Westminster Weekly Word

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A Message from Gregory Knox Jones

At the beginning of a new year, many of us make resolutions – and sometimes struggle to keep them beyond February! Since New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday this year, I used the opportunity to share 10 resolutions for 2023 in my sermon.

CONTINUE

Next Seven Days

TONIGHT: Plan to Cap I-95 in Wilmington

Thursday, January 5 | 7 p.m. | Zoom

With Dave Gula, Principal Planner, WILMAPCO

Wilmington joined a number of cities exploring ways to reconnect neighborhoods and provide new public spaces by creating caps over highways. These structures are used to create green spaces, plazas, and cultural amenities that also reconnect separated neighborhoods, allowing residents to walk and bike more safely. A key task of the study has been gathering resident input: all workshops have been held at venues within the community. Join us as Dave Gula returns to share the draft of the exciting final concept design, which is open for public comment through January 12. Hosted by Westminster’s Peace & Justice Work Group.

JOIN US ON ZOOM

Zoom Meeting ID: 860 2752 1655

First Friday Walk for Justice and Peace

Friday, January 6, 5:30–6:00 p.m. (rain or shine)

Photo by Danny Schweers

Start: The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM), 719 N. Shipley Street

End: Rodney Square

Join us for this peaceful, prayerful walk through the center of Wilmington to promote an end to racial and social injustice. We gather in the SsAM parking lot with people from various faith communities to share in this active, visible commitment to justice and peace in our community. We walk in silence, carrying battery-powered candles, ending at Rodney Square. It is a very moving experience. Please join us – and share this invitation with people you know who are dedicated to this purpose.

Helping Hands (and Feet!) Collection

Sundays, January 8, 15, 22, and 29

We are collecting NEW gloves, mittens, and socks for people in need during January. On Sundays, you can take your donation to Walton Community Hall. There will be bins near the front desk and by the 13th Street entrance at other times. These items will be distributed through Friendship House's Clothing Bank. Questions? Email SandyKing@verizon.net. Thank you for your support!

Learn More about the Jewish Scriptures with Rabbi Krantz

Sundays, January 8, 15, 22, and February 5, 10:10 a.m. in Classroom 6

Are you familiar with the Book of Micah? Come this Sunday to hear Rabbi Krantz during the 10:TEN hour in Classroom 6. Learn more about what is required of us as human beings who live in community with neighbors.

180 Youth New Year Bash!

Sunday, January 8, 5–7 p.m. in Classroom 6

Happy New Year 180! Join us this Sunday for the 180 Youth Ministry's welcome back New Year Bash! We'll be celebrating a new year in style with games, dinner, lots of laughs, and great small group discussions. Never been to 180 before? Come check it out! 180 is for any students from 6th to 12th grade. For more information, contact Tommy at tommy@wpc.org. See you there!

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Overcoming Our Divisions and the Consequences of Not

Thursday, January 12, 7 p.m. on Zoom

With David McBride

This is the first of an intermittent series entitled Both Sides Now that seeks to diagnose the reasons for and the means of overcoming the political, economic, and social divides in the United States. This session will recount the theories of commentators on the seriousness of the divide and the consequences of not overcoming it. It will also survey suggestions made by a number of commentators for how to overcome those divides, both personally and as a society. Hosted by Westminster’s Peace & Justice Work Group.

JOIN US ON ZOOM

Zoom Meeting ID: 860 2752 1655

Coming Up

Join in Celebrating Suzie Hurlock

Sunday, January 15 | following 9 a.m. worship | Walton Community Hall

All Westminster members and friends are invited to celebrate and honor Suzie Hurlock on the occasion of her retirement from the church. Suzie has been a mainstay of Westminster’s administrative staff for 29+ years. Following 9 a.m. worship on January 15, we will gather in Walton Community Hall to recognize Suzie’s long and distinguished service. Please join us for cake, festivities, and remembrances of Suzie’s countless contributions to our congregation as we extend our best wishes for her well-deserved retirement!

Philadelphia Brass in Concert

Sunday, January 15, 3 p.m.

Westminster’s 2022–2023 concert series continues with the Philadelphia Brass on Sunday, January 15, at 3 p.m. The program will include a wide variety of music ranging from classical to jazz, from J.S. Bach to Duke Ellington. The Philadelphia Brass is one of America’s finest ensembles and is in residence at Westminster. All are invited! A free-will offering is requested. Please join us in person or livestream over WPC's YouTube channel.

Membership Exploration Class (In Person)

Sundays, January 22 and February 5, 10:10 a.m.

Are you new to our community of faith? Are you interested in learning more about Westminster’s mission and ministry? Perhaps you’re considering membership…join us for a Membership Exploration Class! This two-session series will be an opportunity to learn about the Presbyterian tradition, discover ways to connect with others in our family of faith, and explore ways to serve within and beyond our walls. At the end of the second session, there will be an opportunity to become a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Questions? Contact the Rev. Sudie Niesen Thompson at sniesenthompson@wpc.org.

Sanctuary Flowers Needed

Dates available in January and February

Consider giving the flowers for Sunday worship to remember or honor loved ones or to celebrate an event, while expressing praise and thanksgiving to God. Please contact Linda Watson during business hours at (302) 571-6719 or lwatson@ycst.com. Flower donations are available January 29 and dates are available in February.

Featured Photo

The Rev. Sudie Niesen Thompson talks with our children about Chrismons (the ornaments on the sanctuary Christmas tree) during worship on December 18.

Photo by Gary Bryde Photography

News to Note

Care Tip #3: In Support of Health and Resilience

From your Stephen Ministry Care Team

Don’t we all want to live vibrant, meaningful lives?

We know that making a contribution to the well-being of others makes us feel good. For many years our congregation has supported organizations that feed the homeless and the food insecure. That is one way we contribute. Many find meaning in making contributions to the great variety of missions we support at WPC. Whether it’s clothing, gloves, food, chickens, goats, time, or money, making a contribution helps us live better lives.

For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact the Rev. Jill Getty (jgetty@wpc.org).

2023 Offering Envelopes

2023 offering envelopes are now available for pick up in the main hallway on the literature table. They are labeled with your envelope number, name, and address, so please be sure to pick your box! If you do not see a box with your name and would like one, contact Colleen Falasco at cfalasco@wpc.org or (302) 654-5214 ext. 131. If you see a box with your name but no longer need envelopes, please notify Colleen.

Please Check Back

There is nothing to report this week, but please check this section regularly for information on important life events of our members.

Photo Prayer

Unambiguous Translators

Translators eschew ambiguity. They take what is written in a foreign language and make it clear and precise even when the original is not. That is my conclusion after finding such disparate translations of Isaiah 35:8. The prophet says fools on the Way of Holiness will not get lost. Since I am often a fool, I like that translation. It makes the Way of Holiness appealing. But in other translations, the prophet says that fools will not be allowed onto that holy highway. Which is it? The verse itself must be ambiguous to produce such different translations, but translators, unlike poets, avoid ambiguity, losing the poetry. The commentary of Matthew Henry ends my frustration with these dueling translations. "Do we love God?" he asks. "Let us try ourselves by such plain questions, rather than spend time on things that may be curious and amusing, but are unprofitable."

Photo of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware.

photoprayer.com

To see the full essay, visit:

ssam.org/detours-on-the-holy-highway