TONIGHT: Where We Go From Here

Thursday, July 30, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom ( https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84768977211)

Westminster's Peace & Justice Work Group is excited to host a conversation with Senator Tizzy Lockman and Urban League Executive Director Eugene Young, facilitated by WPC member Sarah McBride. Delaware marches, protests and vigils demand reform and national polls suggest broad public acknowledgement of inequities and support for meaningful change. How is this moment in time different and how do we leverage the current energy and momentum to make real change happen in Delaware? They will discuss priorities and challenges for policy and cultural reform as well as roles for the public, followed by an audience Q&A. Join us at the Zoom link above, or go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 847 6897 7211 and click "Join." Look for more topics and information on the WPC Facebook page.

Social Distancing Hike

Saturday, August 1, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Another Deacon-sponsored, social-distancing hike is planned for Alapocas Run State Park on August 1! This event is limited to 10 people. Please be sure that everyone in your family who is required to wear a mask brings one to wear. If you'd like to participate, please email Debbie Wise at [email protected] by 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31. The meeting point will be emailed to participants. Future hikes are planned for August 15 and 29; and September 12 and 26.

Syrian Collection Drop-Off Information

August 2, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
August 3, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
August 4, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

At last! The time is quickly approaching to drop off your donations at Westminster for our Interfaith Collection for Syrian Refugees. If you have waited to clean those closets, there is still time! Click here to see our flyer with an updated list of requested items. This week we added pencils, crayons, pencil sharpeners and rulers to the list. Donated items can be dropped off at Westminster Presbyterian Church (by the double blue doors off 13th Street, near Community Hall) during the dates and times shown above and on the flyer. Your donations will soon be loaded into a shipping container and on its way to Syria. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Cereal Sunday

Sunday, August 2, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

The first Sunday of the month is Cereal Sunday. Please drop off your cereal donations in the church parking lot. Since the food barrels in the church are not accessible, any non-perishable food items would be gladly accepted also for the Hanover Food Pantry.

Last Week of Compassion Camp Sunday School

Sunday, August 2, 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on Zoom

Join us on Zoom for the last week of Compassion Camp online Sunday school! Compassion Camp is designed for kids ages 4-11, and younger kids are welcome at parents' discretion. Check your email blast for details and a Zoom invitation, or contact Chesna ( [email protected]) for more information.

Creative Arts Day Camp Offered by the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

Four week-long sessions starting August 3
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon on Zoom

The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Wilmington, Delaware has received a grant from the New Castle Presbytery to offer a FREE virtual Creative Arts Camp during the month of August for rising first to sixth graders. This is an open invitation from PCC. Invite a friend! To register or for questions, contact [email protected] or (302) 281-4064. More information is available on this flyer.

Paradigm Lost

Wednesday, August 5, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Why have Israelis and Palestinians failed to achieve a two-state solution? Professor Ian Lustick (University of Pennsylvania) has analyzed this Middle East conflict for 50 years and argues that the two-state solution is dead. The only option available is a one-state solution. Join Dr. Lustick for his presentation (via Zoom) on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. To register, RSVP to [email protected].

Thursday Bible Study is on Hiatus

Our Thursday Bible study group has decided to take a "sabbath" for the month of August. We'll be back at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays starting September 3 for the second half of Exodus!

John Lewis: Good Trouble

Thursday, August 6, 7:00 p.m. - Film
Thursday, August 13, 7:00 p.m. - Discussion (both via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84768977211)

Westminster's Peace & Justice Work Group is pleased to host a showing of the new documentary "John Lewis: Good Trouble," highlighting the life and work of this Civil Rights icon. We will introduce and watch the one hour and 36 minute film on August 6, then follow up on August 13 with a discussion of the film and the history it describes. If you are unable to join us on the 6th, we hope you will watch the film on your own and join us on the 13th for discussion. Join us at the Zoom link above, or go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 847 6897 7211 and click "Join." Look for more topics and information on the WPC Facebook page.

Coming Up

Join Us on the Church Lawn! First In-Person Worship Service Since March

Saturday, August 8, 5:30 p.m. (ending by 6:10 p.m.) on the church lawn

On Saturday, August 8, we will worship on our church lawn at 5:30 p.m. Attendance is limited and an online reservation is required. Please submit ONE reservation per family. When we reach the maximum number of family units we can host, the reservations will close. Everyone who attends the service must wear a mask, practice social distancing by keeping a distance of at least six feet from anyone who is not in your family, and sit where indicated by an usher. Children must remain with their parents at all times. There will be no congregational singing; however, Tony will play a digital piano and some of our choristers will sing. Remember that at that time of day it is still hot and most of the lawn will not be in the shade. Dress accordingly and feel free to bring a bottle of water. Important! Please bring your own lawn chairs or blanket to sit on. The liturgy will be emailed to you after you make your online reservation to print and bring to the service. If it rains, the service is cancelled. Worship on the lawn does not replace our virtual worship service, which will be available on the WPC website on Sunday, August 9. Click here to make your online reservation for August 8 worship on the lawn!

Want to Learn How to Make Movies?

Westminster is looking for volunteers (8th grade and older) to film and edit the church's weekly virtual service - no experience required. For high school students, this would be a great opportunity to get volunteer hours while having fun! For retirees, a way to give back to the church. You can become the next Steven Spielberg! Filming takes place midday Friday and the editing immediately afterwards. When we return to in-person services in the sanctuary, filming will take place during the Sunday morning service. For more information, please contact Baden Saathoff ( [email protected]), Roger Reinicker ( [email protected]) or Chip Pfleegor ( [email protected]).

"Backpacks Project 2020" Update

Please give generously!

Fall 2020 would mark our 14th year of providing backpacks filled with school supplies to Wilmington students in need, but the circumstances of starting the upcoming school year are still uncertain. The challenges posed to these children is greater than ever due to this situation, and we are working with each of our five partner elementary schools to determine how best to help them meet their students' needs. To help ensure that we have the capability and flexibility to assist these students in the most effective way, we ask for your generous financial support to this project. Please make your donation here or send your check with "Backpacks Project" noted on the memo line. Thank you so much for making a difference!

Sanctuary Flowers

Date available in August

Consider giving the flowers for Sunday worship to remember or honor loved ones or to celebrate an event, while expressing praise and thanksgiving to God. Please contact Linda Watson during business hours at (302) 571-6719 or [email protected]. The next available date is August 30.

We Want to Hear from You! What Time Should We Have Zoom Adult Education?

Fall 2020

The Adult Education Subcommittee is excited about our fall line-up of guest speakers and series! When the education schedule resumes, we will have Sunday seminars later in the day, so everyone has as much opportunity as possible to go to a worship service. When should we do them? Click here to answer a ONE-question survey.

Still Thinking About Better Days?

Sundays, September 27 - November 15 (8 consecutive weeks)
10:30 a.m. on Zoom

Besides society pressuring us to "get over" the loss of a loved one, the loss of a sibling or friend is often met with even less recognition and support. Perhaps you've recently lost a close friend, sibling, or other loved one. Perhaps one step forward on the journey may be joining the Better Days Grief Support Group. We wholeheartedly invite you! Start time on Sundays has been modified in order to prioritize worship and allow travel time back home prior to our Zoom meetings. Please contact Jill Getty ( [email protected]) to register by September 1, at the latest.

Confirmation Class Moved to 2021-2022

In conversation with parents and students, the confirmation teaching team has decided to put off confirmation class until next academic year. We are sure the experience will be more rewarding in person, and we look forward to walking with you through this milestone.