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Weekly News Friday, September 19, 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 (330-263-2398330-263-2398) in the church office.
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Worship At Westminster
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Sunday, September 21, 2014
Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. Dries preaching. Adult Current Affairs Discussion at 9:30am. Children will help pack CWS school kits after worship. No Children's Education at 9:45am.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. Collegiate ministry organization, UKirk, leading worship. Adult Current Affairs Discussion and Fellowship at 9:30am with Children's Education at 9:45am in Mackey Kitchen.
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People to People Donations
|  This month Westminster will focus our efforts on providing applesauce and canned fruit to People to People. Beyond this, there is a special need for peanut butter, jelly, canned chicken noodle soup, and pork and beans. Cleaning out your linen closet? People to People is experiencing a shortage of blankets, shower curtains and new or gently used bath towels.
It's never too soon to be thinking about the Christmas Toy Project! In order to use toy donations for the 2014 project, they must be received by Dec. 2. Teen and age 6-11 gifts are very welcome!
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Success once again!
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This coming Sunday, September 21, we will pack both hygiene and school kits after worship. Thanks to your diligence and generosity, we have collected enough school  supplies to complete at least 100 kits. This will be an Intergenerational activity with our children joining us in packing. Please contact Linda Barbu if you need more information.
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Beth & Dries traveling to South Africa
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Dries & Beth will be traveling to South Africa. On Tuesday, September 23 Dries will depart and for the first week build ecumenical relationships with the South African Church community and the Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Synod of the Covenant of the Presbyterian Church (USA). On Monday, September 29, Beth will join him and they will celebrate Dries' parents' 50th wedding anniversary with the rest of the family. On Friday October 10, Beth and Dries will also attend the opening of a "Therapeutic Garden" at the TC Newman Hospital in Paarl, South Africa which was completed through the generous donation of Gayle and David Noble through Westminster Presbyterian Church. Beth and Dries will be back in the office on Thursday, October 16.
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Reflection of the Week
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 This coming Sunday we will join many churches around the globe, as well as the World Council of Churches, in the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. During worship we will focus on the urgent need for a peace settlement that ends the illegal occupation and secures the legitimate rights and future of both peoples. The World Council of Churches website states: "This annual observance of a week of prayer, education, and advocacy calls participants to work for an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine, so that Palestinians and Israelis can finally live in peace. It has been 66 years since the creation of the State of Israel. This has not led to the creation of an independent Palestinian state but has only deepened the tragedy of the Palestinian people. It is now 47 years since the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza overwhelmed the peaceful vision of one land, two peoples.Yet the dream of one nation cannot be fulfilled at the expense of another.
The action week's message is that now:
- It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace.
- It's time for freedom from occupation.
- It's time for equal rights.
- It's time for the healing of wounded souls."
R ead more information and resources for week long prayer here.
Also this Sunday the Wooster Friends Meeting, invites us to join them around noon for a conversation with Brian Hoffman, an immigration lawyer from Dublin, Ohio. Read Brian's story below and explore how we can support Central American Children.
I am especially looking forward to seeing you in worship Sunday, as I will travel for South Africa next Tuesday.
Blessings,
Dries
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 Dublin immigration lawyer tries to help detained families |
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Dublin lawyer Brian Hoffman plans to apply for asylum for Sarita. Last month Hoffman, who is fluent in Spanish, spent a week at a detention center in New Mexico representing detained families. (Photo from The Columbus Dispatch) |
"Brian Hoffman can't shake the image. Because of a plane delay, Hoffman arrived late at the family detention center in New Mexico where hundreds of Central American women and children who illegally entered the United States are detained.
With the normal transport vehicle in use, the Dublin immigration lawyer who is fluent in Spanish got a special ride.
He climbed into a prison van complete with tinted windows and a metal mesh barrier that protects the driver from the passengers. "The only weird thing is, it had car seats in it," he said. "It just didn't seem right for a vehicle designed to carry dangerous criminals." Hoffman, 31, spent a week at the remote detention center in Artesia, NM, last month, one of dozens of lawyers from across the country to do work for the detained families. The state chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association has picked up the expenses for three Ohio attorneys to help. He said the use of the van and the Artesia center itself - with its high fence covered in vinyl and razor wire - shows that the United States doesn't really know what to do with the surge of would-be immigrants, mostly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. "I think we've completely lost sight of who needs to be detained and who doesn't," Hoffman said. "There's no reason to believe that these women and children, most of whom walked right up to Border Patrol agents and turned themselves in, won't show up for their deportation hearing." Most of the 63,000 unaccompanied minors detained at the border since January have been placed with family members in cities such as Columbus while their cases are processed. But those caught with their mothers are being held without bond at military-style community barracks such as Artesia. Hoffman said the center, which had 400 and counting women and children earlier this summer, feels "Area 51-like." About 125 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Area 51 has long been synonymous in popular culture with government secrecy. Housed in a vacant area of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Artesia is in the middle of the desert, "hundreds of miles from civilization," he said. Each morning, the volunteer lawyers pick up a black phone in the training center and ask to be taken to the "law library" - a FEMA-like trailer where they meet with clients, Hoffman said. The mothers and children who have appointments to speak with the attorneys are woken at 5 a.m., he said, given breakfast and taken to the back half of the trailer, where they sit for five or six hours at a time. In a makeshift courtroom at the facility, the women often have to testify about what brought them to the United States. They are linked via teleconference to an immigration judge and interpreter 1,800 miles away in Arlington, Va. Besides two TVs showing cartoons in English, there's not much to entertain the kids, Hoffman said. The children can't be separated from their mothers, making it difficult for lawyers to question their moms, especially about physical or sexual violence. "Mothers often have to recount gruesome acts of violence, sometimes rape, while holding their young child in their laps," he said. Hoffman said the lawyers try to distract the children with Post-it notes and stickers. But there was a brouhaha after an asylum officer gave a child a small pack of crayons. A federal agent called the crayons contraband and a security risk. "It was Crayongate," Hoffman said, joking. After working 12 hours, the lawyers gather at a local church each night to figure out strategies for the next day. A poster in the church office reads "Close down the baby jail." "That about sums it up for most of us," he said. Touched by the stories of the families he met, Hoffman continues to represent several of those still in the detention center from his Dublin office."
Brian Hoffman will be at Wooster Friends Meeting in
The Meeting Place, Westminster Church House this Sunday around noon. He will talk about his experience on the border helping families in distress.
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Making a Difference
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 This past week several members of Westminster made a difference just by choosing how to spend their time. On Saturday, September 13 we had a wonderful group of people who attended the "Conversations with People You Know" training. During worship on Sunday they identified themselves and had the opportunity to share their conversation skills with several people in worship. As one participant put it, "I admit I wasn't enthusiastic about spending 3 hours of my Saturday at church, but what I experienced far exceeded my expectations. It was truly inspiring, transformative, and fun! It's up to each of us to have these important conversations about someone we know who can be denied housing or fired because of how they identify themselves. "
Then on Sunday, September 14th, a good number showed up for an inter-generational class taught by The College of Wooster Nursery School Staff on the new "Wild School Site" and their growing monarch butterfly garden and population. It was amazing to learn that the garden around the Westminster Church House is contributing to the rehabilitation of nature while teaching children that we are responsible for our natural environment.
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Ohio Power Summit
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Practice Spirit,
Do Justice
Ohio Power Summit:
A Leadership Training for all People of Faith
Where: Fairlawn West United Church of Christ, 2095 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44313
When: 4 pm Friday, September 26 through 4 pm Sunday, September 28.
Come and be part of an inspiring statewide community of faith to support LGBTQ inclusion! In Ohio, the state legislature will be considering a vote on statewide protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.
This training will prepare over 200 people of faith to make a bold impact within their congregations for LGBTQ justice; to educate people about the harms caused to LGBTQ people by discrimination; and, to ready their congregations, lay leaders and clergy to build relationships with legislators around Ohio. Sponsoring faith organizations include: the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources, Integrity Episcopalians, More Light Presbyterians, Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ, Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation, Reconciling Ministries Network, Equality Ohio Education Fund, the Ohio Faith Council.
Training topics are for people at the beginning of their welcoming journey and for those who have been on the path for a while.
These include:
- Why is transgender justice key to an LGBTQ welcoming movement of faith?
- How can we increase our skills and knowledge about transgender people's needs in our congregations and in public life to become the best ally we can be?
- Understand and use Conversations with People You Know to lift up listening as a spiritual practice within individual conversations and learn how people you know feel about LGBTQ inclusion.
- Learn how to be a congregational leader and effectively develop teams of people to advance LGBTQ justice through strategic key activities including: educational conversations, visibility, letter-writing to legislators, letters to the editor, relationship building with questioning legislators and non-welcoming people of faith.
If you are interested in attending or would like more information, contact Pastor Dries.
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Boy Scout Troop #61 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, October 6, 2014
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Please support Westminster's favorite Boy Scout Troop on Monday, October 6th from 5-7:30pm in Kittredge Dining Hall (535 E. Wayne Ave. on COW campus) for their annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. They are promising to serve up the usual outstanding spaghetti dinner with their own homemade meatballs. We hope to see you there.
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Workshop Opportunity, October 9, 2014
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 Living the Word: Mindfulness through Scripture
A Daytime Retreat from the Retreat Ministry Mission Group
Our leader will be the Rev. Dr. Bob Meyer. He became Pastor of Wayne Presbyterian Church in Muskingum Valley Presbytery in 1997. Bob received his Masters of Divinity in 1982 from San Francisco Theological Seminary and completed his Doctor of Ministry in 1994 from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In August, 2014 Bob received his Certification of Spiritual Direction from the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University.
When: Thursday, October 9, 2014
Where: Pleasant Hills Outdoor, Center, Perrysville, Ohio
Time: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM, arrive between 9:00- 9:30,
Cost: $15.00 per person
Bring: Bible, journal, pen, camera, Dress is casual. Wear shoes for walking and bring a jacket as needed.
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6th Annual Open the Door to Equality Rally, October 12, 2014
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On Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 3:45pm, Westminster will once again be a proud co-sponsor of the 6th Annual "Open the Door to Equality Rally" at the Gazebo on the Square Downtown Wooster.
Please contact Linda Barbu, Westminster's coordinator, with questions.
 | | Westminster members participating in the 2013 rally |
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Christian Children's Home Fall Event, October 4, 2014
|  Christian Children's Home of Ohio's Second Annual FallFest 5K is Saturday, Oct. 4, at 9:30 AM and features a competitive run, leisure walk, kids' fun run and activities, awards to top three male/female runners in seven age categories, and post-race party. Info and registration for this charity event to support CCHO's Christian mission to hurting children and families is at www.ccho.org. |
| Green Tip of the Week |  Avoiding Toxins in the Home
Federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency make laws that are meant to keep harmful chemicals out of our homes and the environment, but these laws aren't always complete or enforced properly. Unfortunately, people have to be discerning when they shop to make sure they're not exposing their families to toxics.
Here are some tips for reducing your family's exposure to toxic chemicals:
Reduce plastic use. Many kinds of plastics contain endocrine disrupters that can cause all sorts of health issues from obesity to liver problems. Read the blog My Plastic-Free Life for practical ideas on cutting back.
Make friends with the ingredients list. Environmental Working Group has a large database of products ranging from cosmetics to cleaning materials, ranked by toxicity.
Ditch triclosan. While Johnson & Johnson recently decided to remove the antibacterial chemical triclosan from its line, it's still used in a wide variety of American products. Check that your hand soap, toothpaste and other personal care products don't contain this ingredient known to cause antibiotic resistance, allergies and other side effects.
Avoid food treated with antibiotics. Widespread use of antibiotics for livestock has led to the growth of superbugs that cause illness in humans and decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs. Buy organic meat and dairy products or switch to a vegetarian/vegan diet.
Use non-chemical methods of rodent control such as rat traps and make sure the pest control companies you hire don't use unsafe products. Up to 15,000 children under age six are exposed to dangerous levels of rat poison every year.
Choose healthy furnishings. From VOCs in paint and fiberboard laced with formaldehyde to flame retardant chemicals in sofas, it's no wonder indoor air pollution is often worse than what you'll find outside. Inhabitat offers some advice for ensuring your furniture is free of toxic chemicals.
Support a stronger TSCA. The Toxic Substances Control Act, passed in 1976, isn't strong enough to protect people from exposure to tens of thousands of new and untested chemicals. Join groups like NRDC and CHEJ in calling for Congress to update the law.
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, September 21st
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Adult Current Affairs Discussion in The Lounge
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Pastor Dries preaching
12:00pm - Packing of Church World Service School Kits in Mackey Hall
Tuesday, September 23rd
8:30am- UKirk Agape Latte in Kauke Old Main
Wednesday, September 24th
10:00am - CAMO Work Day (meet in church parking lot at 9:30am to carpool)
6:00pm - Zionism Unsettled Book Study in the Lounge
7:00pm - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
Thursday, September 25th
6:30pm - Dance Group in Mackey Hall
Sunday, September 28th
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Adult Current Affairs Discussion in the Lounge
9:45am - Children's Education in the Mackey Kitchen (cookie baking)
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, UKirk will be leading worship
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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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