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Back to Hugh O'Doherty: Adaptive Leadership Training on April 30
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 On April 30, 2015 diocesan convention keynote speaker Hugh O'Doherty returns to the Diocese of Bethlehem for a day of adaptive leadership training. Learn more and register online.
On Monday, pilgrimage blogger Jeffrey Kemmerer reflected on O'Doherty's remarks at convention:
Well, I am back to the convention again ("the Source, for you Matrix fans"). Another of the many highlights was Hugh O'Doherty. Hugh is a world renowned peacemaker and promoter of adaptive change. Having lived the violence in Northern Ireland, he is adjunct professor at the Harvard Kennedy School teaching "Exercising Leadership: The Politics of Change". We were fortunate to have him conduct a workshop on change and leadership at the convention. It is impossible to summarize all the lessons learned in the space of this blog, but the biggest points for me were: - Problems can range from technical (the car is broken) to adaptive (our church is broken). Do not try to impose a technical solution on an adaptive problem.
- Successes of the past are not necessarily guidelines for the future. Look forward for a solution while learning from the past.
Read more and register for the April 30 training online.
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Regional Leadership Training on March 5 and April 9
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This spring, clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese of Bethlehem have two opportunities to participate in workshops designed for church leaders. Register now for workshops on Saturday, March 5 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity and on Saturday, April 9 at St. Gabriel's, Douglassville, including:
Benedictine Spirituality for Leadership, led by Laura Howell Leadership for Wardens & Vestry, led by Rick Cluett Best Practices for Parish Finance, led by Charlie Barebo Making Your Church a Community, led by the Diocesan Stewardship Committee On March 5, training and certification for lay Eucharistic visitors will be offered, and on April 9, training and certification for lay worship leaders will be offered.
Learn more and register online for April 9.
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Lenten Message
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"The season of Lent is upon us," says Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in his message for Lent. "It is a season of making a renewed commitment to participate and be a part of the movement of Jesus in this world." Watch online.
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Pilgrimage Resources for Congregations
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 The Diocese of Bethlehem's pilgrimage began on January 6. In his video pilgrimage message, Bishop Sean says, "The Diocese of Bethlehem has been bold in conceiving its future ... This planning process is deeply rooted in both what is personal to us, and what is good for our entire diocese and our entire region."
Staying Connected to the Pilgrimage
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2016 United Thank Offering Grants
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 The 2016 United Thank Offering Grants session will focus on the Fifth Mark of Mission, to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. The grant criteria are available on the UTO website. Creativity and innovation are important criteria, and "creation" includes humankind as well as animals and the earth.
Please email Cathy Bailey, the Diocese of Bethlehem's UTO coordinator, to learn more or to ask questions.
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Ask the Bishop
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Here's the third installment of "Ask the Bishop," produced by our partners in the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In this episode, Bishop Sean answers questions about the precepts of scripture, church property lawsuits, and more.
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2015 Parochial Reports Due March 1
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2015 Parochial Reports have been mailed to each parish and should be completed and approved by vestries by March 1, 2016. If you have not received your reminder with account and password, or have any questions about completing this annual report online, please call the Diocesan House or review the parochial report webpage for instructions.
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Regional Confirmations in March and May
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This spring, Bishop Sean will hold two regional confirmations:
Saturday, March 26 at 5 pm: Easter Vigil of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Sunday, May 1 at 4 pm: location to be determined.
Please email Jo Trepagnier to RSVP by February 16 if your parish would like to participate in this confirmation or if you would be willing to host it.
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Save the Date for Enriching Your Retirement
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 Enriching Your Retirement, a program of the Church Pension Group, will take place on Wednesday, April 6 at Trinity, Mount Pocono. This presentation for beneficiaries of The Church Pension Fund includes information on pension and medical benefits in retirement, financial and estate planning, being your own healthcare advocate, and programs and services that can support you in staying healthy.
Lunch is provided, and spouses and partners are encouraged to attend. Please mark your calendars now and look for more information and registration information by the end of February. Call Jo Trepagnier at 610-691-5655 with questions.
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Safeguarding God's Children
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All clergy, lay employees, and lay people who work with children are required to complete the Safeguarding God's Children training program offered by the Church Pension Group. Those who need to receive this training may register by following a link at the bottom of the Safe Church page on the diocesan website, where you can also find diocesan policies and a field guide to their application. |
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| | Deacon Susan Treanor (second from right) at her ordination on February 6 with (l-r) Archdeacon Rick Cluett, the Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz, Bishop Sean, and Canon Anne Kitch. |
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| | Scout and Souper Bowl Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton, on February 7. |
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Vestry Papers: Reboot Your Vestry
The January 2016 issue of Vestry Papers is titled "Reboot Your Vestry." Visit the website for articles on team building, norms and covenants, reporting and more. Find Vestry Papers online..
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The Diocese of Bethlehem newSpin Blog
newSpin is Bill Lewellis' eclectic sampling of religion news from around the Episcopal Church and beyond. Read the February 4 issue.
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Prayers of the People and Jubilate Online
The Rev. Canon Cliff Carr, priest associate at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, writes Prayers of the People for each week and prepares a list of hymn selections by season. Find those resources on the new Trinity Bethlehem website.
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Thursday, March 3, 9:30 am-3 pm
Tuesday, June 7, 9:30 am-3 pm, location to be determined
Boundaries, Responsibility, and Accountability: Pastoral and Practical Issues with Canon Scott Slater from the Diocese of Maryland.
Tuesday, March 22, 11 am
Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Saturday, April 30, 9:30 am-4 pm
Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Hugh O'Doherty returns to the Diocese of Bethlehem for a day-long training that will further our work in adaptive leadership. Clergy are expected to attend along with key elected lay leaders from each congregation, including those who exercise leadership but may not serve on the vestry. Registration opens in February.
Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting: May 11, Kirby House
Youth Mission Trip: June 26-July 2, Grace Mountain, VA
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333 Wyandotte Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Copyright � 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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