Collection of Memories and Reflections
Do you have a special memory, a cherished story, or a meaningful experience at Westminster?
We would love to hear from you! Share your memories with us and be part of our anniversary celebration. Your stories are an integral part of our history and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
View reflections from members and friends of Westminster below.
As a college student far from home, I found it hard to keep myself grounded in the midst of schoolwork and social life. WPC has not only helped me remind myself of my faith, but the people at WPC have helped me feel at home in a place of worship.
Congratulations on 150 years! I had no idea you were that old! My years of ministry (1980-85) were my very first in ministry. I was young, naive and made my fair share of mistakes. But, you were gracious and forgiving with me. Thank you. I am retired now, living in New Hampshire near our first grandchild. May your celebration weekend be joyous and happy. Peace, The Rev. Mark W. Wendorf
As a Friend, I have to say I have always enjoyed knowing that the Presbyterians are worshipping as we are each Sunday morning. I have found the announce about your services of interest and have been pleased to participate with you fellow members on occasion. May you continue to be blessed with the leadership we all need in our life. A friend/Friend. Joyce Balderston
As a little boy I thought obeying the Third Commandment meant going to church every Sunday. I have spent a lifetime relearning and rethinking much of the theology I was taught in Luther’s Small Catechism. I am grateful that Westminster welcomes believers and seekers who listen to their “inner light” without fear of rebuke. I feel welcome in this church home that worships a God that knows me by name; that follows the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and holds firm the believe that “goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate.” There is much to be concerned and frightened about in our lives. At Westminster, I am inspired by words of hope and assurance. David Moldstad said it best when he told me that “in all the turmoil, I’m still certain of one thing – that the universe is still in order and governed by a good and caring power.” Thank you, Westminster, for ministering to me.
Dries had conducted the Baccalaureate service for the Wooster High School class of 2016 and delivered a powerful, inspired message to the Graduates
This made me want to attend Sunday services so we did starting in June of 2016
It felt like such a welcoming community the 1st time we attended Linda Barbu greeted us and you could feel serenity and peace being around her
The Benevolence Committee was conducting a fundraiser that summer and it was such a great group of women; Linda, Sue Coleman, Candy Relle, Lemoine Peart and Shelley Peterson
They were driven to do acts of humanity and kindness in the Wayne County area and beyond
They, along with many members at Westminster are committed to being the hands and feet of Christ
Their spirit of love captured my heart and I converted and became an Elder
Westminster Presbyterian Church is a beautiful example of what a faith-filled community should look like
Blessings on this anniversary and always!
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.
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.
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.
Congratulations on 150 years! I had no idea you were that old! My years of ministry (1980-85) were my very first in ministry. I was young, naive and made my fair share of mistakes. But, you were gracious and forgiving with me. Thank you. I am retired now, living in New Hampshire near our first grandchild. May your celebration weekend be joyous and happy. Peace, The Rev. Mark W. Wendorf
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.
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.
I participated in a youth trip to Mexico, (Yucatán Peninsula) in 1988. In addition to it being a great trip with some great relationship building, it was my first exposure to a developing region, and it was an eye-opening experience that forever changed my perspective. I’ve chosen healthcare as a profession, and have had some opportunities to apply those skills in regions of need around the world. Also, as a father, when the opportunity arose for my own kids to take a similar youth trip, I not only encourage them, but I also went as a chaperone That first trip opened a new chapter in my own life as well, as I have gotten involved in a 25 year mission project partnering with a specific small community of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic.
I can trace many of my life’s decisions as being influenced by the perspective that I gained from going on that first trip to Mexico way back in the 1980s! What a great experience!
Congratulations Westminster Presbyterian Church on 150 years of spreading Christ’s radical love to the world! My name is Kathy Ault, and during my 4 years at The College of Wooster from 1988 to 1992, the community of Westminster Church played a key role in my formation as a Christian and as a young person figuring out who I was meant to be. In addition to worshiping regularly at Westminster, I taught Sunday school all 4 years with various age groups. I served as an elder on the session of Westminster for 2 of my years in Wooster. I also worked with Associate Minister Tim Anderson as one of several college interns, who shared responsibilities with campus ministry, such as leading the college fellowship group of Seekers, and organizing the campus outreach of Soup and Bread. Another responsibility, or actually perk, of working as an intern, was helping to lead the High School Youth Group, along with fantastic members of the congregation such as Greg Barbu and Silvia Schweighoefer, which met on Sunday nights. The opportunity to travel with the high school youth group on service and educational trips to the Dominican Republic (1990), Arizona and Mexico for a life-changing Borderlinks experience (1991) and Yonkers, New York (1992) were absolute highlights of my College of Wooster years and greatly impacted the trajectory of my life. During each of those trips I learned how to build community and developed leadership skills which I have carried with me always. Thank you Westminster Presbyterian Church for welcoming me into your fold, providing me opportunities to grow, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and showing me what a Christian community should be. I would be remiss if I did not give a particular shout out to my dear friends Greg and Linda Barbu who have mentored countless young adults over the years and model so beautifully how to be a passionate human who makes a difference in the world. Congratulations and thank you Westminster Presbyterian…keep up the good work!
Youth group on Sunday was one of the best parts of the week for me in high school. It introduced me to whole new worlds. It took me out of my own teenager mind and showed me the beauty of serving others. I made friends who I probably never would have met and saw and did things on mission trips that shaped my whole life. I remember Greg always making sure we could all get to group no matter what. So many good memories. What I learned and did in Westminster youth group made me a better and stronger person and I am forever grateful for all of my experiences with them.
Dear Saints of Westminster,
I am thinking of you with joy on this Anniversary of 150 years! I wish I could be there in person or by zoom. I have been deeply involved with Refugee Resettlement since retiring. One of “my” Syrian young women is graduating from college here and I will be celebrating all her accomplishments since arriving here 5 years ago.
Receiving your information regarding your Anniversary has brought back so many memories of the wonderful people I had the privilege of serving with in Wooster. I am happy to say I am still in touch with several “Seekers” from my time there. I even was able to visit the Kenyan, David, who was at Wooster during my years there. I learned so much while I served with you and I give thanks for so much.
With deep love, I am happy to send a gift to your outreach concern. May God be the Glory!
Rev. Dr. Barbara Dua
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.