Our Christian Formation theme for 2025-2026 is "Abundance in Community." Church members and visitors can gather in community to listen, question, and explore important topics from the study of Scripture and theology to history and current events impacting our lives today, led by visiting scholars and Westminster members alike.
While we enthusiastically invite back our “regulars,” we also encourage new learners to attend a class or event. New this year we are offering our traditional interactive speaker series in the Haverkamp Room as well as a weekly Bible study in the Westminster Room! Drop in anytime - no long-term commitment is needed - and feel free to alternate between the two offerings.
Classes are led by Director of Adult Formation Scott Planting and/or Associate Pastor for Christian Formation Jacob Bolton, unless otherwise specified.
Christian Formation Classes
Haverkamp Room or Zoom
Weekly at 9:45 AM
Our traditional interactive speaker series, featuring a variety of topics from interfaith dialogues to Reformed theology to community updates. See below for a detailed schedule.
Miss a class? Most Christian Formation classes are recorded and available to watch on YouTube by clicking below.
Spring Class Schedule
January 4: Christian Formation Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
Celebrate both Epiphany and National Puzzle Month by entering the Christian Formation Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. All teams (up to 8 per team) will compete to finish the same 500 piece jigsaw puzzle in 60 minutes. The first team to complete the puzzle wins! We will have additional Epiphany themed snacks and activities for everyone not competing. Feel free to register a team or come and cheer on your friends. Register your team by December 28.
January 11: "Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria, Virginia" with Dr. Krystyn R. Moon
Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Dr. Moon discusses her most recent book, which focuses on the history of Alexandria’s African American community from the mid-nineteenth century to the twenty-first century, focusing on its dynamic relationship with the federal government before, during, and after the Civil War. Alexandria has long held a unique sociopolitical position due to its proximity to the nation’s capital. Dr. Moon will discuss this previously unexplored relationship which had such a profound impact on African Americans' access to schools, transportation, and other resources in comparison to other southern towns and cities.
January 18: "A Task of Greater Magnitude" with Rev. Scott Planting
Rev. Scott Planting, Director of Adult Formation, will talk about his 50 years as a parish minister. In 1975, Scott was installed as the minister of a three-church parish in the foothills of Western Maine. The parish was part of a cooperative ministry called Mission at the Eastward which supported small rural churches and offered a range of community services. After 35 years he was called to serve as president of the Maine Seacoast Mission located on the Downeast coast of Maine. The Seacoast Mission provides healthcare, pastoral care and social services to coastal villages and outer islands. Scott will talk about lessons learned along the way.
January 25: "Youth" with Rev. Olivia Patterson
February 1 & 15: "After Ten Years: on Dietrich Bonhoeffer" with Rev. Dr. Victoria Barnett
February 8: "Report on the WPC Mission Strategy" with Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt
February 22: "Ecumenical Movement" with Rev. Dr. Jacob Bolton
March 1: "Protestant Missions Abroad" with Rev. Maggie Hayward
March 8: TBD
March 15-22: "Genesis" with Paul Cho
Fall Class Schedule
September 7: "Mission Trip Report"
September 14: "Islam & Christianity" with Dr. Phil Wingeier-Rayo
September 21: "Buddhism & Christianity" with Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo
September 28: "Trinity, Part 2" with Rev. Dr. Katherine Sonderegger
October 5: "Wisdom in the Age of AI: Stewarding Technology for the Common Good" with Dr. Paula Christina Azevedo
October 12: "The New George Mason Elementary School" with Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird
October 19: "Remember the Titans"
October 26: "Alexandria City Planning" with Carrie Beach
November 2-16: "Reading the Times with Bonhoeffer" with Rev. Dr. Victoria Barnett
November 23: "Faith & Vocation" with Steve Denne, Emily Oehler, and Sara DeWitt
December 7: "Gratitude" with Christine Hershey and Scott Planting
December 14: "A Pastor Looks at Advent" with Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward, Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt, and Rev. Olivia Patterson
Christmas Break - no Christian Formation classes on December 21 or 28.
