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Weekly News Friday, January 16, 2015
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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, January 18, 2015Join us for a celebration of the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. Pastor Dries reflecting on how Wooster, Ohio can grow in our care for and trust of one another in the midst of racial division. Child-friendly worship. Westminster is an inclusive church. Sunday, January 25, 2015
Worship service at 10:45am in Mackey Hall. Reflections on Montreat's College Conference,
Peace Bound. Led by our UKirk students who attended Child-friendly worship. Westminster is an inclusive church.
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Soup Sale
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During these cold winter months, the Benevolences Committee will have soup for sale at the back of Mackey Hall each Sunday. You are invited to donate $8.00 for a quart of original recipe, vegan or gluten free Famous Hearty Italian Soup. Those who need a hand up to secure employment will thank you. The proceeds from these sales go to Wayne County Common Good/Hope Fund, who work with individuals to complete the GED requirements and obtain jobs.
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Reflection of the Week
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Westminster Co-Sponsored a Rally for Michael Brown and the people of Ferguson, MO in the fall of 2014 in Downtown Wooster
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A s we reflect this weekend on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we do so with renewed energy and focus. This year will be different. As a church that claims to be "Intentionally Inclusive", we cannot ignore the debate around race in the United States. As a church that follows the ways of Jesus of Nazareth, it is our obligation not only to proclaim that "All Lives Matter", but to make it reality. Come and join us on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 7:00pm as we put our "Faith in Action". This Workshop at Westminster will enable those of us who are dedicated to working against institutionalized racial injustice to make Wooster, Ohio a more caring and safe community for all. We believe that for us to continue to grow in our welcome, a genuine dialogue about race between our churches, civic groups, local government, and school district is of the utmost importance. Many feel that the establishment of a "Human Relations Commission" by our City, as was done by the City of Mansfield, Ohio, will be a tremendous advancement towards "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" for all (see the powers, duties, and objectives of such a commission here).
This hour and a half long workshop, "Faith in Action" led by Sojourners' Senior Director of Mobilizing Lisa Sharon Harper, will help us as a community to strategize and take action to engage this struggle for justice in ways that honor our community and faith. Let us remember the words of Jesus who called on his followers to "proclaim good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18), to creatively resist oppression (Matthew 5:38-41), and to steadfastly pray: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). On the eve of celebrating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. let us also remember his words: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
RSVP: through Sign Up Genius or contact Rev. Andries Coetzee at acoetzee@wooster.edu or on his cell: 330-621-4269
When: Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 7:00pm
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wooster, OH 44691
Cost: Freewill donation ($5 - $10.00 per participant suggested)
For more information contact Rev. Andries (Dries) Coetzee, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wooster
Blessings,
Dries
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People to People Donations
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 For the months of January and February we will collect soup and crackers for People to People. All kinds of soup, canned, dried, Campbell's, Progresso, Our Family, Mrs. Grass', broth, bouillon, - if it's soup, it's welcome. The People to People box is in the narthex under the coat rack bench.
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Selma
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A Movie to Rescue Martin Luther King Jr. From 'I Have a Dream'
Ava DuVernay's forthcoming film Selma is the answer to a lot of "if only"s about modern filmmaking. If only more women were hired to direct prestige films. If only more black female directors' voices were heard at all. If only historical dramas didn't play so much like glossy textbooks. DuVernay herself points out another one: If only there were any major motion pictures about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made in the 46 years since his murder.
DuVernay first drew attention as a director on the indie scene back in 2012 with the well-reviewed relationship drama Middle of Nowhere. One of her actors in that movie was David Oyelowo (The Butler, A Most Violent Year), who had been trying to get a Martin Luther King Jr. movie made with The Butler director Lee Daniels. When Daniels dropped out, Oyelowo recommended DuVernay, who took the helm of the $20 million production that will premiere in theaters on Christmas Day. ...>>>
PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly: "Come to Selma"
Director Ava DuVernay and actor David Oyelowo discuss what it meant to them to tell the story of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. ...>>>"Selma" is now playing in theaters across the country.
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 MLK Breakfast | |
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| MLK Worship | |
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Join in the 2015 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
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At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus' prayer for his disciples that "they may be one so that the world may believe" (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. ...>>>
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Synod of the Covenant Discernment Study
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 Online Survey - Your feedback is requested
The 221st General Assembly (2014) has passed a mandate to "direct that a new configuration of synod boundaries be established [based on an emerging sense of purpose, partnership, context, and call] through a collaborative process between the synods and presbyteries resulting in no more than 10-12 synods. The synods shall report to the 222nd General Assembly (2016)."
As part of the process, the Synod of the Covenant has asked for your help in determining how best to use this opportunity to learn what God is calling the synod to do and become. Your responses are confidential. A statistical summary of the results will be shared with the Synod of the Covenant as we discern our future.
The survey should take approximately 7 minutes to complete. If you need assistance with the survey, please email research@pcusa.org or call Becki Moody at 502-569-5139.
Click here to access the survey.
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Presbyterian Church (USA) Weekly Blogs:
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| Green Tip of the Week | 
Tips for Earth-Friendly Coffee Breaks
Here are some easy steps you can take to make your next brew tasty, healthy, and earth-friendly.
- Invest in the perfect reusable mug and kick the Styrofoam disposable cup habit. Polystyrene isn't biodegradable, and after just one use most cups will end up lingering in a landfill for centuries.
- Support local brewers and cafes - the less distance your coffee has traveled from farm to mug, the better.
- Resist the temptation to use individually packaged sugars, creamers, and throwaway stirrers. If your favorite coffee shop doesn't offer alternatives, consider politely asking them to change their ways.
- Check for Fair Trade certification. Fair Trade labels ensure safe working conditions and fair compensation for farm workers. Many Fair Trade certified commodities are also grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) or pesticides.
- Go organic and shade-grown. Coffee that has been certified organic is grown and processed without toxic chemicals, and shade-grown or bird-friendly certifications promote the preservation of migratory bird habitats on coffee plantations.
- Be your own barista. If you're on the market for a new coffee maker, try a French press. Unlike most coffee machines, French presses are manual, don't require paper filters, and use less water and energy per brew. While you're at it, choose organic milk and fair trade sugar.
- Use only the amount of coffee grounds that you really need. If you're grinding your own beans, use the shortest time possible to obtain your desired coffee consistency.
- Give your coffee grounds a second life - keep them handy in the kitchen to scrub grease off of pots and pans or try placing them in the refrigerator to absorb common odors. Turns out used coffee grounds also make great plant fertilizer! Toss them in with your compost heap or sprinkle them on soil to add a natural nitrogen boost.
information taken from www.earthshare.org
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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, January 18th
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Pastor Dries preaching
7:00pm - Faith in Action workshop at Westminster
Tuesday, January 20th
8:30am- UKirk's Agape Latte in Kauke's Old Main cafe
1:00pm- Food Ministry Meeting in the Lounge
2:00pm - Congregational Life Meeting in the Pastor's Study
Wednesday, January 21st
7:00pm- Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
Thursday, January 22nd
6:30pm- Dance Group in Mackey Hall
Sunday, January 25th
9:30am- Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
10:45am- Worship in Mackey Hall, UKirk students reflecting on Montreat College Conference, Peace Bound
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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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