All Westminster members are invited to the the Congregational Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22. The purpose of the meeting is to nominate and elect trustees, receive the church budget, and vote on the Pastors’ Terms of Call. Everyone is welcome to a sumptuous meal in Fellowship Hall following the meeting. Annual Reports from the church’s divisions, committees, boards and pastors, as well as the church budget, are available here. Please review these documents prior to the meeting. If you choose to participate in the meeting via live-stream, remain on the live-stream following the 11 a.m. service. Send your votes into Barry Parks by email. Questions? Contact Ashley at .
Worship, Pray, and Sing with Us
Worship Services
January 29, 2023- 4th Sunday after Epiphany
January 22, 2023- 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, followed by the Congregational Annual Meeting
January 15, 2023- 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
(no live-stream due to technical difficulties)
January 8, 2023- Baptism of the Lord
January 1, 2023- 1st Sunday of Christmas
December 29, 2022- Phil Best Memorial Service
December 24, 2022- Christmas Eve
December 18, 2022- Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2022- Third Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022- Second Sunday of Advent, Special Music Sunday
(no live-stream due to technical difficulties)
Let Us Build a House
Worship
Your pledge to Westminster supports our pastors who preach the Word of God, lead, teach and empower us to serve Christ. This stimulates us to grow as disciples and share God’s love. In response to the recent pandemic, your support has allowed us to provide regular worship services online and reach new worshippers seeking spiritual guidance during these challenging times. The church continues to welcome visitors and new members, while many church members assist with the worship services. Your generosity will enable us to return to worshipping in a well-maintained and welcoming sanctuary once it is safe to do so.
Westminster Benevolence Community Partner Report: AIM
The Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM) is a part of the ministry of Westminster Church as we seek to support important work beyond our church walls that fulfills our mission, sustained by grace, to serve Christ, share God’s love and work for justice in a complex world.
The Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM) was formed by a group of Charlottesville churches years ago to centralize requests for assistance. Westminster’s Pastor Bill Smith was a founding pastor of AIM. Currently, Westminster Church is grateful to have member, Rich Gregory, actively involved as Interim Treasurer and serving on the AIM Board, and to Crystal Steiger-Smith, immediate past Board member.
For the last several years including in 2020 Westminster Church contributed $10,000 annually to AIM’s work.
AIM works with the working poor in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. AIM’s purpose is to provide temporary emergency assistance to families threatened with homelessness, loss of power or fuel, or other temporary financial crises.
AIM has developed a domestic violence fund to help victims of violence get new housing.
AIM and PACEM have started a senior housing fund that helps homeless people older than 55 get permanent housing.
In 2019 AIM served over 1,500 people in Charlottesville and Albemarle County with various needs, primarily housing-connected. AIM “moves mountains for the needy” and finds housing for threatened families within hours. AIM found housing for 30 potentially homeless seniors, and a number of threatened families and children.
AIM advocates with the city, county and UVa for more safe affordable housing. They alerted the community about issues such as the Belmont Apartments where affordable units were threatened with demolition.
Through direct financial assistance, AIM provided funds to pay utility costs preventing evictions and loss of service to approximately 300 households.
AIM advocates for the residents in our community in need by helping them work through the social service network, linking them to appropriate service providers, helping them get a handle on their finances. AIM is a last resort committed community resource and advocate for our neighbors of individuals and families, but it is also usual – before even the pandemic – that AIM is long on needs and short on funds.
For further information contact:
Rich Gregory, Interim Treasurer
(434) 989-8857
Kimberley Fontaine, Director
(434) 972-1704
Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM)
Located at:
1807 Emmet Street North, Suite 6A
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Mailing address:
PO Box 7331, Charlottesville, VA 22906
Website: www.aimcville.org