Saturday, January 13th from 10AM-2PM

Trinity Presbyterian Church’s Mission Committee is hosting two Community Service Projects in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and achievements; A Food Drive benefiting our Caring Cupboard and a Book Drive benefiting Book Smiles.

Trinity’s Caring Cupboard provides a week’s worth of groceries once a month to approximately 35 families who live in the T/E community. Trinity does receive some food items through the Chester County Food Bank. However, many items are provided by Trinity through donations. We currently need the following: jelly, mayonnaise, crackers, coffee, tea, salad/cooking oil, toothpaste, bath soap, laundry detergent and toilet paper. We accept all canned goods that have not expired as well as monetary donations. We hope you will consider donating to help those who experience food insecurity in our own backyard.

Book Smiles is a non-profit organization based in Pennsauken, New Jersey. We are looking for new or gently used books for students in grades K-12. They are in search of: Children's picture books, Young adult novels, and Graphic novels. Unfortunately we are not accepting textbooks or encyclopedias. For more information, please visit their website: booksmiles.org

Please tell your neighbors and friends about these service projects and thanks in advance for participating!

Trinity Presbyterian Church is located 1 block south of Route 30 (Lancaster Pike) in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The GPS address for the main church parking lot is 51 Waterloo Ave, Berwyn PA, 19312.

trinityberwyn.com

Sunday, January 14 & Monday, January 15 • Spellman Hall

Westminster Presbyterian Church

10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester, PA 19382

westminsterpc.org

In the aftermath of the deeply unsettling events surrounding the murder of George Floyd, an apolitical and diverse group of Chester County residents, the Racial and Cultural Equity (R.A.C.E.) group, convened to talk about whether this could happen in our community. R.A.C.E. Group PA stands as a beacon of hope in Chester County. Their mission is: to foster mutual respect, understanding, and dialogue, addressing the systemic challenges of racism and championing inclusivity.

A salient point of discussion emerged on the portrayal of black and brown men in the media – a portrayal marred by negative stereotypes and misconceptions. Amidst these discussions, Christine Martey Ochola envisioned a project that would champion the cause of positive representation. Recognizing the potential of this vision, photographer- Sandrien de Bruijn-Mesman joined forces to breathe life into what would soon be known as “The 20 Men Project”.

The meticulous process of photographing and interviewing the men spanned nearly nine months. As of April 2023, a total of 30 men have been featured, their stories echoing the rich tapestry of experiences within Chester County. With the launch of the “20 Men” initiative, R.A.C.E. group PA invites the community to immerse themselves in the stories of remarkable black and brown males who, despite their contributions, have remained in the shadows.

The portraits, grandiose in size at 30”x40”, are powerful visuals that serve as poignant narratives, challenging preconceived notions and fostering deeper community connections. The “20 Men Project” seeks to reintroduce black men and boys as pillars of the community, dispelling myths and fostering understanding. The power of imagery in shaping societal perceptions cannot be understated. The 20 Men Project aims reshape narratives and champion a more inclusive society.

The display is open to the community to view as follows:

Sunday, 1/14, 9:00 am – 2:00pm

From 10:45 am – Noon, Sandrien de Bruijn-Mesman, will speak in Spellman Hall about the vision, the history and the impact of this initiative.

 Monday, 1/15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), 9:00 am – Noon

For more information contact Rev. Jennifer Byler Clark [email protected]

The Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation will hold a traditional Burns Night Supper in memory of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns. 

The event will take place:

Saturday, February 3

5:30 PM

at the Historic Beale Manor

200 South Church Street, Parkesburg

The Foundation is a charitable and educational non-profit organization established in part to restore and maintain the Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church and its attached schoolroom museum.

The evening will begin promptly at 5:30 as guests are piped in by Thompson McConnell, followed by a social time with music by fiddler, Tom Knapp. A traditional haggis ceremony, led by Donald Henderson, Jr. will follow. A supper buffet of haggis, angus beef, potato & leek soup, neeps and tatties, trifle and shortbread will be served. After supper guests will be invited to honor the life of Rabbie Burns with speeches and readings. Scottish and Irish music ex-officio, Charlie Zahm, will present “A Tribute to Robert Burns”. Guests will be invited to gather around the piano to sing Burns songs to conclude the evening.

The fee for this fundraising event includes food, drink and entertainment.   

For more information:

 www.bealemanor.com

(https://www.bealemanor.com)

Or call 610-593-6989

On these long, cold, dark nights, put on your cozy slippers, wrap up in a warm blanket, light a candle, and join us for the Winter Book Circle—all from the comfort of home!

Framed around the ancient nighttime prayer of Compline, Prayer in the Night explores themes of human vulnerability, suffering, and God’s seeming absence. When she navigated a time of doubt and loss, the prayer was grounding for Tish Harrison Warren, author of Liturgy of the Ordinary. Tish writes, “It was this practice that gave me words for my anxiety and grief and allowed me to reencounter doctrines of the church—the church’s claims about reality—not as rational, tidy little antidotes for pain but as a light in the darkness, as good news.” Where do we find comfort when we lie awake worrying or weeping in the night? This book offers a prayerful and frank approach to the difficulty in our ordinary lives at work, at home, and in a world filled with uncertainty.

Zoom Link

Discussion Schedule

Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Our partners in El Salvador (the Calvinist Reformed Church of El Salvador) are hosting a conference in March, in partnership with PCUSA mission co-worker Joseph Russ. The purpose is to launch the "Mission and Migration Network" which was initiated through General Assembly a few years ago. Highland is planning to send a representative, and they will welcome folks from many other PCUSA churches as well. 



The details of the conference are here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLW7TyUnHd-rLUzdsvkptEkB8symsmmCmTtUOV_w4RUeTbVw/viewform?usp=send_form

More Information & Reservation HERE