Taizé Prayer Service
2022-05-25 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-08 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-15 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-22 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-29 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-07-06 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-07-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) and 2 more dates | ELPC – Chapel, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC offers evening prayers with chants from Taizé every Wednesday, 7 pm, in the Chapel. The hour-long service includes sung prayers, beautiful music, a time of silence, spoken and silent prayers, and opportunities for individual prayer and anointing. For more information, view our Taizé page.
Download this week’s bulletin.

About ELPC’s Taizé Prayer Service
Our Taizé prayer service is based on a style of worship developed at the Taizé community in France founded in the 1940s by the late Brother Roger. Originally a refuge during the war, Taizé has developed into an ecumenical prayer center for visitors from all over the world. Today, the Taizé community is made up of over a hundred resident brothers, both Catholics and from various Protestant backgrounds/traditions. Taizé wants to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples.

Intermediate SSL Class
2022-05-26 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | PA
Our intermediate SSL class meets on Thursdays, 4 pm, via Zoom. We’re finishing up the present tense and preparing to learn the past paradigm.
If you already have some knowledge of Spanish, you are welcome to join this class as we continue to learn about ourselves, our neighbors, and God through the Spanish language!
Join us on Zoom

Brass and Organ Concert
2022-05-29 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Brass Roots and conductor/arranger Jim Nova return to team up with Dr. Moore in a concert of music adapted from movies and video games.
Join us in the Sanctuary (masks required), or watch the livestreams on YouTube and Facebook.
There is no admission charge. A freewill offering will be accepted.
Download Program

Tween Gym Night
2022-05-29 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Gym, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
Tweens in grades 4–6 will be gathering for pizza and games in the church gym. RSVP to Sara Hackett.
We will stay at a safe distance while eating and wear masks the rest of the time.

Spring Yoga and Creation Contemplation Classes
2022-06-01 08:00 - 09:00, 2022-06-08 08:00 - 09:00, 2022-06-15 08:00 - 09:00, 2022-06-22 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | PA
In May and June, join Katrina Woodworth for a Hatha yoga class, where we will explore our relationship with the Creation through the four elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. The ancient Yogis understood that our bodies contain all 4 elements. In this class we will explore the elements through movement, posture, breath and meditation.
Each class will end with a contemplative reading and 15 minutes of silent meditation. Hope to see you one the mat!
Please remember, all classes are recorded. If you can’t attend live classes, contact Katrina Woodworth for a link to a recording.
A donation from the heart is appreciated.
Register on Zoom

Decolonizing our Spiritual Practices
2022-06-04 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – McKelvy Room (114), 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us on Saturday, June 4, 9 am–3pm, at ELPC or on Zoom for a day of teaching, conversation, and spiritual practice, as we seek to continue in our journey to be a Matthew 25 church and decolonize our spiritual practices.
We will be led by Leeann Shaw Younger. Under her leadership, we will look at the world and the story of Jesus through the eyes of those impacted by the work of colonial missionaries here in the U.S. and around the world. We will deepen our relationship with the Divine by considering how we might begin to unlearn the spiritual practices we’ve inherited that ignore and even denigrate the way indigenous cultures see the world and the Divine. We will consider what we can learn about the story of Jesus through the eyes of those finding a story of liberation and healing for both our human and other-than-human relatives.
RSVP to Norma Meyer at 412.441.3800 x111 by Sunday, May 29. The suggested donation is $10 (lunch included).
Join us at ELPC in the McKelvy Room or online by clicking the button below. Enter meeting ID 835 6152 8224 and passcode [REDACTED] if prompted.
Join Via Zoom

About Our Facilitator
Leeann Shaw Younger is the lead pastor of Cityview Church in Pittsburgh’s East Deutschtown/Spring Garden neighborhood. She co-founded the Evangelical Covenant Church congregation in 2010 with her husband, Wayne. Leeann has a breadth of vocational experiences in her background as a nonprofit executive leader, campus minster, and pastor, but most recently has enjoyed her role as a Democratic committeewoman. She is in the process of completing a Master of Theological Studies, with a focus on decolonizing church practice from the Pacific School of Religion.

Juneteenth March & Events
2022-06-18 09:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Freedom Corner, 1500 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, 15219, United States
Juneteenth—also known as Emancipation Day—commemorates the historic moment on June 19, 1865, when African Americans were freed from slavery in Texas. It is an opportunity to give thanks for our country’s progress while also calling attention to the work we have before us in creating the equity that reflects God’s kingdom.
Join the Justice Committee & Facing Systemic Racism Ministry Team on Saturday, June 18, 9:30 am, at Freedom Corner to march down to Point State Park.
There also will be all-day events at Point State Park & Market Square with live music and food. Bring a blanket or chair to sit in the field and enjoy the day. If you would like to ride in the van, please contact Michele Bossers at 412.303.9243 to make a reservation.

Connections Groups @ Soergel Orchards
2022-06-18 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | PA
ELPC Connections Groups are designed to foster small-group friendships in a large congregation.
All past members of Connections Groups and new people who are interested in joining us are invited to an afternoon of strawberry picking on Saturday, June 18. Meet at noon at Soergel Orchards (2573 Brandt School Rd., Wexford, PA 15090).
To RSVP and coordinate car pooling, contact Elaine Phillips.

June Solstice Forest Bathing
2022-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | PA
Join us at Frick Park on Saturday, June 25, 6–9 pm, for a time of June Solstice Forest Bathing and mark the beginning of summer, increased daylight, and warmth! If you are unfamiliar with forest bathing, it is simply mindfulness in nature as we bathe in the health-boosting benefits of the forest.
Guided by Sandi Miller, we’ll enjoy a three-hour walk and experience a series of invitations to slow down, open our senses, and cultivate an embodied relationship between ourselves and the natural world. Throughout the walk, we’ll have opportunities to share our experiences. We’ll conclude with a cup of tea made from the forest. There’s no right or wrong way to practice Forest Bathing, so come as you are; it’s all welcome in the forest. (We will be walking less than one mile, but there are some hills involved.)
Register with Norma Meyer at 412.441.3800 x111 by Wednesday, June 22. The event is limited to 12 people.

YAM Meet and Greet
2022-06-26 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Garth Overlook Room, 116 South Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Following worship on Sunday, June 26, all young adults are invited to a Meet and Greet in the Garth Overlook Room and Fellowship Space!
RSVP to Derail Holcomb, coordinator of our Young Adult Ministry, at DerailH@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x133.

Silent Vigil in Response to Roe v. Wade Ruling
2022-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
We are asking people to gather on Penn Ave on Thursday, July 7, 7 pm, with signs expressing their righteous outrage over the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This will be a silent vigil, just as women’s voices have been silenced. We will stand with and for women in support of their sovereign right to make their own decisions about their health and reproductive choices.

Middle School Mission Trip
2022-07-10 - 2022-07-15 | PA
Youth who have completed 6th-8th grade are invited to join us for a week of mission work and fun while staying at Crestfield Camp and Conference Center in Slippery Rock, Pa. The cost for the trip is $200 but scholarship money is available. Please join us for an information meeting Wednesday, May 11 from 6:30-7pm in the Harambe room at the church or on Zoom (meeting ID 402 081 6710) . We will discuss details about the mission work, fun activities, and covid policies and youth will help us plan the worship theme and meals for the week.

LGBTQ July Spiritual Gathering
2022-07-10 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
You are invited to the next Spiritual Gathering of ELPC’s LGBTQ Ministry to share food and fellowship at the church. Allies and LGBTQIA+ folks alike are welcome.
Contact Wil Forrest at 412.441.3800 X118 or Wil@coh.net to learn more, to RSVP, and/or to participate.
GOD CREATED YOU. GOD LOVES YOU. BE YOURSELF.

Film Screening | Torture in Our Name
2022-07-17 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Garth Overlook Room, 116 South Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Justice Committee invites you to a screening of Torture in Our Name following worship on Sunday, July 17, in the Garth Overlook Room. Snacks will be provided.
In this compelling 35-minute documentary for faith audiences, filmmaker Matthew Gossage showcases the tenacity and resilience of people who have faced the torture of solitary confinement first-hand and are working to end it once and for all.
The film traces the stories of state organizers in Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York, where survivors of solitary and their allies have mounted successful legislative campaigns in their respective states. New Jersey (2019) and New York (2021) were the first two states in the nation to legislate bans on long-term isolated confinement. Learn more about the film at nrcat.org.
If you’d like to join us virtually on Zoom, click the button below, or you may call in by dialing 301.715.8592. Enter meeting ID 813 9907 9756 and passcode [REDACTED] when prompted.
Join via Zoom

Online Prayer Service
2022-07-19 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-07-26 08:00 - 08:20 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC offers an online prayer group each Tuesday morning, hosted by ELPC member Steve Evrard. These 20-minute sessions feature scripture readings, responsive prayer, and interactive dialogue. All are welcome at this opportunity for fellowship and prayer.
Join us by clicking the link below, or you may call in by dialing 929.205.6099. Enter meeting ID 896 9680 6662 and passcode 116 when prompted.
Join via Zoom

Film Screening | Day of a Stranger
2022-07-24 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Garth Overlook Room, 116 South Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join the Spiritual Life Committee in the Garth Overlook Room following worship on Sunday, July 24, to view and discuss Day of a Stranger (2021), a short film about Trappist monk Thomas Merton, one of the most influential spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Through rare audio recordings, the film explores the final years of Merton’s life, from 1965–1968, when he lived as a hermit in the Kentucky woods. Interweaving meditative images of his hermitage nestled deep in the woods of Kentucky and rare audio recordings he made as a hermit; the film pieces together a first-person narrative of one of the 20th century’s most brilliant minds. Learn more at DayOfaStranger.com.
RSVP to Pastor BJ at BJW@coh.net by Saturday, July 23.

ELPC @ Pittsburgh Black Pride
2022-07-28 18:00 - 2022-07-30 19:00 (America/New_York) | PA
This year’s Pittsburgh Black Pride Week will take place Thursday–Saturday, July 28–30. The spectacular event will provide an opportunity to celebrate the lives and contributions of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Events include:

Opening Reception, Networking Event, and Dance Party
Thursday, July 28 | 6–8 pm
5801 Bar | 5801 Ellsworth Avenue
Pittsburgh Black Pride Week Concert | Featuring Grammy Award-Winning Artist Mýa
Friday, July 29, 7 pm
August Wilson Center | 980 Liberty Avenue
Tickets are available at TruStarts.org or by calling 412.456.6666
Community BBQ and Vendors Fair
Saturday, July 30 | 2–7 pm
Schenley Park–Prospect Shelter | Prospect Drive at Hobart Street

Please plan to attend one or more of the events. For more information, visit PGHBlackPride.org.
To volunteer to staff the booth at the BBQ, contact Stephanie Creasy.

Pittsburgh Black Pride has been celebrated for 27 years, and ELPC hosted several of their family picnics over the years. As one of the oldest Black Pride celebrations in the country, Pittsburgh Black Pride strives to provide culturally relevant programming in a safe environment aimed at increasing the health and wellbeing of our community members.
