Prayer List

"And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

~Acts 2:8 (NRSVA)

We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.

~Toni Morrison

God of every tongue,

We are grateful that in the presence of the Spirit, we are not asked to forget ourselves but to remember. To remember where we came from, to recall the sound of our own cultures and languages. Help us to heal from those spaces that have demanded assimilation from us under the guise of unity.

To belong, we are told we must exalt commonality over particularity.

Teach us the kind of belonging that it is not threatened by those things that make us different but comes alive at the site of inclusion.

Protect us from communities who only welcome our cultures as a theatrical symbol of their own benevolence.

Lead us into spaces where our presence is longed for not as a mark of achievement but out of the deep recognition that hope cannot survive on one tongue alone. Amen.

~"Pentecost" from Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley



This week we pray for:

Nahida and Don Gordon

Continued prayers for healing for Nahida and Don who are recovering from a car accident.

Nahida is at Wooster Community Hospital, Room 407 in the rehab unit on the 4th floor. Please note that this floor has limited visiting hours (Monday - Friday 4-8pm; Saturday 2-8pm; Sunday 11-8pm) to allow patience time to rest.

Don is at West View Healthy Living (1715 Mechanicsburg Rd), Room 615.

Both Nahida and Don are slowly gaining strength. They welcome brief visits and appreciate your love and support for them.

Jim Taggart

Continued prayers for healing for Jim, who is at Wooster Community Hospital, Room 14 in the 2nd floor rehab unit. Jim had his big toe on his right leg amputated due to an infection last week.

Barbara Hayes

Continued prayers for healing for Barbara, who is also at Wooster Community Hospital, and hoping to go home tomorrow (May 16).

Caryl Slater

Continued prayers for healing and comfort for Caryl, who has been grappling with health challenges caused by a kidney stone as well as high blood pressure.

Chris Stewart

Continued prayers for healing for Chris, who is recovering from heart surgery at home. You may send a card to Chris at the address below:

Chris Stewart

PO Box 565

Shreve, OH 44676

Kathleen Paul, Linda Barbu's sister

Prayers of gratitude for Kathy. Her MRI last week showed a total remission of the cancer. She will receive two more specialized chemo treatments to catch any cells that may be in her lymph system.

Brandy, Eric Miller's niece

Prayers for Brandy as she begins treatment for an aggressive type of breast cancer.

Deb Hostetler

Continued prayers for healing, peace of mind and strength for Deb as she continues her chemo treatment and grapples with nausea. We also hold husband Gabe and their children in our love as they support Deb on this journey.

Candace, Juli Gillespie's neighbor

Continued prayers for healing for Candace who is recovering from a recent surgery and has been grappling with health challenges for months. Prayers also for her husband Jeff, and sons Jason and Ben.

Tom Ewing, Erica Ewing's dad

Continued prayers for healing for Tom. He has resumed his cancer treatment.

Tom Battles

Continued prayers for Tom and Elaine in this new season of life with Tom living in a nursing home.

Barbara Mykkanen

Continued prayers for Barb as she participates in a study to help others with similar cancer diagnosis. She has been recently diagnosed with age related macular degeneration on her left eye.

We pray for

• those who are healing from medical procedures, and who are dealing with ongoing health concerns in our midst;
• those in our community who are unhoused;
• those who are overwhelmed by the difficult personal situations, the violence and suffering in the world; may we find small things to nurture our spirits every day;
• all who live in the midst of violence and war - in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, Haiti, South Sudan, Ukraine, and many other places across the world;
• those whose lives and livelihood have been impacted by massive floods in Kenya and Brazil, and volcanic eruptions in Indonesia;
• those who strive for justice, may their voices be heard and heeded; 
• in thanksgiving for all who use their skills and resources for the common good;

Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come and move in and through us, whisper hope into every corner of despair. Come, dance, enflame, and transform us!

May we embody God's light, love, compassion, and hope to all we encounter.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 15

• Immigration Justice Committee Meeting - 2:00 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, May 16

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - Mackey Hall

Sunday, May 19 - Pentecost Sunday (Please wear something red!)

• Worship service - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place

Monday, May 20

• Scout Troop 61 - 6:30 pm - Mackey Hall

Wednesday, May 22

• WPC Session Meeting - 7:00pm - The Lounge

Thursday, May 23

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - Mackey Hall

Sunday, May 26

• Worship service - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place

Welcome Picnic for Ohio Light Opera 2024 Company

Friends, our season of worship with Ohio Light Opera musicians will commence on Sunday, May 26. As in years past, we are hosting a welcome picnic for the 2024 company on Tuesday, June 4, between 5:00 - 6:30 pm in Mackey Hall.

If you are interested in helping with set-up and clean-up and bringing side dishes and dessert to share, please indicate it on the Signup Genius here.

Thank you for helping us offer a heartfelt welcome to the OLO 2024 Company!

WPC 150th Anniversary Mission Project

Friends, our our anniversary mission project continues until June 2. We have passed our goal of $20,000 🎉🔥🎉🔥🎉

You can find more information on the project at https://wpcwoo.org/undue.

Share the information with friends, family, co-workers. Let's sow seeds of goodness in our community!

Thank you for your generosity! We appreciate your partnership with us in strengthening the fabric of our community!

We Continue to Celebrate WPC's 150th Anniversary

If you were not able to join us this weekend for our wonderful celebrations, or if you would like to reminisce about the inspiring worship or moments of warm reunion and program at the banquet, check out these links below.

We will have photos that capture the celebration to share with you next week.

Stay tuned!

You may read the liturgy for the celebratory worship here.

You may view the program, the celebratory program slideshow and script here.

A message from the 150 Anniversary planning committee

What will future generations know about Westminster in 2024? 

Please add to the historical record at the 150th Anniversary website. Your memories and reflections may be of any length. These reflections will be preserved in our archives and at the College of Wooster archives. We need many submissions to make this a successful effort in describing who we are and what we hold as important.  It is also ok to submit your contributions at the link below or in written form to the church office and your entry will be transcribed into our online webpage.  

Your thoughts and contributions are unique and important.