Children and Youth at ELPC

An environment where children and youth can grow in faith as part of a community in which: there is space for every question, every child is recognized as unique and valued, and there is a vibrant witness to the love of God in Christ.

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We seek to engage children and youth in the full life of the church: in worship, in education, in fellowship, and in mission. Through the various ministries coordinated by our Children and Families Ministry Team and Youth & Young Adult Ministries Committees ELPC offers a range of programs which invite and engage children and youth to hear and live into the story of our faith.

Click on a program below for more information.

Family Events

Open Gym and Coffee & Donuts
Parents and kids are welcome to hang out, drink coffee or juice, eat a donut, and play in the gym on the First Sunday of every month from 9:45-10:45am.

Monthly Family Events
On the Third Sundays of the month after worship, families with children come together for lunch, activities, and service projects in order to foster a caring community of families at East Liberty Presbyterian Church where kids, teens, and adults feel known, loved, and empowered to explore their faith.  Details will be in the Reaching Out newsletter but here is the 2025/2026 schedule at a glance.

September 21 – Picnic and Games
October 19 – Bowling at ELPC
November 16 – Arts and Crafts
December 21 – Hot Chocolate following the Christmas Pageant
January 18 – Host a Variety Show at the Nursing Home
February 15 – Make Dog Treats for Ellie’s Pet Pantry
March 15 – Board Games with the Happy Wanderers
April 19 – Bowling at ELPC
May 17 -Service Projects around the Church

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Sunday School Classes | Age 4–Grade 6

Birth – Age 3 | Nursery on 1st floor

Children gather in the nursery for a simple faith lesson, music, and a time of free play. The nursery is open from 8:30 am–12:30 pm, each Sunday during the school year, and from 9:30–11:30 am during the summer.

Age 4 – Grade 3 | Room 206

September–May: Children start the morning at the 11am service with their families, and then at 11:10 (after Moments with our Children in the Sanctuary) go to Sunday School: Sacred Stories for Kids, and adults pick kids up after worship in room 206. Using the Godly Play curriculum kids hear, see, touch, and retell the sacred stories of our faith while asking ‘I wonder …’ questions and responding with art. Children also pray, sing, and share a simple snack. 

Grades 4 – 6 | Room 207

Sept- May: Tweens start the morning at the 11am service with their families, and then at 11:10 (after Moments with our Children in the Sanctuary) go to Sunday School: Sacred Stories for Tweens, and parents pick kids up after worship in room 207. Tweens dig into Bible stories through games, conversations, crafts, drama, and teamwork to discover what these stories mean to them in today’s world.

Tween Events | Grades 4–6

Youth in grades 4–6 gather once a month to build community through activities like miniature golf, game night, and pumpkin painting. Contact Sara Hackett for more information.

Justice League on Wednesdays in Oct – Nov

ELPC’s Justice League meets for 8 weeks October 1st – November 19th from 5-7pm.  Each week we will eat dinner, look at what Jesus taught about love and justice, do a service project, and HAVE FUN!

Youth Group and Sunday School | Grades 7–12

Teens meet for Sunday School from 9:45-10:45am on the First and Third Sundays of the month.

Youth Group happens Sept 11th – May on Thursdays from 4:30-7pm with dinner, games, conversation, God talk, service projects, and a lot of laughter. Contact Sara Hackett for more information.
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Worship Leaders (all ages)

Children and Youth of all ages are able to help lead worship by lighting candles, reading scripture, and helping with the time for Children. Contact Sara Hackett if your family is willing to help lead worship.

Confirmation Classes | Grades 8–12

ELPC offers confirmation classes every other year for youth in grade 8 and older who are interested in learning about God, the church, and our Presbyterian tradition. Confirmation is an opportunity to build community, and deepen youth’s understanding of God, and how God is active in their lives. At the end of our series, youth are invited to join ELPC through Baptism and Profession of Faith. The 2025/2026 school year is a confirmation year – reach out to Sara Hackett for more information.

Mission Trips | Grades 6–12

ELPC youth also participate in a week-long service trips outside of the Pittsburgh area each summer. The summer trips are only open to those ELPC youth who have regularly participated throughout the year in other projects and weekly programs.

Vacation Church School | Pre-School–Grade 5

Vacation Church School is a week-long summer day camp for children age 4 through grade 5 that engages children in a dynamic exploration of the stories of our faith. VCS is usually held the last full week of June, daily from 9 am–3 pm, and is offered free of charge.

 

ELPC strives to offer a safe sanctuary for children and youth. View our Child Safety Policies here.

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