Westminster Presbyterian Church
Let the doors of this church be a way to service.
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Worship Service
Sunday, August 8, 2021 Sacrament of Communion Steadfast Neighbor Presentation The meditation "Speaking Truth" is based on Ephesians 4:25-5:2 and will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer. Music will be provided by Jay Kennerly, tenor, Lyle VanDeventer, bass, Dale Rogers, organist.. Message from WPC Coronavirus Task Force August 1, 2021 Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued new guidance for people who are fully vaccinated which is supported by the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. They said “to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, [fully vaccinated people should] wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.” Since Sangamon County is currently listed by the CDC as being High Risk for Transmission, these new guidelines apply to our county and our church. The CVTF met and discussed these new guidelines in some detail and recommend that all people who attend WPC church services should wear a mask, independent of vaccination status. This is not guidance that we give lightly, but our overriding concern is the safety of our most vulnerable church family members. The high level of contagiousness of the Delta variant changes the rules, and we will adapt as needed. No other aspects of church services will change for now. We will sing (with masks in place), pass the Friendship Pads and offering plate, and serve communion. We will meet in the West Narthex after the church service; coffee will be served. The Task Force will continue to monitor the changing situation and will make recommendations based on science and fact. These guidelines are likely to change again in the next few weeks if the Delta variant gains greater prevalence in our community. We again recommend that those who are at risk for a severe course of COVID stay home and enjoy our church services via YouTube. While masks and social distancing serve as effective protective measures, they are not the solution to the pandemic. We thankfully do have a clear way out – herd immunity through vaccinations. This is the only solution available to us, and we encourage vaccinations for all who do not have true medical contraindications. Ellen Carpenter, RN Virginia Dolan, MD Peter Kieffer, MD Todd Knox, MD Michael Nenaber, MD Marilyn Rigney, RN Cara Vasconcelles, MD
The steadfast team of ministry partners was commissioned on Sunday, August 1 in worship. During the work week, the team gathers each morning at 8:00 a.m. for a devotion to begin the day before arriving at our neighborhood sites. Projects include power washing, painting, landscape improvements, repairing front porches and fences. Lunches are being prepared by Pat Hymans’ Hospitality Team and served at 12 noon in Parish Hall. Following lunch each day the teams return to their sites to complete the day’s work. The team will gather for a celebratory lunch and awards presentation on Friday. A report to the congregation including photos will be presented Sunday, August 8. Click here to see more photos of Service Week.
When Westminster’s Strategic Planning initiative began to take form in 2019, the committee chose the name Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor because it articulates what we believe about God and affirms our commitment to the neighborhood. Over the next ten years, Westminster plans to invest $450,000 in the neighborhood which is one-third of the total cost of our Site and Landscape Plan.
Corn Picking at Grigsby Farms
Sunday, August 8, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Thank you to those who harvested corn on Monday, August 2. There is still corn to be picked and we invite another crew to join in the labor on Sunday, August 8, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The picking begins at 5:15 (with people leaving the church at 4:30 p.m. to drive to the field). We will pick from 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. and return by 7:30 p.m. This corn is planted each year by Grigsby Farms (thanks to the Hale and Pound families), and we need your help to pick the corn. Please RSVP to Jennie Alt at jalt@wpcspi.org to let us know to expect you. |
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Contact Ministries Backpack Collection
through Sunday, August 15
Thank you to those who donated one or more backpack for the Contact Ministries Back to School Event on Thursday, August 19. We will collect backpacks through Sunday, August 15. Around 250 school-aged children will receive a new backpack from Contact Ministries and a new pair of Payless shoes from Share the Spirit! Last year, we collected 185 backpacks! The basket is in the West Narthex. As of Tuesday, August 3 we have received 103 backpacks...Our goal is 180!
through Sunday, August 15
Thank you to those who donated one or more backpack for the Contact Ministries Back to School Event on Thursday, August 19. We will collect backpacks through Sunday, August 15. Around 250 school-aged children will receive a new backpack from Contact Ministries and a new pair of Payless shoes from Share the Spirit! Last year, we collected 185 backpacks! The basket is in the West Narthex. As of Tuesday, August 3 we have received 103 backpacks...Our goal is 180!
Children of Abraham
On Wednesday, June 2 WPC hosted “Children of Abraham” welcoming over thirty children and youth. The hosting faith communities donated over 40 books and 90 meal kits to the Boys and Girls Club library and little pantry. The books (a complete list can be found on Children of Abraham page of our website) focus on respecting and celebrating our
differences and being good neighbors.
On Wednesday, June 2 WPC hosted “Children of Abraham” welcoming over thirty children and youth. The hosting faith communities donated over 40 books and 90 meal kits to the Boys and Girls Club library and little pantry. The books (a complete list can be found on Children of Abraham page of our website) focus on respecting and celebrating our
differences and being good neighbors.
Featured Hunger Missions at Westminster
Westminster's Little Pantry
Our Little Pantry is located on Cook Street on the south side of Graham Elementary (near the main entrance of the school).
To ensure it is visited regularly per week and kept clean and well-stocked, we are maintaining a signup list for checking on the pantry. Sign up below by clicking the link. Members may also contribute ingredients to make "meal kits" to put in the Little Pantry. Click here to see the meal kit ingredients. Reimbursement is available for items purchased, and a supply of items is kept at the church.
Sign up to help stock Westminster's Little Pantry
Our Little Pantry is located on Cook Street on the south side of Graham Elementary (near the main entrance of the school).
To ensure it is visited regularly per week and kept clean and well-stocked, we are maintaining a signup list for checking on the pantry. Sign up below by clicking the link. Members may also contribute ingredients to make "meal kits" to put in the Little Pantry. Click here to see the meal kit ingredients. Reimbursement is available for items purchased, and a supply of items is kept at the church.
Sign up to help stock Westminster's Little Pantry
Helping Hands Meals
Every second Friday of the month, Westminster members prepare meals to feed 50 hungry men at Helping Hands Shelter at 1023 E. Washington St. Currently, meals are covered through September as well as December, but months October and November are available.
This is a great project for friends or several families to do together. Volunteers may cook food in their own homes or use the church kitchen. Many thanks Dee Dee Duffy, Cara Vasconcelles, and Sarah Zerfas for preparing the August 13 meal.
Please consider taking one or more dates (the 2nd Friday of each month) to prepare and deliver a much-needed dinner for the men at the Helping Hands Shelter. Reimbursement is available.
Learn more details and sign up to help!
This is a great project for friends or several families to do together. Volunteers may cook food in their own homes or use the church kitchen. Many thanks Dee Dee Duffy, Cara Vasconcelles, and Sarah Zerfas for preparing the August 13 meal.
Please consider taking one or more dates (the 2nd Friday of each month) to prepare and deliver a much-needed dinner for the men at the Helping Hands Shelter. Reimbursement is available.
Learn more details and sign up to help!
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Give-A-Meal-A-Month
August Menu |
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Beef Stew, applesauce, pancake mix, syrup, dry cereal,
disposable razors, hygiene products, and diapers (size 3 or above).
Thank you to all who place items in the West Narthex for the Central Illinois Foodbank.
disposable razors, hygiene products, and diapers (size 3 or above).
Thank you to all who place items in the West Narthex for the Central Illinois Foodbank.
Westminster COVID-19 Task Force Report
The Coronavirus Task Force will no longer meet regularly or submit weekly reports for publication. We will continue to monitor the situation in both our church community and our larger community and will be available for consultation should the need arise.
Our first report was on March 30, 2020. We have published reports for 63 consecutive weeks, during stressful times of high numbers and calmer times of relatively low numbers. We appreciate the support of the congregation and the staff and commend both our church leaders and members of our church family who have made decisions along the way that have allowed us to safely navigate through the pandemic and now regather safely.
The Coronavirus Task Force will no longer meet regularly or submit weekly reports for publication. We will continue to monitor the situation in both our church community and our larger community and will be available for consultation should the need arise.
Our first report was on March 30, 2020. We have published reports for 63 consecutive weeks, during stressful times of high numbers and calmer times of relatively low numbers. We appreciate the support of the congregation and the staff and commend both our church leaders and members of our church family who have made decisions along the way that have allowed us to safely navigate through the pandemic and now regather safely.
Mission Statement
With each new day, we reaffirm our common purpose
to join in the worshipful praise of God,
to teach children, to lead and inspire the young,
and to call everyone to life-long learning in the church,
to be influential participants in society by being accountable to the Gospel,to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ toward each other,and toward those who are hurting,
to be a caring community welcoming both friends and strangers
to own our Presbyterian heritage, reformed and always reforming, to be prayerfully open to the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
With each new day, we reaffirm our common purpose
to join in the worshipful praise of God,
to teach children, to lead and inspire the young,
and to call everyone to life-long learning in the church,
to be influential participants in society by being accountable to the Gospel,to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ toward each other,and toward those who are hurting,
to be a caring community welcoming both friends and strangers
to own our Presbyterian heritage, reformed and always reforming, to be prayerfully open to the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
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Westminster Presbyterian Church is an Earth Care Congregation of the PC (U.S.A.), committed to caring for God's earth in worship, education, facilities, and outreach, promoting environmental stewardship in property decisions, administrative practices, and teaching. Click here to read the latest Earth Care tip. Westminster Presbyterian Church has been certified as an Hunger Action Congregation of the PC (U.S.A.), committed to (1) acknowledging and celebrating the faithful work of Presbyterians working around the country to alleviate hunger and end its causes, and (2) encouraging these ministries to be even more holistic and justice-oriented. Click here to see how Westminster is helping fight hunger in our community. |
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Westminster Weekly Email.