Westhope Church FAQs

Is Westhope affiliated with the Presbyterian Church?

Yes, Westhope is a part of the PCUSA.

What areas does Westhope serve?

Westhope serves people in Saratoga, West San Jose, and communities throughout the western Santa Clara Valley.

What are office hours and how can I contact Westhope?

The administration office is open Monday and Wednesday from 10am to 2pm. Pastor Swanson is generally in the office Monday-Thursday from 10-4.

You can email us at info@westhope.org or call us at 408-255-0955.

THINKING OF VISITING WESTHOPE?

What time is the Sunday worship service?

Weekly worship is from 10am to 11:15am on Sundays.

Where is Westhope located?

Westhope at 12850 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070. The parking lot entrance is about ¼ mile north of Cox Avenue, just past Prince of Peace. There is ample parking.

What should I wear, and what should I bring?

You can “wear what feels good” and “come as you are.” There is no need to bring anything. There are Bibles and Hymnals provided. In fact, even well behaved dogs join us!

How do I participate if I can't attend in person?

Westhope has a substantial online component: Sunday worship is hybrid, Taizé is available online, and Meditative Prayer is online Monday–Thursday.

Links to these are provided on our website and in the online Calendar. Online participants are considered part of the community and welcomed to participate during the services.

ABOUT WESTHOPE

What is the mission of the church?

We are followers of Jesus who welcome people of all faiths or no faith, encourage questioning minds, stand for love & compassion as the heart of social justice, embrace all people, of every color, gender identity, sexual orientation, or status.

What is Westhope like on a typical Sunday?

Our Christian Contemplative Worship service of Prayer and Presence is a worship that includes silence, contemplation, sung prayer, Scripture, sermon, communal response.

What is Christian Contemplative Worship? What should I expect?

People don't need to know special prayers or practices. You can simply participate at whatever level feels comfortable. If this style of worship is new to you, let our congregation carry you. You needn’t feel any need to share anything or introduce yourself but expect a warm welcome from our pastor and members of our community.

When is communion served?

Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.

Do I have to be Christian to attend Westhope?

Westhope welcomes “people of all faiths or no faith” and encourages questioning minds. You don't have to believe a particular set of things to attend our services.

Is Westhope LGBTQ+ affirming?

Westhope embraces people of every gender identity, sexual orientation, and status.

What is the Taizé Service?

Taizé is a simple and beautiful meditative candlelight service of sung prayers, scripture, and silence. Learn more here.

Who is the pastor of Westhope?

The Rev. Erik Swanson is the pastor of Westhope. Pastor Swanson graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1998 with a Master of Divinity and a concentration in Spiritual Formation. He received my Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Life Center in Bloomfield, CT in 2004.

Prior to Westhope, He was a Pastor in Colchester, CT for four and a half years and a co-founder of MICAH(Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing) in Crookston, MN for a year and a half.

Rev. Swanson was born and raised Presbyterian (PCUSA) and openly respects all religious backgrounds and affiliations. He is passionate about listening for the calling of God in people’s lives and helping them find freedom from that which binds them from relationship with God, self and others. He loves being married and spending time with his wife and three boys. He also loves woodworking, fly fishing, gardening and most activities in nature. He spent a year spent living in studying sacred Community in the Taizé monastery in France.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WESTHOPE

Social Justice Ministries and What is the Justice Café?

The Justice Café is co-hosted online by Rev. Erik Swanson & Beth Wylie on the First and Third Wednesday Afternoons each month at 3PM. The Justice Café’s current areas of focus are supporting our immigrant neighbors, LGBTQIA+ allyship, fighting Christian nationalism and promoting human rights for Palestinians. People who are passionate about these or other topics, drop in to Justice Café – we would love to hear from you.

As People of Hope we strive to walk beside those most impacted by injustice…the immigrant and refugee, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, people of color, the unhoused, the creatures of the Earth…to name just a few.

Together, we are better able to face the suffering of the world in love and to have a greater impact with more joy as we work for justice. Learn or share about opportunities to get involved…as a community we can make a difference.

The Justice Café meets on Zoom. Learn more about our social justice programs here.

What other events and activities happen at Westhope?

There are a wide variety of activities at Westhope. These include social justice films, Bible study groups, book clubs and topical programs after church service and social time on most Sundays. A complete list of events can be found here.

What is the Contemplative Center of Silicon Valley

The Contemplative Center of Silicon Valley is a community of ecumenical Christian spiritual directors who seek to live contemplatively, follow established ethical practices of spiritual direction as we offer space for all people to slow down, listen to the wisdom within, and find soul-rest and renewal for work in the world. You can get more information here.

Is the facility available for rental for private or special events?

Yes. Please contact the church office at info@westhope.org or call us at 408-255-0955 for more information.