Community Life

Westminster Presbyterian offers many ways to get involved with our church community, including through arts and crafts, book groups, fellowship groups, recreation, retreats and special events, and spiritual opportunities. For more information about participating in one of the following groups, please contact the Reverend Lindsey Hubbard-Groves at 503.287.1289 x 115, unless another contact is noted for that group. Also check out additional opportunities featured on our website pages for adult educationcaring ministries, and service to the world.

For more information about the dates and times that groups meet, see our calendar page.

Contact

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Knitting Group

Beginning and experienced knitters are welcome.

Quilters

Beginning and experienced quilters are welcome.

Westminster Cloisters

Cloisters curates ongoing visual art shows and literary fairs and offers workshop opportunities. The Cloisters Art Studio is located in the lower level of the education wing, just inside the doors at the 16th Avenue (elevator) entrance. All artists are invited to come to the studio to work on their own projects, in any medium, in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The studio’s hours are Wednesdays, 1 to 5 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Cloisters’ “poetry post” located outside, next to the church building at the intersection of NE 16th & Hancock, posts poems that broadly reflect the vision and mission of our church, liturgical seasons, and life in the community. For more information on posting poetry, contact Westminster member Mark Hess or the church office.

 

BOOK & WRITING GROUPS

Monthly Book Group

This book discussion group reads and discusses a variety of books including fiction, current events, history, science, and sociology. An optional lunch follows afterward at a nearby restaurant. 

Women’s Bible Study

Join us during the school year for Bible study, fellowship, fun, and prayer using the Horizons Presbyterian Women’s study guide. Theme changes annually.
See also our adult education page for other Bible study opportunities.

Westminster Writers

This small peer group of writers meets monthly offsite and works in various genres, with diverse skills and experience levels. They help each other develop as writers by taking turns presenting material for each other to critique.

 

FELLOWSHIP

Mariners

Mariners are small groups of Westminster members and friends who meet monthly in members’ homes or other locations to share activities, to encourage Christian faith and fellowship, and to seek ways to serve the church (including hosting post-worship coffee hours in the Great Hall) and the community.

Pub Conversations

This group of young(ish) adults (ages 20s, 30s, 40s) gathers for conversation and fellowship monthly. The group may not meet during summer.  Contact the Reverend Lindsey Hubbard-Groves at lgroves@westprespdx.org if you’re interested in attending.

Westminster Pride Fellowship

Westminster Pride Fellowship offers welcoming fellowship for the LGBTQ community.
To get more information about the group’s meetings, contact the church office (secretary@westprespdx.org) to be connected to the group’s leader.
To watch a video about LGBTQ welcome at Westminster, click here
Westminster is a welcoming congregation, and we do perform same-sex marriages. For information about Pride celebrations, see below.

 

 

RECREATION

Bridge

Fellowship and fun; open to all levels of bridge-playing skills. Group does not meet during summer.

Deep Play

This workshop series involves improvisational movement rooted in contemplative practice. RSVP required. Contact the office for more details.

Line Dancing

Our line-dancing group meets twice a month at the church to learn new dances and review others, and you’re invited to attend—no experience necessary. First-timers welcome! Participants are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. UPDATE: This group is on hiatus.

Pinochle

Cards, fun, and socializing. Group meets offsite.

 

RETREATS AND SPECIAL EVENTS 

Pride Celebration

Every year, Portland celebrates its LGBTQ community with the Pride Northwest festival. Westminster celebrates Pride, too, and in past years our members and friends have participated in the festival’s Sunday-morning parade or have gathered as a group to watch the parade in person. Westminster is committed to being a welcoming congregation, and we’re proud to show it to our community. To watch a video about LGBTQ welcome at Westminster, click here. To hear news on what Westminster has planned for Pride each year (generally in June or July), check back on this page close to the time. 

 

Retreats

All-Church Retreat
Next retreat: August 16 to 18, 2024 
Save the date for Westminster’s All Church Retreat, August 16 to 18 at Twin Rocks Friends Camp on the Oregon coast. Watch for details as the weather gets warmer. Kids and youth age 18 and younger can attend for free!

Men’s Retreat
Next retreat: June 7-9, 2024
The Men’s Retreat happens annually in late spring, usually between mid-May and mid-June. All men are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the Rev. Gregg Neel at the church.

Women’s Retreat
Next retreat: October 2024
The annual Westminster Women’s Retreat in October is a time for fun, rest, and renewal. Treat yourself to some well-within time. Detailed information is available in September annually. 

 

SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES

See also Women’s Bible Study, above.

Bible Study

Please see our adult education offerings for various Bible study opportunities.

Lectio Divina 

This group discusses scripture and how it relates to and informs our daily lives. The group doesn’t meet in July and August.

Stephen Ministry, Taize, and More

To learn more about Stephen Ministry, our Taize Service of Healing and Wholeness, and other opportunities for compassion and spirituality, please see our caring ministries page.

Top