The fall retreats at Laurelville and Jumonville are coming up. The cost of these retreats will average about $130 per student. Unfortunately, some parents just cannot afford to send their children. The congregation’s Youth Ministry never wants to turn a kid away from a life changing experience. If you want to invest in the future and are able to scholarship or partially scholarship a student  this year please contact Debbie Tobias at (412) 655-2000 ext 131.

A weekly time of worship designed for young adults but open to all will be offered Tuesdays this summer beginning in June. Come for a time of meditation and worship. If interested please contact Tim Comer (tim@pleasanthillschurch.com), or Jonathan Wagner (jwagner@pts.edu). Times and dates to be announced.

Wayne Wicks describes the mission trip, what they did, where they stayed, and the tremendous need for volunteers. After reading this article, you might be interested in going on one of the upcoming mission trips!

It is hard to believe that it has been more than a month since the Diamondhead Mission Team has returned. The team had a wonderful, fulfilling trip. It will be 3 years on August 29^th that Hurricane Katrina hit land at Pass Christian, Waveland and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The coastal area was hit with a 40 foot high, 80 mph tidal wave. It destroyed everything in its path for 1 mile inland all along the coastal area. All this along with 175 mph winds that spawned tornados which touched ground all along the way.

Imagine losing your home, all of its contents, your possessions, memorabilia, along with your livelihood. All this happens in just 8-9 hours! You would be depressed, stunned and disoriented all at the same time. How are you going to survive? Where are you going to stay? How will you rebuild your life and care for your families?

Since August 29, 2005 more than 500,000 volunteers of all ages and sizes have traveled to the Mississippi costal area to help rebuild homes and lives. The Presbytery of Mississippi Disaster Recovery slogan is “Out of Chaos, Hope”. Our 8 person team provided hope to 3 families in the Gulfport area from March 30-April 5 this year. We performed hinged and bi-fold door installations, installed baseboards and painted at the homes of Hylton & Katherine Spillman, Rosie Harper and Horace Latner. This was all new construction.

The Presbytery of Mississippi Disaster Recovery organization has received a grant to build 40 new homes this year! They have contracted with the Amish to prefabricate the homes and send them via tractor trailer. The homes and the Amish workers arrive in Mississippi where they erect the exterior of the new home. Then local electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors come and apply their trades. Next, a large number of volunteers are needed to install drywall, prepare and paint the interior, hang doors, install bathroom and kitchen components, flooring, decks, baseboards and what ever else it takes to complete the home for occupancy.

The local Presbytery has removed a lot of road blocks that may prevent people from taking a mission trip. For example, the Diamondhead camp can house up to 72 people in air-conditioned sleeping quarters. For communications we now have cell phones which work very well there and for those that can not be without their computer the camp has Wi-Fi! My how mission trips have come of age!

Our PHCPC has set in the works 3 trips a year to this area. The next trip will take place October 11^th through the 18^th. This is an easy trip to be a part of. First, it is in the U.S. Second, they speak English in Gulfport and that eliminates the language barrier. Third, you eat the same food in Gulfport that you eat in Pittsburgh. Fourth, you can fly or drive. There are many servant needs that you may be able to contribute to such as cooking for the team or performing administrative duties for the Presbytery of Mississippi Disaster Recovery in addition to constructions skills.

The Gulfport area is going to be rebuilding for the next 2 or 3 years. They desperately need our help!!

Please consider taking one of the future Gulfport mission trips. If you have questions or would like more information about becoming a team person, please contact the church office at 412-655-2000 and just say you want to talk to someone about mission. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible. We are waiting and looking forward to hearing from you!!!

Submitted joyfully

Wayne R. Wicks,

Diamondhead Mission Team Leader

“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly, I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:35,40)

By Paul Thwaite

The Session has approved PHCPC’s participation as a host congregation with the ministry of the Interfaith Hospitality Network’s Second Circle in Allegheny County. IHN has worked in Western Pennsylvania for years to offer housing and support for families who find themselves homeless and would otherwise be split up into shelters that do not allow families to enter. PHCPC will join Southminster Presbyterian, Hamilton Presbyterian, Bethel Presbyterian, Christ United Methodist, and Crafton Baptist churches as one of the host congregations in Allegheny County. Eventually, IHN hopes to have around 10 host congregations in Allegheny County. IHN’s ministry carefully screens and clears families in need of temporary shelter. Once a family is accepted into IHN, they are housed overnight at the different host congregations and spend their days at the Family Center next to Crafton Baptist Church. Host congregations provide an evening meal, overnight lodging, and transportation in IHN’s van to and from the family center. IHN provides social services and support at the Family Center to get families back into permanent housing as soon as possible. Together, IHN and its host congregations make a huge difference for families displaced by job loss, fire, eviction, foreclosure, or many other reasons.

PHCPC will be working with other congregations in the West Jefferson Hills Ministerium (a Ministerium is a gathering of local congregations and pastors) to provide meals, lodging, and transportation for one week every several months. Our first hosting week will be June 15-21^st. Guests will use the first floor of the Education building and Chapel Lounge as their temporary “home” from around 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day. Different groups, Bible studies, congregations, and individuals will sign up to provide an evening meal, an overnight “host” staying with the families, and drivers to drive the IHN van to and from Crafton. No more than 2-3 families will be guests at any one time. Host congregations serve on a rotating schedule.

If you are interested in being a part of this mission of compassion and hospitality where you don’t even have to leave your own community, please contact Pastor Paul Thwaite or Mission Elder Deac Dressing for more information. Prior to each hosting period, there will be the opportunity to sign up for meals, transportation, and overnight stays. Those not able to participate personally will be invited to contribute financially as each hosting week we pay for incidental expenses like snacks and groceries, gas for the van, and other small items.

Being an IHN host congregation allows us to live out the message of the Gospel and call of Jesus to ministry: “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly, I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:35,40) I am excited to see how this ministry will make a difference in our lives as well as those of our future guests through IHN!

Everyone is invited to the Strawberry Festival! The Festival will be after the second service in the Great Room parking lot. Don’t forget to get your tickets from the Deacons!

While the children are off having fun at Vacation Bible School learning to be Special Agents for God, the Adult Ministry Team will provide a variety of interesting classes for parents, grandparents, and anyone else who wishes to attend! Page 9 of the newsletter has a list of the classes, which vary from light and fun to those that touch deeper, practical topics. Page 10 has a schedule of times for the adult sessions.

Whatever your age, this year’s VBS will have something for you from June 22^nd to the 26^th!

Children 4 years old to 5^th grade are invited to join SonForce Kids–God’s courageous team of disciples standing side by side to serve Him. As SonForce special agents, they will follow in the words of Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The SonForce Kids Headquarters is located on a satellite orbiting high above the earth. In this hi-tech command center, SonForce agents gather to prepare for their five Daily Missions: Trust! Unite! Train! Follow! Lead! Throughout their agent training, they will have the opportunity to grow in their understanding of what it means to serve God with courage as they advance from Level 1 to Level 5 agents.

The family of Moses showed great courage. From this, Level 1 agents will learn to trust in God’s plans. Following Esther’s plans, Level 2 agents will be encouraged to unite with God’s people. Learning to make wise choices like Daniel made, Level 3 agents will learn to train for God’s service. Just as Jeremiah obeyed God even when it was difficult, Level 4 agents will learn to follow in God’s path. Level 5 agents will learn to lead others to God’s promises like Joshua and Caleb.

Get ready for an out of this world adventure. SonForce Kids-courageous kids on a mission for God. A coloring contest is going on now! The “Make Your Own Robot” contest deadline is Sunday June 15^th. Create it at home and bring in to church! The registration form is on page 8. Call the church for more information!