Current news at westminster
Click here for the March/April newsletter
Interim Update
Westminster is currently in an interim period between called pastors. The Rev. Dr. Pam Masten is providing temporary pastoral leadership January through April 2024. In addition to Pam’s leadership, many church leaders are faithfully doing the work of the church. The PNC was elected by the congregation to search for a new pastor and meet weekly on Thursdays. They are currently reviewing matches made through the Church Leadership Connection (CLC), the denomination’s matching site for churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking calls, and following up with candidates with whom they’d like conversation. Please keep the PNC members in your prayers as they go about this important work.
Read more about the interim period here.
Growing deeper. Reaching wider.
Lent is a period of reflection and repentance that leads us to the promise of hope in Easter. Lent began on Ash Wednesday (this year it was February 14) and lasts for 40 weekdays, reminding us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness as he prepared for his public ministry. The Ministry Team has chosen the theme “Growing deeper; Reaching wider” for this season, reflecting the goals of individual spiritual growth as well as community witness and service. You are invited to take part in the worship, education, and mission activities described in this Lenten flyer as you prepare your hearts this Lenten and Easter season at Westminster. The Ministry Team has also prepared a daily Lenten calendar to help you "grow deeper and reach wider" during Lent.
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!
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter
Pastor Pam Masten will lead worship Sundays at 9:30am. Her sermons will reflect on the themes of wilderness and “Growing deeper. Reaching wider.”
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on March 24, followed by a pancake breakfast social hour with pancakes prepared and served by the youth.
On Good Friday, March 29, Pastor Pam will lead a special Good Friday service in the chapel at 12 noon, with light lunch to follow in the social room.
Easter Sunday March 31 will begin with a Sunrise Service at 6:15 am at St Joseph’s Cemetery with Rev Larry Bell. Worshipers are invited to gather at the top of the hill by the large cross. Twilight begins at 6:20 with full sunrise at 6:45. Dress warmly!
Easter worship continues at 9:30am with a traditional service in the sanctuary with spring flowers, glorious music, readings and message led by Pastor Pam, followed by an egg hunt for the kids.
Christian Education opportunities
There’s something for everyone in faith formation and education! The Christian Ed Working Group and CE staff have made exciting plans for children and youth. In addition to the Children’s Worship Center for ages 3 years through grade 2, plans include incorporating more music, stories, and crafts in the nursery, and offering a new weekly lesson called "Worship & Wonder" following the children’s message for kids in grades 3-6.
Join The Westminster Choir
Westminster's vocal choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the upstairs choir room adjacent to the choir loft. Adults and teens are welcome. Please contact Lori Rhodes Pettit with questions.
Children’s Worship Center
What is the Children’s Worship Center? It’s a place for children to worship God! Following the children’s message kids ages 3 years through grade 2 are invited to join story teller Noel Cregg for a song, story, meditative work time and prayer. The stories are told chronologically beginning with Old Testament stories in the fall, and follow the church
Loose Change Offering
We designate the "loose offerings" to local organizations and programs which serve the community and people in need. Contributions are made in the offering box in the narthex, by mailing checks to the office, or through online giving on the church website. The first Sunday of each month, loose offerings support the Calvary Food Pantry. March loose offerings support Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds beds for children who don’t have one; their slogan is “No kid sleeps on the floor in my town.” April loose offerings will support the Adaptive Design program at ARISE, which brings together community members to design and build customized equipment and devices for adults and children with disabilities. To donate online, please click here.
Lenten Soup & Study Series "Reflections on the Psalms"
The third and final “Soup & Study” on Reflections on the Psalms will be Wednesday, March 20. Westminster members and friends are invited to gather in the Social Room for a light meal of soup and bread at 5:30pm, followed by a reflection led by the Rev. Janet Newman. The group has been looking at a variety of Psalms of different types-- joy, praise, lament, sorrow-- and considering how they speak to us today. The meal is provided by volunteers. All are welcome.
Adult Forums in March: Being a Matthew 25 Church
Westminster is a “Matthew 25 Church,” calling us to actively engage in the world around us. Gather in the Social Room following worship March 3, 10, and 17 for Adult Forums on how we live out the “reaching wider” part of our Lenten theme “Growing deeper. Reaching wider.” Childcare is available during the education hour. On March 17, Pastor Larry Bell will talk about Emily Howland, educator, philanthropist, and suffragist from Sherwood NY. Larry is on the board of the Howland Stone Store Museum, which has extensively restored Opendore, the home of Isabel Howland. Learn more about Emily Howland, the Quaker woman who worked tirelessly to teach freed slaves, obtain suffrage for women, and better the lives of others.
Adult forums in April will focus on stewardship. Pastor Pam Masten will lead a discussion about the theological basis for stewardship on Sunday April 7 following worship. The second Sunday, April 14, we will hear about stewardship of our property and how our building needs to be maintained and used for God’s work. On Sunday, April 21, the day before Earth Day, we’ll hear about stewardship of our environment, with an update on Owasco Lake from representatives from OWLA (the Owasco Watershed Lake Association). Childcare is available during the education hour.
One Great Hour of Sharing
During Lent, we collect the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. For 75 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. OGHS supports the Presbyterian Disaster Program, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People. Fish banks have been distributed and are still available in the narthex. The offering will be received and dedicated on Palm Sunday, March 24.
Calling all volunteers!
In response to all the new offerings for children and youth, we are seeing more and more children and families regularly attending church. Because of this, we hope to expand our current team of volunteers to help in the nursery, assist in the Worship & Wonder class, and/or assist with monthly youth programs. If you'd like to be involved as an occasional sub or a regular helper, talk to Noel Cregg.
Donations for homeless outreach
After Nicole Gee’s presentation to the congregation on March 3, many people asked how they could support the work of the Housing & Street Outreach of the Cayuga Community Health Network. Westminster is responding by collecting donations of the most needed items. See Nina Wickett at the table in the narthex for more information, including a list of needed items (also available here).
Home Communion
The Deacons visit with homebound members and friends, bringing communion to those who are unable to come to church. If you or a family member would like this, please email Melanie at office@westminsterauburn.org.
Ministry Teams and Small Groups
What is this new Ministry Team process all about!? You’ve heard that we are experimenting with a new way to plan worship, Christian Education, Mission and fellowship, but how does it work? Does it replace committees? Can you really sign up for short term commitments? How is it going? Read more here! Small Groups are another of the initiatives from the Holy Conversations report. Read more about Small Groups and other ministry opportunities here.
Gilchrist Scholarship Applications
Applications for scholarships from the Douglas J. Gilchrist Scholarship Fund are due April 1, 2024 in the church office. Scholarships are for Westminster members attending accredited institutions of higher education. The application form and guidelines are available in the church office and here. Questions can be directed to Monta Faye Tuxill, chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Rummage Sale 2024
Clean out those closets and your kitchen, basement, shed and more to be ready for Rummage Sale 2024 on June 7 and 8 in the Great Hall. The rummage sale will benefit the Ugandan Family Education Fund. Starting now, items can be dropped off on the stage of the Great Hall. No clothing, electronics (old computers and such), or moldy books. DO NOT leave items in the work room or the downstairs hallway; take to the stage. After-church drop-off dates have been scheduled for May 5 and 19. Helpers are needed! Sorting Days are scheduled for May 29 from 1 – 4; May 30 from 4 – 7; June 3 from 10-2; June 4 from 4-7; June 5 from 1 – 4; and June 6 from 3 – 6 pm. Questions? Contact Susan Marteney.
Refresh
Refresh Women's Spirituality Group will meet on Saturday, March 9 and April 13 at 10:00 am via Zoom. The group will begin discussing “The Chosen”, starting with Session 1, Episode 01-I Have Called You By Name. All women are invited.
Contemplative Hikes are back!
Contemplative hikes resume this month! Brian Teucke will lead the monthly contemplative hikes, starting on Saturday, March 23, at 10am at Carpenter Falls and Bahar Preserve in Niles. Brian has planned a great schedule for hikes in 2024, which includes some challenging trails and some easy ones! Everyone is welcome, so spread the word!
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.
2024 columns:
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!
Personal Care Pantry
The Personal Care Pantry is looking for volunteers to host the once-a-month Give-away days on the last Wednesday of each month from 10 am - 12 noon. Guests may select from a variety of items such as soap, cleaner, TP, deodorant and more. Westminster volunteers assist with selection from a cart and bagging; there is no need for record keeping. Personal care items are purchased with funds from the Mission Committee. If interested in hosting one Wednesday or picking up the items at a local store, contact Anne Malvaso or Susan Marteney.
Coat Tree
The Mission Committee has set up the Coat Tree in the hallway of the Education Building to provide coats, gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need of warm winter clothes. If you have gently used, clean coats (adult’s or children’s), please consider donating to the coat rack. Please hang your coats on the rack and place winter hats, gloves and scarves in the boxes below.
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 Holy Conversations strategic visioning report (2022)
Click here to read the 2023 Annual Report
Interim Update
Westminster is currently in an interim period between called pastors. The Rev. Dr. Pam Masten is providing temporary pastoral leadership January through April 2024. In addition to Pam’s leadership, many church leaders are faithfully doing the work of the church. The PNC was elected by the congregation to search for a new pastor and meet weekly on Thursdays. They are currently reviewing matches made through the Church Leadership Connection (CLC), the denomination’s matching site for churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking calls, and following up with candidates with whom they’d like conversation. Please keep the PNC members in your prayers as they go about this important work.
Read more about the interim period here.
Growing deeper. Reaching wider.
Lent is a period of reflection and repentance that leads us to the promise of hope in Easter. Lent began on Ash Wednesday (this year it was February 14) and lasts for 40 weekdays, reminding us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness as he prepared for his public ministry. The Ministry Team has chosen the theme “Growing deeper; Reaching wider” for this season, reflecting the goals of individual spiritual growth as well as community witness and service. You are invited to take part in the worship, education, and mission activities described in this Lenten flyer as you prepare your hearts this Lenten and Easter season at Westminster. The Ministry Team has also prepared a daily Lenten calendar to help you "grow deeper and reach wider" during Lent.
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!
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter
Pastor Pam Masten will lead worship Sundays at 9:30am. Her sermons will reflect on the themes of wilderness and “Growing deeper. Reaching wider.”
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on March 24, followed by a pancake breakfast social hour with pancakes prepared and served by the youth.
On Good Friday, March 29, Pastor Pam will lead a special Good Friday service in the chapel at 12 noon, with light lunch to follow in the social room.
Easter Sunday March 31 will begin with a Sunrise Service at 6:15 am at St Joseph’s Cemetery with Rev Larry Bell. Worshipers are invited to gather at the top of the hill by the large cross. Twilight begins at 6:20 with full sunrise at 6:45. Dress warmly!
Easter worship continues at 9:30am with a traditional service in the sanctuary with spring flowers, glorious music, readings and message led by Pastor Pam, followed by an egg hunt for the kids.
Christian Education opportunities
There’s something for everyone in faith formation and education! The Christian Ed Working Group and CE staff have made exciting plans for children and youth. In addition to the Children’s Worship Center for ages 3 years through grade 2, plans include incorporating more music, stories, and crafts in the nursery, and offering a new weekly lesson called "Worship & Wonder" following the children’s message for kids in grades 3-6.
Join The Westminster Choir
Westminster's vocal choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the upstairs choir room adjacent to the choir loft. Adults and teens are welcome. Please contact Lori Rhodes Pettit with questions.
Children’s Worship Center
What is the Children’s Worship Center? It’s a place for children to worship God! Following the children’s message kids ages 3 years through grade 2 are invited to join story teller Noel Cregg for a song, story, meditative work time and prayer. The stories are told chronologically beginning with Old Testament stories in the fall, and follow the church
Loose Change Offering
We designate the "loose offerings" to local organizations and programs which serve the community and people in need. Contributions are made in the offering box in the narthex, by mailing checks to the office, or through online giving on the church website. The first Sunday of each month, loose offerings support the Calvary Food Pantry. March loose offerings support Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds beds for children who don’t have one; their slogan is “No kid sleeps on the floor in my town.” April loose offerings will support the Adaptive Design program at ARISE, which brings together community members to design and build customized equipment and devices for adults and children with disabilities. To donate online, please click here.
Lenten Soup & Study Series "Reflections on the Psalms"
The third and final “Soup & Study” on Reflections on the Psalms will be Wednesday, March 20. Westminster members and friends are invited to gather in the Social Room for a light meal of soup and bread at 5:30pm, followed by a reflection led by the Rev. Janet Newman. The group has been looking at a variety of Psalms of different types-- joy, praise, lament, sorrow-- and considering how they speak to us today. The meal is provided by volunteers. All are welcome.
Adult Forums in March: Being a Matthew 25 Church
Westminster is a “Matthew 25 Church,” calling us to actively engage in the world around us. Gather in the Social Room following worship March 3, 10, and 17 for Adult Forums on how we live out the “reaching wider” part of our Lenten theme “Growing deeper. Reaching wider.” Childcare is available during the education hour. On March 17, Pastor Larry Bell will talk about Emily Howland, educator, philanthropist, and suffragist from Sherwood NY. Larry is on the board of the Howland Stone Store Museum, which has extensively restored Opendore, the home of Isabel Howland. Learn more about Emily Howland, the Quaker woman who worked tirelessly to teach freed slaves, obtain suffrage for women, and better the lives of others.
Adult forums in April will focus on stewardship. Pastor Pam Masten will lead a discussion about the theological basis for stewardship on Sunday April 7 following worship. The second Sunday, April 14, we will hear about stewardship of our property and how our building needs to be maintained and used for God’s work. On Sunday, April 21, the day before Earth Day, we’ll hear about stewardship of our environment, with an update on Owasco Lake from representatives from OWLA (the Owasco Watershed Lake Association). Childcare is available during the education hour.
One Great Hour of Sharing
During Lent, we collect the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. For 75 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. OGHS supports the Presbyterian Disaster Program, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People. Fish banks have been distributed and are still available in the narthex. The offering will be received and dedicated on Palm Sunday, March 24.
Calling all volunteers!
In response to all the new offerings for children and youth, we are seeing more and more children and families regularly attending church. Because of this, we hope to expand our current team of volunteers to help in the nursery, assist in the Worship & Wonder class, and/or assist with monthly youth programs. If you'd like to be involved as an occasional sub or a regular helper, talk to Noel Cregg.
Donations for homeless outreach
After Nicole Gee’s presentation to the congregation on March 3, many people asked how they could support the work of the Housing & Street Outreach of the Cayuga Community Health Network. Westminster is responding by collecting donations of the most needed items. See Nina Wickett at the table in the narthex for more information, including a list of needed items (also available here).
Home Communion
The Deacons visit with homebound members and friends, bringing communion to those who are unable to come to church. If you or a family member would like this, please email Melanie at office@westminsterauburn.org.
Ministry Teams and Small Groups
What is this new Ministry Team process all about!? You’ve heard that we are experimenting with a new way to plan worship, Christian Education, Mission and fellowship, but how does it work? Does it replace committees? Can you really sign up for short term commitments? How is it going? Read more here! Small Groups are another of the initiatives from the Holy Conversations report. Read more about Small Groups and other ministry opportunities here.
Gilchrist Scholarship Applications
Applications for scholarships from the Douglas J. Gilchrist Scholarship Fund are due April 1, 2024 in the church office. Scholarships are for Westminster members attending accredited institutions of higher education. The application form and guidelines are available in the church office and here. Questions can be directed to Monta Faye Tuxill, chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Rummage Sale 2024
Clean out those closets and your kitchen, basement, shed and more to be ready for Rummage Sale 2024 on June 7 and 8 in the Great Hall. The rummage sale will benefit the Ugandan Family Education Fund. Starting now, items can be dropped off on the stage of the Great Hall. No clothing, electronics (old computers and such), or moldy books. DO NOT leave items in the work room or the downstairs hallway; take to the stage. After-church drop-off dates have been scheduled for May 5 and 19. Helpers are needed! Sorting Days are scheduled for May 29 from 1 – 4; May 30 from 4 – 7; June 3 from 10-2; June 4 from 4-7; June 5 from 1 – 4; and June 6 from 3 – 6 pm. Questions? Contact Susan Marteney.
Refresh
Refresh Women's Spirituality Group will meet on Saturday, March 9 and April 13 at 10:00 am via Zoom. The group will begin discussing “The Chosen”, starting with Session 1, Episode 01-I Have Called You By Name. All women are invited.
Contemplative Hikes are back!
Contemplative hikes resume this month! Brian Teucke will lead the monthly contemplative hikes, starting on Saturday, March 23, at 10am at Carpenter Falls and Bahar Preserve in Niles. Brian has planned a great schedule for hikes in 2024, which includes some challenging trails and some easy ones! Everyone is welcome, so spread the word!
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.
2024 columns:
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!
Personal Care Pantry
The Personal Care Pantry is looking for volunteers to host the once-a-month Give-away days on the last Wednesday of each month from 10 am - 12 noon. Guests may select from a variety of items such as soap, cleaner, TP, deodorant and more. Westminster volunteers assist with selection from a cart and bagging; there is no need for record keeping. Personal care items are purchased with funds from the Mission Committee. If interested in hosting one Wednesday or picking up the items at a local store, contact Anne Malvaso or Susan Marteney.
Coat Tree
The Mission Committee has set up the Coat Tree in the hallway of the Education Building to provide coats, gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need of warm winter clothes. If you have gently used, clean coats (adult’s or children’s), please consider donating to the coat rack. Please hang your coats on the rack and place winter hats, gloves and scarves in the boxes below.
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 Holy Conversations strategic visioning report (2022)
Click here to read the 2023 Annual Report