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Weekly News Friday, September 13th, 2013
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Worship
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Sunday, September 15th
Adult and Children's Education Begins
Pastor Dries preaching
Sunday, September 22nd
Pastor Dries preaching
Sunday, September 29
Pastor Dries preaching as we welcome the Rev. Tipi Jacob Nthakhe in worship.
Sunday, October 6
World Communion Sunday with a joint worship service at First Presbyterian Church.
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Deacon's Meeting
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Just a reminder that there will be a Deacon's meeting after worship on Sunday in the kitchen.
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Adult Book Study with Dries
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 | | 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.
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Confession of Belhar
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 The PC(USA) is considering whether to recommend the inclusion of the Belhar Confession in the Book of Confessions. As churches we are encouraged to study the Confession of Belhar.
"All Christians should heed their voice for the church's unity and against the corrosive ideology of racial division," said Charles Wiley, coordinator, Office of Theology and Worship, PC(USA). ...>>>
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Study with Rev. Nthakhe
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 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.
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The Word Queer
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M any of us asked Mike last week about her use of the word queer. Here is the article she quoted written by John Russell Stanger, Organizer of Mission & Advocacy for Presbyterian Welcome in NYC:
 "The word "queer" has been seen and heard more in public discourse as of late and garners all sorts of reactions. Some are (for good reason) offended by its particular historical use as a pejorative against themselves or those they love. Many non-queers, uncomfortable by its current constructive use, leverage its historical usage against it being reclaimed. Nevertheless, here we have "The Queer Issue" of Kairos and a new student group, Queer Alliance, so something must be said about this queer word." ....>>>
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Habitat Ecumenical Build Update
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Here is the Habitat Update from Friday, September 6th: We poured footers at Mechanicsburg Rd on Wednesday and block was delivered to site on Thursday. Masons will be working on Foundations beginning today. We should be parging and tarring walls next Saturday. Check out the Habitat pictures on Shutterfly.
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| Mark your calendar |
Sunday, September 29th:
Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Auction & Lunch. We also welcome Rev. Tipi Jacob Nthakhe from South Africa.
Wednesday, October 2nd:
Conversations with Rev. Tipi Jacob Nthakhe.
Friday, October 4th - Sunday, October 6th:
Working for a Just & Peaceful World: A Weekend of Workshops Featuring J. Herbert Nelson. Worship will be at First Presbyterian Church.
Sunday, October 13th: 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.
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| Gifts of the Heart |
On Sunday, September 22nd after worship we will assemble the "Gift of the Heart" school kits that we have been collecting over the summer. These kits provide some of the basic supplies needed for children in refugee camps. Many of you helped us in providing supplies and now we could use some help in assembling them.
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Children's Sunday School Kickoff
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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, and Emily Golba, our childcare provider. 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 330-317-9914.
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| Westminster supports Immigration Reform |
On Friday, September 6th, Elaine Smith Snyder and Cheryl Weiss represented Westminster Presbyterian Church at an ecumenical prayer vigil and procession to Representative Robert Gibbs' office in Ashland, Ohio. During the procession, selected church leaders met with Representative Gibbs' staff to encourage support of immigration reform legislation. Approximately sixty representatives from Presbyterian, Catholic, Unitarian, Mennonite, and Lutheran denominations (along with affected immigrants, individual community members, and students) processed to a meeting area outside Gibbs' office with the purpose of raising awareness of the necessity for a just immigration system and to show their support for those in the meeting. The prayer vigil included speakers from the various faith communities and also immigrant family members affected by present immigration laws and was organized from the offices of Immigrant Worker Project in Canton, Ohio (Jeff Stewart, Director).
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September Sign Up for Sundays
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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.
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1st Vegan Potluck of the School Year!
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We look forward to seeing you at the first Vegan Potluck of the new school year on Thursday, September 19th, at 6:00 p.m. in Mackey Hall. This meal is a great opportunity for WPC members, Wooster community members, and College of Wooster students to enjoy delicious food and good fellowship while learning more about sustainable living. Just bring a pot-luck dish containing no meat, dairy, or eggs (no need for students to bring a dish).
The program for the month of September will feature Sarah-Beth Loder, Sustainability Coordinator at The College of Wooster. Sarah will be speaking about carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions inventories. She will also update us on the accomplishments on campus and goals for the upcoming year.
RSVP through Sign Up Genius, contacting Carly Jones in the Church office (330-263-2398), or on the sign up sheet during refreshments in the back of Mackey after Sunday's service.
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Westminster to Welcome the Reverend Tipi Jacob Nthakhe on September 29th
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We are looking forward to welcoming Reverend Tipi Jacob Nthakhe to Westminster on September 29th as part of the Synod of the Covenant Mission to the USA program. Jacob is joining us from South Africa where he is a pastor of a Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa congregation in Pretoria. Jacob, who speaks Sotho (one of the 11 official languages) has three children. His oldest is finishing up a degree in Information Technology at the University this year and the two younger children are both in grade 9 at boarding school. His wife Portia serves as an internal auditor for the National Home Builders Registration Council in Johannesburg. Jacob studied theology in South Africa and earned a Master's degree, specializing in Missiology, in the Netherlands . He has traveled extensively to the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium and has visited New York and Chicago in the past during a study tour. Currently he is pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry at the University of South Africa, where his thesis focuses on the participation of children in Holy Communion, while continuing to serve his congregation,. One of the greater missions of his congregation in South Africa is to work hand in hand with NGOs to provide food, clothes, and shelter for those living in poverty in Pretoria where the church is located. Reverend Nthakhe views poverty and homelessness as one of the largest problems facing Christians today. Jacob believes that as Christians we should work hand in hand with the government to provide jobs, as well as keep jobless individuals busy doing purposeful tasks until they are able to gain employment.
During his stay at Westminster, Jacob will share his knowledge and experience of the Belhar Confession and why it is important for the Presbyterian Church (USA) to adopt it as one of our confessions by relating it to our ministry and daily lives.
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| September 29: Habitat & Mackey Re-imagining Fundraiser |
Calling all donations! 
The Westminster Mission Committee is still hoping for more donations for our upcoming WPC Benefit Auction on Sunday, Sept. 29th!
We're looking for folks who could possibly donate things like .......
- dog-sitting.
- a fun birthday party for grand-kids.
- transportation to doctor appointments, out for shopping, or to the airport.
- household repairs.
- clothing alterations.
- tree-trimming.
- an amazing birthday cake.
- computer use lessons for an inexperienced but interested soul.
- a wonderful "theme" gift basket.
- a challenging tennis partner for an active afternoon.
- crocheting or knitting lessons.
- a gourmet meal for a special night.
- a handmade heirloom.
- babysitting.
- collectible items - tea cups/sets, pottery, mini quilts, stained glass, etc.
- a particularly great photo you've taken that you could mat and frame.
Do you have......
- season tickets for sports, theater or symphony on dates when you know you can't attend?
- friends who own businesses in town from whom you might obtain a gift certificate?
- connections to local sources of entertainment that might give you free passes?
- vacation homes - available for a weekend or a week?
- favorite restaurants that you'd like to share with others?
If anything on this list helps you think of a donation you could contribute, please call or e-mail Shelley Peterson (shel1013@aol.com or 330-345-5035) or Sue Coleman (moonsue@sssnet.com or 330-264-2646).
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The Shower of Stoles
| Many of you asked about The Shower of Stoles collection that was displayed in worship on Sunday. The following information is from their website:
 "The Shower of Stoles is a collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in thirty-two denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of a GLBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson.
This extraordinary collection celebrates the gifts of GLBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The collection bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.
The vast majority of the stoles have been sent in by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people themselves. Some have been sent by family or friends to honor a GLBT loved one. About one third of all the stoles are donated anonymously; in fact over three-quarters of the stoles donated specifically by clergy and other full-time church professionals are done so anonymously.
In some cases, a church has sent a stole inscribed only with the church's name, or with the names of both gay and straight members, to honor those in that particular congregation who must remain anonymous. All of the stoles, named or anonymous, contain stories, prayers, or other messages.
With very few exceptions, the Project does not accept individual stoles from straight allies. Instead, straight allies are represented by "signature stoles," which are easily distinguished from the main body of the collection. Signature stoles are covered with the signatures of supportive members of congregations, regional governing bodies, or other organizations. The collection currently contains signature stoles with the signatures of over three thousand straight allies." |
| Monday, October 7th: Troop 61 Spaghetti Dinner |
 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.
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| People to People Ministry | |
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Holly House Volunteer Schedule
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 September Schedule: Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm, Sept. 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
Monday Evenings 5:30 pm to 8pm, Sept. 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th
*Tasks will be posted weekly. Dress appropriately and Volunteer Release Forms need completed and signed prior to starting work. Available on site.
HOLLY House is located at 217 E. Larwill St directly across from McIntire Funeral Home. Enter through back door. Contact us via email at hollyhouseinc@gmail.com for any questions.
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Presbyterian Church (USA) Weekly Blogs:
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What's happening at Westminster this week?
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All events can also be found on our website
www.wpcwooster.org
We hope to see you there!
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
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
10:00am - Mission Cohort Meeting in The Lounge
2:00pm - Congregational Life Cohort Meeting in the Pastor's Study
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
7:00pm- Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
Thursday, September 19, 2013
6:00pm - Vegan Potluck in Mackey Hall
Sunday, September 22, 2013
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Children's Education in the Sunday School Room
9:30am - Adult Education in the Lounge
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Pastor Dries preaching
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"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,
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Andries J. Coetzee
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
353 East Pine Street, Wooster, OH 44691
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People to People Ministries
