East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Israel/Palestine Trip Info Session
2019-03-31 12:20 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Second Floor Parlor, 116 S Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
This fall, November 10–18, Pastor Randy and Rabbi Jamie Gibson from Temple Sinai will lead a shared study mission to Israel.
If you’re interested in joining them and discovering the Holy Land and Palestinian Territories, then you’re welcome to attend an informational session following Sanctuary worship on Sunday, March 31.

Download ELPC’s registration form, as well as an informational flyer for more details.
Please Note: Prices are based on a minimum group size. A $500 deposit is required.

Earth Care Challenge Pledge
2019-03-31 10:45 - 13:00, 2019-03-24 10:45 - 13:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Are you ready to pledge to a personal action/s to help save the planet? Consider what you can change or take on as in the areas of transportation, energy, food, yard and garden, home, education and advocacy.
The Environmental Team of the Justice Committee will be available to record your pledge and take your picture in the Garth Overlook Room after today’s 11 am service, and in the Fellowship Room before the 11 am service. You can record your pledge on Sundays, March 24, March 31, and April 7.

REuse, REcycle, REduce
2019-03-30 14:00 - 17:00 | Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, 214 N. Lexington St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15208, United States
Let’s learn different ways we can reuse, recycle, and reduce waste on a tour of Construction Junction and the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse. We will tour both places, create our own creative re-purposed project, and shop!
The cost is $10/person, which includes both tours, supplies for the craft activity, and a free bulk bag to shop and fill at PCCR. We will leave from ELPC at 1:45 pm.

Facing Systemic Racism Lenten Series
2019-03-27 17:00 - 19:00, 2019-03-20 17:00 - 19:00, 2019-03-13 17:00 - 19:00, 2019-03-06 17:00 - 19:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Please join us for a six-week study of The Belhar Confession on Wednesdays, 5–7 pm, during Lent.
This series will provide a theological grounding for our congregation’s anti-racism work, and provide an opportunity for the congregation to learn about the Presbyterian Church’s newest confession that addresses unity, reconciliation, and justice.
A light meal of soup and bread will be provided.
Childcare is available through reservation by calling 412.441.3800 x140.
Read The Belhar Confession. Download the Book of Confessions.

Series Dates and Topics
Download our Study Guide, which will guide our sessions.

March 6 | Introduction: Setting the Stage (see pg. 3)
March 13 | Apartheid and The Belhar Confession: It Happened in Church (see pg. 11)
March 20 | What Does it Mean for a Church to Confess? (see pg. 21)
March 27 | The Belhar Confession and the Book of Confessions (see pg. 27, 54–57)
(Download the Theological Declaration of Barmen and The Confession of 1967)
April 3 | The “Liturgy” of Belhar and What That Means for the Unity off the Church (see pg. 33)
April 10 | Belhar, the Unity We Seek, and the Mission off the Church (pg. 44)
(Download The Nicene Creed)

From One Generation to Another - A Celebration of the Psalms
2019-03-24 15:00 - 16:30 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The ELPC Chancel Choir presents an inspirational program of music inspired by the Psalms.
Featured on the program will be the premiere of a new composition by jazz vibraphonist and composer Cecilia Smith, The Essence of Psalms—in Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of ELPC.
Plus psalm settings by Herbert Howells, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Howard Goodall.
A freewill offering will be received.

Performances By:
East Liberty Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir
Dr. Edward Alan Moore, organist/music director
Michael Painter, organ
Cecilia Smith, vibraphone and composer
Bryan Sable, piano

Musical Selections:
Psalm-Preludes, Set 1, Op. 32
1. Psalm 34 – Lo, the poor crieth
Herbert Howells
(1892-1983)
Processional Hymn
O Lord, You Are My God and King – GtG 270
(Psalm 145)
JERUSALEM
Lord, Thou Has Been Our Refuge (Psalm 90)
Ralph Vaughan Williams
(1872-1958)
The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
Howard Goodall
(b. 1958)
A Meditation on Brother James’ Air (Psalm 23)
Harold Darke
(1888-1976)
Hymn
Give Praise to the Lord – GtG 550
(Psalm 149)
LAUDATE DOMINUM
The Essence of Psalms
Cecilia Smith
I. Psalm 26 – Declaration of Righteousness
II. Psalm 42 – Lament and Hope
III. Psalm 90 – Our Days (A Prayer)
IV. Psalm 138 – Thanksgiving and Praise

LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering
2019-03-24 12:30 - 14:30 | 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 at 412.260.2554 or Wil@coh.net to learn more and to attend.

Hopeful Conversations on Mass Incarceration
2019-03-21 19:00 - 20:30 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, and East Liberty Presbyterian Church for an interfaith evening of inspiration and conversation with neighbors, clergy, public officials and those impacted by mass incarceration. This event is open to people of all faiths and hope no matter your background.

How does mass incarceration affect neighborhoods and neighbors here in Southwest Pennsylvania?
What’s it like on the inside? What challenges do returning citizens face?
How can we interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and work for real justice reform?

​Study texts from holy scriptures and renowned contemporary authors, hear from faith leaders and community experts, and converse with your neighbors. Our speakers include:

Dr. James Huguley, University of Pittsburgh
Rev. Dr. Ronald Peters, formerly of the Metro-Urban Institute
Rev. Richard Freeman, Resurrection Baptist Church, Braddock

Register to attend at CASP.org.

Dance Theatre of Harlem Masterclasses
2019-03-21 17:00 - 19:00 | The Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Diverse expressions of dance come together in this year’s collaboration between Dance Theatre of Harlem and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre—Hope Academy has been invited to be part of it. Students in our ballet classes not only have the opportunity to be learning about Dance Theatre of Harlem but they are also invited to attend a masterclass with them.
There will be two masterclasses on Thursday, March 21, divided by age range
ages 7–10 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm
ages 10–15 from 6:00-7:00 pm
RSVP online here.
You’ll need to download this release form, fill it out and return it to us by Saturday, March 9.

Hope Academy Winter Term Recitals
2019-03-17 13:30 - 17:30 | PA
The following studios will have recitals on Sunday, March 17:

1:30 pm: Kathleen Andrews and Jennifer O’Konski (Suzuki Violin), Ana Diaz (cello)

3:30 pm: Patricia Pavlack and the Suzuki Association of Pittsburgh

Recitals are special occasions designed to give students a chance to share their music and gain valuable performance experience. They provide a benchmark to measure growth from year to year, and an incentive for students to practice and polish pieces they are working on.
There will be many recital sessions scheduled throughout the day in various rooms throughout the church building. Please do not ask to have your child perform at the beginning or the end of their recital session – students and families are expected to be on time and stay for the entire recital that their children are performing in. We are organizing the recital sessions to be about an hour long.
COOKIE RECEPTION
Each family is asked to bring cookies for a reception that will follow the recital. There will be two reception rooms in the front hallway, leading to the Sanctuary. Rooms will be labeled so that cookies can be placed in the room that corresponds to the student’s studio. Please bring cookies only. It is best if they are on a disposable tray.
RECITAL ETIQUETTE
Learning about and practicing recital etiquette is an important part of a student’s musical education, so we ask that families read and discuss these guidelines with their children.
Performer Etiquette

Dress appropriately. Choose conservative over casual in terms of shoe styles, hem length of dresses and straps for tops.
Avoid jewelry that makes noise as you move; heels that are difficult to walk in; and sleeves that get in the way of playing.
Be on time. Your teacher will let you know when and where to meet before the recital to warm up. This will be at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the recital. If you are playing with an accompanist, you may be asked to arrive earlier to rehearse together.
Be prepared. Make sure you have your music, instrument and any necessary accessories before leaving home (bow, rosin, capo, tuner, etc.)
Be respectful. Refrain from whispering, talking, or using electronic devices. Show the other performers the same courtesy you want to be shown.
Enter and exit with confidence. You should bow at the end and acknowledge the accompanist (if you have one). Teachers will go over this in lessons.

Audience Etiquette

Arrive on time or a little early. Late arrivals are distracting to the audience, and they can be unnerving for the performer.
Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices. Ring tones and electronic chirps are distracting; and texting, reading emails and playing games while students are performing is disrespectful.
Do not cause distractions. Bring something (a quiet game or book) to keep young children under 8 years old occupied. Children over 8 should be able to sit quietly and watch.
Take disruptive infants or toddlers out of the recital as soon as they become fussy. Please sit close to an aisle so that you can leave without too much commotion. We will come to get you when your child performs.
Do not talk, whisper, rattle papers or eat during the recital.
Stay for the entire performance to show respect for all of the musicians.

Photos and Video

No flash photography, please
A group photo, with the teacher, will be taken at the end of each recital session.

Spirituality, Writing, and Resilience Workshop
2019-03-17 12:30 - 15:00 | PA
The Spiritual Life Committee continues to look at how our spiritual practices build resiliency—an attribute so needed in our world. Join us after Sanctuary worship as poet, essayist, teacher, and ELPC member Emily Mohn-Slate encourages us to use writing as a way of getting in touch with and expressing our spirituality.
No writing experience is necessary. It is about prayer, not product. But it is St. Patrick’s Day, so an Irish-themed lunch will be served!

About Emily Mohn-Slate
Emily Mohn-Slate is a poet, essayist and teacher. She is the author of FEED, co-winner of the Keystone Chapbook Prize and published by from Seven Kitchens Press (2019). Her poems have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, the Best of the Net Anthology, and highly commended in the Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Prize competition (Ireland).
She’s a graduate of the Bennington Writing Seminars (MFA), Boston University (MA), and Colgate University (BA).

Art of Justice with Max Gonzales + "so you want to talk about race"
2019-03-16 09:00 - 12:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Artmaking + Literature + Social Justicefor young people and their grownups
ARTIST: Max Gonzales
BOOKS: House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros; and Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Noel
THEME: Art Belongs Everywhere | Letters, Words, Names
ARTMAKING: Graffiti
About the Project
Experience what it’s like to be a street artist and use the world as your canvas. Using paint markers on a graffiti wall, Max will work with young people and their grownups to create art that lets them experience what it’s like to work together to make something bigger than they could have made on their own. There will also be an be an artist talk for adults at 10:15 am and book readings for young people at 9:30 and 11:45 am
About the Artist: Max Gonzales
Max Emiliano Gonzales, also known by his artist name GEMS, is an activist, art educator, muralist, printmaker, and curator. Originally from the Southwest side of Chicago and raised in Latino communities, he brings a unique perspective to Pittsburgh as a queer identifying Chicano artist. Max has lectured and facilitated workshops at The University of Pittsburgh, Winchester Thurston, Youth Places, Assemble, and The Environmental Charter School, and is a member of Boom Concepts, Flower House Gallery, Wicked Pittsburgh and Pullproof Studios. Max believes in a teaching approach that removes barriers of elitism and inaccessibility, that values and empowers underrepresented voices, movements, and art forms in order illuminate how community voice has great significance.
About The Art of Justice!
Learn how artists are using art for social change and how their literary inspirations have guided their creative practice: make work alongside them to express yourself and share your vision for a just and equitable world. #artofjustice #remakelearning
Three artists, Alisha Wormsley, Max Gonzales and Darrell Kinsel will work with us on artmaking projects connected to literature, based on social justice themes. These will be suitable for all ages. Families are invited to come early, before classes, or to stay after classes to talk, read and make things together.
BOOK DISCUSSION – “So you want to talk about race” by Ijeoma Oluo
In this New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo explores the complex reality of today’s racial landscape–from white privilege and police brutality to systemic discrimination and the Black Lives Matter movement–offering straightforward clarity that readers need to contribute to the dismantling of the racial divide
Available on Amazon for $18.36; Kindle edition for $15.99; Audible audiobook for $14.95.
Sign up in the Social Hall to have us order a book for you, or to borrow a book from our Art of Justice library. If you would like to order your own copy from Amazon, consider ordering a second book to donate to the library so that everyone can join in the conversation.
This series is curated by Bekezela Mguni, of the Black Unicorn Library and Archives Project, and funded by The Great Remake Learning. Workshops and artmaking activities take place in the Social Hall (basement level) of ELPC on 10/27/18, 11/17/18, 12/1/18, 1/12/19, 1/19/19, 2/2/19, 2/9/19, and 3/16/19.
MAX GONZALES’ LITERARY INSPIRATIONS
FOR GROWNUPS

Gender Trouble – Judith Butler
Hip Hop Family Tree (graphic novel series) – Ed Piskor*
Flip the Script – Christian P. Acker
Cholo Style – Reynaldo Berrios

FOR TEENS (and grownups)

The House on Mango Street – Sandra Cisneros*
La Casa en Mango Street (spanish ed.) – Sandra Cisneros*
Shadow Shaper – Daniel José Older

FOR CHILDREN (and teens and grownups)

Alma and How She Got her Name – Juana Martinez-Noel*

*These books have been added to our collection. The Art of Justice is generously funded by Remake Learning’s The Great Remake

Dr. Ed's Recital
2019-03-13 12:00 - 12:30 | Coraopolis United Methodist Church, 1205 Ridge Ave, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, 15108
Dr. Edward Alan Moore, ELPC music director and organist, will perform a 30-minute organ concert at Coraopolis United Methodist Church as part of the church’s Lenten concert series.
A free-will offering will be accepted, and lunch will be served downstairs immediately following the program.e

Earth Care Challenge Kickoff Event
2019-03-10 12:15 - 14:15 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Want to help to protect our Earth for future generations? The Environmental Team of the Justice Committee invites you to the Social Hall to learn about steps you and your family can take now to help save our planet from the harsh effects of climate change.
Environmental activist and documentary filmmaker Mark Dixon will speak about actions we can take to make a difference in climate change. He is currently working on Inversion: The Unfinished Business of Pittsburgh’s Air. Pastor Randy will shine a light on environmental stewardship as “Faith in Action.” You will be challenged to join other ELPC members and friends who are pledging to take personal actions over the next six months.
Lunch and childcare provided. For more information, contact Nancy Heastings at n.heastings@comcast.net.

Hope Academy Choolaah Fundraiser
2019-03-07 11:00 - 21:00 | Choolah – East Liberty, 6114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh
Take a short walk to Choolaah on Centre, order some delicious Indian food and raise some money for Hope Academy at the same time. It’s a win / win!
Just say you are there to support Hope Academy when you place your order and Choolaah will donate 30% of your purchase back to us—in-store purchase only (dine in & carry out). Delivery, Online and Catering orders will NOT be included

RCC Cabaret: Telling Our Stories
2019-03-03 15:00 - 16:30, 2019-03-02 19:30 - 21:00, 2019-02-23 19:30 - 21:00 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Renaissance City Choir—ELPC’s Artists in Residence and Western Pennsylvania’s only LGBTQA+ choral group—invites you to their 2019 Cabaret, Telling Our Stories.
Some of the finest composers, poets, lyricists, authors, and musicians have been and are part of the LGBTQIA+ and allies community. This cabaret will feature the musical, poetic, and prose works by members of the LGBTQIA+ and allies community, as we try to make sense of the successes and the challenging times in life.
Enjoy songs from artists such as Elton John, Indigo Girls, Jason Mraz, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Queen, Jonathan Larson, and others. The poetry and prose will feature work from authors such as Oscar Wilde, Alison Bechdel, James Baldwin, Leslie Feinberg, Truman Capote, Audre Lorde, Tennessee Williams, Alice Walker, Sappho, Dan Savage, Yukio Mishima, and more.
For more details and tickets, visit RCCPittsburgh.com.

DG2!: Baking for Empty Bowls
2019-03-03 12:00 - 15:00 | PA
Youth in grades 4–12 will partner with youth from Rodef Shalom to make cookies for the upcoming Empty Bowls dinner and bake sale.
The money raised will support The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and Just Harvest.
Permission form required.

First Friday: RElocate
2019-03-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Jolina’s Mediterranean Cuisine, 1011 Brookline Blvd, Pittbsburgh, PA, 15226, United States
Jolina’s Mediterranean Cuisine is named for the daughter of owners Randa and Antoine Ghassa, who relocated to Pittsburgh from Syria eight years ago. The couple used to have a vast restaurant in Hims, Syria, where they served many of the dishes that are on the menu now. Let’s travel out to Brookline for dinner!
RSVP to KelliB@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x114 and let me know if you need a ride.

Canceled: Mindfulness Meditation
2019-02-28 19:00 - 20:00 | ELPC – Prayer Room (Room 135), 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
Mindfulness Meditation is canceled this Thursday, February 28. Our regular schedule will resume on Thursday, March 7.

Join us and Susan Spangler as we learn more about Mindfulness Meditation and engage in this ancient prayer form together.
Mindfulness is the moment-to-moment awareness of our experience with an accepting, non-judgmental, kind attention. In this ongoing practice, we’ll explore and deepen our experience of mindfulness. Our weekly time together will include meditation instruction, guided meditations, and practices for supporting mindfulness in everyday life.
Both those who are new to meditation and those with meditation experience are heartily welcome.

Canceled: Qigong
2019-02-28 18:30 - 19:00 | ELPC – Prayer Room (Room 135), 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
Qigong is canceled this Thursday, February 28. Our regular schedule will resume on Thursday, March 7.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention. The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. “Qi” is pronounced “chee” and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe. “Gong” is pronounced “gung” and means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a contemplative system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.
Linda Harrington will lead half hour of Qigong on Thursdays, 6:30 pm, in the Prayer and Meditation Room before Mindfulness Meditation. Beginners are always welcome!

REmember | Sewing Project
2019-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 | ELPC – Sewing Room (Room 78), 116 S. Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206
Did you know that ELPC has a sewing group and a sewing room? They are always making something with a mission.
We will have our own night in the sewing room to help them out with one of their projects. Don’t think you can sew? You would be surprised at all the skills involved in sewing. Cut, count, pin, sew, or learn a new skill all for good works!
Childcare will be available. To RSVP or ask questions, contact Kelli Booher at KelliB@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x114.

Sanctuary Worship
2019-02-24 11:00 - 12:15 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
This week, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA), as our guest preacher. The Rev. Dr. Moffett most recently served as pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The largest of the six program agencies of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the PMA works to equip and connect the church in areas of evangelism and leader formation, as well as justice and reconciliation. They are involved in world mission, in racial equity initiatives, women and intercultural ministries, and a host of other programs.

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.

ELPC Winter Food Drive
2019-02-24 08:45 - 13:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC Deacons are sponsoring a Winter Food Drive in cooperation with the EECM Have a Heart for Hunger Campaign to assist our neighbors who experience food insufficiency during the winter months. The list of requested, non-perishable canned food items will be distributed on Sunday, February 10 and 17.
Items are due back at the church on Sunday, February 24. Thank you for having a heart.

Youth Mission Overnight
2019-02-23 19:00 - 2019-02-24 12:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Youth in grades 6–12 are invited to an overnight at ELPC! Saturday night, we will play games, eat snacks, and pray for our families and neighbors. Sunday morning, we will wake up early to serve breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House before our Church School classes and worship.
A permission slip is available on the second floor.

PPT Shakespeare Showcase of Finalists 2019
2019-02-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Pittsburgh Public Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, United States
Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 25th annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest, that began with more than 1,000 students, has winnowed down the field to 38 students who will perform in the finals at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb 18.
Hope Academy students performed 30 monologues and 5 scenes during the preliminary rounds on Monday, February 11 and Thursday, February 14. Of this group, three students were selected as finalists for their monologue (Burke Keener as Malvolio from Twelfth Night) and scene (Zaida Collins as Juliet and Madeleine Mocker as the Nurse from Romeo and Juliet).
The Showcase of Finalists is FREE and open to the public. It is a great evening of theater and a nice way to cheer on and support not only Hope Academy students but all of the young artists, from all over the tri-state area, who competed in the contest. We will have a big cheering section and hope you can join us.
