November 19, 2020 
Westminster Presbyterian Church. The Westminster Weekly Word
1502 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. (302) 654-5214. www.wpc.orgLike us on Facebook
A Message from Gregory
Knox Jones

Dated Tuesday, November 17, 2020
You may recall that three weeks ago (you can remember that far back, right?), I asked you to help us figure out the best Christmas Eve worship schedule for the upcoming COVID Christmas. My Tuesday message provided a link to a brief survey to discover what members of our church family were thinking about attending worship on Christmas Eve. Thank you to all 107 of you who responded.

Click here to continue reading the latest letter from our Senior Pastor, Greg Jones.
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TONIGHT: Community Policing and Engagement: Best Practices and Your Ideas
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86027521655
Westminster member Lynne Kielhorn is serving on the Community Policing and Engagement subcommittee of Delaware's recently chartered Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force. She will share updates on the current process and seek your input to inform her views on the topic of community policing and engagement. Join us at the Zoom link above, or go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 860 2752 1655 and click "Join."
God's Vision is Clear...We're All in This Together!
During the COVID pandemic, with challenges all around us, Westminster has remained vibrant, and strong, and continues to lift us up. Our mission work has remained active within our community and even beyond our borders with ongoing efforts in Guatemala and Syria. Your pledge of support is very important as we move forward into 2021. If you have never pledged before, please consider doing so now. If you regularly pledge, we are truly grateful. You may make your 2021 pledge on our website at www.wpc.org/pledge. We gratefully appreciate your support by November 22.
Worship Service in Our Sanctuary (November 22)
Sunday, November 22, 9:00 a.m.
Our sanctuary is open on Sunday mornings for one worship service at 9:00 a.m. Attendance is limited and an online reservation (one per family) is required. When we reach the maximum number of reservations we can host, the reservations will close. We have established a number of guidelines for your safety, which include social distancing, wearing a facial mask/covering, and the use of no-touch sanitizing stations. Click here to read all of the guidelines. The liturgy will be emailed to you after you make your online reservation. Congregants are encouraged to print the liturgy from home and bring it to the service or pull it up on your mobile device; a limited number of printed copies will be available. The decision to attend in-person worship rests with each individual. A virtual option will continue to be available on our website. To make your online reservation for November 22 worship in the sanctuary, click here!
Made a Worship Service Reservation? Please Read
If you make a reservation for in-person worship, please make every effort to attend the service. If you make a reservation but cannot attend, please cancel your reservation. This allows a spot to open up for someone wanting to attend. You can cancel via the original Eventbrite confirmation email you received when you made your reservation; there is a link under Order Summary to "View and manage your order online." You may also contact Cathy Lang at [email protected] or (302) 654-5214 ext. 129 up until 4:00 p.m. on the prior Friday to cancel your reservation.
180 Youth on Zoom
Sunday, November 22, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This Sunday, 180 (grades 6-12) meets on Zoom. Join us for games, discussion groups, and hang time. See you there! For more information about 180, email Tommy at [email protected].
Pop-Up Adult Education: Single, COVID-19, and the Holidays...
How to Survive and Thrive
Sundays, November 22, 29, and
December 6, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Join an informal discussion group as we share our plans, hopes, fears and challenges about the approaching holidays during these challenging times. If possible, let Margo Reign ([email protected]) know you will be attending so you can receive some of the discussion questions ahead of time. Last minute drop-ins are welcome. Go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 999 4853 1730 and click "Join."
No Weekly Word on Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 26
The Westminster Weekly Word will not be distributed on Thursday, November 26. It will resume the following Thursday, December 3. Please schedule your announcements accordingly and submit online at www.wpc.org/communications. The deadline is always Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Peace and Justice: Thursday Evening Education Events
There will not be a program presented on Thursday, November 26. Classes will resume on December 3. The Peace & Justice Work Group wishes you all a blessed Thanksgiving!
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Coming Up
Worship Service in Our Sanctuary (November 29)
Sunday, November 29, 9:00 a.m.
Our sanctuary is open on Sunday mornings for one worship service at 9:00 a.m. Attendance is limited and an online reservation (one per family) is required. When we reach the maximum number of reservations we can host, the reservations will close. We have established a number of guidelines for your safety, which include social distancing, wearing a facial mask/covering, and the use of no-touch sanitizing stations. Click here to read all of the guidelines. The liturgy will be emailed to you after you make your online reservation. Congregants are encouraged to print the liturgy from home and bring it to the service or pull it up on your mobile device; a limited number of printed copies will be available. The decision to attend in-person worship rests with each individual. A virtual option will continue to be available on our website. To make your online reservation for November 29 worship in the sanctuary, click here!
A Conversation on How to Be an Antiracist with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Thursday, December 3, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86027521655
Facilitated by Janet Steinwedel
Westminster was a primary sponsor of Dr. Kendi's Zoom appearance on Sunday evening, November 15, as he discussed the premises expressed in his new book. Original plans for his appearance involved speaking in the Westminster sanctuary for this community event, as part of our Peace & Justice Work Group's ongoing speaker series. Whether or not you were able to participate in the November 15 event, please join us on Thursday, December 3, as Janet Steinwedel facilitates a conversation on the themes of Dr. Kendi's book and talk. Use the Zoom link above, or go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 860 2752 1655 and click "Join."
Pacem in Terris (Virtual) Annual Dinner
Thursday, December 3, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
The Pacem in Terris Board of Directors and staff invite you to their 2020 (Virtual) Annual Dinner entitled Art & Activism, featuring a keynote from historian, author, and professor Dr. Ousmane Power-Greene. Space is limited! Tickets are $25 per attendee. Each registration requires a name, address, and email for Zoom. Click here for more information and to purchase a ticket.
Christmas Hanover Food Pantry
Sunday, December 6, 8:45 - 10:00 a.m. in the WPC parking lot
Holiday time is approaching fast and the folks at Hanover Food Pantry need our help to make sure that their shelves are stocked! Can you help by bringing holiday meal non-perishable foods for this season? We look forward to seeing everyone in the parking lot on December 6 from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m. with your cereal or other items for those who need a real meal for the holidays.
A Special Education Opportunity
Everyone is invited to attend this six-part series hosted on Zoom by The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM). Join us for presentation/discussion on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. as follows:
 
  • December 6 - The Early Years
  • December 13 - Slavery by Another Name
  • December 20 - Public Policy & the Civil Rights Movement
  • January 3 - Mass Incarceration & the War on Drugs
  • January 10 - Voter Suppression - Then and Now
  • January 17 - Where Do We Go From Here?

Questions? Contact Sue Linderman (302-239-7650 or [email protected]). 

Chimes Deadline Reminder
Monday, December 7, 11:00 a.m.
The deadline for the JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 issue of our newsletter, The Westminster Chimes, is Monday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m. Please submit your articles online. Go to www.wpc.org/communications and click on "Submit an Article." If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Hughes ([email protected] or 302-654-5214 ext. 130).
Christmas Poinsettias
Deadline: Thursday, December 10
You are welcome to make a contribution toward the decoration of the church for the Christmas season in memory of, or in honor of, loved ones. Click here to download and print the poinsettia form. The deadline is Thursday, December 10. For any form received after that date, the names will be listed in the December 27th bulletin.
Christmas Box Project: Calling All Christmas Angels!
Check and online donations due by Sunday, December 13
Drop off cookies and cards on Sunday, December 13, 8:45 - 10:00 a.m.
Be a part of our reimagined Christmas Box mission to help 75 families in need! Instead of collecting non-perishable foods and taking stars from the "Star Trees," we are accepting check and online donations so that we can purchase gift cards for each recipient family. Please write out and mail your check to Westminster Presbyterian Church (memo: Christmas Box) by December 13. Making cookies? Email [email protected] to be added to the cookie list, and then drop them off on December 13, between 8:45 - 10:00 a.m. in the WPC parking lot. Received a card-making packet at the Fall Festival? Drop off your homemade cards on December 13, too! What about the actual Christmas box? ShopRite donated totes that we'll fill with your donations! Pictured: Christmas Box Project, December 2019
Voices In Bronze
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," as Meredith Willson's popular song goes. Although Christmas will look much different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are some traditions we will continue, others we will adapt, and even some we will have to invent. We are resurrecting Westminster's handbell choir to play during the Christmas season! No prior ringing experience is necessary, but the ability to read music is helpful and a commitment to rehearsal attendance is essential. For more information or to participate, e-mail [email protected].
Christmas Caroling - A
Virtual Choir
You don't have to be an opera singer to share your gift of song this Christmas. With support from the Westminster Choir and our children and youth music program, we are making a video recording of several favorite Christmas carols plus the Hallelujah Chorus to share. Participants will record their individual portions at home. Professional video and audio editing software will then be used to synchronize and combine the recordings into a virtual choir. The finished recording will be released on Westminster's YouTube channel on Sunday afternoon, December 20, at 4:00 p.m., where it will be available for replay throughout the Christmas season. For more information or to participate, please e-mail [email protected]. Pictured: Christmas Caroling, December 2019
Sanctuary Flowers Needed
Date available in December
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 December 27.
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go_to_featured_photo_sectionFeatured Photo
COVID restrictions did not prevent our 180 youth from enjoying their annual Fall Retreat last weekend. The group prepared 210 "Go Bags" containing non-perishable food items and a handwritten note to be distributed by Friendship House Empowerment Center. Eleven youth with their leaders - Emily Knepper, Tommy Neilson and Molly McPheeters - engaged in several fun, meaningful activities in the Westminster parking lot, around Wilmington, and on the Brandywine. Fortunately, the weather was perfect for this totally outdoor retreat! Click here to see a few more photos.


Email photos to [email protected].
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News to Note
The Weekly Word Will Soon Have a New Look!
The Westminster Weekly Word is using a template that is out-of-date and will no longer be supported as of December 1. We are working on a new template that will be more mobile-responsive over a wider range of devices. We hope it will be a marked improvement! The main category headings, Featured Photo, and Photo Prayer will remain the same, as well as our branding and colors. Keep an eye out in early December!
An Easy Way to Keep Your Contributions Current
Many members have signed up to provide monthly contributions automatically through our online giving option. It helps to keep their pledge current and provides the church with a steady and predictable income stream. You are able to start and stop it at any time and change the amounts. Consider signing up; it's easy! Visit www.wpc.org and click the "Donate Now" button at top right corner. For questions, contact Colleen Falasco ([email protected] or 302-654-5214 ext. 131).
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Recent Life Events
Member Deaths - Those Who Have Joined the Church Triumphant
Please remember in prayer those who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
  • Ellen Aiman Clarke (obituary)
    August 7, 1931 - October 14, 2020
     
  • Thomas M. Eliason, Jr. (obituary)
    September 12, 1922 - October 25, 2020
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go_to_photo_prayer_sectionPhoto Prayer
The Westminster Weekly Word features a new Photo Prayer once a month. You may browse all Photo Prayers by Danny Schweers at any time by visiting www.photoprayer.com.
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1502 West 13th Street  |  Wilmington, DE 19806  |  (302) 654-5214  |  www.wpc.org