Special WPC Communion Service, Nov. 5 at 5:00pm
Richard Coble, Pastor/Head of Staff
I’ve learned one thing over these last nine years…The work of making this world resemble one that you would prefer to live in is a lunch pail job, day in and day out, where thousands of committed, anonymous, smart and dedicated people bang on closed doors and pick up those that are fallen and grind away on issues until they get a positive result, and even then, have to stay on to make sure that result holds…I’m not saying you don’t have to worry about who wins the election. I’m saying you have to worry about every day before it and every day after, forever.
-Jon Stewart, “The Daily Show,” Feb. 12, 2024
Election day is in the air. Democracy is at work. Every day last week WPC members came into the office, proudly displaying their “I Voted” Tennessee stickers and talking with excitement about how long they had to wait in line. I’m told members of our Wine in the Word women’s group have been texting about when they can all go and vote early together this week and then celebrate afterward. This is an exciting moment. And yet, in the midst of this excitement, we must admit there is also nervousness. This is a deeply consequential election, for all levels of government, and the choices we make as a nation in the coming weeks will reverberate for years to come.
This is why our Session and staff have decided to hold a special communion service on election day, Nov. 5. Don’t worry; this is not going to be an especially ‘political service.’ We’re not even going to sing “God Bless America.” As you’ve heard me say in sermons, I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. In fact, the class I’ve been facilitating throughout this election season on White Christian Nationalism has strengthened this belief. In this class, we have seen that when faith becomes entangled with government; or conversely, when a certain political opinion becomes a requirement to be a proper ‘Christian,’ people’s rights, freedoms, and even their humanity can easily be trampled upon. So, no, this is not going to be a special ‘political service.’
What is it, then? Why gather, in the early hours of election night? Here, I refer to the quote above. We believe in a world loved and accompanied by a God of goodness and justice, no matter the outcome of the election. Further, we believe, as followers of that God, we are called to show up and work every day, for goodness and justice, no matter the outcome of the election. So, we will gather, on Nov. 5, to remember; to calm our nerves with the promises of Scripture; and to prepare. Because no matter what happens, a new day will arise, and the people of God will need to get to back to work, proclaiming God’s goodness and justice.
I love teaching 3rd and 4th grade Sunday school. I find it is an age where children are beginning to have the ability to discuss topics and form their own opinions. I love watching children discover what the world looks like through their eyes.
Hello, my name is Debbie Babelay. This year I have the wonderful opportunity of teaching the 2-3 year olds in our Sunday School program. They are all precious to me. We have fun learning about God’s love and how each of us is a special child of God. I look forward to their smiling faces each Sunday morning. This is my 3rd year teaching in the Sunday School program. I have also worked with vacation bible school.
I have known Westminster my entire life! I grew up in the church since birth. My faith is rooted in so many wonderful experiences at Westminster such as going on trips with Choristers, Montreat, and a Mission experience to Mexico. I went to college in Alabama at Birmingham-Southern. After college, I lived in Birmingham where I worked in sales. I met and married my husband Wiley there. Jim Carter (former Westminster minister) married us at Independent Presbyterian in Birmingham. Wiley’s career has taken us to New Mexico and Arkansas, and now back to Knoxville. We have been here since 2011. We have 3 children, Ella (11), Grant (7), and Walker (5). I work as the Assistant Director of the preschool at Central Baptist which allows me to have a similar schedule to my children. My favorite job is being their Mom!
Bio: Junior at the University of Tennessee 
I am a senior at UTK majoring in Global Studies with a focus in Economics. I am currently in the process of apply to graduate school for CSP. I love to be outdoors and travel. I also work as an Resident Assistant at Volunteer Hall on campus and enjoy babysitting and baking.
My name is Malena D’Alessandro and I’m a junior studying marketing at the University of Tennessee. I’m originally from south east Michigan where I attended high school at Oxford High School. I am currently part of Spring Sports Ambassadors, Volunteer Team and Best Buddies at UT.