Dear Members and Friends of Westminster Presbyterian Church of West Chester:
In response to recommendations from health care professionals and the actions of local, state and national authorities, Westminster’s Session met by conference call last evening and approved the following responses to mitigate spread of COVID-19 in our community, effective today:
On Campus Gatherings and Ministries Canceled/Office Closed
All on-campus gatherings of ANY groups are canceled between Friday, March 13 and Monday, March 23, 2020. That end date MAY BE EXTENDED. If you facilitate such a group, please communicate this to all your members – especially those who may not receive the church email. The building will be closed all week and a deep cleaning by an outside firm will be done. Staff will work remotely and communicate daily by conference call or ZOOM meeting. Staff should be accessible by email as well.
Worship, Requiem & Women’s Retreat
For the next two Sundays, March 15 and March 22, we will have no in-person worship or Sunday school. DO NOT COME TO THE BUILDING. The Youth Sunday worship planned for this Sunday has been postponed. A small staff team will put together and live stream a 9:45am service both this Sunday and next. We will inform you if we elect to stream any additional Sunday services on March 22nd or Wednesday chapel services. The Requiem scheduled for Sunday, March 22 will not take place. We do not know at this time if it will be rescheduled. At present the Women’s Retreat on March 27-29 is still scheduled. Leaders will assess during the coming week.
How Do I Watch the Live Stream?
Need help watching the live stream on your TV? Click here for an instructional video to watch with Roku. Click here for an instructional video to watch with Apple TV. Click here for an instructional video to watch on YouTube with your Smart TV. Print out a bulletin before the service, and consider giving online this week.
Pastoral Care
If you have an emergency, and need to contact a pastor, call the church office at 610-399-3377, press 2, and follow the instructions to leave a message for the pastor on call.
We invite you to stay connected to other church members during this time. Pick up the phone. Call someone. Send an email or text. Send pictures of your household streaming worship. Be especially mindful of members and friends who might feel very isolated in this time. Continue to pray for all those affected by this virus, as well as for those who seek to reduce its spread and impact. We believe these actions, as well as our individual engagement in best practices of safety and health are an expression of Christian love for our community and acts of faithful stewardship in the world. It is our confidence in God’s sovereignty, as well as the divine gifts of heart, mind and spirit that enable us to be good stewards in this difficult season.
Blessings,
Pastor Don, on behalf of the staff and elders
