September 6, 2019 Meeting
Alright Steeler Fans You Do Not Want to Miss This Meeting!!
Back by popular demand our speaker on September 6, 2019 is former Pittsburgh Steeler Andy Russell. Andy played his entire NFL career (12 years) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played his college football for the University of Missouri where he earned his undergraduate degree in economics.
Andy moved from the New York area to St. Louis his freshman year in high school where he attended Ladue High School. He became a starter at Ladue playing end his sophomore year. In his junior and senior year, he played fullback and linebacker, earning all-state honors in his senior year. He graduated high school in 1959. Andy was heavily recruited and played at Missouri for Coach Dan Devine.
Andy played his rookie season for the Steelers in 1963. In 1964, Andy temporarily left the team for the Army to fulfill his ROTC commitments. He was stationed in Germany for two years, and served as an aide to a three-star General. He returned to the Steelers in 1966, where he spent the remainder of his 12 years in the NFL.
He was a member of the famed Steel Curtain and was named Steeler’s MVP in 1971. He appeared in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X. On December 27, 1975 he set an NFL record by returning a touchdown 93 yards for a victory over the Baltimore Colts. Andy was selected to play in Pro Bowls in 1969 and 1971 through 1976.
Since leaving football Andy became a successful businessman as a partner of Laurel Mountain in Pittsburgh, involved in municipal finance and investment banking.
Andy Russell is the author of two books: A Steeler Odyssey and An Odd Steelers Journey.
So, bring your questions and be prepared for a very interesting meeting.
September 13, 2019 Meeting
This week’s speaker is the Rev. Dr. Graham Standish, PhD. Dr. Standish joined Samaritan in November 2017 as their Executive Director. Samaritan Counseling ministers to those suffering with emotional, relational and spiritual pain.
As counselors, they provide professional counseling while showing compassion, and never passing judgment. They provide guidance through coaching, spiritual direction, anger management and support groups.
They also serve pastors and congregations by conducting workshops for couples, parents, families and the community at large. Their goal is to empower individuals, families and faith communities to achieve health, wholeness and to reveal God’s purpose in their lives.
In addition to overseeing Samaritan’s fundraising, clergy and congregational services, financial and clinical operations, Graham presents workshops and provides spiritual direction/coaching to pastors.
Rev. Standish served 22 years as the pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople. Prior to his ministry at Calvin, Rev. Standish was a therapist to those with drug and alcohol addiction while an associate pastor at a church in Murrysville.
Graham earned his Ph.D. in formative spirituality from Duquesne University, his Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Master of Divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Graham is the author of seven books and numerous articles on the topic of spirituality, spiritual direction and spirituality in congregations. He is an adjunct professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry program and Certificate in Spiritual Formation Program, and at Tyndale Theological Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, focusing in the areas of spirituality and congregational leadership.
