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News - News, January

Jackie Steinmetz to Retire as Director of Westminster's Preschool

Westminster's Preschool Board of Directors announces that after founding and leading our church's preschool ministry for 28 years, Jackie Steinmetz, Director of Westminster's Preschool, will retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Jackie conceived and built an amazing, vibrant preschool program that has nurtured the educational and spiritual growth of countless children. The Board is incredibly thankful for her years of service and asks you to read this letter and prayerfully support them in the search for her replacement by sharing this opportunity with potential candidates. All interested parties should email their resumes noting “Succession Team” in the subject line.

NEW JOURNEY CLASS: Covenant, Community & the Presence of God

In February, Dr. Sue Fry will guide the Journey class in a four-week series to explore key themes in the book of Exodus. Last fall, she led an exploration of Exodus 1–15. This series covers the main ideas and key themes in the rest of the book of Exodus. Those who attended the 2021 fall sessions can expand their view of Exodus under the overarching themes of covenant, community, and God’s presence with us. All are welcome to attend as you are able. Click here to attend via Zoom. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.
  • Feb 6 Carried on Eagles’ Wings: Recap - Deliverance/Redemption Complaining and Provision & Special Treasure/Holy Nation/Royal Priesthood
  • Feb. 13 Covenant and Commandment: God’s Initiative and Human Response & God Is in the Details
  • Feb 20 The Presence of God and the Problem of Idolatry: What is Idolatry and Why Is It a Problem? What Does It Mean to Appeal to God?
  • Feb 27 What’s with the Tabernacle? The God Who Dwells with Us: This session is designed to encourage faith and foster trust in God. We will think about God’s Presence and God’s care for the people of God

Farewell Valerie Wallace

Our Director of Finance, Valerie Wallace has resigned from Westminster to pursue other opportunities.  Any questions regarding your giving or other financial issues should now be directed to Gerry McShane or Karen Randel.

Souper Bowl of Caring

This year the Youth Ministry is collecting donations for the annual Souper Bowl of Caring. This years donations will provide scholarships for middle & high school Honduras students to attend public education.Youth will collect your donations in soup cans in the Narthex after each service. Questions? Contact Chris Clark.

Preschool Registration is Open!

Westminster’s Preschool is currently enrolling for the 2022-2023 school year. In order to receive a priority enrollment as a member of the church, the preschool must receive your online or paper registration form by Wednesday, January 26th. Questions about enrollment? Contact the preschool office.

Save the Date: Women's Retreat!

5-8 pm Friday, April 22
9 am - 5 pm Saturday, April 23
This year we are holding our women’s retreat on site at Westminster. Women of all ages, 16 years and older, are invited to return this spring for one or two days of fellowship and spiritual renewal. This year's theme is Return to the Root: Renewing Our Inner Spirit. We invite women to join us as your schedule allows. Come for the full retreat on Friday and Saturday, or for Friday only, or for Saturday only. More info will be coming regarding the retreat schedule, cost and registration details. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.

A Message from Jill

Get to know our new Director of Children & Family Ministries, Jill Reichert, in this six minute video.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Dawn's Place supports women affected by commercial sexual exploitation and its abuse by providing services to women, raising awareness and generating prevention. Their house has ten bedrooms where the women can rest in privacy and peace while healing. Please bring items to Church during the month of January and place in the marked bins located in the Narthex. Below is a list of items we are collecting:
  • Large trash bags - 30 gallons
  • Toilet paper
  • Kleenex
  • Paper towels
  • Napkins
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dish washing detergent
  • Ziplock bags - 1 gallon
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Swiffer Wet jet refill
  • Bathroom cleaner spray
  • Glass cleaner
  • Hand soap
  • Dryer sheets

New Journey Class Begins: Forgiveness Finding Peace through Letting Go

New Journey Class Begins: Forgiveness Finding Peace through Letting Go
10:45 am Sundays Jan. 9 - 23 • Hybrid Zoom & Spellman Jr.
In Forgiveness: Finding Peace through Letting Go, Adam Hamilton reminds us about the importance of reconnecting the broken pieces of our lives, but show how the process of grace and forgiveness is possibly our most complete picture of God. In his warm relatable style, Hamilton leads us through the challenges that come with learning to forgive and ask forgiveness. Freedom, grace, reconciliation, and joy are all promised to those who embrace forgiveness. Participants are encouraged to read a copy of the book, Forgiveness along with the DVD series. Even without the book, all are welcomed to join in all or any sessions as able. Click here to attend via Zoom. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.

Volunteers Needed: Prepare & Deliver Lunches for Safe Harbor!

We're looking for volunteers to help prepare and deliver 24-30 lunches for Safe Harbor on the 3rd Monday of each month in 2022. The lunches will be delivered to Safe Harbor (10 N. Matlack Street, West Chester) on Monday Morning between 10:30 and 11:00 am. Click here to signup for lunches or for more info. Questions? Contact Angela Emrich

Meet our New Staff Members!

This week we welcomed two new staff members! 
Jennie Moffitt
Administrative Assistant
Jennie grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Penn Hills High where she also completed her training as a licensed Hairdresser. After raising three children, Jennie pursued a change in career when she started working in the church office at Hebron United Presbyterian Church. Prior to joining Westminster’s team, Jennie worked for 14 years (10 as Office Manager) at Hebron, and then moved to Alabama when her husband Ed, took a position in Birmingham. While in Birmingham, Jennie was the Church Administrator for the Birmingham Unitarian Universalist Church for 6 + years before moving to West Chester with her husband to be near their daughter and family. Jennie joined Westminster in January 2022 as the Administrative Assistant. Jennie and Ed have been married for 41 years and have three adult children, and two grandsons. When not working, Jennie loves to cook, read, and play with the grandchildren. Click here to welcome her via email.
Jill Reichert
Director of Children & Family Ministries
Born and raised in Coatesville, Jill graduated from Shippensburg University with a Biology/Marine Science degree. She worked for 11 years as an Environmental Scientist before sensing a different call to educational ministry. With the encouragement of her pastor (which happened to be Jennie Clark, at the time) she began a new calling as a Christian Educator and headed down the road of further theological and educational ministries training and education at Lancaster Theological Seminary and Union Presbyterian Seminary. Jill served First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg (7 years), Wayside Presbyterian Church (9 years), First Presbyterian Church of West Chester (1 1/2 years), the Parish Resource Center (2 years), and Grace United Church of Christ (3 years). Jill and her husband, Brian, live in Strasburg and have 2 grown children, Brandon (married to Olivia) and Jake (a senior in high school). When not working, Jill enjoys going to marching band performances (where Jake is Drum Major and plays tuba), high school baseball games, and traveling to Ohio to visit her new granddaughter, Aubrey. Click here to welcome her via email.