East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Attaining Resurrection Retreat
2023-05-05 19:00 - 2023-05-07 13:00 (America/New_York) | Villa Maria Retreat Center, 2067 Evergreen Rd, Pulaski, PA, 16143, United States
In Philippians Paul says he yearns “to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (3:11).
Join us for a post-Easter retreat at the Villa Maria Retreat Center in Pulaski, Pennsylvania, Friday–Sunday, May 5–7, to explore ways we too can “somehow” find resurrection life amid the challenges and sufferings we face each day. Led by facilitator and host Rev. Jeff Eddings, we will explore this through art, silence and solitude, reading, reflection, prayer, and conversation with one another. You are invited to journey with us to consider how this promise of resurrection can infuse our everyday lives with meaning, hope, and joy.
Spots are limited. RSVP by Friday, April 21, online at tiny.cc/attaining-resurrection. Questions? Contact Pastor BJ.
Cost Options:

Friday-Saturday Shared Bath | $70
Friday-Saturday Private Bath | $110
Friday-Sunday Shared Bath | $85
Friday-Sunday Private Bath | $135

REGISTER ONLINE

About Retreat Facilitator and Host Rev. Jeff Eddings
Jeff is the Spiritual Formation and Coaching Associate for 1001 New Worshiping Communities of the PCUSA. He was co-founder of Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community in Pittsburgh and has over 30 years of church leadership experience. He is trained in contemplative spirituality through the Shalem Institute and is a spiritual director for The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. He is a certified ICF coach and is an Enneagram Coach with iEQ9. www.jeffeddings.com

Across the Channel - Music for Brass and Organ from England, France, and Spain
2023-05-19 19:30 - 21:00 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Our Cathedral Concerts series will present The Brass Roots, organist Dr. Edward Alan Moore, and conductor Daniel Nesta Curtis in concert on Friday, May 19, 7:30 pm. Join us in the Sanctuary. The concert also will be streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
A freewill offering will be received.
Download Program
PROGRAM
Earle of Oxford’s Marche – Byrd/arr. Allen
Siete Canciones Populares – De Falla/arr. Moose
La Puerta del Vino – Debussy/arr. Allen
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair – Debussy/arr. Allen
Prelude on Rhosymedre – Vaughan Williams
Toccata from Symphony V for Organ – Widor/arr. Bishop
Fanfare for La Peri – Dukas/arr. Hirschman
Andaluza from 12 Spanish Dances – Granados/arr. Allen
English Folk Song Suite – Vaughan Williams/arr. Villanueva
Symphony No. 3 – “Organ” – Saint-Saens
Adagio – arr. Fox
Finale

Congregational Meeting
2023-05-21 12:00 - 13:30 | PA
The Session of ELPC is calling a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 21, immediately following our 11 am worship service. The sole item of business will be to vote upon the Session’s recent action that ELPC sell its manse. This meeting will be held-in person in the Sanctuary.
Click the button below to read a letter from the Property Committee about the manse.
Read letter

Passive House Tour
2023-05-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-04 16:00 - 17:00 | PA
Join the Environmental Team of the Justice Committee on a tour of one of the most energy efficient homes in the region: Passive House-certified Squirrel Hill Duplex, located at 2883 Fernwald Rd. Finished in 2017 by ELPC congregants Lucy de Barbaro and Ayres Freitas, this home reduces heating and cooling by 80% compared to traditional construction, manages all rainwater on site, has a small green roof and is fully powered by solar energy. The home holds a gold label from the National Green Building Standard.
There will be something of interest for those well versed in these various environmental initiatives and those new to these topics, and takeaways for your own environmental action at home.
The tours will be offered on Sunday, May 21, 2 pm, and Sunday, June 4, 4 pm. Please text Lucy at (412) 320-0567 to indicate your interest and reserve a spot. Families with children are welcomed.

Pride History Presentation
2023-05-28 12:00 - 13:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join the ELPC Justice Committee for a Pride History Presentation following Sanctuary worship on Sunday, May 28. A light lunch will be provided.
This presentation will be led by Jason Van Ness and will examine the LGBTQIA+ equal rights movement and Pride events over the past 50 years. The presentation will highlight key social and political events that have dovetailed with Pride events in the past, and considerations for organizing efforts moving forward. Following the presentation, there will be a panel discussion with LGBTQIA+ clergy in the Greater Pittsburgh region, who will discuss the future of Christianity and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our congregation is a proud participant in LAMP (LGBTQIA+ Affirming Ministries of Pittsburgh), along with other affirming Presbyterian Churches in Pittsburgh. We are excited to again celebrate Pride in Pittsburgh. While there are many Pride events sponsored by different groups and in different neighborhoods, the two Pride events LAMP will be participating in this year are:

Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade, coordinated by QBurgh on behalf of Trans YOUniting and the Pittsburgh Pride Group on Saturday, June 3, in downtown and the North Shore.
We also will participate in People’s Pride PGH March and Festival on Sunday, June 25, in Swissvale.

Keep a lookout for more details that will be posted near the Highland entrance monitor, including parade maps and times. Come out and celebrate while we share God’s love with all of God’s people!

OHM’s Family TeamWorks Dinner
2023-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 | PA
Support our mission partner Open Hand Ministries and their TeamWorks dinners by donating a side dish or dessert!
TeamWorks is OHM’s family development program that helps families improve their financial wellness and become first-time homeowners. The program is currently working with 25 families to achieve their housing and financial goals. The families meet to provide support and encouragement to each other and participate in workshops and classes.
If you are interested in donating a side dish or a dessert, please contact Emily Rosenthal, Bob Forloines, or Frank Bauerle at 817.705.6856.

RCC 2023 Pride Concert
2023-06-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-06-11 16:00 - 18:00 | PA
Be an LGBTQIA+ ally! Support the Renaissance City Choir (RCC) by attending their annual Pride Concert, We Dream A World, Saturday & Sunday, June 10 & 11, 4 pm, at ELPC!
Every June, all eyes turn toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Corporations change their branding to incorporate rainbows as queer people march, demonstrate, and party in celebration of our community. We Dream A World where that celebration and support does not end on June 30.
Join the RCC as we sing for justice and stand up in pride. This year’s Pride Concert features selections from Dear Evan Hansen, Kinky Boots, the 2019 feature film Harriet, Considering Matthew Shepard, and the Social Justice Songbook.
Tickets are available at RCCpittsburgh.com. Sunday’s performance also has livestream ticketing and a pay-what-you-can option.

Summer Solstice Forest Bathing
2023-06-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Penn Hills Community Park, 120 Colorado St, Verona, PA, 15147, United States
Join us in celebration of the Summer Solstice for Forest Bathing at the Penn Hills Community Park. On this 2-hour walk, you’ll be guided on a gentle, mindful stroll. Leave your stresses behind and connect with the healing powers of nature. Begin one of the longest days of the year with this meditative and relaxing practice!
Forest bathing is more than just hiking, it is an immersive sensory experience that allows you to look at the forest differently than before. It combines concepts of meditation and mindfulness through a series of guided invitations to allow you to relax and enjoy the moment. The walk ends with wildcrafted tea and light snacks.
Park at the Pavilion. Camp stools will be provided, or you may bring your own chair. In case of rain, please bring an umbrella. Forest Bathing in the rain is absolutely lovely. However, the walk will be canceled if thunderstorms are predicted.
RSVP to Norma Meyer at 412.441.3800 x211 by Thursday, June 15.
Curious about Forest Bathing? Check out the 5-minute documentary below.

ELPC Tour: Hidden Places
2023-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join our tour guide following worship, as we explore some of ELPC’s “hidden places.”
Please gather at the Highland entrance following worship. Allow 30–45 minutes for the tour and wear comfortable shoes.

VCS 2023: Changemakers Lab
2023-06-26 09:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-27 09:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-28 09:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-29 09:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-30 09:00 - 15:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
This year’s Vacation Church School (VCS) program will take place June 26–30, 9 am–3 pm, for children in pre-K (age 4 and potty-trained) through grade 5 (completed).
Our theme this summer is Changemakers Lab, a place children will learn that everyone can make a difference in the world! Through five Bible stories, we’ll explore examples of people who experienced and brought about change in the world around them. These people provide a model for asking hard questions, working together to solve problems, reaching across differences, caring for all people, and imagining a new world. Through worship and drama, Bible study, STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, math), and active games, children are invited to see and experience the transforming love of God.
Parents, the preschool class currently has a waitlist. If you’d like to add your child to the waitlist, please register.

Learn more and register

ELPC Matters: The More You Know
2023-07-23 11:30 - 13:00 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
As we navigate this season of transition together, ELPC is offering a series of informational sessions to broaden congregational awareness of different aspects of our life together that may seem to be more behind-the-scenes, but are fundamental to how we engage our faith in community together.
Our next session in this series will be held on Sunday, July 23, 11:30 am, and will offer more information on our church’s 2022 finances, as requested at the February Congregational Meeting. Jim Tinnemeyer, ELPC Director of Administration and Facilities, along with Elder Tiffany Sudar, Chair of the Finance Committee, will present at this session.
Do you have questions about how our church’s finances work? We want to hear from you! Please submit your questions to the Finance Committee via Jim Tinnemeyer at JimT@coh.net. We’ll do our best to answer as many as possible at the session.
Join us in the Social Hall or on Zoom (meeting ID: 188 135 194).
Click to Join

PW Diaper Drive
2023-07-30 11:00 - 12:30 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Clean diapers are a basic need of every infant and toddler. Yet, one in three families cannot afford enough diapers to keep their child clean, dry, and healthy. three in five parents miss work or school because they can’t afford the diapers required to leave their baby in childcare.
The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, wpadiaperbank.org, has been helping families meet diaper needs for more than a decade. The Diaper Bank began at New Light Temple Baptist Church, serving families in Allegheny County through six partner agencies. Last year, the Diaper Bank provided over two million diapers to families in Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland counties through 53 partner agencies. ELPC members and friends have generously supported this ministry for many years.
Presbyterian Women will host a Diaper Drive at the Highland Ave. entrance following worship on Sunday, July 30, until 12:30 pm. Donations also may be dropped off in the laundry basket at the Highland Ave entrance. Diaper sizes 5 and 6 are most needed. Financial gifts also are welcomed. Please make checks payable to PW in ELPC and write “Diaper Drive” in the memo.
For more information, contact PW.ELPC@gmail.com.

Environmental Book Study
2023-08-03 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
For their next session, the Environmental Team of the Justice Committee has selected two fiction books: Waste Tide by Chen Quifan and Grapes of Wrath by John Steinback. Feel free to read one or both! And plan on joining us to discuss them on Thursday, August 3, 7 pm, in the Courtyard.
Come at 6:30 pm for some time to socialize. Penn Hackney will lead our discussion of Waste Tide, and Sally Jo Snyder will lead our discussion of Grapes of Wrath.
For further information, contact Nancy Heastings.

Mission Board Film Series: The Human Element
2023-08-06 11:00 - 12:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Environmental Team of the Justice Committee will host a screening of and discussion on the film, The Human Element, following worship on Sunday, August 6, in the Social Hall. A light lunch will be provided.
In the film, National Geographic photographer James Balog takes us through a journey of the “four elements”—water, air, fire, and earth—to see how we’ve modified the natural world around us, and in turn, how we’re making life for ourselves harder in the process. The Human Element features subjects who are often overlooked victims of climate change. He argues that humans are not apart from nature. We are the fifth element, and we can help bring the whole system back into balance.
Email Nancy Heastings if you have questions.

PNC Listening Session
2023-08-09 17:30 - 18:30, 2023-08-13 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-08-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-08-20 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-08-23 17:30 - 18:30 | ELPC – Fellowship Room, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
As part of our final formal phase of information gathering, the Pastoral Nominating Committee is hosting a series of Listening Sessions on Sundays and weekdays in August.
The purpose of these sessions is to get qualitative feedback on what we most need in terms of leadership for our congregation. These sessions are serving as a complement to the information gathered from the recent survey. We will use the information to guide our process to identify our best fit for pastoral leadership.
Please contact Megan Leisher if you are able to attend one of the following sessions, which will be held in the Fellowship Room, unless noted otherwise:

Wednesday, August 9 | 5:30 pm
Sunday, August 13 | 11:30 am
Thursday, August 17 | 6 pm
Sunday, August 20 | 11:30 am
Wednesday, August 23 | 5:30 pm
Monday, August 28 | 6:30 (Zoom)

Mission Board Film Series: My Name is Pauli Murray
2023-08-13 11:00 - 12:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Justice Committee will host a screening of the documentary, My Name is Pauli Murray, following worship on Sunday, August 13, in the Social Hall. A light lunch will be provided.
Pauli Murray was a writer, activist, legal theorist, and episcopal priest, and was involved in articulating key legal arguments of the Civil Rights Movement. Born Anne Pauline Murray in 1910, they changed their birth name to “Pauli” in the 1930s, a groundbreaking challenge at that time. In 1944, Murray challenged the “separate” part of the Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court decision as a violation of the 13th and 14th Amendments, eventually forming the basis for Brown vs. The Board of Education (1954) case. Murray also was influential in the work of both Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Thurgood Marshall. In 1977, Murray became the first African American woman in the U.S. to become an Episcopal priest. Murray died of cancer in 1985. The Episcopal Church sainted Murray in 2012.
Email Carol Chonoska for more details.

An Afternoon of Palestinian Storytelling and Music
2023-08-14 15:00 - 17:00 | PA
Join your friends and neighbors on Monday, August 14, from 3 to 5 PM, as we experience contemporary Palestinian storytelling and music. We will gather at Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church (905 Mifflin Ave, 15221) in Regent Square. Ethnomusicologist Hanna Salmon will be our guide.

Oral storytelling has a well established history in Palestine. It is a form of entertainment, a didactic tool, a mode of political critique and an arena for navigating communal identity. Contemporary Palestinian storytellers continue this practice with folk tales and and personal tales. A variety of vocal and musical techniques help these storytellers share the story-world with their listeners.

Hanna Salmon is a PhD candidate in Ethnomusicology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently conducting fieldwork for her dissertation, which examines the practices of contemporary Palestinian storytellers. Ms. Salmon will explore the power of storytelling in Palestinian communities in the West Bank, the Interior, and in the Diaspora.

Bring your friends. RSVP to Tina at tinawhitehead2@hotmail.com or Eileen at eileeno31@gmail.com.

This event is hosted by Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) Pittsburgh.

ELPC Connections @ Fridays at Frick
2023-08-18 17:00 - 18:00 | PA
Join ELPC’s Connections Group on Friday, August 18, 5 pm, for Summer Fridays at Frick!
There will be live music by Truth and Rites (roots reggae), food trucks, artmaking, and family fun. Bring a chair and your own picnic dinner or purchase from food vendors.
RSVP to connectelpc@gmail.com.

Mission Board Film Series | 42: The Jackie Robinson Story
2023-08-20 11:00 - 13:00 | PA
The Peace Committee will host a screening of 42: The Jackie Robinson Story, following worship on Sunday, August 20, in the Social Hall. A light lunch will be provided.
Starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, 42 tells the dramatic story of their breaking the color barrier in major league baseball. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and let his talent on the field win over fans and his teammates. Robinson overcame the controversy of his introduction to the league to win rookie of the year. And for nostalgic Pittsburghers, a quick visit to Forbes Field is included.
Email Russ Walker for details.

Letters to Legislators Event
2023-08-27 11:00 - 12:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206-3911, United States
Our Mission Board Committees are hosting a Letters to Legislators event in the Social Hall immediately following worship on Sunday, August 27. Participants will have an opportunity to write to legislators advocating for action on a variety of social justice issues—including driving privileges for immigrants; fair housing and nondiscrimination policies; environmental protections; prisoners’ rights; gun violence; and more.
Learn about these important issues and the role your elected officials and other leaders have in making and changing related laws and policies. Your voice and your calls for action make a difference. Sample letters and emails will be provided and a light lunch will be served. For those unable to attend in person, templates and instructions will be posted to the ELPC website after the event for your use.
Contact Carol Chonoska at with questions.
