 |
 |
|
| | A Child's Garden: A Story of Hope, to be shared during worship. |
This coming weekend we will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 25 and once again reflect on the human cost of war. Also this weekend on Sunday, May 24, we, as the church universal, will celebrate Pentecost, signifying the descent of God's Spirit on the disciples and the birth of the church. The convergence of these two days, one a liturgical celebration and the other a civil observance, gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on war and peacemaking. In my preparation for worship on Sunday I was struck by a 2012 interview on Democracy Now by Amy Goodman with Mary Kirkland, mother of Derrick Kirkland, who joined the military in 2007 and committed suicide in March 2010 after his second tour of duty in Iraq. Towards the end of the interview Mary had a very clear message to President Obama, the NATO officers, and I believe, all of us, saying: "Honor the dead, heal the wounded, stop the wars."
In our effort as a congregation to "honor the dead, heal the wounded, stop the wars" our first instinct might be to talk about peace and speak out against violence and the military industrial complex , but if we want to be true peacemakers we might be wise to take a step back and heed the words of the Buddhist peacemaker Thich Nhat Hanh who wrote:
"We often think of peace as the absence of war; that if the powerful countries would reduce their weapons arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds - our prejudices, fears, and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of the bombs are still here, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we will make new bombs. To work for peace is to uproot war from ourselves and from the hearts of men and women."
These words of Thich Nhat Hanh are especially powerful in light of the Pentecost story as it is told in Acts 2:1-21 emphasizing the Spirit's ability to break down that which divides. Please join us in worship on Sunday as we contemplate "being peace".
Blessings and see you in worship on Sunday,
Dries
|
| |
|
 This coming Sunday, May 24th we will begin our summer worship schedule with worship at of 10:00am.
In addition to the return to our summer worship schedule, this summer we invite you to a new worship opportunity led by Pastor Dries, entitled "Walking in Mindfulness," at Oak Hill Park on the first Sunday of each month beginning June through September at 7:30am. This worship opportunity is in addition to our regular worship in Mackey Hall at 10:00am.
|
| | Westminster has been worshiping at Oak Hill Park for the past three years. This picture was taken at the sunrise service on Easter Sunday. |
Creating a new worship opportunity and learning to walk in mindfulness are two things I have wanted to do, but felt I didn't have the time and didn't need something else to lead; therefore, I am inviting you as fellow sojourners to discover together how we can be more mindful as we walk amidst the beauty of Oak Hill Park. In next week's Weekly News I will publish more information, but please feel free to contact me if you are interested at acoetzee@wooster.edu |
| |
|
|
| | April Gamble, Dave Schmidt, and Eric Miller check out Westminster's garden beds at Wooster Community Hospital's GreenPoint Garden |
Next weekend you are invited to participate in Westminster's garden project at the Wooster Community Hospital's GreenPoint Garden. We will have 3 separate 60 foot rows and invite members and friends of all abilities to participate. One of the rows is set up for tomatoes (has a sturdy climbing fence already in place), the second row has a black cloth ground covering with holes punched in - this would be perfect for green peppers, which are easy and pretty disease -free, and the third row is exciting- it is a 2 foot off the ground raised bed with a tall trellis built in - perfect for climbing plants. It is also great for people who find getting down on their knees difficult.
Over the coming weekend April Gamble has created several opportunities for us to participate. On Friday May 29th a group from Westminster will be there from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, with another opportunity on Saturday morning (May 30th) from 9:00am - 11:00am. We encourage you to bring your own tools and gloves, although there is some equipment that we can share.
In the spirit of fellowship we also invite all our gardeners to an Open House at the Coetzee's on Friday night, May 29th at 6pm. Beth and Dries will provide a meat dish and drinks and we invite you to bring a side. You may RSVP to Beth.
Looking forward to seeing you in the garden!
|
| |
|
|
| |
"Fish and Loaf" by Hazel Shreve
|
Worship is at 10:00am in Mackey Hall in the Westminster Church House, 353 E. Pine Street. At Westminster we believe that worship is everything we do, both inside and outside the church. The worship life of our community is defined by our calling to peacemaking, a more just future for our world, and our desire to be mindful and "Intentionally Inclusive" as symbolized by the mosaic that is purposefully positioned for worshipers to see as they leave Mackey Hall. The fish was the first symbol to be used by Jesus followers with the bread and fish combined refer to Jesus' miraculous feeding of the multitude.
Today our summer schedule starts as we gather at 10:00am in Mackey Hall, Westminster Church House, 353 E. Pine Street for worship. As we celebrate the Day of Pentecost on Memorial Day weekend we will keep in mind that Memorial Day, unlike Pentecost, is not on the Liturgical calendar of the Church. ...>>>
Worship at 10:00am in celebration of Trinity Sunday. In recognition that the doctrine of the Trinity has become a stumbling block for many, worshipers will be invited to experience the mystery of the Divine through silence, music, prayers and poems. The service will include a live performance of "Spiegel im Spiegel' by Arvo Part. ...>>>
|
| |
|
|
Updates from the Benevolences Committee
|
Thanks to Sue Coleman, and Janelle and Jim Collier for hosting guests through the bed and breakfast program graduation weekend.
The Benevolences Committee sent $200 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance from bed and breakfast earnings in response to the earthquakes in Nepal.
|
| |
|
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Our denomination collects a special donation each year at this time. Each church retains 40% of the collection to give assistance locally to children at risk. This year, the Benevolences Committee has chosen the children who temporarily reside at Every Woman's House (EWH), our local emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, to receive our share of the collection. EWH provides a home to approximately 200 women and children annually. Our donation will help purchase needed items like the following:
- Toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex
- Laundry detergent
- Towels/wash cloths
- Sheets
- Dish soap, bars of soap
- Diapers
- Feminine supplies
- Baby monitors
- Baby cribs
- Pack 'n Plays
- Baby mobiles with music
Click here (pdf) to read a vignette provided by Bobbi Douglas, Executive Director of Liberty Center Connections, Inc. - parent organization for STEPS and Every Woman's House.
|
| |
|
This past week we have received a note from Mary Stockton, member of First Presbyterian Church and regular attender at our Vegan Potlucks.
"I am a volunteer for Meals Together, an ecumenical, free community meal that is held at the United Methodist Church in Wooster each Thursday evening. You may be familiar with it. For over 25 years, Meals Together has been providing a hot meal virtually every Thursday night. Each year, about 4,000 meals are prepared and served by generous volunteers. We are able to cover the cost of the food through donations. Meals Together has significant financial need right now, so we are expanding our efforts to raise funds. This June 3rd, we are going to try to raise some money through the Bob Evans 'Dine to Make a Difference' program."
|
| |
|
|
People to People Donations
|
What's for lunch?
This month Westminster is collecting tuna fish, mayonnaise, peanut butter and jelly for the People to People box in the Narthex.
|
| |
|
Kick Seasonal Allergies Naturally
If you're a seasonal sufferer who's looking for ways to treat allergies other than medication, here are some tips for natural relief:
- First, get tested for regional allergies. The seasonal allergies you have depend upon where you live and what kind of allergens are in the air. Getting tested for allergies can help you determine what's causing your symptoms and how best to treat them.
- Go local for your allergy remedies. You may have heard the old wives' tale that eating a spoonful of honey a day will cure your allergies. Well, it won't cure them but it can significantly decrease your susceptibility to local allergens. Eating small, regular doses of honey or bee pollen supplements that are produced in your region can help your body build up a tolerance to pollen allergens, reducing the havoc they wreak on your sinuses. You can find locally produced honey and bee pollen at farmers' markets in your area, as well as in many organic chain markets.
- Some allergy specialists suggest that your diet plays a role in controlling symptoms.
- Some experts swear by nasal rinses to wash out the allergens that get in your nose. Nasal irrigation - rinsing the nose and nasal passages, typically with a salt water solution - is a cheap and easy way to alleviate allergy symptoms.
- Clean your home regularly to reduce indoor allergies. Twenty percent of Americans have not just one, but two kinds of allergies, so staying indoors isn't always the best option when you're trying to escape those irritants.
Sadly, all the tissues you do end up using during allergy season can't be recycled - used tissues just aren't recyclable, despite being paper product. So consider buying tissues and toilet paper made from recycled paper or use a cloth handkerchief.
information provided by www.earthshare.org
|
| |
|
|
What's happening at Westminster this week?
|
Sunday, May 24th10:00am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Pastor Dries preachingMonday, May 25th
Church Office Closed in observance of Memorial Day Wednesday, May 27th 6:30pm - Dance Group in Mackey Hall Friday, May 29th
2-4pm - Wooster Community Hospital's GreenPoint Garden 6:00pm - Garden Party at Coetzees' Saturday, May 30th 9-11am - Wooster Community Hospital's GreenPoint Garden
For the latest and most up-to-date information visit Westminster's calendar here. |
| |
|
