By Sandy Shanahan

In early 2021, my husband Jim and I moved to an independent living community, Chartiers Bend, in South Fayette Township. Because of mobility issues I continued livestreaming worship; livestreaming began during COVID.

One day in early 2023, a member of our Bible Study group commented that it would be nice if we could livestream worship from the National Cathedral in our theater. My brain turned that over several times and said to itself, why not Westminster? We are in the same neighborhood. I was given the green light and learned how to use the technology in our theater. Our first service was in April 2023 with 4-5 in attendance. Currently, we are averaging about 15 per Sunday.

Our preparation begins on Fridays when we download and copy the Sunday bulletin. Along with that, we copy the hymns for the day from the hymnal that Chris Hestwood delivered to us. We finish off our paperwork with what I call Page 1. Page 1 contains information that is unique to us and includes what our offerings have been. We started to collect offerings this year in thanksgiving for all God’s blessings and they total over $2,000. Westminster has been very supportive of our efforts. Both pastors, Jo and Laura, have visited. We have hopes for more as our community grows.

Finally, through Pastor Laura and the deacons we feel very much a part of the larger Westminster congregation. The deacons come, routinely, to visit and pick up our offerings and take them to the church’s finance office. In addition, they come to us on Extended Communion Sundays and serve us the Lord’s Supper. For the other communion Sundays, we have an elder in our group who sets up and serves the elements.

I would be remiss if I did not share a personal note about all of this. My husband died in December 2022 and I was alone. My small extended family live in several towns and states. Because of the Holy Spirit’s prompting and guidance to do this, I have a very large family here now. Thanks be to God for blessings too numerous to count.