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A Letter from Pastor Ann Hatfield

Dear members and friends of Westminster,

With much appreciation tinged with sadness, last Tuesday the Session of Westminster received Rev. Ann Hatfield’s plans for retirement in early 2025. We collectively offered to God our great thanks for Ann’s 14 years of faithful pastoral ministry among us at Westminster as she has guided our outreach, congregational care, and served as a faithful pastor and friend among us. 

In the time to come before Ann’s retirement from installed ministry in February 2025, we will have opportunities to celebrate her ministry, thank her for her leadership and service at Westminster, and pray with Ann as she moves toward this milestone. Please read Ann’s message below. 

In Christ,

Leah Hrachovec

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Dear Westminster Members and Friends,

After much prayer and reflection, I have made the decision to retire in early 2025.  It has been my great privilege to serve in ministry with you all for the past 14 years.

When I accepted the call to Westminster in January 2011, little did I imagine the amazing experiences I would share with you as an associate pastor with this congregation.   During our years together, I have had the honor of leading weekly worship, praying by bedsides, serving the community, and officiating at weddings and funerals.  We laughed and cried together.  Some of my favorite moments have been celebrating communion and baptizing babies – such sacred and joyful moments in the life of this faith community! 

It has been a great joy and blessing in my life to serve as a pastor of this incredible church.  As I say goodbye, please know that I do so with a heart full of deep gratitude to the staff and congregation.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside you in so many ways.  I will always cherish the memories and friendships I have made during these years.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “I am about to do a new thing.”  I believe this verse is true for both Westminster and me.  In 2025, I will be joining the ranks of the retired, along with my husband, Jim, who begins the sixth year of his retirement.  Together, Jim and I look forward to welcoming our first grandchild in early March; so, an exciting “new thing” in my life is being a grandmother! 

And I trust God also will continue to do new and wonderful things in and through Westminster next year and beyond.  As I embark on a new chapter of my life, I pray this congregation continues to be a vibrant and active expression of Christ’s body.

Thank you again for your expressions of love, support, and prayers throughout the years.  May God’s grace and peace be with you all!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ann Hatfield


Plan Your Christmas Eve Schedule

Tuesday, December 24
We look forward to welcoming you and your household for this holiest day! 

10 am Children & Family Christmas Eve Worship
Children’s Choir • In Person & Live Stream

3 pm Contemporary Christmas Eve Worship
Worship Band • Leah Hrachovec preaching • In Person & Live Stream • Nursery (6 months – 4 years)

5 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Worship
Youth Choir • Leah Hrachovec preaching • In Person & Live Stream • Nursery (6 months – 4 years)

7 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Worship
Chancel Choir and Brass • Leah Hrachovec preaching • In Person & Live Stream • Nursery (6 months – 4 years)

9 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Worship
Chancel Choir and Brass • Leah Hrachovec preaching • In Person only

11 pm Lessons & Carols Worship
Communion • In Person Only


Help Decorate or Assemble Christmas Eve Luminaries

We are bringing back luminaries for Christmas Eve. We can’t wait to add more beauty and welcome to this holy night! We invite you to take home a white luminary bag and ponder these questions on your own or with your family:

  • Where do you notice signs of Christ’s peace in a conflicted and violent world?
  • When have you ever been surprised by God’s grace?

Click here for more info. We also need your help assembling, staging and/or lighting the luminaries. You are welcome to sign up for more than one slot. Click here to sign up.


Update from the Thrift Shop

The Westminster Thrift Shop Board of Directors donated $35,000 to the Thrift Shop Mission Fund in recognition of the thrift shop’s 35 years of outreach ministry. The revenue generated is a result of the congregation’s generous donations to the Westminster Thrift Shop. Recipients of this donation will be publicized at a later date. 


Elves Still Needed to Support Our Giving Tree

Help to make this holiday season special for those in need to share God’s love at Christmas! The need for gift donations is even greater this year. Click the name of the organization to see the gifts needed: Pocopson Nursing HomeMigrant Ministries, Domestic Violence Center, Family Promise, and Bridge of Hope. Simply click the link, sign up for the gifts you wish to purchase, and follow the directions provided. Drop off your gifts in the Narthex on Sunday, December 1 or 8. We will deliver the gifts on December 11. If you need to make other arrangements for drop off, just let us know. Questions or assistance with gift delivery, contact Angela Emrich or Debbie Zakarian.


Be a Candle Lighter in Worship this Advent!

We need advent candle lighters during Sunday worship in Advent and on Christmas Eve. You can do this as an individual, family or with a friend – the possibilities are plentiful! You will be provided with the instructions ahead of time as well as any readings if there are any, though it may simply be lighting the candle for that particular Sunday. Click here to sign up. Questions? Contact Pastor Jon.


Thank You for the Thanksgiving Feast!

Thank you to everyone who donated turkeys, hams or grocery gift cards on Sunday. We collected over100 turkeys and over $400 in gift cards which we will use to purchase turkeys and hams for families this Thanksgiving!

We also collected 132 blankets and distributed them to the Tick Tock Early Learning Center, Chester County Migrant Ministries, the Community Warehouse, Prevention Point of Philadelphia, the West Chester Food Cupboard, the St. Agnes Day Room and Safe Harbor. 


We’re Grateful for You!

As we head into Thanksgiving week we want to take a moment to thank you for your gifts to Westminster. Your time and talents as well as your financial gifts make Westminster’s life thrive. We’re grateful for the 358 households who committed $1,570,152 as a promise for Westminster’s future in 2025. If you have not done so already, there is still time fill out an Estimate of Giving card. We challenge you to work toward a tithe (10% of your income). Thank you for your support of Westminster’s mission and ministry in 2025. Questions?  Contact Sandy Kurek.