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News - News, March

Westminster has Certified as a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregation for the 3rd year!

Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example. The Earth Care Pledge recognizes congregations that integrate environmental practices and thinking into the worship, education, facilities, and outreach.

"Westminster is just one of the 305 churches in our denomination that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year. This congregation’s activities and commitment brings hope to their community and indeed to the world. We believe that Westminster Presbyterian Church will inspire others to respond intentionally to God’s call to care for the earth, says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Look out for our upcoming Earth Day event on April 23 in Spellman Hall. If you are interested in getting more involved in WPC’s Care of Creation team or have ideas, please contact Anne Jaques or Laura Davis.

Order Your Easter Flowers!

If you’d like to order an Easter Spring Flower in memory of or in honor of a loved one or friend, contact Barb Drain with your name and the dedication you would like listed in the bulletin. The cost this year is $15. Orders will be taken through Monday, April 3. Session also encourages those who wish to make a contribution to the Endowment Fund in memory or honor of a loved one or friend to do so; names will also be listed in the bulletin.

Learn about VBS Plans with DJ Cupcake & Super Zuzu

DJ Cupcake introduces Miss Jill to Super Zuzu. Watch this 5 minute video to learn about the fun summer plans they have for anyone 4-104You won't want to miss it!

Holy Week & Easter Sunday Schedule

Holy Week Labyrinth
Our labyrinth will be set up during Holy Week in Spellman Hall. All are invited to walk the labyrinth. This is an opportunity to reflect upon Jesus and the events of this week that lead to the cross. Walking the labyrinth is prayer in motion. Walking invites us to be open to God who is on the journey with us. There will also be stations around the outer perimeter of the labyrinth with a special Scripture and reflection for each day of Holy Week. 

Palm Sunday Traditional Service
9:30 am April 2 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
The Chancel Choir and KidsJAM help lead this traditional Palm Sunday service. Children (and their parents, if they wish) are welcome to gather in the Narthex before the service for a procession of palms at the beginning of worship. Childcare provided for children under 3.

Palm Sunday Contemporary Service
11:00 am April 2 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Our worship band helps lead this contemporary Palm Sunday service. Children (and their parents, if they wish) are welcome to gather in the Narthex before the service for a procession of palms at the beginning of worship. Childcare provided for children under 4.

Maundy Thursday
7:30 pm April 6 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Hear the Passion story in a worship service with scriptures and the Stations of the Cross. Celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's supper and reflect on Jesus' last supper. Worship will also include hymns and then watch as the chancel is stripped of all the familiar Christian symbols before you leave the Sanctuary in silence.

Good Friday
12:00 pm April 7 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. The hours of noon to 3 p.m. are particularly significant as these commemorate the time Jesus hung on the cross. This worship service will include prayers, moments of silent reflection, and music.

 

Easter Vigil
5:00 pm April 8 • Chapel & Live Stream
Join us for the first service of Easter. This is a Taize service with communion, baptism, hymns, and scripture readings from the old and new testament.

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service
6:00 am April 9 • Courtyard
Join us as we journey around the Westminster building as we celebrate Christ's resurrection! We begin in candlelight in the courtyard and travel to the crosses, memorial graden, and we end the service in the Sanctuary. Communion is served at this service. Following this service enjoy a light breakfast in Café 10 West.

Easter Sunday Traditional Service
8:00 am April 9 • Sanctuary
A brass ensemble helps lead this traditioal Easter service.

Easter Sunday Traditional Service
9:30 am April 9 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
The Chancel Choir and brass ensemble helps lead this traditional Easter service. Childcare provided for children under 3. Older kids are invited to a Easter storytelling, egg hunt and decorating a flower cross following the thought for children.

 

Easter Sunday Contemporary Service
11:00 am April 9 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Our worship band helps lead this contemporary Easter service. Childcare provided for children under 4. Older chidren are invited for a time of Godly Play following the thought for children.

Help Prepare the Gleaning Garden for the 2023 Season

Spring is almost here, and time to prepare WPC’s Gleaning Garden for another year of growing vegetables to donate to local food cupboards. In 2022, we donated almost 400 pounds of produce, and every year the need is greater. We can use your help! Our schedule is very flexible and weather-dependent in March and April. We will plan a couple of workdays (2-3 hours) to prepare the beds, add bags of compost, and repair the fences. Planting begins mid-March. We will plant spinach seedlings and peas around March 22, and more spinach, lettuce and turnips in mid-April. Harvesting those items usually begins mid-May, when we also plant our warm weather crops. Want more info or have time to help, contact Anita Gordon. 

A Pray Ground Experiment… what is a Pray Ground?

Here at Westminster, we believe that children are integral members of the body of Christ and should be able to be in worship with their families. Learning how to worship is kind of like learning how to swim--you can only learn how to swim by getting in the water. We want kids to know how to worship by giving them space to observe, participate, and experience worship in a new way. During Lent, we are introducing spaces called Pray Grounds along the sides of our Sanctuary by the window benches. These spaces, which is pictured above, are areas geared towards young children and will provide a comfortable, welcoming space for our youngest worshipers to engage in items from the worship carts and allow them a space more suitable for them to be a part of the worship service. Our first step will be to use mats to help visually designate the spaces. There will also be bean bag chairs and pillows for comfortable seating and propping. Other items may be added as the weeks go on. Come and check out the pray grounds during Lent! If the spaces are well-received by our families, we will look to continue the practice and even add improvements to the spaces. We look forward to welcoming our children in new and comfortable ways!

Register for the Women's Retreat!

Friday, April 28 & Saturday, April 29

This year we are once again 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 Wholehearted Living with speaker Rev. Patty Stoltzfus. We invite women to join us as your schedule allows. Come for the full retreat on Friday and Saturday, or Friday or Saturday only. Click here to read more. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.

Donate Briefs for Broad Street Ministry

In March we are collecting new men’s boxers and briefs, and new women's underwear, all sizes, for Broad Street Ministry (please NO children's underwear). We all take underwear for granted, but our friends at BSM do not have such basic necessities. You can order online and have them mailed to the church (attention to the Outreach Committee at 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd. West Chester, PA 19382) or drop them off in the bins in Café 10 West. Questions? Contact Lisa Merrill.

Mental Health and Addiction Awareness Highlight

Westminster’s Mental Health & Addiction Awareness team will host a Wellness Fair on Sunday, May 21. Additional information coming soon. Please plan to join us and save the date! Until then, if you are looking for help to better understand substance abuse, addiction, and other related health issues, we encourage you to consider the resources provided by Be a Part of the Conversation - Free Family Recovery Course. This organization supports families impacted by addiction. Please remember you are not alone. Question? Contact Pastor Ann Hatfield.