Quarterly Newsletter from PHLC

Summer 2026 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

May 17

Lunch & Laughter

12:30 pm at North Park Lounge - details

May 20

Recognition Work of North Hills Community Outreach

6:30-8:00 pm at Phipps Conservatory - details

May 24

Game Day

following the service - details

May 27

Meditation Group

7 pm - details

May 30

Film Club viewing of Romero

7 pm - details

May 31

Congregational Meeting

after the service - details

June 5

Pub Theology

Time & Location TBA - details

June 6

PHL PreK Summer Kick-Off Festival

11:30 am - 2:30 pm - details

Fridays

Prayer Vigil at ICE Field Office

8:30 am - details

Our Four Pillars

Faith ~ Family ~ Inclusion ~ Community

We Make a Place for Everyone

Read our Affirmation of Welcome

A Message from Pastor Ryan

Siblings in Christ,

When I was growing up, my elementary school devised a creative way to nurture the love of reading in us young ones (although they may have nurtured this love a little too much in my case!) with a program called “Can I Catch You Reading?” Children were encouraged to read at home during such and such an hour, and a volunteer parent would call the home (on a landline, of course) and ask the expectant child “did I catch you reading?” If yes, praise and a special prize were to be had at school the next day. If no, unfathomable shame--but there was no way we were going to have to say “no”- we would be reading!

An idea arises from this memory--what if we were as excited as those children to be caught doing something new and, while challenging, truly life-giving? Learning to read is a fundamental skill of navigating our world, and it has only been around 50 years since most of the world’s population has learned to read. But the ability to read deeply is evaporating in our media saturated world. Deep reading is different from scanning texts for specific information;

it’s a process of surrendering to a different mode of being: vocabulary, time, reality are mutable when we allow ourselves to dwell in the unfamiliar world of another mind. The process of deep reading is, in my mind, similar to how God’s Spirit is always inherently and indisputably seeking to shake us awake from our conventional sense of independence and autonomy.

The Spirit does this in myriad ways, but the primary mechanism is relationships: friends, family, partners or spouses, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers. We nurture relationships by means of stories, which are the fuel, the food, that make them run. When we connect with someone else, we momentarily become a part of their story, and they a part of ours, even if for merely a brief encounter. When we connect with someone in a deep way--sharing the formational moments of our fundamental stories--we can see ourselves and one another in a new way. To see in a new way is the meaning of metanoia, or repentance--the essence of discipleship.

The Spirit also changes us by reconnecting us to ourselves. She inspires us through the unmatched beauty of the natural world, which can provide an antidote to places where our relationships are unbalanced. Nature cleans our minds and tunes them to the sounds of birdsong and running water. It gives space for humans to harmonize. It gives us a fresh page to remember or rediscover our deepest values and reorient ourselves to them.

So, my question for you this summer is: can I catch you reading stories of God’s power and mercy? Can I catch you conversing with God and your deepest self in prayer? Can I catch you befriending someone new or nurturing an old connection? Can I catch you communing with the Spirit of nature-- shedding the old skin and being renewed? In summary, can I catch you discipling--following the unknown path on which Jesus Christ is leading you? The reward of being caught on this path is nothing less than God’s Kin(g)dom, given for you.

In Christ’s Peace,

Pastor Ryan

A Message from Council President Fred Geiger

Dear PHLC Family,

Four months in, I want to give you a straightforward update on where things stand — and to say thank you for what this congregation continues to give of itself.

The Gifts We've Received

Before anything else, I want to name what I've seen. This congregation gives in ways that don't always make it into a report. Members have donated their time, their skills, and their own money to cover costs that would otherwise fall to the budget — cleaning out and restoring our kitchen, replacing the church sign, making repairs and improvements to the roof, and paying for repairs and maintenance of the boilers. These are not small things. They are the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that keep this building and this ministry alive, and they deserve to be named and celebrated. That spirit — showing up, rolling up your sleeves, writing a check when something needs to get done — is what makes PHLC different. Thank you.

What's Underway

Governing Documents. PHLC's Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions are being updated for the first time in fifteen years to reflect who we are today and align with the current ELCA Model Constitution. The package goes to Council this spring and to the congregation for vote in September.

Leadership. Mike Coxon joined the Council as Treasurer this year. His partnership has already made a difference in how we understand and manage our finances, and we're grateful he stepped up.

Executive Committee. The EC — Our Pastor, President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary — now meets regularly as a standing body and has formally taken on the Mutual Ministry function our governing documents have always called for.

Parking Lot and Service Road. After a competitive bid process, Smullin Asphalt & Concrete was selected as our preferred contractor. NexTier Bank has agreed to share the service road cost. On May 31, you will vote on two options for the upper lot. Hans Ward will walk you through both at the congregational meeting.

What's Ahead

May 31 — Please come to the congregational meeting. Your vote on the parking lot matters. We are working on a safe church initiative to make sure we are as safe as possible in these contentious times. We will be restarting the pay-a-bill program to meet some upcoming needs in 2027, including the sanctuary roof replacement.

Summer — Draft governing documents will be available for review before the September vote.

Bonhoeffer's question — Who is Christ for you today? — is still with me. I see the answer in the faithfulness of this congregation every week. It is a privilege to serve you.

With gratitude,

Fred Geiger, Council President, Perry Highway Lutheran Church

A Note from Ted Griffin, Director of Family Ministries

Hi PHLC Family,

I can't believe it but summer is almost here, and as another ministry year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what an incredible year it has been for our children, students, and families here at PHLC.

This Sunday will be our final Sunday School gathering before summer break, and we are excited to celebrate a wonderful year together. It has been such a joy to watch our kids grow in faith, build friendships, and learn more about God’s love week after week. God has been doing amazing things in the lives of our children.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our Sunday School volunteers: Wendy Rychel, Gayle Borsani, Mike Borsani, Katherine Hornbostel, Sally Sherman, and Jordan Reeher. Your dedication, patience, and love make such a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for the way you invest in our families each week.

Our 412Youth students have also had an amazing year filled with service, fellowship, and faith growth. To celebrate the end of the school year, we’ll be gathering for our 412Youth End of the Year Bonfire on Sunday, May 17. It will be a fun evening to relax, celebrate, and enjoy time together before summer schedules begin.

Even though summer brings a different rhythm, ministry at PHLC doesn’t slow down. We are excited for several upcoming youth opportunities this summer for students in grades 6–12:

June 14–19 – Lutherlyn Confirmation Camp

Please let Ted or Pastor Ryan know if you are interested in attending.

July 5–9 – Youth Mission Trip with Hosanna Industries in Johnstown, PA

Students in grades 6–12 are invited to participate. Please let Ted or Pastor Ryan know if you are interested.

Our PreK ministry is also wrapping up another wonderful school year. From classroom celebrations to graduation festivities, it has been such a blessing to walk alongside these students and families throughout the year. Watching these little ones learn and grow has been a beautiful reminder of the importance of nurturing faith from the very beginning.

One verse that always feels fitting this time of year is Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” My prayer is that this summer will be filled with joy, rest, meaningful moments together, and opportunities to see God at work in your everyday lives.

Thank you for being such an important part of the PHLC family. We are so grateful for each of you and look forward to all that God has in store this summer.

Ted

PERRY HIGHWAY LUTHERAN CHURCH | PHLC.ORG