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A Word from the Pastor
Friends,
I am writing to you with some long-awaited news: the Westminster session approved plans to resume in-person worship on Sunday, May 23—on Pentecost Sunday! It feels quite appropriate to mark a new chapter in our collective journey post-pandemic-lockdown with the rich symbolism of Pentecost.
At Pentecost, we celebrate the gathering and anointing of the followers of Jesus by the Spirit as the Body of Christ—the community that has received the sacred task of continuing Christ’s healing and transforming mission in the world. Pentecost represents a recognition—a testimony to the empowering, renewing presence of God’s Spirit within and around us even now.
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As we resume in-person worship on May 23rd, we are not becoming church, for we have never stopped being church during this past year of physical isolation. I believe that we have experienced the life-giving kindling of the Spirit in our lives in powerful ways during these past months. We’ve gained spiritual fortitude, and new courage to face change. We’ve engaged in justice ministry and acts of compassion and care with new vigor.
We begin this new chapter with the recognition that all the changes we’ve witnessed in society, in our work and family lives, and in the ways we’ve engaged in ministry these past months, are rich resources to inform and shape who we hope to become. My prayer for us is that we do not forget what we’ve learned and do not rush back to our “old ways.” With the words of poet John O’Donohue, I pray that we continue to travel “in an awakened way,” nurturing what we discovered as essential to who we are as Westminster and letting go of what is not. May we stay open to the nudge of the Spirit—to the “invitations” which still “wait along the way to transform” us.
As we look forward to May 23 with anticipation and excitement, I’d like to share with you the protocol for our in-person gatherings. I like to think of this protocol as a covenant agreement within our community: by agreeing to this protocol, we covenant to care for and protect the wellbeing of each one of us. Through our covenant, we show our welcome to all.
- If you intend to attend in-person worship, you will sign up on a form sent to you by email the Monday preceding Sunday worship. You will indicate the number of people attending with you.
- We are expected to wear masks (covering both nose and mouth) the entire time we are on the church premises.
- There will be marked sitting areas at 6 feet distance for groups of 1-2-3 people (as needed).
- The doors of Mackey Hall will be propped open (when weather permits) to have as much ventilation as possible.
- Hand-sanitizers will be available at the door where people walk in.
- We will keep physical distancing and refrain from physical contact (also during the passing of the peace).
- We encourage longer visits with each other outside.
Changes you can expect related to our worship service:
- We are offering worship services in hybrid format: a shortened service (45 minutes), as we are currently observing.
- No bulletins or hymnals will be used. Prayers and words of hymns will be projected on the screen.
- There will be a designated box for your offering near the exit door.
- Communion will be celebrated with prepackaged kits.
- There will be no congregational singing at this time. We will continue to use pre-recorded music, as well as have live instrumental music and occasionally a song leader will sing a short piece.
We appreciate your support as we prepare for this long-awaited day. I will also record a short video message with this information that will be distributed via Constant Contact. It will also be available on our church Facebook page and website.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this plan, please call or email the office.
Looking forward to seeing more of you in person soon,
Peace,
Pastor Enikő
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Highlights From This Month's Session Meeting |
The Westminster Session met by Zoom on April 21, 2021. The following are highlights from the meeting:
- Pastor Enikő updated Session on her activities this past month. She is currently working on her passport/visa renewal process which will include a visit to the Romanian Consulate in Washington DC.
- Session was informed of changes that are coming for the music staff. Pong Thiemmedh will be retiring from his position effective May 31. Ken has expressed his desire to resign as the worship accompanist. The Personnel Committee will be meeting soon to outline the hiring process in consultation with the Worship Committee.
- The Ice Cream Social/Plant Sale will be held at Westminster on Sunday, May 16. Details will be in the May newsletter.
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Pastor Enikő will be hosting a new book study on Caste: the Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The first meeting will be on May 6 at 7:00pm over Zoom. This is a continuation of the conversation on anti-racism.
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The Finance Committee presented a quarterly summary of the church finances. Anyone interested in receiving a copy may email the Church Office.
- Session approved a motion to hold the first in-person Worship Service on Sunday, May 23. Details regarding safety protocols are outlined in Pastor Enikő's message above, and will additionally be sent out separately prior to May 23.
The next Session meeting with be May 19, 2021, at 6:30pm, in person (if possible).
Respectfully Submitted,
Josie Drushal, Clerk of Session
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Please use the link below to join our Zoom worship service and fellowship time. If you would like to dial in by phone, please use the phone number listed below. If you need help using Zoom, there are instructions linked to the button that says "Click Here." If you have trouble connecting the day of, please email Jack Veney.
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Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 853 5983 3772
Passcode: wpcworship
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 853 5983 3772
Passcode: 4252716912
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Earth Day Cleanup Project |
We shared lots of laughter and good fellowship as we collected trash around the playground at Christmas Run Park. It was a meaningful way to remember our connection to nature and our responsibility to care for all these beautiful places around us. Our efforts certainly brought appreciative smiles to the faces of parents and children playing at the park.
Thanks to Joel Chupp for organizing this event, and to all who joined in to care for creation.
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Please note the following changes to the Church Office schedule:
Monday, May 3 (closed)
All emails and voicemails will be returned in the order in which they were received once the office reopens.
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Head Start Program Update |
The Benevolence Committee continues to support the needs of our local Head Start Program. Here is what they need as we move towards summer:
Boy's underwear (new in package) sizes 3–7
Boy's shorts sizes 3–7
Shoes for both boys and girls sizes 10–13 (these do not need to be new and could be gently used)
Donations can be placed in the labeled tote in the Narthex, or you may contact the Church Office to schedule contactless pickup. |
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Since the pandemic pre-empted the 2020 Ice Cream Social, it will be held in conjunction with Plant Sunday on May 16, at Mackey Hall.
Please click HERE to view the list of plant varieties. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Schmidt. |
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Save Your "Our Family" Labels! |
When you purchase Our Family products at Buehler's, please be sure to clip and save the UPC labels. Then, turn in your labels to the tub inside the main entrance to the Church House, or call the Church Office to arrange for your labels to be picked up. If you are dropping off labels in person, please be aware that the church doors are only open from 8am–4pm Monday–Friday at this time.
Sue Coleman will continue to organize and bundle all donated labels to benefit Westminster.
For each bundle of Our Family UPC barcodes collected, participating nonprofit organizations can earn $25.
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Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities |
Click the links below to learn more about Westminster's ongoing volunteering projects.
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Ongoing Fellowship Opportunities |
Click the links below for more information on Westminster's ongoing fellowship opportunities. Please note some of them have paused or moved online due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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