The officers of the church: Deacons, Elders, Trustees and Preschool Board members are the hands, feet, and brains of God on earth. The nominating committee needs your help identifying people to fill these many shoes for the coming year. Please consider volunteering yourself or someone you know. Westminster greatly benefits from new perspectives and the many talents of our members. Click here for more info on the responsibilities of each role and to recommend someone.
1 in 3 US Moms report suffering from diaper needs, which is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or toddler clean, dry, and healthy. We will collect diapers during May. Diapers will be distributed to organizations in Chester County that work with families in need of diapers. Diapers can be left in collection bins around the church or purchased online, and delivered directly to Westminster at 10 West Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester PA 19382. Questions? Contact Angela Emrich.
Westminster has invested in ionization air purification devices throughout the building. This cleaning technology clears the air of pathogens and viruses including those that cause COVID. We hope these efforts will help our members feel comfortable returning to in-person worship and other activities in our church home.
Our raised bed garden program, sponsored by the Chester County Food Bank, provides fresh produce to the West Chester and Kennett Food Cupboards since 2010. We have expanded to grow vegetables in the ground, as well as in the raised beds. This year we hope to expand further and need volunteers—for planting and harvesting going forward. In May, we also need a few folks with strong backs to pound fenceposts and stakes. No gardening experience is required. Contact Anita Gordon for more info.
The Chancel Choir and a full orchestra will offer "Sacred Journeys," a farewell concert dedicated to their retiring directors, Bob Morris and Glenn Kinckner. Free tickets will be available starting Sunday, April 24th in coffee area after each service. The 4 pm concert will be live streamed and available to watch till Sunday, May 22.
1:30 - 3:00 pm Wednesdays, May 4 - June 4 • Hybrid (Spellman Jr & Zoom)
As we recover from an unprecedented pandemic, many of us are grieving losses. During these past two years, we have lost precious people, lost normal routines, lost special opportunities, and lost social connections. It is important and healing for us to acknowledge these losses. If you would like to receive support, resources, and tools for processing our experiences of grief, please join this support and bereavement group on Wednesday afternoons. For more info or to register, contact Pastor Ann.
Karen Randel, our Financial Assistant, is planning to retire by the end of July. This part-time position (20-25 hrs/wk) reports to the Finance Director and provides assistance and backup in Accounts Payable, Deposits, Payroll and Financial Reporting. Click here for the full job description. All interested candidates should send their resume to Gerry McShane. Click here to see other job opportunities at Westminster.
Yet My Redeemer Lives: Claiming the Easter Promise when the World Is Still Broken
10:45 am Sundays April 24 & May 1 • Hybrid (Spellman Jr. & Zoom)
How do we understand the Easter promise when all creation still groans in pain? Where is God when humans suffer? How are we to live in the real world, with all of its gifts and burdens? The Old Testament offers many perspectives on these difficult questions of human existence. Anne Stewart, who serves as Executive Vice President at Princeton Theological Seminary, will help us sit with Job on the ash heap to consider a range of faithful responses to human suffering and witnesses to God’s redemptive power in times of travail. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.
April 24 - Job and His Friends: Voices of Dissent in the Old Testament
The book of Job is a fascinating and complex dialogue of many responses to human suffering and faithful witnesses trying to make sense of God’s activity in the world. This class will include an introduction to the major questions in the book of Job and engagement with the voices within it, as well as how they might instruct us in the contemporary life of faith today.
May 1 - From the Whirlwind: Meeting God in the Midst of Suffering
Job seeks a meeting with his Maker and has a profound encounter with God. This class will consider the role of God in the book of Job and in the contemporary world, including how the book of Job has been useful to people of faith throughout history in times of significant turmoil.
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. Click here to read more. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.
Finance Director
Westminster is conducting a search for our next Finance Director. Best candidates for this full-time position would have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field, and a minimum of three years’ work experience with a not-for-profit entity. Faith-based experience is a plus. Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to Gerry McShane.
Preschool Director
Do you know the next director of Westminster’s Preschool? We are seeking an individual who will continue the mission of Westminster’s Preschool founded by Jackie Steinmetz, who retires in June. The candidate should have at least a Bachelor's Degree in Education (preferably in early childhood or elementary program), significant teaching experience, supervisory experience, and a working knowledge of basic financial systems and practices. This is a full-time position during the school year with flexible summer hours. Click here to read the job description. Interested candidates should email the Preschool Board.
Childcare Coordinator & Childcare Staff
Do you love God, love children, and want to answer a call to ministry to God’s littlest? We are hiring for a new part-time Child Care Coordinator as well as part-time Child Care Staff. We are gearing up for expanded child care needs as we look toward the Easter season and the summer. Come walk alongside these wonder-filled little people as they begin their journeys through God’s Kingdom. You’ll be abundantly blessed! Contact Jill Reichert for more info.
Financial Assistant
This part-time position (20-25 hrs/wk) reports to the Finance Director and provides assistance and backup in Accounts Payable, Deposits, Payroll and Financial Reporting. Click here for the full job description. All interested candidates should send their resume to Gerry McShane.
3:00-5:00 pm Fri. June 24, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Sat. June 25 & 11 am Sun. June 26
VBS registration is now open to members and active friends. Registration will open to everyone in the community on Easter (April 17). Registration is limited to 20 pre-schoolers and 80 elementary students. Click here to register or to signup to volunteer at VBS. More volunteer info is listed below. Questions? Contact Jill Reichert
We are excited to welcome Becky as our newest part time staff member! As Music Associate, Becky offers her vocal and multi-instrumental gifts to provide musical support to various services including the contemporary, Taizé, and Vespers services. Becky grew up in West Chester and graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelors in Music Education and later a Masters in Music Education. Becky has attended Westminster since childhood and became a church member in 2003. She has been an active participant in the Worship Band since 2010 playing piano, guitar, and singing. Becky teaches middle school choir at Valley Forge Middle School in Wayne, PA. She lives in Downingtown with her husband Andy, son Benjamin, and black lab Cadence. In her free time, Becky enjoys making music, being outdoors, and spending time with her family.
