Matthew Winkler gave a report on Sunday, June 11, 2023.

This message is being sent on behalf of the Westminster Forward Committee to deliver an update on what we’ve been up to lately and what is yet to come.

As a reminder, our Committee was commissioned by the Session to help discern what the coming months and years might look like for Westminster in this season of change.  We’ve had several meetings filled with thoughtful discussion, and we would like to share some more details with you here today.

First and foremost, in order to keep the church continuing to hum along uninterrupted, we have voted unanimously to recommend to the Session a formal search for a temporary pastoral leadership.  This is different from having Chip or Alan come in to guest preach.  This would be someone who leads the congregation for a short time explicitly to help fulfill the normal functions of a “regular” minister while we search for our next regular minister.  This is a very common step for churches to take.  We will be no exception to this.  During this time, our Session will be reaching out to the Presbytery for wisdom and guidance.  This, among other things, is what they are there for.

Church staff, on the other hand, stays the same through this process.  This includes administrative support, property maintenance, and finance.  Members should continue to contact the church office to pass on or voice any pastoral needs.

As if we needed reminding, it has been a long time since Westminster has had to deal with a transition between ministers.  It can be an uncomfortable and sometimes anxious time, but it is most definitely part of the life of a normal and healthy church.

While we wait for the temporary pastoral leadership search to play out, pulpit supply and music will continue to be arranged for weekly services during the summer season.  Our search for a new full-time organist has already started and finished!  Polly Brecht will be taking up Tom’s responsibilities, and everyone who has interacted with her and listened to her is very excited about her coming on board.  Music at Westminster is in very good hands.

Our committee has enlisted the help of Sarah Tunnall, an ordained Presbyterian minister and Bloomington resident, to have conversations with members to gather large-scale information and trends about what makes Westminster unique and valuable, what headwinds are present, and what sort of church Westminster has the capability of being in the months and years to come.  Sarah will be reaching out to folks shortly and we are eager to see her final report in the coming months.  If you have not already signed up to speak with Sarah (and this is strictly voluntary) you may contact the church office, and we will help get your contact information passed along.

This is as short a summary as can be done for all that is happening.  During this time for Westminster, as we are looking to the outside to bring new people into vacant positions, our best help will come from within.  There are open spots on the Session for Finance and Mission work, and there is also ample space for more Deacons.  In our Presbyterian tradition, Deacons serve God, and the congregation, by paying visits to members that are recovering or residing in a healthcare setting. There are also opportunities to serve in parallel to Deacons by stepping forward to visit those who are homebound, and not necessarily under direct healthcare supervision.

We will continue to deliver periodic updates like these as they become available.  Thank you for taking the time to read this update.

written by Matthew Winkler

“What goes through your mind as you sit in the sanctuary and look around?

As I sit in my pew and look up at the cross with the wonderful light illuminating it, I am reminded of why I am at Westminster on this particular day. The cross reminds me that Christ died for me and, in a sense, I am to do the same in my daily life. The brightness of the cross illustrates for me the brightness of living my life in the way of Christ.”