East Liberty Presbyterian Church

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.

Online Prayer Service
2022-07-26 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-08-02 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-08-09 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-08-16 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-08-23 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-08-30 08:00 - 08:20, 2022-09-06 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

Taizé Prayer Service
2022-07-27 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-31 19:00 - 20:00, 2022-09-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | 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.

ELPC @ Pittsburgh Black Pride
2022-07-28 18:00 - 2022-07-30 19:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Canceled | YAMs to Host a Game Day for All
2022-07-30 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Rest is essential, relaxation is great, but play is even better! Our Young Adult Ministry will be hosting a Game Day on Saturday, July 30, 9 am–3 pm, for all people with various abilities.
There is no cost to attend. Food and entertainment will be provided, but we could use some volunteers!
To RSVP or volunteer, contact Derail Holcomb at DerailH@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x133.

Memphis Mission Trip
2022-08-06 - 2022-08-13
for students who have completed 8th-12th grade. Youth must be vaccinated for Covid to participate. Cost is $400 and scholarships are available. We will be serving with Memphis Youth Mission … check MYM out online.
Registration is now closed.

ELPC Tour: Underground
2022-08-14 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join our tour guide following worship, as we descend into the bowels of the Cathedral and explore some of our church’s least seen areas. Wander through the “catacombs” and see the organ bellows, furnace, and more. Please gather at the Highland entrance following worship.
Allow 30–45 minutes for the tour and wear comfortable shoes.

LGBTQ August Spiritual Gathering
2022-08-14 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.

Retirement Reception for Allen Miller
2022-08-21 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
After many years of faithful service to our church, Allen Miller will retire from his Lead Engineer position at ELPC, effective August 31, 2022. For more than 43 years, he has given much time and care to our building and our community. All are invited to a retirement reception where we will give thanks for Allen and his service in the Social Hall, following worship on Sunday, August 21.

Book Discussion | Parable of the Sower
2022-08-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Highland Room (Room 108), 116 South Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Environmental Team of the Justice Committee has selected Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler as its next book. You’re invited to read it and join us for a discussion on Thursday, August 25, 7 pm, led Nancy Heastings and Penn Hackney online via Zoom. For more details, please contact Nancy Heastings.
Published in 1993, this climate sci-fi is set in 2024 California. The story’s lead character is a 15-year-old Black girl whose father is a preacher. Global climate change and economic crises have led to social chaos. Global warming has brought drought and rising seawater. The middle class and working poor live in gated neighborhoods, where they fend off the homeless with guns and walls. Fresh water is scarce and is as valuable as money. Fires are common. Public schools are being privatized, as are whole towns. In this atmosphere, a Presidential candidate named Christopher Donner is elected based on his promises to dismantle government programs and bring back jobs.
The book has had a resurgence and second-read reviewers comment, “But for sheer peculiar prescience, Butler’s novel and its sequel (Parable of the Talents) may be unmatched.”
For some writers, science fiction serves as means to delve into fantasy. But for Butler, it largely served as a vehicle to address issues facing humanity. It was this passionate interest in the human experience that imbued her work with a certain depth and complexity. Her books blended elements of science fiction and African American spiritualism.

YAM's Virtual Happy Hour
2022-08-26 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Let’s get together for a Virtual Happy Hour on Friday, August 26, 6–9 pm!
So many of us have lots of responsibilities and we need a moment to exhale and relax. Why not at our Virtual Happy Hour?
Plan on joining us with your favorite beverage, and we’ll get to know one another in anticipation of the start of the Church School year.

Join via Zoom

Connections @ Fridays at Frick
2022-09-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join ELPC’s Connections Groups at Fridays at Frick on Friday, September 2, 6 pm, for some live music and food. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. You can bring picnic food or buy from the food trucks on site. We’ll sit together and talk and listen to the music.
To ask questions or to RSVP, contact Elaine Phillips.

September LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering
2022-09-04 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2022-09-08 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Chancel Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary on Thursdays, 7–8:30 pm, from September through early June (unless noted otherwise). Sunday morning rehearsals are at 10 am, in preparation for the worship service. The choir provides musical leadership at our Sanctuary worship service on Sundays.
No audition is required, just the desire to learn and have fun as we prepare to lead worship. The choir is open to everyone in high school and older.
Dr. Ed Moore is the director of the Chancel Choir.
Come join us and make a joyful noise!

Hope Academy Open Dance Class for 5-8 year olds
2022-09-10 10:00 - 10:45 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Meet one of our dance teachers, Kerra Alexander, and try out a class for 5 to 8 year old dancers. You don’t need to wear dance clothes, but you can if you’d like. Kerra will take you through a short (45 minute) class demonstrating beginning ballet, tap and jazz dance styles.
You are invited to stay after for a Cello Information Session, at 11 am, if you’d like to find out about taking Suzuki string lessons at Hope Academy
Hope Academy’s 2022 Fall Term Begins on Saturday, September 17

2022–2023 Overview calendar and schedule, courses and upcoming events for the year
Scholarship Application for students from low-income families and/or those of Black, African American or Indigenous descent

Registration in Hope Academy’s Family Portal opens on September 1

Current Families | log into account
New Families | set up an account

Private Lessons for new, tuition paying students (limited openings)

Inquiry for Private Lessons

Memorial to the Lost
2022-09-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
ELPC is joining other local congregations—including Eastminster Presbyterian, Calvary Episcopal, and Valley View Presbyterian—to host a Memorial to the Lost. Join us as we respond to God’s call to end gun violence, trauma, and despair by honoring victims of gun violence and their families.
Join us for a prayer walk on Saturday, September 10, 10 am–12 pm. The prayer walk will begin at Valley View Presbyterian (601 N. Aiken Ave.) and end at Calvary Episcopal Church (315 Shade Ave.).
And following Sanctuary worship on Sunday, September 11, Josh Fleitman of CeaseFirePA will speak in the Garth Overlook (and Zoom) on sensible gun policies and laws.
Join us in person in the Garth Overlook Room or online via Zoom. Enter meeting ID 213 262 376 004 and passcode uumLRB if prompted.
Join via Zoom

Dancewear Recycle, Donate & Swap 2022-2023
2022-09-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Recycle, Donate and Swap Gently Used Dancewear and Shoes at Hope Academy
We will have gently used dance clothing and shoes available in a range of sizes. If you are registering for Hope Academy’s ballet, tap or jazz classes, you are invited to come, with your child, to try on shoes and find appropriate dance wear for classes.
Dropping off donations
If you have any dance wear that your child has outgrown, please consider donating it so that another student can put it to good use. Our dress code includes: black leotards, pink tights, black or pink ballet shoes (leather or canvas), any style tap and jazz shoes. Dance sweaters are also appreciated.

Pull into the circle driveway on Highland Ave
Bring your bag of donations (labeled “Hope Academy’) in and hand to the person at the front desk
If the items could be labeled with their sizes, that would be helpful and appreciated
The building is open Tuesday-Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm; Friday from 9 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 4 pm

Hope Academy Cello Program Information Session
2022-09-10 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Are you interested in having your child learn to play an instrument but you’re not sure how to help them get started? Join us for an information session with Hope Academy teaching artist, Beth Goldstein-McKee, to learn about the Suzuki philosophy, method and approach to music education. Your child can listen to someone play the cello and try out a child-sized version for themself.
The session takes place at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, located at 116 S. Highland Ave (corner of Penn and Highland), Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
Scholarships to our Suzuki program are available to students from low income families and/or those of Black, African American or Indigenous descent.
Hope Academy’s 2022 Fall Term Begins on Saturday, September 17

2022–2023 Overview calendar and schedule, courses and upcoming events for the year
Scholarship Application for students from low-income families and/or those of Black, African American or Indigenous descent

Registration in Hope Academy’s Family Portal opens on September 1

Current Families | log into account
New Families | set up an account

Private Lessons for new, tuition paying students (limited openings)

Inquiry for Private Lessons
