May 21, 2020
Dear friends and fellow disciples,
The confirmation class met with the Session last Sunday evening on Zoom, and 18 youth were welcomed into the membership of the church. The technology worked (thanks be to God!), and while the youth and elders were speaking together, the confirmation teachers left at each young person’s house a metal ring with a bunch of cards on it - a Ring of Blessings! These youth have taken a beginning, but important step in the journey of faith. May we all keep learning and growing together.
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We’ll find a way to welcome them in worship in the coming weeks. You'll see more of these kinds of things in the coming weeks. For instance, we’ll soon resume via Zoom the Inquirer’s Class we began in March, and we're putting a Youth Sunday on the calendar, too. We are going to be in this "new normal" together for some time, and we are all in the process of shifting how life and ministry can continue to move forward in uncertain times.
To that end, the Session recently established a small committee that is compiling guidance from many sources to think about who we might be in the weeks ahead. I’m grateful for a church of medical professionals who offer us their wisdom and for colleagues in other congregations, many of us are working together trying to envision what might be next.
Last Sunday the Session decided that
Westminster's campus will remain closed through June 28
. We are also exploring what preparations need to be made for staff and then perhaps members, to return to campus on a limited basis. We are seeking first the safety of all, especially our most vulnerable. But we also yearn to be together and to find ways to stay true to the community of covenant people we have always been. Much is uncertain, and I remain so grateful for your support, your encouragement, and your prayers. We’ll keep communicating with you as plans emerge. If you have information that you believe might be helpful, please send it on.
Until then, keep it up, friends. You are worshiping and serving and caring and giving in tremendous ways. Let’s keep it going!
Chris
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Westminster This Week - Quick Links
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Nominations for Elders and Deacons
The Nominating Committee has begun its quest 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. Elders compose the Session, the main governing body in the Presbyterian Church, and are responsible for worship, programs, finances, and facilities. The Diaconate largely guides our mission life and the way we care for each other. Both work in partnership with the staff to discern and lead the mission and ministries of this place as we seek to follow Christ together. 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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COVID-19 Relief Fund
Some folks 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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Our Neighbors in Need: Volunteer with Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel
We’re a few weeks into our effort to join with our other Durham PC(USA) congregations to help Iglesia Emanuel with its very needed, very popular food pantry and food distribution. The need for volunteers has not lessened - more and more of our neighbors are in need of food assistance during this crisis. Volunteers are needed to direct traffic, count vehicles, and load trunks of cars on Wednesday afternoons. Any volunteers age 14 and up can help on-site. There is also a work-from-home opportunity to bag rice and beans for the weekly food distribution – it’s great for adults that are staying in and families with children.
Sign up now
.
Contact
:
Cherrie Barton Henry
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Check it out: Good Stuff for WPC Youth
and
Their Parents
- "8th Grade: A Frank Conversation About a Curious Time" Let's be honest: 8th grade is weird for everybody, even (maybe especially) parents. Let's get together to talk about it. Parents of rising 8th and 9th graders are invited to watch the 2018 film "8th Grade" (view the trailer). We'll gather on Zoom on Wednesday, May 27, at 7:30pm, to discuss both the movie and the actual 8th grade. Email Alex for the Zoom meeting invitation or if you have any questions. (Please note: This is a discussion for grown folks! This movie is rated R and ironically, might not be appropriate for every middle schooler. Contact Alex for more details.)
- 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, May 31. There will be prizes!
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Send Love to Our Christian Education Teachers & Leaders: Final Call for Submissions
As we wrap up this year of Christian formation in this challenging time, we want to make sure we send our thanks to all those who have taken leadership roles in our Christian Education ministries. That includes our Church School teachers for all ages, midweek Bible study groups, Godly Play leaders and assistants, music leaders, and our nursery caregivers. This year we’d like to celebrate and thank these leaders for their time, talents, and patience by putting together a special message of thanks that includes video, art, and photos. Please send a brief video (10 seconds or less) thanking your or your child's leaders or a photo of art your child has made offering thanks. We welcome creativity! All pictures, art, and videos may be uploaded to this
shared Google Drive folder
or emailed to
Dawn Wilcox
.
The deadline is May 25
. Teacher Appreciation Sunday is on Pentecost Sunday, May 31.
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WPC Online School in June: Explore Core Practices of the Christian Life
What are essential practices for a Christian way of living? In this course, you’ll gain perspectives on prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service, and community. In our second all-online course,
Animate: Practices
, you’ll watch several short videos taught by well-known Christian thought leaders, including Brian McLaren, Mike Slaughter, Shane Claiborne, and more. After watching a video segment, you’ll spend time on personal reflection and journaling, and have the opportunity to read and respond to your classmates’ writings as well.
Each Monday in June at 7:00pm
, join your classmates via Zoom to continue to explore the practices together (June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). These classes are great for anyone, whether you are newer to the Christian walk or have journeyed many miles upon the way.
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 Location: 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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An Update from Duke University Campus Ministry+
From Libby Boehne, Campus Minister
The work of
Duke Presbyterian Campus Ministry+
is to walk alongside students through the journey of college, and we explore together what it means to follow Christ on a university campus. Nothing can replace having meals together, being in the chapel basement office, or passing the peace of Christ during a worship service. But since our separation in March, we are adapting, and Zoom has become indispensable for us! The programming and ministry of PCM+ is continuing through weekly worship, Bible study, individual and group hangouts, and mid-day prayer via Zoom. It is a challenge and joy to have dozens of faces from across the country crammed together on one screen every week, but staying connected to a faith community in times like these matters more than ever for college students. The ministry so values your prayers and support, and there are two ways we ask that you pray for us and the Duke University community right now. First, pray for our seniors as they deal with the disappointment of not finishing their time at Duke in-person and navigate finding jobs and making plans. Second, there have been two suicides of Duke undergraduates recently, and it is difficult for many students to be separated from one another in their grief. Please pray that we would be able to know how to bring this faith community together in even stronger ways through this difficult time. Once again, thank you for your support and care, and we hold you in prayer as well.
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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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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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Things to do, watch, read, and listen to during quarantine
This week Monica shares a music recommendation: "I love this recording of
Samuel Barber’s Agnes dei
, which is a choral transcription of his famous Adagio for Strings. It is so gorgeous, and so profoundly moving and sorrowful….It always brings me comfort. During these difficult times, I find myself drawn to music that is deeply mournful and yet peaceful. This may not be the case for others, but I am not ready for joyous or energetic music right now. I await that time with hope!"
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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