Westminster Presbyterian Church

Nominating Committee - Call for Nominations
2025-09-01
There are exciting things happening every day in the life of the church and new leaders are needed to continue our good work. You are invited to share in the leadership as a:

Ruling Elder for a 3-year term who is responsible for leadership, governance and worship
Deacon for a 3- year term who embody acts of care, compassion and service
Member of the Nominating Committee who find others to serve as leaders
Member of the Endowment Committee for a four- year term to help guide new ministries and invest in the future of our church

Our congregation is blessed with an abundance of potential leaders so keep your nomination confidential to everyone to allow the committee to do its work with care and compassion for others.
If you would like to serve, or if you know of members who have the gifts for these important roles, please email:
Emily Shubilla at shubilla@westminster-church.org by Monday, September 1.
For more information, go to https://westminster-church.org/event/nominating-committee-call-for-nominations/.

Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study
2025-09-03 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Room 231
This group studies one book of the Bible at a time, a few verses at a time. The goal is to get a better understanding of scripture and what it means to each of us. In a dedicated but relaxed setting, we discuss our insights from the biblical passages that have been read in advance. We welcome and encourage questions and comments on the selected scripture passages. We invite you to join us for our weekly study each Wednesday at 9:00 AM in room 231.

Celebration Sunday
2025-09-07 | Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 7 – After all three services in Fellowship Hall.
Join us to celebrate the beginning of a new season and time at the church! We will join together in Fellowship Hall after each worship service to walk through a beautiful photo gallery and listen to leaders of our church share about their ministries. There will be plenty of kid- friendly snacks and light bites to enjoy.

LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together)
2025-09-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-09-25 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-30 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Memorial Parlor
LIFT is a place where we gather for fellowship first. The role of the reading content is to guide us in our faith journeys and dialogues, but it is not a requirement. The facilitator will always come prepared and have read, but our group insights are what make LIFT what it is. As always, perfect attendance and is not expected and there are no missing homework penalties. We hope to grow, laugh, and get to know you better this fall at LIFT.
Meeting Dates: Every Thursday through November 13, 2025
Meeting Times: 7:00-8:30 pm
Meeting Location: Memorial Parlor at Westminster
Reading Material: Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans

Organ Recital: Christopher Keenan
2025-09-21 14:30 - 15:30 | Galbreath Chapel
Westminster Music & Arts presents Christopher Keenan in a recital celebrating the 10th anniversary of Westminster’s beautiful Taylor and Boody organ. The program will include music of Bach, Vivaldi, Buxtehude, and Lübeck.
Free admission; freewill offering.
Chris Keenan began studying organ at the age of 14 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Peabody Conservatory and doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He is the founder of the Franklin Chamber Choir, a professional choral ensemble based in Franklin, Tennessee. Chris participated in the 2015 Buxtehude International Organ Competition, the 2017 Silbermann International Organ Competition, and the Inaugural 2018 Boston Bach International Organ Competition. After several years working for various churches, he decided to return to school and currently attends the University of Pittsburgh, where he is pursuing his M.D. degree while directing the music at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church.
Read about the organ here: https://westminster-church.org/music-choirs/
Watch part of Christopher Keenan’s performance at Westminster Organ Summer 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3YuUhhijFs
For a map to the church, click here. You will enter through Door 6.

Haiti Gathering
2025-09-27 11:00 - 15:30 | Fellowship Hall
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (lunch served at 12:00 p.m.)
Fellowship Hall
All are welcome to meet and greet Pastor Evens and a surprise guest!
This will be an opportunity to meet and talk with Haiti friends, new and old, hear Pastor Evens discuss the status of the school and churches, and address the current and future mission needs. We will also highlight opportunities to expand donations through Child Sponsorship and the “Pocket Change Project.”
Please RSVP to 1haitichildsponsor@gmail.com or conley1973@verizon.net so we know how much food to order.

3rd & 7th Grade Bible Presentation & Workshops
2025-10-05 08:30 - 13:00 | All Worship Services
On Sunday, October 5, children and youth in 3rd and 7th grade will be presented with Bibles during worship. In addition, children in 3rd and 4th grade are invited to attend Kids’ Connection on Wednesday evenings in October to learn all about their new Bibles.
If you wish for your child to receive a Bible, please register them here: https://onrealm.org/WestminsterChurchUSC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OTg2NzAxMTItMjQxMy00YjAzLTlkZDctYjM1YTAxMmE3YWY4
The deadline to register for participation in Bible Sunday on October 5th is Wednesday, October 1. If you miss this deadline and still want a Bible, please let us know!
Anyone who has not received a Bible is welcome to register for one regardless of grade.
Questions, contact Faith Kemmler or Laura Ecklin.

Bible Sunday: October 5
Workshops: Wednesdays in October from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Veritas Thanksgiving Food Drive
2025-10-06 - 2025-11-12 | Room 283 – Youth Classroom
Veritas is going out into the community to collect food donations for SHIM’s food pantry. This time of year generates the greatest need and SHIM relies on us to help fill the shelves and feed families for the holiday season.
Every year, Veritas collects food ‘competition style’ and consistently collects thousands of items every time.
Students will go to local neighborhoods and distribute informational fliers on Wednesday, November 5 and then pick up donations on November 12.
If you would like to support SHIM and the youth, please drop off donations to the church office before November 12 or donate at the link below.
https://onrealm.org/WestminsterChurchUSC/give/SHIM
By text message: Text WPCUSC SHIM to 73256

Centering Prayer Book Group
2025-10-06 18:30 - 20:00 | via ZOOM
We begin with a period of silent centering before discussing the reading. We read spiritual non-fiction books selected by the group. Our current book is Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times by Gregory Boyle. All are welcome to join us at any time. Contact Karen Rossi for zoom link karenrossi1540@gmail.com.

Fall Festival
2025-10-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Gilfillan Farm
Join us for an afternoon of fall fun featuring pumpkins, a food truck, crafts, games, and more! The Roaming Bean and Frank’s Pizza & Food Truck will be on site selling delicious eats. Enjoy the grounds at Gilfillan Farm as you decorate pumpkins, play fall games, adventure through a scavenger hunt, and delight in the fall season with family and friends. In the event of inclement weather, the event will move to Fellowship Hall. Contact Faith Kemmler at kemmler@westminster-church.org for questions.

Catacombs - Veritas Youth
2025-10-24 19:00 - 23:59 | Room 283 – Youth Classroom
Students in 7th-12th grade are invited to one of our most popular events – Catacombs! This church wide game of hide and seek with a Biblical history is a crowd favorite as we explore the depths of the building in the dark. This is a great event to invite friends to! Registration deadline is October 17th. No late registrations will be accepted. Contact Harrison Burgess with any questions.
Catacombs Sign-Up Link: https://onrealm.org/WestminsterChurchUSC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NjRkNmJiOGMtNjNmNy00YmZiLWFmM2MtYjM1NTAxMDczZGNj
Veritas Annual Registration is also required for event participation: https://onrealm.org/WestminsterChurchUSC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YjkxYzExMDctNjMxZS00NGNmLTg5YzUtYjMyODAxMDRmY2Qz

Westminster Walkabout Tour of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
2025-10-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Please join the Westminster Walkabouts on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 11 am for a tour of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Founded in 1794, the Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Our tour will include the Barbour Library (one of the larger stand-alone theological libraries in the United States) and the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology. In addition, we will learn about the next generation of seminarians. The Seminary is hosting our group for lunch.
RSVP due by Monday, October 27 to Deborah Waller, 412-760-7523.

Communion Servers Needed
2025-11-02 08:30 - 2025-11-30 12:00 | All Worship Services
Attention all ordained Elders and Deacons: We are in need of communion servers to help on the first Sunday of each month. You do not need to be actively serving on Session or the Board of Deacons. Your ordination is lifelong. Sharing the bread and cup is a joyful way to participate in Christ’s welcome and grace. And if you’re new to serving communion, we’ll show you how!
Needed for first Sundays, all worship services.
Please contact Laura Bentley at bentley@westminster-church.org.

Volunteer Training: Emergency Response
2025-11-08 09:00 - 23:00 | Sanctuary
Safety and security are of the utmost importance at Westminster and to help prepare us for a variety of situations, we will be hosting a Volunteer Training. Ushers, receptionists, and any other volunteer is welcome to come and hear an active shooter presentation from the USC police, followed by some refreshments and time for discussion. Please RSVP on Realm or to Emily Shubilla at shubilla@westminster-church.org by Wednesday, November 5. RSVP here

Vivaldi's Gloria
2025-11-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary
The Westminster Chancel Choir and Soloists, directed by Christine Hestwood, will present Vivaldi’s Gloria in concert with the Academy Chamber Orchestra, and Jim Burns on harpsichord. This concert will occur during the 11:00 service on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

Bair Foundation Christmas Gift Drive
2025-11-14 00:00 - 2025-12-07 12:00
Unwrapped gifts accepted until Sunday, December 7 at 12:00 p.m.
Westminster is once again partnering with the Bair Foundation to provide Christmas gifts for 300 foster children in the local Pittsburgh area. Tags are back on the trees in the north and south entries of the church or visit our Amazon list at WestminsterGives.com to ship your gift to us.

Veritas - Granny Bingo
2025-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Fellowship Hall
Grab your best granny outfit and head down to the hall at your local church to play bingo with your friends! Pizza will be served and prizes will be won.
Please register online so we can do accurate pizza math by November 10th. https://onrealm.org/WestminsterChurchUSC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YThlZDRiODctNDBkMy00MDBjLThlOTEtYjM3YzAxMTRiYTZm

Donuts with the Deacons
2025-11-16 | Welcome Center
Stop by for a donut and learn more about what the Deacons do at Westminster! Deacons will be available in the Welcome Center after every worship time to share about what it means to be a Deacon and the various ministries of our Deacons.
Dates/Times: November 16 following all worship times
Locations: Welcome Center (traditional worship) and WROC (Bridge worship)

WROC Talk: The Legacy of Freedom House Ambulance Service: A Lesson in Resiliency, Perseverance and Determination
2025-11-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Fellowship Hall
Freedom House Ambulance Service was established in 1967 by Freedom House, a Pittsburgh civil rights organization that offered training and assistance to unemployed Black men and women. This service was created for the people of the Hill District who were not receiving the care that was needed, and because of this, we now have the emergency services that we know of today across the U.S.
Join us as John tells the extraordinary story of an unjustly forgotten group of Black men in Pittsburgh who became the first paramedics in America, saving lives and changing the course of emergency medicine around the world.
About the Speaker
John Moon is a former Freedom House emergency medical technician and retired Assistant Chief of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Service. John was raised in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and joined Freedom House, America’s First Emergency Medical Service, in 1972. He continued to work in emergency medicine for more than five decades and now works to preserve Freedom House legacy and mentor the next generation of emergency and community responders in Pittsburgh.
Register today.

Volunteer Bake and Make Event
2025-11-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Fellowship Hall Kitchen
Join us to make sandwiches and meals to benefit StreetMOMs. Please register here: https://bit.ly/4oXrkxP or to Emily Shubilla at shubilla@westminster-church.org.

Family Gingerbread House Night
2025-12-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Fellowship Hall
Enjoy a casual evening as a family as you build a gingerbread house together. There will be no JAM or Kids’ Connection this evening. RSVP not required, but greatly appreciated as it aids us in planning for a night of family fun! RSVP here: https://bit.ly/wpcgingerbread25

Veritas Winter Retreat 2025
2025-12-05 - 2025-12-07 | Crestfield Camp & Conference Center, 195 Taggert Road, Slippery Rock, PA, 16057, United States
Veritas will join other youth groups from the Pittsburgh area at Crestfield Camp & Conference Center for a weekend retreat. This retreat is open to students in 7th-12th grade. Registration closes on Monday, November 10th. Contact Harrison Burgess with questions.
Registration Link: https://onrealm.org/WestminsterChurchUSC/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZjUwY2MzNjMtYmFmNC00ZjQwLWI1NGEtYjM3YTAwMmI3MGYy

Christmas Flower Delivery
2025-12-08 - 2025-12-21
Spread joy this Christmas with a poinsettia. Join the Deacons in delivering poinsettias to folks who are unable to come to church on Christmas Eve. RSVP to Emily Shubilla by December 21.
Put a smile on someone’s face with a poinsettia.

A Quiet Christmas
2025-12-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Sanctuary
Our Quiet Christmas service will dial back the frenzy of the holidays. We will acknowledge the physical darkness outside and that pressure for all to be perfect amidst an elusive melancholy. In this service we will listen to readings, sing our hopes, rest in the warmth of candlelight, feel the comforting presence of others, and open ourselves to receive God’s gift of peace.
