Current news at westminster
Hybrid worship: One community together in spirit
We offer a hybrid worship experience that engages both in-person and online worshipers, creating a single, unified community that stretches across pews and data streams. Livestream worship is on Facebook Live. Join us in-person or online at 9:30am every Sunday morning!
Loose Offerings
Westminster contributes its “loose change” in the offering plates each month to local organizations who help others in our community. The first Sunday of each month, the loose offerings support Calvary Food Pantry. The rest of the Sundays in May, they support the school costs of 5 children in Uganda through the church's Ugandan Family Education Fund.
Youth Ministries
On Sundays, the nursery is open to children birth-3 years old. Children ages 3 through 2nd grade join Miss Cait in the Worship Center to hear the Parables of Jesus. Children ages 8 and up are encouraged to participate in worship with their families. Our Prayground has a variety of resources for children and youth of all ages, and is a great place for families to worship together.
Deacons’ Service of Healing and Wholeness
Westminster’s Deacons lead a bi-monthly prayer service in the church’s chapel to offer prayer for peace, healing, and wholeness for individuals, our church, our community, our nation, and the world. The service is open to all church and community members, and is a beautiful offering of hope. The next service is Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30pm, with another scheduled for July 9 at 5:30pm. Please come, and invite others who are seeking peace in our fractured and hurting world.
Contemplative Hikes
Join Brian Teucke and other lovers of the trail for monthly contemplative hikes to experience God’s presence in nature in the company of Westminster friends. The next hike is at Fillmore Glen on Saturday, May 17, at 9am
Faith-Filled Steps: Meditative Walks at Hoopes Park
Join us again this spring/summer at Hoopes Park in Auburn which offers a nicely accessible setting for a meditative walk led by Kim Amidon. The format will be somewhat different this year. The walk will begin with a devotional reading followed by very slow/deliberate steps in silence focusing on the presence/guidance of Jesus in our lives. Sharing of observations/insights will be welcomed. The walk will conclude with steps at a standard pace and conversation as one chooses. We will meet at the fountain behind the clubhouse on the following Saturdays: May 31, June 28 and July 26 at 9:00 am, “light rain or shine."
Committees welcome you!
Westminster holds quarterly planning forums to get input, ideas, and inspiration from members and friends about our ministry together as Christians. The work of the church is then largely carried out through our programmatic committees and small groups, who always welcome new members for short-term or longer commitments. Talk to the following committee moderators if you’d like to be more involved, in whatever way and whatever level you choose. Paul Dungey chairs the Worship Committee, Audrey McNally chairs the Christian Ed Committee, Susan Marteney chairs the Mission Committee, and Diane Lehner chairs the Membership Committee. The Social Justice Small Group (Brian and Ashley Teucke) also meets monthly to plan meaningful ways to advance the Matthew 25 work of our church. The Property Committee (Beth Salvage), Finance Committee (Alice Hoatland), and Personnel Committee (Brian Teucke) provide other opportunities to be involved.
Meet & Greets with Pastor Adam
The church is organizing home-based small-group meetings beginning in May for Pastor Adam and Amanda to get to know us and for us to get to know them. If you would like to attend or host one of these get-togethers, please contact the church office at 315-253-3331.
Personal Care Pantry
Westminster’s Personal Care Pantry team welcomes donations for their monthly ministry which provides personal care and cleaning supplies. Items needed are reusable shopping bags and new/unused/unopened shampoo, spray cleaner, dish soap and laundry detergent/pods. Please do not buy or donate any other items. If you have questions or would like to donate supplies, contact Anne Malvaso, Shelley Pantaliono or Susan Marteney.
Presbyterian Heritage
We honor our Presbyterian heritage by remembering our history and celebrating our roots. Foundational to our faith as Reformed Christians are 12 creeds, confessions, and catechisms, which represent historic statements of faith from early times through the present. We display in the narthex the banners which represent our creeds and confessions. Details about each banner are available in the narthex and here.
Closed captioning on Facebook Live
Did you know you can turn on closed captioning for Facebook Live worship? If you are hard of hearing, or want to keep the volume low on your computer, or find that closed captioning helps you follow along better, just follow these simple instructions: https://www.facebook.com/help/427723640933279
Citizen Columns
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen.
2025 columns:
Jill Fandrich's April 13 column: Holy Week and the Triumph of Love
Rev. Adam's Demetros' March 16 column: How do we hold all things together?
Jill Fandrich's February 16 column: Westminster welcomes new pastor
Rob Schemerhorn's January 18 column: Baptism and Change
2024 columns:
Jill Fandrich's December 21 column: Solstice, the Longest Night
Jill Fandrich's November 25 column: Why Kids Belong in Church
Shelley Pantoliano's October 27 column: In the Boat Together
Paul Dungey's September 29 column: Eyes to see, ears to hear
Jill Fandrich's August 31 column: Are old churches a legacy or a burden?
Rev. Joe Tagliaferre's Aug 4 column: Return to Auburn is God's Plan
Jill Fandrich's July 13 column: We have a Prayground!
Shelley Pantoliano's June 8 column: Far from ordinary
Jill Fandrich's May 12 column: Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit
Rev. Pam Masten's April 14 column: Easter and the Total Solar Eclipse
Jill Fandrich's March 17 column: Inside our search for a new pastor
Rev. Pam Masten's February 18 column: Winter and Lent Reflections
Jill Fandrich's January 21 column: The changing nature of Christian Education
Older columns can be found here
Take a virtual tour!
Ever wondered what goes on inside of our big beautiful buildings on William St? Learn more by taking a virtual tour! Check it out here.
The Little Free Library
The Little Free Library in front of our church is always in need of good quality books for children, youth, and adults. You can leave donated books in the library itself or drop them off to the church office. And while you're there, check out the Little Free Library for some new reading material for yourself!
Capital Projects
Our church is more than a building, but we also acknowledge that the historic edifice which houses our ministries is the home in which we meet, worship, work, and serve the community. That home, however, is over 150 years old, and in need of constant care and maintenance. In 2020, we decided to complete a comprehensive property conditions study to efficiently plan for building repairs and renovations. We felt this was the best way to be good stewards of our property and our limited financial resources, helping us prioritize projects in a multi-year plan. Using a grant from the Sacred Sites Program of the NY Landmarks Conservancy, we engaged the services of Beardsley Inc to complete the conditions study. They provided us with a comprehensive study last year, outlining an array of top, medium, and lower priority projects to address over the next five years. We have already undertaken the first phase to abate the water damage to our foundation and walls by diverting storm drainage and installing gutters and downspouts. This work was top priority to stop further damage, and now we are able to can undertake further repairs. The proposed projects for 2023 involve bringing certain items up to code (electrical, lighting, etc.), repointing the masonry where needed, and shoring up the sanctuary basement where needed. These are important for keeping everyone safe and for maintaining the integrity of the buildings’ structure. Here are the documents with details about the capital projects which are priorities at Westminster:
Click here for the assessment of our buildings and capital project recommendations, from the architectural firm Beardsley.
Click here for the slideshow summary of the Beardsley report.
Click here to read the 2024 Annual Report
We offer a hybrid worship experience that engages both in-person and online worshipers, creating a single, unified community that stretches across pews and data streams. Livestream worship is on Facebook Live. Join us in-person or online at 9:30am every Sunday morning!
Loose Offerings
Westminster contributes its “loose change” in the offering plates each month to local organizations who help others in our community. The first Sunday of each month, the loose offerings support Calvary Food Pantry. The rest of the Sundays in May, they support the school costs of 5 children in Uganda through the church's Ugandan Family Education Fund.
Youth Ministries
On Sundays, the nursery is open to children birth-3 years old. Children ages 3 through 2nd grade join Miss Cait in the Worship Center to hear the Parables of Jesus. Children ages 8 and up are encouraged to participate in worship with their families. Our Prayground has a variety of resources for children and youth of all ages, and is a great place for families to worship together.
Deacons’ Service of Healing and Wholeness
Westminster’s Deacons lead a bi-monthly prayer service in the church’s chapel to offer prayer for peace, healing, and wholeness for individuals, our church, our community, our nation, and the world. The service is open to all church and community members, and is a beautiful offering of hope. The next service is Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30pm, with another scheduled for July 9 at 5:30pm. Please come, and invite others who are seeking peace in our fractured and hurting world.
Contemplative Hikes
Join Brian Teucke and other lovers of the trail for monthly contemplative hikes to experience God’s presence in nature in the company of Westminster friends. The next hike is at Fillmore Glen on Saturday, May 17, at 9am
Faith-Filled Steps: Meditative Walks at Hoopes Park
Join us again this spring/summer at Hoopes Park in Auburn which offers a nicely accessible setting for a meditative walk led by Kim Amidon. The format will be somewhat different this year. The walk will begin with a devotional reading followed by very slow/deliberate steps in silence focusing on the presence/guidance of Jesus in our lives. Sharing of observations/insights will be welcomed. The walk will conclude with steps at a standard pace and conversation as one chooses. We will meet at the fountain behind the clubhouse on the following Saturdays: May 31, June 28 and July 26 at 9:00 am, “light rain or shine."
Committees welcome you!
Westminster holds quarterly planning forums to get input, ideas, and inspiration from members and friends about our ministry together as Christians. The work of the church is then largely carried out through our programmatic committees and small groups, who always welcome new members for short-term or longer commitments. Talk to the following committee moderators if you’d like to be more involved, in whatever way and whatever level you choose. Paul Dungey chairs the Worship Committee, Audrey McNally chairs the Christian Ed Committee, Susan Marteney chairs the Mission Committee, and Diane Lehner chairs the Membership Committee. The Social Justice Small Group (Brian and Ashley Teucke) also meets monthly to plan meaningful ways to advance the Matthew 25 work of our church. The Property Committee (Beth Salvage), Finance Committee (Alice Hoatland), and Personnel Committee (Brian Teucke) provide other opportunities to be involved.
Meet & Greets with Pastor Adam
The church is organizing home-based small-group meetings beginning in May for Pastor Adam and Amanda to get to know us and for us to get to know them. If you would like to attend or host one of these get-togethers, please contact the church office at 315-253-3331.
Personal Care Pantry
Westminster’s Personal Care Pantry team welcomes donations for their monthly ministry which provides personal care and cleaning supplies. Items needed are reusable shopping bags and new/unused/unopened shampoo, spray cleaner, dish soap and laundry detergent/pods. Please do not buy or donate any other items. If you have questions or would like to donate supplies, contact Anne Malvaso, Shelley Pantaliono or Susan Marteney.
Presbyterian Heritage
We honor our Presbyterian heritage by remembering our history and celebrating our roots. Foundational to our faith as Reformed Christians are 12 creeds, confessions, and catechisms, which represent historic statements of faith from early times through the present. We display in the narthex the banners which represent our creeds and confessions. Details about each banner are available in the narthex and here.
Closed captioning on Facebook Live
Did you know you can turn on closed captioning for Facebook Live worship? If you are hard of hearing, or want to keep the volume low on your computer, or find that closed captioning helps you follow along better, just follow these simple instructions: https://www.facebook.com/help/427723640933279
Citizen Columns
Westminster is featured in a monthly column in the Auburn Citizen.
2025 columns:
Jill Fandrich's April 13 column: Holy Week and the Triumph of Love
Rev. Adam's Demetros' March 16 column: How do we hold all things together?
Jill Fandrich's February 16 column: Westminster welcomes new pastor
Rob Schemerhorn's January 18 column: Baptism and Change
2024 columns:
Jill Fandrich's December 21 column: Solstice, the Longest Night
Jill Fandrich's November 25 column: Why Kids Belong in Church
Shelley Pantoliano's October 27 column: In the Boat Together
Paul Dungey's September 29 column: Eyes to see, ears to hear
Jill Fandrich's August 31 column: Are old churches a legacy or a burden?
Rev. Joe Tagliaferre's Aug 4 column: Return to Auburn is God's Plan
Jill Fandrich's July 13 column: We have a Prayground!
Shelley Pantoliano's June 8 column: Far from ordinary
Jill Fandrich's May 12 column: Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit
Rev. Pam Masten's April 14 column: Easter and the Total Solar Eclipse
Jill Fandrich's March 17 column: Inside our search for a new pastor
Rev. Pam Masten's February 18 column: Winter and Lent Reflections
Jill Fandrich's January 21 column: The changing nature of Christian Education
Older columns can be found here
Take a virtual tour!
Ever wondered what goes on inside of our big beautiful buildings on William St? Learn more by taking a virtual tour! Check it out here.
The Little Free Library
The Little Free Library in front of our church is always in need of good quality books for children, youth, and adults. You can leave donated books in the library itself or drop them off to the church office. And while you're there, check out the Little Free Library for some new reading material for yourself!
Capital Projects
Our church is more than a building, but we also acknowledge that the historic edifice which houses our ministries is the home in which we meet, worship, work, and serve the community. That home, however, is over 150 years old, and in need of constant care and maintenance. In 2020, we decided to complete a comprehensive property conditions study to efficiently plan for building repairs and renovations. We felt this was the best way to be good stewards of our property and our limited financial resources, helping us prioritize projects in a multi-year plan. Using a grant from the Sacred Sites Program of the NY Landmarks Conservancy, we engaged the services of Beardsley Inc to complete the conditions study. They provided us with a comprehensive study last year, outlining an array of top, medium, and lower priority projects to address over the next five years. We have already undertaken the first phase to abate the water damage to our foundation and walls by diverting storm drainage and installing gutters and downspouts. This work was top priority to stop further damage, and now we are able to can undertake further repairs. The proposed projects for 2023 involve bringing certain items up to code (electrical, lighting, etc.), repointing the masonry where needed, and shoring up the sanctuary basement where needed. These are important for keeping everyone safe and for maintaining the integrity of the buildings’ structure. Here are the documents with details about the capital projects which are priorities at Westminster:
Click here for the assessment of our buildings and capital project recommendations, from the architectural firm Beardsley.
Click here for the slideshow summary of the Beardsley report.
Click here to read the 2024 Annual Report