Year: 2024
Register Your Child(ren) for the 2024/2025 Program Year!
August 22, 2024Our children’s ministry program year begins September 8. Please register your children for the 2024-2025 children ministries program year. This includes families who have registered in previous years!
- Nursery Care (6 months thru 4 years)
9 am – 12 pm Sundays, year round
As you head into worship or at any point during worship, you’re welcome to leave your children with loving teachers and caregivers. Children will have free play and story time. Register your child. - WeeConnect (Ages 3-Pre-K)
9:30 – 10:40 am Sundays, Sept. – May
Children stay in worship with their families until the Thought for Children then they head downstairs (or they arrive before the service begins to stay the whole hour). After an opening time of singing, they will have a time of hearing/seeing a Bible story through Young Children in Worship storytelling in the connecting room, and have the opportunity to respond with artistic play, and end with prayer before families pick them up. Register your child. - KidsConnect (Grades K-5)
9:30 – 10:40 am Sundays, Sept. – May
Children stay in worship with their families until the Thought for Children. They will begin with time downstairs in the large gathering area to watch the Bible story unfold (in true storyteller fashion) and then wonder about the story and what it means for them. They will then break into their age-specific classroom time for “Sads & Glads” prayer time and small group response activities. They will explore God’s word using the Growing in Grace & Gratitude Curriculum. Register your child. - Young Children in Worship (Ages Pre-K thru Elementary)
11:00 am Sundays, Sept. – May
Children will stay in worship with their families until the Thought for Children when they head to the Chapel for a time of singing, worship, and a time of hearing/seeing a Bible story through Young Children in Worship, and then have the opportunity to respond with artistic play, ending with prayer before families pick them up. Register your child. - Cherub Choir (Grades K & 1)
4:15-5 pm Wednesdays, Sept. – May
The Cherub Choir is newly restarting this fall after a long hiatus. Young children will sing & play with rhythms and instruments. Cherubs sing occasionally in worship and other church events, including a short Christmas program and Christmas Eve. Register your child. - Children’s Choir (Grades 2-5)
4:45-6 pm Wednesdays, Sept. – May
In Children’s Choir, older elementary-schoolers sing, pray, play music games, play percussion and other instruments, and learn the basics of how to read music. The Children’s Choir sings in worship about once a month and occasionally at other church events, including a short Christmas program and Christmas Eve. Stay tuned for a musical in the spring! Register your child.
Register Your Youth for the 2024/2025 Program Year!
August 22, 2024Our youth ministry program year begins September 8. Please register your youth for the 2024-2025 children ministries program year. This includes families who have registered in previous years!
- Youth Group
5:30-7:30 pm Sundays (Sept.-May)
Youth gather on Sunday nights for dinner, community, fun activities and discipleship in exploring what it means to follow Jesus as teenagers in their community. Register your youth. - Confirmation
Any youth entering 8th grade or high school this fall is eligible to sign up for our 2024-2025 Praxis Confirmation class. This class allows youth the opportunity to journey with an adult mentor to learn more about the Christian faith and how the Spirit has/is gifting them to practice Jesus’ love, compassion, and justice in their community and world. Click here to register and fill out this medical form. - Youth Choir
5:00-6:00 pm Sundays (Sept.-May)
We invite any youth grades 6-12 to join the Youth Choir. They sing once a month during Sunday worship and rehearse prior to Youth Group on Sunday evenings. We begin rehearsals on Sunday, September 8. Click here to register.
Living Waters Report
Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, around 40 people walked, sat in a stroller or ran a 5K to raise over $9,000 for Living Waters for the World! Click here to see more photos of the event. You can still help them with their fundraising efforts! Click here to make a donation.
Last Week to Donate Diapers & Wipes
Did you know 1 in 3 US moms report suffering from diaper need? Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or toddler clean, dry and healthy. Please consider honoring a Mom you know by donating diapers & wipes during May. We will distribute diapers and wipes to seven organizations in Chester County that work with families in need of diapers. Drop off diapers and wipes in the bins throughout the church or purchase online and deliver directly to Westminster at 10 West Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester PA 19382. Questions? contact Angela Emrich.
Graduation Sunday for High School Seniors
10:00 am June 9 • Sanctuary
We want to recognize, celebrate and send our graduating high school seniors with a blessing in worship on June 9. Seniors will also receive gifts from the congregation as they look beyond life in high school. Click here to register your senior. Questions? Contact Chris Clark.
Financial Snapshot: April General Fund
May 22, 2024Through April, we collected 48% of our pledges, which is indicative of the sizable increase in prepaid pledges in the first quarter. April giving declined as expected but the YTD surplus is $128k above plan and $92k ahead of the same period last year. Expenses remain under plan in all the major categories.
| Year to Date (YTD) | Actual | Budget | % vs Budget Better/(Worse) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pledged Giving | $813,327 | $679,420 | 19.7% |
| Total Revenue | $1,080,674 | $980,862 | 10.2% |
| Total Expense | $795,562 | $823,479 | 3.3% |
| Net Surplus/(Deficit) | $285,112 | $157,384 | 81.2% |
Last Week to Register for Camp Spark!
Monday-Friday June 24 – 28 (8:00 am – 12:00 pm with optional afternoon 12:00 – 4:00 pm)
Camp SPARK is our summer children’s program! This camp will share the worship, ministry, and mission of Westminster with our community. The morning activities will focus on Worship Arts while the afternoon will focus on Westminster’s ministry and mission, plus recreation and fun! Click here for more info, pricing and registration. Questions or for more info, contact Jill Reichert.
We also need volunteers! Click here to see some roles needed. Adults will need background clearances; we are glad to help you through the clearance process!
“Dinner for 8” returns this fall!
After a hiatus of several years, “Dinner for 8” returns this fall! “Dinner for 8” is an opportunity to join a small group of eight people (couples and singles – all are welcome!) to gather for good food, great conversation, and Christian fellowship. Dinners rotate between different households or restaurants each month. The fall session will run from September through December. Registration will start in late summer. Questions, or want a reminder when registration opens? Contact Scott & Erin Lockledge.
Update from the Transitional Associate Pastor (TAP) Search Team
May 16, 2024Westminster has opened its search for a full-time Transitional Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth. The Transitional Associate Pastor (TAP) Search Team is listing this opening with the presbytery and surrounding presbyteries. If you know of a pastor whose gifts would enhance our ministry and spiritual growth at Westminster, please share news of this search. Full job description is here and email inquiries/applications to our TAP team.
This Sunday: Pentecost
May 14, 2024Restorative Justice Traveling Art Exhibit
Art Exhibit:9:00 am-12:15 pm Sunday, May 19 • Spellman Hall
Partnering with Justice Restored 3.0, a collaboration between AHHAH and Chester County Futures, we will host an art exhibit which celebrates the writing and drawings of young people from inside and outside the Chester County Juvenile Detention Center. On every page their fears and hopes shout out in strong language and vibrant illustration. This is an invitation to witness and listen to the youth of our communities, finding a way to connect to their lives and needs.
Pentecost Special Offering: This year’s recipient of Westminster’s local portion (40%) of the Pentecost Special Offering will go to Hearts Holding Hands (AHHAH). Learn more about AHHAH at our Pentecost Journey Class. Donate to our Pentecost Special Offering.
Journey Class:10:45 am Sunday, May 19 • Spellman Jr & Zoom
Jan Michner, the Founder and Executive Director of Arts and Hearts Holding Hands (AHHAH), will lead our Journey Class about her work around justice and equity for youth in under-resourced communities. You will learn about the restorative work AHHAH does in Chester County and interact with the reflections of young people in our area.