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Can kindness save the world? That is the question I posed as I reflected on the theme of 'transforming the world through loving kindness.' Are we really talking about changing the world through small acts of kindness, perhaps from one stranger to another? If so, are we discussing a movement like London's 'Kindness Offensive,' known for orchestrating large-scale 'random acts of kindness?' Although kindness is an important virtue, and the world is all the better for it, can friendly, gentle, caring, considerate, and helpful people change the entrenched systems of domination, poverty, and violence that we face in our neighborhoods, nation, and the global community? Kindness may give pleasure to others and make us feel better in return, but I suspect that transforming the world will require more than simple acts of kindness that lift someone's spirits.
Perhaps the answer to my question can be found by exploring the meaning of the phrase 'loving kindness.' That intriguing expression offers new insights. There are two ways of looking at this phrase and it turns out they are interconnected. The first, and perhaps the most obvious, is in reference to the poetry of Micah 6:8 in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation-"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" In this context, it is important to grasp what it means to 'love kindness,' (a verb with an objective noun), particularly in partnership with such concepts as 'justice' and 'humility.' A second way of looking at the phrase is by examining the peculiar hyphenated word 'loving-kindness' (a compound noun), invented by Miles Coverdale (1488-1569) when he created the first English translation of the Bible in 1535. If this is the case, one wonders why 'kindness' needs a modifier. Is there any other kind of kindness than the loving kind? Continue reading here.
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Sunday, August 16th
On Sunday, Aug. 16 we will have our annual Blessing of the Backpacks prior to the first day of public school for most. We hope all children who will be returning to school of any kind will make a point to come to church at 10:00 with your school bags (or whatever you'd like to bring to represent your new school year), as we ask God's blessing on the start of another year of learning and growing.
P.S. We will be celebrating with ice cream sundaes during fellowship time after worship!
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As next week will be our first week of transition, the Westminster office will be open from 9:00am until 1:00pm Monday to Friday. We welcome you to visit us outside of these hours by making an appointment by phoning the office during these hours or leaving a message. Thank you for your generosity of spirit as we work together in ministry.
- Pastor Dries is attending the 2015 gathering of The Interfaith Network for Justice in Palestine this Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th at Stony Point Center in New York.
- Westminster's regular worship hour of 10:45am will resume on August 30th.
- We will welcome first-year and returning College of Wooster students during worship and with our traditional "brownie reception" on Aug. 30 after worship. If you can bake brownies to add to our welcome reception following worship, please sign up here or email Beth or call the church office at 330-263-2398 and leave a message. Nothing says "We're glad you're here!" like homemade goodies.
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We look forward to seeing you at the first Vegan Potluck of the new school year on Thursday, August 27th, 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 discussing the How/What/Why of the Vegan Meal. RSVP through Sign Up Genius, emailing the church office, or the sign up sheet in the back of Mackey during fellowship.
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People to People Ministries
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 The new school year begins shortly and People to People has suggested canned fruit, apple sauce, syrup, complete pancake mix, crackers, spaghetti, and spaghetti sauce would be good additions to their food pantry. The Benevolences Committee would like to encourage you to bring any or all of these items to the last Sunday of August and September.
Let's fill the kitchen cupboards of our friends and neighbors.
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If you live in a typical U.S. home, your appliances and home electronics, from clothes washers and dryers, to computers, to water heaters are responsible for about 20 percent of your energy bills. Plug home electronics into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
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What's happening at Westminster this week?
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Tuesday, August 18th 1:00pm - Food Ministry Meeting 2:00pm - Congregational Life Cohort Meeting Wednesday, August 19th 10:00am - Mission Cohort Meeting in The Lounge Friday, August 21st Sunday, August 23rd
For the latest and most up-to-date information visit Westminster's calendar here.
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