Westminster Weekly Word

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A Message from Gregory Knox Jones

Bad news: COVID cases are spiking to new record highs. Good news: Most cases caused by the Omicron variant are less severe. Bad news: Hospitals are running at full capacity and beyond. Good news: Scientists predict this spike in cases will be short-lived.

CONTINUE

Next Seven Days

TONIGHT: Delaware Cares: Coalition for Paid Leave

Thursday, January 13, 7 p.m. on Zoom

Liz Richards, Coalition Director

Sarah McBride, Delaware State Senator

All of us will face a major medical event at one point in our lives. But for thousands of Delawareans, taking time away from work for a major family medical event means losing their only source of income. In Delaware, nearly 60% of workers do not even have access to unpaid leave at work. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the pressures families go through every day. Join us to learn about the work of this coalition of health, faith, business, labor, and community groups, its efforts in support of SB1 in the Delaware legislature, and how each of us can get involved. Hosted by Westminster’s Peace & Justice Work Group.

JOIN US ON ZOOM

Zoom Meeting ID: 860 2752 1655

Helping Hands Glove Project

January 2022

Please remember to bring new gloves, mittens, hats, and/or scarves to Westminster during the month of January to benefit men, women and children in need in our area. Collection boxes are set up inside the entry doors and by the reception desk. Bring your donations anytime you plan to be in or near church and we will deliver them to the Friendship House Clothing Bank so that they may be to distributed to those in need. Thank you for providing warmth to those battling the winter elements! Questions? Email sandyking@verizon.net.

180 This Sunday!

Sunday, January 16, 5–7 p.m. in Classroom 6

180 is on for this Sunday! Spend the evening hanging with your friends at WPC. There will be games, dinner, and small groups. We'll see you there from 5 to 7 p.m. Don't forget your mask! For more information about 180 youth ministry for grades 6 to 12, contact Tommy Neilson (tommyjneilson@gmail.com).

Church Office Holiday Closing

The Westminster church office will be closed on Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Westminster Peace & Justice Work Group Meeting – Join Us!

Tuesday, January 18, 5 p.m. via Zoom

Westminster’s Peace & Justice Work Group is open to everyone! Founded in the Spring of 2018, our purpose is to work collaboratively to combat violence in Wilmington and promote racial justice. Please join us to learn more about our current activities and plans for the coming year, ask questions and share your thoughts on ways we can make a meaningful difference in our congregation, our community and our world.

JOIN US ON ZOOM

Addressing Environmental Justice

Thursday, January 20, 7 p.m. on Zoom

Kimberly Eastlick, Public Ally; Heather Titanich, Community Forester; Nora Malley, Education Manager

Increasing temperatures from climate change impact urban areas disproportionally because of their higher areas of hard surfaces and lack of tree cover. Representatives from our neighbor, the Delaware Center for Horticulture, will tell us how they work with local schools, city residents, civic organizations, and others to plant trees in urban areas. These trees reduce street level heat and the temperature of buildings. We will also learn about DCH’s Branches to Chances, a horticultural job training program for unemployed, underemployed, and/or previously incarcerated individuals. Training is aimed at connecting participants with entry-level positions in the horticulture industry. Hosted by Westminster’s Peace & Justice Work Group.

JOIN US ON ZOOM

Zoom Meeting ID: 860 2752 1655

Coming Up

One Service on Sunday, January 30

Because of the annual meeting on Sunday, January 30, we will join together for one worship service at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary. Our Living Mosaics worship service will not be held on January 30, but will resume on Sunday, February 6.

Call for Annual Meeting (Virtual)

Sunday, January 30, 10:30 a.m. on Zoom

The annual congregational meeting of Westminster Presbyterian Church will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. for the purpose of conducting the following business:

To receive the report of the Church Officer Nominating Committee and to elect elders, deacons, and trustees;
To elect congregational at-large members to the Church Officer Nominating Committee;
To receive the financial report of 2021;
To receive the budget report for 2022;
To consider changes to the calls of the pastors; and
To consider any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

By order of Session: Gregory Knox Jones, Moderator; Jan Patrick, Clerk of Session

An email will be sent to Westminster members the week of January 24 with the Zoom meeting information.

Sanctuary Flowers

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 for January 30, and February 6, 13 and 27.

Starting in February: "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene” – Group 2

Saturdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. on Zoom

February 5, 12, 26, March 5, 19, 26, and April 2 and 9

Join us to meet the Apostle to the Apostles. Facilitated by Janet Steinwedel, "Understanding the Life of Mary Magdalene” is a small study group that will meet to discuss Cynthia Bourgeault’s book, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene. Last fall, 10 women took part in a pilot group and all agreed we must offer this opportunity to understand the depth of Mary Magdalene’s impact on Christianity once again. Guest facilitators from the first group will help guide our reflection on Cynthia’s expose and insights. Respond quickly to janet@leadersinsight.com as we have just 10 seats available.

Taste and Travel: A Guatemalan Experience

Thursday, February 10, 7:00–8:15 p.m. on Zoom

Enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of Guatemala without leaving your home! This 75-minute virtual event will combine an interactive chocolate tasting with a special travelogue update about our January trip to Guatemala. Your registration fee ($58) includes four artisanal Guatemalan chocolate bars delivered to your front door and a $25 tax-deductible donation. Makes a great Valentine's Day experience.

Featured Photo

In Case You Missed It: Operation Allies Welcome

On Sunday, January 9, we had a unique opportunity to learn about the Afghan refugee resettlement program. State Senator and Westminster member Sarah McBride spoke with Jack Markell, who served as Governor of Delaware from 2009 to 2017 and is now the White House Coordinator for Operation Allies Welcome. Former Governor Markell described the status and plans for this project, which supports vulnerable Afghans as they resettle in the United States. If you missed the discussion in person or via the livestream, a recording is available on our YouTube channel.

WATCH NOW

News to Note

Thanks Bill!

Each week we receive your generous donations of canned vegetables and fruits, water, sandwiches, and cookies and take them to Emmanuel Dining Room. The staff at Emmanuel Dining Room use our donations to put together bags to hand out to hundreds of food insecure people in our community. We owe a debt of gratitude to Westminster member Bill Nace who has collected these donations and driven them to Emmanuel Dining Room every Sunday for 21 months! Thank you, Bill, for your dedicated service to this life-saving work.

Photo Prayer

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.