Presbytery News
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.
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?
- Chester County – Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2:30 p.m.
- Westminster Presbyterian Church
- 10 West Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, PA
- Lancaster County – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.
- First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg
- 101 South Decatur Street, Strasburg, PA
- York County – Sunday, Jan. 25, at 2:30 p.m.
- New Harmony Presbyterian Church
- 2295 Delta Road, Brogue, PA
The Bias Inside Us
A traveling Smithsonian exhibit titled “The Bias Inside Us” will be available to be viewed and discussed at the Chester County Historical Center in West Chester on Thursday, Jan. 8, through the work of the Presbytery of Donegal’s Racial Justice Task Group.
The group will meet at 10 a.m. inside the front entrance of the museum for introductions and a quick orientation. They’ll explore the exhibit, then gather for lunch and guided conversation.
To register by Dec. 22, click 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.
Congregational Antiracism Policy Workshops
The Presbytery of Donegal is holding Congregational Antiracism Policy Workshops for pastors, elders and clerks of session. The Book of Order now requires every session to adopt an antiracism policy. Whether your congregation is in the process of creating your policy or you’re still wondering where to begin, these workshops are for you. Session members, pastors, clerks and other congregational leaders are invited to join others in their region to get support, collaborate and discern next steps.
The following locations are holding the trainings:
An online option via Zoom will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m.
Click here to register to attend a policy workshop.
Human Bias Conversation
The Presbytery of Donegal will hold a conversation on Human Bias on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. An orientation to the Curious Conversation model will begin at 2 p.m., with the conversation beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Rev. Dr. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker, pastor of Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey, PA , has developed a model for approaching these hard conversations. Based on seeking to understand others’ perspectives — even when we passionately disagree — these Curious Conversations are an opportunity to practice listening, asking genuine questions, staying in the room with difference and humanizing our ideological opponents.
On Jan. 11, Pastor Stephen will lead a Curious Conversation for the Presbytery of Donegal. As a follow-up to the presbytery’s visit to The Bias Inside Us exhibit, this discussion will explore experiences of human bias — others’ and our own. The gathering is not to debate or change minds but to be curious and seek understanding.
This is the third in a series of Curious Conversations exploring a variety of issues that are tough to talk about. The event is co-sponsored by the Presbytery of Donegal’s Racial Justice Task Group and the Highland Presbyterian Church Matthew 25 Committee.
Everyone is invited to come listen, share and ask curious questions.
Registration is required by clicking here.
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.
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.
More information will be forthcoming in the new year.
Pittsburgh Presbytery Calendar
Redstone
Washington
Elder and Deacon Workshop
An Elder and Deacon Workshop will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at Presbyterian Senior Care. This opportunity is open to all deacons and elders in Washington Presbytery. Registration and light breakfast is from 8:30-9:15 a.m., with workshops running from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Register by calling Pastor Gary Gibson at 724-223-5694.
Washington Presbytery Upcoming Events
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.