East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Hope Academy Open Registration Day
2016-12-17 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Classes and private lesson days/times will be opened up to new students today. New and returning students will be able to register and pay for classes and private lessons, or talk with someone to find out more about Hope Academy. There will be limited openings in our Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dance classes and Musical Theater Workshop classes. We do have openings in Music Discovery and Flute Choir. You also can call 412.441.3800 to talk with Karly Threet or get onto the wait list by filling out the online Wait List Form.
IMPORTANT LINKS
2016–2017 Hope Academy Course Brochure + Registration Form
Information about:
Musical Theater Workshop (singing, acting and tap)
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s dance classes (Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet A, Pre-Ballet B and Ballet 2)
HAT Co (Hope Academy Teen Theater Company and Rock Band) (acting, singing, tap, ballet, ukulele, rock band and private instrument and voice lessons. By application and audition)
Flute Choir
PRIVATE INSTRUMENT AND VOICE LESSONS
If you are interested in registering for private music instruction, please complete the online Inquiry Form for Private Lessons at Hope Academy. This will help us to have a more informed conversation with you, and will expedite the process of matching your child with a teacher and finding a lesson day/time that will fit into your schedule. We will contact you with options for lesson days/time and teachers – after returning students are placed.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION ASSISTANCE
Scholarships and tuition assistance are given out in September for the entire year.
Preference is given to returning Hope Academy students (in good standing), and those who qualify as being low-income and/or who represent a racial, ethnic, or cultural minority. Scholarship students are held to a high standard and must attend all classes and participate in all scheduled open classes, recitals and performances.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2016-12-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-12-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-12-01 19:00 - 21:00 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Chancel Choir typically rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7–8:30 pm, in the Sanctuary from September through early June. Sunday morning rehearsals are at 10:00 am, in preparation for the worship service. The choir provides musical leadership at our Sanctuary worship service on Sundays at 11 am.
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 and Gabe D’Abruzzo is the accompanist.
Come join us and make a joyful noise!

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2016-12-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2016-12-08 19:00 - 20:30, 2016-12-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2016-11-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2016-11-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2016-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7–8:30 pm, in the Sanctuary from September through early June. Sunday morning rehearsals are at 10:00 am, in preparation for the worship service. The choir provides musical leadership at our Sanctuary worship service on Sundays at 11 am.
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 and Gabe D’Abruzzo is the accompanist.
Come join us and make a joyful noise!

HAT Co Holiday-ish Cabaret 2016
2016-12-13 07:00 - 20:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Hope Academy Theater Company (HAT Co) singers and band present an evening of music and song.
Performances include:

Band under the direction of Ben Barson & Emma Cox – Desmond Rucker, Henry Schultz, James Jaap and Tomi Olaore
Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Anna Elder – Raffaela Carattino, Emily Khuu, Kira Mukogosi, Laela Lumsden, Maya Ginter-Frankovitch, Kyra Simmons, Clara Swanson, Esai Aliquo-Varela, Maya Burley, Courtney Connor and Amber Taylor
Voice students of Anna Elder – Raffaela Carattino, Emily Khuu, Kira Mukogosi, Laela Lumsden, Maya Ginter-Frankovitch and Jewel Strothers
Composition and Bass students of Ryan McMasters – Henry Schultz and Anela Lumsden

Families should bring something for the reception (cookies, cupcakes, brownies, candy, drinks).
Call time for performers is 5:30 pm. Wear black, red and gray. Be festive!

The Great Exchange: Music
2016-12-11 12:30 - 14:30 | ELPC – Music Room, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Folks of all ages are invited to this fun, interactive event where we together across the generations will explore some fun and intriguing discussion questions centered around the topic of music. We will have a simple lunch while sharing our stories with one another. No prep necessary, just come and enjoy!

Do You Hear What I Hear?
2016-12-11 10:00 - 11:00 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for a fresh retelling of the Christmas Story by our children and youth in the Sanctuary. This year’s pageant, Do You Hear What I Hear?, was written by ELPC member Ashley Birt.
We remember that many voices told of the Christ Child’s birth—from angels to shepherds, and even a star! As these familiar characters tell this important story, we will listen together, so that the good news might take on fresh meaning for us.

LGBTQ Ministry Night Out
2016-12-10 19:30 - 23:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join your friends for the annual RCC Holiday Concert and a Night Out afterward.
See Wil should you plan to attend and want a ticket and/or details.

Pittsburgh Youth Chorus Concert
2016-12-04 16:00 - 18:00 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Pittsburgh Youth Chorus (formerly Children’s Festival Chorus) will present their winter concert A Star in the Night in the ELPC Sanctuary!
For tickets, please visit www.pittsburghyouthchorus.org.

Renovation Project Update
2016-12-04 12:15 - 13:00 | ELPC – First Floor Library, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206
We anticipate renovation work to begin on ELPC in early 2017. To help prepare for this, there are two occasions in which you can meet with Renovations Committee members and hear more about the extent of the work and timing for the construction.
Gather in the First Floor Library following Sanctuary worship.

First Friday @ Oglebay
2016-12-02 19:00 - 23:00 | Oglebay Resort, 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, WV, 26003, United States
Meet at ELPC and we will spend an evening enjoying warm cocoa, delicious cookies, and dazzling lights as we take a road trip to enjoy Oglebay’s Winter Festival of Lights. Contact Wil in advance to reserve a seat in the church van. Come celebrate the season!
Click here to learn more. This is a TRAIL young adult event.

Justice Committee Meeting
2016-11-27 12:15 - 12:30 | ELPC – Room 224, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh
The ELPC Justice Committee will meet following Sanctuary worship to continue planning ELPC’s response to those who are incarcerated and their families. All are welcome to attend.
For more information, please contact Carol Chonoska at 724.2729722 or by email.

Sanctuary Worship
2016-11-27 11:00 - 12:15 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The three major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—all share a common foundation in the life of the patriarch Abraham. God’s covenant with Abraham and his wife Sarah included the promise that their children will prosper and become the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. God’s promise of protection was given to Abraham’s servant Hagar, who bore a son, Ishmael, to whom the Islamic faith traces its roots back to Abraham. And Christianity saw in the promises given to Abraham and Sarah a precursor to the covenant of grace and life made known in the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Randy will be joined by Rabbi Jamie Gibson (Temple Sinai) and Imam Mufti Abdul Wajid (Islamic Center of Pittsburgh) to explore our common faith heritage grounded in Abraham’s story. Please join us for this interfaith celebration of God’s covenants that span centuries and continue to inspire people of faith the world over.

This service is held in the Sanctuary on the first floor, with an organ prelude before the service. We extend a warm welcome to our Latino friends and include several prayers in our service bulletin in English and Spanish. This is ELPC’s largest service, offering a traditional worship service with thought-provoking sermons, and the music of our Chancel Choir and organ to reinforce the spirit of praise and reverence. Like many of the great cathedrals of Europe, the compelling power and beauty of our historic, gothic-style Sanctuary enhances the spiritual experience. Children are invited to the chancel steps to hear their own message with one of the pastors. The service is led by ELPC’s senior pastor or other members of the pastoral staff. Special guest pastors or speakers periodically lead the service.
SEE DETAILS FOR THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP services HERE.

An Awesome Abrahamic Event for YAMs
2016-11-27 09:45 - 14:00 | ELPC – Second Floor Parlor, 116 S Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
One patriarch and three religions come together at ELPC for this event as we welcome our siblings in faith from local Muslim and Jewish congregations. Start at the combined church school class (9:45-10:45am), then experience a combined worship service (11:00-12:15pm), before the young adults spend some time over lunch and conversation in the Second Floor Parlor (12:30-2:00pm).

Christmas Decorating
2016-11-27 00:15 - 14:00 | PA
You’re invited to help with our annual holiday decorating following Sanctuary worship. We’ll have a variety of activities, from sorting ornaments to hanging wreaths. No experience is necessary!
When we’re done, we’ll celebrate our festive setting with holiday cookies, provided by the Worship, Music, and Arts Committee.

Reiki Training
2016-11-20 12:30 - 17:30 | ELPC – Second Floor Parlor, 116 S Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Reiki is a spiritual healing art and form of complementary medicine. It has its roots in Japanese origins and is based on the flow of energy through the practitioner. If you would like to be attuned and learn to use Reiki, register for our two-part (Reiki 1 and 2) training (Sundays, Nov. 20 and Dec. 4) led by Douglas James.
The cost is $60 and scholarships are available, but registration is limited.
Click here to download the registration form.

Hope Academy Teaching Artists in Concert
2016-11-19 17:00 - 18:30 | ELPC – Chapel, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Please join us for this special concert in ELPC’s chapel, featuring teaching artists from Hope Academy of Music and the Arts – Kathleen Andrews, Ben Barson, Laura Carmichael, Anna Elder, Ryan McMasters, Gizel Rodriguez and Gil Teixeira.

Throughout the year, these artists give private instruction to hundreds of students, and now it is their turn to take the stage as performers.
This performance is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be received.

PROGRAM
Scherzo from F-A-E Sonata, WoO post. 2:3 – Johannes Brahms
Kathleen Andrews, violin and Laura Carmichael, piano
Nonantzin – Salvador Moreno, arr. by Ben Barson
Maldigo del alto cielo – Violeta Parra, arr. Ben Barson
Kolavalik by Natalio Rodriguez
Gizelxanath, soprano
Ben Barson, baritone saxophonist
Beast – James Tenney
Ryan McMasters
Poveri Fiori from the opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilea
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes from Roberta by Jerome Kern
Gizelxanath, soprano
Laura Carmichael, piano
Arpemolo by G. Teixeira
Danza Característica by L. Brouwer
Gil Teixeira, guitar
Selections from ‘sea garden’
WOLFTRAP
Anna Elder, soprano
Kathleen Andrews, violin
Ryan McMasters, bass and electronics

Something Fun for YAMs
2016-11-19 10:00 - 19:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
A group choice event. Those who show up at 10am will be presented with 3 choices for a fun day and majority will rule. Come prepared for anything – a change of clothes, some spending cash and a sense of adventure all are helpful.
Meet at the church at 10am and we will go from there planning to return early evening.

Middle School Retreat
2016-11-18 17:00 - 2016-11-20 13:30 | Camp Crestfield & Conference Center, 195 Taggart Road, Slippery Rock, PA, 16057, United States
for youth in grades 6-8
at Crestfield Camp and Conference Center
The Middle School Retreat is time to join youth from all around Pittsburgh to worship, study scripture, develop friendships and have FUN. Registration and Permission Form and $25 deposit due by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14.
Schedule:
Meet at ELPC on Friday at 5:00pm
Return to ELPC on Sunday at 1:30pm
Cost:
$100/person
Scholarships are available for youth. If requesting scholarship money, please return the attached scholarship form to Sara by Monday, November 14.

Understanding and Speaking Up for LGBTQ Christians: A Learning & Discussion Series
2016-11-13 12:30 - 15:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
All ELPC Friends and Members who want to learn how to better support LGBTQ Christians are invited to this three-part learning and discussion series. These sessions are designed to be an educational and development series (not debates) that provides an environment where authoritative presenters will share information, where attendees will be able to have their questions answered, and where participants will gain competencies related to being an advocate for LGBTQ Christians and issues.
This church-wide series will be on three consecutive Sundays with different stand-alone content each week. A simple lunch will be served. Childcare can be provided with an RSVP at least one week prior to the session you plan to attend. Please RSVP to Wil Forrest at wil@coh.net or at 412.260.2554.
Sun., Oct. 30: Understanding Language and LGBTQ Basics
Led by the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush and Betty Hill, executive director of Persad
Co-sponsored by the Mission Board
Sample Question: “What does the Q mean?”
Sun., Nov. 6: The Bible and LGBTQ Inclusion
Led by the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf and the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy
Co-sponsored by Christian Education Committee
Sample Question: “How do I reply to a family member who asks what the Bible says about homosexuality?”
Sun., Nov. 13: History, Polity, Theology, Oh My!
Led by the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, and Elder Carol Chonoska
Co-sponsored by Spiritual Life Committee
Sample Question: “How can ELPC be fully inclusive of LGBTQ people and some other Presbyterian churches are not?”

Youth Day of Thanks and Giving
2016-11-13 12:15 - 15:00 | PA
for youth in grades 6–12
Come learn about why folks across the world are standing with Standing Rock and join in prayer, advocacy and action to support the Standing Rock Sioux in their continued assertion of sovereignty over their traditional territories and protection of our water.
We will show our thanks for God’s creation by giving our support to those who are fighting to protect it.
Lunch will be served.

Post-Election Support
2016-11-13 12:15 - 13:30 | ELPC – Prayer Room (Room 135), 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
In the wake of the election outcome, you are welcome to gather in the Prayer and Meditation Room following Sanctuary worship. Individuals will be on hand to offer prayers and anointing for those who wish to be supported.

LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering
2016-11-12 16:00 - 18:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
All are welcome at this monthly spiritual gathering of LGBTQ Christians and their allies. Contact Wil Forrest if you wish to attend.

Today is Election Day - VOTE!
2016-11-08 07:00 - 20:00 | PA
Here is a list of resources compiled by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to help you get to the polls.
Your vote is your voice. Use it! Let’s make some history in Pennsylvania today.
ACLU Voting Rights – Information on legal voting rights and on what to do if you think you have experienced voter intimidation or suppression.
Black Political Empowerment Project – Helps to arrange free rides to your voting location.
League of Women Voters – Greater Pittsburgh – Offers information on policy positions so that voters can make informed decisions.
RockTheVote – Pennsylvania – Provides general information about voting in Pennsylvania, including your polling location. The site has a tool that allows you to look up the candidates and initiatives that will be on your ballot. RockTheVote has a particular focus on providing voter information to college students and young people.
Vote411.org – Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, this site provides detailed information on policy positions; you can even choose candidates and compare their stances side-by-side.
VotesPa.com – Provides general information about voting in Pennsylvania, including how to find your polling location.
