Starting in March – New Sunday Schedule

Dear Westminster members and friends, 

We are excited to announce that in response to feedback from more than 450 congregants, we will be adjusting worship times by a half an hour for both of our Sunday morning services.   

Beginning Sunday, March 2, our new Sunday schedule will be: 

• 9:00 am – Traditional Worship with Chancel Choir 
  KidsConnect and WeeConnect offered during worship service 
• 10:15 am – Journey Class in Spellman Jr and online 
• 10:30 am – Contemporary Worship  
  Young Children and Worship program offered during worship service 
• 5:00 pm – Youth Choir rehearsal 
• 5:30 pm – Youth Group 

All current Spiritual Growth opportunities, including Children’s programming, will shift earlier, corresponding with worship time adjustments.  

Why this change?  Over the past year Session leaders and pastors have been evaluating and prayerfully considering many aspects of the scheduling of our worship services, Journey Classes, KidsConnect Sunday School, and other opportunities within a tight Sunday morning timeframe. We believe it is important to continually evaluate and respond to the needs of our congregation and to what we’re hearing from everyone who worships with us – in person, as well as virtually. 

In the fall, we shared a survey with members and friends of Westminster, asking for feedback on preferences for worship times, and inviting you to share your thoughts on the worship experience.

Here are some highlights from the survey: 

• There is a strong desire to maintain two styles of worship – traditional and contemporary. 
• There are many varying thoughts on the ‘ideal’ time for each service, but 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. emerged as the best set of times based on preference. 
• Those who attend our Contemporary Service want the opportunity to also attend Journey Classes and have fellowship time on Sunday mornings. 
• There is a preference for children’s programming to be held in conjunction with Sunday worship.  

A committee that included staff and members poured over this feedback, evaluated worship times at other congregations, and had one-on-one conversations to understand better the challenges and longings for worship and other gatherings. 

Numerous times over the last 20 years, Westminster has adjusted worship times. We considered many options and possible schedules. The half-hour adjustment emerged as the best next step and has been approved by Session. Our prayer is that this change will address stated needs and support our mission of Knowing Christ, and Making Christ Known to those who have yet to join us in worship. 

As our church and congregation evolves, changes, and grows, along with our society and the rhythms of our community and lives, change is inevitable. However, we know it’s not always easy! Some may be very pleased about this change while others may be frustrated.  

It is important to our leadership that you know we will monitor and evaluate this time change to make sure that after a period of adjustment, it is working well for our church community. This adjustment will also allow for further expansion of spiritual growth and fellowship opportunities going forward, like additional Journey class times. 

We will continue to offer some combined worship services at special times, bringing together both the Traditional and Contemporary Worship teams for a joint service at 10:00 am as we will do on Sunday, January 26 for the Annual Meeting, and on Sunday, February 23, to celebrate retiring Associate Pastor Ann Hatfield’s ministry among us. We will also continue to live stream both Traditional and Contemporary services, and we are evaluating how to enhance virtual worship offerings. 

Our goal is always to create worship experiences that warmly invite everyone to join together, as we glorify God and experience the transformative power of God’s love.  

In Christ, 
Pastor Leah Hrachovec and Worship & Arts Committee