Around the Church for July 28, 2022

PrideFest THIS Saturday, July 30
Pride month is a major cultural event of the LGBTIQ+ community to commemorate cultural ideas and histories that formed them. It is in June to commemorate the historical event of the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, which is seen as the catalyst that galvanized a civil rights movement. Symbolically, Stonewall is seen as the ‘exodus’ that began the liberation of LGBTQ+ people from repression. Since 1992, Pride Festival of Central PA has held an annual festival to promote awareness and showcase organizations and businesses available to the LGBTQ+ and Ally communities. This year’s PrideFest of Central PA is scheduled for this Saturday, July 30, from 11-6, at Emergency Responders Plaza which lies between the State Museum and the Commonwealth Keystone Building.
Perhaps, for a group of people who have lived in silence and are crying to be heard, the first thing we can do as Christians is to utter the words: ‘You exist.’ You exist in our churches and in our pews. You exist in our neighborhoods and in our homes. “You exist and I want to listen to you. Will you be my neighbor?’”

We could still use a few more volunteers to help staff Pine Street’s booth in shifts of one to two hours. Please contact Sue Wilson by e-mail at [email protected] to let her know your availability.

Two Weeks Left to Nominate Candidates
for Pastoral Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee has started forming a PNC (Pastoral Nominating Committee). They are asking congregation members to submit names of members willing to be on the PNC. You can nominate yourself or someone you feel would be a good fit, but please ask them first if they would be willing to serve. Nominating forms can be found at the welcome desk and inside the worship bulletin. Once filled out, please place them in the wooden box at the welcome desk. Nominations can also be called into the church office at (717) 238-9304. Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, August 7th.

Over the next few weeks, you will hear more about the work the PNC will need to do to find our next called pastor.

Pine Street Walkers will restart a monthly hiking schedule beginning on September 18

Summer Bible School will run from August 5th through the 7th. Please plan to attend morning worship on August 7 to support the children as they participate in worship.

Last Week of July Barrel Initiative for the Joshua Learning Center
If you have not been able to drop off your back-to-school donations, please plan to do so this Sunday.

The Joshua Learning Center, part of the Joshua Group, provides educational opportunities for the at-risk youth of Allison Hill in Harrisburg. To provide free services, they need book bags, primarily for the elementary students, and school supplies. Please use the following list to help us collect items needed for this important ministry.

Scissors for K-8 Three-ringed binders
Pencils Folders
Pens Crayons
Glue sticks Notebooks
Elmer’s glue Colored pencils
Lined notebook paper Colored markers

If you prefer to make a monetary contribution, please make your check payable to The Joshua Group. These checks may be given to or mailed to Becky Cotich. Pine Street will be recognized for all donations.

Current COVID Procedure
Pine Street Presbyterian Church will follow CDC guidelines to ease masking requirements and allow in-person gatherings, including food. While Dauphin and Cumberland Counties are in the low or medium community levels (according to the CDC’s “COVID-19 by County” page found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html). Masks will be optional for all Pine Street events, including worship. Session and staff will monitor the community levels and change health and safety guidelines if the local counties are high. Worshipers are welcome to wear masks if that helps them feel comfortable in worship.

Dates for your Calendar
Saturday, July 30 — 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Central PA Pride Festival — First Responders Plaza, State Capitol Grounds
Sunday, July 31 —Eighth Sunday after Pentecost — 8:45 am Adult Sunday Morning Forum Christianity and War | 10:00 am Worship — Heather Sigler Preaching
Friday, August 5 through Sunday, August 7 — Summer Bible School
Sunday, August 7 — Ninth Sunday after Pentecost — 10:00 am Worship — Heather Sigler Preaching, Bible School Attendees Participating
Saturday, August 13 — 10:00 am Shawl Ministry will meet at Alicelyn Sleber’s home (717-653-7990). All are welcome