TONIGHT: Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00pm
To mark the beginning of the Lenten season, we will gather in the Sanctuary and on YouTube for a time of worship and reflection. The in-person service will include the imposition of ashes and the opportunity to confess sins and symbolically release them to God by writing them on a slip of paper and then tossing them into a fire pit. Tonight's service will also be live-streamed on YouTube. View or download the worship bulletin.
Lessons from Walking the Labyrinth
by Marietta Wynands

Jesus invites us to come, follow, and walk with him on this journey of life. It's a path that begins in the waters of our baptism, deeply immersed in the community of faith. It's a path filled with the twists and turns that unfold before us. This path is one that involves a calling, a cross, a tomb, and a resurrection! On this journey, we trust that God is there, at the center of it all.  

During this season of Lent, you are invited to deeply connect or renew your walk with God through the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage. You might join your fellow Westminster pilgrims on the Durham Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope on April 1-3, or you might consider a very short but potentially equally transformative journey as you walk the WPC Labyrinth.
  
I've walked a variety of labyrinths, but each experience is different. Some, I leave feeling indifferent, some like I've drawn closer to the Holy, and once, I felt a renewed calling in ministry. On Monday, I decided it was time to try out our temporary Labyrinth behind the garage. I told myself I'd go out first thing when I got to church. But no… the ground was too wet, and it felt too cool. Maybe later?  
  • REMEMBER: Set an intention… make a decision. Jesus said, "Follow me."  

Intention turned to action. Around noon, I grabbed my jacket, passing the folks waiting in their cars to pick up their preschoolers. I wondered what they might think. Would I feel uncomfortable out there alone on the Labyrinth? But I continued walking towards the garage and discovered that the Labyrinth is quite hidden from curious onlookers.  
  • PREPARE for the journey physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What do you need to take? What should you leave behind? What is on your heart? 

An Information Stand holding some "how to's" drew me to the beginning of the path. A faint painted yellow line marked the entrance of the Labyrinth. I took a moment to take in my surroundings. The sun was shining warmly on my face Birds were singing their praises. I felt safely enfolded in the circle of trees. I took a deep breath and waited for an intention or question to come to me. This time, I felt the need to just be present to the experience.  
  • RELEASE: Prepare your heart and mind. Ask a question or let all questions and assumptions go.  

Then I began to walk. First, a few steps forward, then a few more to the left, and onward, trusting that the path would take me to the center, even if it doesn't feel or look that way. I walked alone but didn't feel lonely. At the center, I took a little while to rest and wait. I turned in that small space, looking up and all around as I rested in the peace of that moment.
  • RECEIVE: In the center, take time. Listen. Pray. Be.

Time for the journey out. As I did so, I suddenly noticed the sound of preschool children. Why hadn't I heard that before? The path out went a little more quickly, and suddenly I neared the end. I paused, not sure I was ready to exit. But it was time. As I returned to my office, I waved at some of the folks waiting in their cars and cheerily greeted some preschool children and their teachers. I experienced the joy of this moment. Thanks be to God!
  • RETURN: Journey out the same way you came. What have you learned? What has changed since you went in? How will you respond in your life and in the world?

Experiencing the Westminster Labyrinth in Lent
  • March 6: Lenten GiFT: Walk in the Way – Exploring the Labyrinth, 9:45-10:45am (see description below)
  • March 9 and on Wednesdays throughout Lent: Midday Worship at the Labyrinth 12:30-12:45pm (meet at the Garage)
  • Anytime during daylight hours: Come to the Labyrinth to walk, reflect, and pray
Westminster This Week – Quick Links

This Sunday at Westminster – March 6
9:30am Nursery for Infants and Toddlers
Church School Elective Class: “The Pilgrim's Compass”
9:45am Lent GiFT (Generations in Faith Together): “Walk in the Way - Exploring the Labyrinth"
Adult Church School Classes
Church School for Youth
Confirmation Class
11:00am Worship – Sanctuary and on YouTube
5:30pm WPC Youth Group
Worship Bulletin & Announcements (March 6 bulletin available by Thursday 5:00pm)
A GiFT for Lent: Walk in the Way - Exploring the Labyrinth 
Sunday, March 6, 9:45-10:45am in the Fellowship Hall and the Labyrinth
We begin the season of Lent with a GiFT – a "Generations in Faith Together" event! All ages are invited to come together to explore the ancient spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth. Through a variety of creative activities and prayer stations, participants will learn that a labyrinth is a tool that can help us come closer to God. In addition to the indoor activities, small groups will walk the outdoor labyrinth on the field behind the garage. While the weather is looking good, the grass may be soggy, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This GiFT is recommended for children, youth, and adults in preschool and older. Younger children may go to the church nursery. 
Memorials

Richard Stevens, the long-time and recently retired director of the New Hope Camp & Conference Center, died on February 24. On Saturday, May 21, at 3:00pm, a memorial service will be held at the Richard F. Stevens Vespers Area and Labyrinth on the Camp New Hope grounds.

Dr. Morris Griffin died on March 1. Morris was a long-time member of Westminster, serving as a deacon and in several other capacities until he and his wife, Kathy, moved to West Jefferson. We will share information on funeral arrangements once they become available.
Red Cross Blood Drive at Westminster
Tuesday, March 15, 2:00-7:00pm, in the Fellowship Hall
Our own Heath Tuttle had cancer this fall, and infusions were key to his support during treatment. Heath says, "When I was sick this past fall, I received blood transfusions, and they helped a lot by giving me more strength and energy. It would mean so much to me and so many others if you donated."
Let’s come together to support the health care providers and heroes and their patients by giving blood! Persons age 16 and up are eligible to donate blood (sixteen-year-olds must present a signed parental consent form), and there is no upper age limit for blood donors so long as donors are feeling well and in good health. Westminster preschool teachers will be available to supervise children on the playground from 2:00-4:00pm (weather permitting). Sign up now to donate blood. Volunteers are needed to help with on-site check-in and the canteen – sign up now.
Aperture: Third Wednesdays “Kim & Penn Holderness: Everybody Fights ~ So Why Not Get Better at It?” March 16, 7:00pm, Fellowship Hall
Join Kim and Penn Holderness here at Westminster as they share stories from their 16 years of marriage and what they’ve learned along the way about how to fight better, end arguments with one another, and feel closer, more loved, and better understood. Childcare will be available. Register now
Penn grew up at WPC as the “PK” (aka “pastor’s kid”) of the Rev. Haywood and Mary Holderness. Kim and Penn have chronicled their marriage and their family with funny music videos, vlogs, skits, and a podcast. Their videos have resulted in more than a billion views and 4.5 million followers across social media. Penn and Kim honed their storytelling skills with 25 combined years of experience in the TV news business. Today, they own their own company, Holderness Family Productions, and live in Raleigh with their children, Lola and Penn Charles, and fluffy dog, Sunny.

“The Fight Club: Getting Better at Marriage” Small Group
Blended Format with Three In-person Gatherings, Begins March 20
Learn how to fight better and end arguments with your partner feeling closer, more loved, and better understood. In this small group elective, participants will read the Everybody Fights, So Why Not Get Better at It? by Kim and Penn Holderness. In it, Kim and Penn share their ten common “fight fails” and how to combat them, and offer scripts for how to start, continue, and wrap up hard conversations. Couples will emerge equipped to engage and understand, not “do battle”...and maybe even laugh a little along the way. This small group is unique in that you will read the book and try out the practices on your own. The group will come together in person (or on Zoom, as needed), to talk about the challenges and changes on three occasions. Best meeting dates and details will be decided as a group. Register by March 17
48th Annual Durham CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, April 10, 2:30pm at Duke Chapel
CROP Walk is back live and in-person! Invite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to this fun, family friendly 5k walk with music and educational activities for all ages. The last two years’ CROP Walks have been virtual events, with Westminster family and friends raising $10,000+ each year and continuing our CROP Walk “silver sneaker” multi-year award streak. Register and join team WPC Durham and/or make a donation. Questions? Please contact Blair Chesnut.