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 The Great Vigil of Easter
The Easter Vigil is the most important service of public worship and Mass of the liturgical year. It is the first celebration of the Gloria during the fifty-day long celebration of Easter, marked by the first use since the beginning of Lent of the exclamatory "Alleluia," a distinctive feature of the Easter season.
The service normally consists of four parts:
- The Service of Light
- The Service of Lessons
- Christian Initiation, or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows
- The Holy Eucharist with the administration of Easter Communion
 The Service of Light begins outside the church with the "New Fire." The Pascal Candle is lit and leads the procession into the Sanctuary. It is announced "The Light of Christ" to which we respond "Thanks be to God." We are reminded that Christ is the "light" in the darkness of life for Christians everywhere. The great hymn, The Exsultet, is sung, the sweeping story of salvation history is recounted, the Resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed (loudly!) with the ringing of bells.
The Liturgy of the Word begins with readings from the Old Testament and continues through the Gospel of the Resurrection.
Then follows the year's principal rites of Baptism and Eucharist. The congregation renews their baptismal vows and the Liturgy of the Eucharist continues as usual.
Enjoy this special service on Saturday, March 30 at the following parishes:
Calvary Episcopal Church, East Liberty, starting at 8 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon, 7:30 p.m.
St. Thomas Memorial Church, Oakmont, 7:30 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, North Hills, 8 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill, 8 p.m.
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 The public is invited to a combined observance of Chrism Mass, Renewal of Ordination Vows and Blessing of Oils by the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA Monday, March 25, 2013 10:00 a.m. First English Evangelical Lutheran Church 615 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 The Rt. Rev. Dorsey W. M. McConnell Bishop of the Episcopal Docese of Pittsburgh
Preacher and The Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow
Bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod ELCA
Presiding Clergy members are invited to vest (red) and process.
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 St. Brendan's, Franklin Park Rector Search Committee Accepting Applications
St. Brendan's, Franklin Park, is in the process of seeking a permanent rector. They are presently accepting applications and will continue to do so until the end of May.
"We humbly acknowledge that our search is guided by the will and grace of God and we are grateful for the good will and prayers of our diocesan friends at this exciting time," said Jim Gray, chair of the Rector Search Committee. |
Women's Quiet Day in Brighton Heights
Women of the diocese are cordially invited to attend
A Day of Reflection
on April 13, 2013, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3577 McClure Ave.,
Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh, 15212.
The Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre will explore the many ways
that Jesus Christ manifests himself in each of us.
Coffee, donuts and registration at 9:30 a.m.
Discussion and reflection 10:00 - 12 noon
Lunch (provided) and free time 12:00 - 1:00
Discussion and reflection 1:00 - 2:00
Holy Communion 2:00
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Diocesan Resource Center Update
All parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh have an annual membership to the Southwest Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod Resource Center. The Resource Center is available for members of the clergy and the laity to borrow resources in person, phone, email and through the online catalog.  There are over 1,000 resources already listed in the online catalog and more are being added each week. This Resource Center has quality printed and media resources and also provides a hospitable space where one can browse and work. The resources include DVD's, books, curriculums, magazines, Vacation Bible School programs and other items. There are a variety of topics covered which include Bible study, stewardship, church growth, youth resources, children's ministry curriculums, adult study programs, spirituality, and Episcopal church history and practices including acolyte, altar guild, and vestry resources. Beth Caywood, the Resource Center Director, is at the center daily and you are welcome to use her services. She can consult with you if you are looking for something and would like some suggestions as to the right resource for you.
PEP Donates Course Material to Resource Center
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh (PEP) made a significant donation to the diocesan resource center, a collection of nine courses on religious topics produced by The Teaching Company of Chantilly, Virginia.The donated courses represent a combined 114 hours of instruction organized in half-hour lectures. The courses are presented by well-known scholars such as Bart D. Ehrman and Amy-Jill Levine. The courses treat such topics as early Church history, the Old and New Testaments, non-canonical texts, mysticism, and the relationship of science and religion. A complete list of courses, lecturers, and course length can be found here."PEP hopes that these courses will help to produce more knowledgeable and committed Christians in our diocese," explained Lionel Deimel, PEP board member who selected the courses. "This material can be especially helpful in small parishes lacking the resources to present ambitious adult education, as well as in larger parishes, where small groups may want to pursue in-depth study."
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 Around the Diocese
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule
March 24: St. Mark's, Johnstown (Palm Sunday)
March 28: St. Thomas, Oakmont (Maundy Thursday) 7:30 p.m.
March 29: Trinity Cathedral (Good Friday) Noon
St. Paul Cathedral, Oakland (Ecumenical Tenebrae) 7 p.m.
March 30: Ecumenical Blessing of the City, Mt. Washington 10 a.m.
Calvary, East Liberty (Easter Vigil) 8 p.m.
March 31: Trinity Cathedral (Easter Festival Eucharist)
April 7: Redeemer, Squirrel Hill
From the Treasurer: Carl Hockenberry, the diocesan Treasurer & Director of Administration, would like all parishes to know that first quarter Pool 1 distributions are being sent next week and should be received before the end of the month.
2013 ECW Grants & Scholarships: Application deadline is April 1. Click here for grant information. Click here for scholarship information.
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Parting Shots
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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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