Upcoming Events

Help us come together to package as many as 30,000 meals to help communities facing hunger to meet their basic needs. It starts with a meal, and it starts with you! Volunteer for a 1.5 hour shift. Click here to register. Unable to volunteer? We need donations too! It costs 40 cents per meal to run this event. $85 will fund meals for one child for a full school year. Donations to Rise Against Hunger can be made online or by check to Westminster Presbyterian Church with RAH in the memo field. Questions? Contact Angela Emrich.

You won't want to miss this concert! Under the direction of Ron Bellamy, the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble is comprised of auditioned, advanced-level handbell ringers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Their repertoire spans original compositions, transcriptions of classical literature, and arrangements from a wide array of musical genres. No tickets, free-will offering. Join us for this joyful concert! Questions? Contact Ron Bellamy.

Taizé worship includes various prayers, meditative readings of Scripture, an extended period of silence, and communion. This service is in person and live stream.  

Hosted by The Mental Health & Addiction Awareness Team, the Wellness Fair provides opportunities to better understand substance abuse, addiction, and other related health issues. Drop off unwanted or expired prescription drugs at a Mobile Medication. Join us for NARCAN training. Other community resources will be available. Look for other ways to improve your physical and mental wellbeing by reading the April Wellness Newsletter. Questions? Contact Pastor Ann Hatfield.

Join us for a Community Naloxone Training presented by Chester County’s Overdose Prevention Task Force. This life saving training will briefly review what opioids are, what naloxone is, how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, and lastly how to access drug and alcohol services in Chester County among other resources. Questions? Contact Brenda Schivito.

10:45 am Sundays May 5 & 12 • Spellman Jr & Zoom
This two week series is led by Dr. Manfred Brauch, Ph.D., a native of Germany, came to the United States in 1953 and became a U.S. citizen in 1959. Dr. Brauch taught New Testament Interpretation for 8 years at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Over 26 years at Eastern Baptist/Palmer Theological Seminary he held the positions of Academic Dean, Professor of Biblical Theology, and President. Click here to attend via Zoom.

Part 1: What is Christian Nationalism? (and the ideology of White Supremacy, which often walks hand in hand with White Christian Nationalism)

Part 2: Tracing the Historical Roots of Christian Nationalism and its various manifestations across the centuries, from the 4th Christian century to the present: "Christian Nationalism Across the Centuries and its Tragic Consequences"

Part 3: Christian Nationalism in Biblical Perspective: We will explore how "Christian Nationalism" is a contradiction in terms, in light of the central teachings of the earliest Christian texts. This is true especially from the perspective of the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus, in which human understandings and uses of power – to control, restrict, oppress, exclude and manipulate -- are decidedly  rejected as contrary to the divine purposes for human-life-in-community. 

We will reflect on how abusive uses of biblical texts in support of Christian Nationalism (and "white supremacy”) results in a "Christian Heresy" -- namely a violation of core values and beliefs of the Christian faith.

Join our monthly book group in discussing Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish. From Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elizabeth Strout comes a poignant, pitch-perfect novel about a divorced couple stuck together during lockdown — and the love, loss, despair, and hope that animate us even as the world seems to be falling apart. To join or questions, contact Linda Davis.

The West Chester Senior Center is seeking healthy snack products and meal items they can set out on tables for their community. These items must be shelf-stable or remain fresh for a few days with a minimum of refrigeration. Items desired include pasta, pasta sauce (no glass containers), applesauce snack packs, fruit cup snack packs, cheese and cracker snack packs, canned tuna or chicken, cheese sticks, cereal bars, and bagged fresh fruit. There are no minimums or limits to the quantities. Pick up is Wednesday, Questions? Contact Gail Tanzola-Seymour.

Inquirer/New Member Class

Membership is often a natural next step for those who have already attended our church and begun to explore our ministries.  Joining a church is not like joining a club.  There are no dues or secret handshakes.  The only requirement is a profession of belief in Jesus Christ.  Whether you are proclaiming this belief for the first time or restating your commitment along with a letter of transfer from a former church, we rejoice with you!

Interested to learn more about or become a member of Westminster? This class is for you! All are welcome. There’s no obligation to join. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Childcare can be available if requested. The goals of the class are to:

Increase awareness and understanding of

• The basics of Christian faith and practice
• The Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Westminster Presbyterian Church

Provide experiences of

• Christian community as a place of support and encouragement
• Reflection and conversation on God’s relationship with us

Provide opportunities for:

• Deepening our commitment to Jesus Christ
• Making friends through the class
• Discovering ways to connect with ministries of Westminster

All are welcome. Register online. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark. 

Looking for new plants in your garden this year? Needing to divide your perennials? Check out Westminster's plant share! Drop off a plant or seeds to share on Saturday, May 18, under the front portico and then stop by Sunday morning to pick up a new plant.  Even if you don't share seeds or a plant, you may pick up a new plant! All plant donations should be labeled and indicate what type of light the plant requires (full sun, partial or shade). Please be conscious of bringing non-invasive plants to the plant share. Click here to see a list of PA's invasive species. Questions? Contact Rick Griste.

Footsteps, our walking Fellowship group, invites you to take a casual walk at Okehocking Preserve. Questions or more info? Contact Tim & Anne Jaques.

Monday-Friday June 24 - 28 (8 am - 12 pm with optional afternoon component from 12-4 pm)

Camp SPARK (Spiritual Practices And Recreation for Kids) is a NEW summer children's program! This camp will share the worship, ministry, and mission of Westminster with our community. We hope you’ll join us! This year's theme is I'm So Blessed! The morning activities will focus on Worship Arts or things you experience in worship while the afternoon will focus on Westminster's ministry and mission.

Pricing*: 

• $150/child for morning only camps (Family max - $250)
• $250/child for full day camp (Family max- $500)

*Scholarships/Sponsorships available as needed
*Discounts available for adult family members who volunteer

Register: 

• Register for Full Day Camp SPARK (Rising K-5th Grade)
• Register for Morning Only Camp SPARK (Rising K-5th Grade)
• Register for Pre-K (4&5 year olds)

Questions or for more info, contact Jill Reichert.

Volunteer for Camp SPARK

We are launching a new summer program this summer! Camp SPARK (Spiritual Practices And Recreation for Kids). Monday-Friday (June 24-28) 8am-12pm with optional afternoon component (12-4pm).

Ages: Pre-K (4-5, one year prior to Kindergarten) – Morning Only
K-5 (rising) – Morning and Optional Afternoon

We need LOTS of adult and youth volunteers to help workshop leaders in the morning and afternoon, and just general help to keep the cogs turning throughout the day:

Morning Workshops: Creative Words in Worship, Drumming, Music/Chorus, Dance/Movement, Worship Technology, Storytelling/Drama

Afternoon Workshops: Baking, Knitting/Weaving, Wood Projects, Gleaning Garden/Care of Creation, Art, Outreach/Service Projects, Rec/Games, Pickleball

If you can help a workshop leader or offer general help, please sign up TODAY!

• Register to volunteer for Full Day Camp SPARK
• Register to volunteer for Morning Only Camp SPARK
• Register to help with Pre-K

All adults must have background clearances completed. Please connect with Jill Reichert. We are excited to share the worship, ministry, and mission of Westminster with our community. We hope you’ll join us!