Worship Calendar
December 5, 2021 — Second Sunday of Advent

December 12, 2021 — Third Sunday of Advent — Commitment Sunday

December 19, 2021 — Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 26, 2021 — First Sunday of Christmas — at First Presbyterian Church (621 College Avenue)

January 2, 2022 — Hymn Sing
A Word from the Pastor


Friends,

We all long to be invited in… to feel that we belong, that we matter. Like when we enter crowded gathering of people unfamiliar to us, and then somebody comes up to us and with a large grin, exclaims: “You are here!” Or when a new acquaintance remembers our name and calls out to us. It feels a bit more like we are known. Or when the weight of our circumstances just feels overwhelming, and somebody stops us, and gently invites us, “Come, tell me what is on your heart!” We feel seen, that we matter… that our presence can make a difference. As if we were invited, “Come, be yourself here!”

In the Christmas story, the night Jesus was born, his parents do not receive an invitation to come in. Family and friends, the community shuns them, likely because of the circumstances of their relationship. Some among us know quite intimately what it is like to long for an invitation that has never come. The story of Christmas reminds us God welcomes us home, even if that welcome is not offered to us by others.

For despite the exclusion Mary and Joseph experience, the Christmas story is full of invitations. Mary is invited to carry the Christ child into the world. Joseph is invited to be a father to this child. Elizabeth is invited to foster safety and joy for Mary. Zechariah is invited to prophesy and sing blessings. John the Baptist invites the crowds to repent and change their lives. The shepherds are invited to witness to the God-in-the-flesh. The Magi are invited to make the journey from afar to see God doing a new thing in our midst.

God invites. Someone offers an unexpected space for two strangers, making holy room for Jesus’ birth. And then, where two are invited in, room is made for more. Former PCUSA co-moderator Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri says that reading the Christmas story reminds her of an old Spanish saying, Donde come dos, comen tres. [Where two people eat, three can eat too.] God invites. All are welcomed in to share in the blessing: the good news of great joy for all people. We experienced a glimpse of this expansive nature of generosity, of abundance at the Vegan Dinners that Westminster Church has been offering to students from The College of Wooster monthly this Fall. From twenty some folk gathering in October, last night over seventy-five of us filled Mackey with laughter and joyful chatter. Whether a COW student or a Westminster member, we each experienced a sense of being at home, feeling welcomed and seen. We were filled with a sense that we matter and can make a difference. Here and now.

Open to the unexpected, someone showed imagination and creativity in making room for Mary and Joseph and their baby and welcomed others too. As we continue our journey to Christmas and beyond, may we do likewise. May we keep pondering what makes us feel welcomed. What practices invite us to experience the unexpected and the holy? May we make holy room for unexpected blessings and guests in our lives and in the lives of those in our communities, inviting and welcoming all “home.”


Grace and peace,

Pastor Enikő
Highlights From This Month's Session Meeting
The Westminster Session met in the Lounge at Westminster Church House on December 8, 2021 at 6:30pm. The following are highlights from the meeting:

Pastor’s report – 
  • Church Office Closed: December 25 - January 3
  • Pastor Enikő will join a Civil Rights Travel Seminar organized by Union Presbyterian Seminary (Charlotte Campus): December 27 - January 5
  • Vacation: January 6 - 10
  • Presbytery voted Pastor Enikő to be the Teaching Elder Commissioner from Muskingum Valley Presbytery to General Assembly in June 2022.

Worship Committee –
  • Wednesday, December 15 - Service of Wholeness and Healing
  • Sunday, December 26 - Worship at 10AM, First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Enikő Ferenczy preaching
  • Sunday, January 2 - Hymn Sing, Dr. Divine Gbagbo leading
  • Sunday, January 9 - Worship with Communion, Rev. Barbara Johnson preaching
 
Congregational Care – Continuing to support the needs of the congregation and planning for the holiday season.

Benevolence Committee –The Salvation Army is operating a Severe Weather Shelter when temperatures feel like 20 or below. They invited local congregations to make dinner for at least 20 people at S.A. for the nights when the shelter is open. Westminster is partnering with St. James Episcopal Church to prepare meals. We will provide dinner on Tuesdays in January.

Finance Committee – Session approved the 2022 Budget. This will be presented to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting in 2022.

Nominating Committee – Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 immediately following worship to elect the Elders for the Class of 2024. The slate includes: Jim Bonk (2nd term), Joe Hartzler (2nd term), Lemoine Peart. Session expressed their thanks to Eric Miller for his service on Session as part of the Class of 2021.  

Treasurer's Report – The monthly financial summary is available from the church office at your request.

The next Session Meeting will be Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 6:30p in the Lounge.

Respectfully submitted,
Josie Drushal, Clerk of Session
First Advent Small Group Gathering

This Advent we are exploring the theme of "Home" in our worship and in our small group dinner conversations. During our first gathering we experienced a sense of warmth, safety, and welcome that many of us associate with "being at home." Thank you to our hosts Cheryl and Bill Weiss for welcoming us into your home and showing us such wonderful hospitality, and to all who brought goodies to share. As we approach Christmas, may we continue to grow in our understanding of being home with one another, with the holy can look like. May we use our gifts to create spaces where all can feel home.
December Vegan Dinner

Our third vegan dinner was a great success. Way to celebrate the season: offering hospitality, sharing a meal, love and joy!
Wonderful to see over 75 students enjoying food and fellowship...
experiencing a sense of home ♥️
Kudos to our amazing cooks!
December menu: Soup & Bread
Contemplative Prayer


When: Every second Sunday of the month, 8am
Next meeting: Sunday, December 12
Where: Mackey Hall

Contact Joel Chupp with questions.
Salvation Army
Volunteers Still Needed for
Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Westminster has volunteered to ring bells on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Buehler’s Downtown—a convenient, inside location.

Thank you to all who have signed up so far. We are down to only 3 open slots, each an hour long, from 6 pm to 9pm. If you are able to help with any of the open times, please sign up here. If you have any questions, please call Lemoine Peart at 330-624-7506.

Thank you, Benevolence Committee
Linda Barbu, Dawn Kridel, Lemoine, Shelley Peterson, Candy Relle
snowflake-cookies.jpg
Holiday Cookie and Card Delivery

In mid-December, a team from our Congregational Care Ministry group will be delivering cookies and holiday cards to our congregation as a token of holiday cheer and care for all in our church community. 

If you care to help by baking cookies by December 16th for the delivery, please click here for more information and to sign up
Kindness Tree for Christmas

Westminster Church's Kindness Tree is taking shape in the sanctuary. Thank you to Barbara Tatir for the wonderful idea and to Wooster Glass for donating the plexiglass circles to help us form the tree.

We began the collection of non-perishable items on December 5 and it will continue through January 6, Epiphany.

We invite you to bring canned goods to structure the tree, and boxed items (i.e. boxed instant potatoes) for the foundation. 

We will gift the collected food to the Severe Weather Shelter operated by the Salvation Army.

Let us celebrate the season with a true spirit of generosity!
bible_beauty.jpg
January and February
Liturgist Sign-Up

We are working with this platform to allow those interested to help with Sunday Services as a Liturgist to sign up.

Click here if you would like participate in a service as a Liturgist in January or February.

If you have questions, please contact Joel Chupp or email the church office.
We are now on Instagram!

To continue to broaden our visibility and community, you can now follow us on Instagram at wpc_wooster or scan the QRC code below and please follow us! We are ramping up!
Save your
"Our Family" Labels!

  •  Buy "Our Family" products at any Buehler's location
  •  Clip and save the UPC labels
  •  Turn in your labels to the tub inside the Church House front door, drop them off at the church office or call (330-263-2398) or email the office that you would like us to pick them up and we will be glad to do that

Sue Coleman will continue to organize and bundle all labels to benefit Westminster

For each bundle of 500 "Our Family" UPC barcodes labels collect,
participating nonprofit organizations can earn $25.
Hearty Italian Soup Sale Continues
Until It's Gone!

  • Choose regular or vegan soup for $8/Qt
  • Add bread with your soup for $10

The following people will be available after our December services to make your purchase. Correct change or check (made out to Westminster) is appreciated.

12/12 - Shelly; 12/19 - Dawn; 12/26 - No Sales
Olive Oil Soap and Olive Oil Available
As colder and drier air sets in, remember to purchase hydrating and gentle olive oil soap, either for personal use or gift-giving. The bars can be purchased plain or wrapped in "cellophane" with a ribbon for $3.50 each.
Olive Oil
Pure, mechanically pressed, fair trade consumable olive oil is the healthiest way to consume this food found in Mediterranean regions. Priced at $20 for 750 ml.

It is also a wonderful alternative to a bottle of wine!
These are always available before or after worship, by contacting Linda Barbu or conacingt the church office at wpcwooster@gmail.com
Church Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Merry Christmas
 & Happy New Year
The Church Office will be closed the entire week of December 26 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Enjoy your families and stay safe.
closed_red_sign.jpg

Need a Ride to Church?
Now that we are meeting again in person for Sunday services in Mackey Hall, please let the Church House know if you would like transportation to and from the 10:00 service. You may contact the Church House at (330) 263-2398 and we will be happy to make transportation arrangements for you. We look forward to worshipping with you!
Sunday Morning Hospitality
Westminster's fellowship time is an important way to build relationships with one another. We invite you to join us after worship for light refreshments and conversation! If you would like to provide these refreshments, decorate our alter with flowers or serve as our Sunday morning assistant, please visit the SignUpGenius link.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Click the links below to learn more about Westminster's ongoing volunteering projects.

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.