|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Quicklinks |
|
|
|
|
Presiding Bishop's Advent 2012 Message: "What is it that you are most waiting for?"
As you prepare for the season of Advent, I would commend two questions to your musings and your prayer and your meditation: What is it that you are most waiting for? And, how are you going to wait this year?
I'm struck this particular season by the waiting of several women in Christian history. Mary obviously, waiting for the birth of the Promised One in her part of the world, a child born for the whole world.
Also Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer, who comes before Jesus. Elizabeth has been promised a child in her old age, these are both very unexpected births, they are waiting.
And I'm struck particularly this year by Elizabeth of Hungary, a saint of the Church who lived in the thirteenth century, who was betrothed as a child herself, married at 14, a mother of three by the time her husband died when she was 20. She spent her life giving it away, giving it away both physically through her means and through her presence and her healing. She was an icon of generosity.
What is it you wait for this year? Is it an opportunity to meet the surprising around you? Is it an opportunity to reflect on what is most needed in your heart and in the world around you? How are you going to wait for that gift? Are you going to wait actively? Engaged? Honing your desire? Stoking the passion within you for that dream? Are you going to wait for a dream that will bless the whole world?
That's what Christians wait for in the season of Advent - of the coming of the Prince of Peace, the one who will reign with justice over this world. I believe that's what the world most needs, this year and every year.
May your season of waiting be fruitful and blessed. May it be filled with surprise and a willingness to engage that surprise.
A blessed Advent.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
|
|
|
"And the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Luke 3:6
Before the madness of the shopping season sets in... before the stress of holiday preparations...
Come spend some quiet time with God at a Pre-Advent Quiet Day at St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon.
Saturday, December 1, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch included)
The day will consist of a few guided meditations and open time to reflect. $5 requested to cover the cost of lunch.
Questions? Contact the Rev. Michelle Boomgaard at Michelle@stpaulspgh.org or 412-531-7153 x12
|
 Cursillo Ultreya
What is Cursillo? Cursillo is a movement of the church. Its purpose is to help those in the church understand their individual callings to be Christian Leaders. The leadership may be exercised in work situations, in the family and social life, in leisure activities, and within the Church environment. Leadership, in Cursillo, does not mean power over others, but influence on others; all of us need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those around us. What is Ultreya? Ultreya is an on-going, follow-up program for people who have made their three day Cursillo, linking them together in a Christian community that helps them support one another in their attempts to remain Christ-centered. Cursillo, translated, means "workshop" and Ultreya means ""onward" or "proceed further on". If I didn't go to Cursillo can I come to the Ultreya? Absolutely! Attendance at a Cursillo is not mandatory and you won't be checked to see if you know the "secret handshake" (There is no secret handshake!) Attend the Ultreya at St. James Episcopal Church in Penn Hills on Saturday, December 1, at 3 p.m. and see what what Cursillo is all about. |
4th Annual Christmas on the River Outreach Project at St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon
On Thursday, December 6, at 10:30 a.m., the Diocese of Pittsburgh ECW will be packing Christmas boxes for the Seaman's Church Institute at St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon. Since 1898 volunteers of the Seamen's Church Institute have been collecting, packing, knitting and distributing Christmas gifts to mariners who are miles from home on Christmas Day.
The Seamen's Church Institute is North America's largest and most comprehensive mariners' service agency, promoting safety, dignity, and improved working and living conditions for millions of men and women serving in the maritime workplace. Founded in 1834, the Institute is a voluntary, ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
Needed are donations of hand lotion, chewing gum, wrapped candy, puzzle books, microwave popcorn, lip balm and paperback books.
Items can be brought to the packing party or left in the church offices at: St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon; Trinity Cathedral; Church of the Nativity, Crafton; St. Thomas Memorial Church, Oakmont; Calvary, East Liberty.
It will be a community work day with lunch provided. Please help with this wonderful ministry and fellowship opportunity.
Please RSVP by November 30 to Debbie Wiles at 412-344-5759 or debwiles@verizon.net. |
By the Grace of God
The Rt. Reverend Dorsey W. M. McConnell
Bishop of Pittsburgh
will ordain
Charles Brent Wagner Hamill
Terence Lee Johnston
Gwendollynn Gettemy Santiago
John Robert Schaeffer
to the Sacred Order of Priests
in Christ's one holy catholic and apostolic Church
Saturday, December 15, 2012
at ten o'clock in the morning
Trinity Cathedral
328 Sixth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Your prayers and presence are requested
Clergy: Red Stoles Reception follows
|
 Messiah Sing-Along at
St. Brendan's, Franklin Park
St. Brendan's Episcopal Church is presenting its 5th annual Messiah Sing-Along conducted by Woody Brown. The event is free and everyone is invited to join in the fun of singing this great piece or to just come and listen!
The sing along will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 16 at St. Brendan's Church in Franklin Park. People are encouraged to bring their own music, but scores will be available for purchase at the door.
For more information please visit www.stbrendans.org. |
 Around the Diocese
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule
December 2: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kittanning
December 9: Church of the Advent, Jeannette
December 16: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Homestead
December 23: Church of the Nativity, Crafton
Gospel of Mark Bible Study
Trinity Cathedral's young adult minister, Ben DeHart, will lead a Wednesday evening in-depth look on the Gospel According to St. Mark, Wednesdays beginning November 28th, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral. Everyone is welcome. Call or email Ben DeHart for more details at 609-240-8558 or bendehart@gmail.com
Feed My Sheep
The current issue of "Feed My Sheep", the diocesan newsletter for children and family ministries, is now available here.
|
|
Parting Shots
The Rev. Dr. Canon Harold T. Lewis, who recently retired as rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, was awarded the House of Deputies medal on Sunday, Nov. 25. The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies, presented the medal to Lewis during a service of thanksgiving for his ministry at Calvary.
|
All submissions to the Grace Happens weekly newsletter are welcome should be sent to asmuhl@episcopalpgh.org. Material should be sent before the close of business on Monday to be considered for inclusion in the current week's newsletter. Please be sure to include your contact information with any submission.
Submissions for publication of items on the diocesan web site and calendar should also be sent electronically to asmuhl@episcopalpgh.org.
|
|
|
|
|
