Deacons
The Deacons’ mission is to “teach charity, encourage compassion, and direct the people’s help to everyone within and beyond the community of faith”. We invite you to join our mission work and to share your ideas about how we can better “extend the heart and hands of Jesus Christ to the world.”
Who we are
The Deacons are charged with leading the congregation in prayerful, physical, and financial support of Christ’s mission around the world. Each month the Board of Deacons considers carefully the needs that have become known and the resources that are available, and the end result is that CHUP has a web of relationships with a wide variety of mission agencies and personnel both here in Pittsburgh and around the world. In addition to budgeted funds, the Deacons receive special offerings and often coordinate appeals for specific needs.
We have a team of nine Deacons, three elected each year for three-year terms, and one representative of the Elders.
- 2025: Sharon Carver (secretary), Clayton Maclellan, Mary Stacy
- 2026: Arlene Donovan (co-treasurer), Jessica Simcox, Nicole Zeller (chair)
- 2027: Terri Dorman, Eva Neszpaul, Janet Sbraccia (treasurer)
- Elder Representative: Barb Prevost
What we do
Congregational Care
The Deacons send birthday cards, Easter cards, and Christmas cards to church members and friends. We reach out to church community members who need special care with cards, visits, small gifts, etc., depending on the need. We also acknowledge significant events in the church community, such as births, baptisms, graduations, deaths, etc.
Missions
The Deacons support local mission in many creative ways as opportunities arise. Recently, we have coordinated donations of English and Spanish Bibles for the Foundation of Hope at the Allegheny County Jail, participated in Amen to Action’s meal kit preparation at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and collected Birthday Party Kits for Save a Life Pittsburgh. When groups from the church go on mission trips outside Pittsburgh, the Deacons prepare treat bags and cards to encourage them.
Partnerships in Mission
The Deacons collaborate with the Pittsburgh Presbytery’s International Partnership Team. CHUP has a partner congregation, Mbenjere Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi’s Blantyre Synod. We support church community members interested in joining delegations to Malawi and coordinate hosting of Malawian missionaries coming to Pittsburgh. Our partnership has expanded to include the South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church, though the current situation in South Sudan significantly limits mission travel opportunities.
The Deacons also encourage participation in the Presbyterian Church USA’s special offerings. We recently supported the Christmas Joy Offering and the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering at Easter. Our next opportunity is the Peace & Global Witness Offering in September 2025.
How You Can Participate
- Everyone is welcome to use cards from the rack in the back of the sanctuary to encourage members and friends in the church community. You can even address the card and leave it in the black “mailbox” so that the church secretary can mail it for you.
- CHUP supports a community food distribution at the church on the second Friday of each month. Volunteers are needed starting at 7:30am to unload the truck, any time after that to organize the food for distribution, and then at 10:30am to help distribute the food. The food distribution is coordinated by Save a Life Today Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
- The Deacons collect Birthday Kits for distribution with the other food at the monthly distribution. Interested participants can get a foil cake pan with clear lid at the back of the sanctuary and then return it with a cake mix, can of icing, candles, and any other birthday celebration items you wish to donate.
Watch the weekly bulletin for other opportunities to participate in the Deacons’ care and mission as they arise. If you have ideas, please feel free to contact one of the Deacons listed above.
THE LAZARUS FUND
A ministry of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, the Lazarus Fund offers grants to local people to help with utility or rent payments. The maximum grant is $400, all of which comes from contributions. Lazarus applicants are our friends and neighbors. Applications are processed right here at CHUP. Contact the church office at 412-921-6153 to get an application and schedule an interview.