Blog

Pastoral Message | March 2022

I was thinking recently about the phrase, “accident of birth.” The moral philosopher Martha Nussbaum referred to it in the following paragraph:

“All human beings are worthy of equal respect and concern. The accident of where one is born is just that—an accident; any human being might have been born in any nation. Recognizing this, we should not allow differences of nationality or class or ethnic membership or even gender to erect barriers between us and our fellow human beings.” (The Cosmopolitan Tradition) Read More

Tread Lightly for Lent

The Environmental Team of the Justice Committee is offering a daily reflection-action calendar from PC(USA).

During Lent, we slow down, take time, and examine our spiritual lives and how we live out our faith. We strive to move toward more sustainable choices, and to tread lightly on God’s Earth.

The calendar has actions, challenges, readings, reflections and prayers. Our hope is that this Lenten calendar will be the beginning of actions intended to create more mindful behaviors throughout the year. Download a copy

Children’s Ministry Updates

Beginning Sunday, March 6, ELPC looks forward to nurturing the faith of our youngest worshippers in the following ways:

  • Church School | In-person classes will resume for all children.
  • Children’s Time | During our Sanctuary service, children are invited to join Pastor Heather and other leaders on the Chancel Steps for an interactive Children’s Time. Of course, kids also are welcome to stay in the pews with their families if they are more comfortable!
  • Children’s Church | Following Children’s Time, children in pre-school–grade 3 are invited to join Ms. Sara and other leaders in the Chapel for a time of learning together. Children younger than age 3 also are welcome to attend, if accompanied by their parents. Parents and caregivers are invited to gather in the back of the Sanctuary during the Offertory Anthem. Children will return to the Sanctuary during the Doxology, and meet their parents in the Sanctuary at that time.
  • The Kid’s Corner | ELPC is offering resources for those who wish to keep their hands busy during worship together. The Nursery also remains open to young children who are accompanied by their parents/caregivers during worship (there will be no staff or volunteers present), and the Sanctuary service will be livestreamed in the space.

Reminder: If your youth’s vaccination status has changed, please update their information using our online form. If you have yet to register youth for programing this school year, you can do so online.

Church School Classes | February 27, 2022

Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More

Worship with Us | Week of February 27

Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast. Read More

Worship with Us | Week of February 20

Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast. Read More

Church School Classes | February 20, 2022

Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More

The Refillery is Open

Good news! The Refillery, a zero-waste store, is now open for business in Squirrel Hill!

How does it work? You bring (or buy) empty containers to re-use and re-fill at the store with personal care products (soaps, lotions, shampoo, etc.) and home essentials (laundry detergent, dish soap, green cleaning products). You choose the amount you want and then pay by weight or volume. Result? You enjoy good-for-the-environment, local goods with zero waste!

Shop in person (1931 Murray Ave., 15217) or at TheRefilleryPgh.com. They deliver!

Worship with Us | Week of February 13

Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast. Read More

Letter from Birmingham Jail | Session 1

In January, the Facing Systemic Racism Committee, Faith Formation Board, and Pastor Randy collaborated to present an introduction to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. If you were unable to participate, a video of the presentation is available below.

The letter was written by Rev. Dr. King after he was arrested in Birmingham for violating Alabama’s law against mass public demonstrations. The Letter from Birmingham Jail was Dr. King’s response to eight white clergy, who criticized the movement led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in early 1963, which sought to bring national attention to the efforts of local black leaders to desegregate public facilities in Birmingham, Alabama. The criticism from the white clergy was published in The Birmingham News and characterized the direct action strategy of the campaign as “unwise and untimely” and appealed “to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense.” (“White Clergymen Urge Local Negroes to Withdraw from Demonstrations,” Birmingham News, 13 April 1963.)

Rev. Dr. King’s letter has important implications for us today, as people of God. Therefore, additional sessions and opportunities to discuss the Letter from Birmingham Jail will be scheduled for this spring. Visit KingInstitute.Stanford.edu for a copy of Rev. Dr. King’s letter.

Mark your calendars for Session 2 on Sunday, March 13, 12:30 pm, and Session 3 on Saturday, April 9, 6 pm.