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Weekly News Friday, August 22, 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 sheet in Mackey Hall, or by contacting Carly Jones (330-263-2398) in the church office.
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Worship At Westminster
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Sunday, August 24, 2014
Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall, Rev. Andries Coetzee preaching. Westminster will welcome first year and returning College of Wooster students in worship followed by our annual brownie reception.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Worship services at 10:45am in Mackey Hall, Rev. Andries Coetzee preaching.
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Emergency Response Plan
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 The past year, the Building Committee has been working on an Emergency Response plan for Westminster Church House. The plan is to clarify procedures in the event of a fire, natural disaster, etc. We will be sharing the document with other users in the building and training our ushers on the information as well. We would also like for our members to read through the information so they are familiar with the plan in the event of an emergency. Our hope is that we never have to use this information, but feel better that we are prepared. If you have any questions or have things that you think should be updated, please contact any member of the building committee.
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Need to borrow something?
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The Building Committee has recently put together a request form for church members who are interested in borrowing church property for an event or personal use. The forms can be found in the copy room of the church office or downloaded by clicking on the above link. Please let Carly know if you have any other questions. We do ask that requests are submitted on business days 24 hours before the item is needed. |
You Can Help
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ADA Bathroom
You can help Westminster be more inclusive. Donate to our ADA Bathroom project here. Read more here
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Reflection of the Week
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Confession of Belhar
Very timely, we look this week at the General Assembly's vote 551-87 (86%-14%) ) to send the Confession of Belhar, which has its roots in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s, to the 171 presbyteries for their votes to include it the PC(USA)'s Book of Confessions. The confession, must now be approved by two-thirds of the presbyteries and then by the 2016 General Assembly for it to become part of the denomination's doctrinal statements. Learn more here.
 | | The Confession of Belhar and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
Ferguson, MO
The reason that discussion of the Confession of Belhar is timely for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United States of America, is that it has now been 10 days since the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. Just this past week the Rev. Landon Whitsitt, Executive and Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America, quoted the Confession of Belhar as she called on the members of the Presbyterian Church USA to stand in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, writing:
"To this end, I call on the members and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA), over 90% of whom are white, to stand with the people of Ferguson and 'witness against and strive against' systemic, institutionalized racial injustice.
We must 'as the possession of God...stand where the Lord stands, namely against the injustice of the wronged.' Sisters and Brothers, we must stand arm in arm with the people of Ferguson. Black bodies matter and our white bodies will signify that the killing of black bodies is unacceptable."
Addressing the shooting of Michael Brown, the Presbyterian Church USA affirmed its "historic commitments to equality and human rights", and stated that it "will continue as a denomination to press for fairness and justice for all of God's people." It this statement dated, August 19, 2014, our denominational leaders call "on our nation as a whole to pray without ceasing for healing in Ferguson, and for real dialogue and action at local, state, and national levels to improve race relations ..."
Rally on Sunday afternoon, August 24th at 3:00 pm at the Gazebo in Downtown, Wooster
 It is in this context that we are organizing a rally downtown on Sunday, August 24th at 3:00pm. The shooting of Michael Brown is not only "a problem" of Ferguson, MO, but it is ours! The quote of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is so appropriate in this context, that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Any conversation about race and the militarization of our country is relevant to us here in Wooster, OH. In continuing conversation around harassment and race in Wooster, Beall Avenue has been at the epicenter of the discussion with students of color who feel unsafe and suffer harassment.
As a church with a strong commitment to social justice and peacemaking, we cannot stand by and be silent. Join me on Sunday afternoon, August 24th, at 3:00pm at the Gazebo downtown Wooster as we put our beliefs into action!
Blessings,
Dries
Remember that worship will be at 10:45am this coming Sunday, August 24, 2014
Come welcome our College of Wooster students!
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Welcome College of Wooster Students!
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 This coming Sunday, August 24, 2014 we will welcome a new group of first years and our returning students to Westminster. As a people we look forward to showing these young adults that we are an open, welcoming congregation that is inclusive of all. Hospitality is part of our way of life and grounded in our identity as a Christian community.
The reality is that if we are not intentional on Sunday mornings in welcoming visitors, friends, and members, we are not always true to our identity and do not give full expression to our call to welcome all people.
All of us are responsible for welcoming visitors! Welcoming newcomers is not only the job of the usher, the greeter, or the pastor; it is the responsibility of the whole congregation to welcome our guests. The conversation you can strike up with newcomers (and returning students) is fairly easy. Hello. What is your name? Where are you from? Please let us know if we can help you in your transition. It is also very important to share something about yourself and your love for the church. At all times we need to refrain from seeing the newcomer as a potential choir member, instrumentalist, giver, or volunteer teacher as such a desire interferes with a sincere welcome that simply expresses happiness that the person has come.
Reprinted from the Weekly News Friday, August 23, 2013
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Worship Time Reminder
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Just a reminder that beginning this Sunday, August 24th, Westminster will move back to its regular 10:45am worship time. Choir Rehearsals have begun again on Wednesdays from 7-8pm and Sundays at 9:30am in Mackey Hall.
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The Vegan Potluck is Back!
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We look forward to seeing you at the first Vegan Potluck of the new school year on Thursday, August 28th, 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 August will feature Cheryl Weiss and others as they discuss the How/What/Why of the Vegan Meal. Join us at 4:45pm for "Cooking with a Conscience" (class still taught by Natalie Friedrich) to learn how to make pesto and tomato-basil bruschetta. Sign up through Sign Up Genius, the sign up board in the back of Mackey Hall after worship, or by contacting the church office (330-263-2398).
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Wednesday Night Bible Study: "Zionism Unsettled"
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 When:
Starting Wednesday, September 3rd from
6:00-7:00pm every Wednesday for 9 weeks
Where:
Westminster Presbyterian Church,
353 East Pine St. in the Lounge
The study series will be facilitated by Dries Coetzee,
Donald, & Nahida Gordon.
Light snacks will be provided.
Book will be for sale for $10 at the first session. Contact Carly Jones
(330-263-2398) to request a copy or for more information.
In our strong commitment to a just peace in Israel/Palestine and in our desire to bring intellectual integrity to matters of faith, Westminster Presbyterian Church invites you to join us for a 9 week study of the booklet, "Zionism Unsettled"by the Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Zionism Unsettled embraces critical issues that uncover one of the root causes of the occupation, including:
- What role have Zionism and Christian Zionism played in shaping attitudes and driving historical developments in the Middle East and around the world?
- How do Christians, Jews, and Muslims understand the competing claims to the land of Palestine and Israel?
- What steps can be taken to bring peace, reconciliation, and justice to the homeland that Palestinians and Israelis share?
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Women's Bible Study
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Join Westminster's women and Pastor Dries as we study
"Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians"
2014-15 Horizons Bible Study
When: Second Tuesday of the month, beginning September 9th at 10:00am.
Where: The Lounge
Paul's writings are some of the most influential in Christianity. Revisiting the struggles Paul faced and the authenticity and integrity of his theology is an essential task for churches today in the midst of great change. Paul, like us, wrestled with and questioned his faith as he tried to live as authentically as possible in an ancient world that, like ours, was also in the midst of great change. What can we learn from visiting 2 Corinthians and considering Paul's theology and ideas as they relate to the context of our time?
Author Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty invites us all to read Paul's letter afresh in light of today's issues. Concepts of shared partnership, power in weakness, healing, reconciliation, love, and a new apostolate all figure prominently in her reading of Paul.
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Thank You, Westminster!
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From Abby Harris-Ridker: 
Dear Westminster Community,
Thank you so much for your very generous donation to my AVODAH fundraising campaign. It is so nice of you to support my service work in Chicago for the 2014-15 year. I very much appreciated my time involved at Westminster and am thankful for the opportunity to be part of your community. Thank you for the donation and I will keep you updated on my year!
From Catherine Gillette:
Dear Friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church,
Thank you so much for your generous support of my YAV year in Austin, TX. I'm pleased to report that I'm now working as the Boston YAV Site Coordinator! I love the job and appreciate all you did to help me get where I am today!
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Westminster supports Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO)
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Beth Coetzee and Curtis Gomes
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Members and friends of Westminster attended the 6th Annual Salsa Sizzle of CAMO at the Wooster Inn on Saturday, August 9, 2014. Learn more about the work of CAMO here.
 | | Jim & Janelle Collier |
Did you know that Westminster volunteers monthly at CAMO? On the last Wednesday of the month a group of volunteers does hands-on mission work to make a difference in Honduras. Their next trip to the Orrville warehouse will be Wed. Aug. 26th. If you are interested in helping, contact Beth Coetzee for more information.
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Church World Service School Kits
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Back to school sales are a common part of August and help us economically collect school supplies for Church World Service school kits. One-third of all kits CWS collects come from Ohio, so our contributions make a significant impact helping our sisters and brothers affected by natural disasters and human-made disasters, such as war or political unrest. Please contribute what you are able, and remember "little things mean a lot".
As of August 21st, to achieve our goal of 100 school kits we'll need the following items:
177 #2 pencils
102 spiral notebooks with 70 pages each
30 large erasers (not pencil cap style)
30 boxes of 24-count crayons
18 pairs of BLUNT tip scissors
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Habitat Upcoming Events
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Bluegrass and BBQ, a fundraiser sponsored by TJ's Restaurant, Wayne Savings Bank and Hearts for Habitat, will take place August 25th from 4:30 - 9:00 at TJ's in downtown Wooster. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance and $25 at the door. Live music will be available throughout the evening by 'The Backroom Boys,' John Schmid, and Upriver. BBQ chicken and pork will be options with corn on the cob and other delicious sides! Gift baskets will be raffled off, and there will be also be 50/50 drawings. Tickets are available at the ReStore, TJ's Restaurant, and Buehler's - Downtown, Milltown, and Orrville.
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| Green Tip of the Week |  Back to School Green Tips- Start with the basics. Remind kids to turn off the lights in the bathroom or any unoccupied room at home and at school. Encourage them to throw away any trash they find on the school playground, tell them to use both sides of their notebook paper, and suggest that they save unused chalk and art supplies.
- Carpool. If you live somewhere where bus service isn't provided, start a carpool and take turns with other parents in the neighborhood to drop off and pick up the kids.
- Lunch break. Pack kids' lunches in lunch pails or canvas bags instead of throwaway paper bags. Consider re-using plastic sandwich bags, or only using durable plastic containers.
- It might seem obvious, but check out your school's recycling programs. Ask whether recycling bins are available and accessible -- and if the kids are encouraged to use them. Make sure your child knows what can be recycled and what can't.
- Make smart decisions while shopping. Buy school supplies with less packaging and seek those made with organic and/or recycled materials. Consider investing in sturdier products - this can ensure years of use from commonly used items like backpacks.
- Re-use school supplies that are in good condition. When you're in the middle of the back-to-school shopping frenzy, it's sometimes easy to forget about all those items you have at home that are still in good working condition. If you can't re-use old products, donate them to your school or a local daycare.
- Keep children in touch with nature. Studies have shown children who spend more time outside are less likely to suffer from obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder, and depression.
- Spread the word. They can suggest that their friends pack lunches too so that they can trade items or have a cool reusable lunch bag as well.
Information provided by www.earthshare.org |
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, August 24th
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Student Welcome Sunday. Pastor Dries preaching
Following Worship we will welcome College of Wooster students with our annual brownie reception.
Tuesday, August 26th 8:30am- UKirk Agape Latte in Old Main Fishbowl
7:00pm - Session in the Pastor's Study
Wednesday, August 27th 10:00am - CAMO Workday at Central American Medical Outreach in Orrville (9:30am carpool in church lot)
7:00pm - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
Thursday, August 28th
6:00pm - Vegan Potluck in Mackey Hall
6:30pm - Dance Group in the Sunday School Room
Sunday, August 31st
9:30am- Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
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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