May 28, 2020
Dear friends and fellow disciples,
There has been a lot of conversation in the broader world about churches being "open" at a time when our nation is engaged in what's called a "re-opening process." People are now allowed to leave their homes more and do some things they couldn’t a couple weeks ago. But it feels very rushed to me. Maybe I’m being cautious, and I will readily admit that it is a privileged position to take. For those who are losing jobs and livelihoods, our state can't "open" soon enough. Everyone has their own delicate mix of reasons, and we must be as kind and gracious to each other as we can be.
But with regard to the church, I don’t think I have to tell you that we've never been closed. We haven't been gathering on our campus, but there's no doubt you all are BEING the church. It has been beautiful to see, even from afar or through a screen. God is at work in this - in surprising and sometimes confusing ways - and we must listen carefully.
The words sent to me below are a nice summary of who the church is called to be, and I commend them to you.
From Bishop-Elect Deon K. Johnson, the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Missouri:
The work of the church is essential.
The work of caring for the lonely, the marginalized, and the oppressed is essential.
The work of speaking truth to power and seeking justice is essential.
The work of being a loving, liberating, and life-giving presence in the world is essential.
The work of welcoming the stranger, the refugee, and the undocumented is essential.
The work of reconciliation and healing and caring is essential.
The church does not need to “open” because the church never “closed.”
We who make up the Body of Christ, the church, love God and our neighbors and ourselves so much that we will stay away from our buildings until it is safe. We are the church.
This newsletter is packed with ways you are being and can continue to be the church. Read it through, offer a prayer of thanksgiving, and find a way you can connect and serve. It is, even in this strange time, a joy to be in it with you.
We are the church.
Chris
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Our 3rd and 4th grade Church School students have been on a mission challenge - to brighten the days of church members isolating at home and WPC’s high school seniors. What are some ways you’re sharing God’s love during these days of staying at home and social distancing?
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Westminster This Week - Quick Links
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NEW Online School in June: Explore Core Practices of the Christian Life
What's that old adage - "you play like you practice"? Our new Online School course, "
Animate: Practices
,"
will help you connect with the essential practices for a Christian way of living. Gain perspectives on prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service, and community. Watch several short videos taught by well-known Christian thought leaders, then spend time reflecting and journaling on your own, connecting with and responding to classmates via Zoom each Monday in June at 7:00pm (June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). These classes are great for anyone, whether you are new to the Christian walk or have journeyed many miles
.
Register now.
Contact
:
Marietta Wynands
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Registration is OPEN for MISSION-X, a Habitat for Humanity Mission Experience @Home!
Register now
for any or all of our three phases of construction!
- Week 1: June 21 - 28
- Week 2: July 19-26
- Week 3: August 9 - 16
- Construction site: Your house and backyard
Every “crew” (that’s you!) receives a crate with all the blueprints and supplies needed to carry out a week's worth of projects at home. Each phase of construction begins with an opening event and closing celebration. We'll use Zoom as needed, but hope to meet in person for later phases. More details to come after you register!
Contact
“Contractor”
Dawn Wilcox
with questions.
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Nominations for Elders and Deacons
The Nominating Committee is working 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. 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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WPC Youth Group: Parents! Art! Seniors! Hangouts! Bible Studies!
- Gathering for Parents of High Schoolers As Christians, we never walk alone. We go with Christ, and we go with one another. This is a tremendous comfort when we reach uncharted waters - and we are definitely in uncharted waters right now! All parents of high-schoolers are invited to this Zoom conversation on June 3, at 7:30pm.
- Attention, parents of high school and college seniors Plans are in the works to honor our seniors next month. If you have a high school or college senior in the family, please email Alex with pictures, stories, facts, etc. that we could share with the congregation by June 3.
- An Art Contest for WPC Youth In honor of the close of the Easter season and the beginning of summer, our theme is "God Bless the Grass." All youth are invited to submit art exploring themes found in Malvina Reynolds' song "God Bless the Grass." We're inviting entries in four different categories: Photography, film/video, paintings/drawings, and other forms (poems, plays, cakes, statues, dances, and anything else you can think of). Submissions are due by Sunday, June 7. There will be prizes!
- Ongoing: Class Hangouts and Bible Studies Don’t forget! Tuesday is the day for Class Hangouts; High School Bible study happens on Thursdays at 2:30pm; and Middle School happens Thursdays at 4:00pm. Contact Alex for the Zoom links and passwords.
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Help Bring Love and Groceries to Neighbors in Need
Volunteers are needed every Wednesday afternoon to help with
Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel
’s food distribution. They are currently serving approximately 150 families per week, up from about 60-80 families before the crisis. Volunteers age 14 and up can help direct traffic, count vehicles, and do “contactless” loading of groceries into car trunks. There is also a work-from-home opportunity to bag rice and beans for the weekly food distribution – the Simonson family took this little project on last week (see photo).
Sign up now
.
Contact
:
Cherrie Barton Henry
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Announcing Digital Parent Check-Ins to Keep Connected
The staff is planning some virtual
parent
check-in times. Each session will be brief and include time to talk about how things are going and have some small-group discussion. We hope these virtual gatherings for parents will help build peer support for you and may be followed by some family activities to support you at home.
Contact Marietta
for Zoom links.
- Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers: Wednesday, June 3 at 8:00pm with Marietta
- Elementary: Tuesday, June 9 at 4:00pm with Cherrie
- Middle School: Monday, June 15 at 4:00pm with Chris
- High School: Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30pm with Alex
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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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For June: WSYC’s Summer Camp To-Go
Westminster School for Young Children has created
Summer Camp To-Go Kits
for children ages 2-5. The kits are full of ideas, activities, and experiences for summer camp fun while at home. Themes include “Splish Splash” (June 8); “My Big Backyard” (June 15); “Imagine It” (June 22); and “Patriotic Parade” (June 29). The cost is
$25 per kit. Each year of summer camp WSYC supports children in the community, and this summer’s recipient is
PORCH
. There will be a drop box available for non-perishable goods outside the preschool when you come to pick up your kits, or you may include a financial donation when you register for your kits.
Contact
:
Kathy Stickley
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COVID-19 Relief Fund
Some in the congregation have voiced an interest in donating the COVID-19 stimulus check money they received to those in the community with greater needs. Though this may not be the case for everyone, if this resonates with you and you’d like to give a portion or all of your relief check to the church, members of our Local Missions Committee and the Session have formed a COVID-19 Fund Task Force to research and direct funds collected to the most needy of our Durham nonprofits. This isn’t a campaign or drive on Westminster’s part, but a response to those who have asked for a vehicle to put the funds they’ve received to good purposes. If you find yourself in the same place, you are welcomed to contribute.
Give online now
or mail a check to the church with "COVID19 Relief Fund” in the memo line. Thank you!
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Need a Hymnal at Home?
With the crisis ongoing and the likelihood we’ll be worshiping off-site for some time, you may be interested in purchasing your own copy of our Presbyterian hymnal,
Glory to God
, for use at home. Monica Rossman, our Music Minister, says
Glory to God
can be a useful devotional tool for either music or text sources (or both); you don’t have to be a choir member to appreciate the wonderful resources it offers. Hymnals are available from the PC(USA) online store for $18 each. You may
order your copy here
. If you would like to have a hymnal at home, but cannot afford to purchase at this time, please contact Monica and an order will be placed on your behalf.
Contact
:
Monica Umstaedt Rossman
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Things to do, watch, read, and listen to during quarantine
- Great Performances: Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” Enjoy a 2019 production of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass,” which embraces elements of musical theater, folk, and rock music with Latin text from the liturgy, as well as music and lyrics by Bernstein and additional text by “Wicked” composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. As the performance begins, the character of the Celebrant declares his faith but faces resistance from the Street Chorus who questions him and sends him on a journey of discovery. With metaphorical themes and letters written by cast members addressing social issues such as oppression, immigration and bullying, this musical is as relevant today as when it premiered in 1971.
What's giving you peace, joy, or laughter 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 through June 28. Only essential personnel are permitted on campus during this time. Thanks for your understanding.
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