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This week we reflect in thankfulness on the ministry of First Presbyterian Church in Wooster. Please join me in worship this Sunday, Oct. 11 at First Presbyterian Church as we celebrate 200 years of ministry in Wooster and more specifically for Westminster, our very existence as a congregation.
"Oral tradition maintains that First Presbyterian Church Wooster was organized by the Presbytery of Richland in the year 1815. The first preacher to this congregation of approximately fifteen persons was the Rev. Thomas Barr.
In 1874, the President of the College, Dr. A.A.E. Taylor, the faculty and the students felt the need of a student church of their own. Dr. Taylor presented the matter before the Session of First Presbyterian Church. The Session reacted favorably, secured authority from the Presbytery and organized the student church. Of the 36 charter members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, twenty five were received by transfer from First Presbyterian Church. This mission outreach involved a happy and important ministry in the town and College of Wooster." (The Churches of The Presbytery of Muskingum Valley 1789 - 1989, edited by Dr. William L. Fisk, Ph.D. pp 30-31)
Prior to the worship service at 10:45am, at which Rev. John Buchanan will be the guest preacher, senior high and college age youth are invited to join a discussion on faith and science with Rev. Buchanan. The discussion will be held in the Youth Center at First Presbyterian at 9:15 a.m. with light breakfast available at 9:00 a.m..
 Rev. Buchanan is Pastor Emeritus of Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where he was Pastor for 26 years, and Editor/Publisher of The Christian Century. He served as Moderator of the 208th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and has been a voice for inclusion in the church and was one of the Co-Founding Moderators of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Rev. Buchanan is known nationally as an inspiring preacher and author and a visionary leader in progressive Christian thought and ministry. See you in worship at First Presbyterian Church! Blessings, Dries
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Worship and Workshop with Mark Denbeaux
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3rd Sunday Intergenerational Sunday School, Worship and Workshop with Professor Mark Denbeaux on Sunday, October 18
 You are invited to join Westminster next Sunday for a day of contemplating how we can put our faith into action with guest speaker, Professor Mark Denbeaux. Mark, one of Seton Hall's most senior faculty members, is the Director of the Seton Hall Law School Center for Policy and Research, which is best known for its dissemination of the internationally recognized series of reports on the Guant�namo Bay Detention Camp.
Mark's life's passion is partly grounded in his time as a student at The College Of Wooster. In an article by Mark Di Ionno published this year in The Star-Ledger, Mark says the following about the influence of the Selma march in 1965 on his life:
"We showed up, that's what we did. We showed up to bear witness," said Mark Denbeaux, who plans to return to Selma later this month for the 50th anniversary. "I was just one guy walking over the bridge, being present and bearing witness."
It was the most formative experience of my life." Mark was 21 at the time, down from the College of Wooster (Ohio) with a group of buddies who made the 750-mile trip in a red Rambler station wagon, driving over backroads of Kentucky and Tennessee into the Deep South.
 Denbeaux is now 71 and a law professor at Seton Hall Law School in Newark, best known for his extensive research into the detention center at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. He and his students have published nearly 20 reports, examining hundreds of thousands of documents to detail abuse of detainees and unwarranted claims by the government. It is a search for truth, or at least finding true north in the national moral compass, as we are a country with a constitution that holds dear the rights of individuals. That sense of justice, instilled by his parents, brought him to the civil rights movement as a teenager.
Make plans now to attend worship in the morning and the workshop in the afternoon.
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Congregational Care Ministry
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There will be a meeting after church on Sunday, October 18th, for those interested in being part of a Congregational Care ministry, providing outreach to our members and friends in various capacities. If you are interested in visiting our homebound members, being a contact when a member has a need or concern, or just being available in general as a contact person, then please plan to attend. If you are already providing outreach in some way, please plan to attend so that we can begin the process of outreach to all in our church family. For more information contact Elaine Smith Snyder here.
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Display of Jeanne's caps at her Memorial Service on Saturday, May 9, 2015
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Your Benevolences Committee would like to keep Jeanne Bruce's dream alive and provide knitted hats for all the children in Wooster who need a winter hat. We have spoken to quite a few in Westminster who would like to join in the effort and we would like to hear from any others who might be interested in joining us. If you know how to knit, like to knit, or would like to learn how to knit, this is for you. We have patterns available and a few pages of basic knitting instructions if you need them. Just call or send an e-mail to Sue Coleman or the Church Office. We will set up a time for us to get together. We can knit together and we can also knit on our own. Let's make Jeanne proud.
Submitted by Sue Coleman
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Make our Pictorial Directory Complete
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Earlier this year many of you indicated through our communications questionnaire that you would like a new pictorial directory. In response to your request, Barbara Tartir and Adrian Dryer have volunteered to take the lead in this project to celebrate our church family and strengthen the bond within our congregation. Now we need YOU to make our directory complete as we welcome you to be a part of our upcoming new directory.
For this important project, we are partnering with Lifetouch who is providing the directory at no cost to our church. Every family photographed receives a complimentary directory and an 8x10 portrait.
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, November 10, 11, 12, 2015
Each day from 2:00pm to 9:00pm
For your convenience, all photography and portrait viewing will take place at Westminster with NO sitting fee. You will have a variety of poses taken. One pose will be selected for the directory. In addition to your complimentary 8xl0, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits on the day of your portrait session. Lifetouch's portrait price lists are available in the church office for those who would like them prior to photography.
This professional photography session is a great opportunity to invite your extended family and get portraits with everyone together. In addition, it's a great reason to invite friends and neighbors to our church. Each visiting family will receive their own complimentary 8x10 portrait.
Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to be professionally photographed. Lifetouch offers so many ways to capture the memories. Your portraits are sure to become valued family keepsakes.
We are looking forward to seeing you in our directory,
Barbara Tartir and Adrian Dryer
P.S. Watch for your Portrait Sitting Guide with tips on how to prepare for your portrait session. We ask that you allow one hour during which time you will check-in, be photographed, and select your portraits.
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Worship is at 10:45 am on Sunday mornings in Mackey Hall
10:45 am
Westminster will join First Presbyterian Church in worship at 10:45 am at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave. in celebration of their 200th anniversary. The bicentennial service will host the Rev. John M. Buchanan as guest preacher.
10:45 am
Professor Mark Denbeaux, one of Seton Hall's most senior faculty members, will be our Guest Speaker during worship as he talks about the intersectionality between Black Lives Matter and Islamaphobia. 10:45am Pastor Dries preaching
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What's happening at Westminster this week?
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Saturday, October 102:00pm - 4:00pm: Richard and Barbara Bell's 50th wedding anniversary reception in Mackey Hall.
9:30am: Choir Rehearsal at First Presbyterian Church
10:45am: Worship at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave. Wooster
12:00pm: Building Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 13
10:00am: Women's Bible Study in the Lounge
10:00am: Mission Cohort Meeting in the Lounge
Sunday, October 18
9:30am: Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:45am: 3rd Sunday Intergenerational Conversation in the Lounge
10:45am: Worship in Mackey Hall, Prof. Mark Denbeaux speaking
12:00pm: Fellowship following Worship in Mackey Hall 12:00pm: Congregational Care Ministry in the Lounge
2:00pm: Community Action Workshop with Prof. Mark Denbeaux
For the latest and most up-to-date information visit Westminster's calendar here.
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