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Planning for the Program Year: Key Dates
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As you plan for the remainder of 2016 and the first half of 2017, please note these dates and check future issues of the newsletter for details and registration:
2016
Connect 2 High School Retreat, November 11-13: Kirby House
2017
Social Media and Evangelism with Bishop Nick Knisely, Saturday, May 20, 9:30 am to 3 pm, location TBA
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Clergy Conference Registration Now Open
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A team from Visions, Inc. will lead clergy in developing strategies to respond to the challenges of diversity and inclusion. The conference will offer opportunities for courageous conversations, spiritual reflection, and renewed collegiality. Participants will need to be present for all sessions of the conference, and those who complete the training can receive a certificate in diversity training from the diocese.
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Diocesan Convention Is October 7-8 in Reading: Registration Open Now
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Convention Registration: Deadline September 21 Registration for this year's diocesan convention is now open. Full registration is $90, and a ticket for Friday evening's dinner only is $40. Sign up online by September 21. If you also want to reserve a room at the DoubleTree, please use the link below. Please note that registering for convention does not guarantee a hotel room.
Room Reservations: Deadline September 5
All room reservations at the DoubleTree must be made by September 5. Learn more about registration and group rate room reservations at the DoubleTree, and make your reservation online using the Diocese of Bethlehem's registration page. If you plan to stay overnight at the DoubleTree, you must make your own room reservation even if you have already registered for convention.
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2017 Budget and Assessments Now Online
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The parish assessments and acceptances for the proposed 2017 budget are also available on the website. Assessments are mandatory contributions from each congregation to the diocesan budget; acceptances are additional, optional payments earmarked for mission and outreach.
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Changes to Canons, Constitution Proposed
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 At the Diocese of Bethlehem's convention in October, delegates will consider a series of twelve changes to the diocese's canons and one change to its constitution. "These are changes that I signaled at our last diocesan convention, and which over the course of the last year have been endorsed by the trustees of the diocese and by Diocesan Council," Bishop Sean Rowe says. "In one way or another, it's important for us to streamline our governance so that we can spend more of our time digging deep into the mission that God has called us to in this place. I believe that these changes will provide a foundation for us to build on and free up our energy to do new and different things that God is calling us to."
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Pre-Convention Hearings
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Delegates to diocesan convention and other interested members of the diocese can attend one of three pre-convention hearings in September to review resolutions submitted to convention. Bishop Sean will be present at all of the pre-convention hearings to discuss proposed canonical and constitutional changes. Please note: Due to a website error, the August 11 edition of the newsletter contained incorrect dates for these hearings in the event listings at the bottom of the page. We apologize for the error.
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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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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. |
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| | The churches of the Lehigh Valley welcomed people to Pride in the Park on August 21. |
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Eighth graders at the New Hope schools in the Diocese of Kajo Keji in South Sudan celebrated top marks on their high school entrance exams.
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In Memoriam
Kimiko Igarashi, widow of the Rev. Peter Hiroshi Igarashi, died on August 5 at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia. Her husband died in April 2016. Both the Rev. and Mrs. Igarashi were detained in U.S. government internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Her burial Eucharist was held at St. Mary's, Cathedral Village on August 13. May light perpetual shine upon her. |
The Diocese of Bethlehem newSpin Blog
newSpin is Bill Lewellis' eclectic sampling of religion news from around the Episcopal Church and beyond. Read the August 18 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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Cycle of Prayer List
The updated Diocese of Bethlehem Cycle of Prayer list has been posted to the diocesan website:
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333 Wyandotte Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18015
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