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Not in Egypt Anymore: Call to Pilgrimage at Diocesan Convention
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The 144th convention of the diocese may have taken place is a new location, but it definitely wasn't in Egypt.
At the gathering, which drew more than 200 people to the Best Western Lehigh Valley Conference Center and Hotel, delegates debated six resolutions, elected lay and clergy leaders to five diocesan leadership bodies, and were called to go on pilgrimage. "The Kingdom of God does not operate under the same principles as Pharaoh's Egypt," said the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop provisional, in his convention address. "We've been led across the Red Sea waters of baptism into a new life in Christ ... We're not suffering in the chains of bondage to sin, we're not beholden to hopelessness, we aren't building bricks for Pharaoh because we're not in Egypt anymore, and Pharaoh can pound sand," Rowe said, to laughter and applause. "But as a people, particularly in our diocese, we might say we are in a wilderness time," he continued. "And, if we're intentional about our wilderness time, we might say it's a time of holy pilgrimage ... Brothers and sisters, over the course of the next year, I am inviting our diocese on a holy pilgrimage."
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Diocesan Training Day on October 24
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- Leadership for Wardens and Vestry, led by the Ven. Rick Cluett
- Benedictine Spirituality for Leadership, the Rev. Laura Howell
- Worship Leader Certification (parts 1 and 2), led by the Rev. Ed Erb
- Best Practices for Parish Finance, led by Deacon Charlie Barebo
- Spiritual Gifts for Ministry, led by the Rev. Canon Anne Kitch
Other regional leadership training days will take place on March 5 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and April 9 at St. Gabriel's Church in Douglasville. The March training will include Eucharistic visitor training.
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CONNECT: High School Retreat November 13-15
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 CONNECT, a weekend of faith stories told by youth, is a new event being designed by our youth for our youth. Sophie Kitch-Peck, grade 12, from the Cathedral of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Lauren Todero, grade 11, from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Allentown, are leading the event, which will take place at Kirby House.
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Installation of Bishop Michael Curry as 27th Presiding Bishop
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 Episcopalians from across the church will gather in Washington D.C. on October 31 and November 1 to celebrate the installation of Bishop Michael Curry as the 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Saturday, October 31
Sunday, November 1 The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop takes place at noon EST at Washington National Cathedral. Watch a live webcast.
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| | Young people from Church of the Epiphany, Glenburn are traveling to Washington DC for the National Acolyte Festival at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday. This is the 30th consecutive year that a group from Epiphany has attended. Read more about their trip in the Abington Suburban. |
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People of Bethlehem
 The Rev. Nancy Meader-Packard has been called as interim priest at St. Anne's, Trexlertown. She is the retired rector of St. Mary's Church in Reading and is associated with St. Alban's Church in Sinking Spring.
The Rev. Canon Michael Piovane retired at the end of September after 17 years as rector of St. Anne's, Trexlertown. Prior to becoming rector, he was an associate priest at St. Anne's and director of alumni relations at Kutztown University. Piovane was elected to the Commission on Ministry at the recent Diocesan Convention.
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Safeguarding God's Children
Congregation leaders, church school teachers, youth group leaders and all other volunteers who work with children must meet both Pennsylvania and Episcopal Church requirements for training, background checks and clearances. Find Safeguarding God's Children details on the website. All leaders must be in compliance with these policies by the end of 2015.
In September, Bishop Sean wrote to leaders of the diocese about safe church training: "I write on a matter that will not be new to any of you, but about which I feel some urgency. We have a duty as Christian ministers to do everything in our power to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children in our congregations." Read Bishop Sean's entire letter.
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Diocesan Confirmation on October 17
Bishop Sean will confirm more than 50 people at a regional confirmation service on October 17 at St. Luke's Scranton. Please pray for those expressing their commitment to Christ.
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Upcoming Parish and Community Events
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Supporting Refugees in Lehigh Valley and Beyond
On October 15, Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Public Policy Network will hold a webinar on the global refugee crisis and United States resettlement efforts. Learn more.
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Multiculturalism Today and in the Time of Jesus: October 15-November 19
This class, based on "A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America" and the New Testament, will be led by the Rev. Maria Tjeltveit, rector of Church of the Mediator, at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Emmaus. Register via email by October 13.
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Lord, Let Our Eyes Be Opened: Breaking the Chains of Mass Incarceration
From October 23-25, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches will host a conference on America's system of mass incarceration and how congregations can be involved in criminal justice reform. Learn more and register online.
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