Prayer List

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,

you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.

You must wake up with sorrow.

You must speak to it till your voice

catches the thread of all sorrows

and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,

only kindness that ties your shoes

and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,

only kindness that raises its head

from the crowd of the world to say



It is I you have been looking for,

and then goes with you everywhere

like a shadow or a friend.

~from "Kindness" by Naomi Shihab Nye



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 still in ICU at Akron General Trauma Center, but has been making improvement and is hoping to join Don at Wooster Community Hospital where he is undergoing rehab. Don welcomes brief visits.

Chris Stewart

Continued prayers for healing for Chris who had triple bypass surgery (also received a new mitral valve and a pacemaker) earlier this month. He is now in the transitional care unit at Wooster Community Hospital. He welcomes visitors or you may send a card to Chris at the address below:

Chris Stewart

PO Box 565

Shreve, OH 44676

Sue Coleman

Prayers for peace and comfort for Sue as she settles into this new season of life in a nursing home. You may send her cards at the address below:

Sue Coleman

The Bickford of Rocky River, Rm 325

21600 Detroit Rd

Rocky River, OH 44116

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.

David Gillespie

Prayers for David who has been grappling with health issues and is waiting to see a cardiologist next Friday.

Lemoine Peart

Continued prayers for healing for Lemoine who is recovering well from a surgery on her collarbone.

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;
• students speaking up for ceasefire in Gaza and for justice to be established for all people in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel at Columbia University and on campuses across the country, who face silencing and threats of violence;
• in thanksgiving for all in our community who came out to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning the green spaces - around the Church House, at Wooster Memorial and at Oak Hill parks;
• 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;
• our Westminster community as we plan our 150th anniversary celebration next weekend!!

Friends, this Easter season may we embody God's light, love, compassion, and hope to all we encounter.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, April 24

• CAMO - 9:00 am - noon - 322 Westwood Ave., Orrville

Thursday, April 25

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

Friday, April 26

• COW Senior Research Symposium

Sunday, April 28

• Choir Rehearsal - 9:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Worship service - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place

Monday, April 29

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

Wednesday, May 1 - First Day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

• WAIP - 9:00 am - Zoom
• COW Preschool Open House - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Preschool Classroom

Thursday, May 2

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

Saturday, May 4 - WPC 150th Anniversary

• Anniversary Reception - 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Mackey Hall Patio

Sunday, May 5 - WPC 150th Anniversary

• Choir Rehearsal - 9:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Anniversary Worship - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Anniversary Banquet & Program - 12:30 pm - Kittredge Dinning Hall
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place

Earth Day Celebrations

We showed our care for creation in tangible ways and enjoyed great fellowship with old and new friends!

Westminster cleanup crew (Candy and Suzanne not pictured)

Wooster Memorial Park clean up - Ken with students and Friends of WMP

Julia and Eniko with friends of WMP pulling garlic mustard

Earth Day Worship Recording

If you were not in worship with us this Sunday in person or online, I encourage you to watch the recording below.

We celebrated Earth Day through poetry and dance. The Westminster liturgical dance group (Julie Douglass-Gillespie, Adriana Dryer, Debra Kitco, and Eniko Ferenczy) offered an interpretation of the hymn "Mystery" from Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) by Paul Winter - an embodied commitment of our love and care for our planet and all her creatures.

WPC 150th Anniversary Mission Project

Friends, we are excited to announce that we reached our initial goal of $10,000 for our anniversary mission project 🎉🎉🎉 The WPC Session expanded our goal to $20,000.

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

(FYI - the organization changed its name from RIP to Undue Medical Debt this week. This does not impact our campaing.)

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!

Help Us Celebrate WPC's 150th Anniversary

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.  

Comedy Show Benefitting Open Arms Hispanic Ministries

When: Friday, April 26 at 7:00 pm 

Where: Grace Church, 5850 Co Hwy 77, Millersburg, OH.  

Comedy show for the whole family with desserts provided

This year's Open Arms fundraiser will be a comedy act featuring two family-oriented comedians, both well-known to Open Arms. For more information or to car-pool, contact Cheryl Weiss or Lynne Hamrick. 

COW Preschool Reopening - Spread the Word!

Friends, I am excited to share the news that the Preschool is reopening this Fall. Registration is now open. If you know preschool age children, please share the information.

Open House on Wednesday, May 1 between 4-6 pm.