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 education, caring ministries, and service to the world.
For more information about the dates and times that groups meet, see our calendar page.
RETREATS
Men’s Retreat
Next retreat: Spring of 2026
The Men’s Retreat happens annually in late spring, usually between mid-May and mid-June. All men are welcome and encouraged to attend. Join us for fellowship, learning, healing, and discernment. For more information, contact the Rev. Gregg Neel at the church.
All-Church Retreat
Next retreat: July 17 to 19, 2026
Westminster’s 2025 All-Church Retreat was held at the Columbia River Gorge, July 11 through 13, at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center (menucha.org) in Corbett, Oregon. This fun weekend for all ages included shared meals, games, time to relax in nature or by the pool, and worship. Watch this space for information about our next retreat. We’ll post information as it becomes available.
Women’s Retreat
Next retreat: October of 2026
The Women’s Retreat happens annually in October. This day-long retreat offers time for fellowship and relaxation, and it features an annually changing guest speaker focusing on topics of interest to our community. Registration usually begins in September. For more information, check this page in early fall or contact the Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves at the church.
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. We are an inclusive church and will perform same-sex marriages. 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 and/or July), check back on this page close to the time.
Pride Parade: For 2025, Westminster did not organize a group to go to the Pride Northwest parade, but for those interested, here is more information directly from the organizers: https://portlandpride.org/. In addition, our friends at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church organized a group to march in the parade and invited Westminster friends. Click here for more information.
Widening Our Congregational Welcome: This spring, on May 25, 2025, Westminster offered an adult education class called “Widening Our Congregational Welcome,” presented by the Reverend Rivka Gevurtz. As the Reverend Gevurtz pointed out, “Often, we are not aware of our unconscious biases and microaggressions that have unintended impacts on LGBTQ folk (who may experience other intersecting oppressions as well). In this hour, we will explore how our own social locations of privilege and oppression help or hinder our ability to manifest our intention of welcome, between a queer person feeling like they have to fit in versus their having a sense of belonging.” Although this class is over, we have written materials from this class we can share upon request to Alaina in the church office (asmith@westprespdx.org). In addition, if you want to see a video recording of the class, click here. (Please mind our content warning for religious trauma and language.)
Celebrating Pride During Fellowship: June is Pride month, and on 2025 Sundays June 1, 15, and 29, our fellowship time in the Great Hall after worship was Pride-themed. It’s a fun way to celebrate the many ways our LGBTQ+ members add to the culture and well-being of Westminster throughout the year. Thank you to Jason and Greg Houser and their team of volunteers who helped make fellowship time so fun.
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
Pub Conversations historically has been a fellowship hour centering young(er) adult voices and concerns, primarily enjoyed by those in early and middle adulthood. We meet quarterly or thereabouts for appetizers and conversation. Contact the Reverend Lindsey Hubbard-Groves at lgroves@westprespdx.org if you’re interested in attending.
RECREATION
Bridge
Fellowship and fun; open to all levels of bridge-playing skills.
Deep Play
This workshop series involves improvisational movement rooted in contemplative practice. RSVP required. Contact the office for more details.
Pinochle
Cards, fun, and socializing. Group meets offsite.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Bible Study
See Women’s Bible Study, above. Also, please see our adult education offerings for potential Bible study opportunities.
Stephen Ministry, Taizé, and More
To learn more about Stephen Ministry, our Taizé Service of Healing and Wholeness, and other opportunities for compassion and spirituality, please see our caring ministries page.