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Salt and Light: Diocesan Convention 2016 is October 7-8
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This issue of the newsletter provides all the information you need to prepare for and participate in convention, including:
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Bishop Sean Explains the Proposed Canon, Constitutional Changes
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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. In this new, animated video (11 minutes), Bishop Sean explains the proposed changes, which will be discussed at pre-convention hearings on September 12, 21 and 22.
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| | Bishop Sean Explains the Proposed Canons and Constitution Changes |
Learn more about the proposed changes.
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Nominations and Resolutions
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Nominations
The Diocesan Convention will consider a number of changes to the canons that could alter the governance structure and the offices to which persons will be elected. The diocese has, therefore, conducted two parallel nomination processes; one process to meet the current canonical requirements and one process in anticipation of the amended canons. This dual process means that we will follow our canons as they are now written and, at the same time, will allow us to be flexible and respond to the will of the convention.
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Returning from Pilgrimage: What's Next?
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The pilgrimage design team
At Diocesan Convention in October 2015, Bishop Sean Rowe invited the Diocese of Bethlehem on a pilgrimage, which he described as "a time of discernment, planning and decision making." The yearlong effort, led by the Very Rev. Tony Pompa, dean of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, and the Rev. Charles Cesaretti, a retired priest of the diocese and Renewal Assembly founder, began at Epiphany.
During the pilgrimage, nearly 170 people representing 46 of the diocese's 59 congregations attended one of four regional meetings and helped to identify the core values of the diocese which are, according to Pompa: "To pray, to play, to connect, communicate, collaborate as the Spirit stirs and empowers."
While the formal diocesan-directed stage of the pilgrimage will end at diocesan convention, Pompa and Cesaretti emphasize that its spirit will continue to transform the diocese long after people return home from this year's diocesan convention. Pompa cites a new sense of empowerment as something that diocesan leaders will strive to foster, while Cesaretti points to a focus on relationships rather than institutional structures that can strengthen the mission strategy that will soon be developed.
In addition to enlivening the work of leaders across the diocese, the legacy of the pilgrimage will continue through a working group that Bishop Rowe will appoint to reflect on the information and insights collected during the pilgrimage and discuss how to incorporate the core values of the diocese into future strategy and planning.
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Register for Diocesan Convention by September 21
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 Convention Registration: Deadline September 21
Room Reservations at the DoubleTree
The deadline for room reservations in the discounted diocesan block at the DoubleTree Reading has passed, but reservations can still be made using the hotel's regular reservation site.
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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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.
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Make a Banner, Share a Banner
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 The Pilgrimage Design Team asks all congregations in the diocese to bring to convention a banner that illustrates "Salt and Light," the convention theme inspired by Matthew 5: 13-16.
On Friday, convention participants will carry the banners in procession from the DoubleTree to Christ Church, Reading for the convention Eucharist. On Saturday, congregations will exchange their banners with a partner parish for the coming year.
"The banners are a sign of the bonds of affection and unity of our diocese," says Joan Flint, a member of the pilgrimage team. "The partner parishes will pray for each other throughout the year, as well as foster other partnership activities throughout the year."
The banners should be three feet wide and include the name and location of the parish, a representation of Matthew 5: 13-16, and the year 2016. If you have questions, please talk with Joan Flint via email.
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| United Thank Offering Ingathering at Convention |
The annual United Thank Offering Ingathering will take place at diocesan convention in Reading. With gifts given by Episcopalians in thanksgiving for our daily blessings, United Thank Offering supports the mission and ministry of the whole church.
Congregations that hold UTO ingatherings can bring a notecard with the name of the parish and the amount of the ingathering. Please do not bring ingathering checks to convention, but instead make them out to UTO and mail them to Cathy Bailey, Diocesan UTO Coordinator, at Diocesan House. If you have questions, please email Cathy.
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| Episcopal Church Women Support Scholarships in South Sudan |
 The Diocese of Bethlehem's Episcopal Church Women are supporting scholarships for girls and women at schools in the Diocese of Kajo-Keji in South Sudan. A gift of $325 provides a year of tuition, room and board for a high school student, while a gift of $30 provides a year of tuition for an elementary school student. To participate, please send a check made payable to the Diocese of Bethlehem and note "scholarships" in the memo. Send the check to the attention of Deacon Charlie Barebo at the Diocese of Bethlehem. If you have questions, please call Dorothy Shaw at 570-836-2049.
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Ordination of Rebecca A. Parsons-Cancelliere and Susan M. Treanor on September 24
By the Grace of God and with the people consenting, the Rt. Reverend Sean W. Rowe,
bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem, will ordain Rebecca A. Parsons-Cancelliere and Susan M. Treanor to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on Saturday September 24 at 11 am at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral. Reception following. Clergy: White stoles.
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Bach's Organ Works at the Cathedral of the Nativity
Cathedral Organist Stephen Williams will give 18 Friday night concerts of Bach's organ works over the next ten months. The first concert is September 9 at 8 pm. A $10 donation will benefit the Cathedral Arts Concert Series. Learn more on the cathedral's Facebook page.
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WVIA Rebroadcasts Concert from St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral
On September 11 at 2 pm, WVIA will rebroadcast an April 2016 concert by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic under the direction of Mark Laubach, organist and choirmaster at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral. Learn more on the WVIA website.
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Refugee Community Center Opening at Church of the Mediator, Allentown
On September 17 from 2-4 pm, Church of the Mediator in Allentown will celebrate the opening of its new refugee community center. Watch for updates on the parish's Facebook page.
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Responsible Gun Ownership at St. Peter's, Tunkhannock
On September 18 at 4 pm, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Tunkhannock will present a forum on responsible gun ownership with Markus Robinson, a gun owner who has advocated for common-sense measures to curb gun violence in the United States. The event is funded by Episcopal Appalachian Ministries. Learn more.
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Choir Robes on Offer
The Church of Epiphany in Glenburn has recently received new robes and would like to donate their older set to another congregation. If your parish could use thirty maroon robes with white cottas, please email Melissa Driscoll.
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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 September 1 issue.
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2016
Clergy Conference, October 16-18: St. Francis Retreat House, Easton
Connect 2 High School Retreat, November 11-13: Kirby House
2017
Clergy Day, Thursday, February 23, 9:30 am to 3 pm: Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Chrism Mass, Monday, April 3, 11 am: Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Christophany Youth Retreat, April 28-30: Bear Creek Camp
Social Media and Evangelism with Bishop Nick Knisely, Saturday, May 20, 9:30 am to 3 pm, location TBA
Clergy Day, Tuesday May 23, 9:30 am to 3 pm: Cathedral Church of the Nativity
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333 Wyandotte Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Copyright � 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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