The Westminster Seminars offer a dynamic schedule of topics to help us live more fully as thoughtful Christians in today’s world. Everyone is always welcome. Come when you can – no preparation or homework.

The Zoom option makes it easy to catch a seminar if you aren’t at church. For most seminars, you can watch or listen later on the Westminster website under News & Media: https://www.westminster-church.org/news-&-media/westminster-seminars.

Join Zoom Meeting
The Zoom meeting opens at 9:30.
us02web.zoom.us/j/86753114914?pwd=UmxkMWF0RUdCT1FoV3AxUlZ4REhtZz09
Meeting ID: 867 5311 4914
Passcode: 209681

Embracing Mysticism, Near-Death Experiences, and Spiritual Encounters

Sunday, November 24
Graham Standish, Executive Director, Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting

Christianity grew out of incredible spiritual experiences. It flourished because of people's incredible God-experiences throughout history. Churches grow when they help people experience God. Do we still nurture God-experiences in our churches, or do we look at them with suspicion? Are churches safe places to share spiritual experiences, or places to hide our experiences lest we be judged? Based on his decades of study, work, and ministry, the Rev. Dr. Graham Standish will help us both understand and embrace spiritual experiences so that we can discover God throughout all of life.

The Rev. Dr. Graham Standish is Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting (www.samaritancounseling.net), where he is also the director of its Caring for Clergy and Congregations program. He is a spiritual director and clergy coach for pastors, consults with churches, and offers groups and workshops on church health and growth. For 22 years he was senior pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, a church that was studied by researchers for its innovative approaches to creating a spiritually grounded church. He is the author of numerous articles and ten books on spirituality and congregational transformation, including his most recent, Preaching to Those Walking Away. He has a PhD and MA in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University, a MSW from the University of Pittsburgh, and a MDiv from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he has also been an adjunct professor. He also has experience as an individual, marital, family, and group therapist in psychiatric, pastoral counseling, and drug and alcohol settings. Finally, and most important, he is husband of Diane, and the father of twin girls, Erin and Shea.

God in Unexpected Places: Preparing Ourselves to Celebrate Christmas

Advent Series
December 1, 8, 15, 22
John Burgess, Professor of Theology, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

The shepherds found Jesus where they least expected: in a manger in a stable. This series will explore the unexpected ways in which God still comes to us today. Using art, music, and prayer, we will ask how we might quietly prepare ourselves to recognize Immanuel, “God with us,” in our busy, distracted world.

John Burgess is professor of theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the author of books about Scripture and the sacraments, and a Presbyterian minister who has learned much from Orthodox, Catholic, and Reformation Protestant spiritualities.

The seminars will take a break on December 29 and resume on January 5!