It's BA-AACK! And better than ever! Once again, H.U.G.S. — the volunteer and community outreach arm of the Woodland Hills Foundation — is proud to announce the RETURN of Trunk or Treat! On Saturday, October 14th at Woodland Hills High School, Woodland Hills teachers, staff, parents, community groups, businesses and more will come together to create lasting fun and memories for our students!
 
Groups will come together in our school’s parking lot, deck out their trunks with Halloween decorations in the theme of their choice, dress up in their most Spooktacular costumes, and hand out treats to our students as they travel from car to car, collecting candy at each stop.
 
During our last Trunk or Treat in 2022, over 80 groups signed up to serve as “Trunk Hosts”, making ours one of the biggest, safest, most fun Trunk or Treats in our region. In fact, over 2,000 children and their guardians were in attendance and we’re anticipating even more in 2023.
 
FPCE will participate this year by hosting a Mr. Rogers-themed car, and we need CANDY DONATIONS! There is a box at the side entrance to the church for you to drop off bags of candy. We're expected to have enough to distribute to over 800 kids, so the next time you're out at the store, grab an extra bag or 2 of candy to help us fill our trunk!  No homemade treats are being accepted.

The Pittsburgh East CROP Hunger Walk raises funds to end hunger around the block and around the world, one step at a time! 25% of all funds raised goes back to the local hunger work of Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (https://wcm15221.org ) and 75% goes to the global humanitarian development work of Church World Service (a four-star rated charity from Charity Navigator with 75 years of experience: https://cwsglobal.org)
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Registration begins at 1pm
Walk begins at 2pm

Walk courses:
5 mile
1.5 mile

​FPCE has participated in this event for more than 20 years.  Rhonda Apessos, Judy and Mariah Mysels represent FPCE in the walk each year.  To make a donation to the team, click the button below.

Walking in the way of St. Francis, a visionary lover of all creation, Pastor Jason will hold a service of the Blessing the Animals who come his way. He will be on the side lawn (weather permitting) from 6:00-7:00PM on Wednesday, October 4, which is the traditional feast day observed for St. Francis of Assisi. All creatures great and small – and their guardians – are welcome.
                          
The service will open with a brief liturgy and prayer, then each pet will be blessed individually. Hot dogs will be served to the humans and treats will be given to the pets. Please invite your friends, families, and neighbors to this blessing ceremony.

This was shown in the Gathering Place during the reception after worship on September 10, 2023, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the merger between First Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg and Edgewood Presbyterian Church to become the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood on September 11, 1983.

The world is changing. The climate is changing. We are changing. 

Those of us in the East End and East Suburbs of Pittsburgh know well the effects of climate change as checking the air quality along with the weather has become routine. Our neighbors in the Mon Valley suffer from higher concentrations of asthma, cancer, and other health conditions caused by air pollution. 

Prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out, with, and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. 

In 1989, September 1st was proclaimed as a Day of Prayer for Creation for the Eastern Orthodox Church by Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I. From there, it was embraced by other major Christian European churches in 2001, and by Pope Francis for the Roman Catholic Church in 2015. Now, many churches celebrate the “Season of Creation” (or Creation Time) between Sept. 1 and Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis. 

This new addition to our church calendar unites the Christian family worldwide in celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As people who seek to follow Christ, we share a common call to care for Creation and each other. 

“Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.” 
– Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Committee 

This year, we will dip our toes into the river and start celebrating Creation Time as a faith community in a few ways. At Sunday Worship, will draw upon various elements from Creation, drawing us closer to God, God’s Creation, and God’s call upon our lives to be faithful stewards of Creation. 

Our next Community Dinner is on Sept. 6th on the Side Lawn. 

We will gather for two Spiritual Hikes (6:30 PM on Thursday, September 14th and 10 AM on Saturday, September 30th. On these, we will participate in earth-based spiritual practices and meditations. Kid-friendly! Both will be at the Frick Park Environmental Center. 

We will end the Season of Creation with the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 4 at 6 PM. We invite all those in our community who have a pet to join us on the side lawn for prayer. We’ve dubbed this event “Dogs and Dogs,” as we will have hot dogs for folks to munch on! 

As we step outdoors, remember that we are not distinct from God’s Creation. We are God’s Creation. In creation time, we return to where we belong and remember God’s mandate to steward the earth together. 

In Peace, 
Pastor Jason

Join us at our next free community cookout on Wednesday, September 6 from 6:00-8:00PM on the church side lawn.  This month's menu returns to our standard burgers and dogs along with side dishes and desserts provided by congregation members.  Come sit at table with your neighbors and be in community with one another!​

Please join us on September 10, 2023 as FPCE celebrates the 40 year anniversary of the merger of Edgewood Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg. This is also Rally Day where we traditionally launch our fall programs, return to the Sanctuary and the full choir returns. Please join us for this special worship service at 11:00AM. A potluck luncheon will immediately follow worship, including fried chicken and a smorgasbord of desserts plus whatever you bring.