Connect & Grow

Once a month we gather for a weekday lunchtime conversation that helps us get past the headlines and reflect on a current issue from a faith perspective. Westminster, the New York State Council of Churches, and the FOCUS Churches of Albany co-sponsor these Zoom conversations featuring a speaker with deep knowledge of a current issue, a faith response, and lots of time for discussion. See our Events page for the Zoom link.

Bible study through Easter.
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Easter is not only a day, it is also a season – from Easter Sunday to The Feast of Pentecost, this year from April 17 until June 5.

Sunday mornings at 9:00 during Easter, Rev. Dave McMillan leads a study of the scripture for the day. This Easter biblical texts will be taken from John’s gospel and from the Acts of the Apostles.

This group meets in the small meeting room next to the church library. You are invited to explore the faith that emerged following the resurrection of Christ.

Every year Westminster has enjoyed a Christmas Pageant staged by our Church School on the third Sunday of December. Enjoy our video pageant HERE. 

As soon as we can gather together safely, we will begin a new series of intergenerational learning events after worship every few months (click here to learn more about the “Follow Me” curriculum). Each learning event is focused on a Christian spiritual practice such as hospitality, prayer, and seeking justice. The whole congregation can participate in exploring this practice through a series of interactive stations led by volunteers.

In 2014 our Session approved a church-wide policy designed to protect our children and our volunteers when they are involved with church programs.

“Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.”

-Matthew 19:14 (CEB)

These practices apply to children and youth, defined as ages 0-18, and may also apply in the case of others whose physical or developmental situation makes them especially vulnerable. 

Background Checks 

Teachers and leaders for youth and children, including staff and volunteers, undergo background checks. Occasionally, other volunteers assist under the supervision of the leaders. 

Six-Month Rule 

Volunteers working with children and youth must have been regular participants of the Westminster community for six months before being asked to volunteer.

Two Adult Rule 

Every effort will be made to have two adults present in classrooms and during activities. During church school, we also have a floater on the third floor with visual access to each room. 

Touch

Common signs of affections and age-appropriate nurture (e.g. hugs, pats on the back) or physical caretaking (e.g. diaper changing, helping small children in the restroom) are appropriate among caring Christians.

Transportation

Every effort will be made to have at least three people in a car when transporting children (two adults and one child or one adult with two or more children). If this is not feasible one adult may provide transportation with specific approval from a parent or guardian for that particular situation. Age-appropriate child seats must be used when transporting children in order to meet the legal requirements.

Training

All teachers and leaders who work with children and youth will go through an orientation and training on these practices once a year and sign a form indicating their commitment to adhere to these guidelines.

Education of Children

A short, age-specific education program will be offered to the children to teach them about appropriate boundaries with others. Parents will be informed ahead of time of the program and may attend.

Awareness

Efforts will be made to raise awareness in the congregation as a whole about safe child procedures as well as appropriate conduct around children and youth. This brochure will be circulated and posted on the church website.

Reporting Procedure 

Any allegations will be investigated and properly resolved in accordance with Westminster’s Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Approach and Rationale

We are first and foremost a community of hospitality where all people are welcome, although not all behavior is welcome. Each one of us is a sinner of God’s own redeeming. Therefore, we are all loved and embraced equally in God’s eyes. In order for a community to be hospitable, it has to be safe for everyone. 

Children are full participants in the life of the congregation. Every time we baptize a child, the congregation promises to participate in that child’s faith journey.

In celebration of this pledge, we honor Biblical, ethical, and legal requirements. We follow and enforce these practices for appropriate behavior with children and youth.

The goal of our Safe Child Norms and Practices is to prevent physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and youth participating in Westminster activities in order to provide a safe, nurturing, Christian environment.

These practices were drafted with input from families, volunteers, and the Christian Life and Learning Committee and adopted by Session on April 8, 2014.

We, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture the newly baptized by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of this church.

-Baptismal Oath