“As you did it unto the least of these, you did it unto me.”—Matthew 25:40
As a Matthew 25 church, ELPC is committed to following the call of Christ to provide food, drink, clothing, and other types of support to those in need, to welcome strangers, heal the sick, visit prisoners, and uphold justice. Following good Presbyterian tradition, many committees have been formed to carry out our mission, all of which are coordinated through our Mission Board: Justice Committee, Neighbors Committee, Peace Committee, and the Facing Systemic Racism Committee. Presbyterian Women also collaborates and coordinates its work with the Mission Board.
To focus on specific issues or activities (not actually to make things more complicated!), each committee has subcommittees, task forces, or informal groups that carry out the work of specific programs and projects of service.
The Mission Board, consisting of the chairs of each of our committees as well as a representative from the Board of Deacons and at-large members from the congregation, is tasked with facilitating communication, coordination, funding allocations, and support for the work of each committee. One of the challenges of mission work is that the needs of the community can be endless and overwhelming. The Board, often in coordination with neighborhood organizations, seeks to balance need, opportunity, resources, and priorities. Prayers and support from the congregation are always welcome!
You will learn much more about the work of each committee here and in future issues of Reaching Out. There are many exciting opportunities here at ELPC to join with others to support and serve in a wide variety of programs. One of the joys of volunteering is finding that we often gain more than we give!
Justice Committee | Carol Chonoska, Chair
The Justice Committee is looking for someone to take a leadership role in directing immigrant support activities. Given the current assault on our immigrant neighbors, we need someone who can evaluate and organize requests from our congregation and community for advocacy, volunteers, congregational education, and engagement. If this sounds like a calling you could answer, please contact carolchonoska@gmail.com.
The Environmental Team is a subcommittee of Justice. ELPC is fortunate to have quite a number of environmental champions. The Environmental Team thanks Gretchen Chapman for what she does and for sharing her story:
I made two small changes recently to live in a more environmentally sustainable manner. First, I signed up for a composting service. I use Zero Waste Wrangler, zerowastewrangler.com, although there are several such services. There are home pickup services, but I use the drop off service ($120 per year), which allows me to drop off my compost at any of several drop-off bins, including those near Trader Joe’s and the East End Food Coop. I’ve noticed that since I started doing this, the amount of trash I put out for pickup is less. My second change was to reduce the number of disposable plastic containers I purchase by buying milk in reusable glass bottles from the East End Food Coop (conveniently located near one of the compost drop-off bins). I pay a $3 deposit for the bottle, which is refunded when I return it.
Peace Committee | Russ Walker, Chair
Gun violence is one of the primary focus points of the Peace Committee. We encourage the congregation to take action to stop machine guns!
Philadelphia police have recovered at least 57 guns equipped with switches to convert them to machine guns so far this year. Such weapons are suspected in the Fairmount Park mass shooting, which killed two and wounded nine on Memorial Day. House Bill 335 would prohibit the sale and possession of parts designed to accelerate the fire rate of a semiautomatic firearm to simulate the rate of fire of an automatic machine gun. It has passed the State House and had hearings in the Senate. We urge you to call, write, or email your State Senator encouraging him or her to support House Bill 335!
Facing Systemic Racism Committee | Lenore Williams, Chair
June was a busy month for the Facing Systemic Racism (FSR) Committee’s important work both in the community and for our own congregation.
On June 21, members and friends represented ELPC in Pittsburgh’s annual Juneteenth parade and celebration, riding in the church van and/or marching from Freedom Corner into downtown. This is an annual event for us. Thanks to all who participated—and please mark your calendars for next year!
On June 29, we are grateful to Hollen Barmer for her amazing research and presentation to us to continue our “Reckoning with ELPC’s Ties to Enslavement.” In 2022, our church family learned that one of our most revered founders and donors enslaved and sold two women, Nell and Poll, in the early 1800s. Over the past year, a small team of ELPCers has sought to learn more about these women and their lives. Who were they beyond the scant details in the dehumanizing 1808 bill of sale?
Following Hollen’s presentation on what we have learned about Nell, Poll, and their family, we also had time for discussion and reflection on what we must do to reckon with this part of our church’s legacy. We are planning a further presentation and discussion in October as part of ELPC’s Mission Month, so watch for details.
Neighbors Committee | Cathleen Malmstrom, Chair
ELPC’s Neighbors Committee sees our role as not only assisting our neighbors but connecting with them. To this end, in May we had our inaugural Chapel Market Dinner, with about 50 guests and 22 amazing ELPC volunteers! A second dinner, with similar participation, was held June 13, and our plan is to continue these on a regular basis throughout the year. We’ll continue to welcome more volunteers as we work to expand this and other programs to serve the surrounding community and fulfill ELPC’s mission of reaching out!
One of ELPC’s mission partners, Garfield Community Farms (GCF), works closely with the Neighbors Committee. At the end of April, we sponsored a tool drive for the farm, which was very successful! Thanks to everyone who contributed!
ELPC team,
What a blessing the tool drive was for us! We are so appreciative of you all organizing this. The tools and materials we received have increased our capacity for our various programming, as well as replaced some well-loved (i.e. old and worn out) materials. We’ve already benefited, and our faithful volunteers were as excited as us to see new gloves and pruners and more!
God is good. Thank you for your generous provisions. Please continue to hold GCF and the Garfield neighborhood in your prayers, particularly that God would work miraculous healing in the community.
To Him who is able to do all things!
—GCF Team