Meet Our New Covenant Pastor for Connection and Care!

The Session and Temporary Associate Pastor Nominating Committee of East Liberty Presbyterian Church are pleased to announce that our new Covenant Pastor for Connection and Care is Reverend Sarah Robbins!

The Temporary Associate Pastor Nominating Committee search process began in June and after reviewing information on 47 candidates, inviting 14 candidates to first interviews on ZOOM, five invitations to second ZOOM interviews, and one in-person interview, the five member TAPNC presented Rev. Robbins to Session as their nominee. Rev. Sarah’s nomination was unanimously approved by Session on October 12, 2025. She will begin her role on October 28th. Since this is a temporary three-year position that can be renewed indefinitely, this selection process does not require a congregational vote, only the vote by Session.

Many will remember that Pastor Sarah gave the Charge to the Congregation at Pastor Michael’s Installation Service at ELPC on May 18th and preached at ELPC June 15, 2025.

Pastor Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Westminster College. Her graduate degrees include a Masters in Divinity as well as a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Through transitional ministry, several terms of Commission on Ministry (COM) service, adaptive consulting work, and as previous moderator of the presbytery, Sarah has been grateful to witness communities of faith seek God’s will and kin-dom. Sarah is a passionate preacher who never tires of the joy of administering the sacraments and leading creative worship services that help remember God’s deep connection to us all.

Pastor Sarah has served several churches, including Dormont Presbyterian and Wallace Memorial Presbyterian as a Temporary Associate Pastor, and at Crossroads and Glenshaw as Interim Pastor. Most recently she served as the interim solo pastor at Sixth Presbyterian Church here in Pittsburgh. She has also served as Moderator for Pittsburgh Presbytery.

Pastor Sarah and her husband of over 20 years, Rev. Ben (Pastor of Northmont United Presbyterian Church in McCandless) have lived in the East End of Pittsburgh since moving back to the area in 2008. Their household includes their 9-year-old named Liam (they/them) who is a fourth grader and Sarah’s younger sister Anna Woomer (she/her). Anna works full time at Just Harvest connecting folks to financial resources. Ben, Liam and Anna are excited about Pastor Sarah’s ministry call to ELPC.

ELPC was already special to Pastor Sarah. She has always felt welcome to worship and pray with us throughout her ministry. And Liam has attended ELPC’s Vacation Bible Church School for the last three years. She has particular respect for our community’s sense of purpose and inclusivity. In this new role, she looks forward to journeying with the Deacons in providing excellent pastoral care, creating connections amongst our visitors and congregants, and further developing how folks can find their individual fit amongst a wide and diverse family of faith. Sarah is especially excited about working with ELPC’s current staff who consistently bring their warmth, creativity, and love for God’s people into all they do.

Outside of ministry, Sarah loves kayaking, cannot get enough of any series BritBox has to offer, and is an aspiring foodie. She and her family love to explore new places and music as often as they get the chance. Roaming around bookstores or wandering along beaches in Maine is where she finds consistent peace.

Pastor Sarah has always felt welcomed at ELPC, and we now have the opportunity to individually welcome her to our exceptional pastoral staff team.

Join us for a meet and greet Reception at Noon on Sunday, November 2, following the Sanctuary service. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship and Garth Overlook Rooms.