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A Word from the Pastor
Friends,
The wise teacher of the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “for everything there is a season, a time for every matter” on the earth (Ecclesiastes 3:1). There is time to take account of what has grown and give thanks for the harvest. And then there is time to begin planting anew. It appears that we are living through such a season of change with our Westminster church staff right now.
You are already aware of the desire of our music staff, Interim Director of Music Pong Thiemmedh and Accompanist Kenneth Shafer, to enjoy retirement more fully by stepping down from their respective positions. Do not worry! Ken and Pong will remain part of our community after their current responsibilities are concluded.
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Later this summer, there will be a more formal opportunity to express our gratitude and thanks for the many ways they have shared their gifts and their friendship with our Westminster community over their tenure. Stay tuned! In the meantime, Ken and Pong are deeply engaged in working with the newly formed search committee to envision how our music ministry will go forward.
This summer also marks a new season in our church office. With her second baby due in September, Gracie DeLollis decided to resign from her position of Office Administrator so she can fully dedicate herself to raising daughter Margaret and preparing for the arrival of the new baby. We are delighted for Gracie and husband Frank and wish them every blessing on their growing family. Our Westminster Church family would like to offer a proper welcome to Baby DeLollis. Stay tuned for a baby shower date!
Gracie was wonderful in helping me get settled into life at Westminster when I arrived in Wooster last year in the middle of the pandemic lockdown. I am grateful for the insights, understanding and flexibility she offered as we were figuring out a new routine during a continuously changing pandemic environment; for helping me connect with people in the wider community, from the college to the city square, to the Spink Street Community Garden. It has been wonderful to work with somebody who made sure that this big-picture person did not lose sight of important details, and who has offered a variety of skills from creating beautiful newsletters to venturing into the unknown territory of Zoom worship. She has always been ready with a quick witty response when we were getting too serious about things.
As with Ken and Pong, with Gracie too, this is not a time for final good-byes. She will remain a member of our church family as she moves to fuller-time parenting. As we look for the next Office Administrator, Jack Veney, our current Tech Assistant, offered to take on administrative responsibilities. The Personnel Committee and I are delighted to welcome Jack in this new, albeit transitional, role. He needs no introduction in our community. Not only have you seen him grow up in our church, but in the past ten months, we have witnessed his technical expertise as he developed the technology for our Zoom worship services. The Christmas pageant and my ordination service are just two examples of highly complex services that went beautifully and seamlessly thanks to his efforts. Beginning June 8, you will get to see Jack in the office daily (9am - noon). He will continue to offer tech support during our hybrid worship service on Sundays until mid-August when he goes to college. But that is another bridge we will cross when it is time…
For everything there is a time, the wise teacher reminds. In this season of change, may we take time to give thanks for the many gifts we received from our staff. I invite you to also take time to pray for our outgoing staff members, and for wisdom and guidance for our church community as we seek the right people for the next chapter of our journey.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Enikő
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Highlights From This Month's Session Meeting |
The Westminster Session met in the Lounge at Westminster Church House on May 19, 2021. The following are highlights from the meeting:
Pastor Enikõ updated Session on her activities this past month.
- Update on visa renewal process – The paperwork is in process and by applying through the Premium Processing, the timeframe will be much shorter.
- She will be on vacation June 7-14. The Rev. Virginia Birks will be guest preacher on June 13. Rev. Jim Collier will be available for Pastoral Care Coverage
- The book study Caste by Isabel Wilkerson has 16 participants
The Ice Cream Social was well received on Sunday, May 16, 2021.
Re-opening Plan: May 23 – Plans are in place for this special occasion. Those who are attending are being asked to sign up for their attendance prior to the service.
Benevolence Committee – Pentecost Offering - 40% stays with the Congregation the remaining 60% will go to Camp Nuhop.
Personnel - Various staff changes are being discussed
- The plans for replacing both Ken and Pong are in progress. A search committee of Pastor Eniko, Ken Shafer, Pong, Barbara Tartir, Dorothy Iams and Jim Bonk is in place.
- Don Fraunfelder has announced his resignation as Treasurer on July 31, 2021
- Gracie will be leaving her position as Office Administrator on June 4, 2021 at her request.
The Finance Committee presented a monthly summary of the church finances. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of this report, please contact the Church Office.
The next Session meeting will be June 23, 2021 at 6:30pm in the Church House Lounge.
Respectfully Submitted,
Josie Drushal, Clerk of Session
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Not goodbye, but see you around! |
As you read in Enikő's note above, my last day as your Office Administrator will be Friday, June 4. The needs of my growing family are simply too great for me to continue working, especially with the due date of our second child rapidly approaching.
I wanted to take a moment just to thank you all for the many kindnesses you have shown my family throughout my tenure at Westminster. You have made us all feel so welcome, and I am especially thankful for your flexibility and understanding as our life adjusted and changed to welcome Margaret to our family.
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While I will no longer be working in the office, our family is planning to remain part of the Westminster community and attend worship with you as often as our family schedule allows. Some of you probably know what that is like when you have very small kids!
Thank you for welcoming us so warmly to Westminster, and for the love and generosity you have shown our family. We are forever grateful, and look forward to getting to know you all on a more personal basis.
Peace,
Gracie (and Frank and Margaret, too!)
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Now that we are back to meeting in person, if you need a ride to church on Sunday mornings, please reach out to the Congregational Care Ministry Team to arrange a volunteer to bring you to church. We look forward to worshipping with you! |
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Please note the following changes to the Church Office schedule:
Monday, May 31 (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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Hartville Migrant Ministry Summer Children's Program |
We at Westminster can provide specific and needed help for the Hartville Migrant Ministry summer activities program for the children of the migrant farm laborers working in the Hartville area. If we can bring the following items to Mackey for the first two Sundays in June, the Hamricks will take them to Hartville:
- Juice boxes
- Snack packs (chips/cookies, etc)
Please place items in the marked container at the back of Mackey. A monetary donation to Hartville Migrant Ministry with "summer program snacks" in the memo line can also be made.
This summer program has been a great help to the many migrant farm-laborer families in the Hartville area. WPC volunteers have worked with this summer program in the past.
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Summer Fiesta Picnic Sponsored by Open Arms |
Save the date!
Open Arms Hispanic Ministries is sponsoring a Summer Fiesta Picnic on Saturday, July 17, at 4:00pm at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, located at 7843 Smucker Road, in Smithville. After more than a year of COVID-related restrictions, we will enjoy a safe, enjoyable time in their beautiful picnic area. Activities include live music, a program at 5:00pm, and a boxed meal, with free-will offering. Menu choice:
chicken-bacon wrap or vegetarian cranberry-pecan tossed salad, both with chips, salsa, cookies, and drinks.
For more information, call the number above or 614-546-8090. Please bring family members and/or friends!
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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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