Groups & Ministries
Mission and Outreach
The Mission Statement of Westminster is "Serving Christ. Serving our Neighbours." Throughout the year we participate in various projects and food drives in and for our community. Most recently we have decided to assist the David Busby Street Centre.
Our biggest mission at Westminster is our March Break Camp and Summer Vacation Bible Camp, wonderful programs that help us learn about the love of God in Jesus. We do so through stories, crafts, amazing songs, and play.
At the end of 2009, and in response to a real need in our community, Westminster has decided to help our neighbours and local health officials by hosting Barrie's first Flu Assessment Centre. Click here to read more.
We also support various global missions through personal mission projects primarily through Presbyterian World Service & Development, the development and relief agency for the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC), and through Presbyterians Sharing, the fund of the PCC that supports national and global missions and ministries.
Stitch 'n' Chatter is also a mission group.
Youth Group
This Group is a joint venture between St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and Westminster of youth aged high school and grade eight. We meet every few weeks for a time of food, fellowship and fun, and also engage in a variety of projects. Most recently we are raising money to help build a school in Sri Lanka. In April we participated in a mini-famine to help further our project and better understand those who so often go without.
If you or someone you know is in grade eight or high school and would like to join us on Friday nights from 5 – 7 p.m. please speak to Rev. Ruttan for more details.
Jolly Nimble Fingers
The Jolly Nimble Fingers is fundamentally a quilting group and occasionally works on other craft projects as well. We have baby quilts for sale year round and we quilt tops for people who wish us to do so. When the Merry Marthas have their bazaar we also have one. We welcome new members, either experienced quilters or those wishing to learn. We meet Monday mornings in the Church basement and work from 9:00 – 11:15 a.m. Then we have a long coffee break before going home. Come join us, we have fun! -Fay Mikita
Garden Club
-This content is still being compiled.
Prayer Group
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."
-Romans 12:12.
The prayer group is led by Rev. Cecil Burridge and meets in the Church library every Tuesday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Their sole purpose is to bring before God the known needs of members in our congregation as well as other challenges that exist in our community and world. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please come on Tuesday morning to be a part of this important fellowship and ministry. It would be wonderful for your voice to be included.
Stewardship Team
The Stewardship Team is made up of five members including the minister and one elder. The elder provides a Stewardship report monthly at Session.
The main purpose of the Stewardship Team is to keep the congregation informed of the offerings, month in and month out. It meets on a monthly basis to monitor the progress. A brief update on our Stewardship commitment is reported in the weekly bulletin following our meeting. It is focused to make ourselves better stewards of the gifts given to us by God.
Over the year there are certain additional activities implemented by the Stewardship Team to help meet the goals and objectives of the congregation for the year. It also monitors the offerings generated by the congregation's activities each year.
Lastly, the Stewardship Team is responsible for forming, developing and delivering the yearly budget at the annual meeting, usually held the third week of February.
-Wayne Kobylnik, Chair
Stitch and Chatter
The Stitch and Chatter is a mission group who meets once a month. We support Mustard Seed, the Leprosy Mission, the Westminster Care Fund and Youth Haven, a local Christian organization. During our gatherings we clip stamps to make additional funds for the Leprosy Mission. Each meeting has a devotional and a light lunch, after which we close with the Irish Blessing. Occasionally we also host guest speakers. We have a potluck luncheon in December in June.
-Orma Lees, President
Bible Study
Leader: Rev. Claude Cox
Meeting Time: Every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to noon in the Church library
The Thursday morning Bible study provides an opportunity for in-depth reading of the Bible in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Over the past two years or so we have read through the Gospel of Mark, Revelation, Isaiah 40-55, 1 Corinthians, Ruth, John, and have also done a "whistle-stop" trip through some of the world religions. Attendance runs between fifteen and twenty – a small enough number that everyone can actively participate. We meet in the church library, a sunny, bright spot, very congenial for us. Our meeting time is 11-12, so every other week it follows the morning social. I have been the primary teacher for the group, but Matthew teaches when I am away. This is a democratic group, so we do what the group as a whole wants to do. We take a break for the summer. We would love to have you join us.
-Claude
Choir
Music is a key part of worship at Westminster and the Choir plays an important role singing God's praises every Sunday from September to June. Made up of both men and women, the Choir leads praise songs and hymn-singing during Sunday service and offers Special Music at various times throughout the service. Some members come from a history of singing choral music, others barely read music at all, but all come with an enthusiastic love of sharing God's word through music and voice.
At two times during the year, the Choir prepares and presents more significant musical works. During Advent the Choir typically prepares a 20-30 minute Cantata and during Holy Week the Choir performs several major works, culminating in a celebratory music offering on Easter Sunday.
The Church encourages a wide variety of musical expression. This is reflected in the occasional duet, trio, quartet, solo or ladies-only and men's only choruses. The Choir welcomes new members at any time, please contact the office (728-0541) if you are interested in joining us for a Thursday night rehearsal.
Morning Social
The Thursday Morning Social is a gathering that happens every other Thursday morning at the Church from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. It is a great way for people in the congregation to become better acquainted and for people in the community to socialize. Please join us for some coffee, cake and conversation. We love making new friends.
-Fay Mikita
Family Night
One of the very positive aspects of life at Westminster is the support that we give each other on our journey to Christ. Periodically, we gather for a Family Night. At these events family takes on the broadest meaning. Everyone – young and old – takes part in an evening of food, thought and fun. Either a potluck dinner or a prepared dinner, such as roast beef, is served to satisfy hunger. A variety of activities can follow dinner. Sometimes it is spiritual – we can sing hymns or focus on a particular theme from the Bible. Other times it is just for fun – it can be music in Fellowship Hall or skating at City Hall. No matter what the chosen activity, Family Night provides an opportunity to get to know each other better and to strengthen our bonds as we strive on a daily basis to serve Jesus. Family Night acts as a catalyst to many other congregational activities. By learning to work and play together, we become better servants of the Lord.
-Wayne Hope, Elder, Clerk of Session
Parents and Tots Play Group
The Westminster Parent and Tot Group begins again on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 from 10 until 11:30am. The group will run through until the end of October and then break until the new year. The group seeks to be a welcoming collection of people providing an opportunity for children to play and socialize while their parents supervise and have a chance to connect with other parents. Parents are asked to bring a healthy nut free snack to share if possible, however it is absolutely not necessary. Coffee will be served. You are encouraged to come and join us – we look forward to meeting you and your little ones. Please call me at 722-4103 if you have any questions. -Laura Ruttan
