Upcoming Events
The Bible in Black & White – Bible Study
Wednesdays in October | 12:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
Oct. 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2023 @ Noon
This October, the class will be reading Delivered out of Empire: Pivotal Moments in the Book of Exodus by Walter Brueggemann. Again, we will remain attentive to the ways these moments have been understood within the white and black communities. All are welcome to join in this exciting and provocative study.
The class is led by Drs. Bill Lee and George Anderson. Dr. Bill Lee is the retired Senior Minister of Louden Ave Christian Church, a predominately African-American congregation he served for 39 years. Dr. George Anderson is the Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church, a predominately white congregation.
No registration necessary. If you would like to join our Bible in Black & White email list, please contact the church.
TRUNK or TREATT
Sunday, October 29 | 4:00-6:00 p.m. | Mountain Ave Parking Lot
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The 2PC Youth Trunk or Treat will be Sunday, October 29 in the Mountain Avenue Parking Lot! Each of the past two years we have welcomed around 250 people from the surrounding neighborhood, mission partners, and local schools for a SPOOKtacular night of fun and fellowship! Let’s make this year the best one yet!
We will be collecting canned food donations at the event to go towards our Middle School Youth 2023 Hunger Busters, 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 to sign up today!
EDMUNDS LECTURE SERIES – Featuring Dr. Peter Enns
November 12 & 13, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
The Edmunds Lecture Series of Second Presbyterian was established in 1985 by S. Spencer “Buddy” Edmunds as a way of honoring his father’s commitment to joining scholarship with congregational life. Dr. Spencer Edmunds served Second Presbyterian as its Senior Minister from 1923-1941. The lectures continue to attract outstanding preachers and theologians to educate and inspire the Roanoke Valley.
Dr. Peter Enns is Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University and founder of The Bible for Normal People podcast. He has taught undergraduate, seminary, and doctoral courses at numerous other schools, including Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and Temple University. Peter speaks and writes regularly to diverse audiences about the intersection of the ancient setting of the Bible and contemporary Christian faith. He is a frequent contributor to journals and encyclopedias, and has written or edited over a dozen books, including The Bible Tells Me So, The Sin of Certainty, and How the Bible Actually Works. His lectures will center around his latest book, Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming.
*The lectures are partially funded by an endowment in memory of Dr. Spencer Edmunds, a faithful minister of Second Presbyterian, and the Kittye Susan Trent Fund.
Men’s Retreat @ Eagle Eyrie
Nov. 17-18, 2023 | Register by Nov. 5
We look forward to the upcoming Men’s Retreat for men of all ages! 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 2023, and to meet some other men of the church.
Dr. George Anderson will lead conversations based on a book that explores how the quest to be worthy leads us into religious devotion, even if that devotion has nothing to do with church or religion. The book is Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do About It.
The cost is $65 per person. Check-in on Friday is from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Check-out on Saturday will be at 1:00 p.m. For more details, see the retreat brochure. Registration and payment is due by Sunday, November 5.
We hope you will join us!
Advent Workshop
Nov. 19 @ 5:00 p.m. | Register by Nov. 10
The annual Advent Workshop is a wonderful opportunity for households of every size and generation to join together for a special project that will help get your home ready for the season. This year, the CE Committee plans to help you make Advent spirals! More details are to come.
The Advent Workshop for all ages will be held on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 19, from 5-6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Dinner will be provided. Kids’ Fellowship will not meet for the full evening on Nov. 19, children will still meet in the Children’s Music Suite from 6-6:30 p.m. to rehearse for the Christmas pageant.
Please register online by Friday, Nov. 10. Contact Meredith Koliba with questions.
“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, 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.