Palm Sunday Processional
2021-03-28 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC is hosting a special outdoor Palm Sunday Processional. You may pick up palm branches at the church and then process around our building—wearing masks and maintaining a safe distance. You can also process in your vehicle! Make banners and bring instruments to sing Hosanna and praise God!
If you would like to participate in a Palm Sunday celebration from the comfort of your own home, please let Pastor Heather or Ms. Sara know. You can call ahead to pick up Palm Branches or make Palm branches from construction paper at home.

Schedule and Notes
Please arrive between 1 pm and 1:40 pm to pick up your palm branches.

Those joining the processional on foot are invited to go to one of the corners of the sidewalk around the church, get their palm branches, and pick a spot on some chalk art on the sidewalk. The chalk art will measure out 6 feet of distance, as we ask you (and anyone in your family) to remain 6 feet away from anyone outside of your bubble.
Those driving up to pick up a palm branch without exiting your car, please pull into the Highland Avenue Turn-around to get your palm branch.

Brass Roots Tympanist, Abby, will be playing, starting at 1 pm.

Bring your drums, maracas, bells, shakers, pots and pans…and join her in making a joyful noise unto our Lord!
We will have TWO different processionals around the church. One will start at 1:15 pm, and the second will start at 1:45 pm. Abby will lead the line, beginning at the corner of Highland and Penn, as we circle the building 3 times. Feel Free to march along in the procession, or move to the side and shout Hosanna from one spot. Drop by for one of the processionals, or stay for the whole hour.

Make an Instrument of Your Own
If you’d like to make an instrument of your own to bring along, here are the instructions for a “tambouracca”

You will need two paper plates (of any size, as long as they are the SAME size); dried beans or rice; stapler
Place a 1 tablespoon of beans or rice in the center of a paper plate.
Place the second plate on top of the first, with the center of the plates facing each other.
Staple along the outside to seal the instrument

Make a Banner
Using posterboard, fabric, felt, or paper, make a banner to celebrate Palm Sunday. Write words like “Praise God!” or “Hosanna”—or words of your choice—as we remember Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Spanish as a Second Language Class
2021-04-01 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-04-08 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-04-15 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-04-22 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-04-29 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-05-06 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-05-13 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Are you interested in learning Spanish as a second language to be able to better communicate, know, and love our Spanish-speaking sisters and brothers?
If so, join us on Thursdays, 4 pm, via Zoom!
Together, we will explore vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills, as well as consider language learning as a spiritual practice.
Classes are open for all ages and levels of Spanish skills. Contact Kathryn Ophardt for more details.
Join via Zoom

NO Mindfulness Meditation
2021-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Prayer Room (Room 135), 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
Our Mindfulness Meditation group will not meet tonight, Thursday, April 1, so that we can worship together at our Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm. Our regular schedule will resume next Thursday.

“Meditation means to be in the process of realizing that God is wholly present in each step along our way. It is to be slowly awakening to the divine destination of our journey manifesting itself in the divinity of our own breathing, our own beating heart, our simply being who we are.”—James Finley
Mindfulness meditation is the practice of resting in present moment awareness without judgment, opening to the heart of love and compassion for ourselves, others, and our world. Each Thursday evening, Susan Spangler and Ted Cmarada will guide us in these practices and offer support for practicing meditation in everyday life. Those new to meditation and those with experience are welcome.
Click the button below at the scheduled time to join via Zoom or call in by dialing 312.626.6799. Enter meeting ID, 959 8065 3992, and passcode, mindful, when prompted.
JOIN VIA ZOOM

About Susan Spangler and Ted Cmarada
Susan and Ted began practicing Mindfulness Meditation in 1990 with the beloved Vietnamese Buddhist teacher Thich Naht Hanh. Over the years, their practice and appreciation of mindfulness and related meditation practices has deepened through relationships and study with teachers from various meditation traditions. They bring to their teaching the warmth, humor and compassion modeled for them by these teachers, a caring presence cultivated through the practice of psychotherapy, and loving hearts nurtured through their deep and life-long commitment to the Christian path.

YAMs | Exploring Our Ecological Identity
2021-04-08 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
“Developing a profound sense of oneself in relationship to natural and social ecosystems is necessary grounding for the difficult work of environmental advocacy.”
Through hands-on activities, we will discuss and learn how to construct our ecological identity: using the direct experience of nature as a framework for our personal decisions, professional choices, political action, and spiritual inquiry. We will be guided by Mitchel Thomashow’s book, Ecological Identity: Becoming a Reflective Environmentalist. Reading is not required to participate.
RSVP to Kelli Booher.

LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering
2021-04-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-05-16 12:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Youth Mission Project | Gardening
2021-04-10 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Garfield Community Farm, Corner of Wicklow and Cornwall Streets, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, United States
Youth in grades 6–12 will meet at and be dismissed from Garfield Community Farm.
Please RSVP to Sara by Wednesday, April 7, or by completing the online permission form.

Youth Volunteer at Garfield Community Farm
2021-04-10 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | PA
6th-12th graders can join us for an afternoon volunteering at Garfield Community Farm. Wear your mask and bring your own water bottle. RSVP required by Wednesday. April 7th to SaraH@coh.net or by completing the online permission form below.

Justice Committee's Drive-by Collection
2021-04-11 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The ELPC Justice Committee is asking for your help to support people housed in Allegheny County Jail. We will host a mission drive-by on Sunday, April 11, 1:30–3:30 pm, at the half-circle driveway on Highland Ave. The following items will be collected: shampoo and conditioner (for differing hair types), body wash, deodorant, lotion, bar soap, and toothpaste. All of these items must be of a regular size (not travel or super). You also may donate jigsaw puzzles (with all of the pieces).
If you would like to work with the Justice Committee on cash bail, solitary confinement, the diversion program, mentorship program and other criminal justice issues, contact Carol Chonoska at carolchonoska@gmail.com.

Tween Night | Out-Of-The-Box Building Competition
2021-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Tweens in grades 3–6 will gather together on Zoom to make upcycled creations out of cardboard boxes.
RSVP to Sara and start saving your biggest and best cardboard boxes.

Vigil for Racial Justice
2021-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The verdicts delivered in the murder trial of George Floyd remind us that incidental accountability is still possible in today’s world—even as comprehensive justice and an end to systemic racism remain goals not yet accomplished. The memory of George Floyd gasping for breath beneath the literal knee of oppression haunts us. And the growing list of names of people killed by police shootings, the rising injury and death toll caused by American gun violence, and the widespread acts of racial bigotry inflicted on African Americans and people of color—including Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Latinx, Native Americans and others—all of this compels us to gather as a witness fully committed to the work yet to be done.
People are invited to stand vigil around ELPC holding up signs that reflect our community’s commitment to affirm Black Lives Matter, that allow us to continue saying George Floyd’s name and invoke the names of other victims of racist and police-based violence, and that acknowledge how the struggle for true justice extends before us, calling us toward a horizon of equality, equity, and a Beloved Community. We ask that all participants be masked and willing to observe safe social distancing during this event.
Please join us for this ecumenical, interfaith public vigil. May our combined presence be the voice crying out for waters of justice to pour down mightily in our land. May our common witness be the plowshare of hope fashioned from the broken swords and weapons of racial injustice.

Sponsored by National Black Presbyterian Caucus (Pittsburgh Chapter) and East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Photo by Jared Wickerham, Pittsburgh City Paper

The Impact of Community Gardens and Urban Farms
2021-04-25 12:15 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us after worship on Sunday, April 25, for a powerful presentation on how Pittsburgh Community Gardens and Urban Farms are enhancing public health, enriching the lives of children and youth, promoting food equity and environmental justice, rehabilitating vacant lots, replenishing urban soils, strengthening family and community relationships, and contributing to the health of the earth.
Our discussion will be led by:

Raqueeb Bey, founder and executive director of Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh Co-op
AJ Monsma, community engagement officer at Garfield Community Farm
Robert Grey, farm education and outreach coordinator at Grow Pittsburgh

Join us on Zoom at tiny.cc/elpc-gcf and enter passcode [REDACTED].
For more information, contact Susan Spangler at sspanglerlcsw@gmail.com or 240.285.6507.

Earth Day Photo Scavenger Hunt
2021-05-02 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | PA
Join us Sunday, May 2, for a fun-for-all-ages photo scavenger hunt that can be done in Highland Park or your yard and neighborhood. The Children and Family Ministry Team and staff will be at Lake Point Shelter in Highland Park from 1:30–3:30 pm, with hands-on Earth Day activities for all ages!
The photo scavenger hunt will be happening in real time via Flipgrid, so you may join in the fun no matter where you are. And if you can’t join us Sunday afternoon, the photo sharing will remain open all week.
Please register by emailing Sara Hackett at SaraH@coh.net.
Download Instructions

Cathedral Concerts Online | Kassia Ensemble & Anqwenique
2021-05-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC’s Cathedral Concerts series will present a special online performance featuring the Kassia Ensemble and Anqwenique. All of the music on the program was composed by living female Black composers.
This unique and fascinating concert will be broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook. The stream will go live in the video player below shortly before 7 pm.

MUSIC OF LIVING FEMALE BLACK COMPOSERS
Recorded in the chapel at East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Kassia Ensemble – https://www.kassiaensemble.com/
Anqwenique Kinsel, soprano
Dawn Posey, violin
Ashley Freeburn, violin
Si Yu, viola
Katya Janpoladyan, cello
Rachael Cohen, clarinet
Nuiko Wadden, harp
PROGRAM
I Want to Go Home
Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)
Alyssum
Leila Adu
Recollection and Anticipation
Lawren Brianna Ware (b. 1994)
Dream Variations
Joyce Solomon Moorman (b. 1946)
1. Sometimes – text by Rashidah Ismaili
2. Dream Variations– text by Langston Hughes
Vera
Hannah Kendall (b. 1984)
Strum
Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)

A Conversation on Solitary Confinement and No-Knock Warrants
2021-05-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Justice Committee will host a conversation on Solitary Confinement and No-Knock Warrants (Breonna’s Law). In January and February, we held petition signing events to get these two issues on the Primary Election Ballot for May 18. That effort was very successful and we would like to follow that up with an opportunity to review and discuss the data behind these two issues and how we can be informed voters.
Please join members of the Justice Committee and special guests to talk about these two initiatives in depth on Saturday, May 8, 7 pm. Attend the meeting via Zoom at tiny.cc/ballot-conversation. Or you may call 929.205.6099. Enter meeting ID 873 4623 6178 and passcode [REDACTED] when prompted.
Please Note: You must be a registered voter in Pittsburgh to vote for “Breonna’s Law.” You must be a registered voter in Allegheny County to vote for the solitary confinement initiative. If you live outside of Allegheny County, we still welcome your participation in this important discussion.

YAM Summer Planning Happy Hour
2021-05-11 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | PA
Calling all young adults. Grab your dinner and a drink, let’s catch up and plan for a fun YAM summer!

PW Walk in Highland Park
2021-05-12 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | PA
Presbyterian Women invite you to our next walk in Highland Park on Wednesday, May 12, 1:30 pm. Please meet at the fountain at the Highland Avenue entrance. We will walk the paved 1.1 mile loop around the park.

We wear masks and maintain social distance. Dogs are welcome!

To RSVP or ask questions, email PW.ELPC@gmail.com.

Coffee Hour & Discussion 1
2021-05-16 12:00 - 12:45 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join the ELPC Peace Committee and Mayor Bill Peduto for a virtual Coffee Hour following Sanctuary worship on Sunday, May 16. Together, we will discuss past gun legislation and plans for the future. A second discussion with State Representative Ed Gainey will be held on Sunday, May 23.
Click to Join
Or call in by dialing 301 715 8592. Enter meeting ID 848 4273 1269 and passcode [REDACTED] when prompted.

Second Great Semi-Annual ELPC Food Drive-By
2021-05-16 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Mark your calendars! Our second great semi-annual ELPC Food Drive-By will be held on Sunday, May 16, 1–3 pm. Do your part to help decrease food insecurity in our local neighborhoods! Simply purchase items from the list below, drive through the Staff Parking Lot on Baum Blvd., and drop them off (no need to get out of the car). The food will be distributed through the EECM Food Pantry. Requested non-perishable food items include:

Pastas/Sauces
Salt/Seasonings/Spices
Rice
Cereals
Canned and Dried Fruit
Canned Vegetables
Crackers
Soups/Broths
Jelly/Peanut Butter

When you drop off your food contribution, be sure to pick up a packet of seeds (flower or vegetable) for your summer planting. The seeds are a gift from the Environmental Team of the Justice Committee

Presbyterian Women: Sharing Lament
2021-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
On Tuesday, May 18, 12 pm, Prebyterian Women will reflect on “hope,” as we conclude our study of lament. Please bring your top 10 (or even 7) list of reasons to hope, as well as a pencil and paper. Rev Marnie Silbert will lead us.
All women are welcome, even if you missed the lesson! For Zoom link and other information email PW.ELPC@gmail.com.

Hope Academy Students Perform Carnival of the Animals at PBT's Open Air Series
2021-05-19 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Flagstaff Hill, Schleney Park, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Hope Academy students will be performing on Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s mobile stage for Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts on Wednesday, May 19, 5 pm, at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park.
Feel free to bring your own blankets and chairs to sit outside on the beautiful lawn of Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park; or, if you would like to reserve chairs in the seated audience section, you can register here.

About Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts
The two-week event, May 18–31, will feature music, theater, and dance by performing artists from all over Pittsburgh. For complete details, visit PBT.org/performances/open-air.

Hope Academy Student Performing in PPT's Black Ballerina
2021-05-20 - 2021-05-23 | virtual
Hope Academy student, Zora Rose, will be performing in Pittsburgh Public Theater’s virtual production of Black Ballerina as part of their Classics N’at series.
Tickets are as little as $10 and your whole family can watch together, at home from May 20-May 23.
For tickets: https://donate2.app/RPeWh2
For information about how to stream the play: https://ppt.org/ppt_home/pages/19870-playtime
About Black Ballerina from Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Website
Written by Stephen Fedo & Tim Rhoze
Directed by Tim Rhoze
May 20-23, 2021
Tim Rhoze (Director of Public PlayTime’s Fires in the Mirror) returns to Pittsburgh Public Theater to direct this elegant story about the perseverance and principle it takes to thrive in the elite world of dance. Gliding through time, the story portrays the struggle of three generations of incredibly skilled Black dancers struggling to keep their dreams on point in the face of discrimination. Equal parts grit and poetry, Black Ballerina draws from the classic canon and iconic ballets to place the narrative of these stunning dancers at the center of the story.
Starring Sean Blake, Allison Cahill, Jen Gorman, Amy Landis, Mike Magliocca, Zora Rose, Kara Roseborough, Claire Sabatine, Eldridge Shannon, and Jacqueline Williams.
Content: This story explores themes of generational racial trauma and includes adult situations and explicit language. While these are important topics to consider and discuss, please note this content may not be appropriate for all viewers.

Highland Park Rehearsal for Balafon West African Dance Performance
2021-05-22 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Highland Park Rhododendron Shelter, F3HQ+HR Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hope Academy students and any other young people who would like to dance with Mama K and Balafon West African Dance Ensemble for an Open Air performance on May 28, are invited to a rehearsal in Highland Park on SAT May 22 during the Suzuki Workshop.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in dancing with Mama K so that updates can be emailed to you and a costume pulled.
REHEARSAL:
SAT MAY 22 at 10 or 11 am (two sessions are being offered). Sign in at 9:45 for the 10 am session. Come to the Rhododendron Shelter off of Lake Drive. The best way to get there is to travel along Stanton Ave., past Dilworth School, and to enter the park by the tennis courts. Stanton Ave. turns into Lake Dr., which is where all of our shelters are located. You will see signs leading you to The Suzuki Workshop. It will be hot and sunny – bring lots of water, sunscreen if you need it, food, all the music equipment you need, and your mask. Prepare to have a great time – can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow!
PERFORMANCE during Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts
FRI MAY 28 at 5:30 pm (you will need to be there earlier to get your costume and have a run thru). Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park.
For more information about the rehearsal or performance, call 412-267-7705, or email contact@balafon.org
About Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts
The two-week event, May 18–31, will feature music, theater, and dance by performing artists from all over Pittsburgh. For complete details, visit PBT.org/open-air.

YAM Outdoor Detective Adventure
2021-05-22 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | PA
CluedUpp is an exciting, outdoor detective adventure—and it’s coming to Pittsburgh on May 22!

“Can your team of detectives scramble across town, solve the clues and crack the case in time?” We think we can!

RSVP is needed, so please contact Kelli Booher by Monday, May 17.
