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News - News, April

Task Force Update on In-Person Activities

The Task Force on Campus Use affirms the following return to In-Person activities.
  • Small groups can begin meeting the week of May 2nd. Masked and distanced. Individual groups should consider how to accommodate any who wish to participate but are not willing to meet in-person. Reservations/registration required. Group meetings should last no longer than one hour.
  • As weather permits, small groups should consider outdoor gatherings – including in the courtyard – distancing and masks still required.
  • In-person Sunday worship opens to the congregation on Sunday, May 9, with limited numbers (approx. 80 in the sanctuary at each service), registration required. Registration will open up on Monday, May 3rd. We will open Spellman Hall for overflow if numbers indicate. We do not have plans for in-person programs for children as of yet.
  • Worship will require masks and social distancing, regardless of vaccination status. There will be no singing by the congregation.
  • We recommend anyone who is immunocompromised or is at higher risk consider the wisdom of returning to worship at this time, since 40% of infections are asymptomatic and the rate of infection/new cases in the county is still at a high level.
  • We will continue to keep Sunday services shorter than one hour.
  • In-person permitted for Wednesday chapel and Taizé beginning the week of May 2nd; same protocols as above; registration required.
  • Weddings and funerals would be allowed with the same protocols and limitations as Sunday morning worship.

Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

West Chester University is partnering with Walmart to host a community COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 8am-3pm on Saturday, May 2nd at the Student Recreation Center. The vaccination is free, but an appointment is required. Click here to register.
  • You must be 16 years of age or older.
  • The Pfizer vaccine requires administration of two doses. The second dose will be administered on Saturday, May 22.

Task Force Update

Session approved the Task Force recommendations to consider beginning in-person ministries the week of May 2, barring any significant uptick in numbers. The Task Force will meet again on 4/26 to reassess. While the numbers in Chester County are still not at levels we would like to see, our staff is fully vaccinated, the level of interest for in-person gatherings is increasing, and we believe we can do this as safely as anyone else. For the week of May 2:
  • Small groups could begin meeting. Masked and distanced. Individual groups should consider how to accommodate any who wish to participate but are not willing to meet in-person. Reservations/registration required.
  • As weather permits, small groups should consider outdoor gatherings – including in the courtyard – distancing and masks still required.
  • In-person Sunday worship begins on May 2, with officers and ushers only that day; registration required.
  • In-person Sunday worship opens to the congregation on Sunday, May 9, with limited numbers (approx. 80 in the sanctuary at each service), registration required. We will open Spellman Hall for overflow if numbers indicate. We do not have plans for in-person programs for children as of yet.
  • Worship will require masks and social distancing, regardless of vaccination status. There will be no singing by the congregation.
  • We recommend anyone with higher risks consider the wisdom of returning to worship in the beginning, since 40% of infections are asymptomatic and the rate of infection/new cases in the county is still at a high level. 
  • We will continue to keep Sunday services shorter than one hour.
  • In-person permitted for Wednesday chapel and Taizé beginning the week of May 2nd; same protocols aswould be allowed with the same protocols and limitations as Sunday morning worship.
  • Weddings and funerals would be allowed with the same protocols and limitations as Sunday morning worship.

Donna Harrison, Our Financial Administrator, Announces Her Retirement!

Westminster is conducting a search for our next Financial Administrator, as Donna Harrison has announced her retirement, effective September 30th. Best candidates for the position have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or closely related field, and a minimum of 5 years’ work experience with a not-for-profit entity. Faith-based experience is a plus. Click here to read the job description. Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to Gerry McShane.

Nominate Someone to the PNC

On Sunday, our Head of Staff, Don Lincoln announced the timeline for his retirement. While Don will certainly be missed, the good news is he will be with us for another year. We're forming a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to conduct the search. Session invites you to nominate someone – including yourself – to join the PNC. Submit a nomination by the end of the day Friday, April 23. Questions? Email Geoff Smith, Chair of WPC's Personnel Committee.

Westminster Preschool is Hiring!

Westminster’s Preschool is hiring a part-time Assistant Director for the 2021-2022 school year. All interested candidates should send their resume or contact the Preschool for an application by May 14th. The preschool also has openings for part-time teachers and teacher aides for the 2021-2022 school year. The job descriptions can be found by clicking the job title. Call or email the preschool if you would like to know more about the positions that are available.

Diaper & Wipe Collection in May

1 in 3 US moms suffer from diaper need. Without diapers, babies cannot participate in early childhood education programs, and without childcare, parents cannot go to work. Help these families by dropping off diapers in May under the portico for CVIM, WC Food Cupboard, Chester County Women's Services, Domestic Violence of Chester County, Family Promise, The Bridge Academy, and Young Life. Questions? Contact Angela Emrich.

Help Name the New Outreach Email

This new bi-monthly email will share all of Westminster’s outreach opportunities that help our local communities, our nation, and the world. It will also provide opportunities to support our partner nonprofits. This is an opt-in-only email. Click here to subscribe. Help us name the email by submitting names to Terri Pennington.

Recycle your Household Batteries!

Did you know, Americans purchase nearly 3 billion batteries every year? When thrown away in household trash, batteries end up in landfills. As the battery casing corrodes, chemicals leach into the soil and make their way into our water supply. In our continued efforts to care for creation, our Outreach Committee has invested in boxes that will allow us to collect, send and recycle batteries. Please drop off ALKALINE batteries only - with tape placed on each end of the batteries to prevent any current transfer - in the boxes under the portico. We are not collecting lithium batteries. 

March & April Live Stream Bloopers

Enjoy our newest edition of the Westminster blooper reel! These bloopers included were gathered either live, while recording parts of the service ahead of time, or during our tech run through which happens between 8:15-8:45am every Sunday morning. Enjoy the ninth edition of a few memorable Westminster bloopers. Click here to watch the other editions. Interested in helping with the live stream worship AV? We are looking for volunteers to help with the 10:30am contemporary service. Contact Jon Frost or Lynn George for more information.

Preschool Update

Westminster’s Preschool has openings in the 2 ½, 3 and Pre-K 4 classes for the 2021-2022 school year. Call (610-399-3910) or email the preschool if you are interested in enrolling your child. The preschool also has openings for part-time teachers and teacher aides for the 2021-2022 school year. Call or email the preschool if you would like to know more about the positions that are available.

Food Drop Off for West Chester Food Cupboard

The West Chester Food Cupboard provides a variety of fresh and nonperishable healthy food items to those in need…because no one should go hungry! If you would like to contribute to this ongoing effort, bring cereal to Westminster during the rest of April. Food donations can be left in a marked bin under the front portico.

Are You Graduating?

We would like to honor your graduation from high school, tech school, college, graduate school, or the military by including you in a digital Westminster yearbook and recognizing your future plans on our social media. Please send a photo and brief bio to Laura Davis, Kim Benfer or Susanne Perkins.

Senior Connection

The Expanding our Witness for Seniors Team calls Westminster Seniors (aged 80 plus) twice a year. With our recent spring calls, twenty Seniors asked to be contacted by a Westminster member more frequently. If you are willing to call two Westminster Seniors quarterly and send Christmas, Easter, and birthday cards, please email Nancy Christy.