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 New Beginning: Community Engagement Commission

What is a new beginning? It can be many things like moving to a new city, starting a new job, beginning a new friendship, or simply looking at something from a new perspective. New beginnings often cause us to be open to change and improvement. What does the Bible say about new beginnings? “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has c…

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Connecting In Small Groups

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” –Jesus, Matthew 18:20* “If you build it, he will come.” – Ray Kinsella, Field of Dreams* The Spirit is moving here at Westminster. Folks are longing for connection. As humans, we’re built for connection. Even God in the flesh spent time in relationship with other humans. Jesus spent his life connecting—calling disciples, healing the sic…

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Friendship Is Caring

Healthy congregations often are noisy congregations. People gathered early at Westminster for the first mask-free worship service after COVID-19. They stood in the sanctuary pews and waived at church-made friends whom they had not seen for two years. People got out of their pews and walked enthusiastically to greet longtime friends. Those who found themselves sitting next to their usual pew…

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From the Office of JO FORREST: Pentecost

Think of those places you felt a rush of wind. The beach. Between the canyons of buildings on a city sidewalk. Frigid nights at PNC Park. I’m not referring to the time the wind merely refreshed the stale air. Remember the time you felt humbled, the wind ruffled your feathers with discomfort, or plain knocked you off your feet. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he breathed on his f…

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God Made Me Do It!

Two years ago, a pastor friend called to tell me about a job opening at a large church in the South Hills that she thought I would be perfect for. I told her that I was not interested, and yet she continued to reach out every few weeks asking if I had reconsidered. “The congregation is lovely and welcoming. The building is beautiful. There are so many children and families!” But I was not ready to …

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Joy in Service

Delivering meals to communities in need was wonderful for someone of my age. It showed me I should not take for granted what I have. While driving to deliver the meals, my mother and I brought QuicKits in case we saw anyone homeless. When handing the homeless person the kit, you felt as if you were doing God’s work. The big smile on their face made my day. The people that work at the church we g…

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Questions ... Many, Many Questions!

During a recent sermon, Dr. Jo Forrest referenced a conversation she had heard between organizational guru Adam Grant and clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy. Jo immediately caught my Sunday morning attention with her statement that Dr. Becky is working to find a way to bring out the good in everyone. Being an educator, and a mother, I live my life believing that each of God’s children has g…

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Spirit At Work

Some of my favorite stories in scripture are those when the Spirit is working in separate places, at the same time, for the same cause. There are a handful of these stories, but the one that always stands out to me is in Acts chapter nine. It’s the story of Saul (who will become the writer of so much of our New Testament, named Paul) and his conversion. Saul, a notorious leader well-known for his w…

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