Upcoming Events
The Bible in Black & White – Bible Study
Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, & 24 | Noon | Fellowship Hall
We are glad to be offering another installment of the popular Bible study, The Bible in Black & White. This study is growing, and we’re thrilled to be partnering not only with our friends at Loudon Avenue Christian Church, but also with Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, and Hill Street Baptist Church! All church leaders will be actively involved in guiding the study sessions.
This April, the focus of our study together will be Walter Brueggemann’s book, Delivered into Covenant: Pivotal Moments in the Book of Exodus. This book is the companion of Delivered Out of Empire, which we studied in the fall. This growing study provides an opportunity where people of predominantly black and white neighborhoods and churches will join together for connection, study, and conversation.
Come join this diverse gathering as we discuss Scripture, listen to different experiences and understandings, and collectively grow in our faith together. No registration necessary. All are welcome!
Great Day of Service
Saturday, April 20| 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Our call as disciples is to serve the underserved, to love on people and creation, and to seek the well-being of all. On Saturday, April 20, we will go out into Roanoke to serve with local organizations for our second annual intergenerational mission day! Families, children, and members of all ages are invited to join the youth as we serve God in the city. Our youth council will be team leaders and the youth will be a shining example of love and service. The day will begin with donuts and a devotion at 9:00 a.m. before departing with our work groups at 9:30 a.m. We will serve until 12:00 p.m. and dismiss from the various agencies. Register online today!
Alexa House Service of Dedication
Sunday, May 12 | 5:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
A community-wide Service of Dedication for Alexa House will be held on Sunday, May 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church. As we remember and honor Dan Yardley, Alexa Cannon and Rita Mangus, our focus will be on the future use of the house in providing hope and hospitality to families dealing with housing insecurity.
A reception will be held following the service in the courtyard on 3rd Street, with refreshments provided by the Roanoke Co+op. Alexa House has been decorated beautifully and will be open for viewing both the hour before and after the worship service.
“Partners in Prosperity” Build
January-May 2024 | Habitat for Humanity
It is with great excitement that we share the news of our Habitat for Humanity Build of 2024! Together with St. John’s Episcopal Church, we have sponsored a new Habitat home for the Mussa Family. This partner-build is called, “Partners in Prosperity.” The home will be built on the 600 Block of McDowell Ave in Northwest.
The build began the second week of January and will come to completion the second week of May. Second Presbyterian and St. John’s have both committed to 30 build days each, and Second will be on site the 1st/3rd Saturdays and the 2nd/4th Thursdays from January until May.
The Service and Outreach committee thought that with our giving level and our deep desire to grow in relationship with those we serve in our community, a partner build is exactly where God is calling us. There will be many different ways for you to be involved, and we are overjoyed to see all the hard work, fellowship, and transformation!
Please use the button above to sign up. Come lend a hand as we build this new home together!
Evening Vacation Bible School for All Ages – “Joy Even on Your Worst Days”
June 9-12 (Sun-Wed) | Register by Friday, May 31
All are invited to join us for Evening VBS, kicking off the week with a dinner and program on June 9. Our guest speaker will help us dive deeper in scripture and faith together. Children (Pre-k – 5th grade) will enjoy a special parallel theatre camp, and childcare will be available for any younger children attending.
Guest Speaker, Rev. Tom Are, Jr., Interim Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL.
The world the apostle Paul inhabited was dramatically different from our time. He knew nothing of capitalism, or physics, or Zoom, and more significantly, Paul was a regular in Caesar’s prison. For us, “Caesar” is a salad. But a constant in the human story is that every life faces suffering. Paul’s life was no different. And yet, on Paul’s worst days, he still exhibited a spirit of joy. In this spirit of joy, Paul offers us some inspiration. Joy is not a common reality in modern life. We are more acquainted with anxiety and fear, and on good days we can settle for happiness; but joy is less common. The worst days come to all of us. At some point the dreams die, the body fails, the spirit is crushed. Those days leave their mark on us. But an imprisoned apostle passed down 104 verses to an ancient congregation in Philippi, and they have passed it down to us. It is their testimony that when the worst days come—and they will—they do not have to be the end of joy. Indeed, they might be the beginning.
For 4 Year-Olds-Middle School: Children’s Theatre Camp
This summer, we are thrilled to welcome back Meghan Griffith as the leader for our Evening VBS Children’s Theatre Camp! Children are welcome to bring friends. Please register using the button above.
Evening VBS Schedule:
- Sunday, June 9: 6-8 p.m. with dinner (Cost: $12 for adults, $5 for kids)
- Monday-Wednesday, June 10-12*: 6:30-7:45 p.m. with refreshments
*Any interested families are invited to join in a kid-friendly evening meal before the evening programs begin. Details to come once registration is complete.
Morning Vacation Bible School – “Stories Jesus Told”
July 22-25 (Mon-Th) | 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Members and friends (Pre-k – 5th grade) are invited to join us for Morning Vacation Bible School July 22-25, as we explore the parables of Jesus!
Jesus loved to tell stories. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus sharing parables with his disciples, stories that were meant to share something important about God and something important about us. We get a glimpse into God’s Kingdom and learn that we are called to live into that Kingdom here and now. This summer at VBS, we will explore several of the beloved parables of Jesus, and discover how these stories Jesus told long ago help us to be better disciples today.
Youth and adult volunteers are a great part of what makes VBS so special. Please consider volunteering and joining the fun!
Register participants and volunteers for Morning VBS HERE. Please share the good news—the more the merrier!
Questions? Contact Meredith Koliba, Maria Blackshaw, or Elizabeth Link.
“Build IT Together”
Christian Education 2023-2024
We are called to the life of discipleship in community. No one can be a Christian on their own. Worshiping, praying, learning, and serving together, we are the Body of Christ. This year, we want to focus on building up Christ’s Body. There are many opportunities to learn and grow, build new relationships, serve our neighbors near and far—and, to literally, BUILD. As we consider what it means to build up the Body of Christ and what it means to build a home, we are asking what is your “IT” this year? What is the thing you hope to build in faith?
Christian education is a gift, and it is our prayer that this year may be the opportunity you’ve been searching for to grow deeper in faith and build connection within the Body of Christ. See the Christian Education Booklet to learn about the ways you may grow in faith through education, fellowship, and discipleship throughout the 2023-2024 church school year.
Second Presbyterian is a vital congregation for people of all ages and circumstances seeking to know, love, and follow Christ.
Second Presbyterian Welcomes You
Are you looking for ways to foster and nurture your family in an ever-changing world? Are you thinking about finding a church home? At Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, VA, our friendly staff and congregation strives to care for your family both spiritually and emotionally. This website is designed to ease the transition into the life of our church. Whether you decide to visit or join, we welcome you!
Meet our Pastors
Dr. George C. Anderson
Dr. George C. Anderson is the seventh Senior Pastor in the history of Second Presbyterian Church (Roanoke, VA). He began preaching at Second on February 22, 1998. Previously, he had been the Senior Minister at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and an Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN. He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Dr. Anderson is involved in every aspect of church life with an emphasis on preaching, teaching, visiting, and staff oversight.
George and his wife, Millie, have three daughters: Paige, Rachel, and Virginia. Virginia became a new mother to daughter Emory on November 1, 2017.
The Reverend Elizabeth N.H. Link
The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link joined the staff of Second Presbyterian in August 2011. She attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where she majored in history and religion: Christian education. Following graduation, she served First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, FL, as Director of Christian education, and subsequently recognized the call to ordained ministry. In 2009, Elizabeth earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Afterwards, she served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry, at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN.
Elizabeth is married to Chris Link, and the two welcomed their first child, Eleanor, in the spring of 2018.
The Reverend Benjamin S. Brannan
The Rev. Ben Brannan joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults in March 2021 following a two-year pastoral residency at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ben has a long tenure in youth development, spending six years as Assistant Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cherokee, coaching high school and club soccer for nine years, even spending three years as a part-time substitute teacher. Following a career change, he felt God’s call to pursue theological education and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. While in school, Ben served as Youth Minister and Pastoral Intern at Second Presbyterian in Richmond. He brings joy, creativity, and deep faith to all he does.
Ben is married to Valerie Brannan, and they welcomed their first son, Camden, in March 2022.