Western friends,

On behalf of the session, we appreciate all who turned out for our congregational conversation last week. You heard and discussed around tables aspects of our financial situation and some of the session’s thinking and decisions about moving forward.

Part of this process involves making changes to our congregational staffing model; you will be hearing more about this in the days to come. The most difficult aspect of these changes is the decision not to have a full-time administrative assistant. As a result, Shenella McGaskey will be leaving this role at the end of March.

With a heavy heart, I share with you the news that our interim music director Patrick Merrill shared officially with me, the Personnel chair, clerk of session and choir this past week: that he is leaving Western to pursue an opportunity to work at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church, where his wife Grace has served as a cantor for over a decade. (click to read more)

Dear Western Friends,

On behalf of the Session, I invite you to join us for a congregational conversation following worship on Sunday, February 12.

Last Sunday, you heard from some of our leaders sharing both gratitude for your continued generosity as well as some of the financial challenges we face as a church. As we respond to changes in our post-pandemic life – fewer in attendance, shifts in membership and giving, needs requiring technological dexterity – we are also working to adjust our staffing and programming.