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“The Golden Pilgrimage” by Carmelle Beaugelin
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Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
Scripture
Isaiah 6:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon
Choosing a Star
The Rev. Deborah Packard
Bulletin
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Zoom Meeting ID: 822 3301 6989
Any questions, contact Becky Kimberly in the office
at office@westpresby.org.
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Welcome the Rev. Deborah Packard
as our Guest Pastor This Sunday
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We welcome back the Rev. Deborah Packard as our guest preacher this Sunday. Deb has recently retired after 20 years of parish ministry - in both installed and interim/transitional calls. This past summer she moved from Providence to West Warwick which involved more downsizing. She says it’s hard to let go of “things” but when you can get them from your hand into the bag to go to Saver’s, you realize how free you feel!
Deb has two children; her son lives in Oakland and her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live in Paris. It’s a great place to visit, but it’s hard being so far apart. Hence, the choice to live in RI - it’s near two good airports and in the middle between her children. This fall, because of her son’s living arrangements in CA, she has taken on the long term care of his dog, Indy (after Indiana Jones!). She says this is something one would only do for a child.
In this next chapter of her life, Deb looks forward to new adventures and lots of time for reading murder mysteries.
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What Are Star Words?
How our Friends at Sanctified Art Describe It
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The use of star words, also called “star gifts,” is a prayer practice connected to Epiphany and the new year that has been growing in popularity in Protestant churches for nearly a decade now. The idea is that a list of intention words, or guiding words, are written or printed on paper stars. These paper stars are then arranged, most commonly face down, on the Communion Table or in a large basket. At some point during your Epiphany service, individuals are invited to draw a word from the basket or off the Table, and to use that word as a guiding word throughout the year. Typically, participants are encouraged to trust the word they have drawn, and not to replace the word. However, there is not a strong need to be the “star police” if an individual wants to trade. Individuals are often encouraged to place their star word somewhere they will see it regularly throughout the year to allow consistent reflection on how God has moved through, around, or in connection to that word.
There Are Several Theological Statements Being Made in this Tradition
- The Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year— to move closer to Jesus.
- We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words are one such lens that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight.
- We trust that it is often easy to miss God in our daily midst. Having an intention word to consider both in present days, as well as to reflect on at the end of the year, allows for us to see God in ways we may not have seen God before. This is the greatest gift.
- We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. We believe that star words invite a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.
- By not looking or sorting through the star words at their selection, we practice the spiritual task of receiving. It is not we who are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control.
Come join us on Sunday to participate in this practice. If you are not able to join us in person, feel free to stop by the church office during the week to choose a star word, or let us know and we will gladly mail one to you.
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Sunday Pre-Worship Gathering on Zoom
Join us for Conversation and Connection
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This Sunday marks our first official Sunday Pre-Service Gathering on Zoom. Grab your coffee, tea or breakfast and click the Sunday worship link to join us beginning at 9:10 a.m. for conversation, fellowship, and connection. We will wrap up our conversation at 9:55 a.m. to join in the worship service together.
Similar to our post-service gatherings, we want to come together before Sunday worship for a time to reflect on subjects that matter to you and to share what is on our minds and hearts that morning. In the future there could be pre-selected subjects for discussion. Recommendations are welcomed. We want to continue to find ways to extend our welcome and hospitality to our Westminster family online. We hope you can join us. Any questions or suggestions, please contact Michael Seltzer at michaelbpd10@gmail.com.
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Something New: Theology on Tap! | |
Theology on Tap is a monthly fellowship event held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at a local brewery. Join Rev. Julie Emery as we gather to build relationships and deepen our faith together. Our first gathering will be on Thursday, January 19th at 6:30 p.m. at New Park Brewing (485 New Park Avenue in West Hartford). We'll meet to enjoy each other's company and have a discussion led by Rev. Julie. Food is available. Invite your friends - all are welcome! | |
Next Steps After the GHIAA Power Summit How to Get Involved! | |
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Many of you were present for the GHIAA Power Summit on Dec. 7. In case you were not able to attend, the recording is available online: https://vimeo.com/event/2691900. It was a powerful evening of joy, lament, and shared commitment to the work of justice. Many thanks to everyone who attended or wanted to attend and couldn’t make it.
We want to invite you to take a next step with GHIAA if you are so inclined. GHIAA has launched issue campaigns in five areas (mental health, housing, education, environment, and gun violence). For each issue area we are building rapid response teams for the upcoming legislative session which begins in January and runs through June.
These teams allow people to plug into an issue campaign in more direct ways. Members of rapid response teams will receive more frequent updates on the campaign(s) they are interested in, and will be invited to contribute at key times, sometimes on short notice, to some of the following actions:
- Submit public testimony (written and/or oral)
- Attend press conferences and other smaller actions
- Participate in legislative visits
- Other action as needed!
If you want to be part of a rapid response team, please fill out this form: https://cljct.org/ghiaa/action/.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the GHIAA core team members:
Rev. Julie Emery, Nicole Aronson, Peter Benner, Cindy Buckley, Tom Buckley, Michael Seltzer, Nancy Souza
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Commissioned to Change the World
Ways to Support our Confirmation Program
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Greetings Westminster Faith Family -
I’m writing to tell you about some exciting news for early 2023. After a long CoVid interruption we are once again able to offer a confirmation program for our youth in the upcoming winter and spring. This is good news!
This program will be very different from confirmation programs of the past. The curriculum we’ll be using is based on Matthew 25 and is titled Commissioned to Change the World. Rather than focusing on church history or church membership, this program is designed to be an affirmation of the wonderfully unique gifts that God has given each person. The program consists of a 24-hour group retreat and then several one-on-one meetings with an adult mentor. These meetings focus on youth and mentor together exploring important parts of discerning our place in the world - topics such as wisdom, justice, hospitality, grace and gratitude.
Rev. Julie Emery and I have already been in communication with high school students and their parents about this program. But we need help from you! Because we believe that we all share the joy of and responsibility for growing our faith together, and because this is a community that values our relationships with each other, we have committed to providing an adult mentor for each youth taking part in this program. So we are asking you now - would you consider being a mentor?
Here is what is asked:
- Commit to fully participating in exploring your faith alongside a youth. No one is expected to have all of the answers!
- Attend a 24-hour retreat (late afternoon Friday, February 3rd through late afternoon Saturday, February 4th, 2023)
- Attend our Confirmation Celebration worship service at 10:00 am on Sunday, February 5th.
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Meet (one on one) with your assigned youth eight times over the course of the next 4 - 6 months. These meetings can be in person or virtual and held at times that work for both of you. A great curriculum with lots of ideas for what to do at these meetings is provided!
- At the end of this process, help your student reflect on the experience.
There will be a meeting in early January to tell you more about mentorship and to answer questions. But for now, we need to start a list of people who are interested in learning more. If you think that being a mentor might possibly be a good fit for you, please contact Karen Hammond at khammond@westpresby.org or (860) 214-1903.
Thank you for your consideration and for being a part of this wonderful faith family.
Karen
PS: Here is another way you can help!. Our February retreat comes with monetary costs (to pay for Camp Wightman lodging and meals). Participants have been asked to pay some of this cost, but we are inviting sponsorships.
Sponsorships are $50.00. If you would like to sponsor one (or more) participants, please send a check in to the church, marking it “confirmation” in the memo line. Thank you!!
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We pray for those near and far:
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Ann Cox; Andrew Gagiu's grandfather Alexander; Cyndi Robinson's friend Brian who is getting treatment for cancer; Eliza Cleaveland; Dorothy Elsner; Laura Berman and family; Cameron Logan and his father Sam Logan; Elle Dewey; Karen Wagner's friends AJ, Rich and Ramon; Jon Scoville; Paige Logan's friend Mia; El Harp; Muriel Sherman; David MacMeekin's brother-in-law, Dan Reinhard; Cale Strober; Suzanne Atwood; Karen Sprout’s sister, Kathryn Johnson; Jane Sebolt; Sally West; Rachel Lloyd’s Aunt Katie; Doreen Springsteen; Marissa Torsiello; Stella Madjitey; Peter Benner; Jen Buffat; Sara DeGraff's sister; Jack Zapata and Alan and Ashley Zapata; Betty Stokes; and David Robbins. | |
- Todd Kimberly and his family on the death of his mother Dawn who passed away this week. Prayers of comfort for his father Mike;
- Jinny Smanik and family on the death of her father Jud Miner;
- Friends and families of those in recent months who mourn the death of loved ones. May they be comforted.
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