Outreach News and Events

Fourth Annual Summer Film Fest Begins

Join us for one or all five films intended to be thought-provoking and challenging. Themes this year include "Peace and Justice", "Caring for Creation", and "Faith, Inspiration, and Redemption". Films will be shown in The Cove at Westminster on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 from July 6th through August 3rd. Films will be announced soon.  Admission is FREE. Light refreshments will be provided.

Bread for the World Director Receives Award

For several years Westminster has been a Covenanting Church with the Christian organization Bread for the World, supporting them financially each year with money from our Outreach budget and through our annual Offering of Letters.

We have two news items to share with members and friends of Westminster: Firstly Bread for the World has just received Charity Navigator’s coveted four star rating for the third year running. Secondly, the Reverend David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World has just been named one of two 2010 World Food Prize laureates. He shares this illustrious award, the Nobel Prize equivalent for food and agriculture, with Jo Luck, president of Heifer International.

The laureates were recognized for their "landmark achievements in building two of the world's foremost grassroots organizations leading the charge to end hunger and poverty for millions of people around the world."

"The World Food Prize recognizes all that Bread for the World members and churches across the country have done to get our government to help end hunger in our country and around the world," said Rev. Beckmann."U.S. funding for poverty-focused development assistance has tripled over the last decade; nutrition programs for hungry people in this country have more than doubled. This would not have happened without the advocacy of members and local congregations of Bread for the World."

“The progress the world has made against hunger and poverty is God moving in our time, and God is calling us now to get our country to do more to provide help and opportunity to hungry people," he said. The World Food Prize cited the effectiveness of Bread for the World's advocacy.

"Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Edgar Pace Visits Westminster

Letters of Thanks Received from Project ONE

Through our outreach ministry team, Westminter members support Project ONE, a program initiated by Family Services of Chester County to identify and provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS in Chester County. A grant of $5,000 was made recently, $3,000 of which will be used for general operating costs and $2,000 for emergency needs. Family Services executive director, Burroughs Mack, writes:

"As I'm sure you know through conversations with [Director] Johanna Crocetto, the men and women in Project ONE are amont the weakest, most isolated, and in many case, poorest people in Chester County. They truly rely upon generous individuals, groups and ministries like yours to help manage the physical and emotional realities of their disease. [These funds] will go a long way in ensuring that Project ONE can continue to send case managers out into Chester County to meet clients in their homes, transport them to medical appointments, provide support groups, and offer immediate assistance for basic needs. Thank you again. We cannot understate the value and importance of your help!"

Program director Joanna Crocetto adds, "...you also offer our program continuous support and commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS within Chester County. Your dedication in that fight is unmatched and we are honored to work beside you."

Westminster members have volunteered for Project ONE's annual summer family picnic. Please contact a member of the Outreach committee to learn more.

Fresh Produce for our Neighbors: Gleaning Garden Enters Second Year

On Thursday, April 15, a team of volunteers refreshed WPC's two raised beds and planted cauliflower, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and spinach. The garden is located on the west side of the church parking lot next to the tool shed and the water pump. Produce will be harvested for the West Chester Food Cupboard and will provide much appreciated fresh produce for the clients we regularly support with our monthly food collections.

If you are willing to volunteer for a week of your choice over the summer to water, weed, and harvest, please look for a sign-up sheet at fellowship/coffee hour on April 24th and May 1st. Or contact Sue Bruegel at 610.431.2343 or  suebrue@verizon.net.

First photo (below) was taken on April 18, 2010. The second photo was taken late last summer.