Dear Westminster Presbyterian Church Family,

Please read on for an update from the Session’s May meeting.

Gene Craven Memorial

Lee Ferguson, Chaplain at Westminster Towers, joined the Session meeting to read a memorial honoring former Westminster Senior Pastor Gene Craven, who entered into glory on April 11, 2026. We give thanks for Gene’s faithful ministry, leadership, and lasting impact on the life of our church and community. Please take a moment to read the full memorial.

Staff Update

Our Director of Worship, Ryan Thomas, has submitted his resignation from his full-time role at Westminster. Ryan joined the Session meeting to express his gratitude for the opportunity to lead and shape worship at Westminster over the past seven years. We are deeply thankful for his faithful leadership, creativity, and care for our congregation during his time on staff.

Ryan has graciously offered to continue leading worship at the 11am service during this transition period in order to help bridge the gap while next steps are discerned. We are grateful for his continued support and ask the congregation to keep Ryan and his family in prayer in this season of transition.

Finance Committee

The Session adopted a new charter reforming the standing Budget Committee into a Finance Committee. This newly structured committee will assume expanded responsibilities for monitoring and reviewing the church’s financial activities throughout the year.

In addition to providing ongoing financial oversight, the committee will be responsible for drafting an annual budget each fall for presentation to and adoption by the Session at the end of the year. We look forward to formalizing this additional level of accountability and stewardship, while also providing our finance staff with the leadership and support needed to faithfully steward the generous gifts of God’s people.

WCCS Update

Westminster Catawba Christian School (WCCS) is a ministry founded by WPC that operates under its own leadership as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. As part of that relationship, the Session is responsible for approving changes to the school’s bylaws and confirming nominees to serve on the WCCS Board of Trustees.

At this month’s meeting, the Session approved several clarifying, non-substantive revisions to the WCCS bylaws and also approved a nominee for election to the Board of Trustees. We give thanks for the ministry of WCCS and for the many ways it serves students and families by providing an education grounded in a Christian worldview, with the goal of forming disciples of Christ who will go out to bless our community and the world.

Presbytery Report

At the end of April, Westminster had the privilege of hosting the elders of Fellowship Presbytery for their stated meeting as they gathered to conduct the work of shepherding and supporting congregations across our region. During last month’s meeting, presbytery leaders discussed the future of a Chinese-speaking congregation in the Indian Land area. We are grateful for the continued partnership and shared ministry among the churches of Fellowship Presbytery as we seek to proclaim the gospel and serve our communities together.

Mission Houses

The Session, desiring to steward our properties well, has voted to bring a proposal to the congregation regarding the future of our three mission houses — properties owned by WPC that, over the years, have been used to house pastors, missionaries, and, more recently, Afghan refugees. The proposal reflects an ongoing desire to thoughtfully steward these resources in ways that best support the ministry and mission of Westminster. Additional information will be shared in the coming months.

Pastor Search Committee Update

Ruling Elder Jim Petty, Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee, shared an update on the progress of the search for the next Senior Pastor of Westminster. The committee is actively considering many qualified candidates, and interviews have now begun as part of the discernment process.

The Pastor Search Committee will continue its practice of providing monthly updates to the congregation during worship services, as well as written updates included in the bulletin and website. Please continue to pray faithfully for the committee and for the man God has ordained to lead this beloved congregation in the years ahead.

Capital Campaign Update

Executive Director Steve Smith shared an update on the capital campaign and campus renovation efforts. By God’s grace, we have officially surpassed the $5 million mark in pledges and have already received more than $1.3 million in gifts in hand. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and faithfulness of God’s people in supporting the future ministry of Westminster.

Based on the feedback received and the current level of campaign funding, the Steering Committee is now preparing a recommendation to the Session regarding the scope and prioritization of renovation projects. We look forward to thoughtfully updating our campus in ways that will better support and serve the thriving ministries of Westminster for years to come.

Please stay tuned each month for continued updates from the Westminster Session. If you have questions about any of the items mentioned in this monthly update or want more details, please email wpcsession@wpcgo.com.