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Men’s Retreat 2026
“Virtuesmaxxing: Either the Next Big Thing or What We Were Supposed to Be Doing All Along”
October 23–24 (Fri.–Sat.) | Eagle Eyrie Conference Center

Today’s culture seems to be all about maxxing. Social influencers tell us to be all about “looksmaxxing.” Our politicians seem to be more and more interested in “vicemaxxing.” All the while, the rest of us just experience more and more “sadmaxxing” as loneliness increases and happiness decreases. This fall, the men of 2PC will gather to confront these challenges by “virtuesmaxxing” at Eagle Eyrie on October 23 and 24. Carter Brothers will lead the charge while looking at the Christian virtues highlighted in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and how his story about wizards, hobbits, and elves (oh my!) can teach us how to be more fully human in the 21st Century. We will worship together, feast together, laugh together and, of course, fellowship together!

Carter Brothers is a member of Second Pres who has taught several adult Sunday school classes on Tolkien, Lewis, and Dickens through the years and has helped with music at several Kairos services. He is married to Rev. Jen Brothers (PCUSA) and is the father of three daughters, all of whom love to participate in the family “Tolkien Reference of the Day” challenge.

We are excited to welcome back the Rev. Chris Vogado, Pastor of Salem Presbyterian Church, who will be leading music with Carter. We are also pleased to extend this year’s invitation to the men of Salem Pres. We hope you’ll join us!

Register by Wednesday, October 14.

Gals’ Gathering 2026
“Advent Waiting”
November 20–21 (Fri.–Sat.) | Alta Mons Camp & Retreat Center

Women of the church are invited to join us for this special overnight event to grow closer to one another and closer to God through study, conversation, crafts, and shared meals. The theme this year is “Advent Waiting.”

Many of us feel like we are wandering through a kind of wilderness. Yet even in these challenging places, we can prepare the way for the Lord to come to us. Together, we can identify the obstacles that stand in our way and discern how to address them so that the themes of Advent may be more fully seen, experienced, and lived out in our community. Along the way, we will journey through each Gospel, exploring hope through Matthew’s perspective, peace through Mark’s, joy through Luke’s, and love through John’s.

The Rev. Donna Hopkins Britt, though born in Roanoke, took a circuitous path to return, living in several cities in Virginia as well as New York City, Suburban Maryland, and Abidjan, Côte dʼIvoire. She graduated from James Madison University and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. Donna has also worked as a Child Abuse Prevention Educator for Childrenʼs Trust, followed by time as a Chaplain at Gentiva Hospice. She has served as Pastor of Buchanan Presbyterian since June, 2023. Donna enjoys hiking, crossword puzzles, game nights, and spending time with her husband Brian, her two children Noah and Lauren, her Labrador retrievers, and friends.

View the retreat brochure to learn more. Register by Wednesday, November 11.

“This Is Our Story”
Christian Education 2026–27

“We will tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord…” – Psalm 78:4

“This is my story, this is my song….” For generations, Christians across denominations and in many different languages have sung these familiar words. But our stories are never ours alone to hold. They are woven into the larger story of God’s people—a story of grace, worship, service, and learning that stretches across time and continues to build and unfold in each new generation.

This year, our Christian education theme, “This Is Our Story,” invites us to remember that faith is something we share together. We gather around Scripture in community not simply to gain knowledge, but to be formed as disciples of Jesus Christ. In sanctuaries and classrooms, fellowship halls and mission projects, choir rehearsal rooms and meals shared around tables, we learn God’s story so that it becomes the story that shapes our lives.

As Presbyterians, we are part of a tradition that has cherished education as an act of faithful discipleship for centuries. From teaching children to read the Bible to nurturing thoughtful faith across a lifetime, the church has always understood loving God involved both heart and mind. Christian education is not confined to a classroom or to an hour on Sunday morning, but is the lifelong work of growing together in wisdom, compassion, and love.

Our own congregation traces its roots to a Sunday school class some 135 years ago. In our story, there have been countless teachers who prepared lessons, volunteers who loved and welcomed children, mentors who asked young people thoughtful questions, and faithful members who shared their gifts across generations. Each member has added another page to the story God is writing among us.

Whether you are testing the waters and dipping your toe into an adult education class or returning to a group of seekers you already know and love, there is a place for you in this year’s journey. Called together, we will learn, ask questions, laugh, serve, pray, and witness anew the good news of God’s great love.
Welcome to another year of learning, growing, and belonging!

This is our story. This is our song.