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 Vegetable Garden Grant Applications Available
Nothing says spring like planning a garden!
In recent years, several groups have developed vegetable gardens to help meet the needs of urban and suburban residents who have limited access to fresh produce and healthy food supplies. One such garden, South Hills Interfaith Ministries "Boaz Fields" project, was featured last fall in Grace Happens.
 In 2013, the diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Committee (SJO) will offer a few small grants to support the efforts of creating and sustaining parish-based vegetable gardens. Depending on the location and circumstance, It is expected that such produce will be distributed through local food pantries or parish-based outreach efforts. These grants are intended to support Episcopal parishes and organizations to create new vegetable gardens or to support an already functioning garden with small material needs such as: seed or plant purchases, fencing, bed construction, soil or fertilizer purchases, soil testing costs, hand tool purchases, water connections, rain barrels, etc. These grants are not intended to support an exclusive or private garden.  A helpful guide has been prepared for setting up a small garden and is available here. Should your garden be selected, implementation will be in late winter/early spring, 2013. The maximum grant request for this program should be no more than $500. Funds are to be used in the calendar year 2013 unless an extension is submitted and approved by the SJO committee. Application forms with instructions are available here. Completed applications are due via mail postmarked or electronically by March 15, 2013. For additional information, contact Pat Eagon (pkeagon@gmail.com) or Nancy Lapp (nlapp@pts.edu). Photos courtesy South Hills Interfaith Ministries 
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 February 10 is Children's Charter Day
Bishop McConnell has proclaimed Sunday, February 10, 2013 as the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's Children's Charter Day. Every parish is encouraged to observe this day by promoting the Charter and to learn more about how we as Episcopalians can nurture, minister to, and receive ministry from children. Complete details are available at http://www.episcopalpgh.org/childrens-charter-day/ |
February 12, 2013*
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Mardi Gras Party at St. Andrew's, Highland Park 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Free will offering.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 5801 Hampton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at Christ Church, North Hills Sponsored by the youth of Christ Church. 5 - 7 p.m. Free will offering. Christ Episcopal Church 5910 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper At St. Paul's. Mt. Lebanon Sponsored by the 7th grade confirmation class. 5:30 - 7 p.m. Adults $7, Children $5, Family $25 St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
Shrove Tuesday Jambalaya Dinner at St. Thomas in Oakmont A dinner of jambalaya, corn bread, salad and king cake will be served 5 - 7 p.m. Adults $8, Children $6, Family $25. St. Thomas Memorial Church, 378 Delaware Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139
39th Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Supper at Christ Church, Indiana An old tradition with fresh food! 5 - 7 p.m. Cost: $5 at the door. Christ Episcopal Church, 902 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, PA 15701
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper sponsored by the Men of St. Matthew's, Homestead 5 - 7 p.m. Cost: $6 Adults, $3 Children under 12. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 10th and McClure Ave., Homestead, PA 15120
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Talent Show at St. Peter's, Brentwood Dinner served from 4 - 7 p.m., talent show starts at 7 p.m. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 4048 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227
*Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast... on Sunday Instead at St. Stephen's, McKeesport
All you can eat pancakes, sausage, applesauce. Sunday, February 10 after the 10 a.m. service. Adults $8 (12 and over). Children $3. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 220 Eighth Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132
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Lenten Friday Fish Fry in McKeesport
Each Friday in Lent, from February 15 through March 29, St. Stephen's, McKeesport will be offering shrimp, crab cakes, baked fish and fried fish with an assortment of side dishes. Dine in or take out.11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Click here for a full menu. If your parish is sponsoring a Lenten fish fry, send the information to info@episcopalpgh.org and we will compile a list similar to the Shrove Tuesday events above. |
 February 17 is Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
As Lent is quickly approaching, please be aware that Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday is February 17.
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 PYI Goes to Snow Camp
Join the youth of the diocese of on March 1-3 for fun with paintball, tubing, snow sports, horse trail rides, archery, basketball, snow sculpture, gagaball, indoor Airsoft, skate ramps, climbing wall, trampoline, faith, food, friends and more!
 $109 covers all food, activities, and lodging. For ages 12 and up. Contact Brent Hansen to sign up or for more information at 412-491-9738 or by email at bhansen@episcopalpgh.org by February 18. Scholarship help may be available. |
 Redeemer, Squirrel Hill Rector Search Committee Receiving Applications
The Church of the Redeemer is currently in the exciting process of seeking a new permanent rector, while under the interim leadership of the Rev. Diane Shepard. The search committee is now accepting applications.
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 A Lenten Quiet Day in Mt. Lebanon
On finding sustenance in the desert
Saturday, March 2, 2013, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The day will begin with coffee, tea and light refreshments. There will be several guided meditations, as well as quiet time for individual reflection. Lunch will be provided. The day will close in worship.
Participants are welcome to bring devotional reading or quiet crafts to aid in reflection. Materials will also be provided. A $5 donation is requested to cover the cost of lunch. Questions? Please contact the Rev. Michelle Boomgaard at 412-531-7153 x12, or michelle@stpaulspgh.org.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
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 Episcopal Workday at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Come join volunteers from churches throughout the Diocese for a Lenten workday at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Once again we will be working in the Repack Center at GPCFB's main warehouse facility at 1 North Linden St., Duquesne, PA 15110 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. On our previous visits we've enjoyed a most rewarding time repacking about a ton of cereal. The exact project will depend on their inventory at the time. GPCFB serves as a central repository for over 350 local food pantries and distribution centers across 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Because it works with such large volumes in its certified green facility, GPCFB's operations are efficient, economical and impressive.The Social Justice and Outreach Committee is sponsoring this event to highlight the ongoing hunger needs in our area.If you would like to volunteer for this rewarding Lenten activity, contact Jerry Stephenson at jjmestephenson@verizon.net or 412-367-1032 by March 5. We'll need your name, church, phone and email address (if you have one) for the roster sheet. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older and be able to stand for two or more consecutive hours. We're limited to 30 volunteer slots, which will be filled on a first-come basis. Make your reservation soon! |
Click here for a printable poster and driving directions.
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 Around the Diocese
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule
February 10: St. Thomas, Canonsburg
February 13: Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes at Trinity Cathedral, 12 p.m.
February 17: St. Stephen's, McKeesport
February 24: Emmanuel, North Side
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh Meeting: February 11, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Shoemaker Room at Calvary, East Liberty. The guest speaker, the Rev. Dr. Philip Wainwright, will discuss "Flavors and Tenets of Episcopal Church Conservatives."
President's Day Office Closing: The diocesan offices will be closed on Monday, February 18.
Theological Reading Group for Lent: Calvary Episcopal Church, East Liberty, invites you to join a theological reading group for Lent this year. The group will meet in Calvary's McClintic Hall (the choir room) from 7-9 p.m. on Monday nights beginning on February 18. Click here for additional details.
Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) in Brackenridge: The VITA program is open Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the ground-level office of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 989 Morgan St., Brackenridge, PA 15014, and will be in operation until March 30. Call 724-625-2238.
Clergy Lenten Quiet Day: Friday, March 1, 2013, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at St. Brendan's, Franklin Park. Facilitator will be Sr. Catherine Higgins, SSJ, a well-known authority on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Additional details and registration information will be available soon.
Clergy Renewal of Vows and Chrism Mass will again be a joint event with clergy from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA and will be held at First Lutheran Church, Downtown, on Monday, March 25 at 10 a.m. Additional details to come.
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Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Lent Message: "Learn more, give alms, share what you have."
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presents a challenge in her Lent Message 2013 to pray, fast, study and give alms.
"As you engage this Lent, I would encourage you to pray, to fast, to act in solidarity with those who go without," she offers. "Learn more, give alms, share what you have."
The Presiding Bishop's video message, filmed at a park in New York City, can be viewed at www.episcopalchurch.org/page/presiding-bishop
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All submissions to the Grace Happens weekly newsletter are welcome and 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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