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News - News, February

Join Westminster’s Lenten Plastic Water Bottle Challenge!

35 billion empty water bottles are thrown away in the US each year; only 12% of them are recycled. Bottled water consumption has been growing by 10% per year in the US. Some statistics are just too huge to comprehend… and maybe a little overwhelming to know what do to change them, but here at Westminster we have an idea.

 

Lent is a great time to take up a new habit, and our Westminster Care of Creation Committee has a great suggestion for you. Join our Plastic Water Bottle Challenge and use Lent as a time to stop using plastic water bottles and instead use those reusable water bottles. (We know you all have a kitchen drawer with lots of them rolling around!). We would love to know how Westminster is making an impact – so please sign up on the Outreach notice board for our Plastic Water Bottle Challenge – add your name and let us know how many bottles you think you will NOT use during Lent. Looking for other ideas to be mindful about the environment - take a look at the Presbyterian Tread Lightly Lenten Calendar – a day by day prompt of scripture, useful links and worthwhile causes. If you are interested in getting involved in our Care of Creation team, contact Anne Jaques or Laura Davis.

Ash Wednesday at a Glance

Morning Worship
9:10-9:30 am Wednesday, February 22 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Prayer, Communion, Imposition of Ashes.

 

Pancake Dinner
6-7 pm Wednesday, February 22 • Spellman Hall
Start the Lenten season with our annual pancake supper. Gather with your Westminster family for dinner and fellowship followed by the Ash Wednesday worship service. Suggested dinner donation is $5/person or $10/family.

 

Evening Worship
7 pm Wednesday, February 22 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Traditional service with imposition of ashes.

 

Walk the Stations of the Cross
We will place our Stations of the Cross in each window of the Sanctuary. Come and walk the Stations around the Sanctuary.

Earthquake Response Efforts for Syria and Turkey

As the news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquakes that happened near the border between Syria and Turkey, we invite you to join us in prayer and support for all the communities impacted by this disaster. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has already contacted partners in the areas affected by the earthquakes and aftershocks. Along with our prayers, PDA has offered help and will be providing grants to meet immediate needs. Your donation will help PDA provide recovery efforts in areas impacted by the destruction. Click here to support the PDA's efforts or make checks payable to Westminster Presbyterian Church, designating “Earthquake Response” in the memo line. We will forward the collected funds to PDA. Click here for updates on the response efforts. Thank you for your generosity!

Child Care, WeeConnect, and KidsConnect Leaders Needed

From just this fall, we have seen increased registrations from 51 children to over 120, with many new families coming and that is WONDERFUL! It also means we need to reframe how we are doing things because on any given Sunday we have classrooms that are at capacity. That means we need your help. We need more leaders in order to expand into more spaces.

Can YOU fulfill your Baptismal vows in this way? We will train and equip you. We will nurture you and provide the resources that you need... but we need you. All of those children need you. You are 100% guaranteed that these children will bless you beyond measure. What is the time commitment? Childcare volunteers help on an as-needed basis when staff are unavailable or we need to add adults to keep a safe adult/child ratio. WeeConnect and KidsConnect help on a rotating basis, approx. monthly, with a small team of other leaders. If this is not the position that you feel is for you, think about someone you know that might just be perfect to work with our children. Questions or interest in helping? Email Jill Reichert for more info.

Now Hiring: Childcare Coordinator

These kids and many, many more need us! Our current Child Care Coordinator, Sarah Perry will step down at the end of the month. Sarah has done a wonderful job for us and we will miss her deeply, and offer abundant blessings on her and her family. This means that we must again fill this position with someone who loves God’s children, has great organizational skills, and has the opportunity to spend an average of 5-7 hours per week with the position. Click here to read the job description. Email Jill Reichert, Director of Children and Family Ministries for more info.

Receive Our Bi-Monthly Outreach Email

This new bi-monthly email, The Nerve to Serve, shares 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.

Join A 2023 Lenten Study Group!

The Call: The Life and Message of The Apostle Paul, a Six-Week Lenten Study by Adam Hamilton

What would lead a first-century rabbi to travel thousands of miles by sea and land, to be beaten, imprisoned, and ultimately beheaded for his faith? It was a call- a call to turn the world upside down. This is the story of the Apostle Paul, whose writings continue to shape the lives of one-third of the world’s population and whose witness defines what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Join Adam Hamilton for a six-week video journey to the lands where Paul traveled, preached, suffered, and triumphed. Participants are encouraged to get a copy of Adam Hamilton’s book, The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul. As a Lenten spiritual practice, consider joining a Lenten Study Group! You can learn more about each group via the group contact person. Or gather some friends and form your own Lenten study group. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.

Hybrid: Sunday Journey Class

10:45-11:45 am Sundays, Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2 • Zoom & Spellman Jr.
Facilitators: Chris Clark, Jennie Clark, Ann Hatfield, & Leah Hrachovec
Click here to attend via zoom. • Contact: Jennie Clark

In Person Only: Monday Men & Women Group

7-8:30 pm Feb. 27, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 • McFalls home
Facilitators: Ed and Diane McFalls
Contact: Ed McFalls

Hybrid: Bi-Weekly Tuesday Men & Women Group

7-8:30 pm Feb. 21, Mar. 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2 • Huddell Home & Zoom
Facilitator & Contact: Gary Huddell 

Hybrid: Wednesday A Gathering of Men Group

7-8:30 pm Wednesdays, Mar. 1, Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5 • Spellman Jr. & Zoom
Facilitator & Contact: Gerry McShane

Support Act in Faith

ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester is an interfaith organization that helps individuals and families with immediate needs. Staff and volunteers work to stabilize households, encourage self-sustainability, and build community. Westminster’s Outreach Committee is collecting full-size personal care items for ACT in Faith during February. Please bring donation items to church and place them in the marked bins located near Café 10 West. Here is a list of needed items:

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Bar soap
  • Hand soap
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Gloves (men’s in particular)