Westminster Presbyterian Church

On July 21, Westminster held its first Braver Angels gathering in the Club Room after the second service. We had a great turnout with about 45 people and a delicious summer salad potluck. Braver Angels is a national, cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement whose mission is to bridge the nation's political divide. Its leaders facilitate community gatherings to provide a welcoming space and prompts for conversation to uncover our commonalities. After a brief presentation, Eileen Jacobowitz, our Braver Angels facilitator, asked attendees to pair up to hold two conversations. Our prompts were: How does your faith inform your political and social beliefs? and What is the most urgent topic on your mind today?

The conversations are designed to encourage listening and learning rather than changing participants' minds, to reach a better understanding of each other. Westminster hopes to hold future Braver Angels events, with potential future topics such as election integrity and skills workshops such as "Depolarizing Within" and "Bridging the Divide." We encourage you to attend and to invite others who may differ from you politically.

More snapshots from SSP! 📸

1.-5. Westminster got to work as a team on Friday of SSP Week!

6.-9. SSP Spirit Walk at Crissey Field State Recreation Site just across the Oregon border.

At Westminster, we are proud to see our youth serve others in our community, our state, and the world. Our summer mission trips have helped the elderly, poor, and marginalized, as our faith directs. We have learned that in giving, we receive. Our youth leave for summer missions focused on themselves and return focused on others, with a new understanding of faith-based service. These priceless experiences are administered through the Christian-based Sierra Service Mission Project, which has organized trips for over 40 years.

These life-altering mission trips would not be possible without the dedicated support our youth receive from the entire congregation or the adult chaperones. Thanks for your support and prayers!

Snapshots from our Youth with the Sierra Service Project!

VBS: Band Together’s first day was so much fun! In the morning, the children were greeted by fun music. Then the children learned how to blow paint with straws to make outlines of colorful music notes, and enjoyed some free time play with balloons where they learned about static electricity, and played foosball and ping pong together! What a great first today together!

Westminster was at Pride to support our LGBTQIA+ siblings! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped spread the message of love and belonging to the greater Sacramento community and reaffirm to our LGBTQIA+ members that Westminster will continue to learn how to better support and uplift LGBTQIA+ people as beloved children of God!

Thank you to Jerry, Joseph, Foster, Jonathon, Robin & Jeff, Reggie, Pastor Celeste, Cisco & Francisco, Blakely & Lily, Judy, Allyson, Todd, Connie, Jill, Nancy, Wendy & Mark, and Gordon & Meg.

Westminster staff celebrated Brad’s achievement of 1,000 Music At Noon concerts this week. Jennifer Reason, the musical guest for the 1000th concert, highlighted all that Brad has done for the music community throughout this wonderful concert series. For 23 years, Music At Noon concerts have given the stage to different music styles, and through that musical diversity, has made space for the wider community here at Westminster. Thank you, Brad!

You can view all the current and past Music At Noon concerts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNkNpUFl5hI&list=PLKV5GDEzWIMwge1vNoZiHQhq4iiFqTvDQ

Westminster will again have a booth at the Sacramento Pride Festival on June 8th and 9th this year. This is a great opportunity to let the LGBTQ+ community know they are loved and welcome at our church! We are looking for volunteers to sit at the booth for 2-hour shifts on either day, and free entry to the festival will be provided. If you are interested, please get in touch with Joseph Gormley.

For more info, check the Sacramento Pride website:https://sacramentopride.org/pride-festival-info/

More snapshots of the All Church Retreat! Thank you Ted Yannello for the photos!

The retreat was generative and lively and we are all excited about the possibilities that Celtic Christianity opens up for our worshipping community!

Thank you to the All Church Retreat team! This year's retreat focused on Celtic Christianity, especially the idea that all creation is divine and good and how that could resonate in our church community and the wider community. Special thanks to Pastor Celeste and Betsy, Director of Children and Youth Ministries, for leading the worship services and workshops!

This past Sunday, Westminster held its annual talent show in support of the youths' service projects. So much talent was shared through the wonderful acts, including a fabulous performance of Sir Elton John’s Your Song, which you can see on our Instagram!

The talent show wouldn’t have happened without all of our volunteers! Thank you to the volunteers who made the delicious lunch, those who served attendees, and the youth who helped with the raffle.

This last weekend, Millie participated in the 30-Hour Famine service project. Before they began their service project, the youth had a chance to enjoy the beauty of the Russian River. Later in the day, Redwood Gospel Mission workers and Millie gave out Blessing Bags in the center of Guerneville. At the end of the day, we joined the youth from Faith and Carmichael Presbyterian Churches for communion by the ocean at Goat Rock Beach.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” - Romans 12:10

This Sunday begins our second set of mission study sessions. There are three dates that you can choose from to attend. Join us and make sure your voice is heard! The Mission Studies will lead us to Westminster's vision and the search for a pastor who will fit that vision!
***Please be aware that the April 10 Mission Studay at 6 p.m. will be held in the Social Hall***


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Please get in touch with Judy Bittinger if you want to be added to the Tables of 8 contact roster by April 6th. New groups will run from May to August.

Tables of 8 is a chance for groups of 8 adults from WPC to gather about once a month to share a meal and conversation.

Snapshots of our annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children!

What are you looking for?
The light before dawn.
What are you looking for?
A reason to hope.
What are you looking for?
Joy after grief and flowers after winter.
What are you looking for?
A place to belong.
What are you looking for?
We are looking for the Messiah.
Good news! Welcome! Love is alive!
Surely God is in this place.
CHRIST IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Westminster has long supported all the good works that Loaves and Fishes do by providing an oasis for homeless men, women, and children seeking survival services in Sacramento. Please consider supporting this great cause!

This morning a guest said, "I'm so tired of sleeping outside. There's bugs and dirt, and it's wet. I just need a tent and tarp, please."

We were able to support her with survival items, but we can always use more, as the weather is rough on our guests. Help us support the survival of vulnerable folks by donating today.

You may ship items to the address listed as well.

We are so grateful to be the recipient of Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Giving Tree! The wonderful gifts of clothing and toys will bring good cheer to our newcomers this holiday season. ❤️