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News - News, November

Hurricane Relief in Honduras

Our Youth Director, Chris Clark shares about hurricane relief efforts in Honduras. If you would like to contribute to these relief efforts, you can make a donation by check to Westminster Presbyterian Church with "Honduras Hurricane Relief" in the memo line. All monies collected will go directly to the purchase of food and clothing, as well as funding for a medical brigade. We hope you consider contributing what you can to assist our brothers and sisters in Honduras during this season!

Youth Mini Groups

The Youth Vision Team is looking to create mini-groups to build community around common interests of young people at Westminster this fall and winter. If you're in middle or high school, take this brief survey to let us know what interests or hobbies you have. Whether you're into gaming, crafting, music, etc. we're looking forward to hearing from you! Questions? Contact Chris Clark.

Tax Prep Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to provide free tax preparation in our community. Life Transforming Ministries is a non-profit organization, which provides free tax preparation and filing for low and moderate income households, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program is an initiative of the IRS. Click here to learn more about being trained as a volunteer. The next training will begin in December. Questions? Contact Donna Laird.

Fourth Edition of Live Stream Bloopers

Are you in need of a good laugh? We're here to serve with newest edition of the Westminster blooper reel! The bloopers included were either live, while recording parts of the service ahead of time, or during our tech run through which happens between 8:45-9:30am every Sunday morning. Enjoy the fourth edition of a few memorable Westminster bloopers. Click here to watch the other editions.

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is a public awareness effort when people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness in their communities. Before the pandemic, there was a need in Chester County due to the lack of attainable housing, even for professionals and college graduates. Now, as we weather Covid-19 restrictions, local housing and related needs are increasing. Although limited by the pandemic, the Home Team at Westminster is continuing with housing rehab projects (through Good Works, Habitat), attending to developing local housing opportunity task forces (in both West Chester and Southern Chester County), and continuing development of the New Beginnings Affordable Housing Fund. We stand ready to jump into a variety of projects, when activity restrictions are lifted. 
We’re looking forward to working together with lots of YOUR energy as soon as we can! If you become aware of specific initiatives we should consider, please pass the information to Gary Liddick or Ruth Simonson. In the meantime, here are links to educational sessions, places to donate now, ways you can spread awareness, and even some background on the New Beginnings Affordable Housing Fund.

Sermon on the Mount Week 4

Watch the third session on our Journey class, The Sermon on the Mount a six week DVD study by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Click here to order her book. Click here to register for next discussion at 12pm Sun. Nov. 15. 

Thrift Shop & Endowment Fund!

Robbe Healey and Rob Necarsulmer from the Endowment Fund Board of Managers are presenting a $1,500 check to Karen Koepke, Thrift Shop Manager. The funds were awarded to the Thrift Shop to help pay for the restoration of the floor. The Thrift Shop flooded during tropical storm Isaias which required the removal of carpeting on one side of the shop and mold remediation. Specifically the grant covered the cost of the supplies to polish and paint the floor and the cost of renting the equipment needed to remove rug glue off the floor and polish the cement. All labor was done by volunteers so there was no labor cost. Also this week, the Thrift Shop Board of Directors welcomed three new members, Joanne Ebert, Cheryl Whiteley, and Carol Wawrzyniak to the board at their November meeting!

Jamestown 1607 and the Real Pocahontas

Watch Craig Garner's presentation about Jamestown 1607 and the Real Pocahontas. Next Tuesday at 10am Jaan Troltenier will talk about Albrecht Durer: His Art, his city of Nuremberg, and the Dawn of Protestantism. Click here to register for that discussion.

Annual Giving Tree Goes Online!

Help to make this holiday season special for those in need during these challenging times. The need for gift donations is even greater this year and we need your help to share God’s love at Christmas! Simply click on the organization you wish to purchase, signup online, and follow the directions provided: Pocopson Nursing Home, Migrant MinistriesDomestic Violence Center, and Family Promise. We will be collecting gifts curbside at Westminster from 12-2pm on Sunday, November 29 & December 6, and from 10-12pm on Saturday, December 5. Questions or help with gift delivery, contact Angela Emrich or Debbie Zakarian.

What to be Thankful for in 2020?

Westminster’s awesome commitment to helping our neighbors in need.
On Saturday November 14th from 9am-12pm we will be collecting Turkeys and Coats under the portico to be distributed in our community. The turkeys will be going to the Salvation Army in West Chester and the coats will be distributed to many of our Outreach Partners including CVIM, La Comunidad Hispana, the St. Agnes Day Room, West Chester University, Chester County Migrant Ministries and Broad Street Ministry. We are looking for Winter Coats (no dress coats please) for all age groups, new and gently used. Westminster has collected between 300-400 coats over the past 5 years and our ministry partners are forever grateful for our generosity so let’s make this the best coat drive yet! We may not be able to all gather together but we are all able to come together as a congregation to support those less fortunate than ourselves.
We will also be doing the Giving Tree shortly and in Mid-December we will be working on Blessing Bags for Christmas dinner. Questions? Contact Laureen Smith, John Grillo or Ann Hatfield.

What is Happening with WPC's Preschool?

Westminster’s Preschool is trying to re-open in February or March for a spring semester. Next week, we will send out a poll to see how many families would be interested in enrolling their child. The Preschool has also been sending out a free weekly video with lessons and activities created by the Director. If you would like to be included in this poll or receive the weekly video, email the Director, Jackie Steinmetz.

Sermon on the Mount Week 3

Watch the third session on our Journey class, The Sermon on the Mount a six week DVD study by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Click here to order her book. Click here to register for next discussion at 12pm Sun. Nov. 8. Click here to view Sunday's handout.