The General Theological Seminary has announced the next recipients of its Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, to be conferred at the 191st Commencement ceremonies on May 15, 2013. Three distinguished leaders of The Episcopal Church will receive the honorary degree: the Reverend Carol Anderson, the Right Reverend Andrew M. L. Dietsche, and the Right Reverend Dorsey W. M. McConnell.

 

See http://news.gts.edu/2013/02/general-seminary-to-award-three-honorary-degrees-at-the-2013-commencement-ceremonies/

 

Grants

 

The Diocese of Pittsburgh's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will again be making outreach grants in the Spring.

The ECW particularly seeks to support "hands-on-ministries" that help children, adults and families in need of assistance with food, nutrition, health care, housing, education and counseling.

The grants are primarily designed for ministries within the diocese and with the goal of even distribution across all districts. It is hoped that these small grants will enable the continuation of existing ministries on the local level. However, the ECW will continue its policy of also awarding grants to some national and international ministries such as ERD.

 

Click here for the grant application and submission instructions. Applications for the Spring 2013 grants must be submitted before April 1st.

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Scholarships

 

The ECW established the Memorial Membership Fund to aid students with educational grants. The fund was begun in 1927 to be used for two missionary training scholarships. In the 84 years of its existence, the scope of the fund has widened to include nursing, theology and other humanitarian fields of study.

Funds are raised through gifts from individuals or groups in memory of a loved one or friend. This money is invested and the interest used for the granting purposes.

Each applicant must: 

• be an Episcopalian in good standing (active) in a parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh,
• have completed one year of college or the equivalent,
• be pursuing education in either church or humanitarian related fields,
• submit an application, including a letter stating goals and need, and
• submit a reference letter from their parish priest.

The Memorial Membership Committee will consider each request based on individual need and circumstances. Scholarships are completely unencumbered and may be used as needed to aid the recipient in achieving their educational goals. Each eligible applicant is able to apply once a year for three years.

The applications must be received prior to April 1, 2013. The application form is available online by clicking here.

For additional information please contact Nancy Kenny at 724-325-4769. 

Saturday, February 23, 9 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 335 Locust Street, Johnstown.

Come away for some quiet time. During our day together we'll explore a few ways that might help us quiet our noisy minds for just a fraction of a second, possibly giving us a moment in the absolute present with the Lord. During the day we'll find moments of silence together through:

• meditative prayer
• scripture visualization 
• walking meditation
• silent lunch
• prayerfully creating a collage

Facilitated by Susy Robison from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Highland Park, who has led quiet days and retreats for more than 30 years, believing that we can have a mountaintop experience with God, even in a closet.

Coffee and light refreshments will be available before we begin and a light lunch. 

All are welcome! Sponsored by the ECW. RSVP to 814-535-6797 or email stmarks@atlanticbbn.net

The Church Pension Group has published two valuable tax guides as follows:

1.2013 Federal Reporting Requirements for Episcopal Churches. This is an excellent guide to tax issues facing parish financial administrators, wardens, vestries, and treasurers, particularly with respect to the special tax issues associated with clergy.  Among many things, this guide contains sample vestry housing designations for clergy in various situations. This guide was made available on February 15, 2013.

2. 2013 Clergy Tax Guide (for 2012 Taxes). This is an excellent reference for clergy when preparing their own income tax returns. For those clergy who use a paid tax preparer, I strongly suggest you provide a copy of this guide to your tax preparer. This guide not available on the web site as of February 19, 2013, but it should be available in the very near future.

Both of these guides are available at www.cpg.org/forms-and-publications/?label=publications/tax-publications

Another very useful guide published by the Episcopal Church's Office of the Treasurer is The Episcopal Church Manual Of Business Methods in Church Affairs. This manual should be read by anyone in a church who has financial responsibility, such as rectors, vestries, wardens, treasurers, financial and parish administrators, finance committees, and audit committees. 

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Highland Park is in search of a part-time (900 hours per year) Financial Secretary and Business Office Manager. The Financial Secretary will be a reliable, organized, detail-oriented person, able to work independently, with good computer skills and familiarity with the basics of bookkeeping, financial management, and spreadsheet software. Familiarity with QuickBooks Pro or Premier software and fund accounting a strong plus.

To indicate interest and request a more-complete position description, please send an e-mail to the Rev. Dr. Bruce Robison at rector@standrewspgh.org. No phone calls, please.

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. 

More information, including their Parish Profile, Community Ministry Portfolio, and application instructions is available at www.redeemerpittsburgh.org/rector-search

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.

 

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. 

 

Click here for more information.

 

Photos courtesy South Hills Interfaith Ministries 

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!