CASOP: A Requiem for Rice Choral Performance
2018-09-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
A poignant choral movement of the full CASOP: A Requiem for Rice composition, by Dr. Trevor Weston, conducted by Thomas Douglas and performed by Colour of Music Festival Chorale. The full piece will debut in its entirety on February 13, 2019 at Carnegie Music Hall.
UNDERSTANDING CASOP: THE REQUIEM FOR RICE by Edda L. Fields-Black, Ph. D., Executive Producer & Librettist
from the Requiem for Rice website
The Requiem for Rice was originally conceived of as a modern take on a classic requiem—in the spirit of Verdi, Mozart, Faure, and Britten—that mourns the souls of the enslaved who died on Lowcountry rice plantations, their bodies unburied, their suffering unmourned, and their sacrifices unmarked for future generations. As Trevor began to compose, I completed the first draft of the libretto, and we began collaboration on arranging the lyrics, we began to feel as if something was missing. The requiem genre from the European classical music tradition provided a vehicle for the piece to lament and mourn the sacrifices and sufferings of Africans enslaved on Lowcountry rice plantations; but, it left no room to protest the injustices of enslavement, exploitation, and terror, a commercial agricultural system built on the backs of people stolen from West Africa’s Upper Guinea Coast, African genius, African bodies, African labor, African tears. We thought, there had to be a RECKONING before the REQUIEM. Casop: A Requiem for Rice was born.
CASOP is pronounced kəsəp; both the “a” and “o” in casop are pronounced like the initial “a” in “cassava” or the “u” in “custard.”
Casop is a funerary tradition among the Diola-Fogny, quintessential rice farmers along the Casamance River of present-day Senegal. In the event of untimely, accidental, and suspicious deaths, Diola-Fogny ritual specialists performed casop, a “ritual interrogation of the corpse” via spirit possession. During the funeral, the deceased was asked to tell his or her story about the circumstances of death. Once the truth was revealed, the dead would be buried and harmony and peace restored to the community.
In Casop: A Requiem for Rice, tens of thousands enslaved laborers on the Lowcountry’s rice plantations and 12 million Africans who endured the Middle Passage, many of whom died untimely, accidental, and suspicious deaths, will speak. Once the dead have told their story, the lamentation will turn to celebration of the critical role enslaved Africans’ ingenuity, technology, and industry played in the economy of the US South, laying to rest once and for all, the shackles of shame, blame, guilt, and denial that pervade this painful period in our nation’s history. Casop: A Requiem for Rice reclaims African and African-American history and fosters reconciliation.
A true marriage between West African and European classical traditions, Casop: A Requiem for Rice is an African-American inspired take on a classic requiem. By telling the stories of Africans enslaved on Lowcountry rice plantations, Casop becomes a new genre, the vehicle through which oppressed and voiceless peoples from around the world can tell their stories, mourn their dead, and celebrate their contributions to the world.
The Box office opens July 15th for the September 21, 2018 “Casop: A Requiem for Rice” Choral Performance and September 22 Colour of Music Festival’s “Casop: A Requiem for Rice” Black Classical Renaissance Benefit Performance. For tickets, visit requiemforrice.com.
Casop: A Requiem for Rice Creative Team
Edda L. Fields-Black, Ph. D., Executive Producer & Librettist
Trevor Weston, Ph. D., Composer
Julie Dash, Filmmaker
David Claessen, Cinematographer
CONNECT AND FIND OUT MORE
Facebook.com/requiemforrice
Twitter.com/requiemforrice
#requiemforrice

Facing Systemic Racism Series: Uncovering Your Racial Autobiography
2018-09-22 17:30 - 20:00 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206-3911, United States
Join us as we continue our series on systemic racism in our society and how it impacts our lives. The Rev. Dr. John C. Welch, dean of students at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will lead us as we explore our own racial autobiography.
We will share a potluck meal in the Social Hall at 5:30 pm. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share if you are able. The program runs from 6–8 pm. Childcare is available with a reservation by leaving a message at 412.441.3800 x140.

The Rev. Dr. Welch is vice president for Student Services and Community Engagement, and Dean of Students at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He also is an adjunct professor of Business Ethics at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business and an adjunct in Healthcare Ethics for the University of Pittsburgh’s Consortium Ethics Program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Economics at Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Healthcare Ethics at Duquesne University.

Radical Hospitality CE Hour
2018-09-23 09:45 - 10:45 | ELPC – Room 224, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh
What does it look like to have a fully-inclusive church that practices the radical hospitality of Christ? Join the discussion with others from ELPC as More Light Presbyterian Executive Director Alex Patchin McNeill joins us to lead the discussion. Café Justo will be served. This is a young adult hosted educational event open to all.

LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering
2018-09-23 13:00 | 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 at 412-260-2554 or wil@coh.net to learn more and to attend. Participants this month are encouraged to grab food from the church picnic before joining the group.

TransPride Conferences
2018-09-28 08:00 - 18:00, 2018-09-29 09:00 - 18:00
You are invited to attend and volunteer at the TransPride Professional Conference on Friday, September 28 from 8 am–6 pm and/or the TransPride Community Conference on Saturday, September 29 from 9 am–6 pm—both at the Persad Center in Lawrenceville. ELPC is co-sponsoring this event.
If you’d like to volunteer at the ELPC information table, contact Antwone Wright at 412.225.8154 or wrightantwone@yahoo.com.

Getting Your Just Desserts
2018-09-30 12:00 - 16:00 | Station Square, 350 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
After worship, let’s spend the afternoon together by going to Station Square for some delicious chocolate fondue and perhaps more. First round of fondue is on the house! Make sure you RSVP so you get a seat in the van and so we have the right number for the reservations. See https://www.meltingpot.com/pittsburgh-pa/ for restaurant details. This is a young adult event.

First Friday @ Arsenal Cider House
2018-10-05 19:00 - 22:00 | Arsenal Cider House, 300 39th Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, United States
We will gather at this local hot spot for some good drink and good conversation. Bring money to try some of the house beverage and an engaging question for the group to discuss. Learn more about the venue at http://www.arsenalciderhouse.com. This is a TRAIL young adult event.

East Liberty Redevelopment Presentation
2018-10-07 12:00 - 13:30 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us after Sanctuary worship to learn about exciting redevelopment projects in our community, including a virtual tour of housing projects, led by Kendall Pelling, director of land recycling at East Liberty Development, Inc.
A light lunch will be served.

Nathan Laube Organ Concert
2018-10-07 15:00 - 17:00 | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Co-sponsored with the Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh with the premiere of a new composition by Craig Phillips. Complimentary tickets are available to ELPC members from Dr. Ed Moore.
Click here to view the printed program.

World Vision: Youth Service Day
2018-10-08 12:00 - 16:30, 2018-10-12 12:00 - 16:30
Youth in grades 6th-12th will meet at ELPC, eat lunch and then travel to World Vision in Sewickley to sort and count clothing donations which will be sent around the world. RSVP and permission form required. Friends are welcome!

Canceled: Qigong
2018-10-11 18:30 - 19:00 | ELPC – Prayer Room (Room 135), 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
We will take a break this week. Qigong will return on Wednesday, October 18, 6:30 pm.

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!

Canceled: Mindfulness Meditation
2018-10-11 19:00 - 20:00 | ELPC – Prayer Room (Room 135), 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
We will take a break this week. Mindfulness Meditation will return on Wednesday, October 18, 7 pm.

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.

LGBTQ Ministry Spiritual Gathering
2018-10-20 14:00 - 16:00 | 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 at 412-260-2554 or wil@coh.net to learn more and to attend.

Acknowledging White Privilege
2018-10-20 17:30 - 20:00 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join other ELPC folks as the Mission Board hosts a potluck meal at 5:30pm and an engaging discussion about white privilege as part of their Systemic Racism: Uncovering Our Implicit Bias series. Come hungry to eat and learn. This is a specific invitation for young adults to attend, but the event is planned by the Mission Board and open to all.

Facing Systemic Racism: Acknowledging White Privilege
2018-10-20 17:30 - 20:00 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206-3911, United States
What do you take into consideration when moving into a new community? How and how much are people of your own heritage portrayed in media and entertainment? What authors do you read? What do your children learn in history classes? How do you decide where and when to shop? Aside from theology, what do you consider when selecting a worship community? What are three things that you want your children and grandchildren to know when they leave the house? What is your experience with community policing?
How you answer these questions may say more than you think about your racial heritage and experience. Join us as we continue to explore racism as seen through the eyes of privilege.
We will share a potluck meal in the Social Hall at 5:30 pm. The program will run from 6–8 pm. Childcare can be reserved by calling 412.441.3800 x140.

New Members & Friends Reception
2018-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC’s Membership & Outreach Committee is hosting a reception after worship for our new members and friends. Please join us in welcoming them in the Fellowship Room.

Hope Academy Dress Up Day 2018
2018-10-27
NO tricks and NO treats, but lots of fun for those who want to come dressed in their favorite costume. Keep it G-rated for all of the little ones (nothing scary, bloody, violent, suggestive or adult-themed). Make sure they can move easily and safely and are not wearing costumes that make it difficult to dance, play your instrument or climb steps in.

Art of Justice with Alisha Wormsley
2018-10-27 09:00 - 12:30 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Artmaking + Literature + Social Justice for young people and their grownups
ARTIST Alisha Wormsley
BOOK Parable of the Sower from the Earthseed series by Octavia Butler
THEME Afrofuturism, social justice, self-empowerment
ARTMAKING Collage, printmaking & more!
About the Project
Using collage, printmaking, text, photography and video, Alisha Wormsley will work with young people and their grownups to create art that conceptually resonates with ideas of Afrofuturism, social justice, self-empowerment and care. Please wear comfortable clothes that might get a little paint on them.
About the Artist: Alisha Wormsley
Alisha B. Wormsley is an interdisciplinary artist and cultural producer. Her work is about collective memory and the synchronicity of time, specifically through the stories of women of color. Wormsley’s body of work includes There are Black People in the Future, Homewood Artist Residency, and The People are the Light. She is currently working on a number of public art projects and exhibitions, including August Wilson Park, ArtUp South Africa at the Mattress Factory, and Pittsburgh’s Market Square.
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.
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 East Liberty Presbyterian Church on 10/27/18, 11/17/18, 12/1/18, 1/12/19, 1/19/19, 2/2/19 and 2/9/19.
ALISHA WORMSLEY’S LITERARY INSPIRATIONS
FOR GROWNUPS
· The Sanctified Church – Zora Neale Hurston
· Widow Basquiat: A Love Story – Jennifer Clement
· Jesus: The Son of Man – Khalil Gibran
· Lilith’s Brood – Octavia Butler
· Book of Symbols: Reflection on Archetypal Images – Taschen
· God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy
· Who Fears Death – Nnedi Okorafor
· All About Love – bell hooks
FOR TEENS (and grownups)
· Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
· Earthseed – Octavia Butler
· Till We Have Faces – C.S. Lewis
FOR CHILDREN (and teens and grownups)
· Skin Again – bell hooks
· Be Boy Buzz – bell hooks
· Homemade Love – bell hooks
· Happy to be Nappy – bell hooks
· Grump, Groan, Growl – bell hooks
· Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster
· Coraline – Neil Gaiman

Science and Theology Retreat Day
2018-10-27 09:00 - 16:00
You are invited to attend our Science and Theology Retreat Day, as we learn, discuss, and integrate a different way of understanding the Christian story. We will use a series of DVDs to explore Re-evolutionary Theology based on the work of Teilhard de Chardin to ground our conversation. And we will explore art, prayer, and worship forms to begin to experience these new ways of believing.
Join us as we experience these new ways of believing. New folks are welcome!
The retreat is free, but please complete a registration form so that we can plan lunch and snacks. Questions? Contact the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan at MaryLynn@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x141.

Worship Leadership Training
2018-10-28 12:00 - 13:00 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
What is a Beadle? Want to find out what an Usher does? Ready to light up the Sanctuary? Want to participate in our liturgy?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, join us after Sanctuary worship on Sunday, October 28, to learn more!

Canceled: Club One Sixteen
2018-10-31 15:30 - 19:30 | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Club One Sixteen will not meet on Wednesday, October 31. Our regular schedule resumes next Wednesday, October 7.

Youth in grades 1–12 are welcome to attend an evening of fellowship, study, and worship. Programming includes homework help, open gym, educational workshops, dinner, and Bible study each week.
Participation requires a completed Enrollment Form 2018–2019.
SCHEDULE:
3:30 pm: Gathering time, homework help, and open gym
4:30 pm: Opening worship and welcome
5:00 pm: Dinner
5:30 pm: Bible study, gym, and crafts
7:30 pm: Dismissal
Weather reminder
Club One Sixteen follows the City of Pittsburgh school closings, so if Pittsburgh schools are closed due to inclement weather, Club One Sixteen also will be closed.

Taizé Prayer Service: All Saints Day
2018-10-31 19:00 - 20:00 | ELPC – Chapel, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for a special Taizé service on All Saints’ Day, Wednesday, October 31, 7 pm, as we remember all the people in our lives who are no longer with us. As we move from the Chapel through the candle-lit Sanctuary, we will celebrate our life of faith together on the Chancel before we move to the Crypt, where we will remember the saints who have gone before us. Don’t miss this touching prayer experience of our unity and eternity in God.

ELPC offers evening prayers with chants from Taizé every Wednesday at 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. Childcare is usually available, but please call to confirm. For more information, view our Taizé page.

Taizé Prayer Service Live Stream
If you’re unable to attend our weekly Taizé prayer service, but are interested in participating in this peaceful, meditative experience, please listen to our live stream below.

Your browser does not support iFrames, please click here to access our media center.

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First Friday @ Beto’s
2018-11-02 19:00 - 22:00
Go out to dinner with friends to try pizza with raw toppings at a Pittsburgh favorite: Beto’s Pizza. See http://betosoriginalpizza.com/home/2892825. Bring money and your appetite for dinner. RSVP if you want a ride from ELPC leaving at 6:30pm or just meet there at 7pm. This is a TRAIL young adult event.

Hope Academy SAT Dance and Theater Classes Cancelled
2018-11-03
All Saturday dance and theater classes will be cancelled today.
Music Program (private lessons, group classes and ensembles) will not be cancelled.
If you have any questions, please email hopeacademyarts@gmail.com or call Karly Threets (412)441-3800 x117.

Cathedral Rummage Sale
2018-11-03 09:00 - 14:00 | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206-3911, United States
ELPC is hosting a Cathedral Rummage Sale and Bake Sale in the Social Hall!
There will be a great selection of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing; housewares; small hardware; linens; jewelry; toys; knickknacks; books; records; CDs; DVDs; Christmas items; and more!
Questions? Email Lora at ljazzzbo@aol.com or Tony at overthepond_50@hotmail.com.
All proceeds benefit ELPC’s Building Our Future campaign.

Volunteers are Needed
If you’d like to volunteer to help set up, work the sale, and/or clean up, please sign up with Wil Forrest by Sunday, October 28.

Dr. Charles Huddleston Heaton's 90th Birthday Celebration
2018-11-03 15:00 - 17:00 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5801 Hampton St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206, United States
Dr. Edward Alan Moore, ELPC’s music director and organist, will be one of the featured organists at the 90th birthday celebration for Dr. Charles Huddleston Heaton, former ELPC music director and organist.
The celebration will take place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and is free and open to the public.

Fall Food Drive to Benefit EECM
2018-11-04 09:00 - 12:00
On Stewardship Sunday, November 11, the Mission Board and Christian Education will once again sponsor a food drive to benefit the Food Pantry at East End Cooperative Ministry. Bags with a shopping list attached will be distributed on Sunday, November 4. Please return filled bags on Sunday, November 11, so they can be brought forth during Sanctuary worship as our offering to assist community members who are in need.
Requested items include:

Canned fruits and vegetables
Canned soups and pastas
Brown and white Rice
Rice-A-Roni type meals
Hamburger Helper type meals
Instant mashed potatoes
Mac ‘n cheese
Oatmeal
Ramen noodles

Walking Each Other Home
2018-11-04 12:00 - 15:00 | ELPC – Second Floor Parlor, 116 S Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Through the film “Jesus and Buddha,” James Finley, former Trappist monk and student of Thomas Merton, guides us on a journey to the shared heart of Christian and Buddhist traditions, where together we experience the boundless mystery and love of God in every prayer, and in every breath.
Offered by the Spiritual Life Committee. Discussion and meditation facilitated by the Rev Mary Lynn Callahan and Susan Spangler. A light lunch will be served.
