Prayer List

Friends,

As we long for peace and wholeness in the midst of the harsh realities of our present, may these reflections by Palestinian Quaker theologian Jean Zaru on her lifelong commitment to peacemaking inspire us:

"What is that inner force that drives us, that provides regeneration and perseverance to speak the truth that desperately needs to be spoken in this moment of history?...

If I deserve credit for courage, it is not for anything I do here, but for continuing in my daily struggle under occupation on so many fronts, for remaining samideh (steadfast) and, all the while, remaining open to love, to the beauty of the earth, and contributing to its healing when it is violated."

Let us pray - a remix of Psalm 37 :

Do not hand over your energy to the wastelands of destruction...

Make your home in the ways of the Sacred.

Trust in what is Courageous, what is Just, what is Tender...

Do not respond to one form of systemic evil by weaponizing another.

Do not let others coerce you into cruelty...

Rise up to protect your neighbors and all of created life.

Rise up to disrupt what is oppressive in all its forms.

Rise up to create, to birth, to build something new.

Though the spirits of coercion and control surround us,

in God, we find a refuge:

A place to learn and unlearn,

to connect and to heal,

to enflesh our collective freedom,

and bring an end to all that destroys.

~by mjk, Enfleshed

This week we pray for:

Barbara Mykkanen

Prayers for Barb who started a new immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Barna Ferenczy, cousin of Pastor Enikö

Continued prayers for healing for Barna (Brown, living in Hungary).

Dave Gillespie's sister Patricia and brother-in-law Marvin

Continued prayers for comfort and strength for Patricia and Marvin. Patricia is the full-time caretaker of her husband as Marvin is grappling with a sudden decline in his health.

Deb Hostetler

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

Deborah, Sherry Hatter-Miller's sister

Continued prayers for peace and comfort for Deborah as she is finishing up her last week of radiation on Thursday.

Tamara, Sherry Hatter-Miller's niece

Continued prayers for healing for Tamara as she continues her treatment on her finger.

Brandy, Eric Miller's niece

Continued prayers for Brandy as she undergoes treatment for an aggressive type of breast cancer.

Jim Taggart

Continued prayers for healing for Jim.

Chris Stewart

Continued prayers for healing for Chris, who is recovering from heart surgery at home.

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.

We also pray for:

• those healing from medical procedures, and who are dealing with ongoing health concerns and difficult personal situations in our midst;
• in gratitude for our community - for all who create space for welcome, laughter, friendship, healing and wonder in our midst;
• all who live in the midst of conflict and war - in many places across the world; for those in fear of gun violence in this country;
• creation - for imagination, creativity, and will to heal and preserve the natural world;
• all who are experiencing extreme weather crisis; especially we pray for those affected by floods across Europe;
• authentic conversations about difficult topics, bridging chasms between us;
• our nation as we face another election--may we be united in working for the common good;
• God's word to guide our hearts and our steps, as we share the justice and hope of the good news.

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

Upcoming Events

Thursday, September 19

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place
• Benevolence Committee Meeting - 2:00 pm - The Lounge

Saturday, September 21

• Muskingum Valley Presbytery Meeting - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Milton Presbyterian Church (250 North St, Rittman, OH)
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Sunday, September 22

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

Monday, September 23

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

Wednesday, September 25

• CAMO - 9:30 am - noon - Orrville
• WPC Session Meeting - 7:00 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, September 26

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place
• Immigration Justice Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm - The Lounge

Saturday, September 28

• Latino Food Festival - 2:00 pm - Rehm Gazebo, Orr Park, Orrville

Sunday, September 29

• WPC Worship - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place
• Blessing of the Animals - 5:30 pm - Christmas Run Park (organized by the Wayne County Interfaith Justice Committee)

Madeline in Klaipeda, Lithuania

We continue to hold Madeline in our prayers during her semester abroad.

She'll be traveling to Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania, this weekend. Then next week, her team will visit Tallin, Estonia. We pray for safe travels and fun explorations. Be on the lookout for more info about a place of resistance against the Soviet occupation Madeline will visit.

The swans are in the pond across from her dorm room :)

If you'd like to send her cards, here is her mailing address:

Madeline Fields Halva

Study Abroad Lithuania

LCC International University

Kretingos gatvė 36

Klaipėda, Lithuania 92307

I know that some of us wanted to send Madeline packages. She really appreciates the gesture, but customs are really complicated (!!!), and she invites us to only send cards or letters 🥰

Save the Date: "Humanizing Migration" Workshop

Westminster is sponsoring a "Humanizing Migration" workshop on Saturday, October 19th, from 9:30am to 2:30 p.m. in Mackey Hall with Central American lunch provided. Free admission for this timely, informational day with our area immigration-agency leaders and special guest, Dora Rodriquez, Director, Salvavision in Tucson, Arizona. 

Please plan to attend and support this day devoted to shifting perspectives and narratives around immigration issues. 

Empowering Ohioans: The Fight to End Gerrymandering

Last night retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor was in Wooster to speak on Issue 1, which will end gerrymandering and create fair legislative districts in our state.

The event organized by the League of Women Voters packed the Gault Recital Hall at the college. It was good to see so many people desiring to learn more about what it means to be good citizens and create more wholesome and equitable communities. Good presence from Westminster also!

The talk was recorded and will be broadcast on MCTV. Check for the dates on the LWV page.

"Justice O’Connor helped us to understand the importance of fair districts in a representative democracy. The practice of gerrymandering - nearly as old as this nation - allows one party to exert oversized power. It pre-supposes an outcome, where the favored party often has no opposition in an election and where incumbents enjoy an unfair advantage.



When districts are drawn to serve the interests of citizens and not politicians, the agenda and priorities of legislative bodies reflect the will of the people. (LWV)"

Open Arms Latino Food Festival

September 28, 2:00 pm, Orr Park, Orrville

Let's show our continues support for Open Arms Hispanic Ministries while having a great day of delicious food, music and fun! Free admissions.

Contact Lynne Hamrick for more information.