Year: 2024

Volunteer for Camp Spark

February 7, 2024

We are launching a new summer program this summer! Camp SPARK (Spiritual Practices And Recreation for Kids). Monday-Friday (June 24-28) 8am-12pm with optional afternoon component (12-4pm).

Ages: Pre-K (4-5, one year prior to Kindergarten) – Morning Only
K-5 (rising) – Morning and Optional Afternoon

We need LOTS of adult and youth volunteers to help workshop leaders in the morning and afternoon, and just general help to keep the cogs turning throughout the day:

Morning Workshops: Creative Words in Worship, Drumming, Music/Chorus, Dance/Movement, Worship Technology, Storytelling/Drama

Afternoon Workshops: Baking, Knitting/Weaving, Wood Projects, Gleaning Garden/Care of Creation, Art, Outreach/Service Projects, Rec/Games, Pickleball

If you can help a workshop leader or offer general help, please sign up TODAY!

  • Register to volunteer for Full Day Camp SPARK
  • Register to volunteer for Morning Only Camp SPARK
  • Register to help with Pre-K

All adults must have background clearances completed. Please connect with Jill Reichert. We are excited to share the worship, ministry, and mission of Westminster with our community. We hope you’ll join us!

Help Support ACT in Faith in February

February 1, 2024

This month bring in items for ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester, which is an interfaith organization that helps individuals and families with immediate needs. Staff and volunteers work to stabilize households, encourage self-sustainability, and build community.  Please bring in full-size items of bar soap, toothpaste, deodorant (male/female/unisex) during the month of February and place them in the marked bins located in Café 10 West. Questions? Contact Ann Hatfield

Join a 2024 Journey Class Lenten Study

January 25, 2024

Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings

Jesus provided his disciples teachings for how to follow Torah, God’s word.  He told them parables to help them discern questions of ethics and of human nature. He offered them beatitudes for comfort and encouragement. But sometimes Jesus spoke words that followers then and now have found troubling. In this six week DVD study, The Difficult Words of Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine shows how these challenging teachings would have sounded to the people who first heard them, how they have been understood over time, and how we might interpret them in the context of the gospel of love and reconciliation. She invites us to look at sayings that puzzle not only beginners, but even seasoned students of Scripture. Participants are encouraged to get a copy of the book to read along.  Learn more about each group via the group contact person or gather some friends and form your own Lenten study group. 

Hybrid: Sunday Journey Class
10:45-11:45 am Sundays, Feb. 18, 25, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24
Zoom & Spellman Jr.
Facilitators: Bob Boell, Chris Clark, Ann Hatfield, & Leah Hrachovec
Click here to attend via zoom. • Contact: Leah Hrachovec

In Person Only: Monday Men & Women Group
7-8:30 pm  Feb. 19, 26, Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25 • McFalls home
Facilitators: Ed and Diane McFalls
Contact: Ed McFalls

Hybrid: Bi-Weekly Tuesday Men & Women Group
7-8:30 pm Feb. 20, 27, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26 • Huddell Home & Zoom
Facilitator & Contact: Gary Huddell

Hybrid: Wednesday A Gathering of Men Group
7-8:30 pm Wednesdays, Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27 • Spellman Jr. & Zoom
Facilitator & Contact: Gerry McShane

Colgate® Oral Care Free Recycling Program

January 18, 2024

Westminster signed up with Terracycle to be a public drop off point for recycling ALL BRANDS of oral care products and packaging.  This includes toothpaste tubes, caps and packaging, toothbrushes and packaging and dental floss containers. You can find a public collection bin in the parking lot near the Gleaning Garden. A bin is also located in the Heckert Center for the congregation. Questions? Contact Angela Emrich

Celebrate Pastor Jennie’s Retirement

January 17, 2024

9:30 & 11 am February 4 & 10 am February 11

After 41 years of ordained ministry, including over 8 years at Westminster, Rev. Jennie Clark retires from her call as Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth. Come hear Pastor Jennie preach her final sermon during both morning worship on Sunday, February 4. We will recognize and celebrate Pastor Jennie on her final Sunday in a combined worship service at 10 am on February 11 with Director of Youth and College Ministries Chris Clark preaching. Following the service, we will gather in Spellman Hall for a church-wide reception.

If you would like to share thoughts and memories about Jennie’s leadership, you’re invited to drop off photos, cards or letters in baskets found in the Narthex during the first two Sundays in February. You also can contribute to a monetary “Love Gift” which Pastor Jennie will receive in worship on February 11. Participation is completely voluntary and anonymous. If you would like to donate toward this gift, there are several ways to do so, contact Ed McFalls for more info.

Weather on the Radar? Where to Find Schedule Changes and Cancellations

January 12, 2024

In this winter season, plans can change quickly. When snowy, icy weather is forecast, here’s where you can find church schedule changes:

  • At the top of the church website in the black ALERTS bar
  • Posted on Westminster’s social media channels (Facebook/X(Twitter)/Instagram)

It’s our practice NOT to send email notifications for every closing and schedule change as these can be frequent and not everyone subscribed to our email list needs the same information. 

Calvin University’s January Series Begins Monday

January 11, 2024

12:30-1:30 pm January 15 – February 2

Every January, Calvin University sponsors The January Series, a daily, hour-long cultural enrichment series. Its goal is to cultivate deep thought and conversations about important issues of the day in order to inspire cultural renewal and make us better global citizens in God’s world. Attend The January Series virtually; there is no cost. Click here to register for the live stream. Click here to view this year’s speakers and schedule. 

Welcome Dr. Kirsten Santos Rutschman, New Associate Director of Music Ministries!

January 3, 2024

Kirsten will lead our Children’s Choir program, engage instrumentalists for playing opportunities, accompany the Chancel Choir and Youth Choir, while sharing service playing duties with Tim Evers, our Director of Music Ministries. She will begin her call with Westminster on Monday, January 8.

Kirsten previously served congregations in Wayne (PA), St. Louis (MO), Durham (NC), and Bellingham (WA). She comes with extensive experience in all facets of church music ministry. An organist, pianist and Swedish fiddler, Kirsten holds degrees in musicology (Ph.D., M.A.) from Duke University and in German Studies (B.A.) from Stanford University. In addition, she has studied and completed Fulbright-supported research in Sweden. Her organ teachers include Robert Parkins (Duke), Robert Huw Morgan (Stanford), Lars Åberg (Linköping Cathedral, Sweden), and Karl Wikenståhl (Hjo Folkhögskola, Sweden).

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Kirsten grew up in a musical congregation, beginning with Cherub Choir at age 4. She has rung handbells since middle school and has extensive experience as an orchestral violinist. You will find Kirsten to be warm, caring and engaging. And perhaps you will be a lucky recipient of her baked goods.

In Kirsten’s own words, “I am thrilled to join the staff team at Westminster! I look forward to working with members of the congregation, both children and adults, to enrich musical offerings in worship services and other church activities.”

We look forward to Kirsten beginning ministry with us next week. You are encouraged to greet and welcome her to our community.