Pittsburgh at Dusk

Here is another look at Downtown Pittsburgh from Mt. Washington, taken from roughly the same spot as the previous post.  In this photo, the sun has gone down, and the city is starting to light up the night. 

Mt. Washington has long been a magnet for those who want a great view of the city.  Perhaps the second best view - the best being when the whole Downtown bursts into sight as you emerge from the Ft. Pitt Tunnel.

Do people who get to have this view every day ever get tired of it?  I doubt it.  I certainly don't. 

Pittsburgh Afternoon

One of the joys of being back in my hometown is seeing it in all of its glory, which we had a chance to do this past weekend.  

From high atop Mt. Washington, you get a good look at the city, and can talk about everything from its early origins at the Point, with the footprint of Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt, to the modern landmarks such as PNC Park and Heinz Field.  All of them, spread out before you like the very best train layout ever.  

I was glad to be able to catch the city on a blue sky afternoon, with sunshine and clouds behaving very well indeed.  If you love this city as I do, you will want to zoom the photo and look at some of the details.  

If you are a friend and follower who is not familiar with Pittsburgh, suffice to say that if you follow the Allegheny River (the river to the left of the photo) as it recedes into the background, we are living "upriver" and to the left, in Indiana Township.  And Shadyside Presbyterian Church is also upriver but to the right - slightly - of the water tower you see on the tallest nearby hillside (the water tower is in the the Garfield neighborhood).

At Shadyside Presbyterian Church

This is my first post while serving Shadyside Presbyterian Church.

Today marks my 8 week anniversary as the Interim Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This has been a wonderful season of new beginnings.  Indeed, within my first week here, I experienced my first Session meeting, first worship service, and first meeting of Pittsburgh Presbytery.  I also discovered what a warm and welcoming congregation this is, and what wonderful church staff members are here.

Shadyside Presbyterian Church dates back to its founding in the mid 1860's, and has an illustrious history of innovation and excellence in ministry.

As time progresses, I will be saying more.  But for now, I will say that I am delighted to be serving here, and have felt God's guiding hand each step of the way.

The Meaning of the Campanile Windows

The Meaning of the Campanile Windows

This serves as my last post during my pastorate at Wekiva Presbyterian Church.

The Campanile Windows serve as an artistic interpretation of the central symbols in the Seal of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The Celtic Cross – The cross is our reminder of the unmerited love and grace of Jesus Christ, as his life was given for us upon the cross.  Because it is empty, it also reminds us that death could not hold Jesus, that he vanquished death and sin and in him, we are promised life eternal.  The circle around the cross helps us remember that the Lord our God is One God – the Celtic cross has long been a symbol treasured by Presbyterians.

            The Descending Dove – We think of the Holy Spirit wherever we read of a dove in Scripture.  The olive branch points us to the salvation of Noah and his family at the time of the flood.  When John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, Jesus saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove—and a voice from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” – Mark 1:10 & 11

            The Open Bible – is central to our worship and the Christian life.  We look to God’s written word, believing all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.  – 2 Timothy 3:16

            The Chalice of Communion – Points us toward the Upper Room, where Jesus took the cup, and after giving thanks, gave it to his disciples.  As we share the cup, we remember Christ, are blessed by His self-oblation, and look to the heavenly banquet He promises.

            The Burning Bush with Tongues of Fire – When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, he commissioned Moses to go and act according to God’s Word.  Throughout the history of the church, the burning bush has come to represent the ardor of the faithful, as they commit themselves to doing the Lord’s ministry and mission.

The Campanile Windows are an original design by Piercey Studios, Orlando, Florida

“The Living Water Window”

“The Living Water Window”

-        An appreciation –

By Dr. John A. Dalles

In the Gospel of John, Chapter Four, we find the encounter between the woman of Samaria and Jesus Christ which is depicted in our new Sanctuary stained glass window.  It is to this Samaritan woman that Jesus speaks of giving “living water.”  He does not share this message with His disciples or with the women of his inner circle of followers, but only to one who was for all intents and purposes outside the covenant, on the fringe of acceptability.  This is why the two central figures of the window are shown in colorful detail.  This is how Christ meets each of us—individually—at the place of our deepest need.  All of the many other figures in the window are shown indistinctly and at a distance.  They are busy or distracted, going about their lives, moving in and out of the picture.  One figure, closer at hand, appears to be listening as the conversation unfolds.  That figure reminds us that an eyewitness overheard and then repeated the story to John the Evangelist, who recorded it forever in his Gospel. 

Jesus wears His seamless white robe—even on the darkest day, His presence is the brightness of any scene.  The Lord’s hand is outstretched, open, showing His willingness to give.  The woman is beautiful and well-dressed.  But notice she is garbed in somber tones, a visual metaphor of her solemn frame of mind.  She holds her empty water jar tightly, clasping it close to her with both of her hands.  The empty jar symbolizes the deep thirst of the woman’s soul. Even the ground around them is parched and dusty; it can support only the heartiest of scrub-like plants and weeds.  Beside the well are other jars—representing other souls—longing to be filled.

When Jesus talks about giving “living water” the expression connotes running water, or a spring of water.  This is shown in the woman’s reply.  It is as if she says to Jesus, “You cannot even draw well water—so how can you offer me spring water?”  But we who are privileged to listen and learn from their conversation understand that more is meant when Jesus speaks of giving “living water.”  The “more” that is meant is Jesus, Himself.  Living water comes from Christ alone.  Jesus is the only one who can give it.  In John 4:14 Jesus says,  “Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.  The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up eternal life.”  And to Christ, the Samaritan woman answers: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”  This is the central moment in the longer conversation, as Jesus reaches out to someone on the margins of society and reveals to her the secret of the ages.  Jesus knows that within the human heart is a great spiritual thirst for God.  Jesus also understands that the only way we can quench that great spiritual thirst is by turning away from materialism and pleasure-seeking.              

The woman of Sychar had to go to the well every day.  She went, in the heat of the day.  She went alone—unwelcome among others. The woman of Sychar’s special needs may not have been the same as ours.  But like the Samaritan woman, we also long for:

“A home within the wilderness,

A rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat

And the burdens of the day.”

-        Elizabeth C. Celphane, 1872

Just as water is indispensable for human life, so too Jesus is indispensable for salvation.  Christ’s life giving power is based on His purity and His holiness.  Jesus is the source of all that we need and Jesus can quench all that we are thirsting for.  Jesus brings life.  Jesus gives life.  Jesus is life.  By trusting Him, parched souls are refreshed in ways no ordinary water can accomplish.  There is a natural end to our search for a deeper and more meaningful life, and we find it as we enter into relationship with the Living God.  To be “in Christ” is for our souls to never be thirsty.  To be “in Christ” is to no longer have to keep coming to the well to draw water.

“Beside Still Waters” An Appreciation of our Old Testament Window

“Beside Still Waters”

An Appreciation of our Old Testament Window

by Dr. John A. Dalles

We are on safe ground when we say that the most beloved passage in the entire Old Testament is Psalm 23.  It is the Psalm to which we turn at every point in our faith journey, whenever we long for a reminder of God’s matchless love.

And we are never disappointed.  For, in the lines of Psalm 23 we find a profoundly moving hymn of praise, about the presence and loving-kindness of God, expressed in a word picture about a Good Shepherd and the sheep.  The psalmist understands our human condition, knowing that we are as fragile and in need of care as a small lamb.  So, we read immortal lines about the truth that God provides all the strength, protection and love that we need: 

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside still waters.”

-        Psalm 23:1 & 2

Just think of it!—the blessedness and joy of being led by Almighty God.  What could be better than to be brought by God into hidden places of refreshment and renewal, safety and security, peace and promise—for this day, and forevermore.  No wonder the overwhelming sense of this window—as in the Psalm—is one of trust.  Notice how the rosy hues of early morning cast their glow across the skies.  See how the sheep gather close beside their Shepherd.  How lovingly they look at Him.  How thankfully they bend to find a cooling drink, or a tender blade of grass, or a moment of respite.

And look at the little lamb the Good Shepherd holds so tenderly in His arms.  The lamb represents all who depend upon Jesus—so put yourself there, in His encircling love.  The lamb recognizes and trusts the Good Shepherd.  And so do we.  We know Him to be Jesus.  Even though this is a window based upon the most beloved passage in the Old Testament, it also points us to the assurance of the New Testament.  For, throughout the New Testament we find Jesus telling His followers that His relationship to us is that of a Good Shepherd to his flock.  As the old hymn says:

“The King of love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine for ever.”

          

  So, bask in the presence of the Good Shepherd.  Christ’s life-giving grace is with us, to lead us and guide us in all our paths.

            The window’s theme, “Beside Still Waters,” is a fitting reference to the name of our congregation. Twenty-five years ago, when this new congregation was just being formed, there was a question about what to call it.  The ultimate choice was “Wekiva Presbyterian Church.”  Those of us who live in this area have learned that “Wekiva” is a Native American term used to describe the “still waters” of our local river.  (And that if the one letter is changed from “v” to “w” it means “sweet” or “living” water).  The installation of our Old Testament window completes the Biblical allusions to dearly loved passages that are now represented in glorious lines and colors, to inspire all who worship or seek God’s presence in our Sanctuary.  How grateful we are for all who have made this lasting witness possible.

The Bovey Memorial and Honor Windows in the Chancel of Wekiva Presbyterian Church

The Bovey Memorial and Honor Windows

 The two matching windows came to us as a gift of Wekiva Presbyterian Church members, Mr. and Mrs. Myron “Mike” (Betty) Rosenberger.  Mike’s home church was being razed and they purchased the windows for Wekiva.  The windows are late Victorian in style, as befits the much older church building they formerly graced.

On the viewer’s left is the “Cross and Crown Window”.  These two symbols, when viewed together are indicative of Christ triumphant—the Empty Cross showing His victory over death and the Crown indicating His Kingdom which shall have no end.

On the viewer’s right is the “These Three Abide Window”.  The Bible stands open, presumably to I Corinthians Chapter 13, the Apostle Paul’s great hymn to love, in which we learn that the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity abide—and the greatest of these is Charity (or Love).  Also in the window can be seen an anchor, which was an early secret Christian symbol for the cross, and is always a symbol of salvation, hope and constancy.

Both windows bear inscriptions indicating their origins, the left “In Memory of Mrs. Mary E. Bovey” and the right “In Honor of Rev. H. A. Bovey”.  Research by Dr. Dalles indicates that The Rev. Henry A Bovey was born October 19, 1831 in Washington, Maryland, the son of Elizabeth Reinhart and Adam I. Bovey.  His wife Mary E. Stein Bovey was born in 1837 in Pennsylvania.  The Rev. Bovey had served a congregation in Virginia (where all six of their children were born) but by 1880 was serving a congregation in Blendon (near Columbus), Franklin County, Ohio, where he died in 1910.  They were the parents of three sons and three daughters.  The pair of windows was probably created after Mary’s death but before 1910.

It seems fitting that on every Sunday, Wekiva Presbyterian Church worshipers concentrate on the Cross flanked by these two windows, which together remind us of the cross and crown of our Lord, and the central virtues of Christian living.