June 16, 2016
In This Issue
Local Congregations Host Vigils for Orlando Victims
St. Luke's, Scranton
On Monday, hundreds gathered at St. Luke's, Scranton to take part in a vigil for the victims of the Orlando massacre.The interfaith service of remembrance and prayer was sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance. Mayor Bill Courtright and City Councilman Joe Wechsler were in attendance, along with local LGBTQ leaders and clergy and lay representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities. A story about the vigil was featured on WNEP.

(l-r)  David Moyer, the Rev. Twila Smith, and William Aull at Grace Episcopal Church in Allentown after a service of remembrance for victims of the Orlando massacre.
Grace Episcopal Church in Allentown held vigils of remembrance at noon and 7 pm on Wednesday. The evening service included 
prayers, psalms, Taiz� chants and the lighting of a candle for each victim of the massacre.

Tonight, at 7:30 pm the Rev. Scott Allen, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Allentown, will participate in a service of prayer hosted by the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley, 1401 Greenview Drive in Bethlehem. Learn more.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Responds to Orlando Massacre
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry shared a video Sunday in response to the shooting in Orlando at a gay nightclub. 
Bishops United Against Gun Violence Resources
Bishop Rowe is a member of Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a group of more than 60 Episcopal bishops working to curtail the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.

Find prayers, litanies, and other liturgical resources on the Bishops United website, and stay informed about gun violence advocacy and news on the Episcopalians Against Gun Violence Facebook page.
Pilgrimage Guest Blogger: Lynn Graham
Lynn Graham from St. Paul's, Montrose, continues our season after Pentecost on the Pilgrimage Blog. "My fellow believers are there for me in my doubts, my sorrows, my joys," writes Graham in her first post. "They are my cheerleaders and my comforters. We are mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Read more on the Pilgrimage Blog. 
Rethinking Buildings
The June issue of Vital Practices Digest, a publication of the Episcopal Church Foundation, offers five resources for re-thinking the purpose and use of church buildings.

"After two plus years of discernment, our congregational leaders made the bold decision to completely re-format our response to our baptismal call to discipleship. During our 2012 annual meeting, the vestry invited the congregation to reflect on the 'Blessings' and 'Bummers' of the previous year - what emerged was a list of blessings related to people and mission while the list of bummers was all building related," writes Lori Hale Babcock of St. John's Mt. Washington Episcopal Church in Baltimore. Read more.
Annual "Tossed and Found" Yard Sale 
Taking place at Church of the Mediator in Allentown Friday, June 17 and Saturday June 18, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm., and Sunday, June 19, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (during the annual Art in the Park event in West Park), the yard sale features a huge array of low-priced items. Rain or shine. 
Pilgrimage Resources for Congregations
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
The pilgrimage page on the website is updated regularly--find it under "Congregational Resources" on the menu--and our newsletters will feature pilgrimage information and news each month. 

Anyone can sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter and/or our monthly Leadership News, and back issues are available on the website. Please share these links with members of your congregation, encourage them to visit the website and sign up for the newsletter list, and share pilgrimage news and articles in your congregation's newsletter and bulletin.

The Bethlehem Episcopalians Facebook group will also be home to ongoing pilgrimage discussion. Find the group on Facebook and request membership to join the conversation.
Summer Learning Opportunities
SUMMA Camp: Student Theological Debate Society's summer camp will take place July 18-26 at University of the South, Sewanee, TN

Network of Biblical Storytellers Int'l (NBS) Festival Gathering: Taking place August 3-6 at the National 4-H Center near Washington, DC
Leadership Reminders: Certificate of Lay Delegates, Parish Officials List
The 145th Diocesan Convention will take place October 7-8. The Certificate of Election of Lay Delegates were due June 7. If yours has not yet been completed, please do so as soon as possible and send to the diocesan office through mail, fax or email. 

MS DOC 2016 Certificate
The parish officials list is also due. Find the form online.
News of the Diocese
 
2016 Education for Ministry (EfM) graduates include Marlene Hartshorne (Church of the Mediato), Tom Edwards and Tracy Eisenreich (Nativity Cathedral). Learn more about EfM on the website or contact Cathy Bailey.
 
Trinity, West Pittston hosted a "pop-up corner ministry" to help young neighbors celebrate the last day of school. Dozens of kids stopped by to play games and have fun.
The Diocese of Bethlehem newSpin Blog
newSpin is Bill Lewellis' eclectic sampling of religion news from around the Episcopal Church and beyond. Read the June 9 issue.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
Calendar

 Visit the website calendar for a full list of upcoming events in the Diocese of Bethlehem.
Stay Connected

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