Program Year Starts This Sunday - Volunteers Needed!

Sunday, September 15

The Christian formation program year begins this Sunday, September 15. See the church website for specific offerings for children, tweens, teens, and adults. If your infant - 5th grade child will participate (even infrequently), please fill out the form online at www.wpc.org/learn/for-children (registration link is at the top of the page). We have an urgent need for volunteers for youth classes. We need teachers (curriculum provided) and helpers. Two adults must be present in every class. If you can give one or two Sundays or would like to volunteer for a regular position, please contact Chesna ( chesnahinkley@wpc.org).

Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trafficking in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Sunday, September 15, 10:10 a.m.
in Classroom 6

2017 Nelson Mandela Washington Fellow alumnus and honorary park ranger/wildlife crime investigator Adams Cassinga discusses the relevance of the world's attention to wildlife conservation and anti-poaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He will discuss actions that ordinary citizens of the world can take to ensure that future generations benefit from the wealth of Congolese fauna and flora. He will also discuss the subject using concrete examples of the work he is doing with his organization, ConservCongo.

Membership Directories Are Here!

Pick up on Sundays, September 15 and 22

Our WPC pictorial membership directories have arrived from the printer and are ready for pick up between worship services this Sunday, September 15 and Sunday, September 22. One copy is FREE for each family or individual pictured in the directory. If you did not participate in photography but would like a directory, or if your family would like an additional copy, a limited number are available for purchase for $10 each (check or exact change preferred). Pick up a directory, connect those faces with names, and start greeting more fellow members by name!

Welcome Back to 180!

Sundays starting September 15
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Community Hall

180° fellowship kicks off on September 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.! Grades 6-12 are invited Sunday evenings for games, food, and small groups. Bring friends! This is a great time to relax, give some attention to your relationship with God, and connect with your friends and your church. On kickoff day, parents are invited too! For more information, contact Chesna Hinkley ( chesnahinkley@wpc.org).

Scripture in the City: Transforming Scripture's Stories from the Past into Road Maps for Today

Tuesday, September 17, 7:15 p.m. at Saints Andrew & Matthew Church (719 N. Shipley Street, Wilmington, DE)

One initiative of Westminster's Peace & Justice Work Group is to build a church partnership within Wilmington that would expand our mutual horizons in dealing with issues of peace and justice in our city. Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM) Episcopal Church has had extensive experience in building cross-racial relationships. On September 17, SsAM will host the first of a bi-monthly discussion series with theological reflections around a specific Scripture story to facilitate sharing of personal experiences based upon our individual traditions and culture. This is an open forum for all interested people from both churches. Come join us as we learn together! Questions? Contact Mike Gnade ( mgnade@hotmail.com or 302-562-4464).

Coming Up

Any Bridge is a Bridge - Peacemakers in Iran

Tuesday, September 24, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Rodney Chapel

In March, Quaker peacemakers Stephanie Judson and Sandy Rea visited Iran with a U.S. peace delegation arranged by CODEPINK - spending four intense days of political meetings in Tehran and two days in historic Isfahan. They will report on the people they met and the effects of U.S. sanctions and policies. The event is part of Peace Week Delaware.

Come One Come All to the Inaugural WPC Oktoberfest Celebration

Thursday, September 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Braeloch Brewing
(225 Birch Street, Kennett Square, PA)

With many members of our church family living in Chester County, it's only fitting to bring an opportunity for fellowship on your turf. For $20 per adult (free for children under 12), you can enjoy a sampling flight of four beers (4 oz. each) followed by a pint of your favorite. We will also have a tour of the brewhouse and learn how the beer is made. Available for purchase are soft drinks, flavored seltzer, and milk for those under 21, as well as a full menu if you want to have dinner. Braeloch has a large taproom and a great outdoor space to enjoy. They will set aside an area for us in the taproom where we can have lively conversation and a fun night together. Pre-register to Rich Diver at RichD@diverchev.com or (302) 275-2895.

Distinguished Speaker Event: Christian Wiman

• Saturday, September 28
  Open talk: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
  Registration required at www.cil-de.org.
• Sunday, September 29
  Sermon: during 9:00 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary
  Talk: 10:10 a.m. in Community Hall

Christian Wiman is an American poet and editor and teaches Literature and Religion at Yale University. Wiman's presentation will be from his newest book, He Held Radical Light: The Art of Faith, the Faith of Art, which is a love letter to poetry, filled with moving, surprising, and sometimes funny encounters with the poets Wiman has known. Click here for more information in our September newsletter.

YWCA Delaware Sponsors Two Weekly Dialogue Series

September 29 - November 2

Dialogue to Action: Conversations about Racism is a dynamic, eight-week program that moves us from talk to meaningful action! This program dives into the real issues and root causes, and evolves into action that directly addresses systemic and institutional racism. Now, more than ever, we need to listen to each other, break down the walls between us, and channel our emotions into meaningful action for sustainable change! The groups will end with a large Action Forum in January 2020. We are offering an additional dialogue this fall discussing the book White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Family Promise Breakfast

Tuesday, October 8, 7:30 a.m. (registration) - 9:00 a.m.
at White Clay Creek Country Club

Please join Polly and Jim Carter for breakfast and a short but powerful program on Family Promise and its work to provide permanent housing for homeless families in our community. We have free seats available at our table and would love to have you join us for this fundraising event. Please contact Polly at (302) 388-1711 or pylecarter@comcast.net by October 1.

Sanctuary Flowers

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 lwatson@ycst.com. The next available date is December 1.