Current news at westminster
Click here for the September/October newsletter
Hybrid worship: One community together in spirit
After a long year of physical separation due to Covid, we are again worshiping together on site! 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 are 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! Summer Sundays, we will worship on the front lawn (weather permitting).
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
Oct. 24: "Tell them who they are," a sermon asking, How do we faithfully engage our broken democracy?
Oct. 31: "Your path to sainthood," a Reformation Sunday sermon asking, What are saints?
Nov. 14: "In search of faith," a sermon asking, "Do we only believe when it's easy?"
Nov. 21: Christ the King: A Festival of Scripture and Song for the Last Sunday of the Christian Year
Nov. 28: Guest Preacher Rev. Larry Bell
Dec. 5: "What will this child become?" an Advent sermon about God's presence in our relationships
Dec. 12: "What should we do?" an Advent sermon about God's presence in our work and service
Dec. 19: "What makes your spirit leap?" an Advent sermon about God's presence in the things that give joy
Dec. 21: "God is near," a Longest Night sermon about God's presence in times of suffering
Dec. 24: "Does this really matter?" a Christmas sermon about a faithful life
Dec. 26: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sermons can be read here the week following each Sunday service. We also have a YouTube channel, where we are posting the video versions of sermons each week. Complete services are always available to watch on our Facebook page.
Take a virtual tour!
Ever wondered what goes on inside of our big beautiful buildings on William St? Learn more by taking a virtual tour! Check it out here.
Journey through the Bible
This year we will be taking a journey through the Bible. Together, we will discover its wonderful stories and go deeper in learning about this ancient text and its often surprising meaning and relevance for our lives today. Throughout the year, we will be offering gatherings, readings, activities, and resources to explore the Bible at your own pace and level of interest. Monthly in-person education hours (which will also be offered online) are scheduled eight times throughout the year: Sept 26, Oct 31, Nov 21, Jan 30, Feb 27, Mar 27, Apr 24, and May 22. In between the in-person sessions, we will suggest readings to do at home, and will also send links to videos and other resources which tell the stories in different ways. We can supply Bibles to anyone who needs or wants one. We have a variety of different translations and an assortment of story Bibles and other resources which we’d love to share. We've designed this series so you can join us, whenever you're able. But our biggest hope is that we'll all find new and wonderful ways to bring the Bible into our daily life, sharing it with family and friends, and reading it in private study. Read more about the "Journey through the Bible" here.
Pride House
Pride House of New York is a youth program for teens and young adults ages 13-18, located at 17 William Street in Auburn New York. Our program and facility offer a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) teens, and their allies. Pride House is a place of acceptance and support where LGBTQ+ youth and their allies can come together and be welcomed as themselves, embrace their individuality, receive support, have fun, and connect with others. All events, programs, and services at Pride House are always free! Learn more about Pride House here.
Join the Bell Choir
Calling all ringers! Westminster is starting a handbell choir, with the first rehearsal on Sunday, November 7, immediately following worship. If you’re looking for a safe, fun, musical experience, handbells are a great option. Prior experience is not necessary, but the ability to read music is helpful. Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary, and Lori Rhodes Pettit will direct the choir. If interested, call (315-253-3331) or email the church office (office@westminsterauburn.org) and Lori will answer all your questions.
Offerings
Whether you are worshiping from home or on site, 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. In October, the loose offerings will support Thanksgiving meals provided through Calvary Food Pantry. 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.
Two Quick Questionnaires For You
(1) Parents and caregivers, please take the opportunity to update child/youth registrations. Before any child/youth participates in Nursery Care, Worship Center or Youth Forums we ask that you fill out a registration form. (2) This one's for everyone! Please fill out our volunteer survey so we can better know your interests and help you grow as a disciple. There are many ways you can practice your faith and help care for others and the church.
Congregational Meeting October 24
A congregational meeting is called for Sunday, October 24, at 10:30 am (following worship) to elect elders, deacons, and 2022 at-large members of the Nominating Committee. Please note that this is a different date from the one communicated in the newsletter; the date was changed to provide the Nominating Committee more time. The meeting will be both in person and online. It will be live streamed from the sanctuary through either Facebook Live (with votes/comments/motions will be made through the comments) or Zoom. The tech team, pastor, and clerk of Session are still determining the details
Refresh
Looking for renewal and a deepened connection with God and other women? Join Refresh, which meets monthly on Zoom. The group is participating in the church's year long "Journey through the Bible," and Refresh meetings will be a monthly touching base with informal conversation about the Bible readings. In addition to study and discussion, Refresh invites personal sharing and prayer, fostering deep bonds of sisterhood and community. 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. On Saturday, October 23, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will take a special All-Saints-themed hike at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. We will walk in memory of loved ones who have died and joined that great communion of saints (whom we will remember and celebrate in worship on November 7). As the name suggests, Fort Hill does involve some steep incline, but is otherwise paved and easy. This has probably become our most popular walk, which involves the naming of loved ones, placing roses on graves, and special stops at the graves of Harriet Tubman, William Seward, Henry Fowler (our founding pastor), and personal loved ones. Many join us who don't have relatives buried at Fort Hill but who wish to walk prayerfully for their loved ones. On Saturday, November 20, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will hike at the beautiful Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus (4007 Bishop Hill Road). It's about 25 minutes from Auburn, and offers a trail moderate in difficulty with incline. Learn more about the park: www.baltimorewoods.org. On Saturday, December 18, from 1 to 2 pm (note the time change), we will take a special Advent saunter along the Cayuga Community College Nature Trail, right in our Auburn backyard. The word saunter comes from the Middle Ages, when Christians would go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. As they passed through villages and were asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre." And so they became known, in our parlance, as saunterers. And so during this walk, so close to Christmas, we will saunter to the Christ child and his birth, stopping periodically and observing prayer stations. This is an easy, flat trail.
RSVP is requested. Please contact Patrick (pastor@westminsterauburn.org, 315-253-3331). Detailed information will then be provided.
Westminster Book Group
Books for October and November are The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood (October 21 meeting postponed) and Ordinary Light: A Memoir by Tracy Smith (November 18). At this time, the Book Group plans to meet via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link (or notification if plans change), email Ann Wiley at ann@annlwiley.com
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 October 3 column: The hope of World Communion Sunday
Shavonn Lynch's Sept 5 column: The problem with being colorblind
Kimberly Patch's August 8 column: People change, and so must the church
Jill Fandrich's July 11 column: Reflections on four decades of change
Patrick Heery's June column: A love letter to our Catholic brothers and sisters
Jill Fandrich's May 16 column: Put love into action on Day of Service
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 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!
Personal Care Pantry
The Personal Care Pantry has reopened and is looking for volunteers to host the once-a-month
Give-away days on the last Wednesday of each month from 10 am - 12 noon. Guests may select from a variety of items such as soap, cleaner, TP, deodorant and more. Westminster volunteers assist with selection from a cart and bagging; there is no need for recordkeeping. Personal care items are purchased with funds from the Mission Committee. If interested in hosting one Wednesday or picking up the items at a local store, contact Anne Malvaso or Susan Marteney.
Hybrid worship: One community together in spirit
After a long year of physical separation due to Covid, we are again worshiping together on site! 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 are 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! Summer Sundays, we will worship on the front lawn (weather permitting).
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
Oct. 24: "Tell them who they are," a sermon asking, How do we faithfully engage our broken democracy?
Oct. 31: "Your path to sainthood," a Reformation Sunday sermon asking, What are saints?
Nov. 14: "In search of faith," a sermon asking, "Do we only believe when it's easy?"
Nov. 21: Christ the King: A Festival of Scripture and Song for the Last Sunday of the Christian Year
Nov. 28: Guest Preacher Rev. Larry Bell
Dec. 5: "What will this child become?" an Advent sermon about God's presence in our relationships
Dec. 12: "What should we do?" an Advent sermon about God's presence in our work and service
Dec. 19: "What makes your spirit leap?" an Advent sermon about God's presence in the things that give joy
Dec. 21: "God is near," a Longest Night sermon about God's presence in times of suffering
Dec. 24: "Does this really matter?" a Christmas sermon about a faithful life
Dec. 26: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sermons can be read here the week following each Sunday service. We also have a YouTube channel, where we are posting the video versions of sermons each week. Complete services are always available to watch on our Facebook page.
Take a virtual tour!
Ever wondered what goes on inside of our big beautiful buildings on William St? Learn more by taking a virtual tour! Check it out here.
Journey through the Bible
This year we will be taking a journey through the Bible. Together, we will discover its wonderful stories and go deeper in learning about this ancient text and its often surprising meaning and relevance for our lives today. Throughout the year, we will be offering gatherings, readings, activities, and resources to explore the Bible at your own pace and level of interest. Monthly in-person education hours (which will also be offered online) are scheduled eight times throughout the year: Sept 26, Oct 31, Nov 21, Jan 30, Feb 27, Mar 27, Apr 24, and May 22. In between the in-person sessions, we will suggest readings to do at home, and will also send links to videos and other resources which tell the stories in different ways. We can supply Bibles to anyone who needs or wants one. We have a variety of different translations and an assortment of story Bibles and other resources which we’d love to share. We've designed this series so you can join us, whenever you're able. But our biggest hope is that we'll all find new and wonderful ways to bring the Bible into our daily life, sharing it with family and friends, and reading it in private study. Read more about the "Journey through the Bible" here.
Pride House
Pride House of New York is a youth program for teens and young adults ages 13-18, located at 17 William Street in Auburn New York. Our program and facility offer a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) teens, and their allies. Pride House is a place of acceptance and support where LGBTQ+ youth and their allies can come together and be welcomed as themselves, embrace their individuality, receive support, have fun, and connect with others. All events, programs, and services at Pride House are always free! Learn more about Pride House here.
Join the Bell Choir
Calling all ringers! Westminster is starting a handbell choir, with the first rehearsal on Sunday, November 7, immediately following worship. If you’re looking for a safe, fun, musical experience, handbells are a great option. Prior experience is not necessary, but the ability to read music is helpful. Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary, and Lori Rhodes Pettit will direct the choir. If interested, call (315-253-3331) or email the church office (office@westminsterauburn.org) and Lori will answer all your questions.
Offerings
Whether you are worshiping from home or on site, 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. In October, the loose offerings will support Thanksgiving meals provided through Calvary Food Pantry. 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.
Two Quick Questionnaires For You
(1) Parents and caregivers, please take the opportunity to update child/youth registrations. Before any child/youth participates in Nursery Care, Worship Center or Youth Forums we ask that you fill out a registration form. (2) This one's for everyone! Please fill out our volunteer survey so we can better know your interests and help you grow as a disciple. There are many ways you can practice your faith and help care for others and the church.
Congregational Meeting October 24
A congregational meeting is called for Sunday, October 24, at 10:30 am (following worship) to elect elders, deacons, and 2022 at-large members of the Nominating Committee. Please note that this is a different date from the one communicated in the newsletter; the date was changed to provide the Nominating Committee more time. The meeting will be both in person and online. It will be live streamed from the sanctuary through either Facebook Live (with votes/comments/motions will be made through the comments) or Zoom. The tech team, pastor, and clerk of Session are still determining the details
Refresh
Looking for renewal and a deepened connection with God and other women? Join Refresh, which meets monthly on Zoom. The group is participating in the church's year long "Journey through the Bible," and Refresh meetings will be a monthly touching base with informal conversation about the Bible readings. In addition to study and discussion, Refresh invites personal sharing and prayer, fostering deep bonds of sisterhood and community. 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. On Saturday, October 23, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will take a special All-Saints-themed hike at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. We will walk in memory of loved ones who have died and joined that great communion of saints (whom we will remember and celebrate in worship on November 7). As the name suggests, Fort Hill does involve some steep incline, but is otherwise paved and easy. This has probably become our most popular walk, which involves the naming of loved ones, placing roses on graves, and special stops at the graves of Harriet Tubman, William Seward, Henry Fowler (our founding pastor), and personal loved ones. Many join us who don't have relatives buried at Fort Hill but who wish to walk prayerfully for their loved ones. On Saturday, November 20, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will hike at the beautiful Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus (4007 Bishop Hill Road). It's about 25 minutes from Auburn, and offers a trail moderate in difficulty with incline. Learn more about the park: www.baltimorewoods.org. On Saturday, December 18, from 1 to 2 pm (note the time change), we will take a special Advent saunter along the Cayuga Community College Nature Trail, right in our Auburn backyard. The word saunter comes from the Middle Ages, when Christians would go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. As they passed through villages and were asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre." And so they became known, in our parlance, as saunterers. And so during this walk, so close to Christmas, we will saunter to the Christ child and his birth, stopping periodically and observing prayer stations. This is an easy, flat trail.
RSVP is requested. Please contact Patrick (pastor@westminsterauburn.org, 315-253-3331). Detailed information will then be provided.
Westminster Book Group
Books for October and November are The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood (October 21 meeting postponed) and Ordinary Light: A Memoir by Tracy Smith (November 18). At this time, the Book Group plans to meet via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link (or notification if plans change), email Ann Wiley at ann@annlwiley.com
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 October 3 column: The hope of World Communion Sunday
Shavonn Lynch's Sept 5 column: The problem with being colorblind
Kimberly Patch's August 8 column: People change, and so must the church
Jill Fandrich's July 11 column: Reflections on four decades of change
Patrick Heery's June column: A love letter to our Catholic brothers and sisters
Jill Fandrich's May 16 column: Put love into action on Day of Service
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 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!
Personal Care Pantry
The Personal Care Pantry has reopened and is looking for volunteers to host the once-a-month
Give-away days on the last Wednesday of each month from 10 am - 12 noon. Guests may select from a variety of items such as soap, cleaner, TP, deodorant and more. Westminster volunteers assist with selection from a cart and bagging; there is no need for recordkeeping. Personal care items are purchased with funds from the Mission Committee. If interested in hosting one Wednesday or picking up the items at a local store, contact Anne Malvaso or Susan Marteney.