Adult Education

Adult Ministries

From Classes to Special Interest Groups


Deepen your understanding of the Bible and engage with other adults. We have a lot going on at Westminster!

Library


Margaret Paylor

Westminster offers its congregation an up-to-date collection and volunteer assistance to help members of the church family:

  • + Further their own faith development
  • + Develop skills as Christian educators and parents
  • + Become more effective within their families and community
  • + More effectively live out their faith as leaders within the congregation and community
  • + Find comfort and nurture during life’s transitions.

Resources for pre-schoolers through senior adults include books, magazines, audiovisual materials (DVDs and CDs), and computer files, as well as many Internet links to book reviews, study guides, online-only publications, audios, and videos. Audio recordings of selected adult Sunday School classes may be borrowed on CD. The collection currently includes approximately 4,000 items.

The library’s “OPALS” catalog can be searched from anywhere with an Internet connection and a browser (Firefox or Chrome are preferred).  Watch the Home Page for highlighted features such as topical bibliographies, “face-out bookshelves” of seasonal materials, recommended Internet sites, and even the daily weather report!  Check the New Items page for all new titles added during the past 365 days. Look for Starred ratings and user comments about individual titles – and even add your own evaluations!

Didn’t find what you need? One click on the “Foothills Presbytery” tab will check the catalog for that library. Located on Woodruff Road near Simpsonville, this collection also loans to members of our church family. Ask a library volunteer for more information, or email the Library.

Heritage Lecture Series


The Heritage Lecture Series is a long-standing tradition of Westminster’s which seeks to expand the religious horizons of our community by inviting world-class lecturers to teach and preach one Sunday per year.

Previous Lecturers include:


Craig Barnes
Kate Bowler
Leah Schade
Jonathan Lee Walton
Ted Wardlaw
Philip Yancey
Diana Butler Bass
Brian McLaren
Sister Helen Prejean
Yahya Hendi
Thomas Troeger
Sandra Brown
Miroslav Volf
Amy-Jill Levine
Thomas Long

Sunday School

The adult classes below will meet at 10a during the month of March.

Class Descriptions
The Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo
John MacCarthy
(Room 211)

St. Augustine (354-430 CE) is viewed as one of the most important of the early “Church Fathers.”  He is often credited with providing the initial philosophical basis for Christian theology, and his writings have had a major impact on the development of Western philosophy, Western Christianity, and developmental psychology.  He is also considered one of the theological fathers of the Protestant Reformation and is credited with our understanding of doctrines of grace, predestination, and original sin.  St. Augustine’s Confessions is generally considered one of his most important (and accessible) works.  It is the story of his journey from “sinful youth” to his adult conversion to Christianity (thanks to his mother’s constant “help”). John finds it to be one of the most hilariously funny works by a serious philosopher/theologian that he has read and hopes that by the end of the class, you will share his opinion as well.  Beginning with a brief overview of the life and significance of St. Augustine and some of the relevant heresies of the time, the class will proceed to an in-depth study of Confessions.

Easter Appearances in the Gospels
(meeting March 10, 17, and 24)
Leigh Stuckey
(Room 209)

Each gospel narrates a slightly different scene to highlight the good news of new creation at Easter.  In this lecture-style class, we’ll consider the road to Emmaus, the meal on the beach, and the great commission.  What do the resurrection appearances tell us about who Jesus is?  How can they inspire faith today?  (Note that this class will not meet on March 3.)

Faith at the Border
WPC Members
(Room 212)

In February 2023, a delegation of members from Westminster traveled to the US/Mexico border, spending 8 days with our PCUSA partners, Frontera de Cristo, in Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.  Over the course of four weeks, members of the delegation will share their experiences from the trip.  Discussion will include a reflection on the history of the border and reflections on life on the border from both sides of the “wall.”

•March 3: History of the Border
•March 10: Frontera de Cristo’s Work and Partners at the Border
•March 17: Frontera de Cristo’s Work and Partners at the Border (Mandy, Jerry, Keith)
•March 24: The Immigrant Experience in Greenville and South Carolina.

Women of Westminster


Annual Retreat - Bonclarken

Women of Westminster seeks to connect women of all ages to the people and work of the church, to enhance their spiritual lives, and to provide opportunities for service and education.

Since the early 1800s, organizations of Presbyterian Women have supported missions, fought social injustices, and worked for peace around the world. Presbyterian Women (PW) is an independent organization within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of more than 300,000 women. Westminster is proud to be a part of the Presbyterian Women organization.

Would you like to be connected to the happenings of the Women of Westminster?  Click here to receive email notifications.

Women of Westminster Circle Groups
Circle 3: Dee Malone, Leader
Circle 6: Sherry Tate & Liz Einstein, Leaders
Circle 7: Talitha Allen, Leader

Look for information about Circle meetings in the Harbinger. All women are welcome to join a Circle and to join us at Women of Westminster events!

Looking for information on offerings for the kids?


Mens Group


 

The Men’s Group provides opportunities for friendships, mutual support, mission opportunities, and fun. All men in the church are invited and encouraged to attend.

The Men’s Group gathers periodically for breakfast and lunch. The group also has speakers periodically.

The main events for the group are two mission trips to Camp Thornwell, one in the fall and one in the spring. The men work at the camp and enjoy great food, fun, and fellowship.

The Men’s Group schedule may also be found on the church’s calendar. Announcements are made by email, the Harbinger, and the e-newsletter.

Annual Retreat - Bonclarken

Young Adults


The “Youngish” program at Westminster provides a spiritual and social home for folks in their early twenties all the way up to their late thirties (lets be honest, we’ve got a few youngish 40 year olds too). Whether you’re single or long-married, without kids or with a host of them, as long as you remember the 90s, we’re glad to have you join us.

Our Youngish Study & Fellowship Series led by Leigh Stuckey meets at 6:30p on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at a local restaurant or member’s home.

Unless otherwise noted, childcare is available at the Westminster Nursery from 6:15-7:45. Please enter through the double doors next to the choir room and follow the ramp to the nursery.

 
 
 

The Flock


Annual Retreat - Bonclarken

The Flock is a group whose members range in age from mid 30s to early 40s.

Whether single, married, with children or without, we hope you will join us for fellowship, education, and mission. Watch the Harbinger for Flock meeting days and times.

Looking for information on our mission work?

Right this way

Lightly Seasoned


Lightly Seasoned is a newly-organized group at Westminster whose purpose is to know one another and become and remain engaged in the life of the Church and our faith.

We’re a collection of …

  • – couples and singles
  • – some without children and others are parents
  • – mostly in our fifties, but we don’t obsess about age
  • – who gather once per quarter for fellowship.

It’s an informal structure, without committees or specific assignments.  Our events are publicized in the Harbinger and via e-mail alerts.

We hope you’ll join us!

Annual Retreat - Bonclarken

Old But Young

This age 60+ crowd knows how to have a good time and always welcomes new faces! Keep an eye out for our next gathering in the Harbinger.

 

Adult Groups