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News - News, March

Lenten Adventures with Flat Jesus

During the rest of Lent, take Flat Jesus with you during the day. Let Flat Jesus be a reminder of the presence of Jesus everywhere we go. This also is a good reminder to help others encounter God, too!

  1. Color and decorate your Flat Jesus. Then cut him out.
  2. Take Flat Jesus with you, and take some photographs to share.
  3. Talk with your family about what you and Flat Jesus experienced.
  4. Post your photos with a brief description of your adventure on Facebook or Instagram with #WPCFlatJesus or email your photos to Lynn George.
  5. Let’s show that Jesus is always with us!

Click here to download Flat Jesus.

Challenge for Kids!

Calling all kids: Kathy Smedley has a special message just for you! She also has a challenge: create artwork that has the theme of gratitude, look for the good things in life even in the dark time! Click here to share your artwork with us.

Checking In with Westminster Members

Over the next few weeks, Westminster staff and leaders will call each Westminster household to check in and see how we can support you during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in helping call Westminster members or would like to volunteer to pick up essential supplies for church members who need help, contact Ann Hatfield.

Free Anxiety and OCD Support Groups

Dr. Jim Chok, a Westminster member and licensed neuropsychologist, is offering two free Anxiety and OCD Support Groups to help people manage their anxiety as they deal with the significant changes to their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The adult group is held on Tuesdays at 4pm. The child group will meet on Fridays at 11am, starting on March 27th. Zoom will host the meetings. Questions or to attend a group, contact Dr. Jim Chok.

Beware of Fraudulent Email and Phone Scams

As Congress gears up to release a massive coronavirus stimulus package, you can be sure that scammers will not be far behind with phishing emails and phone calls to grab what they can from unsuspecting individuals. Remember that no one from "the government" or "the IRS" or your "bank" will ever call or email you to ask for your social security number and bank account number so your check can be deposited. These are scams. Please be vigilant. 

Nine Minute Chair Yoga with Nancy

De-stress from the stress and chaos of COVID-19 with a nine minute chair yoga workout that anyone can do with Nancy Murphy.

Help Chester County Hospital

Chester County Hospital is seeking public donations to help fight the COVID-19 virus. A list of items needed and delivery process is here: Help CCH.

Support Groups During COVID-19

Do you find yourself struggling during COVID-19 and in need of support? Please find virtual support resources below: 

Additionally, the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has a 24/7 information and referral line which assists PA residents with finding drug and alcohol treatment based off of their location. If you need assistance in finding a treatment provider or funding for addiction treatment, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)  

Chester County Mental Health Resources 

  • If you're feeling lonely, worried, anxious and need to talk to someone, call Chester County's Warm Line at 1-866-846-2722. This line is manned by trained individuals in recovery who can offer a compassionate listening ear. 

  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, call 610-280-3270. The Valley Creek Crisis Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • If you would rather be in touch via text message, use the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741. 

Delaware County Mental Health Resources

  • If you're feeling lonely, worried, anxious and need to talk to someone, call Chester County's Warm Line at 855-464-9342. This is a phone helpline that uses Certified Peer Specialist to provide support to individuals who struggle with emotional and mental health challenges.

  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, please call the Delaware County Crisis Connections Team (DCCCT) Mobile Crisis Service 1-855-889-7827. DCCCT is a trained crisis response team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide on-site mobile crisis assessment, intervention and/or referral services in the individual’s natural environment.

  • If you would rather be in touch via text message, use the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741.

Lenten Study Continues Over Zoom

Ann Hatfield will lead a Zoom meeting at 11am Sunday March 22, for this week'sCalled: Hearing and Responding to God’s Voice A Most Reluctant Prophet (Jonah) Lenten Study. Contact Ann Hatfield for more info.

If you haven’t used Zoom before, try following these directions and then let me know how it goes:

Westminster Presbyterian Church is going live on ZOOM, the videoconferencing platform.  Watch for the opportunity to drop in on Bible Studies, Journey Classes, meetings, small groups, and more.

The software you need will be downloaded automatically the first time you join a meeting or class, or to download on your computer now, click this link: https://zoom.us/client/latest/Zoom.pkg.

If you will be joining meetings on your smartphone, download an app from the Apple app store or Google Play store.  Then wait until you get a meeting invitation or notice and more information from Pastor Ann.

You can set up Zoom on both your computer and smartphone, if you want.  For video, you will need a camera on your device.

Westminster Thrift Shop Closed Until Further Notice

In response to recommendations from health care professionals and the actions of local, state and national authorities, the Thrift Shop board met and approved the following responses to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The Westminster Thrift Shop will be closed until further notice. No donations will be accepted during this time. 

Coronavirus COVID-19 Update II

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

Coronavirus COVID-19 Special Alert

Dear Members and Friends of Westminster,
With the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now encourage older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions to “stay at home as much as possible.” If you have not seen them, click here for the CDC guidelines. 
We will keep our normal Sunday schedule tomorrow, but encourage everyone to do what is best for your health and the health of your household. If you are in a group susceptible to this virus, or have been traveling and possibly exposed to it, we encourage you not to attend worship in person tomorrow. If you are feeling sick in any way, please stay home. We will live-stream our 9:45 a.m. worship, so those not joining us in person can view the live stream here
For those present at morning worship, Sunday School, rehearsals or Vespers, we ask you to refrain from shaking hands, hugging, or physically engaging during greeting and fellowship times. We will not serve communion at 11:10am. Please use hand sanitizer and/or wash your hands when in the building, so that holding hymnals, passing offering plates, touching doorknobs, etc., will be as sanitary as possible. Our custodial staff is taking extra cleaning measures around the church facilities.
As believers in a sovereign God, we don't want to be alarmist, hiding in fear; nor do we want to be naive, acting as if this cannot touch us. God has given us hearts and minds to make choices for the health and hospitality of our congregation, community and beyond. As things develop in our area, we will stay abreast of the guidelines provided by health professionals and civic leaders, and will adjust or cancel activities, if necessary. Please look to the church website, social media, and email for updates.
Please pray for the health and well-being of the entire human family, but especially those most directly affected by this outbreak, those who seek to comfort and heal, and those working hard to equip the world to respond to this new virus.
In Christ,
Don

Visit Our Tapestry

9-11am in Spellman Hall
In 2017 the Ladies of the Loom started working on a tapestry to celebrate Westminster's 125th anniversary. They invite you to join them on Sunday morning to see the progress of the tapestry, share the experience of weaving, and try weaving for yourself! No experience needed.

Support Can Suffer during Cold and Flu Season

Weekly attendance at our services fluctuates because of poor weather, health, travel and any number of other circumstances. Unfortunately, weekly offerings fluctuate right along with attendance even though many of our operating expenses remain constant throughout the year. To help remedy this situation, we offer electronic giving so that you can stay on track with pledges and regular offerings. Getting started is easy. To set up online giving click here or email Donna Harrison for more info. Text giving is also available, just text 610-616-2826 and enter the $ amount you want to give. Click here for an informational video.

The Home Team Asks.....

Did you know that a single mom with a gross income of $29,000 qualifies for benefits (food, housing, child care, medical) that brings her a net income of about $57,000? As she earns more than $29,000 the benefits drop off and she doesn’t reach a net income of $57,000 until her earned gross income is $69,000. If you are called to help, contact Ruth Simonson or Gary Liddick.

Welcome Stacie Wong, Our New Office Assistant!

Stacie grew up in Abington, PA and attended Drexel University majoring in Retail Merchandising. After 20 years as a retail store co-owner in Arizona, she had a calling to move back to her roots in PA. Prior to joining WPC, she spent several years in advertising and digital marketing. She is excited to join the WPC staff and looks forward to working with different groups at WPC. Stacie lives in Downingtown with her fiancé and their cat, Foster. While not working she enjoys crafting, reading, traveling and trying out new restaurants. She is the mother of two beautiful children, Marisa and Stephen.

Hospital Visitation

Our pastors will gladly call or visit anyone who is hospitalized. However due to privacy laws, it is difficult for us to learn when a member has been admitted to a hospital. Please contact the church office at 610-399-3377 to provide information, if you or someone you know is in the hospital.