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April 2, 2020 |
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A Message from Gregory
Knox Jones
Dated March 31, 2020
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Prepare yourself for distressing news. April will be a very rough month for our nation. Deaths from Covid-19 are predicted to multiply to staggering numbers. You can help stem the tide. Unless you have no choice in the matter, your duty is to stay home. If all of us will isolate in our homes, we can contribute to flattening the curve of infections and deaths.
Click here to continue reading the latest letter from our Senior Pastor, Greg Jones.
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Feeling a Bit Isolated? How About Joining Our Women's Online Community Group?
Starting TODAY (Thursday, April 2),
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. via Zoom video/audio conferencing
The women of Westminster are starting a women's online community group! We will begin a weekly Zoom meeting starting today - Thursday, April 2 - from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This group will be a way for us to connect in real time with discussion and fellowship. If you would like to join this group, please email Jill Getty (
jgetty@wpc.org) and she will send you the link to click on for the meeting. Hope to see you there!
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180 Youth Activities This Week
- TONIGHT (April 2): 6-12th graders will meet at the link above for Jackbox games from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Every week: High schoolers meet for small group on Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (text Molly or Tommy for the link).
- 6-12th graders meet at the link above on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for a quick chat, highs and lows, and prayer.
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Virtual Worship Service
Sunday mornings
Although we will not be gathering as a church family for worship while Westminster is temporarily closed, we can still nurture our spiritual lives. An abbreviated form of worship will be provided on the home page of our website each Sunday morning as a video. Go to
www.wpc.org and scroll down to the box that says "Sunday Worship." Our pastors will read scripture, pray, and deliver a sermon so that you may still experience worship, but in the safety of your home. These videos are recorded (not live), so you may view them at any time that is convenient for you.
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Podcast: Holy Week and the Humanity of God
Sunday, April 5
Presented by Westminster's Director of Christian Education,
Chesna Hinkley, this podcast will look at key moments in Holy Week through the biblical text and theological themes of humility, incarnation, and grace. The podcast will be uploaded by this Sunday. Check the
home page of Westminster's website or visit our
YouTube channel to listen.
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PB&J Pop-Up! Volunteers Make 100 Sandwiches to Help the Homeless
Sundays, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
in the WPC Parking Lot
Within 24 hours notice, six WPC Code Purple volunteers were able to fulfill a new calling: a PB&J Pop-Up for COVID-19. Our members made about 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their homes and delivered them on Sunday to two opened car trunks in WPC's parking lot to take to Emmanuel Dining Room. This Pop-Up is a rapidly changing event, requiring 24 hour notice and response. For details, email
Louise@EliasonAssoc.com.
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Bible Study Has Moved Online
While Westminster is closed, the "Eat and Exegete" Bible study has moved to Westminster's Zoom classroom at the above link! Visit the link at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays OR 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. This is a LIVE Bible study! Contact Chesna (
chesnahinkley@wpc.org) with questions.
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Online Evening Prayer
Join us for a short, live evening prayer service at the above link on Wednesdays. Contact Chesna (
chesnahinkley@wpc.org) with questions.
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Building Closed Through May 15
To comply with the State of Emergency Declaration by Delaware Governor John Carney, our Session decided to close our building for public worship and other meetings until after May 15. Online worship services will continue until that time.
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Do You Have a Few Minutes to Be a "Sheltered In Place" Buddy?
We are coordinating a "sheltered in place" Buddy System. Some of our church members are a bit more isolated than others during this time of confinement. We would like to pair interested individuals to become a buddy with some of our members who may feel a bit lonely during this time of isolation. Each buddy would have one or two people to call a few times each week to "check in" during this time we are sequestered. If you are interested in being a buddy, please contact Jill Getty at
jgetty@wpc.org or call/text (302) 220-7081.
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Chimes Deadline Reminder
Monday, April 13, 11:00 a.m.
The deadline for the MAY/JUNE 2020 issue of our newsletter,
The Westminster Chimes, is Monday, April 13, at 11:00 a.m. (this deadline was moved up a week from the original April 6 date). Please submit your articles online. Go to
www.wpc.org/communications and click on "Submit an Article." If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Hughes at
nhughes@wpc.org or (302) 654-5214 ext. 130.
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Help with the PC(USA)'s Covid-19 Response: Give to
One Great Hour of Sharing
Accepting donations through May 10
Every year, Westminster joins congregations throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA) in collecting the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering, which helps care for communities affected by disaster, provide food to the hungry, and change structures that perpetuate poverty and injustice. Our gifts are particularly needed during this time of crisis, as our denomination strives to respond to this pandemic and care for vulnerable communities. One of the ministries that benefits from OGHS is Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; you can read about their Covid-19 response
here. Please make your check payable to Westminster Presbyterian Church and write "OGHS" in the memo line or give online at
www.wpc.org (click "Donate Now"). We will gratefully accept your gift to OGHS through May 10.
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Spring Collection for Syrian Refugees
Drop-off at Westminster to be
scheduled at a later date
Uncertain times...shortages...feelings of hopelessness. While these are recent and,
hopefully, short-lived experiences for us, this is the way of life for many of our Syrian brothers and sisters. Syrians have endured nearly 10 years of war and most recently nearly a million Syrians have been displaced due to bombing. Previously, Westminster has provided hope to Syrian refugees through collections of specific items and having them shipped to the region through the Naranj Tree Foundation. Once arriving in Syrian refugee camps, the items are distributed to those in greatest need by Narenj Tree. As you spend these upcoming days at home (possibly cleaning closets!), please consider sharing a few new or clean gently used items.
Click here to learn how you can help.
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Coming this Fall...Better Days!
Sundays, September 27 - November 22 (8 weeks)
10:10 - 11:00 a.m. in the Staff Conference Room
For those who have experienced a recent loss of a loved one, we'd like to invite you to a new gathering - the Better Days Grief Support Group. We will explore the wilderness of grief through a selected book and a variety of activities, as well as supporting one another through sharing and companionship. In order to provide deep engagement, continuity, and establish bonds of trust, pre-registration is required. See the upcoming May/June issue of
The Chimes for more details, or contact Jill Getty (
jgetty@wpc.org) or Tara Lee (
high12grace@yahoo.com) with any questions.
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Featured Photo
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Signs of spring and hope at Westminster.
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What Can We Do to Help Others? Even During Self-Quarantine and Social Distancing
In these challenging times when we are physically isolated from one another, it can be difficult to see how we might directly help those in need in our community. Vulnerable populations - those who are homeless, hungry, out of work, living in communal settings - need our help now more than ever. Each week, we will list urgent needs that could be met within the guidelines of Delaware's travel and community contact limitations, given that these organizations are considered essential social services. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, just click on the link and you will see detailed information about what is needed and whom to contact. With deep gratitude for your generosity and compassion.
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Immediate Needs in Our Community
- Pick up and drop off Meals on Wheels
- Sew cloth masks for local health institutions
- Make PB&J sandwiches for Emmanuel Dining Room
- Donate blood
- Donate items needed by St. Stephen's Food Pantry
- Donate items needed by Friendship House
- Make contributions to our mission partners
Click here for more information on each of these items, and please check back each week, as the list of organizations and their critical needs is subject to change. If you have questions about this process or know of other needs Westminster could help address, please contact Sue Linderman (302-239-7650 or srlinder@dca.net). IMPORTANT NOTE: These organizations are considered essential social services in Delaware and are exempt from the restrictions for Delawareans and people from out of state who are traveling to make donations or deliveries.
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Easter Lilies Cancelled
Because the sanctuary will not be open for worship on Easter, we will not order Easter Lilies this year. Please do not submit any forms or contributions to the church for Easter Lilies.
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Earth Care Ideas for Family Activities
Looking for ideas for activities with kids during this time? Here are a few suggestions from Westminster's Earth Care Task Force. Try this
treasure hunt for spring flowers that support bees! Ranger Rick offers great ideas
here. And the National Wildlife Fund is making all their Ranger Rick magazines and some videos available online for free right now. More ideas? Plant a garden, look for places around your house or apartment where water might gather and harbor mosquito larvae, start a compost bin or pile, make a notebook of signs of spring, and how things change.
Photo credit: photographer David G. Smith (www.delawarewildflowers.org)
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Cereal Sunday Postponed
The first Sunday of the month, which is designated for cereal donations to Hanover Food Pantry, is postponed until the church reopens. Thank you to those who have donated in the past, and we look forward to your donations in the future.
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Deacons Calling Members
Our Deacons have been making phone calls to our members during these unprecedented times. These calls are just to touch base. We want you to know that our Deacon Board is praying for our members as well as our world during these difficult times. May God surround each of us with peace and comfort and inspire and encourage as we walk through these days.
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Gratitude - From Carol Hogue, Convener of the Personnel Committee
Blessings to
Greg and Sudie for providing sermons, prayers, and "healing balm" through video worship services. They have been a poignant reminder that faith can be nurtured even when we cannot be together physically. You are our voices of hope and love for a future when we can all gather again. I am so blessed to be part of Westminster's faith family! As you take precautions to take care of yourselves, know that your work during this especially trying time is felt by all of us. Blessings and good health to each staff member as you help each other and the church navigate theses troubling times. We do not take your efforts and talents for granted - THANK YOU!
Deacons, THANK YOU for reaching out to members to check in and invite requests for support. You each, under the love and leadership of
Jill Getty, continue to make a huge difference in the lives of Westminster's members. Stay well. And ... the music added to last Sunday's video service by
Jason Berger, tenor chorister, was wonderful. THANK YOU to
Sharon Babcock, Interim Music Director, and choristers for adding a musical ministry piece to these special services. With deep gratitude - Carol
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No Saturday Breakfast
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, Saturday Breakfast will not be taking place until we are told it is safe to do so. Please contact Sue Weissinger with any questions (
dulcy@aol.com or 302-652-5910).
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Member Deaths - Those Who Have Joined the Church Triumphant
Please remember in prayer those who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
- G. Leigh Cook (obituary)
February 6, 1944 - March 19, 2020
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Photo Prayer
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Everyone Everywhere
My hope now is that we can slow the spread of the coronavirus so our hospitals are not overwhelmed, so that everyone who needs it can get good medical care when they need it, everyone, even me. That hope comforts me until I stumble over the word everyone. Everyone? With that question, the comfort of my hope vanishes, and that's a good thing. Everyone includes anyone anywhere facing this contagion, even those with scant medical resources, those far away but perhaps even my neighbors, unknown to me. God help them! And that's the difficulty with prayer - it has to be about me and mine, you and yours, but also about them and theirs - everyone everywhere - or God may not listen.
Photo of a sawed off but still growing tree
along Route 9 near Dutch Neck Crossroads, Delaware.
Photo © 2011; text © March 18, 2020 Danny N. Schweers
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Welcome to the Westminster Weekly Word!
If you would like to submit an announcement for our
e-newsletter or monthly newsletter, please visit
www.wpc.org/communications
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You are receiving this weekly e-newsletter because you are a member or friend of Westminster Presbyterian Church and have submitted your email address for our records. At the bottom of this page are links to forward this e-newsletter, update your profile/email address, or unsubscribe. Thank you! |
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1502 West 13th Street | Wilmington, DE 19806 | (302) 654-5214 |
www.wpc.org
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