Sunday, May 19, 2013
Keys is the new pastor at Swissvale Presbyterian Church.
I’m the Reverend Wendy Keys. My friends call me Wendy. I am the Temporary Supply Pastor at the Swissvale Presbyterian Church. Temporary Supply in the Presbyterian Church simply applies to all pastors who were not called but hired by the session (the governing body of a local Presbyterian church). I officially began my term here at Swissvale Presbyterian Church on February 1, 2013. However, I am not a stranger to this congregation. Three years ago while Rev. Jay Hollinsworth, the previous pastor, was on vacation and study leave, I filled the pulpit for him. I felt an immediate connection with the congregation and the church. When Jay retired in June, the folks at Swissvale Presbyterian Church called me to again fill the pulpit. I have …
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The Rev. Susan Schwartz reflects on the history of the Swissvale church.
By the Rev. Susan Schwartz Since one of the churches that I currently serve is winding down its days, I recently took a look at things old. I looked at old scrap books and faded records, guest books and pictures of the strong healthy church it once was. Organizations, and institutions and churches are like individuals; they have a life cycle with a beginning, a middle, and an end. St. John Lutheran Church is coming to its end. The roots of St. John Lutheran Church go back to the mid-1800’s. In 1867 the tract of land at the corner of Church and Monongahela Streets, which belonged to Mr. James Swisshelm, was granted to “The Swissvale Evangelical Lutheran Church and Academy.” The congregation built a frame structure on the site. They were …
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The Rev. Ron Breight shared a column with Patch.
Many years have passed since the great singer and performer, Elvis Presley, died on August 16, 1977. The loss of Elvis was so profound for many that they often claimed to see him back from the dead. This phenomenon rose to the point where Elvis sightings have become an urban legend. In reality, Elvis is gone. His autopsy is on file. It is planned to be released to the public in 2027 (fifty years after his death), which will give proof of his demise. An opposite phenomenon occurred after Jesus’ death. There were many proofs that He indeed was alive again. The Gospels record some of the “sightings” for us. Jesus appeared to the men who were travelling to Emmaus. Jesus visited Thomas and the other disciples who were gathered together in a …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Bob Glidden, a Park Place neighborhood resident, shares a column with Patch.
- OPINION
-
Tuesday, April 30
Submitted by Bob Glidden, Park Place neighborhood resident Over 100 years ago, nine lots were transferred to Wilkinsburg School District at the corner of Green Street and Mifflin Avenue. It might have been intended for a local school or some other public purpose, but over the years became a funny little patch of grass, concrete and asphalt. A vacant lot in 1905 had been put to use after park features were built, but the meaning of "vacant" was about to change for some. Twenty five years ago, the Borough of Wilkinsburg created its “Moving Toward the Future” community-wide plan, but never saw it to full implementation. The future had already been well underway by that time, in this area and throughout the world. The economic policies of …
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Column by the Rev. Ben Black.
By the Rev. Ben Black Tragic. Horrific. Senseless. These are a few of the words that describe the events that occurred in Boston. We rack our brains to come up with explanations to answer the questions as to why something so profane as the senseless violence would ever take place. What happened in Boston was evil, pure and simple. It is hard to fathom what would possess someone destroy lives and drive a serene city into chaos. It is in times like these where we come face to face with the truth that this world is broken. We are forced from the comfort of our recliners to see the carnage of violence that enshrouds so much of the world today. Evil exists and the realities of Boston was another rude awakening that the brash actions of …
Monday, April 22, 2013
Last week's events at the Boston Marathon shook the running community, but after tragedy, comes strength.
The past week has been one of tragedy and triumph for the running community. Two brothers are accused of planting two bombs near the Boston Maraton finish line. The explosions killed three people—a police officer also was killed by the alleged bombers a few days later—and injured hundreds of runners/spectators. Despite being a running newbie—I've only seriously considered myself a runner for a year—the bombings at the Boston Marathon hurt me to the core. The Boston Marathon is no doubt one of the biggest running events in this country. Days before the marathon, I was daydreaming in bed about how one day I would make it there. Fast forward a few days, and there it was. Chaos. As I watched the news coverage immediately following reports of …
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Some people favor efforts by local DUI task forces to combat intoxicated drivers, but others worry that it's more a "police state" tactic.
Throughout Pennsylvania—and locally—drinking and driving is one of the top safety issues for police. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Crash Facts and Statistics booklet, there were 11,805 alcohol-related crashes in the state in 2011, down from 12,426 alcohol-related crashes in 2010. Alcohol-related deaths decreased from 459 to 428 in that same period. In 2011, alcohol-related deaths were 33 percent of the total traffic deaths in Pennsylvania, a nearly steady rate over the last several years. Throughout the state, local police widely use sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to help take intoxicated drivers off the road. The efforts also serve to prevent and deter drinking and driving. The East Hills DUI …
A column by the Rev. Dai Morgan.
By the Rev. Dai Morgan This past week the national media was focused on news coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing and the ensuing manhunt for the two young men suspected of carrying out this crime. Tamerlan Tzarnaev (age 26) and his brother Dzhokhar (age 19) were soon identified as suspects. Pursuit of the brothers lasted four days. Tamerlan was killed in a gun battle with police and the wounded Dzhokhar was apprehended later. It began on Monday, April 15, when two homemade bombs were detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three individuals were killed outright, including an 8-year-old boy, and 176 people were wounded, many severely. MIT police officer Sean Collier is also believed to have been shot to death by the …
Sunday, April 14, 2013
A column by the Rev. Dai Morgan.
By the Rev. Dai Morgan The 2013 Major League Baseball season is now in its second full week. The Pirates are off to a losing start. But, not to worry, as of this writing their record is better than it was last year at this time. And remember, last year at the All Star break the Pirates were in first place (we’ll just forget the last ten weeks of the season). So, who knows, maybe this will be a happy year at the ballpark? I’ll be there—many times, this season. In fact, on the day that this blog is released, I intend to be at PNC Park, watching the game. At PNC Park, you’ll notice that along the edge of the balcony-level, that arches around the grandstands, are displayed the names and jersey numbers of star players who have had their numbers…
Sunday, April 7, 2013
A concern about noisy nighttime trash collections in a North Hills community raises a bigger question of whether trash collection, lawn mowing, construction and other noisy activities in Pittsburgh's suburbs should have time limits.
Complaints from residents in a North Hills community have brought to light a problem that many municipalities have faced over time—when to restrict noise-making activities. Noise at night has been the topic of conversation at many board of commissioners and council meetings throughout the Pittsburgh area over the years. Ross Township commissioners are amending an ordinance to restrict the collection of garbage from commercial and/or non-residential areas from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Currently, trash collection is not allowed in Ross between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. under an ordinance enacted in 1993. The township's decision was made after residents complained about noisy, night garbage collections near three North Hills School District buildings. …
Michele Stanton
4:58 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
St John's is on the corner of McClure and Monroe Sts. more ›