Fellowship at Westminster
As Christians, we seek to be the Body of Christ. We become this not only through worshiping and working together, but also through fellowship with one another. At Westminster we have many opportunities to truly become a church family as we share fun, interests, and meals -- opportunities for promoting acquaintances and friendships. Here are few you can get involved in:
- Art groups
- Athletic teams
- Softball teams
- Basketball league
- Race for the Cure team
- VMC 5K team
- Dragon boat teams
- Coffee and fellowship
- Concert series and special programs
- Dinners (whole church, small groups)
- Foyer groups
- Annual progressive dinner
- Annual Fall Festival
- Confirmand/Mother’s Day Picnic
- Wise and Wonderful Lunches
- Young Adult group
- Vacation Bible School
- Thursday Breakfast Fellowship (2nd and 4th Thursdays)
- Inquirers' Class
- Lemonade on the Cloister (Sunday, after church, summer)
- Neighborhood groups (nurturing units)
- Parents' Night Out
- Sister Church, Emmanuel Presbyterian
- Special outings and trips
- Day mission trips
- Breakfast in the Smokies
- Hiking
- Museum visits
- Plays
- All-Church Retreat
- Sunday evening youth fellowship groups
- Wednesdays With Westminster (WWW)
- "Westminster Abbey" (church newsletter) production team
- Westminster Players (drama group)
Art Groups
Tennessee Artist Association — The Tennessee Artist Association meets monthly at Westminster on the third Tuesday at 7 p.m. The meetings, which are open to the public, feature speakers from the art world -- photographers, artists, and those from related fields. The Tennessee Artist Association also has art shows, juried shows, and an informative newsletter.
Westminster Art Group — Westminster itself has an art group that meets from 9:30 a.m. until noon most Wednesdays. This group is not a class. Everyone is welcome to come for fellowship and painting time together!
Art Shows at Westminster — From time to time there is a display of works in various media by church members.
Coffee and fellowship
During the regular year, Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Schilling Gallery
Young Adult Dinners
The Young Adult group has decided to continue meeting every month, alternating between a Sunday afternoon lunch (or supper) and a Saturday evening dinner. Everyone in their 20s, 30s, or 40s -- and whatever your family status may be -- is invited. New people come all the time! Information about the gatherings is in the church newsletter, "The Westminster Abbey," as well as in the Sunday bulletin.
Vacation Bible School
Westminster has a traditional Vacation Bible School program for children ages 2 (potty-trained) to high school. It is held in the early summer and runs Monday through Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 noon each morning. We always incorporate community service into our program for Bible School as well as throughout the Sunday School year. The focus on helping and sharing with others in our neighborhood, our community, and our world, is a priority at Westminster.
Inquirers' Class
Have you been visiting Westminster and want to know more about the church? From time to time during the year there is an orientation session for anyone interested in learning more about Westminster's ministries, programs, and fellowship opportunities. (The date and time will be posted here.) This meeting is for anyone who would like to know more about our church, our mission, and our history. It is designed as an informal get-together; clergy and various representatives of the Westminster congregation will be on hand to answer your questions and provide some background information as you consider becoming a part of this congregation. This is an informational meeting only; there is no pressure to join.
Parents' Night Out
Our Parents' Night Out program lets parents have a night out while their children spend an evening with other church family kids in a safe, nurturing environment. The children play games, watch movies, do crafts or puzzles, or just play with other children. Ages are infants through 11 years of age, and the cost is $8.00 per child for the entire evening. It is normally held on the last Saturday of each month and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. (Announcements appear in the Sunday bulletin as well as the church newsletter, "The Westminster Abbey.") Parents' Night Out is self funded and must have a minimum of four children to operate. Make reservations in advance (on or before the Thursday before each "Night Out") by calling Angela at 865-556-8034.
Special Outings and Trips - Mount Le Conte Hike
Every summer in late July a group from Westminster climbs Mt. Le Conte in the Smokies and stays overnight at Le Conte Lodge. This is a marvelous opportunity for fellowship with Westminster friends in a beautiful part of the Smoky Mountains! Mt. Le Conte, with an altitude of 6,593 feet, is the third-highest mountain in the Smokies. There are two extraordinary views from the top: sunset from Cliff Top and sunrise from Myrtle Point.
You have a choice of five trails to get to Le Conte: Alum Cave, Boulevard, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, and Rainbow Falls. At the lodge you can enjoy the new decks with views that are out of this world! Be sure to get to the lodge no later than 6:00 p.m. so you don't miss your supper! If you get to the lodge before supper, you can enjoy hot chocolate or hot coffee. Conditions are rustic -- there is no electricity; there are flush toilets within an easy walk from your cabin; running water comes from two pumps located outside.
All-church Retreat
Usually held in the spring in Townsend or Gatlinburg.
Wednesdays With Westminster (WWW)
Join us on Wednesday nights for food, fellowship and fun. Check here for information on the next gathering.
Westminster Players
The Westminster Players strive to create a collaborative community for exploring theater. Theater, like religion, is a spiritual and noble quest for the truth. Through theatrical experience we examine the purpose of life and the essence of God in our existence. As a ministry, participation in the Westminster Players provides opportunities for personal development, exploration of artistic growth, fellowship, and camaraderie. The Westminster Players encourage the active participation of all members of the congregation on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. It is the mission of the Westminster Players to celebrate human dignity through compassionate and joyful participation in the performing arts.
