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.


A Longstanding Pandemic Hides in Plain Sight

Watching the pandemic of COVID-19 play out has given us an education in so many things. Will it prompt us to wrap our heads around a pandemic of racism? Or shall we debate the semantics of this widespread plague? Racism has profound effects on health and lifespan for people of color. The facts are plain. Racial discrimination explains much about the diseases like diabetes that racial and ethnic…

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Between Here and There -- January 2021

If you’ve read my articles over the past several months, then you’ll be aware that I often like to look at two sides of a coin, and that is, once again, where I find myself. Are things about to change or will they carry on as they ever have? I’m not talking about vaccines, presidents, or even pastors – I’m talking about faith, ministry, and the ways that we, as a community, seek out the care of one anoth…

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Book Review -- January 2021

His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Jon Meacham Booksellers categorize Meacham’s latest work as both history and politics, but it is also about faith, that of both Lewis and Meacham. There is resonance throughout, a recognition of the faith foundation of Lewis’s life and work, a connection to Meacham’s own religious core. What makes this account so rich is that Meacham himse…

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Deacons Dive into the New Year

At Westminster Church we are blessed with a remarkable group of men and women dedicated to serving the members and wider community – the Board of Deacons! Following the tradition of the original deacons found in the New Testament, our deacons serve the congregation by caring for the hurting, friendless, grieving, and lonely. For the larger community, they have raised funds to support ministries d…

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Message from Jo Forrest -- January 2021

Years ago, at REI Co-op, a store that sells anything from bicycles to hiking equipment to snowshoes, one of their salesclerks helped me buy socks. Seriously, how hard can it be to buy socks? But standing amidst row upon row of socks for all variety of outdoor and casual adventure, I felt lost. Socks can be expensive and selecting the wrong pair can literally derail your day. This salesclerk spoke…

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Thank You from Bruce Lancaster

My Friends, As I end my journey with you, I am grateful for your kind words received through phone calls, emails, and notes. Cathi and I will treasure the beautiful Van Gogh “Sunflower” print I received on my last Sunday. But more than anything, for nearly 20 months I would offer a benediction at the end of the worship service. The truth is that I am the one who week after week was on the rec…

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Twenty-Four Hour Prayer Vigil -- January 2021

Twenty-Four Hour Prayer Vigil for Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Thursday, January 21, 7:00 p.m. through Friday, January 22, 7:00 p.m. During the week of January 18-25, 2021, congregations from all Christian denominations will come together in observance of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. As part of this observance, we will offer a Twenty-Four Hour Prayer Vigil on…

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Westminster Book Group -- January 2021

Wednesday, January 27 Noon – 1:15 p.m. The next meeting of the Westminster Book Group will be on Zoom and in Room 238. The zoom link can be found in the meeting announcement on the church website. We will be reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. We invite you to join us either by Zoom or in person in Room 238. "Toni Morrison's magnificent Pulitzer Prize-winning novel – first published in 1987 – broug…

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