It seems at times as if America is a “twilight kingdom,” in the words of T. S. Eliot, in “this valley of dying stars.” Too many people are living fragmented lives: “Shape without form, shade without colour.”

What we lack, in a single word, is shalom. I think shalom is among the most beautiful words in the Bible. In the New Testament, which was written in Greek rather than Hebrew, the word used is eirene. Shalom is often translated into English as “peace,” which many people take to mean the absence of conflict. But its fuller meaning is something closer to human flourishing.

— Peter Wehner, “A Word for Our Troubled Times”, The Atlantic (March 8, 2026).

We currently conduct a full worship service on the first Sunday of each month, and discuss a different short reading each of the remaining Sundays.

On Sunday, 29 March, we will open with a very brief service and chalice lighting, followed by our discussion. Robert Helfer will lead the service and discussion. This week’s reading is “A Word for Our Troubled Times”, by Peter Wehner, The Atlantic (March 8, 2026).

The article, “A Word for Our Troubled Times”, by Peter Wehner, can be found here. This is a gift article — no subscription is needed.

Please Join us for Worship.

Our services are Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on ZOOM and in person at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. A coffee hour, a time for discussion and socializing (including ZOOM participants), follows from the end of the service until 12:00 noon. More about us.

If you prefer not to be seen, video is optional. If you would like to participate online, please email westforkuu@gmail.com for details and a link, or for help with using ZOOM.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

Children are welcome.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom. You may park on the south side of the building, which is marked reserved for the PWA, or the north, where the reserved spaces are available on Sundays.

Map

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302