|
In 2025, Westminster and myself entered into our 5th year of ministry together. This year a number of pivotal events emerged. Over the past couple of years, the congregation has been in a time of pruning and changing. This has not always been easy and these evolutions naturally brought about grief. The members and friends at Westminster were faithful to the process and this year began to see the first-fruits of such pruning. With simpler processes and newfound energy, fresh expressions of community and gospel began to emerge – two new adult education offerings, an increase from one to two new member classes each year, a new children’s music program, hosting Presbytery, three new musical concerts, approval and joining the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, multi-church partnership around the Oregon Poor People’s Campaign, and the payoff of the Boulder Hall loan 7 years early. These successes are to be applauded.
Session
In January/February, the elders invited the congregation into a collaborative budgeting process which included training on how Westminster’s budget works as well as an extended time of open comment and suggestion. In June, 3 elders completed their service and 3 new elders joined session. At the annual session retreat in July, members received training in: Book of Order, Book of Confessions, Robert’s rules of order. They also reaffirmed their covenant together and identified 2 areas of focus for the year ahead. Throughout the fall, the elders began receiving boundary training per a new BOO requirement for local congregations. In October, the annual Elder-led worship service had session leading the Sunday morning service. In November, the session received notice that Westminster had been named as a defendant in a scouts lawsuit and December/January was approval of the 2026 budget.
We agree to put our trust in God as we come together to welcome, to serve, and to grow.
We agree to:
• Operate out of love, respect, positivity, acceptance, and humility
• Embrace & welcome change
• Listen to understand
• Practice grace & kindness
• Be thoughtful in coming to answers
• Work together for the good of the church
• Seek God’s call for Westminster
• Be mindful of judgments and personal agendas
• Remember confidentiality
• Practice open-mindedness
• Stay on topic
• Trust in God
(-Westminster Session Covenant; adopted July 2025)
2025-2026 Session Goals
Leadership: Develop new leadership, with a special emphasis on supporting families, children & youth.
Communication: Improve communication, within Session and throughout the congregation.
Throughout 2025, Session built additional communication pathways to improve feedback loops throughout the organization. A number of initiatives have been implemented to improve communication. Weekly – improved Friday newsletter format; hard copies mailed to shut-ins and others; updated website. Monthly – listening sessions with elders available for dialogue after worship; summary of session minutes included in the Friday newsletter after the monthly session meeting. Annually – advanced copies of annual report, previous year financials and current year budget; budget information session and motion request form offered in February. Between August-December, elders also took time each month to get to know the children & youth programs utilizing the framework “named, noticed, and known.” Do the elders know the names of the young people? Notice when they are in the building, attending and around? Do they know something about their lives, their joys and their interests?
Staffing
In 2025, Westminster welcomed a couple new staff members and said farewell to two others. In December 2024, Krisha Horn wrapped up her time as the office manager and Chris Duval stepped in as the interim from January – April 2025. In April, Westminster welcomed Katie Moore as the new office manager. Katie has been instrumental in upgrading Westminster’s tech, website, and office operations. In March, we said goodbye to Vik Shaaf, Westminster’s long-serving youth director and welcomed Mat Worley as the interim youth director from April – November. In June & September, Westminster welcomed Rick Cobb as the new facility manager and Heberlyn Rincon as the new Children’s program teacher. From June-August, a partnership between personnel, youth, and staff produced a pilot program: Social Media Interns. The initiative welcomed 3 youth to the office taking photos, designing flyers, and learning graphic design skills.
Worship
In January, the church took an extended look at the gospel of Luke throughout January and February which included Baptism of the Lord Sunday and Black History Month. In March, the Ash Wednesday ritual offered ashes, communion & labyrinth at both 12pm and 5pm. During the 6 weeks of Lent in March & April we practiced contemplative silence in the worship service and then celebrated the 2nd Annual Palm Sunday Cantata for the whole community. Palm Sunday and Good Friday shared a two-part liturgy with palms and a Boulder Hall-to-Sanctuary walk as well as candles and communion on Good Friday. In June, we celebrated Pentecost as well as Recognition Sunday as the education and music ministries wrapped up their program year. In early July, the seating in the sanctuary was reconfigured into half-moons for summer worship which included an 8-week dive into the book of Revelation complete with art-projects and hands-on crafts. September saw Kick-off Sunday, Fall Festival, World Communion Sunday, Stewardship campaign and the Elder-led worship service. On Oct 24-25, Westminster hosted over 200 attendees for the fall meeting of the Cascades Presbytery. In November, we commemorated All Saint’s Day with an acknowledgement of those who have passed away as well as participation in the ecumenical thanksgiving service hosted by St. Mark Lutheran Church. In December, the children and youth offered an all-ages music program during the 3rd week of Advent and then annual Christmas Cantata on the 4th week of Advent was standing room only. The Christmas Eve services were at 4pm and 8pm. In addition, there were 10 memorial services, 2 baptisms, 1 wedding, and a 5-week Presbyterian Beliefs class.
Grounded in mission…
Westminster has a two-part stated mission.
Creatively sharing Christ’s love; we welcome, we serve, we grow.
-and-
Westminster Presbyterian Church has been called by God and organized to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to minister to the needs of members of the congregation and the residents of the community, and to promote peace and justice in the world.
It is a joy to be on this journey with you.
Ever onward,
Pastor Kelly
2/5/26
| 
