May 14, 2020
Dear friends and fellow disciples,
I’d like to take a minute here to say "thank you."
Thank you for the ways you are working hard in these strange times. Even doing what seems like very little is exhausting. But you are BEING CHURCH. You are caring for each other, you are reaching out to neighbors, you are checking in, and learning and praying in powerful ways. Thank you for it all. I yearn to see you all, to give you a hug as we gather in the Courtyard. But until times are safer, I will continue to say "thank you" to you for who you are and for your countless expressions of care.
There is a lot in this week's newsletter because, well, you’re doing a lot. Please take time to read through and to click around. Every bit of it is worth your time. Please note the Nominating Committee is beginning the process to discern the saints whom God has called for this next season. Those leaders will have important work to do to shape our Gospel witness for quite awhile. Also take note of the update from the Rev. Libby Boehne on the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Duke, especially to the emotional challenges faced by students in this time. As we tend to our physical health, we must also be mindful of the mental and emotional strain on so many.
Blessings on your week, friends. See you on Sunday for worship.
Chris
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Westminster This Week - Quick Links
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Nominations for Elders and Deacons
The Nominating Committee is beginning its quest to identify five new elders (four adults, one youth) and eight new deacons (seven adults, one youth) to serve in the class of 2023. We are also searching for an individual to complete the one-year term of an elder who moved out-of-state. Elders compose the Session, the main governing body in the Presbyterian Church, and are responsible for worship, programs, finances, and facilities. The Diaconate largely guides our mission life and the way we care for each other. Both work in partnership with the staff to discern and lead the mission and ministries of this place as we seek to follow Christ together. This is an important opportunity to serve the church in meaningful ways and be a part of God's vision for Westminster. The congregation is invited to submit nominations; please email them to
nominations@wpcdurham.org
.
Contact
:
Carol Mansfield
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Click to Join WPC’s Online School!
We’ve begun an exciting adventure in Christian
Formation, and you’re invited to join. Register today for Westminster's Online School! Watch engaging videos, respond to thoughtful prompts, read and respond to what other students are saying. Once a week, the class will meet by Zoom to discuss what we’re learning.
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An Update from Duke University Campus Ministry+
From Libby Boehne, Campus Minister
The work of
Duke Presbyterian Campus Ministry+
is to walk alongside students through the journey of college, and we explore together what it means to follow Christ on a university campus. Nothing can replace having meals together, being in the chapel basement office, or passing the peace of Christ during a worship service. But since our separation in March, we are adapting, and Zoom has become indispensable for us! The programming and ministry of PCM+ is continuing through weekly worship, Bible study, individual and group hangouts, and mid-day prayer via Zoom. It is a challenge and joy to have dozens of faces from across the country crammed together on one screen every week, but staying connected to a faith community in times like these matters more than ever for college students. The ministry so values your prayers and support, and there are two ways we ask that you pray for us and the Duke University community right now. First, pray for our seniors as they deal with the disappointment of not finishing their time at Duke in-person and navigate finding jobs and making plans. Second, there have been two suicides of Duke undergraduates recently, and it is difficult for many students to be separated from one another in their grief. Please pray that we would be able to know how to bring this faith community together in even stronger ways through this difficult time. Once again, thank you for your support and care, and we hold you in prayer as well.
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Our Neighbors in Need: Volunteer with Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel
Westminster, along with our other Durham PC(USA) congregations, have united to help
Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel
with its very needed, very popular food pantry and food distribution. Volunteers are needed to direct traffic, count vehicles, and load trunks of cars on Wednesday afternoons. Any volunteers age 14 and up can help on-site.
WPC Youth has been serving regularly
for the
last couple of weeks. There is also a work-from-home opportunity to bag rice and beans for the weekly food distribution – it’s a great opportunity for adults that are staying in and families with children. The need is great, so please
consider signing up now
.
Contact
:
Cherrie Barton Henry
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Attention, WPC Family: Need Any Help?
Do you need a face mask or help getting groceries? There are Westminster members just waiting to provide these. Email us at
westminster@wpcdurham.org
, and we'll make the connection for you!
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WPC Youth Next Week: Hangouts, Bible Studies + More
- Monday Alex is live on the Youth Group’s Instagram at 12:00 noon. Talk about the week, check in, and pray.
- Tuesday Class Hangouts! Seniors at 12:00 noon, 9th/10th graders at 3:30pm
- Wednesday Middle School Bible Study at 4:00pm
- Thursday High School Bible Study at 2:30pm
Contact Alex
for Zoom links and passwords. Also, watch your email for a new activity coming soon. In the meantime,
check out Alex’s “
Sunday Songs for Peaceful People
” playlist on
Spotify
– it’s his “get in the mood for worship” mix! Last but not least, don’t forget to sign up to serve at Iglesia Emanuel next week. Shout-out to everyone who has already jumped in to help!
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Send Love to Our Christian Education Teachers & Leaders
As we wrap up this year of Christian formation in this challenging time, we want to make sure we send our thanks to all those who have taken leadership roles in our Christian Education ministries. That includes our Church School teachers for all ages, midweek bible study groups, Godly Play leaders and assistants, music leaders, and our nursery caregivers.
This year we’d like to celebrate and thank these leaders for their time, talents, and patience by putting together a special message of thanks that includes videos, art, and pictures. Please send a brief video (no more than 10 seconds) thanking your or your child's leaders or a photo of art your child has made offering thanks. We welcome your creativity! All pictures, art, and videos may be uploaded to this
shared Google Drive folder
or emailed to
Dawn Wilcox.
The deadline is May 20, and Teacher Appreciation Sunday is Pentecost, May 31.
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Summer Mission-eXperience @ HOME!
This summer, we’ll be trying out our very first virtual Summer Mission-eXperience. Join us as we learn about the ministry of
Habitat for Humanity
through Scripture, song, crafts, and more. Households will receive a crate of materials for their “construction crew” to work through. The crates will include all you need to complete the activities, plus there will be videos to accompany the lessons. You can complete the activities as you can during the week with the hopes of having a Zoom call to begin and end the week to bring us together for a shared experience. Registration will be coming soon, so mark the weeks of
June 21, July 19, and August 9
on your calendars! You can participate in all weeks or just one and the activities are designed so you can “build” at your own pace.
Contact
:
Dawn Wilcox
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Westminster School’s Hugs for Healthcare
WSYC continues to support our Durham medical community by sharing Hugs for Healthcare! Handmade signs and thank you notes along with delicious
Chapel Hill Toffee
are being delivered to the dedicated medical teams in our area. Please join us in creating a note of gratitude. You can find construction paper and a drop off box outside the preschool entrance. If you would like to sponsor a case of toffee (12 individual boxes for $36) to be delivered, please contact
Katie Donoway
.
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Things to do, watch, read, and listen to during quarantine
This week we’re thrilled to share recommendations from WPC member
Blair Chesnut
:
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy: While the books are filled with wizards and kings and hobbits and magic, the story is ultimately about friendship and love. Sam Gamgee, the quiet hero who tasks himself with caring for protagonist Frodo Baggins, ends up literally carrying his friend in the end: “‘Come on, Mr. Frodo, dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go and he'll go.’ As Frodo clung upon his back,...Sam staggered to his feet, and then to his amazement he felt the burden light.”
- “The Crown” series on Netflix: An easy way to a history lesson. Season 2, Episode 6 is an interesting examination of forgiveness.
- “The Late, Late Show with James Corden”: The recent from-his-garage shows begin with “Three Things to Cheer You Up." It’s a good way to end the day.
What's giving you inspiration, joy, laughter, or peace during these times?
Email your suggestions to
westminster@wpcdurham.org
, and we’ll share them in our church communications.
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PLEASE NOTE: Despite the lifting of some restrictions by Governor Cooper, Westminster’s campus remains closed. Only essential personnel are permitted on campus during this time.
Thanks for your understanding.
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