About Westminster
Since 1955 Westminster Presbyterian Church has been active in the West Rome, Georgia community.
our mission is Demonstrating God's love to everyone.
What we believe
As a congregation within the Presbyterian Church (USA) we believe
In the grace of God in Jesus Christ who loves all of humanity and all of creation unconditionally
In shared leadership between clergy and laity
That women and men are called to the highest offices of the church
That Scripture was written by human hands and through the power of the Holy Spirit has the capacity to be God's Word to humanity
That Scripture does not have to be taken literally in order to be taken seriously
Jesus Christ is the Word incarnate and as such is the measuring rod by which all of Scripture is compared
Communion or the Lord's Supper, is open to all who trust in Jesus Christ
Baptism is offered to infants, children, and adults
Worship includes intercessory prayers, music, reading of Scripture, preaching, and an offering
Our Staff
Reverend camille josey, pastoral administrator
Reverend Josey joined Westminster in 2023 as a part-time Bridge Pastor while we search for our next Pastor.
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Camille Josey came to ordained ministry as a second career. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in history, concentrating in 20th century American foreign policy. After graduation, she entered the business world and eventually came to work for a local Atlanta entrepreneur, working with a small team that brokered Coca-Cola bottling franchises around the world.
Eventually, however, Camille began to feel a strong call to the work of the church and in 2000 left the world of business to begin seminary. Along the way, the path toward ministry led to seven years on staff (in a non-ordained position) at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. In 2010, she graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary (where her grandfather and his brothers also graduated – she says she is Presbyterian by DNA). Camille served a brief stint on staff at Kairos Church, a new church development in Atlanta before being called to serve as solo / contract call pastor of the Silver Creek Presbyterian Church (in the southern suburbs of Rome, Georgia) where she has served for 11 years.
In the Fall of 2023, the Cherokee Presbytery and the Session of Westminster Presbyterian called Camille to serve as the Administrative Bridge Pastor while the congregation conducts its search for a new pastor.
Camille also served three years (in a part-time position) on the staff of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. Three days each week she found herself to be a minority among the population, an experience that has profoundly shaped how she sees the world and how she reads scripture.
In Service to the PCUSA, Camille has served as a commissioner to the 213th General Assembly from Presbytery of Greater Atlanta (PGA), six years on the Examinations Commission of PGA, two years on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry of PGA; she served on the Flexible Governance Task Force of PGA that sought to help PGA move forward under the new form of government, on the Search Committee for Executive Presbytery of PGA in 2009, on the Administrative Commission of PGA for the Timberridge congregation, on the PGA committee on implementation of recommendations of the Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (2006-2007), on the Partnership Giving Task Force of PGA (2006-2007), and on the Committee on Ministry of the Cherokee Presbytery (2013-2020). She served as Bridge Executive Presbyter of Cherokee Presbytery (2020). Camille has led multiple Officer Training Retreats for the small congregations of the presbyteries of Greater Atlanta and Cherokee. Camille also served on the committee that worked toward the election of Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel as moderator of the PCUSA.
At Peachtree, Camille served as chair of the Missions Committee (1999-2001), on the Adult Education Committee and as a teacher (1991-2008), as the Team Leader for 2 Peachtree Presbyterian/Habitat for Humanity Atlanta all-women’s builds, and a volunteer on 42 Habitat homes. While on staff at Peachtree, Camille coordinated the work of Peachtree’s session (60 members), and was staff liaison to the Long-Range Planning Committee as well as a major capital campaign.
KATHI PARCHEM, worship and pastoral care
Reverend Parchem joined Westminster in 2025 as a part-time Bridge Pastor while we search for our next Pastor.
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Kathi received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Florida State University and a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. She spent her career working in administrative roles with various non-profit organizations, as a chaplain with Presbyterian Villages, and as a full time minister in several Georgia PC(USA) churches. Rev. Parchem has held responsibilities in both the Savannah and Cherokee Presbyteries as well as at the Synod level.
For the past 20 years, Kathi has worked as an Interim minister and understands how to navigate transitional times in the life of a congregation. She is currently a member of Cherokee Presbytery where she was the Interim Pastor at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Marietta from 2022 - 2024. Although she officially "retired" at the end of December 2024, Kathi wasn't ready to retire completely and is joining us at Westminster part time - 20 hours a week - alongside Camille. Kathi's responsibilities include sermon preparation and worship planning, preaching, various meetings, and some pastoral care. Her official days "in the office" will be Sunday for worship services and on Wednesday for meetings, pastoral care activities and Wednesday night suppers.
susan henley, treasurer / office administrator
Susan Henley has worked at Westminster Presbyterian Church as Treasurer/Office Administrator since 1997.
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Susan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Brenau University. She and her husband, Dave, have one daughter and son-in-law and a granddaughter. Susan has been an active member of Westminster since 1994 and enjoys singing in the Chancel Choir and playing in the Handbell Choir.
Tim Tarpley, music director
Tim has worked as WPC Music Director since 2022.
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Tim is retired from a career in college admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management. An opportunity to serve as interim choir director led to his current position as Music Director. When Tim is not at work he enjoys walking or biking the recreation trails of Rome and Berry College. He might also take a nap if not needed in his favorite role as Grandpa.
In Tim’s own words, “We make music and worship for our chief end: To glorify and enjoy God forever! The Kingdom is ours!”
Kristi Elkins, director of westminster christian academy
Kristi has worked for WCA since 2015.
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Kristi earned an Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dalton State College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Kennesaw State University.
During her time as assistant director, Kristi has been instrumental in leading the WCA staff to obtain a two-star Quality Rating with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
Kristi is married to Andrew Elkins and has two children. She and her family attend Rush Chapel United Methodist Church.
Mark and Sunny Knauss, church custodians
Sunny Knauss took the position of WPC custodian in 2016.
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In 2019 Sunny opened Sunflour Community Bakery, on Avenue A in the Arts District (near the Floyd County Courthouse). Husband Mark took over the custodial chores at that time. Sunny has since applied her culinary skills in preparing our Wednesday Night Suppers.
Sunny is a native Roman, who spent some years away, but returned to Rome in the 1990s to raise her kids. Mark is from Philadelphia, PA and came to Rome (via the University of North Carolina) in 1988 to teach at Shorter College (now Shorter University). Mark is currently a professor of Biology at Georgia Highlands College. Mark and Sunny have five children, who are scattered about Georgia and Alabama. They include a high school band director, an ex-marine, a restauranteur, an Army National Guardsman, and an engineering student at Kennesaw State University.