The Spire Online

Welcome to the online version of the Spire.

If you prefer a printable version, view and download a printable PDF copy of any previous issue here.


From the Office of Jo Forrest

By Jo Forrest Remember the sacred, childhood promises you sealed with a pinky swear? Or maybe you cut your finger and exchanged red droplets to be blood siblings. Eww. In college, perhaps you publicized your romance by exchanging fraternity lavaliers and pins or you might let a sweetheart wear your letter jacket. Later, we sealed commitments with rings. From our earliest days, we craft…

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My Covenant Life

By Sara Kyle Sara is the editor of the Spire and organizer of the Westminster Seminars The meaning of covenant in Old Testament stories was puzzling to me as a child in Sunday school. But in 1965 I saw “covenant” grow to embrace a different way of learning and living. The Covenant Life Curriculum came to our Presbyterian church, and Sunday school became exciting. Covenant Life was divided into thr…

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Silence and the Stillness

By Christine Hestwood Music Director “Be still and know that I am God.” -Psalm 36:10 In my work, I am constantly surrounded by sound. You may be surprised to know that I rarely listen to music in my car or at home. I typically only listen to music when I’m studying a score or selecting music for church. You won’t be surprised to learn that I’m a high extrovert. I always seek opportunities to engage wi…

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MyWPC - Connecting at Westminster

By Anna Hiner Membership & Communications Coordinator When I started working at Westminster in 2006, we were on the cutting edge of, well, 2006. We printed newsletters on different colored paper using cutesy clipart; we created mailing labels in Word documents; and WROC classes were announced quarterly via a printed catalog of classes. The staff had a database of church members that we…

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Deacons Called to Serve

By Alecia Klonicke Moderator, Board of Deacons “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 This Bible passage is perfect to describe the Deacons at Westminster, a group of people of all different ages, abilities, strengths, backgrounds, and beliefs that have been called to serve our congr…

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Molded in the Hands of a Loving God

By Faith Kemmler Reaching into the dust of the earth, God began shaping humanity. Satisfied with this new creation, God brought us to life with God’s own breath. Enlivened through the breath of God, humanity came into being. Not just alive, but alive to having needs. Alive to a life inseparable from God. From dust we have come, And to dust we shall return, Always in the hands of a loving G…

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Women's Ministry

By Mandy Thomas About two years ago, I was restless. It was December 2021 and I had stepped away from church. Life felt hard, COVID was hard, personal things were hard. But God was calling me back to my church home, my beloved Westminster. I was ready to return to church and wanted to focus on Women's Ministry. I contacted Megan Exley, then chair of the Adult Spiritual Development Commission. By…

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Find Your "Street MOMs"

By Mary Zora Although I have often used this phrase, it now has more of a profound meaning as I support and pray for individuals who wake up each morning in temporary or inadequate housing. The Bible recognizes that some people have experienced terrible trauma and hardships, even to the point of becoming destitute. Luke 14:13-14: “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, t…

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