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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For 2024, Westminster is not organizing a group to go to the Pride Northwest parade, but for those interested, here is more information directly from the organizers: https://portlandpride.org/.
Retreats
All-Church Retreat
Next retreat: August 15 to 17, 2025
Westminster’s 2024 All-Church Retreat (at Twin Rocks Friends Camp on the Oregon coast) was held August 16 – 18, 2024. We will return to Twin Rocks in 2025, from August 15 to 17. Watch this space closer to the time to keep updated on news about the 2025 event.
Men’s Retreat
Next retreat: Spring 2025
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 26, 2024
The annual Westminster Women’s Retreat in October is a time for fun, rest, and renewal. The 2024 Westminster Women’s Retreat will be Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Franciscan Spiritual Center on the Marylhurst College campus. Jan Woodcock will be our facilitator as we explore the question, “How does the Spirit find you?” Join us for a day of faith, fun, and relaxation. Registration for this event is now closed.
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.