Current news at westminster
May/June Newsletter
Baccalaureate and Scholarship Sunday
June 17 is Baccalaureate and Scholarship Sunday, when we will recognize the young adults of Westminster who are graduating from high school, college, and graduate school. We will also recognize the recipients of Douglas J Gilchrist Scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year.
PC(USA) General Assembly
The 223rd General Assembly of the PC(USA) will be held in St Louis June 16-23, and our own Shavonn Lynch will be attending as a TSAD (Theological Student Advisory Delegate). You can follow the work of the General Assembly on the denomination's website www.pcusa.org and on www.pc-biz.org. We will also be featuring news from the 223rd GA on Westminster's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Children’s Worship Center
The Children’s Worship Center provides an age-appropriate worship space for young children aged 3 years through 2nd grade. The children experience a bible story told with 3-dimensional figures, respond to the story, share prayers and a feast, and feel God’s presence in the quiet of the worship space. The Worship Center is based on a Montessori model. On June 17, Storyteller Jill Fandrich will tell "How the church tells time."
Children and Worship
All ages are welcome in worship, and we also provide options for young children in nearby locations to the sanctuary. Older children (grade 3 and up) worship with their families in the sanctuary; there are lectionary-related worksheets, books, and other resources available at the back of the sanctuary to engage children in worship. Elena Thomas and Chelsea Smith provide loving care for infants and toddlers in the social room. We also have a Baby Corner in the sanctuary, with rocking chairs and a playmat, to provide a cozy spot for parents to cuddle with their infants and be in worship together. The Children's Worship Center provides an age-appropriate worship experience for children age 3 through grade 2.
Loose Change Offerings
The loose change in the offering plates is designated toward a special cause each month. On the first Sunday, all loose change supports the Calvary Food Pantry. In June, the loose offerings will support the NAACP school supplies give-away this summer. In July, they will support Matthew House.
Property Work Day
The Property Committee holds monthly work days. The committee invites you to join them Saturday, June 23, from 9am to 12noon to help with several projects on our beautiful buildings and grounds.
Westminster Women
The Westminster Women will meet for their annual summer salad gathering on June 19 at 12 noon at the summer home of Bronwyn O'Connor and Ted O'Hara.
Contemplative Hike
This month's hike will be at Skaneateles Conservation Area on Saturday June 23. Pastor Patrick will lead the hike, which begins with devotions, then takes place half in silence and half in conversation. The contemplative hikes are a wonderful way to connect with God in the beauty of nature, and are open to all, whether affiliated with Westminster or not. In fact, this is a great opportunity to bring a friend. This hike is beautiful and peaceful, along a creek and a shimmering cascade. Please rsvp with Patrick by calling 315-253-3331 or emailing him at pastor@westminsterauburn.org. He will provide details about where to gather and what to bring.
Westminster Nursery School
Are you or anyone you know looking for a loving half-day preschool for your 2,3, or 4 year-old? Registration for fall classes is going on now at Westminster Nursery School! There are openings in the Toddler, Preschool, and UPK classes. Call Director Tracy Blair for more information at 315-253-3961
Summer Worship
Summer worship begins Sunday June 24, with special music by soloists and small ensembles. We'll usually worship in the sanctuary, but on four Sundays (weather permitting), we'll be outside on the front lawn! Join us in the summer for relaxed worship and fellowship.
LGBTQ+ Support
The Q Center/ACR Health is partnering with Westminster Presbyterian Church to bring their support services to Cayuga County. The Q Center is in Auburn every 2nd and 4th Monday from 3pm – 7pm. There is also a parent group on the 4th Monday from 5pm -7pm. There will be snacks, games, fun and a dinner provided. The Q Center is a reputable organization with the most experience in counseling the LGBTQ+ youth population. These facilitated support groups are potentially life saving services that, up until now, have not been provided in Cayuga County. Have additional questions? Call the Q Center at (315) 475-2430 or email qcentercny@acrhealth.org.
Elder Care Conversation Circle
The Elder Care Conversation Circle is taking a break for the summer. Watch here for information about the fall.
Cards to Shutins
Our church members who cannot attend worship love to hear from their Westminster friends. If you'd like to write a note to any of our shutins, there is a basket of cards in the narthex. Just leave your card there and the address and stamp will be added by the church office. Thank you for reminding our older members that they are close to us in our hearts and minds.
Evangelism 101
What is it about Westminster that you love? How does this church help you feel God's presence in your life? We bet you know someone who would like to experience what you do in this community of faith. Sharing your story could lead to inviting a friend to church. If you think that sounds hard, it's not. Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be talking about how to share your story in "Minutes for Evangelism" as we gain momentum for Rally Sunday on September 9 which will also be "Invite a Friend" Sunday. Stay tuned for more!
Coupons for the Personal Care Pantry
The Mission and Stewardship Committee has created a personal care pantry for walk-in members of the community in need of toiletries and household cleaning supplies. If you have extra coupons that can be used to purchase these types of products, please see Kim Patch or place them in the designated basket in the narthex.
Traffic and Parking
Construction proceeds on the new regional welcome center which is being built across the street from the church. The city has created a 4-way stop intersection, traffic pattern, and pedestrian walkways in front of the church to make vehicular and pedestrian traffic safer. Please be aware of the changes around the church. To ease traffic congestion on weekdays, especially when the nursery school is in session, enter the church parking lot from Court Street and exit onto William Street. You can turn right or left from the exit, but cannot go straight while Lincoln Street traffic is one-way heading west for the duration of the summer. Church members may use the church parking lot during the week when attending a church program or on church business. Permits are available from Melanie.
Prayer Shawls
The Westminster prayer shawl pantry needs re-stocking. If you knit or crochet and would like to help re-stock the Prayer Shawl pantry it would be very much appreciated. We have a small supply of donated yarn and we also have patterns. We just need willing volunteers. If you are interested and need yarn or a pattern, please contact Monta Faye Tuxill.
Citizen Column
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen. Here are:
Jill Fandrich's May 20 column: "How families can pass faith on to children"
Patrick Heery's April 22 column "When God calls your name"
Jill Fandrich's March 25 column "Telling the Holy Week stories to children"
Patrick Heery's Feb 25 column "Lent: The time is now"
Jill Fandrich's Jan 28 column "Westminster grant supports show based on neo-Nazi rally"
Audrey McNally's Dec 31 column "How sacred music has shaped my faith"
Patrick Heery's Dec 3 column "Where you'll find God this Christmas Eve"
Jill Fandrich's Nov 5 column "What comes after 'thoughts and prayers'?"
Patrick Heery's October 15 column "Finding the strength to fix our democracy"
Jill Fandrich's September 10 column "Church starting new caregivers group"
Patrick Heery's August 13 column "New Hiking Ministry Offers Renewal"
Jill Fandrich's July 16 column "The Redefinition of Missionaries"
Patrick Heery's June 18 column "Sabbath: a bus pass to paradise"
Patrick Heery's May 21 column "How does a pastor grieve?"
Jill Fandrich's April 23 column "The Gospel According to Flatland"
Audrey McNally's March 26 column "Discovering the Psalms"
Patrick Heery's Feb 26 column "Lenten Journey: Death and Beyond"
Jill Fandrich's Jan 29 column "Are We Ready For Another Reformation?"
Patrick Heery's Jan 1 column "When the Holidays Hurt"
Jill Fandrich's Dec 4 column "Need for Community and Conversation"
Annette Bell's Nov 6 column "Saints Among Us"
Patrick Heery's Oct 9 column "Does Auburn need a hero? No, it needs you"
Patrick Heery's Sept 11 column "Seeing Beyond Doom" (15th anniversary of 9-11)
Jill Fandrich's August 14 column "Auburn Youth Reflect on Triennium"
Patrick Heery's July 17 column "Where is God in times of violence?"
Jill Fandrich's June 19 column "Ordinary Time"
Patrick Heery's May 15 column "Why I Have Come to Auburn"
Jilll Fandrich's April 24 column "Church Doors Open Out,"
Dwain Lee's March 27 column "Saying Goodbye to Westminster."
Church App!
Check out Westminster's “app” to access events, calendar information, photos, lectionary readings, Facebook and Twitter posts, and more on your smartphone or tablet. To get the church app, search for Church Link App in the App Store on your phone or tablet. Download the app (it’s free!), and then search for Westminster by zip code 13021.
Baccalaureate and Scholarship Sunday
June 17 is Baccalaureate and Scholarship Sunday, when we will recognize the young adults of Westminster who are graduating from high school, college, and graduate school. We will also recognize the recipients of Douglas J Gilchrist Scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year.
PC(USA) General Assembly
The 223rd General Assembly of the PC(USA) will be held in St Louis June 16-23, and our own Shavonn Lynch will be attending as a TSAD (Theological Student Advisory Delegate). You can follow the work of the General Assembly on the denomination's website www.pcusa.org and on www.pc-biz.org. We will also be featuring news from the 223rd GA on Westminster's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Children’s Worship Center
The Children’s Worship Center provides an age-appropriate worship space for young children aged 3 years through 2nd grade. The children experience a bible story told with 3-dimensional figures, respond to the story, share prayers and a feast, and feel God’s presence in the quiet of the worship space. The Worship Center is based on a Montessori model. On June 17, Storyteller Jill Fandrich will tell "How the church tells time."
Children and Worship
All ages are welcome in worship, and we also provide options for young children in nearby locations to the sanctuary. Older children (grade 3 and up) worship with their families in the sanctuary; there are lectionary-related worksheets, books, and other resources available at the back of the sanctuary to engage children in worship. Elena Thomas and Chelsea Smith provide loving care for infants and toddlers in the social room. We also have a Baby Corner in the sanctuary, with rocking chairs and a playmat, to provide a cozy spot for parents to cuddle with their infants and be in worship together. The Children's Worship Center provides an age-appropriate worship experience for children age 3 through grade 2.
Loose Change Offerings
The loose change in the offering plates is designated toward a special cause each month. On the first Sunday, all loose change supports the Calvary Food Pantry. In June, the loose offerings will support the NAACP school supplies give-away this summer. In July, they will support Matthew House.
Property Work Day
The Property Committee holds monthly work days. The committee invites you to join them Saturday, June 23, from 9am to 12noon to help with several projects on our beautiful buildings and grounds.
Westminster Women
The Westminster Women will meet for their annual summer salad gathering on June 19 at 12 noon at the summer home of Bronwyn O'Connor and Ted O'Hara.
Contemplative Hike
This month's hike will be at Skaneateles Conservation Area on Saturday June 23. Pastor Patrick will lead the hike, which begins with devotions, then takes place half in silence and half in conversation. The contemplative hikes are a wonderful way to connect with God in the beauty of nature, and are open to all, whether affiliated with Westminster or not. In fact, this is a great opportunity to bring a friend. This hike is beautiful and peaceful, along a creek and a shimmering cascade. Please rsvp with Patrick by calling 315-253-3331 or emailing him at pastor@westminsterauburn.org. He will provide details about where to gather and what to bring.
Westminster Nursery School
Are you or anyone you know looking for a loving half-day preschool for your 2,3, or 4 year-old? Registration for fall classes is going on now at Westminster Nursery School! There are openings in the Toddler, Preschool, and UPK classes. Call Director Tracy Blair for more information at 315-253-3961
Summer Worship
Summer worship begins Sunday June 24, with special music by soloists and small ensembles. We'll usually worship in the sanctuary, but on four Sundays (weather permitting), we'll be outside on the front lawn! Join us in the summer for relaxed worship and fellowship.
LGBTQ+ Support
The Q Center/ACR Health is partnering with Westminster Presbyterian Church to bring their support services to Cayuga County. The Q Center is in Auburn every 2nd and 4th Monday from 3pm – 7pm. There is also a parent group on the 4th Monday from 5pm -7pm. There will be snacks, games, fun and a dinner provided. The Q Center is a reputable organization with the most experience in counseling the LGBTQ+ youth population. These facilitated support groups are potentially life saving services that, up until now, have not been provided in Cayuga County. Have additional questions? Call the Q Center at (315) 475-2430 or email qcentercny@acrhealth.org.
Elder Care Conversation Circle
The Elder Care Conversation Circle is taking a break for the summer. Watch here for information about the fall.
Cards to Shutins
Our church members who cannot attend worship love to hear from their Westminster friends. If you'd like to write a note to any of our shutins, there is a basket of cards in the narthex. Just leave your card there and the address and stamp will be added by the church office. Thank you for reminding our older members that they are close to us in our hearts and minds.
Evangelism 101
What is it about Westminster that you love? How does this church help you feel God's presence in your life? We bet you know someone who would like to experience what you do in this community of faith. Sharing your story could lead to inviting a friend to church. If you think that sounds hard, it's not. Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be talking about how to share your story in "Minutes for Evangelism" as we gain momentum for Rally Sunday on September 9 which will also be "Invite a Friend" Sunday. Stay tuned for more!
Coupons for the Personal Care Pantry
The Mission and Stewardship Committee has created a personal care pantry for walk-in members of the community in need of toiletries and household cleaning supplies. If you have extra coupons that can be used to purchase these types of products, please see Kim Patch or place them in the designated basket in the narthex.
Traffic and Parking
Construction proceeds on the new regional welcome center which is being built across the street from the church. The city has created a 4-way stop intersection, traffic pattern, and pedestrian walkways in front of the church to make vehicular and pedestrian traffic safer. Please be aware of the changes around the church. To ease traffic congestion on weekdays, especially when the nursery school is in session, enter the church parking lot from Court Street and exit onto William Street. You can turn right or left from the exit, but cannot go straight while Lincoln Street traffic is one-way heading west for the duration of the summer. Church members may use the church parking lot during the week when attending a church program or on church business. Permits are available from Melanie.
Prayer Shawls
The Westminster prayer shawl pantry needs re-stocking. If you knit or crochet and would like to help re-stock the Prayer Shawl pantry it would be very much appreciated. We have a small supply of donated yarn and we also have patterns. We just need willing volunteers. If you are interested and need yarn or a pattern, please contact Monta Faye Tuxill.
Citizen Column
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen. Here are:
Jill Fandrich's May 20 column: "How families can pass faith on to children"
Patrick Heery's April 22 column "When God calls your name"
Jill Fandrich's March 25 column "Telling the Holy Week stories to children"
Patrick Heery's Feb 25 column "Lent: The time is now"
Jill Fandrich's Jan 28 column "Westminster grant supports show based on neo-Nazi rally"
Audrey McNally's Dec 31 column "How sacred music has shaped my faith"
Patrick Heery's Dec 3 column "Where you'll find God this Christmas Eve"
Jill Fandrich's Nov 5 column "What comes after 'thoughts and prayers'?"
Patrick Heery's October 15 column "Finding the strength to fix our democracy"
Jill Fandrich's September 10 column "Church starting new caregivers group"
Patrick Heery's August 13 column "New Hiking Ministry Offers Renewal"
Jill Fandrich's July 16 column "The Redefinition of Missionaries"
Patrick Heery's June 18 column "Sabbath: a bus pass to paradise"
Patrick Heery's May 21 column "How does a pastor grieve?"
Jill Fandrich's April 23 column "The Gospel According to Flatland"
Audrey McNally's March 26 column "Discovering the Psalms"
Patrick Heery's Feb 26 column "Lenten Journey: Death and Beyond"
Jill Fandrich's Jan 29 column "Are We Ready For Another Reformation?"
Patrick Heery's Jan 1 column "When the Holidays Hurt"
Jill Fandrich's Dec 4 column "Need for Community and Conversation"
Annette Bell's Nov 6 column "Saints Among Us"
Patrick Heery's Oct 9 column "Does Auburn need a hero? No, it needs you"
Patrick Heery's Sept 11 column "Seeing Beyond Doom" (15th anniversary of 9-11)
Jill Fandrich's August 14 column "Auburn Youth Reflect on Triennium"
Patrick Heery's July 17 column "Where is God in times of violence?"
Jill Fandrich's June 19 column "Ordinary Time"
Patrick Heery's May 15 column "Why I Have Come to Auburn"
Jilll Fandrich's April 24 column "Church Doors Open Out,"
Dwain Lee's March 27 column "Saying Goodbye to Westminster."
Church App!
Check out Westminster's “app” to access events, calendar information, photos, lectionary readings, Facebook and Twitter posts, and more on your smartphone or tablet. To get the church app, search for Church Link App in the App Store on your phone or tablet. Download the app (it’s free!), and then search for Westminster by zip code 13021.