Monroeville area: Church events, musical performances, Thanksgiving dinners, more

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bkikel@triblive.com.

Hillcrest church events

Hillcrest United Presbyterian Church has a variety of community events, programs and gatherings this November and December. All are invited to attend the following activities at the church, 1622 James St., Monroeville.

• Shadyside Brass Performance: The award-winning Shadyside Brass Quintet will perform at the “Christ the King” service at 11 a.m. Nov. 23. They will accompany hymns, the choral anthem and provide special music.

• Craft group: Craft group held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. All ages and abilities are welcome for crafts and conversation.

• Bible study: Bible study held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings in the parlor.

• Pizza, Popcorn and PJs Christmas party: Christmas event planned from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12. The event is for children up to age 12 (under age 4 require parental supervision) and features a movie, crafts and bingo. RSVP by Dec. 10 by calling 412-824-5600.

• Christmas musical: Singers are needed for the community Christmas musical, “Sing and Shout for Joy,” planned for 11 a.m. Dec. 28. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings, but alternate day arrangements can be made. For more information, call 412-824-5600 and leave a message.

Christmas concert

Judi Figel and David Crisci will perform a Christmas concert Nov. 29 in Monroeville.

It will be at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Monroeville, 3970 Monroeville Blvd.

There is no cost to attend, and the concert is open to all ages.

East End Kids breakfast

East End Kids, a nonprofit professional teen song and dance ensemble, invites the public to its annual pancake breakfast on Dec. 13 at Mother of Sorrows School, 3264 Evergreen Drive, Monroeville.

Three seating times are available: 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and noon. The breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, hot chocolate, coffee, hot tea and lemonade. Each seating features a performance of “Sparkle Jolly Christmas,” a traveling craft station, a basket raffle, a 50/50 drawing and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, complete with a free cookie and photos.

The cost is $15 for ages 11 and older, $10 for ages 2 to 10; children 2 and younger are free.

East End Kids, now in its 71st season, is seeking sponsors for its holiday season and its fundraiser, “Christmas with the East End Kids.” For sponsorship details, email EastEndKids.Fundraiser@gmail.com. To view the upcoming holiday schedule, visit cervi-eastendkids.org.

Bel Suono Ensemble at Symphony East

Symphony East will host the Bel Suono Ensemble at its Nov. 17 program in Salem.

“Bel suono” means “beautiful sound” in Italian, and the group performs a variety of styles ranging from baroque to ragtime and jazz.

The cost is $15 for adults, and the program will begin at 1 p.m. at The Lamplighter, 6566 William Penn Highway. It is open to the public.

For more, see SymphonyEast.org/events.

Laurel Harmony Chorus performance

The Laurel Harmony Chorus, a Greensburg-based chapter of Sweet Adelines International, invites the public to its autumn performance, “A Harvest of Harmony,” at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

The performance will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 3417 Route 130, Harrison City.

Tickets are available at the door for $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. The ticket price includes light refreshments and a chance for a door prize. Tickets for a separate basket raffle will be sold at the event.

The chorus is actively recruiting new singers. For more information, call 878-295-1142 or email LaurelHarmonyChorus@gmail.com.

Journalism scholarship

The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its 20th annual Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) along with the club’s annual $2,500 for aspiring journalists.

The awards are designed to encourage outstanding undergraduate journalism students in print, broadcasting and multimedia. Candidates must be sophomores or juniors enrolled in an accredited college or university in one of western Pennsylvania’s 29 counties which include Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Butler.

Applications are available at WesternPApressclub.org, by calling 412-281-7778 or emailing 412-600-0606.

Winners will be awarded at the club’s annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner.

AARP seeking tax-prep aides

The AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers to be trained for its tax aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-based tax preparation program.

Volunteers can be trained as tax return preparers or as client facilitators. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 724-374-3780.

For more, see AARPfoundation.org/taxaide.

Thanksgiving dinners

• Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish will host a free Thanksgiving dinner from 12:30 to 3 p.m. (or until the food runs out) Nov. 27 at the Lourdes Center, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville.

For more, call the church at 412-373-0050.

•Garden City United Methodist Church and the Turtle Creek Satellite Rotary Club will host their third annual Thanksgiving dinner delivery on Nov. 26 from 5-7 p.m. and Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Dinners can be delivered to residents in the Monroeville (15146) and Pitcairn (15140) ZIP codes.

Registration is required by Nov. 14 by calling 412-373-0391.

Food pantry

The Garden City Food Pantry will host a food distribution day from 9-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 at 500 Laurel Drive in Monroeville.

Distributions take place on the second Thursday of each month.

For more, see GardenCity FoodPantry.org or call 412-373-0391.

Association of University People

The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.

The association invites singles aged 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.

For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.

Food distribution

A free food distribution day will take place each month at Gateway High School.

Distribution will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the high school, 3000 Gateway Campus Blvd. in Monroeville. Attendees can line up through the school parking lot.

Identification is not required.

The distributions provide food aid to nearly 800 families each month, according to organizer and school board member Valerie Warning.

School district seeks sponsorships

Gateway School District is seeking sponsors for numerous facilities throughout the district.

Individuals or businesses interested in sponsorships can email Jeremy Tepper at jtepper@gatewayk12.org.

Fall Swing bingo

Monroeville Baseball & Softball Association will hold Fall Swing Bingo on Nov. 8 at Divine Mercy Academy’s Lourdes Center, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. Pizza, soda and water are included. All proceeds will support Gator girls youth nationals 2026 softball team.

Call or message 412-640-0436 for tickets, questions, sponsorship opportunities and donations.

Pancake breakfast

Monroeville Rotary Club and Divine Mercy Academy Parent Teacher Guild are hosting a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 9 at DMA’s Lourdes Center, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville.

Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Children under age three are free. Breakfast includes pancakes, egg casserole, sausage, coffee, tea and juice.

All proceeds will go to support Rotary’s youth services and the parent teacher guild.

For more, call 412-215-5231.