Collection of Memories and Reflections

 

Westminster Presbyterian Church 150th Anniversary - Miatta Wilson

  View Miatta's Reflection Here

 

Mieke Vandersall

I am so grateful for Westminster as part of my larger church family that has raised me and loved me. Thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside you, be your friend, and find God in your midst. I wouldn't be where I am without the formation you offered. What a great gift that you have been present with so many students over so many years.

 

Westminster Presbyterian Church 150th Anniversary - Rev. Fritz Nelson

  View Fritz's Reflection Here

 

Emily Howard

I came to Westminster as a College of Wooster student. It was the first progressive congregation I ever knew. You hosted me as a summer intern with the chaplain's office and I have never been the same... in fact, I became clergy. Thank you for your witness for justice, your passionate care for the community, and your love for all people. I am who I am because of you.

 

Westminster Memories - Dick and Sandy Beery

  View Dick and Sandy's Reflection Here

 

Heidi Haverkamp

One of the first events I attended my first week at the College of Wooster in 1994 was a Westminster welcome social in the courtyard at Mackey Hall. It was one of those golden summer days and it was there that I met some of my very best college friends and began a spiritual journey that in large part was centered upon the loving, supportive members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. I remember warm and meaningful worship, singing "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Easter morning, women’s retreats, being invited to members’ homes for meals, and sharing in preaching and teaching even as a young adult. I grew up in a very formal, old school mainline church and Westminster felt like a place of freedom, creativity, and exploration. The welcome and sense of community as a young adult among older adults was also new to me, and I still give thanks for it every day.

 

John Wilkinson

Several weeks after I arrived at the college, in 1981, I attended worship at Westminster Church, still meeting at McGaw Chapel. I was greeted warmly and Gordon Stewart and Mark Wendorf both reached out to me. Soon I was singing in the choir with Nancy Daley. I eventually joined the church and was elected to the Session. That service included working with the youth group and a fledgling college student ministry. I was also welcomed warmly into members' homes for meals and respite, and typed (yes typed!) my I.S., at the Church House, supported by Sue Watson. Gordon and Mark initiated the conversation about seminary and me, and Barbara Dua continued that encouragement. After completing seminary at McCormick, I was ordained in McGaw Chapel in August 1989. I hold very fond memories of my relationship with Westminster Church and am grateful for the ways it cared for me as a student and nurtured my vocational journey. Congratulations and blessings!

 

James May

I sang with the Westminster Choir as a choral scholar the 4 years I was a student at Wooster. This experience was so special for so many reasons, chief among them providing me with a warm, loving community outside of the college. It was terrific to know and grow with the folks in the choir and congregation, and I'm constantly thankful for the encouragement they provided. They even made a big showing at my senior recital! I wish I could be with you all to celebrate, and I hope that many other Wooster students will have the fortune to join this community for many years to come.

 

Rev. Gordon Stewart

  View Gordon's Reflection Here

 

Rev. Cynthia Jarvis

  View Cynthia's Reflection Here

 

Eric Weiss

Happy 150th Anniversary to WPC! Looking back on my childhood memories growing up in the church, I am thankful for the amazing individuals who mentored and taught me. From Westminster's nursery-school, Sunday school, youth groups, to confirmation classes, every adult was wonderfully kind and patient. I fondly remember our youth group trip to Mexico when I was 16 years old. Greg Barbu was the youth group leader. Here I learned about the power of empathy and the importance of cross-cultural connections. Thank you Greg and other leaders for your dedication and positive impact. As a teacher now myself, I try to show my students the patience and compassion the WPC congregation gave to me.

 

Shelley Peterson

  View Shelley's Reflection Here

 

Jimmy Meyer

  View Jimmy's Reflection Here

I have many early memories of my time growing up in the Westminster community. From Sunday school classes in the nursery school rooms in the church house to performing in Christmas pageants to running through McGaw helping to clean up after communion (which was really about finding all of the remaining bites of Violet McDavitt’s communion bread). I remember many dinner group meals over the years with The Beerys, Jacobs, Pyers, and Snyders. Westminster also introduced me to the Wooster Outdoor Center where we did family retreats, but also where I spent a week every summer from kindergarten through junior high for church camp.

My experiences with the high school youth group are some of my favorite memories. From meeting on Sunday evenings to lock ins in the church house to fundraising meals in Mackey Hall for our mission trips. Traveling with the youth group was always rewarding, educational, and a lot of fun – from the Dominican Republic to Yonkers to a Native American Reservation to the Gay & Lesbian March on Washington. While the traveling experiences were amazing, just spending Sunday nights sharing our highs and lows of the week in the basement of the church house had just as much of an impact. The college interns that worked with the youth group were people who I looked up to and really made the experiences meaningful. Now that I work with college students every day, I can see how the interns' passion for social justice inspired me. Since I didn’t live or go to school in Wooster, Westminster provided a second community for me and an escape from my other high school experiences. One that I didn’t have to share or explain to others. There are people I met in the youth group that I still connect with today and they have a special place in my heart. Thank you to all of the people that make up the Westminster family – I am grateful for the time and talents that you have shared with me and so many others over the years.

In February 2003, Jean Brazee, Dorothy Iams, Sue-min Lee, Candy Relle, and Marlene Zimmerman completed making a Recipes from the Heart cookbook to honor Helen Monroe. Helen was a leader of Fellowship Committee and often found in Mackey Hall kitchen. The cookbook assembled with recipes from members of the congregation and Helen's family. It is such a pleasure looking at the recipes and remembering the woman or man who submitted such wonderful food ideas. Westminster is known for cooks who enjoy food as well as our fellowship times.