Events Calendar

Lackawanna Presbytery Calendar

Click here for upcoming events around Lackawanna Presbytery.

Presbytery of Lehigh Calendar

Click here for upcoming events around the Presbytery of Lehigh.

Presbytery of Philadelphia Calendar

Restorative Wilderness Experience

Emily Cowser, a second-year Master of Divinity student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, has developed an idea for a trip for pastors and ministry leaders. As part of her Adaptive and Innovative Ministry emphasis, Emily is designing a restorative wilderness experience that will consist of desert canoeing and camping on the Lower Canyons section of the Rio Grande from Monday, Jan. 27, through Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

Participants will be immersed in a new backcountry environment away from the distractions, tasks, and stresses of their home lives in order to intentionally explore their well-being. Physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, and vocational restoration will be addressed through readings, practices, and group conversations.

The anticipated cost of the program is $3,163. This cost excludes air travel but includes all group program-related expenses upon arrival (food, shelter, and wilderness gear rental).

To express your interest, fill out the online form or contact Emily at ecowser@pts.edu.

Pittsburgh Presbytery Calendar

Redstone Presbytery Calendar

Sudan Partnership Anniversary Celebration

Shenango Presbytery will celebrate 30 years of partnership with the Sudan and South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Churches (SPEC and SSPEC) during its Leaderfest gathering on Feb. 1, 2025. The Rev. Thomas Tut, moderator of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, will be with us as the presbytery looks back at three decades of this rich connection that has so greatly blessed both us and its partners.

The presbytery will gather at 5 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Neshannock, which will include a dinner prepared by Tom Kaufman and Northminster members followed by a time of praise and thanksgiving for all the good that God has brought in this partnership. A free will offering will be taken to cover the costs of the meal and to benefit the ministries of our partners.

Use the RSVP form for reservations; one reservation form per group will suffice. Call Jim Leuenberger at 724-813-1295 with any questions about this event.

Save the Date: 2025 Festival of Faith

The co-moderators of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson, will visit the Presbytery of West Virginia as keynote presenters for the 2025 Festival of Faith event on March 22 at First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, WV.

“It is a rare blessing, a gift, to have both co-moderators visit together,” said Maureen Wright, the presbytery’s transitional general presbyter. “I encourage you to make plans to attend the Festival of Faith to meet them, to share some West Virginia hospitality, and to hear their vision for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).”

Check back here for more details as they become available.

Celtic Advent Service

The Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation will host its annual Celtic Advent Service at Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church [1199 Valley Road, Quarryville (Rt. 372)] on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m.

Performers including Ruth Fisher of the Ceol Neamh Pipe Band will offer music and readings with a taste of Scotland but with many traditional selections. Donald Henderson will read the Christmas story from Luke 2 in the Braid-Scots Dialect. The Hendersons sextet will perform carols including three in Gaelic.

There will be congregational carols including Auld Lang Syne. It will be a time of reflection, joy and thanksgiving as the meaning of Advent is felt deeply by all. Refreshments will be served following the service.

Wayne Oratorio Presents Handel’s Messiah

The Wayne Oratorio Society of Wayne Presbyterian Church Presents Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 7 and 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m. All are invited to attend this free concert of the Wayne Oratorio Society as it presents its annual concert for the holiday season. The concert will be presented in the sanctuary with John Grecia conducting 140 singers, a 40-piece professional orchestra and soloists.

The concert is non-ticketed, and open to the public, with a free-will offering. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Wayne Oratorio Society has been a part of the ministry of the Wayne Presbyterian Church for 76 years. It is an important arts organization and ministry.

250th Anniversary Celebration

Unity Cemetery & Chapel in Latrobe, PA, will celebrate its 250th anniversary Sunday, Dec. 22, from 7:30-9 p.m. with a program titled “Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future.” The evening will include lessons and carols with time-period music.

For more information on the upcoming events, visit unitycemeterychapel.org.

Assisting the Haitian Community

Peace Light Event: Share the Love

The Peace Light is a continuous flame originating in the grotto of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. It is shared person to person throughout the world with a message of peace and friendship. Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church extends an invitation to all churches and all people to attend a special service at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 8, as the congregation officially receive the Peace Light.

Bring an oil lantern or transportable candle if possible and receive the Peace Light, and then take it back to your churches to light your Advent Candles from a flame that has burned for over a thousand years around the place of our Savior’s birth.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Come to Bethlehem for the Census

Chartiers Hill Presbyterian Church invites you to come to Bethlehem for the census! On Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. “One Day B.C.” will premier. Experience what Bethlehem was like the day before the Christ-child was born. It’s free! Refreshments to follow.