East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Lenten LOVE BIG Discussions
2025-03-09 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-03-16 09:45 - 10:45, 2025-03-16 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-03-23 09:45 - 10:45, 2025-03-23 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-03-30 09:45 - 10:45, 2025-03-30 12:15 - 13:30, 2025-04-06 09:45 - 10:45 (America/New_York) and 3 more dates | PA
Join us during the season of Lent as we use scripture and Rozella Haydée White’s book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World, to explore what it means to love God, love ourselves, and love others in ways that truly transform us and the world around us.
We will meet on Sundays, March 9–April 13:

9:45–10:45 am, at the Journey with Scripture Adult Church School Class, with Rev. Henk Bossers
12:15–1:30 pm, after Sanctuary worship, with Pastor BJ (light refreshments will be provided)

We will have conversations to explore that week’s sermon and for those who choose, the companion book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World. Whether you have walked the Lenten path for decades or this is your first intentional Lenten practice, you are invited to journey with us—with all your questions, your wounds, and your hopes.

Living Love: Reading the Bible Queerly
2025-03-11 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-03-18 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-03-25 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-04-08 17:30 - 18:30 | PA
Are you frustrated with how some people use the Bible as a tool against LGBTQIA+ people? What does the Bible really say about same-gender relationships? This introductory offering is for anyone seeking to reconcile and affirm one’s sexuality with one’s faith, as well as those interested in understanding more. Join us as we study a few supposed “clobber passages” through the lens of love and current biblical scholarship. This study will be held in-person on the campus of ELPC in an environment that openly welcomes and celebrates queer people as beloved children of God.*
We will meet for five consecutive Tuesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm. Registration is now FULL. Please contact Rev. Michael Diaz for more info. MichaelD@coh.net

March 11 | Introductions and Judges 19
March 18 | Genesis 19
March 25 | Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13
April 1 | Romans 1:17–2:4
April 8 | 1 Corinthians 6:9–10

*CONTENT WARNING: Although this offering is primarily a study of scripture, some of the scriptures will necessitate conversations relating to homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, violence, and sexual assault.

Connections Potluck Lunch
2025-03-16 12:15 - 14:00 | ELPC – Good Samaritan Room, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Connections ministry will be hosting a potluck lunch on Sunday, March 16, at 12:15 pm, in the Good Samaritan Room (aka the Soul Food room). The lunch is open to everyone at ELPC.
Please RSVP online at bit.ly/4hubZkA to indicate that you’re coming and what food you’ll bring. Come join us for a shared meal and a time to get to know one another more deeply.

Cathedral Concert: The Mendelssohn Choir
2025-03-30 08:00 - 17:00 | PA
Critically acclaimed as one of the finest choruses in the country, the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh will return to the ELPC Sanctuary on Sunday, March 30, 3 pm, to present We All Sing!—a celebration of music as the universal language that unites us all. Learn more at themendelssohn.org.
ELPC members and friends can contact Dr. Ed Moore at EdM@coh.net for complimentary tickets.

Living Love: Reading the Bible Queerly
2025-04-01 17:30 - 18:30 | PA
Are you frustrated with how some people use the Bible as a tool against LGBTQIA+ people? What does the Bible really say about same-gender relationships? This introductory offering is for anyone seeking to reconcile and affirm one’s sexuality with one’s faith, as well as those interested in understanding more. Join us as we study a few supposed “clobber passages” through the lens of love and current biblical scholarship. This study will be held in-person on the campus of ELPC in an environment that openly welcomes and celebrates queer people as beloved children of God.*
We will meet for five consecutive Tuesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm. Registration is now FULL. Please contact Rev. Michael Diaz for more info. MichaelD@coh.net

March 11 | Introductions and Judges 19
March 18 | Genesis 19
March 25 | Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13
April 1 | Romans 1:17–2:4
April 8 | 1 Corinthians 6:9–10

*CONTENT WARNING: Although this offering is primarily a study of scripture, some of the scriptures will necessitate conversations relating to homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, violence, and sexual assault.

Permission for Youth to Attend Adult Bible Study/Small Group
Living Love: Reading the Bible Queerly on Tuesday evenings.
If you have any questions please contact Rev. Michael Diaz or Sara Hackett

Youth's Name(Required)please read and check

I understand that this church activity is intended for adults, that leaders and and participates might share questions and content that are of a mature nature, and that while ELPC is committed to following the Child Safety Policy at all events my youth will not be chaperoned in the same way they would at a Youth Event.

I understand that it is incumbent upon me and/or my child to follow all rules as set forth by the church concerning this event and in ELPC's Child Safety Policy. Further, I acknowledge that any misconduct or misbehavior on the part of my child may result in dismissal from the event, at the discretion of the church staff. https://cathedralofhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Child-Safety-Policy-Updated-2024-05-14.pdf

I grant permission for my child to participate in the upcoming church event. I acknowledge that there are inherent risks associated with any activity and I assume full responsibility for those risks.
Name of Parent or Guardian granting permission(Required)Email(Required)

Date(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

RCC 2025 Cabaret
2025-04-04 19:15 - 21:30, 2025-04-05 19:15 - 21:30 | PA
The Renaissance City Choir’s 2025 Cabaret will be held at ELPC on Friday & Saturday, April 4 & 5, 8 pm. Doors open at 7:15 pm.
Join Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community that sings to hear favorites from the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, Wicked, and more! This heartwarming, fun concert will have you being Popular with your friends. So why not Follow Our Yellow Brick Road?
The Saturday concert will be livestreamed. Simply purchase a livestream ticket for live or on-demand viewing. ASL interpretation will be provided on both dates.
Learn more and buy tickets at RCCpittsburgh.com.

Gardening Crew Workday
2025-04-12 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-10 09:00 - 12:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Each spring, a group of dedicated members and friends refresh the Highland Ave. entrance with beautiful flowering plants, so it is vibrant and welcoming, and the Courtyard, so it is a lovely setting for summer worship and weddings.
If you enjoy outside yard work, and want to help clean up our church grounds, please join Don Breitbarth and the Garden Crew on Saturdays, April 12 & May 10.
Green thumbs are not required—just bring your energy, curiosity, and a pair of work gloves to the Highland driveway around 9 am. We typically wrap up around noon.
Questions? Email Don Breitbarth or call 412.225.7649.

Easter Egg Hut
2025-04-13 12:00 - 13:30 | ELPC – Fellowship Room, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us after Sanctuary worship on Palm Sunday, April 13, 12–1:30 pm, as we find eggs around the church that help us tell the Easter story together. We will begin in the Fellowship Room and a simple sandwich lunch will be served.

Easter Breakfast
2025-04-20 09:45 - 22:45 | PA
Join us between services on Easter Morning for a light continental breakfast in the Fellowship and Overlook rooms.

Tween Kickball
2025-04-25 17:00 - 19:00 | PA
Youth in grades 4–6 will be gathering for pizza and kickball on Friday, April 25, 5–7 pm. Friends are always SUPER welcome. RSVP to Sara Hackett.

Tool Drive for GCF
2025-04-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Garth Overlook Room, 116 South Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Springtime means lots of work at Garfield Community Farm (GCF), but they need gardening tools to get the job done. Following worship on Sunday, April 27, GCF will be collecting tools and a representative will be in the Garth Overlook Room. Stop by to learn more about their needs and volunteer opportunities.

Click the button below for more details and their wish list of tools and other items, or you can donate directly here.
Tool Drive Wish List

Embodying the Spirit Retreat
2025-05-02 18:00 - 2025-05-04 11:00 | Villa Maria Retreat Center, 2067 Evergreen Rd, Pulaski, PA, 16143, United States
Join us for a weekend of quiet, rest, prayer, community and embodiment, Friday–Sunday, May 2–4. We will head up to Vila Maria Retreat Center, just an hour or so away, for a time of pondering and experiencing the gift and challenges of our human bodies. In the Easter season, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as the foretaste and preview of what God has always planned for of us—the union of body and spirit and human and divine. That is what we will explore in our bodies, the place of divine encounter. We will paint, walk, dance, sing, lament, sleep, eat, chant, swim, bend, and bow.
RSVP to Norma Meyer at 412.441.3800 x 211 by Easter Sunday, April 20.
Costs Options (Contact Pastor BJ to discuss scholarships)

One Night: (Fri.-Sat. or Sat.-Sun.) Private Room with Common Bath | $100
One Night: (Fri.-Sat. or Sat.-Sun.) Private Room with Private Bath | $125
Two Nights (Friday-Sunday) Private Room with Common Bath | $150
Two Nights (Friday-Sunday) Private Room with Private Bath | $175
Saturday Day, $50

Our retreat leader is Joanne Spence, D.Min. She is an award-winning author, yoga teacher, and spiritual director. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Writing and Public Theology, and a Master of Arts from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from James Cook University in Australia. With over 30 years of experience teaching and training in clinical settings worldwide, Joanne specializes in integrating mental health, gentle movement, breathwork, Christian contemplative practices, and yoga. She is passionate about helping people reconnect with their bodies, believing that the embodiment of gentle yoga practice, combined with Christian contemplative traditions, can deepen one’s relationship with God while promoting nervous system regulation. When she’s not reading and writing, she loves to walk, dance, and cook—just not all at the same time. To learn more about her books and courses, visit www.joannespence.com.

Taizé Social Gathering
2025-05-07 20:00 - 21:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month following our Taizé prayer service for a time of fellowship with some light refreshments in the Narthex.
Taizé is a unique spiritual community at ELPC, and we desire to have time for those who gather to get to know one another, converse, and move from solitude into community and expand the connection that exists amidst our prayerful songs and quiet meditation.

Getting to Work at GCF
2025-05-11 12:15 - 14:00 | PA
Families are invited to join us after worship on Sunday, May 11, 12:15–2 pm, to volunteer at Garfield Community Farm. Lunch will be provided at the farm. Please bring a water bottle filled with water. Tools and gloves will be provided.

Community Meal
2025-05-16 17:00 - 19:00 | ELPC – Good Samaritan Room, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The ELPC Neighbors Committee is piloting a Community Meal for our neighbors on Friday, May 16, 5–7 pm.

If you are interested in volunteering, or learning more about this new ministry, please contact Gerald McClendon.
