The murder of Ahmaud Arbery highlights how white supremacist violence is bolstered by people in positions of power and closely tied to police and the courts. One of the assailants, Gregory McMichael, is a former Glynn County police officer and a former investigator with the local district attorney’s office. Standing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is advocating 4 ways to take further action in the aftermath of the arrest of the two suspects. Click here to learn more.

April 26, 2020

The Session began their meeting over “Zoom” at 1:00 PM. Ruling Elders Present: Ruthie Buck, Jim Cauthen, Wayne Cilimberg, Hal Collums, Dana Eastman, John Echeverri-Gent, Anne Hedelt, David Heflin, Dan Heuchert, Will Hochstetler, Rebecca McGregor, Mike Moore, Alyce Outlaw, Meredith Powell, Nadine Roddy (Stated Clerk), Candace Spence, Ellen ThomasClarke, Sabra Timmins, Irene Townsend, Ken Young. Teaching Elders Present: Dorothy Piatt, Lynne Clements, Ken Henry. Also present: Barry Parks, Recording Clerk; Megan Sharp, Director of Fine Arts; Sandy Wilcox, Church Administrator.

Key:  M/S/C (Moved/ Seconded/Carried)

Action—Westminster Child Care Center.  A written request for rent relief from the WCCC Board of Directors was presented by Sandy Wilcox.  Nadine Roddy moved to waive the rent for the month of April 2020 and postpone a decision on the following months until the May 17 Stated Meeting of Session. (M/S/C) 

Action—Worship at WPC. Hal Collums made the motion that WPC continue the suspension of in-person worship services from May 1 through June 7, 2020. (M/S/C) In lieu of in-person worship during this period, pastors and staff will continue to use video and audio technology to provide a weekly worship experience on Sunday mornings. The Session will re-evaluate the situation at their May 17 Stated Meeting to determine whether it would be advisable to resume in-person worship (in some form) on June 14. 

Action—Paying our Hourly Employees. Anne Hedelt moved that we continue compensation for our laid-off hourly employees (nursery workers and Assistant Sexton) from May 1 through June 7, based on the hours that would normally be worked during this time period. (M/S/C)

Action—Rugby Entrance Improvement Project. Wayne Cilimberg moved that the session allocate approximately $5,500 of previously approved funds to pay for additional costs associated with plan/permit revisions and, if necessary, the removal of the stump of the large ash tree that was recently cut down. (M/S/C)

Dorothy Piatt closed the meeting with prayer at 2:23 p.m.

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

Although we can’t gather face to face at this time, we’ve created this slide show of the friends and families of Westminster. Now you’ll at least remember what we look like! Take a look and see if you recognize any friends!