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Weekly News Friday, April 25, 2014
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Get Involved
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Help make Westminster the warm and inviting place we are called to be, sign up to be a Sunday morning greeter, to provide flowers, or bring goodies for fellowship time after worship. If you are interested in helping, please sign up through Sign Up Genius, on t he sign up board to the right of the name tags in the back of Mackey Hall, or by contacting Carly Jones (330-263-2398) in the church office.
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Hygiene Kit Update
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To complete 44 kits for Church World Service, we need:
- 16 washcloths
- 12 toothbrushes
- 6 wide-toothed combs
Please let Linda Barbu know if you can purchase some of these items so we have enough of each item without having too many of another.
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Pastoral Care
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Join us after worship on April 27th in The Lounge if you feel called to care for our homebound members and those in need. If you are interested but not able to attend the meeting please contact Pastor Dries.
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Collier to Preach May 4th
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Dries will be officiating at a wedding in San Francisco on Saturday, May 3rd. He and Beth will be out of the office from Thursday, May 1 through Wednesday, May 7. Rev. Jim Collier will be preaching on Sunday, May 4th and will also be available for pastoral care concerns during Dries' absence.
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Shafer Memorial
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 A memorial service will be held for the Rev. Dr. G. Kenneth Shafer Jr., on Saturday, April 24th at 11:00am at Westminster.
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Reflection of the Week
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This past week I was fortunate to be able to travel to Bloomington, MN to officiate at the funeral of a former parishioner and friend, Cal Chadwick. In reflecting on the life of Cal, I realized once again what a richly rewarding experience ministry is; ministry that refers to each one of us who engage in the mission of Jesus of Nazareth in the world, and not only those who are ordained.
Officiating at his memorial service was a humbling experience. as I only knew Cal for seven years, a relatively short period of time which paled in comparison to many who attended his service. The reality is that our relationship did not need to be "lifelong" to have meaning. In that brief time Cal taught me so much about generosity, passion for life, and perseverance and faith in the face of adversity, as he struggled with Parkinson's for the last sixteen years.
Somehow our culture makes us believe that only "lifelong" relationships are meaningful, as if we know how many years "life-long" is. This past week my friend Cal reminded me again that any relationship can have meaning if we are willing to invest ourselves in one another.
 | | Senior Recognition 2013 |
The same is true for our ministry here at Westminster. We have many students who are only part of our ministry for four years. So often we think that their time with us is too short to have meaning as they are not "permanent members". However, in these past four years at Westminster I have been transformed in many ways by your ministry, including that of the students that engage with us in so many ways.
This coming Sunday, April 27 we recognize our Seniors from The College of Wooster and celebrate our relationship and mutual ministry as we send them forth. Also, in this issue of the Weekly News you will read more about Catherine Gillette's (COW '13) experience as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Austin, Texas, a current senior, Devin Johns, who has has committed to a YAV year in Zambia beginning this fall and another, Carolyn Hockey, who will serve a year through the Young Adult Service Corps of The Episcopal Church.
See you in worship!
Blessings, Dries |
Nurturing Discipleship
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My service story began each summer growing up when I went with my youth group on urban mission trips. Now, this summer I am returning to Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia to lead urban youth mission trips. It's only fitting that I spend the summer where my service story began just before I embark on my biggest journey yet. In September, I will begin serving as a PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer in Zambia. I'm so excited to live, learn, and serve in a vibrant new community. The Church of Central Africa Presbytery runs thirty community schools for students who have lost parents to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I will have the pleasure of teaching these children English and engaging with  them in an after-school program aimed to help them heal through the trauma of losing family members. While it is frightening and difficult to leave behind my family and community in Wooster and back home in Erie, I cannot wait to meet and grow to love my host family and new community in Lusaka. My service story may very well have ended years ago if I didn't have the inspirational, supportive, and loving faith community of Westminster. I will carry all that Westminster has taught me about the world, myself, and God to Philly, to Zambia, and to wherever my service story leads me in the future.
Devin Johns, College of Wooster Class of '14
 The Young Adult Service Corps brings young adults into the life of the worldwide Anglican Communion and into the daily work of a local community. Starting in the fall, I will be serving a YASC year in Burundi. My commitment to service and the connection of service to my faith has really developed through my time as a member of Westminster, especially through trips to  Israel/Palestine and Philadelphia. Westminster has been my church home the last few years because of our common commitment to service. It has given me a community as committed to social justice and faith as I am, a community that I have not experienced elsewhere in college and have needed in order to grow and feel supported in my faith journey. My time with Westminster has been essential to my spiritual growth the last few years and to my decision to commit to a year of service next year.
Carolyn Hockey, College of Wooster Class of '14
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Update from Westminster Co-Sponsored YAV, Catherine Gillette
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"Thank you so much for supporting my year of service with the Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) program of the Presbyterian Church (USA). As I have said before, this opportunity would not be possible without your incredible generosity, and I am truly grateful." Read more of Catherine's letter to Westminster as well as visit her blog to find out more about her experiences through YAV.
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A Celebration of Independent Study
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 On April 25, the College of Wooster will cancel classes to celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class. The college itself becomes a classroom as the senior class demonstrates the projects they have developed during the academic year. Students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members are encouraged to visit campus that day and listen to presentations, view art exhibits, ask questions about research posters, and explore the work of the senior class.
Access the searchable schedule of the day's presentations or view the 2014 Program (.pdf).
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Habitat for Humanity
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 Habitat's 75th House!
Habitat in Wayne County broke ground for its first house in May of 1987. This summer, they are planning to build their 75th! This milestone not only represents houses built, it also signifies that 74 families in Wayne County have already achieved their goals of finding and purchasing good, affordable housing. In March, a goal was set by Habitat to find 750 donors to contribute $75 each to help fund this 75th build with a target groundbreaking date of 7/5/14.
Through a "Minute for Mission" here at Westminster on April 6th, a house fashioned from a shoe box was presented as a donation collection holder that would be in the back of the sanctuary on Sundays across the month. Parishioners were urged to join others in the community to celebrate this exciting milestone! Three suggestions were made for ways to participate: making personal one-time gifts of $75 through the church, depositing a dollar or two in the "collection house" towards a $75 goal or, especially for kids, filling little fold-able Habitat house boxes with pennies or loose change in increments of 75 cents.
This Sunday, April 27th will wrap up Westminster's month long donation opportunity for the 75th Habitat House. If you haven't contributed as yet, please consider doing so. A "new" brightly painted collection house will welcome your donation, representing the exciting things that can happen in this community through our generosity! If you have been using one of the folding houses to collect change at home, please bring it this Sunday to add into our total.
Many thanks to those who have already donated! Pre-addressed collection envelopes will again be available for those who would prefer to mail a donation into Habitat directly.
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Adult Education
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The Adult Education class will begin discussion of Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer's book
Authentic Hope: It's the End of the World as We Know It but Soft Landings Are Possible this Sunday, April 27, 2014. The discussion will begin at 9:30 and end at 10:30 in the lounge. The discussion will cover the book's Introduction and Chapter 1, Painful Positives: Moving Off Dead-End Roads to Authentic Hope. Nelson-Pallmeyer's thesis is that "The world and nation we've known are coming to an end." He believes that our future will differ radically from what we have known. The Introduction presents the scenario of "Financial meltdowns, failed wars, melting ice caps, protracted unemployment, the end of cheap oil, and unprecedented droughts, floods, and heat waves..." that are leading to marked disruption and discontinuity in our lives as we have known them. As an opening to his thesis of the need for radical change, Chapter 1 presents evidence that our systems of agricultural food production are unsustainable and new ways of food production are needed. He suggests that new ways of food production, markedly different from what is currently practiced, are needed.
Nelson-Pallmeyer raises serious questions about the sustainability of our current systems that form the basis of our life as we have known it. If you too share his concern or to the contrary believe that our current systems have the capacity to surmount the problems enumerated above, come to the discussion and present your understanding and expectations.
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May Social Justice Potluck
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On May 4, we will host our monthly Social Justice Potluck. Join us on this first Sunday of the month, Communion Sunday at noon, as we "extend the table".
Local Chef Linda Pattin will again provide the main dish. We invite you to bring a salad or dessert to round out the table. Students needn't bring food, just come!
This month College of Wooster seniors Carolyn Hockey and Devin Johns will be sharing with us their journey toward a denominational year of service following graduation (see a preview above).
RSVP through Sign Up Genius, on the sign up board in the back of Mackey after Worship, or to Carly Jones in the church office.
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Drum Circle Invitation
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 "Make A Joyful Sound: A Drum Circle Experience"
is open to our extended community.
Nancy Miller, Drum Circle Facilitator from Perrysville
will provide drums and other percussion instruments for this FREE event.
No previous music experience is required and ALL ages are invited to join in the fun.
Bring your family, friends and neighbors!
Milton Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall (downstairs)
250 North Street, Rittman, Ohio 44270
Saturday, May 3rd, 10am - 12noon.
For more information, call the church office: M-F 9am -1pm 330-925-2651
or Donna Robertson home:330-927-2746
This event is sponsored by the Milton Presbyterian Women
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Green Tip of the Week
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Xeriscaping is a way to garden using a minimum of water and energy. The following techniques are a must in dry-weather climes, but also provide useful guidelines for environmentally conscious gardeners everywhere.
- Group plants by their water needs. When possible, put high-need plants in naturally wetter areas of your property.
- Test your soil. Add organic matter when necessary - maybe from your own compost pile - to increase your soil's water-holding capacity.
- Mulch. Cover plant beds with composted leaves or grass to help retain moisture.
- Plant native species. Plants that have evolved in your area's climate are more naturally adapted to its water conditions. Taken from www.earthshare.org.
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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!
Saturday, April 26, 201411:00am - Ken Shafer Sr. Memorial Service in Mackey Hall
Sunday, April 27, 2014
9:30am - Adult Education in the Lounge
9:45am - Children's Sunday School in the Sunday School Room 10:00am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
10:45am - Worship Service Recognizing College of Wooster Seniors in Mackey Hall
6:00pm - UKirk Adios! at the Coetzee Residence
Tuesday, April 29, 2014 8:30am - UKirk Agape Latte in Old Main Cafe 7:00pm - Session in The Lounge
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
10:00am - CAMO Volunteer Day (meet in the church parking lot at 9:30am to carpool)
7:00pm - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
Thursday, May 1, 2014
6:30pm - Dance Group in Mackey Hall
Sunday,May 4, 2014
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Adult Education in the Lounge
9:45am - Children's Sunday School in the Sunday School Room
10:45am - Worship Service in Mackey Hall, Jim Collier preaching 12:00pm - May Social Justice Potluck in Mackey Hall
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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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