Word from the Pastor

Friends,

That I am Presbyterian is the fruit of the labor of love I witnessed and the inspiration I received from Presbyterian Church (USA) mission co-workers serving in Romania before I came to the US to pursue theological studies. I love that we are a connectional church—that we believe that we are not Church alone as Westminster Church, but are connected with other congregations across the country, through are presbyteries, synods and our General Assembly. 

Every two years, Teaching and Ruling Elder Commissioners representing presbyteries from all corners of the US gather as the General Assembly—the highest council of PCUSA—to seek the mind of Christ for our denomination. We discern how is God calling us to share God’s love and care, God’s vision for the world through worship, teaching, and service at this time in history. These biannual GA gatherings are awesome reminders that God works through people from all walks of life, from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, socio-economic, gender backgrounds; that we bring different spiritual gifts, life experiences and visions about the future into the communion. As Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us, God is calling us through this diverse body to embody unity, respect, and care for each other, and witness these values to the world… a tall order in the midst of our deeply divided society. 

While I have attended several General Assemblies before, this is my first opportunity to serve as a Teaching Elder Commissioner representing our Muskingum Valley Presbytery and as Vice Moderator of the Theology, Worship, Education (TWE) Committee of the 225^th GA. To add to the list of firsts, this is the first assembly that operated in a hybrid format. All of us serving this year are trailblazers in a sense, for we have been working both in-person and online during our deliberations. 

As you are aware, last week I was in Louisville, KY where the in-person work of the assembly is taking place. To assure the safety of all, assembly committees have been staggered in 4 groups, each groups spending some days in Louisville. The committee I co-moderated, the TWE Committee was in group 1. As I write my report, the last group of committees began its deliberations. The plenary sessions will take place between Tuesday, July 5 through Saturday, July 9. All these sessions will be streamed online here. 

I’m glad to report to you that my first experience as a GA committee leader has been wonderfully rewarding. Yes, it is an incredible amount of work… even before one arrives to Louisville! All commissioners undergo extensive training in preparation. Us, the committee leaders had 4 all-day Leaders’ Briefings where we covered things from how to moderate a committee, to using technology in this new format, to understanding the structures of PCUSA, using parliamentary procedures (Robert’s Rules of Order), to writing agendas for the committee meeting and for plenary, and script writing for plenary. This year we spent significant time on how to recognize our implicit biases so that we can be more self-aware in our responses to others. We practiced how to create space for all voices, how to be respectful with each other and to assure that all feel safe and heard. I found this part of our preparation extremely meaningful and am proud to tell you that our TWE Committee embodied some of these values that create space for others beautifully. 

The TWE Committee deliberated on 18 items of business ranging from celebrating lifetime awards for distinguished educators like Rev. Drs. Elizabeth Caldwell, Darrell Guder, Frank Yamada and Gayraud Wilmore to PCUSA’s relationship with related universities, colleges, and seminaries, to adding a new confession to our Book of Confessions, to providing resources for chaplains serving veterans, and more. Through sessions that lasted from early morning till late into the afternoon and evening, our committee members kept an open spirit, listened respectfully to each other even when they did not agree about a particular issue or approach. Even as we worked decently and in order, we were able to accomplish incredible work and stay open to God’s Spirit and to the possibility of being transformed into a new creation. That is no small feat, given that our committee consists of 39 commissioners with varied backgrounds and views on what it means to be church today! This experience gives me hope for the future!

Friends, our work is not yet done. The TWE Committee is slated to report first at the Plenary, sometime around noon on Tuesday, July 5. My co-moderator Rev. Dr. Joseph Scrievner and I will alternate in presenting our committee’s recommendations to the assembly. As we prepare for the plenary sessions, I covet your prayers for Joe and me, and indeed for all commissioners. May we find continued wisdom, courage, and hope as we partner with God to transform the world!

Later this summer I plan to host an event to debrief you about the work of the other committees of the 225^th General Assembly as well. Stay tuned for more information!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Eniko

Co-moderators of the 225th GA,  Rev. Sharon Starling-Lewis and Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace

Co-moderators of the TWE Committee, Rev. Dr. Joseph Scrievner and Rev. Dr. Eniko Ferenczy.

The TWE Committee's closing worship after fruitful deliberations.

In the wake of Roe v. Wade...

Many of us are overwhelmed with emotions following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Abortion and reproductive rights have been highly contentious and divisive issues in our country. I recognize that conversations related to these matters are complex and complicated. As we, Westminster Church discern how is God calling us to engage with the reality emerging in the wake of this SCOTUS ruling, I invite you to consider the policies that our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has developed on these matters since the 1970s. 

The PC(USA) constitution says “God alone is Lord of the conscience” and that God has endowed all humans with the moral agency to make choices. This is no less true for those making decisions about whether and when to have children.

We believe “the artificial or induced termination of a pregnancy is a matter of careful ethical decision of the patient . . . and therefore should not be restricted by law” (Minutes of the 182nd General Assembly (1970), United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., p. 891). 

In 1992, the 204th PC(USA) General Assembly said, “the Christian community must be concerned about and address the circumstances that bring a woman to consider abortion as the best available option. Poverty, unjust societal realities, sexism, racism, and inadequate supportive relationships may render a woman virtually powerless to choose freely” (Minutes, pp. 367–368, 372–374).

The 204th General Assembly also affirmed “the strong Christian presumption is that since all life is precious to God, we are to preserve and protect it,” and said, “the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) encourages an atmosphere of open debate and mutual respect for a variety of opinions concerning the issues related to problem pregnancies and abortion.” The GA provided guidance on circumstances that lead to prayerful decisions to terminate pregnancy (Minutes, Journal, pp. 367–368, 372–374).

During the 220th General Assembly (2012), the PC(USA) affirmed, “no law should impose criminal penalties against any [person] who chooses or physician who performs a medically safe abortion . . . and no law should sanction any action intended to harm or harass those persons contemplating or deciding to have an abortion” (Minutes, Journal, p. 1698–1699).

You can read the full statement that PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness released on the day the ruling was announced here.

I am praying for wisdom, guidance and courage as our congregation discerns how God calls us to uphold the God given dignity and bodily autonomy of women, girls, LGQBTIA+ persons, indeed of all God’s people who may be impacted by this decision!

Next Session Meeting July 20

Clear Creek Nature Park

July 10 Sunday Service

We will meet at the Clear Creek Park Pavilion at 10:00 am for our Sunday Service,

followed by lunch.

Sandwiches, beverages and table service will be provided. Side dishes to share would be appreciated.

Wooster's newest greenspace preserve, along with a playground, is located at 688 Venture Blvd, There is a 3/4-mile paved walking trail weaving through woodlands with its boardwalks and overlook.

The park preserves a combination of wetlands, forest, and grassland leading into Clear Creek, a tributary of the Killbuck Creek.

Feel free to explore the trails before or after our service. 

Walking in Mindfulness

one week later this month only

 -- July 17 --

With our July 10 service being held at Clear Creek Nature Park, we are moving our Walking in Mindfulness out one week. See you at Oak Hill Park July 17 at 7:30 am.

Don Barlow ' 72 Honored

at 2022 COW Alumni Weekend

Don received the John D. McKee Alumni Volunteer Award. To read more about Don's career and achievements and his long history of volunteerism, along with the other four recipients who were honored, please click here.

Donations Requests for July

The following food and hygiene items are needed this month and can be placed in the People to People bin located in the Narthex:

School Kits

for Church World Service

Items Needed

• boxes of 24-count crayons
• new number 2 pencils with erasers
• BLUNT kid's scissors
• hand-held pencil sharpeners
• 12-in rulers WITH METRIC SCALE
• large erasers (pink pearl type)
• LOTS of 70-page spiral notebooks

We again will be collecting items for schools kits as in the past. 

Great prices begin to appear after July 4! 

Please watch for updates as we begin collecting to see what may still be needed. 

Help children in disaster areas

prepare for school. 

Any questions, please contact Linda Barbu.

Volunteer Opportunity at the Viola Startzman Clinic

The Benevolence Committee has reached out to the Viola Startzman Clinic and have discovered two easy ways we can support the clientele they serve.  

The first is sending out notes of cheer to the clients who need it. Any day that you are available you can volunteer as they have cards, addresses and pens available at Viola Starzman or you can write cards on your own and drop them off. 

The second way we can help support clients is by providing them with healthy budget friendly recipes. 

If you're interested in participating in either or both of these clinic outreach tasks, please reach out to Dawn Kridel by email at: mdmesk@gmail.com

The Benevolence Committee is asking you to

Save The Date -- August 28.

We will be having a harvest themed luncheon after church on Sunday August 28 with corn dishes being the featured food of the day! 

We will also be filling the bags with school supplies that we are collecting for distribution by the Church World Service.

It might sound corny but please plan on attending our "Shuck and Stuff" Event on August 28th.

First Aid for Earth Emergency - No. 6

Contribution by Juli Douglass-Gillespie

• Do you care what the rest of the world thinks about the climate crisis? Or how Americans think about it compared to people in other countries? Here are some interesting numbers to consider from the Yale Climate Change Communication. How would YOU answer their survey questions?

 International Public Opinion on Climate Change, 2022

• “Live simply so we may simply live.” Did you ever think about the consequences of your own personal actions affecting adversely the lives of people on the other side of the globe? How your lifestyle of ease and comfort can cause harm to others without your meaning it to? Listen to this segment from the PBS Newshour in India. On this side of the world we contribute constantly to the build up of human induced carbon emissions in the atmosphere through our use of fossil fuels. Warming of the atmosphere occurs causing unrelenting alternating extremes of floods and droughts. On the other side of the world, like in the Himalayas, people become victims of shortages of food and water. They have not contributed to the problem, but they are forced to bear the consequences.  

Climate change forces major lifestyle change high in the Himalayan mountains by Fred de Sam Lazaro

Is it any wonder that people avoid thinking about the depressing subject of climate change? Jesus would not have told us to stop living. I think he would have asked us to look deeply into ourselves to find all the ways we could contribute to end others’ suffering. He would have asked us to begin with ourselves and simplify. What does a simpler, less polluting lifestyle look like for you?

Human beings have always been confronted with the reality that there is great suffering in the world. This is nothing new. Except that now the prospect of that suffering literally includes the whole human population, including the present generation as well as one’s offspring. There is no time to “start simplifying my life next week”, or as Dana Nuccitelli (CCL Research Coordinator) says, "There will be no point in any of our lifetimes when it will become too late to leave the world a better place for future generations." 

Westminster Book Group

The Westminster Book Group welcomes all! 

We are currently reading Elaine Pagels' Beyond Belief. 

Our next meeting will be on

Thursday, July 28 at 7:00pm.

Our current reading offers a fresh insight into questions of faith, church, community and more.

If you are curious about texts that did not make it into what we know as the Christian "canon" - the Bible, this book is a great starting point.

At this meeting we'll cover chapter 3, through the end of the book. Come and share the thoughts and questions from Pagels' writing that resonate with you. There are no wrong questions. We honor each other by creating space for openness and vulnerability. 

We are meeting online to make it accessible for everyone. Here is the Zoom link for the gathering:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88403318289?pwd=MVh1cit4L2o3VGxNK1B1TXNMcjlqZz09

New Meeting ID: 884 0331 8289

Passcode: WPC353

Later this summer, we will also be reading The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall, and The Politics of Persecution: Middle Eastern Christians in an Age of Empire by Mitri Raheb.

Feel free to invite friends. Hope you join us to share about life and faith...

our passions and struggles!

Connor Harmon Receives Eagle Scout Status

Congratulations to Connor on receiving the highest award in Scouts BSA.  Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after they have individually earned at least 21 merit badges, held leadership positions in their unit, and have planned and led a massive service project.

All of the Connor's effort and work culminated with a lengthy review process,

which was held on June 8.  We are thankful for Connor choosing an refresh

to our sanctuary for his service project.

Connor is pictured with his Board of Review members, Brian Barby,

Jeff Koda, Brodie Dehass and John Veney.

He is then pictured with his Scout Leader, Jason Carroll.

Connor also sent Westminster this thank you letter.  Well Done Connor!

Next Eagle Scout Project Underway!

"Hi my name is Devin Carroll and I am a Life scout with Troop 61.

I am a senior at WHS and have been with scouts since I was a tiger cub in first grade. I am starting my Eagle project at the church that will include some new landscaping, pollinator garden, outside chalkboard and play area on the back side of the church.

I am asking for donations if you are able to help defray the cost of materials needed to complete my project which is estimated at $800. If you are able to help and wish to donate, please mail a check to troop 61 at 800 Wildwood Dr., Wooster OH 44691 and put "Devin's Eagle Project" in the memo. I am hoping to have this completed before the new school year starts in Aug. Thank you for any and all help you are able to give."

Sincerely, Devin Carroll

Dr. John Vimmerstedt and Mrs. Mary Vimmerstedt Memorial Service

Laura Vimmerstedt has extended an open invitation to our Westminster community to attend the public memorial service being held at Freedlander Park on July 23.  Please click here for the link to the announcement that was in The Daily Record.  

She anticipates that 5 - 10 family members will also attend our service the following morning and they look forward to saying hello to you after the service.

State of Ohio

Sexual Violence Helpline

We received this informational letter from Lydia Straus, the Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline Outreach Coordinator and felt is was important information to share with our Westminster and greater community.  The Helpline information shown in this picture will also be posted on our bulletin board for visitors to make note of.

Public Health Safety Update

We continue under the policy of Mask Optional, following the guidelines of the College of Wooster.

As masks may be required in specific, private areas, please make note of any exception signage.

Westminster Church will continue to encourage safe health practices

and will adjust our guidelines as needed.

Thank you for your understanding and support to keep all of us safe.

July & August

Hospitality & Liturgist

Westminster's worship and fellowship time is an important way to build relationships among all attending. 

We invite you to participate as a liturgist, assistant or provide flowers to decorate our alter. 

If you are able to fill one of these areas, 

please click here to sign up. 



Thank you for your contribution to our worship service.

Church Office Hours

Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, July 4 as normal. We will remain closed

through Tuesday, July 5. 

Normal hours resume on Wednesday.