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Weekly News Friday, December 12, 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, December 14, 2014
Third Sunday of Advent.
Pastor Dries preaching,
"Listening to the Voice of the Voiceless".
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Fourth Sunday of Advent. Family worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. Pastor Dries sharing a reflection and Beth reading a Christmas story.
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Worship Service at 7:00pm in Mackey Hall. We will be celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth with a Service of Lessons and Carols with Communion. Pastor Dries will lead worship and share a meditation. All are invited after worship for a time of fellowship and home baked treats.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. Reflective worship service led by Pastor Dries with scripture, carols, and a Christmas story.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. A Service of Reflection on the New Year with scripture and a meditation by Pastor Dries.
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Poinsettias Order Form
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As we enter the Advent season and prepare for Christmas, Westminster will again raise money for People to People ministries through our annual Poinsettia fundraiser. For $10 you can help decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Eve, purchase a Poinsettia to take home or give to a home-bound member, and support People to People ministries. Order forms available here or in the bulletin on Sunday. Please return with payment by Sunday, December 14th.
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The so-called "heartbeat" bill, a six-week abortion ban, was been voted down this week in the Ohio House, 46-39. The bill sponsors could not gather support for the unjust, unconstitutional, simply unconscionable effort that would strip women of the right to make their own personal medical decisions.
Read the official position of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on abortion here.
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Christmas Tea and Musical
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 The Women's Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church, Wooster, is having a Christmas Tea and Musical Program on Tuesday, December 16th at 1pm in Bruch Hall. The program is entitled "An Advent afternoon with Karolyn and David Rice". David is the new pastor at First Presbyterian. David was an opera singer before he was ordained in 2000 and Karolyn, his wife, is a trained pianist.
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Reflection of the Week
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 In my sermon Race and Wooster, Ohio, this past Sunday, December 7, 2014, I reflected on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56) in light of the US criminal justice system whose racial bias is bey ond dispute. This meditation follows recent grand jury decisions in Staten Island and Ferguson, MO not to bring criminal charges against white police officers for causing the deaths of two black men: Eric Garner and Michael Brown. Also, in Cleveland, Ohio, a black child Tamir Rice was shot and killed last month by a police officer who failed to determine that the gun he was holding was a toy. If you weren't in worship you can listen to the sermon here. After my sermon on Sunday I heard from a number of you and received the following e-mails:
"I had some thoughts that I wasn't confident enough to share during joys and concerns, so here they are:
American police's treatment of black citizens is about racism and privilege. But it's also about fear.
The proliferation of guns in our communities makes everyone afraid. White women fear Black men. Black men fear Black men. Police fear Black men. We are even afraid of our children-so afraid that we kill them as they play with toys. Fear corrodes. Let us pray to end the domestic arms race."
"Your sermon this morning brings home the reality of our national white-privileged ability to make blacks especially marginalized, yet you allowed for the hope that more and more people could, with work, treat all others as "people," not as labels when we all face the reality of what deep-seated racism does to everyone in a nation. What a clear message you gave to put forth effort for change in a situation where the hope is that there are more and more white people facing their racism and working toward fairness for all than there are more white people continuing to live lives of hate and fear. (Still plenty unfortunately). Your passionate message and delivery of that message was where the hope comes in. Thank you".
"In yesterday's NYTimes, Nicholas Kristof lists a holiday gift guide of worthy non-profits. Here is one that might be of interest, especially in light of current events and your powerful sermon. Equal Justice Initiative, fights on behalf of low-income people snared unfairly by the justice system. The group is led by Bryan Stevenson, an African-American lawyer whom Desmond Tutu has called America's Mandela. Equal Justice Initiative fights an uphill battle against mass incarceration. It is a lifeline for innocent people who have been railroaded, and for children in prison. Donations finance its work as the conscience of the justice system.Mr. Stevenson certainly appears to be doing God's work".
"I've thought a lot about what you said yesterday. Privilege is a dangerous thing for those of us who have it in any degree. I think that a large part of it is the lack of contact and real understanding about what the life of others is like. I heard yesterday a report of a survey of giving habits of those who are of mid to low level financial state and a second group of much more privileged. Initially, the first group gave a much larger proportion to aid others than the second group. The second group, after viewing a short video or picture presentation, increased their giving level greatly. We all need to understand how others live and survive.
As far as the treatment of young black/brown citizens, we really can't imaging what it means to be fearful of "driving while black/brown." If stopped for some sort of a driving infraction or such, we don't need to fear violence unless we really start violent activity. Even then, the response of the police will likely be less serious. Constant retraining and awareness of the position of others and that they are citizens, too. has to be an ongoing thing.
There is another force that is part of all this. Many who have an almost genetic prejudice of other groups are afraid - afraid that the others will take their place, will become the majority (which is really already true in many instances in many different situations and locations) will somehow prevent them from bettering their situation and also the fear that seems to be endemic of situations, people or cultures that are different. It seems almost overwhelming, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying to change the status quo to something more fair and in line with our beliefs. Just what do you propose we do as a step in the direction of change?"
As the last respondent rightfully asked, what is next to bring about the change? I think Craig Hovey, Executive Director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence (ACN) gave expression to my and other community members intent in ACN's latest newsletter (12/10/14) as to what we would like to see happening right here in Wooster, OH. He wrote:
"Bernard Tyson, CEO of Kaiser Permanente and an African-American, is among those who have recently called for revolutionizing race relations in the U.S by getting serious about genuine dialogue between civic groups, police, and local businesses; supporting church and school initiatives that make safe neighborhoods; and creating caring communities of trust. This is peace-building work for the long haul that will really make a difference".
Currently we are talking about race in Wooster; we just have not brought the right people together to have the conversation, and I think Westminster can do just that. Let's put our faith in action and through mindfulness and keep on listening, engaging, dreaming, and hoping as that is what Advent is about!
Blessings and thank you so much for your engagement!
Dries
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Church Office Hours during the Holidays
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 With the holidays quickly approaching, we wanted to be sure to communicate the office hours of the church during this time. If Pastoral assistance is needed during this time, please feel free to contact Dries on his cell phone. During the break, Westminster Church House will remain locked unless an event is scheduled ahead of time. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from the staff at Westminster! Monday, December 22nd - 8am-3pm Tuesday, December 23rd - 9:00am-noon Wednesday, December 24th- 8am- noon Thursday, December 25th - office closed Friday, December 26th - office closed Monday, December 29th - open by appointment Tuesday, December 30th - open by appointment Wednesday, December 31st - office closed Thursday, January 1st - office closed Friday, January 2nd - office closed There will not be a Weekly Newsletter going out on December 26th or January 2nd. We will resume with the Newsletter on January 9th. We appreciate and are blessed to have this time to spend with our families.
Thank you Westminster!
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| Advent in Pictures at Westminster |
Our children help put together bags of Christmas cheer for our homebound members.
Choral Scholars from the College of Wooster lead a music-filled worship service the second Sunday of Advent.
UKirk-ers celebrate the holiday season at the home of Dries & Beth.
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Memorial Service for Flo Shafer
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You are invited to attend a service of organ and handbell music on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 2:00pm in Mackey Hall, Westminster Presbyterian Church to celebrate the life of Florence Shafer. Flo passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2014 after a protracted battle with Alzheimer's disease. Ken thought it most appropriate to have a service of music with which to celebrate his mother's life, since she was, in addition to being the wife of a Presbyterian minister and homemaker for their active family, an accomplished church musician, playing the organ and directing both vocal and bell choirs. Flo's services extended to churches in: West Carrollton; Danville, IL; Royal Oak, MI; Rocky River; Columbus; and Cincinnati. The service will include Ken Shafer on the organ and the handbell duo EKCO Ringers from Cleveland. Following the service there will be a cookie reception. In lieu of flowers, donations in Flo's name may be made to People to People Ministries.
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| Green Tip of the Week | 
Home Improvement: Installing New Carpet
Though plush carpeting can be luxurious to your toes, it can be hard on your sinuses. Newly installed carpets made from synthetic fibers can emit "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs), chemically unstable airborne compounds that can produce headaches, fatigue, nausea, and nasal congestion. If you think you may be sensitive to VOCs, take the following precautions when buying and installing a new carpet.
- Go natural. Cotton and wool rugs and carpets generally do not produce VOCs.
- Give it some air. When you buy new carpet, ask that it be ventilated for at least 72 hours before it is delivered to your residence. Keep windows open for several hours after the carpet has been installed; use a fan to provide additional ventilation to the newly carpeted room.
- Use the "hook and loop" installation method. Installation adhesives can be a bigger source of VOCs than the carpet fibers themselves. Alternatives include physical fastening strips known as "hook and loop" strips, or dry adhesives like peel-and-stick strips.
information 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!
Sunday, December 14th - 3rd Sunday in Advent
10:00am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Pastor Dries preaching
Wednesday, December 17th
10:00am - CAMO Volunteer Day (meet in church parking lot at 9:30am to carpool)
Thursday, December 18th
6:30pm - Dance Group in Mackey Hall
Saturday, December 20th
2:00pm- Flo Shafer Memorial Service in Mackey Hall
Sunday, December 21st- 4th Sunday in Advent
10:00am - 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.
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Andries J. Coetzee
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
353 East Pine Street, Wooster, OH 44691
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