Weekly News Friday, September 6th, 2013

Quick Links

www.wpcwooster.org

Worship

Sunday, September 8th

Mieke Vandersall Visit
Guest Preacher Rev. Mieke Vandersall

Sunday, September 15th
Adult and Children's Education Begins
Pastor Dries Preaching

Children's Sunday School Kickoff

All children, parents and grandparents are invited to join us for our Sunday School kickoff after worship on September 15th. Instead of meeting at our usual time of 9:45am on this first Sunday School Sunday we will meet at noon for a light lunch (pizza anyone?) and fun! Come get to know our new student intern, Evangeline Smith. Together we will talk about our plans for the fall.

Those who were with us for Blessing of the Backpacks will remember we are always surrounded by the Love of God. What does that Love call us to do and be? Together let's explore ways to show God's Love to all. Hope to see you at noon on Sunday, September 15th.

Please RSVP by contacting Beth at bcoetzee@wooster.edu or 330-287-3540.

Presbyterian Women's Bible Study with Dries

Starting September 10th at 10am in The Lounge (the second Tuesday of the month) Pastor Dries will lead the Presbyterian Women's Bible Study. We will be using the study published by Horizons entitled "An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy" by

Janice Catron. The class will continue through May 12th, 2014. The study books are available in the office.

Adult Book Study with Dries

Booktrailer: Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity

On Sunday, September 15th we will start Adult Education in The Lounge at 9:30am. This fall we will study the first section of the book Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity by David Felton. We have ordered books and they are available from the church office. Contact Dries for more information.

Study with Rev. Nthakhe

Starting October 2nd (and continuing every Wednesday in October) at 6pm in The Meeting place, you are invited for a simple meal of soup and bread and to be in conversation with the Rev. Tipi Jacob Nthakhe. Jacob will share with us his story of faith in the struggle against apartheid and how the Belhar Confession gave voice to non-violent change for the Christian Community.

Syria : Learn More

Contact your Senators and Representatives TODAY to oppose U.S. military action against Syria. Here's how.

The National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon has asked for help (PDF).

PC(USA) church partners support call for no military action in Syria. Read more.

Oppose Military Action in Syria

The U.S. Congress is expected to vote early next week on authorization of military force against Syria. While the use of chemical weapons should be unequivocally condemned, regardless of who perpetrated the attack, it is also the case that many states have helped fuel the armed conflict in Syria by sending weapons to the region. Instead of exacerbating the conflict with military strikes, the United States should seek an international agreement on an arms embargo and back dialogue that alone can end the horrific violence.

As Christians we are called to be disciples of peace.

Over 4,400 Presbyterians sent messages last week to congress and the administration opposing military action. Now, we need you to call your member of congress and urge them to vote against the resolution to use force against Syria! Please forward this alert along to friends and family!

Click here to call your members of congress!

Continue Reading the Action Alert ...>>>

Message from Dries

In this issue of the Weekly News both Evangeline Smith, Westminster's College of Wooster student intern, and I will attempt to answer the question of why it is important for Westminster to join More Light Presbyterians and renew our commitment to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians this coming weekend. After reading what we have to say, I invite you to participate in the conversation and share your opinion on the Westminster Blog.

On the Westminster website homepage, we greet visitors with a statement about our inclusivity. We state that we are "accepting of all people regardless of race, creed, age, cultural background, or sexual orientation". We also state that we are a "place where you can be yourself, where you will be accepted, and where you can make a difference!" Even more, as people come to worship they are greeted with a banner outside Mackey Hall stating that Westminster is an "Intentionally Inclusive Church". These are powerful words about our identity, our desire to be welcoming and inclusive, and our calling as a community of faith to practice extravagant hospitality.

The reality is that there are many churches and organizations that claim that "All Are Welcome" only for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) sisters and brothers to be met by indifference and hostility. People who identify as LGBTQ are being denied the expression of who they are as children of God with their full selves. To me, this sad reality is how we as a Church have misinterpreted God and alienated sons and daughters from God's infinitely loving embrace. For churches to claim this "worldly" acceptance is not enough, as the invitation of Jesus is to embrace acceptance that leads to reconciliation. It is for this reason that the time has come for Westminster to reaffirm its long history of faithful inclusion, by reaffirming our commitment to people who identify as LGBTQ.

As a church we believe that reconciliation is the heart of the Gospel message. We believe that Jesus showed us how to live and invited us to celebrate God's living presence among us as he broke down the walls of hostility that divide and exclude others. As we follow in the ways of Jesus, the great reconciler, we are called to actively restore broken relationships. We are called to affirm LGBTQ people as children of God, able to serve with their full selves in church and society and to give expression to their love and affection in marriage if they so desire.

With this reaffirmation, we also apologize to our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and confess our apathy at times. As a congregation we have not always consistently spoken God's prophetic word against injustice, intolerance, exclusion, and hate, as we been at times too occupied in saving the church as an institution. We have often forgotten the words of Jesus; "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25).

With this reaffirmation we also express our thankfulness as a congregation towards the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and More Light Presbyterians for their faithful work towards full inclusion of LGBTQ people in our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and society.

With this reaffirmation, we as a church also recommit ourselves to the ways of Jesus of Nazareth with our sense of hospitality and our desire to be a welcoming and inclusive church for all, regardless of race, creed, age, cultural background, or sexual orientation.

I am looking forward to seeing you on Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm and on Sunday morning as we welcome the Rev. Mieke Vandersall back to Westminster.

Blessings,

Dries

PS: I would love to hear from you on our Blog!

Completely and Radically Welcomed

Evangeline Smith

My answer to why I think it is important for Westminster to become more inclusive towards LGBTQ individuals through becoming More Light and by reaffirming its commitment to the Covenant Network involves me sharing my story. A story that would have been unheard of a decade ago, and that is still pretty rare today. Over and over again you hear stories from people who have been rejected by their church, who feel like they have to hide their whole truth from their religious community in fear that they will no longer be welcomed.

My story has been made possible by many people. People I know and people who I will never know. My story is about coming out. It's about being loved, validated, accepted, and even celebrated in the church.

I grew up in Madison, WI, which is known for being home to the first openly gay senator Tammy Baldwin. I grew up having dinner conversations about theology, church politics, and creating a more loving church with my pastor father, and seminary grad mother. I have parents who would care much more about the tattoo I got without telling them than they cared about me being gay.

I came out for the first time at church camp. Of all places. I was always taught that the church is a community where it is okay to ask questions, it is okay to challenge ideas, and most importantly that we are all God's beloved children. I was part of a youth group that talked about political issues surrounding gay rights and discussed in length the role the church plays. When I came out to my youth pastor, she did nothing but smile. The news I was sharing with her was equivalent to sharing any other truth, one that should be celebrated.

When I asked Dries why Westminster wasn't More Light he quickly got back to me and said, "Lets do it! This is the time!"

It wasn't until going to General Assembly last summer that I discovered that the church is not always so LGBTQ friendly. Not just any church, but my church, the Presbyterian Church. I was shocked. I knew that there were some conservative people who passionately "quote" the Bible and argue against the "gay lifestyle" but I was not fully aware it was widespread, across all denominations. I was living in this blind liberal bubble!

I'm not advocating that everyone grow up in Madison, WI and be raised by my liberal parents, have my experiences, and be gay.

I am advocating for love in hopes that the story that I just shared, my story, stops being the unusual story. I hope that through action, like the action Westminster is publicly taking this weekend, that my story becomes a common story. That kids, young adults, adults, and parents can look to their church community, to their faith traditions, and to their religious leaders and feel completely and radically welcomed.

Evangeline Smith

A Call To Action

Stated Clerk on Syria - 09/03/13

The Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is urging people to personally engage Congress about Syria and to pray.

Take action now.

September Sign Up for Sundays

We need your help as we have many opportunities still available for the month of September. We are still in need of Sunday flowers, greeters before worship, and goodies for fellowship time after worship.
If you are able to help, please sign up through Sign up Genius, the signup sheet at the refreshment table after church, or by contacting Carly Jones at 330-263-2398 or e-mail at cjones@wooster.edu.

Westminster striving to be a true Community of Hospitality

Gay Flag & Cross

This coming weekend Westminster Presbyterian Church, is looking to recommit itself to the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in the life, ministry, and witness of the church and society.

On Saturday afternoon, September 7th at 3:00pm

Westminster will host a discussion on Marriage Equality with Equality Ohio, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and the Rev. Mieke Vandersall in the Lounge of the Westminster Church House.

On Sunday morning, September 8th at 9:30am Mieke will moderate a special meeting of our Session in The Lounge. All are welcome to join us as we:

1. Reaffirm Westminster's January 2001 unanimous endorsement of the "Call to Covenant Community" of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians (see attached).

2. Endorse the mission statement of More Light Presbyterians: "Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society."

Following the Session meeting at 10:45am we will join in worship with Mieke preaching during a communion worship service with Pastor Andries Coetzee and College of Wooster sophomore Evangeline Smith assisting. A reception will follow worship.

Mieke is the Executive Director of Presbyterian Welcome, an Mieke-Vandersall organization that works for the full participation of individuals in contexts of faith, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. As followers of Christ, convinced by Scripture, they labor for a world where all persons might live into the calling that God has placed in their hearts. They are a resource, training current and future leaders of church and society.

A graduate of The College of Wooster, she arrived in New York City in 1998 and began working with the international human rights organization, the National Labor Committee. Called back to serve the Presbyterian Church, she began her studies at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and was ordained in 2004. Mieke has served the Presbyterian Church (USA) in various capacities. She is the founder of Not So Churchy and is a subject in the feature-length documentary Out of Order. In her free time she plays with yarn and beads, practices her fiddle and studies karate. She is also the Board President for the Center for Anti-Violence Education. If you are interested in her writing you can read her blog at www.pastorized.com.

Westminster supports Presbyterian Welcome

Presby welcome This past summer Westminster supported Presbyterian Welcome financially, as in past years, to fund their annual retreat. This donation helps make it possible for more than 40 future LGBTQ pastors to travel to the mountains of Georgia to find community, training, and hope.

The process to become an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is anything but easy. But when you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, it is significantly more difficult, especially if you try it alone. The retreat offers a space where LGBTQ future pastors can discern how to move forward in their ordination processes, learn hard and fast skills for current and future ministry, and hear from LGBTQ clergy who have gone before them.

When asked what participants would like to say to supporting organizations and congregations, they said:

*Throughout the year, I often doubt my call to ministry. It is easy to do in a world and a church that constantly say that you are unworthy to lead. But in those moments of doubt, I connect with the friends and mentors I've met through Presbyterian Welcome, and I am reaffirmed and renewed. This Retreat is a life-giving experience and is an essential element of my discernment process.

* From the moment I arrived I felt so blessed by the community of my LGBTQ sisters and brothers in Christ. Before that I really did feel a sense of isolation in the church, not knowing where to turn for support, but certain of God's call on me. This retreat gives me vision and inspiration for the future of the church and my future in it. Thank you for your support of who I am and the gifts I bring to service in our church. Because of your support and care I feel loved, affirmed, and validated.

* I am humbled and blown away that so many congregations, organizations, and individuals stepped courageously and faithfully forward to support LGBTQ candidates and inquirers in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Your sponsorship is an awesome testimony to your deep desire to foster the radical welcome, inclusivity, and equality to which Jesus Christ calls the church. This retreat was the single most-important weekend in my call process.

* I don't know that there are enough words to adequately thank those who support this retreat. It provides community to those who frequently feel alone, support as we go through this process, and mentors and role models who help us actually see ourselves in the pulpit, or the classroom, or the non-profit world. It's impossible to overstate just how important that vision and this support can be, especially to those of us who aren't in larger communities of LGBTQ folks all the time. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this meeting of people possible. The future of the church is in this retreat, and we are fed and inspired when we gather.

* This retreat was so important to my spiritual health in reminding me that I am a beloved child of God, worthy of my call, and affirming the gifts I offer. I cannot thank everyone enough who contributed so that I could attend the retreat. I am so blessed to have spent time with these amazing siblings in Christ.

* There are no words that I can use that would really say thank you that would be enough. To know there is a group of people who you can totally trust and feel accepted no matter what is the most invaluable thing I have experienced. Ever. What you do is not only give money, but tell me that I'm supported in my ministry in an aspect that I'm taught, traditionally, that I should not be.

* I'm pretty sure I'm going to look back on this year's retreat as a key moment in my life for decades to come; to those who have made that possible, my utmost thanks, beyond words.

Upcoming Events

Ecumenical Prayer Vigil and Procession

In support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Friday - September 6th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Join Westminster's Immigration Advocacy Group as we will participate in an Ecumenical Prayer Vigil and Procession Friday, September 6. Procession begins at Emmanuel United Methodist Church located at 322 Cleveland Avenue, Ashland, Ohio and proceeds to Representative Bob Gibbs Office located at 110 Cottage Street, Ashland.

The prayer vigil will include participants from various faith traditions and will feature speakers and representatives from the local communities including business leaders and affected family members. The purpose of the prayer vigil is to raise awareness with the goal of bringing justice to the immigration system with basis in the following principles:

Provides a path to citizenship for undocumented persons in the country;
Preserves family unity as a corner-stone of our national immigration system;
Provides legal paths for low-skilled immigrant workers to come and work in the United States;
Restores due process protections to our immigration enforcement policies;
Addresses the root causes (push factors) of migration, such as persecution and economic disparity

Contact Elaine Smith Snyder if you are interested in joining the Westminster delegation or Carly Jones at cjones@wooster.edu or 330-263-2398.

Sponsored by: Immigrant Worker Project (IWP); Open Arms Ministry; Salem Mennonite Church of Wooster; Catholic Diocese of Cleveland; Lutheran Church of the Covenant of Maple Heights; and The Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron.

Going Once - Going Twice - Sold to the Lady in the ...

Westminster's Benefit Auction is fast approaching and your donated items are coming in well. Some lucky bidders will walk away with an original painting, hand-made crocheted or knitted goods, jewelery, ceramics, a waterside vacation cottage, or dinner for two, just to name a few.

If you have not come up with the perfect idea for a donation, consider a theme gift basket such as a Family Fun Night basket, made up of snacks, tickets to a local athletic event, a gift certificate from Family Video, movie tickets, a board game - or perhaps an Italian dinner basket containing pasta, jarred sauce, chips and dips, a bottle of wine, etc. Or, prepare and freeze your famous lasagna or soup, or perhaps bake a cake or a pie to be auctioned off to some lucky person.

If you would like to participate click here to print the contribution form (pdf), or complete the one included in your bulletin. Forms can be returned to Sue Coleman, Shelley Peterson, Lemoine Peart, Linda Barbu, or Christine Jones.

Author Paul Loeb on Campus

On Sept. 30th, Paul Loeb, author of multiple books on themes surrounding citizenship will give a public lecture at the College of Wooster.

Loeb focuses largely on how people get involved in larger community issues and what stops them from getting involved; how they burn out in exhaustion or maintain commitment for the long haul; how civic involvement can give a sense of connection and purpose rare in purely personal life. He explores how students and citizens in general can gain the moral, political, and intellectual tools to take responsibility for the future. Learn more about Loeb at: www.paulloeb.org

We hope you will consider attending and encouraging others to attend! Please help us spread the word!

Come out and support our Troop 61 as they celebrate their 100th anniversary by attending the Spaghetti Supper.

When: Monday October 7th 5:00-7:30 PM

Where: Kittredge Dinning Hall (On the College of Wooster Campus, 535 E. Wayne Ave)

What: Spaghetti, Salad, Rolls, Ice Cream, Drinks. (Vegetarian sauce will be available.)

Tickets: Adults $8.00, Children $5.00 (under 5 free)

All of the proceeds assist the troop with purchase of equipment. This is our main fundraiser for the year.

Interested in Tickets: Let Jack Veney (johnveney@gmail.com 330-641-2303) know, or see any member of the troop.

Collections

People to People Ministries

Food: Jelly, cereal, complete pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal, crackers, canned fruit, peanut butter, canned soups, and pork and beans

Personal Products: Cleaning supplies, diapers (all sizes), toilet paper, paper towels, deodorant, and feminine products

Household Items: SHORTAGE of ITEMS...King Sheet Sets, Bed Pillows, Adult Sleeping Bags, Dish Sets, drapes, shower curtain liners, toasters, coffee pots, pots and pans, large skillets, pitchers, electric sweepers, and food storage containers.

Clothing: We need adult and children's white socks, men's boxers, boy's boxers size 18-20, boys underwear size 8, women's underwear size 5, girl's underwear sizes 4, 5, and 6, men's jeans sizes
29, 30, 32, and men's tennis shoes size 12.

Passing on the Faith: Teaching the next Generation [1]

Passing on the Faith: Teaching the next Generation is a series of articles published on Patheos.com from scholars, practitioners, teachers, and parents from diverse traditions and perspectives to share their wisdom, insights, and best practices as they discern; "How do we pass on our faith to children? This is a question most religious traditions care about deeply. We are concerned, perhaps, for our children's spiritual well-being, their moral grounding and behavior, and perhaps for the ultimate state of their souls. Without the commitment, creativity, and zeal of the next generation, our own values and beliefs may die with us. But what is the best way to communicate faith? If faith is 'caught, not taught,' then what can we do to make our spirituality contagious?"

Gleaning New Truths from the Old Stories

Melvin Bray

There's a part of me that worries my children might grow up to not have faith. I imagine this is a concern at the top of a lot of lists of people who regularly pour into the lives of kids. ...>>>

Read previous contributions here.

Green Tip of the Week

Tips for a Green Fall

It's that time of year again! Kids and teachers across the country are heading back to school. You can learn and have fun while making a difference in the quality of the environment in your community, participate in competitions, and more. Here are some cool things to do inside and outside of the classroom.

Presbyterian Church (USA) Weekly Blogs:

The ethics of a Syrian military intervention: The experts respond

09-04-2013 09:16:41 AM

September 4, 2013 Religion News Service Yonat Shimron WASHINGTON As the Obama administration readies for a probable military strike against Syria, Religion News Service asked a panel of theologians and policy experts whether the U.S. should intervene in Syria in light of the regime's use of chemical weapons against civilians. Would the "Just War" doctrine justify U.S. military action, and what is America's moral responsibility? Here are their responses, which have been edited for clarity. ...�

A Season of Peace to begin Sept. 8

09-04-2013 09:16:41 AM

Four-week program will provide peacemaking resources to congregations, small groups, families September 3, 2013 Contact: Lacey Gilliam Administrative Assistant for Special Offerings LOUISVILLE For the second year in a row, A Season of Peace will offer Presbyterians an opportunity to deepen their pursuit of peace in congregations, small groups, families and themselves. ...�

New Being Reformed study illuminates the Advent season

09-04-2013 09:16:41 AM

Study shines light on biblical and theological themes relating to Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany September 3, 2013 Congregational Ministries Publishing Robin Rueff Louisville Newly available from the best-selling Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding is the series' first Advent study, Illuminating Advent. ...�

Mark your calendar

Sunday, September 15th: Sunday School for all ages begins.

Thursday, September 19th: Vegan Potluck

Sunday, September 29th: Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Auction & Lunch. We also welcome Rev.Tipi Jacob Nthakhe from South Africa.

Friday, October 4th - Sunday, October 6th: Working for a Just & Peaceful World: A Weekend of Workshops Featuring J. Herbert Nelson.

Sunday, October 13: Open the Door to Equality Rally (Telling Our Stories). Rally will begin at 3:45pm with one or two pieces by the combined UU/Westminster Presbyterian choirs. Speakers, including Pastor Dries, will begin at 4:00 pm.

What's happening at Westminster this week?

All events can also be found on our website

www.wpcwooster.org
We hope to see you there!

Friday, September 6, 2013

3:00pm - Ecumenical Prayer Vigil and Procession for Immigration Reform at Emmanuel UMC in Ashland

Saturday, September 7, 2013

3:00pm - Public meeting with the Rev. Mieke Vandersall in partnership with Equality Ohio and PFLAG in The Lounge

Sunday, September 8, 2013

9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall

9:30am - Special Called Meeting of Session in the Lounge.

10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall. Rev. Mieke Vandersall preaching.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

10:00am - Women's Bible Study in The Lounge

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
5:00pm - Personnel Committee Meeting in the Pastor's Study
7:00pm- Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
8:00pm - Worship Committee Meeting in The Lounge

Thursday, September 12, 2013

7:00pm - Dance Group in Mackey Hall

Sunday, September 15, 2013

9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Adult Education in the Lounge
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall. Pastor Dries Preaching

12:00pm - Children's Sunday School Kickoff
12:00pm - Deacon's Meeting in Mackey kitchen

"We are an Intentionally Inclusive Church"

Westminster Presbyterian Church embraces the "house" metaphor for our community as we worship at the Westminster Church House and have a strong sense of hospitality and desire to be a welcoming and inclusive church for all. We endeavor to give voice to a "progressive" expression of Christianity that emphasizes among other things:

intellectual integrity in matters of faith;
acceptance of all people regardless of race, creed, age, cultural background, or sexual orientation;
openness toward the value of other religious traditions;
a strong commitment to social justice, peacemaking, and the care of our planet.

Sincerely,

Andries J. Coetzee
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church

353 East Pine Street, Wooster, OH 44691

acoetzee@wooster.edu