Introducing michelle whelan!

Interim Director of Student Ministries

We are pleased to announce our Interim Director of Student Ministries: Michelle Whelan! Though we posted the permanent position in a number of places, none of the candidates we interviewed is the right fit at this time.


To ensure that student ministries is robust, and to free Jake Putich for his additional responsibilities of creation care, we are grateful to Michelle for taking on this role! She has often filled in for Jake in his absence, and has now graciously agreed to take this on at 15 hours/week.


Michelle is a psychotherapist in private practice, focusing on family counseling. Married to Brett Whelan, their two children (Juliette, 17, and James, 13) have been part of WPC since Preschool. Their family has been active in many different ways. Our search for a permanent Director will continue. Please extend your thanks to Jake and Michelle!

Finding our Way together

We are a community of students learning to walk humbly, to love kindness, and to do justice (Micah 6:8). Together we are creating a safe space where we can learn from one another, support one another, and build a better world with one another. Together we love, heal, and embrace the world in the Spirit of Christ. Together we pray, we doubt, we grow, we share. Together we stand with those on the margins, with people of color, with the disabled, with our LGBTQ+ friends, and with all those who thirst for justice.


We are a community of students finding our way … together.


The Westwood Youth Collective gathers every Sunday at 10:00am in the Youth Lounge at WPC for fun, reflection, and honest conversations about faith. We hope you'll join us!


If you would like to receive our weekly newsletter — ☀ The Atlas — for more information about our gatherings and events, please email our Director of Youth, College & Adult Faith Formation, Jake Putich, at jputich@westwoodpres.org.