October 14, 2021
Dear friends and fellow disciples,
I loved watching worship this past Sunday, with a baptism, Alex's helpful sermon on the manna and the wilderness - and our call to be that blessing to the world. I was also excited to see the Stewardship Committee kick off this year's campaign, "Draw Near to the Lord." In a time of continued disconnection, the Spirit calls us together to indeed BE the church. I look forward to continuing these conversations with you throughout the month and ask that you be prayerful in discerning your commitment to Westminster for the year to come.
We have such wonderful work to do together, here on campus and throughout the community. If all goes according to plan, I'll be in worship on Sunday with you. We will enjoy hearing from my friend the Rev. Dan Lewis from the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, who will be the day’s preacher. We'll also hear an update from our partners and friends in Haiti, and there will be a Haiti Ministries Mission Fair after worship in the Courtyard. Come and learn how you can be a part of it!
An essential part of our call as disciples of Jesus is to be a good neighbor – to listen and learn about where we live, the people around us, and the stories they have to tell. Our Racial Equity and Adult Christian Education teams have set up a fantastic series of experiences around the life of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, who grew up in Durham was a part of extraordinary work for civil rights around the globe. I read her amazing book, Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family, at the end of the summer and was so, so moved. But these conversations are designed for you to step into one of them or do them all. Even if you haven't read the book, come to Aperture next Wednesday, or take the tour next Saturday. We have a lot to learn about this place and about the people God has equipped to do faithful work. We can be inspired and come away with a renewed sense of commitment to Christ's call to love God and neighbor, in justice and in joy.
See you Sunday,
Chris
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Westminster This Week – Quick Links
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Opportunities to Serve
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Worship Volunteers: Lectors, Ushers, Welcome Station Greeters, Attendance Station Hosts, Sound Techs, and Livestream Techs are all needed. Training is provided. Sign up now
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Families Moving Forward: Help prepare, serve, and clean up a meal for 12 on Thursday, October 21, 5:00-6:30pm. Sign up now
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Iglesia Emanuel’s Food Bank/Distribution: Help families get the groceries they need. Get the details and sign up now
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Stewardship 2022: “Draw Near to the Lord”
God had just liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God's people marched through the Red Sea and danced and sang on the other side - they were free! They were exhausted, but also knew they had more difficult days ahead.
Through a pandemic and continued mounting crises, many of us can understand in some small way how the Israelites might have felt. When will we get there, God? Will we ever be able to truly rest with all of this behind us? We are weary, to our bones.
But amid their hunger, God called together the Israelites' leaders, Moses and Aaron. The people were hungry and complaining, yet God, always generous, told the people that God would provide for them and accompany them every single day. Moses instructed Aaron to say to the people, "Draw near to the Lord." God has heard your cries. God takes care of you. God calls us to be more fully connected to God and all of God's people.
These notions of trust and connection have been so important to the Stewardship Committee as we considered this year's campaign. As a community, we’ve been disconnected for much of the past 18 months. While this pandemic is not over, we are still finding beautiful ways to be connected. We worship together in person and online. Church School classes and youth group fill the Courtyard. Our staff and committees have tackled the challenges of gathering with creativity and dedication. Through it all, God has not only remained faithful; God has shown us new ways to be together, to listen and learn and advocate for justice, and to care and pray. We have learned and grown, completed a major construction project, made other essential investments in our campus, and provided numerous gifts to the community.
As stewardship season unfolds, we invite you to reflect on how God has accompanied you in this time. When have you struggled? When have you felt God draw near? What have you seen and learned in this time? How is the Holy Spirit at work? We are so excited for the ways we can continue to “draw near to the Lord” through so many ministries of WPC and beyond.
Last week you received our 2022 Stewardship packet. Please prayerfully review the materials and the church’s priorities for the coming year and consider how you might give to support them. If you have any questions, please reach out to any of us directly, and we will find the answer for you. We are excited to share this journey with you!
With gratitude from the Stewardship Committee: Chuck Byrd, Kim Garcia, Chris McLaughlin, Rachel Meyen, Anne Sherman, May Stanfield, David Wilcox, and Lee Willard
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Come All You People!
A Special Gathering & Processional for October
Do you miss the joy of singing with the community of faith? On Sundays in October, all are invited to gather outside in the Courtyard before worship at 10:45am to learn a new song that will prepare our hearts and minds for worship, "Come All You People." Those who feel comfortable may join in the singing. Others may enjoy adding rhythm and visual beauty by choosing a percussion instrument or a ribbon wand. We will all keep our masks on. After we learn and sing this lively Zimbabwean song, we'll enter quietly into the sanctuary with joyful hearts. This is something we are doing during the season of Stewardship to celebrate the theme of "Draw near to the Lord."
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From the Racial Equity Team: Learn About Pauli Murray, Hometown Hero
"We are not commanded to like everyone with whom we come into contact. What is required of us is not admiration, approval, or even personal affection, but caring, empathy, seeking to understand, identifying with another’s common humanity, and being concerned for another’s well-being as if it were our own." – The Rev. Pauli Murray
Join us this week as we do a deep dive into all-things Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, one of Durham’s “biggest and brightest hometown heroes.” Choose any of these great options to learn more.
SUNDAY: Pauli Murray Lunch ‘n Learn, October 17, 12:20pm
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NEXT WEDNESDAY: Aperture Welcomes Pauli Murray Center Board Chair Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, October 20, 7:00pm on Zoom
Mayme Webb Bledsoe is a native of Durham's West End neighborhood and serves as Board Chair of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. Join us for this month’s Aperture as she shares stories of the Center’s history, Pauli Murray’s life, and how it intersects with her personal story as someone who grew up in the same area as Pauli did. Read more about Mayme here. After she shares, participants will be welcome to ask questions and engage in casual conversation. Register now
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Visit the Childhood Home of Pauli Murray
Saturday, October 23, 11:00am followed by lunch at GRUB Durham
Join us as Barbara Lau, Executive Director, offers a tour around the grounds of Pauli Murray’s childhood home (906 Carroll Street). While the inside of the center is currently closed, the art installation offers a safe, socially distanced way to learn more about Pauli Murray, her family, the home built in 1898 where she grew up, and some of the ways her work and vision have continued to impact the world. After the tour, we’ll head over to Grub Durham to enjoy lunch together outdoors. Come and join us! Register now
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Interested in Becoming a Member?
Fall Inquirers’ Class Begins Sunday
Are you a newcomer to WPC and interested in learning more about the church or becoming a member? Our next Inquirers' Class is scheduled for Sundays, October 17, 24, and 31, 9:30-10:45am, beginning on Zoom. This no-obligation class is a great chance to get to know fellow newcomers and find out how you can learn, grow, and serve at Westminster. The class will be led by Darren Skeen and Thankam Rangala, our new Pastoral Intern. To sign up, please RSVP to Darren or Thankam.
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Yarn Collection for Haiti
Attention Knitters and Crocheters: Do you have leftover yarn from your last project? We have the opportunity to put your leftovers to good use. The Haiti Outreach Ministry schools in Port-a-Prince are offering classes in knitting and crocheting to their students. We are collecting yarn to send to Haiti to help with this effort. Yarn should be enough to create a small project (e.g., a hat). Knitting needles and crochet hooks are appreciated too. Please leave your donations in the bin by the Mission Center main entrance by October 24. For more information, please contact Helen Harrison or Emily Strader.
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