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frequently asked questions

As Westminster moves forward with a capital campaign, many insightful questions have emerged from members. This FAQ gathers those questions and provides clear, concise answers to help the congregation understand the purpose, priorities, and impact of the proposed projects.

QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR

Proposed Capital Campaign

  • The campaign funds the following major priorities:

    • Expansion of the WPC Kids wing

    • Staff office relocation and improvements

    • Facility refreshes in key gathering and hospitality areas

    • A new chapel for intimate worship and spiritual formation

    • 10% tithe for outreach

  • A Place for Everyone was conducted in 2007 and raised $5.6M to support the expansion of the Sanctuary.

  • Yes! The Session approved an $8.5M campaign.

  • The campaign budget is larger than our fundraising goal. The Session will explore avenues, including short-term debt, to fill the gap.

  • The tithe will support outreach efforts beyond WPC’s existing annual commitments. The Witness & Service Committee will make a recommendation to the Session about where the funds will be invested. WPC has a tradition of tithing 10% with special campaigns supporting projects that are transformational.

  • Westminster is currently debt free. Whether Westminster takes on a debt in a campaign like this depends on the final total and amount raised.

  • Yes. WPC maintains a strong financial position, healthy reserves, and a history of successful stewardship in past campaigns. The current endowment is $1.45M. At present, no church endowment monies are used for facilities use or maintenance.

  • The church has experienced significant growth across all age demographics, particularly among young families. The proposed facilities address this shift by expanding program capacity and improving ministry spaces.

  • The campaign will include a preparation phase, a leadership gifts phase, a congregational phase, and a concluding celebration. We won’t know the duration of the campaign until the feasibility stage is complete and Session has determined the scope for the proposed campaign. During the feasibility stage we are asking families about their preference between a three- and five-year campaign pledge period.

  • Yes. Annual giving supports WPC’s ongoing ministry and operations and will remain essential. Gifts to the capital campaign are above and beyond annual stewardship.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

Chapel : Purpose, Use & Design

  • The chapel will be used for intimate services, smaller weddings and funerals. It will also be used by many ministries in the church such as WPCYG, WPC Kids, WWS and other groups.

  • The interior look and feel has not been determined as we are early in the feasibility process. Once it is determined if Westminster will move forward with the chapel, renderings will be shared after development.

  • The current plan anticipates about 150 - 200 seats. If selected as a priority to build, the chapel would be located next to the Fellowship hall. It would take a small portion of the Fellowship Hall and a portion of the exterior. It would only take seven or eight parking spaces from the adjacent parking lot.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

WPC Kids Wing

  • The proposed expansion would add 64 new spaces (seven new classes), helping reduce the current waitlist of approximately 600 children.

  • Roughly 40% of WWS families are Westminster members.

  • WWS will not expand hours given this expansion. It will expand staffing because of enrollment growth. The Campaign Feasibility Committee is focused on gathering and communicating feedback, but it does not oversee the daily operations of the Weekday School. Any questions regarding operational matters can be shared with the WWS Committee.

  • WWS classes on the Mezzanine level will relocate during construction. WWS will continue operations without interruption. The project involves reconstructing the Mezzanine, building an additional level on top of it, and renovating the fourth floor to serve as a new classroom space.

  • Yes. The school operates with a surplus and is viewed as financially strong. It does not pay rent to WPC.

  • It is a ministry of Westminster. It is not a separate 501(c)(3).

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

Facilities, Parking, & Space Utilization

  • This Campaign will not address additional parking. If a chapel is added, it would only take away seven or eight current parking spaces

  • During due diligence, a facility use assessment revealed that most areas within the church are regularly occupied by various ministries and community events. Present evaluations indicate that significant ministries - such as WWS, WPCYG, and It’s Elementary - and staff either lack adequate space or operate in outdated facilities. Simply reconfiguring existing spaces will not address the church’s long-term requirements.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

Visuals, Drawings, & Project Details

  • Drawings and renderings will be shared once the architects complete the next phase of design. That process will start once we know we have support for projects

  • Offices would be consolidated to create a collaborative workflow out from the current office entrance to the church. The Children’s Church and Family Lounge would be brought over to the Atrium to create accessibility for families.

  • Updates are planned for the Youth Suite, the Friendship Court, restrooms, offices, and gathering spaces. These spaces were frequently described as outdated or not reflective of WPC’s warmth or hospitality.