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Diocese Receives Roanridge Trust Award Grant for Lay Ministry Initiative
Congratulations to Jessie Hipolit, a member of the diocesan Commission on Ministry and Program Director of a new Lay Ministry Initiative, on receiving a $20,000 Roanridge Trust Award Grant to help the diocese develop and equip lay persons for ministry.
"This is a real indication of how far we have come as a diocese," said Jessie. "I believe the time is right to move forward with expanded Lay Ministry in our diocese. It is indeed a dream come true!"
The 2013 Roanridge Trust Award Grants, totaling $262,364 for 15 grants for transformative work across the church, were announced by Sam McDonald, Episcopal Church Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Mission.
The Roanridge Trust Award grants are awarded annually for new and creative models for leadership development in small communities across the Episcopal Church.
The Roanridge Trust was established by the Cochel family, who originally gave a working farm in Missouri called Roanridge to the Episcopal Church. The interest from the sale of the farm generates the grant funds.
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 New Habitat for Humanity Project News Flash! Based on the success of the 2010 Habitat for Humanity project, the diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Committee (SJOC) has identified and plans to adopt another house to renovate in partnership with Habitat in 2013.
In the spring and summer of 2010 the SJOC helped renovate a house in Sharpsburg for a refugee family from Somalia. Bringing together an entire diocese, the project fulfilled its goal to Build a House, Unite a Diocese, Change Lives.  "Everyone has been so helpful. I have learned so much especially through. . . all of the hands-on volunteering. I feel like I can fix anything in my new house," said Abdi Muya, the father of the family of six helped in 2010. "In Pittsburgh, I can live a good life." We now have more parishes and more people in the diocese that can participate - more people we need to get to know, more need for construction expertise, electricians, and plumbers, and also those who can learn to put up dry wall, pound a nail, and paint! There are jobs for young and old, from making lunches to holding creative fundraisers.  An informational program will be held Sunday afternoon, January 13th, at Calvary Episcopal Church, East Liberty, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Habitat staff will be there to tell us about a house in Sharpsburg we can work on; the seven-member family from Burundi that we can help; the volunteers needed; and most important, how we can fulfill our vision as the Body of Christ and churches working together to fulfill our mission.We pray that every parish can send representatives, especially someone from their Outreach Committee, a particularly talented builder, and as many enthusiastic workers as they can muster. We'll look at times and types of volunteer opportunities. Look for plans for a new competition between districts. For those who cannot volunteer for physical labor, we need monetary support, and we hope every congregation, large and small, will be able to make a monetary contribution as they are able.  Let us renew our commitment of the mission statement of the Social Justice and Outreach Committee for "the people of God to hear and respond to the cries of the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, and the alienated within our communities, the nation and the world." Let's strive for 100% participation of the Vibrant Episcopal Communities United in Christ.
The Rt. Rev. Dorsey W. M. McConnell
Bishop of Pittsburgh
Mark Rust
Diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Committee
Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors
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 Calvary Camp Skating Party!
Dear Camp Families,We hope that this finds everyone well and ready for this busy time. We know for many of you, it wouldn't be the holiday season without a slice of camp at the end of the month and so we wanted to officially invite you to the first ever Calvary Camp Skating Party!We will be heading to Bladerunner's Ice Complex in Bethel Park (305 Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 29. While this is a public skate time, we have been offered entrance to the rink and skate rental at a discount rate of $6.00. Just let them know you're from Calvary Camp and you're all set. This event is open to all current, former, and future Calvary campers and their families. Some of our staff will be there as well and we hope you can join us for what is sure to be a great afternoon.In order to get a rough estimate of attendance, if you and your family plan on being there, please RSVP to Neil Johnston at neil@calvarycamp.org to let us how many people will be skating with us.Happy Holidays!-The Calvary Camp Staff- |
A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols for Christmas from St. Andrew's, Highland Park on YouTube
Joined by lectors from the parish, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and the community, the Choirs of St Andrew's Episcopal Church present the traditional service of Lessons & Carols with music for organ, soloists, and choir, and congregational hymns. Recorded live on December 16, 2012.
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 PEP Epiphany Party Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh invites anyone in the diocese who is interested in celebrating the Christmas Season with us to an Epiphany Party to be held on Saturday, January 5th at Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill at 7:30 p.m.
We will provide drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and some goodies. If you are coming please bring one or more of the following:
1. A goodie
2. A donation to the East End Cooperative Ministry Food Pantry.
3. A cash or check donation to the Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program based at St. Stephen's, Wilkinsburg.
COME ONE, COME ALL, CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US!
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 2013 Frank E. Bolden Literary Contest
Each year the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh celebrates the life and work of Absalom Jones (1746-1818), the first African-American priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. In conjunction with this event, the diocesan Commission on Racism sponsors a literary contest named for the late Frank E. Bolden, a noted Pittsburgh-based African-American journalist. The contest is open to all middle and senior high school students in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded to the author of the winning entry at the Absalom Jones Day Celebration to be held at Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.
The contest is on the subject of racism with a specific theme. This year's theme is:
"Reconciliation and Healing Through Knowledge"
Students are invited to submit a literary work that describes or gives an example(s) of the theme, either from the past, present or future. Entries may be essays, poetry, fiction or non-fiction, and will be judged on originality, clarity, and composition. The maximum length is 200 words and should be typed double-spaced.
Entries should include the following information: author's name, age, grade, school, teacher's name. Also include the author's home address, phone number, e-mail address, hobbies and interests, extra-curricular activities, and plans for the future. Entries may be submitted by email to dpowell2010@hotmail.com or by regular mail to Literary Contest, PO Box 419, Oakmont, PA 15139. Entries must be post marked no later than January 23, 2013. If you have any questions about the contest, please call one of the following: Al Mann at 412-661-5947; Nancy Travis Bolden at 412-683-8888; or Darrell Powell at 412-828-0502. |
 Around the Diocese
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule
January 6: All Saints, Brighton Heights
January 13: All Souls, North Versailles
January 20: Atonement, Carnegie
January 27: St. James, Penn Hills
Taiz� @ Community of Celebration Sunday, January 6, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
809 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa, PA 15001
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Parting Shot
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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.
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