Presbytery News
Beaver-Butler
Equipping Leaders Annual Training Event
The Equipping Leaders Unit of Beaver-Butler Presbytery will holds its annual Equipping Leaders Annual Training Event (ELITE) on Sunday, March 15, from 2-5 p.m. at Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church. This free training event is geared to equip those leading ministry — pastors, elders, deacons, worship leaders, youth leaders, treasurers, clerks of session and all church congregants.
To register, and for more information, click here.
Carlisle
Boundary Training
In 2026, the Presbytery of Carlisle will offer two opportunities for Boundary Training. One will be an evening session intended for active Ruling Elders (meaning you are currently serving on session or on a presbytery committee/commission) and a daytime in-person session for clergy-types and educators.
The ruling elder boundary training will be held Feb. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This will be a hybrid/online event.
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a boundary training for clergy-types and educators will be held at the First United Presbyterian Church in Newville. This in-person only gathering is $15.
To register, completing the form found here or contact Kristal Smith at kristal.smith@carlislepby.org.
Ruling Elder Communion Training
For the past three years, the Presbytery of Carlisle has offered an annual Ruling Elder Communion Training to those ruling elders who have been approved by session to attend. The intention for this training is to equip ruling elders to preside over the Lord’s Supper within their own congregation. Others have attended for their own edification and learning.
On April 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Highland United Presbyterian Church in Newport the presbytery will offer two workshops: a 101 level and a 201 level. The 201 level is only open to those who have previously had the training. The 101 level is for those who have not had training and those who would like to re-take.
Each workshop is limited to 20 participants and will be in-person only. Kristal Smith will send invitations to those who attended in 2023 and a registration link to all the clerks of session.
Many Voices, One Song
The Presbytery of Carlisle will hold a “Many Voices, One Song” event Sunday, Aug. 30, at 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle. Worship will be followed by food and fun together.
“Many Voices” promises to be the largest local gathering of Presbyterians in years because it’s being designed to include all ages, congregations and new worshiping communities, and parishioners (not just pastors and other leaders).
The gathering will bring together vocalists and bell ringers from across the presbytery. There’ll even be a youth choir, and worship will close with everyone singing the Hallelujah! Chorus together. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Cece Armstrong, co-moderator of General Assembly for 2025-26.
Also involved will be specialty foods from the area as part of the fellowship time after worship.
To learn more and to sign up, click here.
A flyer is available by clicking here.
Donegal
- Week 1: The Early Years
- Week 2: Slavery by Another Name
- Week 3: Public Policy & the Civil Rights Movement
- Week 4: Mass Incarceration & the War on Drugs
- Week 5: Voter Suppression — Then & Now
- Week 6: Where Do We Go From Here?
Racism in America
Bethany Presbyterian Church in Chadds Ford, PA, will hold a six-part lecture series on “Racism in America: The History We Didn’t Learn in School.” The online series runs Thursdays at 1 p.m. from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12.
Sue Linderman, the co-founder of the Westminster Peace & Justice Work Group in Wilmington, DE, will lead the conversations. Topics include:
Click here to register online.
Come Sunday: Worship and Music That Moves Us
Celebrate the richness of the Black diaspora in liturgy and song through a program titled “Come Sunday: Worship and Music That Moves Us” on Feb. 21-22 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester. Grow in understanding by lifting voices and discovering ways to lead communities toward joy, justice and reconciliation.
For more information, click here.
Lackawanna
Lackawanna Presbytery Calendar
Click here for upcoming events around Lackawanna Presbytery.
Lehigh
Presbytery of Lehigh Calendar
Click here for upcoming events around the Presbytery of Lehigh.
Northumberland
Equipping the Saints: Helping Church Leaders Lead
Northumberland Presbytery will hold its 2026 Winter Leadership Conference on Saturday, March 21, at Montoursville Presbyterian Church. Snow date is March 28.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Equipping the Saints: Helping Church Leaders Lead.” The objective is to educate, equip and inspire God’s people for Christian service.
For more information and to register, click here.
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Henry Highland Garnet Weekend 2026
The third annual Henry Highland Garnet weekend will occur Feb. 20-22. The weekend will feature speaker the Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Cannon, vice president of Ministry Innovation at the Board of Pensions.
The Friday (6-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) events will be held at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, while Sunday’s gathering (11 a.m.) will be at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, both of which are in Pittsburgh.
Plan for a powerful and inspiring weekend celebration honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Henry Highland Garnet — pastor, abolitionist and prophetic voice for justice. This year’s theme, “Building Bricks of Excellence,” calls to reflect on how faith, courage and commitment are laid one faithful act at a time to build a church and community rooted in justice, dignity and hope.
Throughout the weekend, attendees will gather for worship, learning and fellowship that celebrate Black excellence in the church, honor the saints who have paved the way and challenge us to continue building with integrity and purpose for generations to come. Join Pittsburgh Presbytery as it remembers its history, celebrates the present and recommits itself to the ongoing work of the gospel.
To register, click here.
BOP Benefits Regional Summit
A Board of Pensions 2026 Benefits Regional Summit will be held at the Pittsburgh Presbytery office Tuesday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This gathering will be an informative town hall designed to support pastoral leadership and congregational benefits decision-makers. Located throughout the country, the Benefits Regional Summits provide important updates and insights into the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and related programs offered by the Board of Pensions.
RSVP required before April 30.
For more information, click here.
Pittsburgh Presbytery Calendar
Redstone
Shenango
Spring Pastor Retreat
The Shenango Presbytery Spring Pastor Retreat will be held May 18-19 at Villa Maria Conference Center. More information will be posted closer to the event.
Washington
West Virginia
- September 18 and 20
- October 23 and 25
- November 20 and 22
- January 15 and 17
- February 5 and 7
- March 12 and 14
- April 9 and 11
- May 7 and 9
Presby Prep
Presby Prep is eight months of courses designed to help Presbyterians understand more about what it means to be Presbyterian as we worship, read scripture, reflect on what we believe, engage in mission and stewardship, nurture others in faith, and consider how we live together and how we got here – that is, to help us understand the sea we swim in or the air we breathe as Presbyterians, often without thinking anything about it. You’ll explore the eight course topics – biblical interpretation, Reformed theology, church history, Presbyterian polity, worship, Christian education, stewardship, and mission – with others under the leadership of a pastor in the presbytery; it’s a great way to connect with others. Because of the nature of the courses, eight people need to register for Presby Prep by Aug. 11; more are always welcome.
All classes are held on Zoom. Participants attend eight three-hour courses on either Thursday evening or Saturday morning. Though the registration form asks participants to make a choice, they may move between the two times as desired. There are assignments to be read in advance that form the basis of conversation and discussion. The cost is $50 for all courses, plus the cost of books, but if you only are interested in a few courses, you can sign up for those for $10 each.
Courses are scheduled for September 2025-May 2026 as follows:
While Presby Prep provides an opportunity to learn more about what it means to be Presbyterian and how we do things, it can also lead to more. It is the first year in the presbytery’s Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Pastor Preparation Program, which prepares people to serve as pulpit supply and pastors. As the financial situation of many of our churches is changing, in part due to lower membership, more and more churches are seeking commissioned ruling elders to serve as their pastors. There is a growing need for more commissioned pastors in our presbytery. While most of our commissioned pastors serve a congregation other than that where they are a member, several are serving in their churches of membership; both are possibilities. For those who may not feel called to serve a particular church, there continues to be a need for pulpit supply as an Authorized Lay Preacher.
Could God be calling you to Presby Prep? If you are interested in Presby Prep, you will find more information and a registration form here. If you have questions or want more information, please feel free to contact Susan Sharp Campbell, Associate for Educational Ministry for the presbytery, at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.
Festival of Faith
The Presbytery of West Virginia’s annual Festival of Faith will be held Saturday, March 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Tell Me A Story” with storyteller, author and recording artist Bil Lepp being the keynote speaker. Bil will speak on “The Widow’s Mite and the Widower’s Might: Seeing Scripture in Ordinary Actions.”
This year’s Festival of Faith promises to be another exciting day of learning, fellowship and worship. Complete information will be available the week of Jan. 19 on the presbytery website. The early registration deadline is Monday, March 2. The deadline for ordering lunch or indicating the need for childcare is also Monday, March 2.
You’ll have the opportunity to grow in faith and knowledge, gain insights and skills to take back to your congregation and connect with colleagues in ministry.
Workshop descriptions can be found by clicking here. Use these links for information and registration forms.
For questions about this event, or for additional information, contact Kari Preslar, chair of the Festival of Faith Planning Team, by email or 304-541-7222.