Upcoming Events
The Bible in Black & White
Wednesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16 & 23 | 12:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
The Bible in Black and White is a successful, collaborative Bible Study that began in 2022 and brings together blacks and whites for a month-long Bible study, conversation and community building. The four-to-six-week study takes place every fall and spring in the Fellowship Hall of Second Presbyterian Church.
We hope you will save the dates for our next series held at noon on the first four Wednesdays of October:
Oct 2
Oct 9
Oct 16
Oct 23
The class will be guided by Walter Brueggemann’s book, Delivered into Covenant, and will focus on the last half of the book which was not covered in April’s session.
Sponsoring Churches
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
High Street Baptist Church
Hill Street Baptist Church
Loudon Ave Christian Church
Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church
Second Presbyterian Church
St. John’s Episcopal Church
POP-UP Sunday School
“How to Stay Sane in an Election Year”
Sunday, October 6 | 9:45 a.m. | Chapel
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia Seminar
Sunday, October 20 | 5:00 p.m. | Session Room
RSVP by October 14
The Congregational Life committee invites members of our church and community to an awareness program about Alzheimer’s and Dementia, followed by a Q&A period.
On Sunday, October 20 from 5-6PM in the Session Room, Brooke Gill, the program manager for the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will present basic information on the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages, risk factors, research, and FDA-approved treatments. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a range of caregiver skill-building recommendations with a goal to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia and to connect with local resources/classes.
Please RSVP by Monday, October 14. RSVPs will help ensure that we have enough literature and the Session Room set up for the evening.
Trunk or Treat
October 27 | 4-6PM | Mountain Ave Parking Lot
Mark your calendars! The 4th Annual 2PC Youth Trunk or Treat will be on October 27th in the Mountain Avenue Parking Lot from 4 to 6 p.m. This event brings our neighbors, preschool, mission partners, and local schools together for a SPOOKtacular night of fun and fellowship! The youth create games for all the kids to play, while members of our church volunteer to decorate their trunks and pass out candy! This is a church-wide, neighborhood, and community event that highlights our focus on mission and outreach.
We will be collecting canned food donations at the event to go towards our Middle School Hunger Busters Initiative which takes place during the month of November!
Want to help? You can donate candy or sign up to decorate your car. Contact Ben Brannan and sign up today!
Seminar on Grief and Healing
Thursday, November 7 | 5:30 p.m. | Session Room
RSVP by November 4
For those who have experienced loss the holidays can be a painful time, stirring up grief in acute ways. Again this year, the Congregational Life Committee invites members of our church and community who have experienced the loss of a loved one to come together for a special seminar on the topic of grief and healing during the holidays. Paula Wolfteich, Ph.D., will lead the presentation and activity. Dr. Wolfteich, a licensed clinical psychologist, is the Director of the Carilion Center for Grief and Healing.
On Thursday, November 7, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Session Room, attendees will learn about coping with grief during the holidays, hear about Carilion’s various grief support groups, and spend time creating a Soul Collage of their loved one. Participants are welcome to bring 2 or 3 images (from a magazine) and/or photo(s) to create a small collage on card stock which we will provide. We will have magazine images on hand, if needed. Optional suggestions for journaling will be offered.
Due to the nature of this event, it will be held in-person only; an online option will not be available. Should you or someone you know like a ride to or from the seminar, please contact the church office. We will do our best to ensure everyone who has an interest is able to attend.
Please RSVP by Monday, November 4. RSVPs will enable us to have enough supplies and have the appropriate room set up for the evening.
Men’s Retreat 2024
November 8-9 | Eagle Eyrie Conference Center
Register by October 25
This year’s Men’s Retreat is November 8-9 (Friday-Saturday) at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center in Lynchburg, VA, an 80-minute drive from the church. Our guest speaker will be the Rev. Chris Vogado, Pastor at Salem Presbyterian Church. It is a great way to relax and unplug for the weekend, engage in discussion about work-life balance, what it is to be a Christian in 2024, and to meet other men of the church.
Join Rev. Chris Vogado for our theme “Rock of Ages: Evolving Sound, Evolving Faith.” Over several sessions we will explore together the evolution of Rock N’ Roll music starting with the Big Band era, to iconic groups and singers of the 1960s, and on to the present day. As we consider the past, present, and future of popular music, we might just find some very interesting parallels that inform the past, present, and perhaps the future direction of the mainline church in our country. In the words of Sonny and Cher, “The beat goes on” and so too does our faith and new expressions of church.
The cost for the retreat is $75 per person. See the brochure for more information.
Registration and payment are due by Friday, October 25.
Gals’ Gathering 2024
November 15-16 | Alta Mons Camp and Retreat Center
Register by November 1
Register soon for our women’s overnight retreat this fall, November 15-16 (Friday-Saturday) at Alta Mon’s Retreat Center in Shawsville, VA, just 40 minutes from the church. Our guest speaker will be renowned author and speaker, Hannah Anderson. We hope you’ll join us for this special, overnight event for women in our church to grow closer to one another and closer to God through study, conversation, crafts, and shared meals.
Throughout our weekend together we’ll explore our theme and reflect on Jesus’ words from Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Come learn humility from the lilies of the field and from the One who is humility Himself. Remember who you are and who you are not, and rediscover the rest that comes from belonging to Him. Rest your mind, body, and soul at Gals’ Gathering overnight retreat, 2024.
The cost for the retreat is $100 per person. See the brochure for more information.
Registration and payment are due by Friday, November 1.
“Deep & Wide”
Christian Education 2024-2025
“Dig deep wells, and the cattle never wander.” This old proverb speaks to the wisdom of providing water, nourishment for lean times. On the surface, it offers a wise word to farmers and herdsmen, but perhaps another meaning is about the spiritual life. A faith that has depth will nourish in times of trouble and drought. A deep spiritual life will sustain a person through a lifetime.
At Second Presbyterian Church, we take our call to nurture faith seriously. For this reason, we provide opportunities for education at every stage of development. To assume that Christian education is only for children is to make faith sound like a childish endeavor. We crave deep, living water our whole lives long.
What may look like play in a children’s classroom is the introduction of a God who finds joy in each and every child in our care. What sounds like feet about to break through the ceiling is the expression of love in young people’s music and voices at children’s choir. What looks like a tasty meal for teens is a holy reminder of meals shared by Jesus and his friends in the Gospels. What seems like adults in discussion is actually friendship being forged and spiritual nourishment given for the week ahead.
With Christian education, we are digging deep wells, we are inviting you to dive into this wide, expansive living water. Jump in. Join us. Drink from this well. See the Christian Education Booklet to learn about the ways you may grow in faith through education, fellowship, and discipleship throughout the 2024-25 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.