PW Bible Study Book Pick Up
2020-08-05 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-08-11 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Presbyterian Women in ELPC will begin a new Bible study series, titled Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament, in September. Study books may be picked up at ELPC’s Highland entrance on Wednesday, August 5, 11 am–1 pm, or Tuesday, August 11, 12–2 pm.
All women are invited to join us for Reclaiming Lament (introduction and virtual lunch) on Tuesday, August 18, 12 pm. Our first lesson, Heart of Lament, will begin on Monday, September 14, 7 pm, or Tuesday, September 15, 10 am. Lessons will then continue on the first Monday and Tuesday of every month, along with a mid-Month virtual lunch to share laments in writing, art, or music.
We hope you will join us as we begin to explore this ancient form of prayer and protest. For more information or to ask questions, please email PW.ELPC@gmail.com.

Tween ZOOM Game Night
2020-08-07 19:00 - 20:00 | PA
Youth in grades 4–6 are invited to join us for scavenger hunts, silly faces, charades, and other games.
Contact Sara Hackett at SaraH@coh.net or 412.673.2926 for the Zoom meeting information.

2020 Summer Film Series | I Am Not Your Negro
2020-08-09 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
As we continue our 2020 Film Series, the ELPC Mission Board and Mission Committees invite you to watch I Am Not Your Negro. We will gather on Zoom to discuss the film on Sunday, August 9, following Sanctuary worship. Click here to participate on Zoom or call 929.205.6099. Enter meeting ID# 819.8076.6834 when prompted.
A documentary directed by Raoul Peck, I’m Not Your Negro, is based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, “Remember This House.” Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, this film takes us on a journey into Black history, connecting the civil rights movement to today’s #BlackLivesMatter movement. This visual essay explores racism through the stories of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and the Rev. Martin L. King, Jr.
Watch at tiny.cc/IamNotYourNegro. (Warning: Use of the “N” word.)

About Our 2020 Film Series
As we live into our designation as a PC(USA) Matthew 25 Congregation, the Mission Board and Mission Committees selected movies and documentaries for our 2020 Film Series that will challenge us to continue our work as an anti-racist community and highlight the importance of environmentalism. Please watch the selected films and join our discussions after worship on Sundays, June 26; August 2, 9, and 16.

2020 Summer Film Series | Moundsville
2020-08-16 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
As we continue our 2020 Film Series, the ELPC Mission Board and Mission Committees invite you to watch Moundsville. We will gather on Zoom to discuss the film on Sunday, August 16, following Sanctuary worship. Click here to participate on Zoom or call 929.205.6099. Enter meeting ID# 819.8076.6834 when prompted.
Moundsville, Biography of a Classic American Town, by John Miller and David Bernabo, is “A gripping look at a fascinating West Virginia town wrestling with its past and fighting for its future, with lots of surprises along the way”—Joe Barrett, The Wall Street Journal. Filmmaker and ELPC member John Miller will lead us in a discussion of the documentary.
Watch at PBS.org/show/moundsville.

About Our 2020 Film Series
As we live into our designation as a PC(USA) Matthew 25 Congregation, the Mission Board and Mission Committees selected movies and documentaries for our 2020 Film Series that will challenge us to continue our work as an anti-racist community and highlight the importance of environmentalism. Please watch the selected films and join our discussions after worship on Sundays, June 26; August 2, 9, and 16.

LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering on Zoom
2020-08-16 12:30 - 14:30, 2020-09-20 12:30 - 14:30, 2020-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | PA
All are welcome at this monthly spiritual gathering of LGBTQ Christians and their allies.
Contact Wil Forrest at 412.441.3800 X118 or Wil@coh.net to learn more and to get the Zoom info to participate.
God created you. God loves you. Be yourself.

New PW Bible Study & Virtual Lunch
2020-08-18 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
How can we faithfully respond to difficult situations in the world? The ancients lamented to God, often in very explicit language. The lamenter finds strength to face the world as she remembers God, confident in the hope that God’s reign is coming. Prayers of lament are expressed in words, music, or art.
All women are invited to join us for Reclaiming Lament (introduction and virtual lunch) on Tuesday, August 18, 12 pm. Our first lesson, Heart of Lament, will begin on Monday, September 14, 7 pm, or Tuesday, September 15, 10 am. Lessons will then continue on the first Monday and Tuesday of every month, along with a mid-Month virtual lunch to share laments in writing, art, or music.
We hope you will join us as we begin to explore this ancient form of prayer and protest. For more information or to ask questions, please email PW.ELPC@gmail.com.

LGBTQ Ministry Game Night on Zoom
2020-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 | PA
Join in with friends for some end-of-the-week fun as we laugh and play games together over Zoom. All LGBTQIA folks and their allies are welcome. Contact Wil Forrest, LGBTQ Ministry coordinator, for information or to participate.

YAM Zoom Dinner & Dessert Meeting
2020-09-06 19:00 - 20:30 | PA
Sit down with some new and old friends over dinner on Zoom! We will spend part of our time catching up with one another, part dreaming up what the YAM group can be this fall/winter, and part learning about the African Healing Garden from Betty Lane, who started the garden. Located in Larimer, the garden is a place that folks can go to heal. It was inspired by friendship, community, hurt, loss, and hope for the future—and it has something important to offer to its neighbors and to us today. I hope you will come hear its story.
Contact Sara Hackett at SaraH@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x120 for the Zoom meeting ID.

Help Us Spruce Up
2020-09-12 10:00 - 12:00 | PA
Summer is in full force and so are the gardens (and weeds!) here at ELPC. If you are looking to connect with nature and the ELPC community, consider joining us for small group garden maintenance meet-ups!
Join us to weed around the perimeter of the church, particularly in the rain garden along Penn Ave. No experience is necessary, but consider bringing work gloves, water, a mask, and any small gardening tools you might have.
For more info, contact Megan Leisher at MeganL@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x122.

YAM African Healing Garden Workday
2020-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 | PA
All young adults are invited to join us at the African Healing Garden (located at 160 Meadow St.) for a workday. Some folks will work in the garden and others will work to lay pavement around the garden (there will be a professional on hand to give us instructions).
Everything is outside and there is plenty of space to work at a distance. Masks are required. Please RSVP to Sara Hackett via email SaraH@coh.net or phone 412.673.2926.
Visit @AfricanHealingGarden on Facebook to learn more about the garden.

Tween Miniature Mini Golf
2020-09-26 10:00 - 11:00 | PA
Tweens in grades 4–6 are invited to a morning of miniature mini golf. We will send you all the things you need to make a course on your kitchen table (or wherever), including a tiny golf club, ball, and fake grass. You supply the obstacles—which can be made out of cardboard, Legos, or pretty much anything. We’ll gather on Zoom to construct, show off our courses, and play golf together.
Please RSVP by Monday., September 21, to have supplies delivered. Late RSVPs will need to pick up supplies at the church.

Praying with the Elements
2020-09-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2020-10-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2020-10-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2020-10-18 13:00 - 14:00 | PA
Amidst this pandemic, many of us are experiencing Zoom fatigue and may feel stuck inside. Let’s Get Out In Creation!
Through Christine Valters Paintner’s book, Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements, we will discover the call of God’s creation with daily readings of scripture, poets, and mystics—and be invited to explore, connect, and pray with and in God’s creation. We will read, reflect, and pray with the elements on our own throughout the week and then gather on Sundays, October 4–November 1, 1 pm, to share reflections and insights.
Join us as we discover together how “the four elements of air, fire, water, and earth can act as spiritual directors or guides to help us along the sacred journey.”
You may order your own book on Amazon or contact the Rev. BJ Woodworth for assistance.
Click here to participate on Zoom. Enter the Meeting ID, 896 1843 1427, and passcode, Creation, when prompted.

Pastor Randy’s Drive-Thru Party
2020-09-27 13:30 - 15:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Pastor Randy’s turning 60, and you’re invited to the party!
This is a drive-thru birthday party! Pastor Randy and Beth Bush will be in the church’s staff parking lot (Baum Blvd), and you can pull in to give him personal birthday wishes. You might even receive a birthday treat!
In addition, several other members of staff will be on the sidewalk along Whitfield Street, so after you greet Randy and Beth, pull around the corner to wave or chat with staff for a couple of minutes.
Parking spaces along both Baum and Whitfield St. will be blocked off so that you can pull along the curb. Staff will also be distributing our new church directory at this time. All will be wearing masks. Join us for this happy and safe time of fellowship!
So that we don’t tie up street traffic too much, please move around the church clockwise. We also suggest that you plan your visit around these times, according to the first letter of your last name:

A thru G | 1:30–2 pm
H thru O | 2–2:30 pm
P thru Z | 2:30–3 pm

In lieu of gifts, Pastor Randy suggests that you bring a food donation to support Vintage Senior Center, right up Highland Avenue in East Liberty. Vintage usually provides much-needed companionship, activities, and meals for seniors in our area. During the pandemic, they’re providing alternative meals for seniors. Requested food items include: crackers, canned soup, peanut butter, individual fruit cups, canned vegetables, pasta (including instant mac & cheese), rice and bottled water. (NO perishables like milk, fresh fruit, or meat.) Since most of the seniors live alone, please choose smaller/individual-size packaged items. You also may choose to make a monetary or check donation (payable to “Vintage”), which we will deliver to Vintage for you.
If you have any questions, contact Laura Ristau at 412.780.5588 or Heather Lawrence at 412.266.8177.

So, Let’s Talk
2020-10-03 17:00 - 18:30, 2020-10-04 12:15 - 13:45 | PA
As a Matthew 25 church, the Mission Board of ELPC invites you to the next program in our work of dismantling structural racism: So, Let’s Talk. To understand others, we are told “to walk a mile in their shoes.” We hope that reading and discussing the story of “Routine Traffic Stop” (based on an experience and written by ELPC member, Beverly Harris-Schenz) will help others “learn about the shoes” that many Black siblings walk in daily.
Join us on Saturday, October 3, 5–6:30 pm, and/or Sunday, October 4, 12:15 pm.
Participate at Zoom.us/join or call 929.205.6099, and enter Meeting ID 827 8715 9714 when prompted.

Kids' Sunday Zoom
2020-10-04 10:30 - 10:50, 2020-10-11 10:30 - 10:50, 2020-10-18 10:30 - 10:50 | PA
Parents, kids in preschool through Grade 5 are welcome to join us for a Sunday Kids’ Zoom, 10:30 am, throughout October. Pastor Heather will be there, along with teachers and friends from church for a chance to say hi to one another, play a fun game, sing praise to God, and think about God in our lives.
The Sunday Zoom gathering will only be about 20 minutes long—and is a way to stay connected to God and to one another while we are worshiping form home.
For the Zoom link, email Megan Leisher or Pastor Heather.

Youth Afternoon Mission Project
2020-10-04 13:00 - 14:00 | PA
Youth in grades 6–12 will work collectively on Zoom to create a massive banner on ELPC’s Baum Blvd. gate that shares a message of God’s love and justice with our neighbors. RSVP to Sara Hackett.

A City Divided: Police/Citizen Violence, Police Reform
2020-10-04 19:00 - 20:00 | PA
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Social Justice and Outreach Committee and Race and Reconciliation Commission invite you to a Zoom talk with Professor David Harris, who will discuss his new book, “A City Divided” Police/Citizen Violence, Police Reform.” The Rev. Dr. John Welch will provide a response.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting or call 312.626.6799. Enter Meeting ID 846 4004 1246 and Passcode [REDACTED] when prompted.
Event co-sponsors include: JCC Center for Lovingkindness; Christian Associates; St. Brendan’s Justice Ministry; St. James Episcopal Church, Penn Hills; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mt Lebanon; Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill; Community of Celebration, Aliquippa; Congregation Dor Hadash; and East Liberty Presbyterian Church.

About David Harris
David Harris currently serves as a professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He has worked with police departments, governments, and citizens’ groups in Pittsburgh and around the country.
About the Rev. Dr. John Welch
Rev. Dr. Welch currently serves as Board President of Gamaliel Network and Lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh’s Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership. He is a former vice president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Chief Chaplain of Pittsburgh Police.

2020 McClure Lecture Plenary Session
2020-10-07 20:30 - 21:30, 2020-10-14 20:30 - 21:30 | PA
Following each presentation at the 2020 McClure Lectures and World Mission Initiative’s Month of Mission Series, you are invited to join us for a plenary discussion group on Zoom, 8:30–9:30 pm. Click here to participate online or call 646.558.8656 to join by phone. Enter meeting number 850 1401 4275 and passcode [REDACTED] when prompted.
If you miss a presentation, they will be posted at PTS.edu/wmi-conference within 48 hours.

About the 2020 McClure Lectures and World Mission Initiative’s Month of Mission Series
Mission matters. Race matters. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary invites you to gather online on Wednesdays, October 7–28, 7:30 pm, to explore issues of racial justice with world-class speakers at the 2020 McClure Lectures and World Mission Initiative’s Month of Mission Series. This year’s conference theme is Jesus Christ and the ‘Dividing Wall’: Race and God’s Mission. Weekly speakers and topics include:

October 7 | Unlearning the Habits of Slaveholder Religion
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
October 14 | Crossing Cultures, Building Bridges
Brenda Salter McNeil
October 21 | Where Do We Go from Here?
Brenda Salter McNeil and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
October 28 | Keys for Allies to Use their Superpowers: The Role of Vulnerability and Compassion in Anti- Racism Effectiveness
David Campt

Affordable Housing in the East End
2020-10-11 12:15 - 13:45 | PA
Please join us as the Neighbors Committee presents Becky Gloninger. Becky will give us an update on the families from East Liberty Gardens and future plans for even more affordable housing in East Liberty, as well as explore ways we can potentially walk with and help our neighbors who are in jeopardy of eviction.
Participate at Zoom.us/join or call 929.205.6099, and enter Meeting ID 827 8715 9714 when prompted.

Confronting Confederate Symbols
2020-10-18 12:15 - 13:45 | PA
In many U.S. cities and communities, people have come together to demand the dismantling of Confederate symbols. Some say these symbols celebrate heritage and history. For others, they are negative reminders of “America’s Original Sin.” Join us as the Peace Committee and other members discuss the Confederate symbol in our midst, disclose the history behind its inclusion in our church’s design, and suggest ways we can address its removal (or not).
Participate at Zoom.us/join or call 929.205.6099, and enter Meeting ID 827 8715 9714 when prompted.
