Current news at westminster
Click here for the May/June 2022 newsletter
Hybrid worship: One community together in spirit
As we navigate the ever-changing terrain of the Covid pandemic, we are offering 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 both in-person worshipers and worshipers attending from home. Livestream worship is 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!
May and June Sermons
May 1: "Loving the real you," a sermon about the good and the bad we find in ourselves
May 8: "Rise," a sermon about one of the first recorded funerals of the early church
May 15: "Home to the spiritually homeless," a sermon about Westminster's vision through Holy Conversations
May 22: "The power of Lydia," a sermon about expanding leadership in the church
May 29: "When freedom hurts," a sermon about the twisting of our religious and national ideals
June 5: "Among the ruins of Babel," a Pentecost sermon about overcoming discord
June 12: "The Trinity: our best expression of love," a Trinity Sunday sermon about recovering the meaning of this theological mystery
June 19: Guest Preacher Shavonn Lynch, and Baccalaureate and Scholarship recognition
June 26: Guest Preacher
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 are taking a journey through the Bible. Together, we are discovering its wonderful stories and learning about this ancient text and its often surprising meaning and relevance for our lives today. Throughout the year, we offer gatherings, readings, activities, and resources to explore the Bible at your own pace and level of interest. In-person education hours, originally scheduled monthly, are meeting as Covid precautions permit. In between the in-person sessions, we suggest readings to do at home, and also are sending 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 and wherever 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.
Loose Change Offering
Westminster's May loose change offering support the Uganda Education Program, our church’s commitment to pay the tuition and school costs of the children in the family of Agnes Nagaddya, who was originally introduced as the "honorary daughter" of Bob and Bev Miller.. To donate online, click here.
Refresh Women
After a time of Sabbath, Refresh will resume in May. We will be joining our hearts as we study the life of our Savior, Jesus by following the Bible study, Matchless by Angie Smith. By learning about Jesus, we hope to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Him. We will meet on May 14 and June 11 at 10 AM in person in the church social room. There will be an option to tune in via Zoom as well. If you are interested in attending, please contact Catherine Fessenden through the church office.
American Guild of Organists to host concert at Westminster
On Friday, May 20, at 7:30 PM, the Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will host a concert on Westminster’s restored E.M. Skinner (Opus 579) pipe organ, which will be played by Colin MacKnight. Called “a stunning player of exceptional ability,” Colin has won prizes from the 2019 Paris Music Competition, 2017 West Chester University International Organ Competition, 2016 Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition, 2016 Arthur Poister Scholarship Competition, 2013 Rodgers North American Classical Organ Competition, first place at the 2016 AGO Northeast Regional Competition and the Clarence Snyder Third Prize in the 2016 and 2019 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competitions. He is currently Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock, AR. Tickets for the May 20th Colin MacKnight organ recital will be available at Westminster Presbyterian Church (pre-sale and at the door) and from the Syracuse AGO for $8 (adults), $5 (seniors), and students are free.
Auburn's Flower Power Program and Property Work Day
This fun annual community flower planting event will once again take place this year at 9am Saturday, May 21. We will gather at the entrance of Exchange and Genesee streets (in between Mesa Grande and Café 108). The event is hosted by the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District, and Westminster for several years now has been a proud partner. Please consider volunteering! If you would like to join us, please email stephanie@auburndowntown.org or call (315) 252-7874. In addition, or alternatively, please consider joining our monthly Property Work Day at Westminster as we care for our buildings and lands. The work day also begins at 9am and usually continues until about noon. If you're really feeling generous, do both!
Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Join us for the 47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Citywide Celebration on Sunday, May 15th, 4:30 pm, at the Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, 103 Fitch Avenue, Auburn, NY 13021. - "The Struggles Continue: Our Voice, Our Vote!" Pastor Paris Price of the Harriet Tubman AME Zion Church, Auburn, will be the Keynote Speaker, the community's children will recite excerpts from Dr. King's jailhouse letters and of course there will be music!
Book Group
The Westminster Book Group will meet on Thursday, May 26, at 6:30pm in the social room to discuss The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood. This historical novel tells the story of Emily Roebling, the wife of the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge. When her husband was injured, she saw the project through to completion without getting the credit she deserved for this monumental achievement. Roger Dilmore will lead the discussion. The book is available from Seymour Library and the Finger Lakes Library System.
Contemplative Hike May 28
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, May 28, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will hike among the stunning woods and waterfalls of Fillmore Glen State Park. This is a beautiful but fairly strenuous hike, involving occasional steep incline. It's about 30 minutes from Auburn. RSVP is requested. Please contact Patrick (pastor@westminsterauburn.org, 315-253-3331). Detailed information will then be provided.
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.
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
Click here to read the Holy Conversations strategic visioning report (2022)
Click here to read the 2021 Annual Report.
Citizen Columns
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen.
2022 columns:
Audrey McNally's April 17 column: Auburn churches host sacred music concerts in May
Jill Fandrich's March 20 column: Taking a Sabbath rest
Rev. Larry Bell's February 20 column: Life after retirement a world of possibility and purpose
Catherine Fessenden's January 23 column: Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
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 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 record keeping. 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
As we navigate the ever-changing terrain of the Covid pandemic, we are offering 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 both in-person worshipers and worshipers attending from home. Livestream worship is 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!
May and June Sermons
May 1: "Loving the real you," a sermon about the good and the bad we find in ourselves
May 8: "Rise," a sermon about one of the first recorded funerals of the early church
May 15: "Home to the spiritually homeless," a sermon about Westminster's vision through Holy Conversations
May 22: "The power of Lydia," a sermon about expanding leadership in the church
May 29: "When freedom hurts," a sermon about the twisting of our religious and national ideals
June 5: "Among the ruins of Babel," a Pentecost sermon about overcoming discord
June 12: "The Trinity: our best expression of love," a Trinity Sunday sermon about recovering the meaning of this theological mystery
June 19: Guest Preacher Shavonn Lynch, and Baccalaureate and Scholarship recognition
June 26: Guest Preacher
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 are taking a journey through the Bible. Together, we are discovering its wonderful stories and learning about this ancient text and its often surprising meaning and relevance for our lives today. Throughout the year, we offer gatherings, readings, activities, and resources to explore the Bible at your own pace and level of interest. In-person education hours, originally scheduled monthly, are meeting as Covid precautions permit. In between the in-person sessions, we suggest readings to do at home, and also are sending 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 and wherever 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.
Loose Change Offering
Westminster's May loose change offering support the Uganda Education Program, our church’s commitment to pay the tuition and school costs of the children in the family of Agnes Nagaddya, who was originally introduced as the "honorary daughter" of Bob and Bev Miller.. To donate online, click here.
Refresh Women
After a time of Sabbath, Refresh will resume in May. We will be joining our hearts as we study the life of our Savior, Jesus by following the Bible study, Matchless by Angie Smith. By learning about Jesus, we hope to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Him. We will meet on May 14 and June 11 at 10 AM in person in the church social room. There will be an option to tune in via Zoom as well. If you are interested in attending, please contact Catherine Fessenden through the church office.
American Guild of Organists to host concert at Westminster
On Friday, May 20, at 7:30 PM, the Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will host a concert on Westminster’s restored E.M. Skinner (Opus 579) pipe organ, which will be played by Colin MacKnight. Called “a stunning player of exceptional ability,” Colin has won prizes from the 2019 Paris Music Competition, 2017 West Chester University International Organ Competition, 2016 Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition, 2016 Arthur Poister Scholarship Competition, 2013 Rodgers North American Classical Organ Competition, first place at the 2016 AGO Northeast Regional Competition and the Clarence Snyder Third Prize in the 2016 and 2019 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competitions. He is currently Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock, AR. Tickets for the May 20th Colin MacKnight organ recital will be available at Westminster Presbyterian Church (pre-sale and at the door) and from the Syracuse AGO for $8 (adults), $5 (seniors), and students are free.
Auburn's Flower Power Program and Property Work Day
This fun annual community flower planting event will once again take place this year at 9am Saturday, May 21. We will gather at the entrance of Exchange and Genesee streets (in between Mesa Grande and Café 108). The event is hosted by the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District, and Westminster for several years now has been a proud partner. Please consider volunteering! If you would like to join us, please email stephanie@auburndowntown.org or call (315) 252-7874. In addition, or alternatively, please consider joining our monthly Property Work Day at Westminster as we care for our buildings and lands. The work day also begins at 9am and usually continues until about noon. If you're really feeling generous, do both!
Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Join us for the 47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Citywide Celebration on Sunday, May 15th, 4:30 pm, at the Apostolic Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, 103 Fitch Avenue, Auburn, NY 13021. - "The Struggles Continue: Our Voice, Our Vote!" Pastor Paris Price of the Harriet Tubman AME Zion Church, Auburn, will be the Keynote Speaker, the community's children will recite excerpts from Dr. King's jailhouse letters and of course there will be music!
Book Group
The Westminster Book Group will meet on Thursday, May 26, at 6:30pm in the social room to discuss The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood. This historical novel tells the story of Emily Roebling, the wife of the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge. When her husband was injured, she saw the project through to completion without getting the credit she deserved for this monumental achievement. Roger Dilmore will lead the discussion. The book is available from Seymour Library and the Finger Lakes Library System.
Contemplative Hike May 28
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, May 28, from 10 am to 12 pm, we will hike among the stunning woods and waterfalls of Fillmore Glen State Park. This is a beautiful but fairly strenuous hike, involving occasional steep incline. It's about 30 minutes from Auburn. RSVP is requested. Please contact Patrick (pastor@westminsterauburn.org, 315-253-3331). Detailed information will then be provided.
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.
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
Click here to read the Holy Conversations strategic visioning report (2022)
Click here to read the 2021 Annual Report.
Citizen Columns
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen.
2022 columns:
Audrey McNally's April 17 column: Auburn churches host sacred music concerts in May
Jill Fandrich's March 20 column: Taking a Sabbath rest
Rev. Larry Bell's February 20 column: Life after retirement a world of possibility and purpose
Catherine Fessenden's January 23 column: Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
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 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 record keeping. 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.