Ministries

At McKeesport Presbyterian, we seek to follow Christ through the working out of our mission statement. By coming in to a relationship with Christ and the fellowship of God’s family and growing up in Christ, we hope to go out in Spirit-empowered, servant-hearted ministry to our community and in the world.

Interested in getting involved in any of our ministries? Let us know. 

Kids & Youth • Adults • Serving McKeesport • Global Missions

Kids & Youth

Sunday School 

Sunday school is currently suspended with hope of returning in the near future.

Nursery Care 

Nursery Care is provided from 10:45 – 12:15 am during the school year. In the summer nursery care begins at 9:45 am.

vacation bible school in the park!!

We are very excited to co-host Vacation Bible School with Sampson’s Mills Presbyterian Church again this year from 9:00 am to Noon from July 31 to August 4, 2023! We have reserved both Tulip Tree and Blue Spruce Pavilions as well as the beautiful green space that connects them at White Oak Park. This program is for everyone, not just for kids. There will be Bible stories, crafts, games, music, and snacks. Registration is now open. Register at https://vbspark.org/sign-up-form/ Hope to study God’s creation with you! Transportation will be provided from different locations.

Head Start

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit Head Start Program is a free government run program that promotes a greater degree of school readiness skills and social competence in preschool children. Two Head Start classes meet during the school year on the 2nd and 3rd floors of our building. For more information on the program and enrolling your child, contact Jeanette from the Intermediate Unit at 412-394-4594.

SUMMER CAMP

Our church has sent children to Promise Camp, a Christian summer camp in Clinton PA run by the Family Guidance organization, in past years. This camp is particularly geared for inner city children and youth and costs are kept very low. If you would like information about the camp, you can check out the website at www.familyguidance.net, or call the church office.

Adults

Men’s Association

The Men’s Association is open to any man associated with our church. It meets several times during the year, usually at the McKeesport Eat’n Park restaurant for dinner. The Men’s Association comes together to cook and serve food for various church events, sponsors an annual flea market on the third Saturday of September, and awards one-time scholarships each year to a limited number of deserving applicants.

Serving Mckeesport

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous has open meetings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon in the chapel area just off our sanctuary. We are pleased to host this group which does such wonderful work to help men and women break free of addiction to drugs and alcohol and find the wholeness they were created for.

Food Distribution

Monthly food distribution with Dream Center Pittsburgh occurs on the 4th Thursday of each month at 10:30 am in the church parking lot. Occasionally the date changes so please contact the church office at 412.678.2000 for verification. Volunteers are always needed and are welcome to assist with set up and distribution. The church office has additional information available on local organizations where help can be found for those needing assistance from a food pantry or a meal. 

The Intersection

Our church supports this local ministry run by the Sisters of Mercy through our mission dollars. The Intersection serves individuals and families in McKeesport and the surrounding areas who are economically disadvantaged and face a variety of needs. The Intersection depends on the support of volunteers, religious or church groups of various denominations, civic organizations, local businesses, and private individuals. In-kind donations from individuals or groups include food, supplies, hygiene items, clothing, bedding, small household items, and volunteer services. To find out about the services provided by the Intersection and how to support their work, please visit www.intersection-mckeesport.org.

CENTER FOR VICTIMS

Center For Victims is a nonprofit shelter assisting women and children in crisis. They offer programs for child development, individual case management, and community referral assistance for residents overcoming homelessness and/or relocation. We support this organization through gifts in kind collected by our deacons. For information about Center For Victims, call 412-765-2661.

The Library District Neighborhood Group

Our church often hosts the meetings, and has members who participate in, this group dedicated to growing the quality of life in our neighborhood. This group has spearheaded efforts to beautify our neighborhood by picking up litter, planting trees, as well as creating and maintaining a beautiful garden at a gateway into our neighborhood. This group also has provided leadership in building and restoring homes in our neighborhood and sponsors a neighborhood block party each summer. These are only some of the projects the Library District Neighborhood Group has taken on and has a vision to undertake. They are always anxious to have new people join them in their efforts. Call our church office at 412-678-2000 if you would like to speak to someone about this group.

Other Groups and Ministries that our Church Supports Regularly

• Auberle - A faith based, non-profit ministry that serves children and youth and families in our area and all over Southwestern Pa. • www.auberle.org

• The Blessing Board – A faith-based, non-profit ministry based in Oakmont PA that has a thriving branch in McKeesport. They distribute gently used furniture and household goods to those in need as a response to what God has done in their staff and volunteers’ lives. • www.blessingboard.org

• Family Guidance – A Pittsburgh-based ministry serving area children, teenagers and their families primarily through mentoring programs and their summer camp program. • www.familyguidance.net

• Light of Life – A ministry for those who are homeless located in the Northside of Pittsburgh • www.lightoflife.org

• The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank – www.pittsburghfoodbank.org

• The McKeesport Salvation Army – www.wpa.salvationarmy.org

Global Missions

Malawi and South Sudan Partnerships

For over 25 years, we have been a part of the Pittsburgh Presbytery’s partnership with the Synod of Blantyre of the Church of Central Africa (CCAP) in Malawi, Africa. Almost every year our congregation exchanges visitors with our partner church, Nansambo Presbyterian Church from the Chingale Presbytery. Both churches have been greatly blessed by the mutual sharing that has been part of long-lasting partnership. In 2013, the Pittsburgh Presbytery’s international partnership was expanded to include the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church. The church to church partnerships that stand at the center of Pittsburgh Presbytery’s International partnerships have provided opportunities for congregations and individuals on different sides of the world to grow in their faith and live out what Romans 1:12 says, “…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” For more information on these partnerships, visit Pittsburgh Presbytery’s International Partnership website.

Our Missionaries 

Our congregation currently supports the Reverends Shelvis and Nancy Smith- Mather, PC(USA) mission co-workers, who are deeply involved in the ministries of trauma-healing and peacemaking with the people of South Sudan. We feel tremendously privileged to help enable the ministry of Shelvis and Nancy as they reach out with their 3 children to the people of South Sudan who show great faith and perseverance despite all of the loss and trauma they have endured as a result of living through decades of warfare. To find out more about the Smith-Mathers and their ministry, please visit this link.

Denominational Special Mission Offerings

Our congregation participates in all four of the PC(USA)’s special mission offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peace and Global Witness, and the Christmas Joy offering. For more information about these offerings visit specialofferings.pcusa.org.