Archives for 2019
Mission Endowment Proposals Due Oct. 8
Westminster Presbyterian Church invites proposals to be supported from its Mission Endowment Fund for Fall 2019. Proposals are due to be received by the Church office by noon on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Funding for 2019 is anticipated to be $12,000, to support one or more startup activities or new innovative projects that fulfill our mission to build a more just and peaceful world. Selected proposals may be eligible for several years of funding as long as suitable progress toward the goals is evident, funds are available, and given recommendations and approvals.
The committee seeks proposals that are transformative for the people served, and invite engagement from members of our worshipping community as well. We hope our support will be more than monetary, and that projects such as these can become yeast for a mission-driven congregation.
Westminster Presbyterian is a congregation formed in 1938 to minster to the University of Virginia community. We think of ourselves as a socially progressive Christian community, currently comprised of about 600 members. We are active locally and internationally in many causes through congregational financial support and volunteerism, but feel a call to serve even more through expanded engagement of our members.
Proposals should describe the project objectives, should include a budget, identify assessment methods and a commitment to report by the next fall. Proposals should not exceed three pages in length, and should be addressed to
Mission Endowment Committee
Westminster Presbyterian Church
400 Rugby Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Funding decisions are anticipated by December 2019 for the Mission Endowment Fund.
Disbursements are subject to Session approval.
Autumn at Westminster means many things: the university begins its school year (and we have a new associate pastor for that ministry!), our regular worship schedule returns with Sunday services at 8:30 and 11 a.m., the church school year begins with classes for adults, youth and children at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, and the full choir gets back to its joyful work of bringing beautiful music to worship. On September 8 at 9:30, we’ll enjoy breakfast, information about many of our ministries; games for kids who will meet their teachers; plus photos and reflections from youth pilgrimage to the Tetons. Join us!
The Grand Adventure: Pilgrims in the Tetons
Last summer, a group of 15 youth and adults headed to the Grand Tetons on Pilgrimage 2019: The Grand Adventure. It was a year in the making and much longer in the preparing. The group went hiking, horseback riding, visited Yellowstone, took part in an environmental service project, enjoyed cooking and singing around a campfire and sleeping in lux-yurts! Each day, the group gave thanks for moments of wonder and took part in times of silence and sharing.
We are grateful that WPC takes seriously the baptismal promise of caring for and nurturing the faith of its children and youth through its financial and spiritual support of this important part of the youth ministry here.
Environmental Forum
Recently, Westminster hosted an Environmental Forum with Teri Kent from the Charlottesville Climate Collaborative (or C3). Teri spoke about C3’s initiatives such as the “Better Business Challenge” and the “Home Energy Challenge,” initiatives designed to empower the community to take more decisive steps to address climate change. Indeed, C3 has been instrumental in getting the Charlottesville City Council and the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to strengthen their climate action programs/standards. I will be working with Claire to help host house “power parties” in the future with members of the congregation as a way to introduce them to the goals and principles of the “Home Energy Challenge.”
Kendyl Crawford, who had returned to Westminster, discussed Virginia Interfaith Power & Light’s efforts to advocate for environmental justice, such as in the cases of the Atlantic Coast Pipelines Buckingham County Compressor Station and the Chickahominy Power Station. The most impacted by climate disruption, communities of color often live (near) the sites of fossil fuel infrastructure, fracking, oil spills, asthma-inducing pollution, and other environmental hazards. Faith communities are able to hold decision-makers accountable. The group’s advocacy efforts will culminate in Richmond on January 22, 2020, with a legislative lobby day at the beginning of the VA General Assembly Session.