What's Happening! Fall 2023

It’s that time again! Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 10, followed by worship at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to please review our updated Health and Safety Guidelines. If you are new to us, please fill out our Children and Youth Registration. If you have already completed this in previous years you don’t have to do it again. But, please let us know if your contact information has changed.

Join us on Sept. 10 for a Sunday School kick-off breakfast  in the Chapel for all Sunday school students and their families. We will meet our teachers and childcare staff and start the church year together.

Nursery Care and Extended Session

Nursery care for infants and toddlers will be provided from 10 a.m. until the conclusion of worship each week. Extended Session will be held during worship each week for children ages preschool through 3rd grade. Kids will be dismissed from worship during Passing of the Peace following the Time for Children. Jenny Newman and Extended Session staff will provide worship and prayer time, snacks, and story time.

Sunday School

Preschool through 5th grade class
Teachers: Katie Smith, Linda May, Meghan Jones, Gwen Harcar

This year we will be using the PC(USA) curriculum called Growing with Grace and Gratitude.   The class may be divided into smaller groups by age depending on attendance.

6th-12th grade 

Teachers, Jenny Newman, Joe Ashenden, and Marcus Robinson

We will use a combination of our Feasting on the Word lectionary-based curriculum and the PC(USA) Big God, Big Ideas.

Acolytes and Water Pourer

Pouring the baptismal water and lighting the Christ Candle are vital parts of our worship
service. There is a sign-up sheet for Sundays in the narthex of the church for children and youth who are interested in being a part of the service in this way. We will have a training for new Acolytes and Pourers after worship on Sept. 17. Contact Jenny Newman for more information.

Confirmation

We have a plan! Students in 7^th grade and older interested in confirmation will begin meeting monthly in September, starting with Pittsburgh Presbytery's day-long confirmation retreat at Camp Crestfield on Sept. 30.  We will meet through and meet through March 2024 and confirmands will be received at the March session meeting and confirmed during the worship service on Sunday, April 7.  Our tentative meeting schedule is below. All our monthly meetings will be held after church from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and lunch will be provided. 

•          Sept. 30 - Confirmation retreat at Camp Crestfield
•         Monthly Meetings: Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb.18, March 17
•         Attend the March Session Meeting (date TBD)
• ·      Sunday, April 7 - Confirmation in worship

Youth Fellowship

This year we will be joining our friends at East Liberty Presbyterian Church for our weekly youth fellowship time.  Beginning Sept. 13, youth 6^th through 12^th grade will meet on Wednesday at ELPC for Club One Sixteen from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner is provided each week at 5 p.m.  Jenny Newman will partner with Sarah Hackett (ELPC Director of CE and Youth) in planning and leading the weekly sessions.  ELCP is located at 116 S. Highland. Ave. Students will enter the church at the Highland Avenue entrance and meet in the second-floor parlor.

We will also continue volunteering at Hot Metal Bridge’s The Table monthly and other youth gatherings throughout the year. Please see the fall youth calendar for all the upcoming dates.  Youth who will be serving at Hot Metal and attending youth group at ELCP are required to complete our church’s Universal Permission form, so we have updated contact and health information. (You only have to fill it out once!)

For questions and information on anything Christian education-related please contact Jenny Newman at Jennyrunew@gmail.com or 412-720-6392.