• Introducing Our Ministers •
The Rev. Solomon J. Keal
A Calling Amid the Music
I
s it possible for a confessed introvert to become a minister popular for his
extemporaneous style and a genuine ability to connect with his listeners?
Yes. Solomon Keal has done just that.
He says he first thought about becoming a minister in college. He loved
New Church doctrine – especially the science of correspondences. He loved
the idea of helping people in their spiritual growth – helping them see the
connection between the doctrines and their lives. But, he says, “I saw myself as
too introverted for the job. I knew I would be good at the research and writing,
but wasn’t sure I would be any good at the people skills needed for the job.”
He realized later that it was really important “for my spiritual path that I
pursue some other things for about 10 years, and then come back to the idea of
becoming a minister with some life-experience under my belt.”
When the time came he was certain of the calling.
He has traveled around a bit – on his natural and spiritual journeys –
but has lived all of his life in Pennsylvania. He was born in Bryn Athyn to
Ian (a native of Australia) and Wellesley Rose Keal. They moved to Pittsburgh
when he was still quite young. After kindergarten in a public school and first
and second grades in the Pittsburgh New Church School, the family moved
to Kempton, where he completed his elementary school education in the
Kempton New Church School.
He was then part of the first class of ASPIRE (Alternative Schooling
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