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Westminster has been in a discerning process of seeking greater clarity regarding God's mission and vision for Westminster's radical transformation. Over the years we have learned that radical transformation takes "kairos," "kronos," genuine compassion, open and ongoing communication, and "mucho" patience. Westminster's congregational transformation from a homogeneous-white "vintage" congregation to a “House of Prayer and Praise for People of all Nations” has been and is a long, at times arduous, and definitely ongoing process.
In the mid-eighties, even before Westminster knew about the "Five Dynamic Forces of Congregational Redevelopment", Westminster was implementing, under the leadership of former pastor Rev. Dana Livesay, the Dynamic Force entitled "Reentering the Community" through community organizing. Led by the Holy Spirit, some of the members were trained and later became actively involved in church-based community organizing. On October 18, 1987 Rev. Dana Livesay also implemented the Dynamic Force of "Coming to Terms with the Past. Present, and Future", when he presented to Westminster's session an "a to g" list of possible alternatives, with dissolving at one end of the spectrum, merging as the middle ground, and intentionally reaching out to the racially changing Wilbur community at the opposite end. These possible alternatives were in response to the realities of declining membership and dwindling resources due primarily to the aftermath of suburban flight. It was a major awakening and challenge to Westminster, a Presbyterian church in the city, that things could not remain the way that they were. Yet, even at the "risk" of losing more members. Westminster chose to embrace its community by being open to radically changing the racial-ethnic composition of its congregational and pastoral leadership.
Experimental and innovative ministries and clustering ministry models such as; "The Shared Ministry Experiment,"led by Rev. Patti Daley, Rev. Jacqueline Lewis, and Rev. John Nelson, and the Trenton Presbyterian Cluster of Churches' Trenton Youth Ministry, also enabled Westminster to crystallize God's mission and vision for Westminster's ministry in the Trenton Wilbur Community. Westminster realized that in order to clearly reveal our commitment to ministering to our diverse community, we would have to call a racial-ethnic pastor. Rev. Jacqueline Lewis became the first racial-ethnic pastor, followed by Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen who was installed in 1995 and continues to be our pastor.
The former Presbytery of New Brunswick Urban Ministry Associate. Rev. Lome Rowland Skinner, led our Strategic Leadership Team through a mission study process. The findings of this study led us in 1996 to adopt a Vision Statement that included ""becoming a multiracial, multicultural, and intergenerational worshipping congregation", which "embraces traditional and contemporary styles of worship".
In 1998. our centennial anniversary year, the various events, celebrations, and the publication of our Centennial History Book also helped Westminster come to terms with its past, present, and future. In November 2000, Westminster became the first official Radical Redirection Ministry of the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
In May of 2004. as we began yet another mission study process, we thanked God and rejoiced as we evaluated the positive outcomes of our 2000 goals and objectives. As stated in our newly revised Mission and Vision Statements, we are no longer "'becoming a multiracial, multicultural, and intergenerational worshipping congregation"'. Westminster Presbyterian Church, led by the Holy Spirit, is in the "continuing process" of being transformed into a multiracial, multicultural, and multigenerational congregation: "A House of Prayer and Praise for People of All Nations". This mission is inspired by Genesis' affirmation that we are all created equally in God's image, Pentecost's declaration that the Body of Christ is called to be united by the Holy Spirit in the midst of its rich diversity, and Revelation's images of the City of God where all tribes, nations, peoples, and languages will worship God. We again affirm that it is not an easy call and not without its challenges; but our learning is that this is where God continues to challenge us as Presbyterians who believe that Presbyterians are called to "abide in"' and "seek the welfare of the city."
Years ago, by the grace of God, Westminster began the process of overcoming the "survival syndrome" and we, as a congregation, continued to STEP OUT IN FAITH to be apart of God's ministry in the City of Trenton and beyond. We believe that God is now calling Westminster to passionately and diligently evangelize by seeking to reach those who are called to be a part of this particular multicultural and multiracial faith community. The vision of expanding our staff in order to fulfill our mission and educational opportunities to children, youth, and their families continues to become very clear. One of our greatest learnings is that we needed to "staff for growth". In June 2005, through Shared Grants we hired a passionate fulltime staff person to assist the pastor and the small group of lay leaders (remember: “20-80 rule of leadership”) with church growth and the daily responsibilities of leading our outreach programs, such as, Get SET (Scholastic Enhancement Tutoring) Programs, Trenton Youth Connection ministries, and newly formed and expanding ESL classes in partnership with Mercer County Community College.
For the last years, Westminster's leadership has dedicated themselves to providing inspiration, insights, and resources for multicultural and multimedia worshipping congregations through the PC(USA)'s Multicultural Conferences. In April 2004, at the Sixth Annual Multicultural Conference in Irving. TX, Rev. Clifford Kirkpatrick, PC(USA)'s Stated Clerk, stated that those participating in the conference weren't just participating in a conference; but that we were members of a movement inspired by the Holy Spirit! Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, 216th G.A. Moderator of the PC(USA), attended one of Westminster's workshops on becoming a multicultural church community. We were greatly inspired when he asked permission to quote, during his candidating speech, an excerpt from our 1994 Church Information Form below. He thought it captured the reality of Westminster's transformational process and the reality of the transformation needed for many of our Presbyterian churches across our country.
We are a "vintage" congregation of people, many of us born and raised in Trenton ... a predominantly white congregation, a small band of disciples who still believe that Presbyterians belong in the city ... we are (he battleground ... the mission field is our backyard ... those of us who remain have chosen to be on the frontline. Some of us are excited about being on the cutting edge, some of us struggle with letting go of the old, most of us believe that our roots are planted at the corner of Greenwood and South Walter and should not be transplanted to the suburbs. We know that our future is dependent upon building membership, especially the youth membership. We know that we are not the same community that existed when most of us lived in the neighborhood and were not church "commuters" as we are today. We are aware that we can never be what "was" and that the church we hope to grow will be of a mixed complexion which reflects the "now" of our church neighborhood. We are God's people, called to spread the "Good News" so that all people can find a personal relationship with the Lord and become apart of the fellowship of believers. We who remain in the city believe that "thy Kingdoms come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."
Moderator, Rick Ufford-Chase, promised to visit us even if he wasn't elected. By-God's providence he was elected and also able to immediately fulfill his promise by honoring Westminster Presbyterian Church of Trenton with his visit, thereby, making our church his first official congregational visit as the newly elected Moderator of the PC(USA). Rick also promised to wear the multiracial stole we gave him as a gift every time he visited a church similar to Westminster.
Westminster’s pastor, leaders and members attended the Seventh Annual Multicultural Church, in Orlando, FL. Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen, Linda Konrad-Byers, and David Byers had the privilege of leading the Youth Track of the conference. Rick also attended the conference once again and while there he decided to make Westminster Church, his last official visit as current moderator. His sermon last Sunday, June 11, 2006, affirmed Westminster’s multicultural ministry and challenged us to keep faithful to God’s mission to be “A House of Prayer and Praise for People of All Nations.
Total number of members: 85
Racial & cultural makeup of these members:
White (60%) Black (30%) Hispanic/Other (10%)
Ratio of the different races or cultures to the predominant race or culture of the congregation:
There is one racial ethic member for every 2 ½ white members.
Makeup of the session in terms of racial and cultural diversity:
White (4) Black (4) Hispanic (1)
Westminster Presbyterian Church
1140 Greenwood Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08609
(609) 695-8025
E-mail
Westminster: WPCTrenton@aol.com
Pastor: karisuhg@aol.com |
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