Women's Ministry

Strengthening the Presbyterian Church and witnessing to the promise of God's Kingdom.

Our Purpose

To nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,
To support the mission of the church worldwide,
To work for justice and peace, and to build an inclusive, caring
community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.

2023-24 Elizabeth Circle Spiritual Study

Biblical Lessons on Romance, Friendship, and Faith

At each meeting of Elizabeth Circle, the group focuses on a spiritual study. This year the group is focusing on LOVE which is at the heart of the Bible.

Monthly discussions will center on the many loves revealed in the Bible; lessons will be drawn from the good, the bad, and even the ugly of biblical romances, friendships, and families as well as our own loves. These insights into biblical relationships will uplift, encourage, and reveal new dimensions for us of the most central Christian duty: to love God and your neighbor. Join us!

I Corinthians 13:4
Love always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Elizabeth Circle

Elizabeth Circle meets at 9:30 AM, the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, in Rm 12 at Westminster. In addition to the other WPW missions, Elizabeth Circle supports the Fellowship of the Least Coin, a global, ecumenical movement begun in 1956 to support women’s projects and scholarships all over the world.

Newcomers and visitors are always welcome.

"Sew Happy" Quilters

Our quilting group supports missions financially through annual quilt sales. The group meets Thursdays at 9 AM in Room 12 at WPC. All are welcome to join! It's a great way to meet people, develop friendships, and do mission work. You may also bring your own project and join the group for fellowship.

When we were unable to hold our sale in 2020/2021, several quilters provided bags, blankets, hats, masks, and more to local organizations.

Fabric donations are always needed. Contact Wendy Bowman if you have questions.

Life Abundant Project

For 20+ we have been providing midwife kits in 2-gallon ziplock bags to the Health Center in Banso, Cameroon, West Africa through Dr. Alison La Frence and her husband Dr. John Edwards. The kits are made up of various baby and hygiene items and are provided to the midwives after they graduate the 4-week program at the Health Center.

If you would like to know more about how you can contribute to the LAP project through cutting blankets, knitting or crocheting baby caps, assembling kits, and so much more, contact Suzanne Fell at ssfell@comcast.net. 360-459-2404

Sock Drive

Presbyterian Women of Westminster sponsors a sock drive to promote health and comfort to our community’s homeless and for those with special needs.

This year, the drive will commence at Thanksgiving so that socks can be distributed during the colder winter months when most needed. Black bins with yellow lids are placed in the Narthex/foyer and the Fellowship Hall. Socks are needed for all ages and genders, some who may be interviewing for jobs or are homeless and need clean footwear after showers. Having warm, clean feet contributes to better health emotionally and physically.

Fellowship of the Least Coin

A 67-YEAR GLOBAL, ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT

Fellowship of the Least Coin is a mission project that WPC Women’s Circles and currently Elizabeth Circle has supported for years. It is a 67-year global, ecumenical movement.

This movement links prayer and “least coins” in a significant way, as the last coin of each participant around the world signals our oneness and a common quest for peace, justice, and reconciliation. The offering of the least coins is used for grants to special projects of evangelism, service, relief, education, and awareness-building among women throughout the world.

Only the least coin is offered so that women of all backgrounds and means may be equal partners in providing: Post-secondary education & training for women, Grassroots projects that empower women & girls, Advocates for women’s rights, Work to end gender-based violence & poverty, Relief from natural & human-made disasters

Sound View Camp

The Olympia Presbytery owns a beautiful, 100-acre camp on the Kitsap peninsula. The camp has a waterfront, high ropes course, animals for the campers to pet, archery, and arts and crafts. Last summer, due to Covid-19, they were not able to run a children’s camp, but instead turned the property into a campground that was open to the public. This year, campers are welcome back for a few weeks of camp in addition to the public camping. This is a yearround facility and they would like people to keep coming for camping in the fall when tent campers are not on site. There are various cabins and buildings to stay in during both the fall and winter.

Website

Mission Projects

What should I expect on my first visit?

Our front doors say “welcome home” for a reason; people are going to welcome you when you walk in. That said, we do our best not to overwhelm—and you’ll be able to slip inside the sanctuary and experience worship for yourself. In our worship, we sing, pray, and reflect on God’s Word together. If you’re bringing children with you, there will be a moment in the worship service when they are invited to come up to the front—but it’s an invitation rather than an expectation. We also pass the peace of Christ with one another for 3-5 minutes during the service. After worship, if you’re able to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a cup of coffee, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know Westminster community members one-on-one.
What time do I arrive?

Most people attending worship arrive between 10:15 AM and 10:30 AM. The doors to the sanctuary are gently closed at 10:30 AM when the service begins—but latecomers are more than welcome to quietly find a seat whenever they arrive.
Where do I enter the building?

The sanctuary is entered through a lobby just off the circular drive in the back of the building, hidden from view at first if you’re approaching from Boulevard Rd. There are double doors that say “Welcome” beneath an overhang that extends almost to the circular drive. Usually, you can follow the flow of people on Sunday!
Is the church handicap accessible?

Yes! Accessibility of all kinds is very important to us. There are no stairs to enter the sanctuary from the circular drive, where you can be dropped off. There is space for wheelchairs or other equipment in the back of the sanctuary. (Several members of the congregation use wheelchairs or walkers.) You can also access our Christian Education wing via a ramp.
How big is the church?

Westminster is considered a “mid-sized” congregation in our denomination. We are small enough for close relationships to happen quickly, and large enough to be inclusive of many perspectives and life experiences.
Who goes to your church?

People! Should we be more specific? Some of our members grew up in the church—or have worshiped with us for decades! Others are new and settled in right away. We have state employees, teachers, attorneys, nurses, veterans, social workers, folks in the service industry, and more. We are young and old, queer and straight, loud and quiet. Somehow, from such vibrant threads, a single tapestry is woven—and you’d probably fit right in, too.
What should I wear when I visit?

As long as you’re dressed, you’re set! Most people wear clothes from that perplexing “business casual” category—but we really do have all kinds of attire any given Sunday.
What is the worship style at WPC?

Blended. We have a strong sense of tradition—Westminster is over 125 years old—but also seek the new thing God is doing. Our music is varied, and children are both seen and heard. Come and see!
What’s the preaching like at your church?

The preaching is both inviting and challenging. Like all pastors in our tradition, our pastor had to complete a three-year seminary Master of Divinity degree, with coursework that includes biblical Greek and Hebrew as well as exegetical (“text interpreting”) training.
May a visitor take communion?

Often, we begin our communion service with a reminder that the table is not a Presbyterian table or Westminster’s table but Christ’s. Visitors outside of our community but also seeking Christ are welcome to fully participate in Christ’s table.
Who can be baptized in your church?

We baptize those who seek new life in Christ and have not previously received a triune baptism. One of the most joyous moments in worship is the baptism of the infants and children of our members—bearing witness to the reality that God claims us in love even before our awareness or reciprocation. With rare exceptions, we baptize those who have entered formal relationship with Westminster as members, with the expectation of living out the journey of Christian discipleship together.
Are small children welcome?

Absolutely! WPC welcomes and embraces babies and young children in the sanctuary during worship. We are grateful for the presence of each child in our community. For little ones who may need a break, we offer a parents’ room and a family area outside of the sanctuary. Both areas enable families to still view the worship service.
Is childcare available?

Yes. The Little Lambs Nursery for ages 6 months through 3.5 years opens at 10:15 AM every Sunday. For children ages 3.5 to 8 we have Godly Play, and for children ages 9 to 12 we have ‘Tween Group. Godly Play and the ‘Tween Group are dismissed to their respective classes after the children’s moment in worship (about 15 minutes into the service). On Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of the month), our ‘tween students are asked to stay in the service with their families and are given the opportunity to participate in a fun sermon game. To help keep our youngest disciples engaged during the service, we have activity bags available in the narthex.
May I get married at WPC?

Congratulations! Yes, WPC does offer weddings. Please contact the office to discuss availability and guidelines.
What should I do if I have more questions?

Contact Us! Our Office Administrator, office@wpcoly.org can either answer your question in short order or direct you to the person who can.
How do I join the church?

We regularly have “getting acquainted” events, as well as new member classes. You can check for the next class on our website here.
May I rent your space?

Yes. Our congregation is committed to making our beautiful building an affordable community resource for all. We have dozens of user groups, from addiction recovery groups to language schools, using the space regularly. Contact the office to request more information.
What are WPC’s primary missions?

Sunshine Preschool Community Garden of Weedin’ Hope Village
Who are your local community partners?

Thurston County Food Bank Safeplace Family Support Center Sidewalk Interfaith Works Sock Drive, Union Gospel Mission Sound View Camp Baby Bank Providence St. Peter’s Maternity Seattle Children’s Hospital City of Olympia Providence Sound Name Care & Hospice
Who are your international partners?

LAP Midwife Project Least Coin Life Abundant Project (L.A.P.)