The Westminster Seminars offer a dynamic schedule of topics to help us live more fully as thoughtful Christians in today’s world. Everyone is always welcome. Come when you can – no preparation or homework.
The Zoom option makes it easy to catch a seminar if you aren’t at church. For most seminars, you can watch or listen later on the Westminster web page at: Westminster Seminars.
Join Zoom Meeting
The Zoom meeting opens at 9:30.
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Dial in: 1-309-205-3325
October Seminars
October 25
9:45 a.m.
Galbreath Chapel
The Barmen Declaration (1934) and Belhar Confession (1982) are landmarks of prophetic witness. Barmen and Belhar both confess the gospel and critique the powers. In Germany, Barmen denounced the totalitarianism of the Nazi Reich in the name of the one Word of God. In South Africa, Belhar renounced the racism of the Afrikaner apartheid-state in the name of the one Church of Christ. While the content of these Reformed Confessions remains instructive for contemporary social witness, it is the praxis that produces them that can be transformative in the present political moment.
If you are curious about these two Confessions, you can read them HERE and HERE.
Derek Woodard-Lehman is Director of the Miller Institute and Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The Miller Institute is a public theology initiative that empowers civic engagement, leadership development, and vocational discernment for next generation learners (ages 16-26). His research and teaching ask how the theological question “How shall we live as Christians?” informs and transforms the political question “How shall we live with other citizens?” in increasingly pluralistic and polarized communities.
Coming Up: November Seminars
November 1, 8 & 15
9:45 a.m.
Galbreath Chapel
In November, the Westminster Seminars welcome back two familiar faces: Professor John Burgess and Rev. Louise Rogers. John will lead a series drawing on his recent research in Romania. Louise will present a special seminar on her pilgrimage to the places of the Apostle Paul’s ministry. Please join in to expand our perspective of Christian life as we grow in faith.
Looking at the World from Europe’s Underside: A Report from the Balkans
Presented by John Burgess, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
This three-week series will look at why the West (the U.S., NATO) and the East (Russia) are competing to control those countries “in the shadow of Europe,” such as Romania and the Republic of Moldova. How are churches (especially the Orthodox Church) seeking to shape these nations’ identity? And what lessons are there for Christians in the United States as we too think about religion and the nation?
The Rev. Dr. John Burgess, professor of theology at Pittsburgh Seminary, has just returned from a nine-month Fulbright in Romania. He has written and spoken extensively on religion and politics in Eastern Europe, and especially in Russia and Ukraine.
November 22
Footsteps of the Apostle Paul
Presented by Louise Rogers
People go on a “Footsteps of the Apostle Paul” pilgrimage today to experience the places where Paul lived, preached, suffered, and helped establish the earliest Christian churches. For many, this is more than a vacation – it is a journey of faith that brings the Bible to life. In October 2024 a team set out from Central Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg, PA, to make this pilgrimage. Along the way, we explored where the early church began as we connected Scripture with actual places and sought to understand the challenges of the church. We found that the Apostle Paul communicated the gospel to people whose beliefs differed from his own, which brings important teachings for us as Christians today. Pictures will include key places where Paul walked.
Rev. Louise Rogers returns to us today after working at Pittsburgh Presbytery as an Associate Minister before her retirement. Louise served in several churches in the South Hills of Pittsburgh during her 20+ career in ministry. These include John McMillan Presbyterian Church, Beechview Presbyterian Church, Peters Creek Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. She loves being with people of all ages to share God’s message of grace and love. Louise is married to Bill and they have two married daughters and four grandchildren. She is happy to share pictures of the beautiful grandchildren!