By Chris KochSenior Director of MinistryThere are three events coming up that you can keep me in prayer for and celebrate with me about! Prayer Retreat from May 9-12. Like Pastor Laurie did a couple weeks ago, I am heading to a monastery for a few days to devote to prayer, reflection, and study. I have done this kind of individual retreat every year for the past 16 years at monasteries and retreat...  Read More

By Stacy KutzFamilies and Youth Director I was thrilled when Pastor Laurie asked me to lead a discussion last Sunday during the middle hour about West Side’s desire to be an intergenerational church. As I was preparing, I realized that from the start we needed to define the difference between multigenerational and intergenerational church.Many of us grew up in multigenerational churches. Churches ...  Read More

Have you and/or your Connect group been thinking about or looking for a to serve our West Seattle community? Each weekend in April, the West Seattle Nursery hosts "Doing Good in the Neighborhood." Local West Seattle organizations are at the nursery to share what they do and how people can volunteer. Find out more: https://www.westseattlenursery.com/classes-and-events/doing-good-in-the-neighborhood...  Read More

Opportunities to serve our community are available for individuals, families, or groups through the One Seattle Day of Service. Opportunities are available throughout the city. Registration is required using the Register for Event button on the website. If you prefer a West Seattle related opportunity, click on the Register for Event button and then use the Search Events box in the upper right of ...  Read More

Dr. Jemar Tisby, author of The Color of Compromise, will be speaking at Seattle Pacific University on Monday, April 24 at 7:00PM.  Admission is free.  https://spu.edu/administration/john-perkins-center/news-archive/2023/perkins-annual-lecture-2023 Additionally, Dr. Tisby will take part in a panel discussion titled Holiness Abolitionism: Christians Modeling Racial Justice at the same location on Tu...  Read More

Spring is a time of renewal and a time for of stepping out and trying new things.  On Friday, April 28 at 7:30pm, WSPC Choir will have such an experience by singing for the first time in Benaroya Hall.  The choir will join in with ChoralSounds Northwest, Seattle Pacific University Choirs, and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise) by Felix Mendelssohn. This...  Read More

The Monastery of Christ in the Desert is a Benedictine monastery 20 miles up a dirt track from Abiquiu, New Mexico. Pastor Laurie and her husband, David, will spend 8 days of her study leave participating in the scheduled prayers and meals alongside the monks at the abbey. Laurie will follow a self-guided spiritual retreat during the work hours of the day. You can learn more here about the pattern...  Read More

Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddle Back church in California, wrote, “Small groups are not a ministry of the church, small groups are not a program of the church, small groups are not an outreach of the church, small groups are not an event of the church, small groups are the church.”  This quote is a great reminder of the importance of small groups (we call them Connect Groups). The church is not a bu...  Read More

Hi, I’m Erika and you will normally see me somewhere with the kids on Sunday mornings!I grew up attending West Side, participating in Sunday school and VBS. And I went to school in the Arbor Heights/ White center area. I went to college at the University of Idaho which was a bit of a culture shock after attending Evergreen High School, though I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere. I’ve always loved ...  Read More

In March our elders and deacons met together for a joint Session meeting, discussing the mission that we share to make disciples. The loving attention that our Deacons dedicate to our members, particularly those who are isolated or in need, encourages everyone in our West Side family to follow Jesus in faith, hope and love. We are grateful for the Deacons!At the end of the shared meeting Karol Aro...  Read More

In March 2021 the Congregational Care Team wanted to reach out to our most isolated members and had the idea of delivering Holy Week Bags. Just coming out of lockdown during the previous year, making deliveries to members who were still not attending in-person worship meant an opportunity for some face-to-face contact and conversation, as well as an opportunity to remind them that they were not fo...  Read More

“Would you like to go to church with us on Easter?”I was surprised that one small question caused me so much anxiety. I had gotten to know Brad at a weekly ultimate frisbee game and thought he and his family might enjoy attending our Easter Sunday service, but I hesitated to ask him.  I wondered if I would offend him, if it would strain our relationship, if he would be turned off that I was a Chri...  Read More