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May 21, 2020 |
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A Message from Gregory
Knox Jones
Dated Tuesday, May 19, 2020
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As you may know, a few congregations around the country are beginning to reopen. I believe it is too soon to take such a risk, and I want to reassure you that I strongly believe we must err on the side of keeping our members safe. Just this morning I read where a Roman Catholic Church in Houston reopened for worship on May 2. One of their priests has now died and other priests and members of the congregation have tested positive for Covid-19. That church has cancelled its services for the foreseeable future.
Click here to continue reading the latest letter from our Senior Pastor, Greg Jones.
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Support our International Mission Partners Today!
The global impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented. For those already living in vulnerable communities around the world, the effects of this crisis are even more devastating. In response, Westminster's Church in the World Committee is offering a special
ECHO Giving campaign during May and June. Gifts can be designated to directly support emergency relief projects of partners in Congo, Guatemala, Palestine and Syria. For details and to contribute, please
use this form. Each week, we will highlight one of these projects in detail (see below). Thank you for being part of God's light shining through the darkness.
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COVID Relief for Palestine
The Gaza Strip in Palestine is one of the most vulnerable locations in the world for a massive COVID-19 outbreak due to broken infrastructure, highly dense population, and barriers surrounding the territory. Palestine's very poor health care system was collapsing even before the pandemic. Urgent help is needed to better detect and treat children and their families with COVID-19. Help ensure COVID-19 does not get a foothold and is defeated in the Middle East by buying a share(s) in a
portable X-ray machine through the
Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF). To donate by mail or online,
click here for instructions. For more information about PCRF, visit
www.pcrf.net.
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Global Zoom Crash
Final Qur'an class postponed
We apologize for the collapse of the adult education Zoom meeting last Sunday morning. Many churches across the world reported similar problems at the same time. In the future, our Zoom meetings will have a waiting room and no password, hopefully clearing up some issues. In the meantime, we encourage you to update your Zoom software to the newest version (5.0). Zoom will force this update on June 1. The final installment of our Qur'an class is postponed to
Sunday, May 31, at 10:10 a.m.
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Adult Education This Sunday:
Let's Talk About It
Sunday, May 24, 10:10 a.m. on Zoom
Join us at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday for "Let's Talk about It" facilitated by Sue Linderman. While we may not be able to gather in person, we still need opportunities to experience the challenges and benefits that come from bringing racial issues into the light of day. The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare much of the bias that still informs life in America. All are welcome to join us as we share our perspectives on the various ways that racial injustice is showing itself and what steps we might take to counter the poisonous impact it has on our nation's soul.
Click here to join the class. Or, go to
zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 493 720 0361 and click "Join." There is no password, but you will be placed in a waiting room and admitted at 10:10.
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New Summer Schedule for 180 Youth Ministry
Sundays starting May 24, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 493 720 0361
Starting this week (May 24), 180 will meet on Zoom from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Our summer schedule will run for 10 weeks. Contact Chesna (
chesnahinkley@wpc.org) with questions.
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Online Bible Studies
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. OR
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 493 720 0361
(no password)
Our Bible studies are always open, always drop-in, and there's never any homework. Right now both groups are studying Genesis. Pick a time and join us! Contact Chesna (
chesnahinkley@wpc.org) with questions.
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Online Evening Prayer
Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 493 720 0361 (no password)
Join us for a short prayer service and time to pray together for our congregation's needs. Contact Chesna (
chesnahinkley@wpc.org) with questions.
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"True Justice" Screening and Discussion
Wednesday, May 27, 3:30 p.m. on Zoom
On May 27, Westminster's Peace & Justice Work Group invites you to participate in a film screening of
True Justice: Bryan Stevenson's Fight for Equality at 3:30 p.m., followed by a panel and community discussion at 5:30 p.m. Watch from home!
Click here to learn more and RSVP.
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Something New for Emmanuel Dining Room
Sundays, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. in the Westminster parking lot (until it is safe
for EDR to open)
Emmanuel Dining Room (EDR) has loved and still welcomes our PB&J sandwiches (more than 12,000 given to date!) and bottled water. If you would like to expand your giving, EDR would be also happy to receive bags of clementines and cheese sandwiches to give their guests a little variety. If you like to bake, 2-3 cookies or brownies in a baggie would be nice as well. We know you will take safety precautions in preparing the food you bring, washing hands, wearing a mask and gloves. Thank you so much for all you have continued to do for people in need.
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Drop-In Zoom for Lower Elementary
Mondays, June 1 and July 6, 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Want to see your friends and Sunday school teachers? We will have two Zoom chats this summer for K-2nd graders (through rising 3rd) to say "hi!" 3rd-6th graders will have a chance later this month.
Click here to join the chat. Or, go to
zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 493 720 0361 and click "Join."
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Be Sure to Vote!
Primaries coming up in DE, PA and NJ
Mail-in voting is available in
all three of these states.
UPDATE: Absentee ballot applications will be mailed to all registered Democrats and Republicans in Delaware; you have to send in the completed application and the ballot will then be sent to you. In PA and NJ, you must request and receive your ballot and then mail it in at least a week before the election. Postmarks do not count, so you need to allow plenty of time for these steps.
- UPDATE! KEY DATES - DE: Presidential Primary - Register by June 13; Election is July 7.
- KEY DATES - PA: Presidential Primary - Request mail-in ballot by
May 26; Election is June 2.
- KEY DATES - NJ: Presidential Primary - Request mail-in ballot by
June 30; Election is July 7.
For more information on how to request your mail-in ballot, click here.
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Featured Photo
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Palestine Children's Relief Fund is one of the most respected and active nonprofit humanitarian medical relief organizations working in the Middle East. Here they are treating cancer patients that must be protected from COVID-19 along with their families and health care workers. See the announcement above to learn how to support our international mission partners during the global impact of COVID-19.
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Westminster Website
This past Sunday evening and Monday morning, the Westminster
website was unavailable due to the installation of a digital security certificate on the site. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. The security certificate has successfully installed and the website has refreshed. Any information sent through the Westminster website (for example, submitting a prayer request online or filling out our online pledge form) is encrypted and protected for your safety. If you are still seeing an error message when you go to the Westminster website, this is likely due to your browser cache (memory). A Google search of "how to clear my cache in [Chrome/Firefox]" (enter the name of the browser you use) will provide some tutorials.
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Outstanding Books Recommended by Westminster's Peace & Justice Work Group
During these weeks of self-isolation and other protective actions taken to avoid contracting the coronavirus, some of us are finding more time available for reading and reflection. Our Peace & Justice Work Group has put together a list of books (
click here) that focus on various aspects of our work on combating violence in our city and promoting racial justice. We commend these to you and would love to hear your thoughts on the information they convey. Please send your comments to
sue@wpc.org.
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Renewable Energy in Delaware
Regulated utilities in Delaware such as Delmarva Power must purchase a certain amount of their electricity from renewable sources. Currently the requirement is 25% by 2025. Since the requirement was first established, the cost of renewable energy has gone down, and the need for renewable energy has increased. Senator Harris McDowell plans to introduce legislation to increase the requirement to 40% by 2035. His legislation would also provide for community centered solar programs. If you would like to ask your legislators to co-sponsor this bill, you can do so easily using
this link. - Westminster's Earth Care Task Force
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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
- 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 who are traveling to make donations or deliveries.
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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.
- Eleanor Jenkins Charles (obituary)
October 31, 1923 - April 22, 2020
- Marilyn June Stern Richardson (former member) (obituary)
June 16, 1925 - April 20, 2020
- Leucia Butler Venable (obituary)
July 14, 1924 - May 17, 2020
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Photo Prayer
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The
Westminster Weekly Word features a new Photo Prayer once a month. You may browse all Photo Prayers by Danny Schweers at any time by visiting
www.photoprayer.com.
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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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