Presented as the ‘Minute for Mission’ on Sept. 7, 2025
Many years ago my mother gave me a counted cross stitch item that she had made, that I have held before me and that is now in the Spiritual Direction office here at First Presbyterian. It raises the question: “If you feel far from God, who moved?” It’s a question I ask you today.
Since the inception of a spiritual direction 
ministry here at First Presbyterian in early 2024, additional trained spiritual directors have joined the Rev. Dr. Richard Smith, the Rev. Dr. Ginny Smith, and Elder Jan Bickford in offering to meet with people who desire
- to become more aware of God in their life,
- to experience God in their life,
- to be more responsive to God’s presence in their life – and to sort out life situations and choices (discernment).
The role of the spiritual director is not to fix a problem, but to listen with you as you share in strictest confidence your unique life’s journey. It is a process of learning to pay attention to events in your life, to experience the ways God’s Spirit has been present in the past as a guide to where and how God is working now.
What do I believe about God? Who is God for me? How does God relate to my family, my work, my life in the world? How can I be more aware of God’s presence and activity in my daily life? How am I called to respond?
As you can see, your relationship with God is at the heart of spiritual direction, and whatever you are dealing with in life, as well as assisting you in developing a prayer life that deepens your relationship with God.
One last thing.
In the spirit of the Gospel, First Presbyterian Church offers spiritual direction as a part of its ministry to you and the community. However, if you are able, a thank offering would be gratefully received.
Please pick up a Spiritual Direction brochure to find out further information. If you have questions or are interested in meeting with one of the spiritual directors, please contact the Rev. Dr. Ginny Smith at SpiritualDirection@fpc-bethlehem.org.