Presbytery News
Beaver-Butler
All-Church Gathering
Beaver-Butler Presbytery is organizing an All-Church Gathering titled “Now Thank We All Our God” on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. at Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver.
This all-church gathering will celebrate the faithfulness of those who came before and honor our nation’s 250th anniversary. Singers are invited to sing with the joint choir. Giving thanks with song and historical perspective will lead us to look to the future with hope.
A joint choir rehearsal will be held at 2 p.m. Refreshments will follow the service.
More information is available through a bulletin insert that is available by clicking here.
Racial Reconciliation Awareness Book Clubs for Fall
Beaver-Butler Presbytery will hold two Racial Reconciliation Awareness Book Clubs for Fall on Mondays and Tuesdays from September 2026 to March 2027. Rev. C.F. Hoffman will lead the monthly discussions of the book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson.
In this book, Isabel Wilkerson gives a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.
To register and for more information, scroll through the presbytery’s events calendar by clicking here.
Beaver-Butler Presbytery Events
For a listing of events occurring around Beaver-Butler Presbytery, click here.
Carlisle
Presbytery-Wide Youth Lock-In
There will be a presbytery-wide lock-in at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Lebanon on Nov. 7-8. It will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday and end after worship on Sunday. It is for all youth in the presbytery grades eight through 12. The cost will be $10 per attendee.
Youth leaders, be advised that if you have youth coming to the event, you will need at least one leader per congregation to stay at the lock-in. For more information, contact Rob Cochran at 717-272-9933.
Civil Rights Youth Trip 2027
The Presbytery of Carlisle invites teens and young adults to take part in a powerful, faith-forming journey through the American South: an experience designed to bring the Civil Rights Movement to life in a deeply personal and transformative way. This trip for youth entering ninth grade through college ages is scheduled for July 23-30, 2027.
To truly understand this history, we must walk where it happened and learn from those who shaped it. Over eight days, participants will travel from Greensboro to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham and beyond visiting pivotal sites like the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, Ebenezer Baptist Church, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Along the way, youth will hear powerful stories, engage in guided reflection and wrestle with how faith calls us to respond to injustice today. This journey is not only educational, it is discipleship in motion, offering an experience that is eye-opening, sobering, yet ultimately hopeful.
At a time when our nation continues to grapple with the legacy of racism, this trip offers young people the opportunity to engage history honestly and faithfully, and to consider how they are called to be part of God’s ongoing work of justice and reconciliation.
Interested in participating? Churches are encouraged to reach out to the Rev. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker at Derry Presbyterian Church at revmcwhit@derrypres.org.
This is more than a road trip. It is an invitation to learn, to listen, to grow, and to carry forward a story that is still being written.
Donegal
Curious Conversations
On the morning of Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester will host a Curious Conversation, and the whole Presbytery of Donegal is invited. The gathering is not to debate or change minds, but to be curious and seek understanding. You are welcome to come and listen, share and ask curious questions.
Registration is required and can be completed by clicking here.
Fall Pastors Retreat
The Presbytery of Donegal will hold a Fall Pastors Retreat on Sept. 27-29 at The Welcoming Place in Akron. All Presbytery of Donegal Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned Ruling Elder Pastors – whether actively serving or retired – are invited to join colleagues for a time of refreshment, fellowship and learning.
For more information, click here. To register, click here.
Huntingdon
CLP Training
Huntingdon Presbytery will hold three Commissioned Lay Pastor trainings in August and September. The dates are Aug. 8, Aug. 15 and Sept. 12.
To register and for more information, click here.
Lake Erie
Happenings Around Lake Erie
For a listing of events occurring around the Presbytery of Lake Erie, click here.
Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel Presbytery Calendar
For a calendar of events occurring around the Mountain Laurel Presbytery, click here.
Philadelphia
Fall Fest
Join leaders and members from across the Presbytery of Philadelphia for a day of inspiration, practical learning, and collaborative conversation as we explore how God is calling our congregations to renewed life and mission on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Oxford Presbyterian Church. Together, attendees will discover creative ways to strengthen the ministry of their local churches and faithfully respond to the opportunities before them.
The keynote speaker will be The Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Holland II, moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia and executive pastor of Salt & Light.
More information is available by clicking here.
Clerk of Session Summit
The Presbytery of Philadelphia’s Clerks of Session Summit will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at the presbytery office. This gathering is for clerks new to their role, or clerks having served for some time.
David Staniunas, the records archivist at the Presbyterian Historical Society, will provide a special presentation. Refreshments will be served.
For RSVP’s or questions, contact Betsi Moise at databaseadministrator@presbyphl.org or 215.242.1400, ext. 329.
Presbytery of Philadelphia Calendar
For a calendar of events occurring around the Presbytery of Philadelphia, click here.
Pittsburgh
GA Reflections
On Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4-6 p.m., Pittsburgh presbytery will hold a town hall style meeting to hear what was decided at General Assembly, a preview of items that will require presbytery discussion and vote, and some reflections shared by the presbytery’s 2026 GA Commissioners.
Click here to register for the event. A flyer for the event is available here.
October Racial Justice Pilgrimage
Pittsburgh Presbytery Stated Clerk Carla Campbell and the Rev. Ralph Lowe are excited to announce that this fall they hope to facilitate a Racial Justice Pilgrimage to Atlanta, GA, and Montgomery and Birmingham, AL, for the presbytery. The tentative dates for this trip are Sunday, Oct. 4, to Saturday, Oct. 10.
Travel arrangements and cost are still to be determined. Please let Carla or Ralph know as soon as possible if you are interested in this opportunity.
For more information, click here.
Pittsburgh Presbytery Calendar
For a calendar of events occurring around Pittsburgh Presbytery, click here.
Redstone
Redstone Presbytery Calendar
For a calendar of events occurring around the Presbytery of Redstone, click here.
Upper Ohio Valley
Trip to Sight & Sound in Lancaster, PA
A bus from Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery will travel to Lancaster, PA, for an overnight trip that will include a stop at Sight & Sound to see the performance of “Joshua.”
The bus will leave from the parking lot of the Ohio Valley Mall at 7 a.m. on Sept. 15. Lunch will be at the Kitchen Kettle Village in Lancaster followed by a stop at Elva’s Barnyard Studio for a presentation of Patriotic Chalk Talk. The day concludes with a stop at Rachel’s Summer Kitchen for an authentic Amish dinner.
On Sept. 16, a buffet breakfast at the hotel will be followed by a stop at Sight & Sounds to see “Joshua.” After the show, lunch will be at Miller’s Smorgasbord before the return trip home.
Cost per person varies from $619 for a single occupancy room to $489 for a quad room. A $50 deposit is required when reserving a spot. Final balance is due Aug. 1.
For more information and to register, contact Sherry Stratton [(740) 633-2044 or e-mail to slstrat@comcast.net, 71290 Ohio AVE, Martins Ferry, OH 43935].
Know Your Boundaries
Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery will hold ethics and boundary training for clergy and ruling elders Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in Wheeling, WV. Titled “Know Your Boundaries,” the presenter will be Bryan Bass-Riley, a Pennsylvania licensed professional counselor and a certified Training Supervisor-Educator through Clinical Pastoral Education International.
This three-hour training will cover:
-Ethics and professional ethics (why we do what we do),
-Boundaries and boundary violations (what we’re not allowed to do),
-Aspirational boundaries (what we ought to do).
Lunch will be provided afterward. For more information, click here or contact the UOV Presbytery office at (304) 232-3490.
Washington
Inviting All Women of the Church
Washington Presbytery’s Presbyterian Women are hosting a dinner for all women of the church and their guests on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m. at Church of the Covenant.
Among the topics of discussion will be “Intro to 2026-27 Bible Study: United through Christ, Bound to Each Other by Nancy McCreight. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Sharon Woomer of Hope Community Church in Charleroi.
Cost is $15. Make checks out to Presbyterian Women and give/mail to Joan McCrory (724-222-5806) or the church office. Reservations are accepted until Sept. 6.
Treat yourself! Invite friends! Enjoy an evening of fellowship and great food! Questions: 724-777-9240.
Boundary Training
Washington Presbytery will hold Leadership Boundary Training on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Laboratory Presbyterian Church in Washington, PA.
The Book of Order requires all leaders to have boundary training at a minimum of every three years. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion upon fulfilling this training. If you are unable to attend on this date, a virtual option with an exam will be available.
RSVP by Nov. 1. To register, email office.washpres@gmail.com.
More information is available by clicking here.
Washington Presbytery Upcoming Events
For a listing of events occurring around Washington Presbytery, click here.
West Virginia
- Sept. 13 at First Presbyterian Church, Huntington
- Sept. 20 at Fayetteville Presbyterian Church
- Sept. 27 at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
Connecting Congregations
Presbytery of West Virginia Lead Presbyter, Maureen Wright, and Connectional Presbyter, Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, will facilitate multiple Connecting Congregations events starting in September. Congregations are invited to come and share stories from their church with their Presbyterian neighbors while enjoying delicious food and generous hospitality.
September’s Connecting Congregations events will be held:
All Connecting Congregations events will begin at 3 p.m. and end with a light meal so participants are on the road home by 5 p.m. So pack your stories, fill a car, and head to an event near you. If these dates do not work for you, stay tuned for information on more opportunities in other parts of the presbytery.
Register for a Connecting Congregations by clicking here.
Advent and Christmas Season Workshop for Preachers
An Advent and Christmas Season Workshop for Preachers hosted by the Presbytery of West Virginia will be held Oct. 4-5 at John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston, WV.
Looking for ways to breathe new life into your Advent and Christmas season preaching? Join the presbytery for this workshop with Anna Carter Florence and Jake Myers from Columbia Theological Seminary, as the upcoming lectionary texts are explored together. Discover some new strategies for reading scripture that are easy to grasp and easy to adapt to your context.
Move from text to sermon, as we consider what the familiar stories might have to say to us this year. And roundtable conversations will be shared about how the light of the world might be illuminating in congregations and our own lives as preachers.
For more information, click here.