Current news at westminster
Click here for the May/June Newsletter
Hybrid worship: One community together in spirit
After a long year of physical separation due to Covid, we are again worshiping in our sanctuary! And we are doing a new thing. We are designing (and experimenting with) a hybrid worship experience that is engaging, meaningful, and Spirit-led for both in-person and online worshipers, creating a single, unified community that stretches across pews and data streams. Hybrid worship simultaneously engages in-person worshipers and worshipers attending from home. Livestream worship will be on Facebook Live. In person worshipers will be expected to practice safety precautions (masks, hand washing and sanitizing, social distancing, etc) and there will be no singing, no handshaking or hugging, no coffee hour. Join us in-person or online at 9:30am every Sunday morning!
Rejuvenate with Midweek Worship
Join us for a midweek online devotional service to give you just the pick-up you need. This 30-minute, online-only, intimate service takes place Wednesdays at 7 pm, broadcast from the pastor’s study on Facebook Live. It features weekly Communion, music, prayer, Scripture, and an interactive spiritual discussion.
Upcoming Sermons
May 2: "What the water said," a sermon about not knowing what to do
May 9: Guest Preacher Shavonn Lynch
May 16: "Jesus prays for you," a sermon about the times we need help
May 23: "A Pentecost approach to Scripture," a sermon about how we interpret the Bible
May 30: "Touched by fire," a sermon about God's presence in our lives
June 6: "The great and terrible mistake," a sermon about the moment in the history of Israel that changed everything
June 13: "Living without answers," a sermon about crisis and ambiguity
June 20: Guest Preacher Larry Bell
June 27: "Who is worthy?" a sermon about how we value (or undervalue) others
Sermons can be read here the week following each Sunday service. We also have a new YouTube channel, where we are posting the video versions of sermons each week. Complete services are always available to watch on our Facebook page.
Day of Service
On Saturday, May 22, you are invited to put your faith into action by participating in a “Day of Service” in Auburn, working alongside others (masked and at safe distances, of course) to make our community better and sharing in a free picnic lunch too. Here are some of the options:
BID Downtown “Flower Power” Spring Planting Day
9am-done, starting at Exchange Street at 9am for instructions
Downtown Auburn is brightened by colorful flowers throughout the summer growing in huge self-watering planters on city sidewalks. Help is needed to plant flowers on May 22. Bring gardening gloves and any gardening tools you like to work with. Contact Stephanie DeVito at 315-252-7874 or Stephanie@auburndowntown.org for more information.
Habitat for Humanity’s work day
8am-12pm at 144 Wall St
Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. The Cayuga County chapter is rehabilitating a home at 144 Wall St for a new family, and welcomes volunteers ages 18 and up to work on May 22. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes. Numbers are limited due to Covid precautions and pre-registration is required by emailing kip.coerper@cayugahabitat.org. If there are more volunteers than can be used on May 22, volunteers can opt for other workdays (Fridays and Saturdays 8am-12pm).
Westminster Church Property Workday
9am- 12pm at 17 William St
Our own church has a variety of tasks and chores for all ages and skills both inside and outside the building. The church’s property committee maintains the property, and welcomes volunteers of all skill levels to keep the church safe, clean, and in good repair. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes. We will also need volunteers to help prepare the lunch which will be offered this day.
Free Lunch
From 11:30-12:30, Westminster Church and the SS Peter and John Soup Kitchen invite everyone to take a break from their chores to share a free picnic lunch of hot dogs, sides, drinks, and dessert (with some vegetarian options too) on the church’s front lawn. Meals will be bagged “to go,” but outdoor seating will also be provided. We’re planning some special music too! It’ll be a community celebration of everyone who is putting their love into action on May 22.
Offerings
The ministry of the church continues, and it depends on your offerings. You can mail a check, set up automatic pay with your bank, or donate online. Loose offerings in May support the education of Solomon and Darius, the nephews of Agnes, Bob and Bev Miller's honorary daughter in Uganda. In June, loose offerings will support the NFP "Sleep in Heavenly Peace," which provides handbuilt beds to children who don't have a bed to sleep on. When you make your donation online, simply check the box "Loose change", or when you mail your check, write "Loose change" in the memo section.
Refresh
Looking for renewal and a deepened connection with God and other women? Join Refresh, which meets next on Saturday, May 1, at 10 am on Zoom. The group is starting a new study of The Faithful, learning about the lives of people in the Old Testament. In addition to study and discussion, Refresh invites personal sharing and prayer, fostering deep bonds of sisterhood and community. Stop by the church to pick up your copy of the book. Email refreshwithin@yahoo.com for more information.
Contemplative Hikes
Spent partly in prayerful silence and partly in conversation, our contemplative hikes offer renewal as we reconnect with God, the earth, and ourselves. There is great meaning to be found in experiencing God's creation in all four seasons, so don't let the wintry weather deter you. There is no peace on earth quite like the quiet of a snow-covered forest.
Westminster Book Group
The Westminster Book Group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm on Zoom. On May 20, the group will continue its discussion of Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origin of our Discontents. The bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. Looking ahead to the fall, the group plans to discuss News of the World by Paulette Jiles in September, The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wook in October and Ordinary Light: A Memoir by Tracy K, Smith in November. Contact Ann Wiley at ann@annlwiley.com for a Zoom invitation.
Ode to Joy Skinner Organ Restoration Campaign
Westminster has embarked on a three-year capital campaign to help pay for the full restoration of our magnificent Skinner pipe organ (Opus 579) built in 1926. The Ode to Joy campaign was launched last fall when members and friends of Westminster Church were sent a special mailing, including a letter, brochure, and pledge card. Please read the Ode to Joy materials and consider how you might joyfully respond. Through congregational and community support, foundational grants, and loans, Westminster Church's Skinner organ will continue to make a joyful noise to the Lord for many generations to come.
Closed captioning on Facebook Live
Did you know you can turn on closed captioning for Facebook Live worship? If you are hard of hearing, or want to keep the volume low on your computer, or find that closed captioning helps you follow along better, just follow these simple instructions: https://www.facebook.com/help/427723640933279
Citizen Columns
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen.
2021 columns:
Patrick Heery's April 18 column: It's Easter and we've lost Jesus
Jill Fandrich's March 21 column: Finding God in the ordinary
Patrick Heery's February 21 column: Is Scouting worth saving?
Shavonn Lynch's January 24 column: Women connect through Refresh
Older columns can be found here
Coat Tree
The Mission Committee has set up the Coat Tree in the hallway of the Education Building to provide coats, gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need of warm winter clothes. If you have gently used, clean coats (adult’s or children’s), please consider donating to the coat rack. Please hang your coats on the rack and place winter hats, gloves and scarves in the boxes below. The Coat Tree is suspended until further notice due to Covid-19 concerns.
The Little Free Library
The Little Free Library in front of our church is always in need of good quality books for children, youth, and adults. You can leave donated books in the library itself or drop them off to the church office. And while you're there, check out the Little Free Library for some new reading material for yourself!
Hybrid worship: One community together in spirit
After a long year of physical separation due to Covid, we are again worshiping in our sanctuary! And we are doing a new thing. We are designing (and experimenting with) a hybrid worship experience that is engaging, meaningful, and Spirit-led for both in-person and online worshipers, creating a single, unified community that stretches across pews and data streams. Hybrid worship simultaneously engages in-person worshipers and worshipers attending from home. Livestream worship will be on Facebook Live. In person worshipers will be expected to practice safety precautions (masks, hand washing and sanitizing, social distancing, etc) and there will be no singing, no handshaking or hugging, no coffee hour. Join us in-person or online at 9:30am every Sunday morning!
Rejuvenate with Midweek Worship
Join us for a midweek online devotional service to give you just the pick-up you need. This 30-minute, online-only, intimate service takes place Wednesdays at 7 pm, broadcast from the pastor’s study on Facebook Live. It features weekly Communion, music, prayer, Scripture, and an interactive spiritual discussion.
Upcoming Sermons
May 2: "What the water said," a sermon about not knowing what to do
May 9: Guest Preacher Shavonn Lynch
May 16: "Jesus prays for you," a sermon about the times we need help
May 23: "A Pentecost approach to Scripture," a sermon about how we interpret the Bible
May 30: "Touched by fire," a sermon about God's presence in our lives
June 6: "The great and terrible mistake," a sermon about the moment in the history of Israel that changed everything
June 13: "Living without answers," a sermon about crisis and ambiguity
June 20: Guest Preacher Larry Bell
June 27: "Who is worthy?" a sermon about how we value (or undervalue) others
Sermons can be read here the week following each Sunday service. We also have a new YouTube channel, where we are posting the video versions of sermons each week. Complete services are always available to watch on our Facebook page.
Day of Service
On Saturday, May 22, you are invited to put your faith into action by participating in a “Day of Service” in Auburn, working alongside others (masked and at safe distances, of course) to make our community better and sharing in a free picnic lunch too. Here are some of the options:
BID Downtown “Flower Power” Spring Planting Day
9am-done, starting at Exchange Street at 9am for instructions
Downtown Auburn is brightened by colorful flowers throughout the summer growing in huge self-watering planters on city sidewalks. Help is needed to plant flowers on May 22. Bring gardening gloves and any gardening tools you like to work with. Contact Stephanie DeVito at 315-252-7874 or Stephanie@auburndowntown.org for more information.
Habitat for Humanity’s work day
8am-12pm at 144 Wall St
Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. The Cayuga County chapter is rehabilitating a home at 144 Wall St for a new family, and welcomes volunteers ages 18 and up to work on May 22. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes. Numbers are limited due to Covid precautions and pre-registration is required by emailing kip.coerper@cayugahabitat.org. If there are more volunteers than can be used on May 22, volunteers can opt for other workdays (Fridays and Saturdays 8am-12pm).
Westminster Church Property Workday
9am- 12pm at 17 William St
Our own church has a variety of tasks and chores for all ages and skills both inside and outside the building. The church’s property committee maintains the property, and welcomes volunteers of all skill levels to keep the church safe, clean, and in good repair. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes. We will also need volunteers to help prepare the lunch which will be offered this day.
Free Lunch
From 11:30-12:30, Westminster Church and the SS Peter and John Soup Kitchen invite everyone to take a break from their chores to share a free picnic lunch of hot dogs, sides, drinks, and dessert (with some vegetarian options too) on the church’s front lawn. Meals will be bagged “to go,” but outdoor seating will also be provided. We’re planning some special music too! It’ll be a community celebration of everyone who is putting their love into action on May 22.
Offerings
The ministry of the church continues, and it depends on your offerings. You can mail a check, set up automatic pay with your bank, or donate online. Loose offerings in May support the education of Solomon and Darius, the nephews of Agnes, Bob and Bev Miller's honorary daughter in Uganda. In June, loose offerings will support the NFP "Sleep in Heavenly Peace," which provides handbuilt beds to children who don't have a bed to sleep on. When you make your donation online, simply check the box "Loose change", or when you mail your check, write "Loose change" in the memo section.
Refresh
Looking for renewal and a deepened connection with God and other women? Join Refresh, which meets next on Saturday, May 1, at 10 am on Zoom. The group is starting a new study of The Faithful, learning about the lives of people in the Old Testament. In addition to study and discussion, Refresh invites personal sharing and prayer, fostering deep bonds of sisterhood and community. Stop by the church to pick up your copy of the book. Email refreshwithin@yahoo.com for more information.
Contemplative Hikes
Spent partly in prayerful silence and partly in conversation, our contemplative hikes offer renewal as we reconnect with God, the earth, and ourselves. There is great meaning to be found in experiencing God's creation in all four seasons, so don't let the wintry weather deter you. There is no peace on earth quite like the quiet of a snow-covered forest.
- On Saturday, May 29, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will hike the beautiful Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, enjoying the vibrant fullness of spring and the song of the thousands of birds that call Montezuma home. It's about 20 minutes from Auburn, and the trail is moderate in difficult, with both flat and inclined portions.
- There will not be a June hike.
Westminster Book Group
The Westminster Book Group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm on Zoom. On May 20, the group will continue its discussion of Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origin of our Discontents. The bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. Looking ahead to the fall, the group plans to discuss News of the World by Paulette Jiles in September, The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wook in October and Ordinary Light: A Memoir by Tracy K, Smith in November. Contact Ann Wiley at ann@annlwiley.com for a Zoom invitation.
Ode to Joy Skinner Organ Restoration Campaign
Westminster has embarked on a three-year capital campaign to help pay for the full restoration of our magnificent Skinner pipe organ (Opus 579) built in 1926. The Ode to Joy campaign was launched last fall when members and friends of Westminster Church were sent a special mailing, including a letter, brochure, and pledge card. Please read the Ode to Joy materials and consider how you might joyfully respond. Through congregational and community support, foundational grants, and loans, Westminster Church's Skinner organ will continue to make a joyful noise to the Lord for many generations to come.
Closed captioning on Facebook Live
Did you know you can turn on closed captioning for Facebook Live worship? If you are hard of hearing, or want to keep the volume low on your computer, or find that closed captioning helps you follow along better, just follow these simple instructions: https://www.facebook.com/help/427723640933279
Citizen Columns
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen.
2021 columns:
Patrick Heery's April 18 column: It's Easter and we've lost Jesus
Jill Fandrich's March 21 column: Finding God in the ordinary
Patrick Heery's February 21 column: Is Scouting worth saving?
Shavonn Lynch's January 24 column: Women connect through Refresh
Older columns can be found here
Coat Tree
The Mission Committee has set up the Coat Tree in the hallway of the Education Building to provide coats, gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need of warm winter clothes. If you have gently used, clean coats (adult’s or children’s), please consider donating to the coat rack. Please hang your coats on the rack and place winter hats, gloves and scarves in the boxes below. The Coat Tree is suspended until further notice due to Covid-19 concerns.
The Little Free Library
The Little Free Library in front of our church is always in need of good quality books for children, youth, and adults. You can leave donated books in the library itself or drop them off to the church office. And while you're there, check out the Little Free Library for some new reading material for yourself!