator and the great gift of creation.  Marjorie Thompson writes in her book Soul Feast, "For the early church, Lent was just the opposite of a dreary season of restriction. It was understood as an opportunity to return to...the life of natural communion with God that was lost to us in the Fall." In this view, Lent is a time to restore our life of natural communion with God, which includes understanding both our limits and the limits of God's creation. One way to celebrate Lent, therefore, is to practice practical ways of honoring those limits. The spiritual practice of fasting, accompanied by prayer and meditation, moves us to be more open to the will of God in our lives. Fasting helps us listen to what God wants us to be and to do." During Lent this year, we invite you to try a "fast from carbon," that is, to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you put into the atmosphere. You will receive more information in the Weekly e-mail of Friday, February 24.   

Theme from and quotations from: http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/caring-for-gods-creation/a-lenten-carbon-fast/ 

Adult Education

Children and Youth Ministry  

Children's Sunday School - 9:45 in the Upstairs Room  

  The month of February our children will be thinking and talking about other children:

• children who are less fortunate than they,
• children who are forced into being child soldiers,
• children who must endure oppression and loss.

This month we will learn about how we can help by participating in

• The Souper Bowl of Caring, tackling hunger and poverty in our own community;
• Red Hand Day, to say NO to child recruitment and the use of child soldiers;
• Preparing for a visit from Hedy Epstein, peace activist and holocaust survivor.

See you at Sunday School! Blessed are the peacemakers.  

Youth Sunday School - 9:45am in Pastor Dries' Office  

The month of February our youth will continue their study with pastor Dries entitled:  Toward a More Humane Future, on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for use by individuals or groups.  The 210th General Assembly (1998) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to "celebrate the affirmation of the dignity and value of human life affirmed in the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' and the  International Bill of Human Rights, rejoicing in the hope that has been given to multitudes around the world; grateful for the vision that still inspires those who work and hope for a more humane future for all."

The Bible does not use the phrase "human rights." However, Jesus stated, "I have come in order that you might have life in all its fullness." He proclaimed that his calling included release of the captives, sight for the blind, and liberty for the oppressed. With these words, Jesus expressed his concern for what is ours because we are created as God's children-and that is the realm of human rights. The biblical concepts of justice, freedom, peace, and security further ground our commitment to human rights.   

As part f this study our youth will also prepare for the  the visit from Hedy Epstein, peace activist and holocaust survivor.

Childcare during Sunday Morning Worship 

We are excited to announce the hiring of two new Interns who will provide childcare during Sunday morning worship, Jessica Jackson and Samantha Murdock. Samantha, a first year student, grew up Presbyterian and is from Dayton, OH. She wrote "I would be thrilled to accept this position. I believe it is not only a great opportunity for me but will also be very fun for me and help me to get to know more community members." Jessica, a senior from Atlanta, GA wrote; "I find that Pastor Dries' statement of us all being God's children to be extremely important and I truly agree with this. I appreciate that this church aims to make people feel that no matter what their religion, creed, race, or sexual orientation is that they are welcomed in this house of God and will be accepted and loved. It is definitely my personal mission to make everyone I am in contact with feel the same way, cared for and loved in spite of our flaws and differences. One of the reasons God has placed me in this world is to love others, especially those that aren't always accepted and valued because I believe that God creates everyone and everything with a purpose. Working with children is my first step in fostering the growth of this seed, God's purpose in them and helping to instill in them compassion, zest for learning, and most importantly God's love." Both these students are warm, enthusiastic young women who care deeply about young children. Make it a point to welcome them.  

 Mackey Hall 

Westminster Missions 

Middle East Peace   

Westminster Trip to Israel-Palestine, May 14th - May 31 2012 

Westminster's 2010 trip to Israel-Palestine at Sabeel

Westminster Presbyterian Church's trip to Israel-Palestine is planned for May 14 to May 31, 2012. On this trip we will spend time in Madaba and Amman, Jordan; Bethlehem, Hebron, Al Tuwani village, Ramallah, Qalqilya and Jericho in the West Bank; East and West Jerusalem, the Old City of Jerusalem, International Zone; Jaffa, Tel Aviv, and Capernaum, and the Sea of Galilee in Israel. We will have occasion to visit some of the world's oldest churches two of which are the Church of Nativity and the Holy Sepulcher.

Westminster' Overture Approved by our Presbytery 

The following is Nahida Gordon's presentation to the Presbytery of Muskingum Valley on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.  At this meeting  Westminster's overture was approved by a majority vote of the presbytery. The overture reads: "The 220th (2012) General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes that Israel's laws, policies, and practices constitute apartheid against the Palestinian people.  

The General Assembly urges its members, congregations, presbyteries, synods, and national staff units, including the Office of Interfaith Relations, to study this matter and to seek appropriate ways to bring an end to Israeli apartheid."

Nahida's Presentation:  My fellow Presbyterians, from the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church and from "the heart of Palestinian suffering"[1], I present to you today with faith, hope, and love.  Apartheid is the separation of groups of people by ethnic and or racial characteristics and the subjugation of one group by the other. Using my personal observations and information from Israeli, Palestinian, and international human rights groups, I will describe the reality of apartheid in Palestine.  The separation barrier erected on Palestinian land has turned its towns and villages into prison-like separatedand dispersed cantons. Gazans live under inhuman conditions created by an Israeli permanent blockade. The Israeli only road system crisscrosses the West Bank and connects the illegal Israeli settlements with each other and with Israel while denying Palestinians access to these roads which also serve as a barrier restricting Palestinian free movement within the West Bank. Families are separated from each other making normal family life impossible. Continue reading Nahida's article bellow.  

Hedy Epstein, peace activist and holocaust survivor, will present at Westminster in Mackey Hall March 4th at 7 pm.  Hedy began speaking to audiences in 1970. Her topics include her Nazi Holocaust experiences, her work at the Nuremberg Medical Trial, and her five trips to Palestine since 2003. Equally conversant in English and German, she has spoken in the US, Germany, and Austria to audiences of schoolchildren, college students, and adults. In addition, she has appeared on several radio and television shows as a guest. She is a member of the Speakers Bureau of the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center.

In addition to speaking locally, nationally, and internationally, Hedy has appeared on local, national, and international radio and TV programs as a guest.

Hedy has received many awards. Among the most recent ones are the 2005 Imagine Life "Education through Media Award" and the 2008 American Friends Service Committee's "Inspiration for Hope Award."  Read more about Hedy below. 

Immigration Advocacy    

Westminster Presbyterian Church's immigration advocacy peace initiative belongs to Presbyterians for Just Immigration. If you would like to be an individual member of PFJI, you may register at the site. Also, go to our own  Immigration Advocacy at the Westminster Presbyterian Church website for current national immigration information.

1. The WPC BorderLinks Peace Initiative is pleased to announce that the Westminster delegation for the 2012 BorderLinks program is almost filled. There are some spaces remaining (the group is limited to 13 delegates).

Please contact Cheryl Weiss if you would like to attend or would like more information. (Dates: March 10-17, 2012).

2. On Thursday night, February 23rd, at 6:00pm sixteen members of Westminster will participate in a fundraising dinner for Open Arms Hispanic Ministries at Das Dutch Kitchen in Dalton, Ohio. The dinner will be free of charge and guests will be asked to make a donation to support the ministry.
3. Thank you to all who supported the CASA luch box program this advent season for a total contribution of $55 to send to the Children's Food Security program in Nogales, Mexico.

Fellowship  

Scouting

On Sunday, February 5th, Scouts from Troop 61 will lead worship at Westminster. The Boy Scouts of America celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scout program by Lord Baden Powell in England, annually in the month of February. Scout Sunday was added to the scout celebration around the middle 1940s. Scouting's anniversary is celebrated on February 8. Scout Sunday is always the Sunday preceding the 8th, unless the 8th is a Sunday, in which case the 8th would be Scout Sunday. Scout Sunday tradition was started to make people in church aware of Scouting, and to allow Scouts to live out parts of what is pledged each week. The Scout Law says that a "Scout  

is Reverent" and Scouts of all ages promise to do their "Duty to God". These values strengthen youth character in their family, community, and faith.   

You Can Make A Difference! 

Donate New or Gently-Used Children's Books   

For the past few years, I have enjoyed volunteering at Every Woman's House, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Many of the women staying at the shelter bring their young children with them. I am currently working to organize a children's library for all
of the residents. As such, I would greatly appreciate
the donation of new or gently-used children's books.  Additionally, if anyone has an extra bookcase they'd like to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be given to me at church any Sunday. I'd like to have the library up and running by the end of February. Thank you for your support!  Catherine Gillette

 Upcoming Meals 

Spring Mission Meals     

To better coordinate the social justice work of our congregation and to be more accessible to students, we will again hold joint Missions meetings this Spring. These meetings will take place on Thursday, February 9 and Thursday, April 12.  Please put these dates on your calendar. The evening will start at 5:00pm with a joint meeting between our General Mission Committee and the three Peace Initiatives in The Lounge. Then from 6:00pm until 7:00pm  we will share in a simple pot luck meal in The Meeting Place. Please bring a dish to share! We invite all to participate in the evening program and most of all, the meal. It's also a great time to connect with our Interns. 

Vegan Meal, February 16th  

 

The "regulars" of the Vegan Meal Group would like to invite you to join us at our next vegan potluck on Thursday, February 16th, at 6:00 p.m. in Mackey Hall. We have discovered that the meals are as much an opportunity for fellowship with members of our congregation and with increasing numbers of students (who like to be fed!) as anything else.

In fact, the majority of us are not vegans. We simply enjoy each other's company, trying interesting recipes, and meeting C.O.W. students as we explore an ever-widening array of flavors within a plant-based diet. Our interests range from sustainable living to healthy eating to simply a love of good food and good company.

Bring any vegan dish you wish (containing no meat, dairy, or eggs). See our website for recipe ideas.

This month, Karen Hahn will share with us her success with worm composting. We look forward to seeing you on the 16th.

Upcoming Events 

Support Ohioans for Marriage Equality 

Hedy Epstein to visit Westminster the Weekend of March 4th 

Hedy at age 14

Hedy Epstein (n�e Wachenheimer) was born August 15, 1924 in Freiburg, Germany. She lived with her parents Ella and Hugo Wachenheimer in Kippenheim, Germany. Her family had lived in Germany for many generations. Both sides of the family originally came from Spain. Hedy's father operated a dry-goods business with his brother. The business had been started by his grandfather Heinrich Wachenheimer in 1858. Hedy's mother was a housewife. Hedy was their only child. Hedy was 8 years old when Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany on January 30, 1933. She remembers her parents and other adults talking about Hitler, saying that they hoped he would not gain power in Germany, and then, after he did, hoping that he would not remain in office very long. After that January day, things began to get slowly worse for Jews and other minorities in Germany. A boycott of Jewish businesses. Anti-semitism in schools. Revocation of German citizenship for all Jews. Kristallnacht, known today as Reichsprogromnacht in Germany. Burning of synagogues. Jewish males over the age of 16 placed into "Schutzhaft," or "protective custody," in concentration camps throughout Germany. Finally, all Jews deported into labor or concentration camps. The death of 6 million Jews and 5 million others in those camps. On May 18, 1939, Hedy went to England on a children's transport. Five hundred children were on this transport, part of the almost 10,000 children that England took in between December 1938 and September 1, 1939, the beginning of World War II. Hedy's parents had tried for many years to leave Germany as a family, but were unsuccessful, due to emigration restrictions in various countries around the world. Finally, after consulting with the 14-year-old Hedy, her parents found a way out for her on the children's transport. Hedy never saw her family again. Hedy's parents and other family members were deported on

Hedy's family, soon after arriving in Gurs

October 22, 1940 to Camp de Gurs, a concentration camp in what was then Vichy France. France at that time was occupied by the Nazis. Men and women were separated by barbed wire. Living conditions were horrendous. Hedy, however, did not learn of this until after the war. Due to an aberration of the war, inmates of the camp in Gurs could correspond with the outside world. Each person was allowed to write one page each week. Hedy's parents sent her letters for the next two years, but they were careful not to mention the atrocious living conditions they had to endure. They wanted to protect their daughter. In the spring of 1941, Hedy's father was sent to another camp in France, Camp les Milles. In July 1942 Hedy's mother was sent to Camp de Rivesaltes. Between August and September 1942, Hedy's parents and all other surviving family members were sent to the concentration camp Auschwitz. Inmates were not allowed to correspond with the outside world. None was ever heard from again.  The last communication Hedy ever received from her mother was a postcard dated September 4, 1942. The postcard said, "Traveling to the east ... Sending you a final goodbye." Hedy spent the rest of World War II in England. She went to school and then went to work in a variety of jobs, including a factory producing war materials. Once the war was over, Hedy went back to Germany to work for the American government. First she was with the U.S. Civil Censorship Division, and later she worked at the Nuremberg Medical Trial, which tried the doctors accused of performing medical experiments on concentration camp inmates. Part of her reason for returning to Germany was to find her family, but she was unsuccessful. Hedy came to the United States in May 1948. Her only living relatives were an uncle and an aunt who had emigrated to the US in early 1938. Once here, she worked in a variety of jobs. Although she did not realize it at the time, many of those jobs were part of her quest to find her parents and her family. Soon, Hedy became active professionally and personally in the causes of civil and human rights and social justice. Some of her causes have included fair housing, abortion rights, and antiwar activities. As a peace delegate, Hedy journeyed to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Cambodia in 1989. Hedy visited the Israeli Occupied West Bank five times since 2003, to witness the facts on the ground. She participated in several non-violent demonstrations, together with Israelis, Palestinians and other internationals, in opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, the 25-foot high cement wall, and the demolition of Palestinian homes and olive orchards.

Hedy protesting the deportation of Haitians

 Hedy began speaking to audiences in 1970. Her topics include her Nazi Holocaust experiences, her work at the Nuremberg Medical Trial, and her five trips to Palestine since 2003. Equally conversant in English and German, she has spoken in the US, Germany, and Austria to audiences of schoolchildren, college students, and adults. In addition, she has appeared on several radio and television shows as a guest. She is a member of the Speakers Bureau of the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. In addition to speaking locally, nationally, and internationally, Hedy has appeared on local, national, and international radio and TV programs as a guest. She has written many articles on social issues which have been published in local, national and international newspapers and journals. In addition, Hedy's autobiography was published in May 1999 by

Hedy today

Unrast-Verlag, a German company. The book, titled Erinnern ist nicht genug: Autobiographie von Hedy Epstein ("Remembering Is Not Enough: The Autobiography of Hedy Epstein"), is available in German. The book, written by Hedy, covers her entire life and her experiences. It's ISBN is 3-928300-86-5. Hedy is also a contributor to several current & forthcoming books.  Hedy has received many awards. Among the most recent ones are the 2005 Imagine Life "Education through Media Award" and the 2008 American Friends Service Committee's "Inspiration for Hope Award."

Continuing Articles

[2] From The Bethlehem Call The Bethlehem Call: Here We Stand--Stand with Us, Written by Kairos Palestine, December 13, 2011. Accessed 1/19/2012. http://globalministries.org/news/mee/the-bethlehem-call-here-we.html

Contact Us

For more information please contact: