The Spire Online

Welcome to the online version of the Spire.

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From the Office of Jo Forrest - Pentecost 2024

In those wee dark hours of Easter’s dawn, the fear and trembling initially felt by the women at the tomb gave way to wonder and courage. I imagine their eyes lighting up as they remembered Jesus’ promises. Everything he promised was true about death leading to the resurrection. They trusted even more everything he had taught and the way he lived. From that day forward, they saw his face in the fac…

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Finding New Life in Surprising Places

By Rev. Laura BentleyAssociate Pastor Years ago, I worked at a church that had a pop-up ministry for people who were homeless or in need of essentials. My co-worker Jane, along with the high school youth, had begun showing up with sandwiches and a van full of supplies to Allegheny Commons in the North Side. Once a month they would set up in the park and just see who might need some warm clothes,…

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Find Your Own Pentecost

By Christine HestwoodMusic Director Pentecost was the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and they were given the Great Commission, to spread the message of Jesus Christ to the world. I’m writing to encourage you to have your own pentecost, a time to celebrate and renew your faith, and share your faith with others. It might be as simple as “+1”! A friend of mine grew up in a churc…

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Let There Be Light Project

By Melanie Hallums Elder Our beautiful church stands tall, serving as a center of worship and the community since the end of World War II. Our original building was dedicated in 1948, and much of our infrastructure dates to that era as well. This includes the church’s electrical system. The building’s original and main electrical panel was installed when the church was first built. Like stories we …

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Come Alive!

By Laura Ecklin My earliest memories of Pentecost include dozens of red balloons on a Sunday morning during worship. If you have been around Westminster for a long time, maybe you remember, too. This year, I am approaching this celebration of the Holy Spirit with eyes wide open. The phrase “come alive” immediately makes me think of the song by the same name from The Greatest Showman, a movie fol…

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Shine Your Light

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 By Jerry Malarkey Youth Commission Chair We all inhabit var…

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¿Entiendes?

By Faith Kemmler Director of Children's & Family Ministry Like many others, I had to study a language in high school. My small school only offered French and Spanish, and being the practical person I am, I chose Spanish. I thoroughly enjoyed learning a new language. I liked the rhythm of practicing conjugation and the simplicity of recounting my favorite things and daily routines as I learned to…

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A Note from Your Personnel Commission

By Denise Rost For the most part, Westminster is a pretty seamless place. That’s no accident. It is because of the superb work and magnificent commitment of our staff. If you don’t know much about them, you are truly missing out. Here is just one of multiple examples: The Finance Department staff is comprised of our Director of Finance and Operations, Jack Kelly, and Jane Zacchero, our Accounting Ass…

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