Hard to believe that Christmas is just one week away! It has been such a peaceful and meaningful Advent season. I think it all started when I got the wonderful experience of taking the Companions Class this fall. We studied the book “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”. One of the many things that I learned from this study was the importance of being still and “listening” to what the Lord has to say. I’ll be the first to admit that I am a “Martha”. I am a “doer” and thus sometimes miss out on the most important things in life on account of my busyness. The author reassures me that being a “Martha” is not a bad thing, but stressed the importance of saving time to be at our Master’s feet. So this Advent season, I’ve tried really hard to being still – to appreciate God’s beauty all around me and it sure has enriched my Advent season. When I choose gratitude instead of stress, when I surround myself with Westminster people, when I listen to the thought provoking sermons, when I embrace the powerful music that is lifted up during worship ,when I play the CD that has been made of our Advent Carol night (see below – it is AWESOME!), when I spend time with the little ones at the Advent Craft night last night (oh so cute), and when I visit with people who come into the office during the week – I am so reminded of the true meaning of this season. My prayer is that you also take time to step back from our crazy world to “listen”. We all get forward emails but someone sent this beautiful link to a video – if you have 45 seconds to spare, check out www.theinterviewwithgod.com. It automatically made me want to listen to Him. So cool. OK – thank you for listening… Couple of reminders:
During the Sunday School hour (10:00 a.m.) we will celebrate Christmas by having breakfast together in the Fellowship Hall. What a wonderful Westminster tradition.
Our Christmas Eve services will be held at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. A nursery is provided at the first service.
For those who attended (and for those who missed) the wonderful Advent and Christmas Carol Concert on December 1st, we have the opportunity to purchase a CD of the concert. It would make a great gift for family and friends, or help you stay in the Christmas spirit. The cost will be only $10 and proceeds will go to Living Waters for the World. Please let Terrance McCracken know if you are interested. I’ve been listening to it all day – VERY beautiful! I think they have already sold more than 35 copies!
Hugs,
Renee Wiesehuegel
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.