Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings.
Children and Youth
Our children and youth are deeply spiritual people with great theological questions. To foster these gifts and to help students learn the stories, vocabulary, and actions of the Christian life in a loving community, ELPC offers Church School classes for kids and youth from pre-K–grade 12. Class locations are listed below. Parents, please register your child online. Email Sara Hackett for more details.
Pre-K | Nursery
K–Grade 3 | Room 206
Grades 4–6 | Room 211
Grades 7–12 | Second Floor Parlor
Journey with Scripture | Fellowship Room and Zoom
“Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.”—Psalm 4:1
This year, we’re reading from Book 1 of the Psalms (Psalms 1–41), select Hebrew Scriptures referencing “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church” by Wilda Gafney, and the gospel of Mark. All these texts offer transformative paths to steadfast love, faithfulness, and justice. Join the journey!
Join us for this week’s readings: Psalm 5; 2 Samuel 20:1–3,14–22; Mark 3:7–19a. Contact Sara Hackett for Zoom information.
Parenting Circle | Room 213 and Zoom
This year, we will be reading Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown. In this New York Times bestseller, Brown writes, “If we want to find the way back to ourselves and one another, we need language and the grounded confidence to both tell our stories and be stewards of the stories that we hear. This is the framework for meaningful connection.”
Anyone involved in parenting (singles, couples, adoptive parents, step-parents, grandparents, guardians, mentors, etc.) are welcome to join us. For more information, contact the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf.
Seekers | Garth Overlook Room and Zoom
A Just Food System
The U.S. Farm Bill has tremendous influence on efforts to end hunger at home and abroad. As much as 75% of the funding in the Farm Bill is spent on nutrition programs—primarily the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest federal nutrition program. Other parts of the Farm Bill address distribution of nutritious foods, incentives for households to purchase more fruits and vegetables, and research to develop solutions to mitigate climate change impacts.
Bread for the World’s Just Food System priorities for the omnibus Farm Bill address:
- Equity | Ending discrimination in accessing SNAP and supporting self-governance and food sovereignty on Tribal Nations
- Nutrition | Access to fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in vulnerable communities of color
- Climate | Incentives to promote food recovery/donation
We will be led by Joyce Rothermehl, coordinator of the Southwest Pennsylvania Chapter of Bread for the World.
Email Sara Hackett for more details.
Soul Food | Good Samaritan Room and Zoom
We will continue discussing our new book, Fierce Love, by the Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis.