|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Quicklinks |
|
|
|
 McIntosh Named 2013 ECF Fellow
The Episcopal Church Foundation has named its 2013 Fellows who bring an exciting vision and passion for the future of the Episcopal Church. This year, a Pittsburgher is is on the list.
 As a former Baptist minister with significant experience and passion for serving minority populations, Eric McIntosh has been empowered to develop a grassroots ministry at St. James Episcopal Church in Penn Hills, PA, which will be "from the community and for the community." In 2008, the members of St. James chose to leave the Diocese of Pittsburgh and nearly three years later, when they voluntarily moved to a new location, then-Bishop Kenneth L. Price immediately committed to rebuilding an Episcopal Church congregation at St. James. Five years later, Eric believes that St. James has been given a unique opportunity to start all over again, and sees the largely minority community surrounding St. James as a ripe mission field for the Episcopal Church. "St. James is uniquely located where a Christ-centered ministry could have great impact for the Kingdom of God and positive change for the community."
Eric also presently serves on the Spiritual Leaders Caucus and the Gun Violence Task Force of the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN). PIIN is an ecumenical group that engages local governments, multi-faith congregations, the local police and community to address social justice issues as well as the gun violence problem that plagues Pittsburgh's inner city communities. For nearly 50 years ECF, has helped enable emerging scholars and ministry leaders in the Episcopal Church through the Fellowship Partners Program to pursue studies and ministries they might not otherwise be able to, and share their knowledge and learnings with the wider Church. Read more about the program here. 
|
|
|
 Constitution & Canons Committee Seeks Input
The Constitution & Canons Committee invites members of the diocesan community to submit their proposals and comments regarding amendments to our constitution and canons for the committee's consideration. The committee particularly welcomes input on the recent proposed amendment to Canon II, concerning the apportionment of deputies among the parishes to diocesan convention. This amendment was referred back to the committee for further study by the convention in November. |
At the Diocesan Convention last November, Bishop McConnell promised that his decision concerning the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of persons in such unions would be informed (although not determined) by a diocese-wide dialogue, and announced the formation of a planning team to work with outside consultants to organize this dialogue. In February, the bishop sent a letter to the whole diocese describing the progress made. By that time, interviews had been conducted with a diverse group of 20 others, a number of whom would go on to participate in the first two dialogues, and the team itself had tested the dialogue that resulted, and refined the procedure further in the light of its experience.
The Phase Two dialogues have now taken place, and the planning team is pleased to report that both facilitators and participants have given the process high marks. According to one observer, "at times the atmosphere was electric with collaborative, constructive energy... some participants offered a few suggested tweaks but as a general proposition people communicated that the structure and facilitation were experienced as supporting meaningful, constructive conversation."
The Phase Three dialogues will take place throughout the diocese over the summer. The only limitation on the number of participants will be the need for there to be a roughly equal number who come at this controversy from each side. Clearly a large pool of volunteers is needed on both sides of the question.
To volunteer to take part in the summer dialogues, click this link. Registration deadline is June 30.
|
|
Parishioners from Calvary Episcopal Church in East Liberty will participate in Circle of Faith, an interfaith effort to provide a public witness by religious organizations who are welcoming and inclusive of LGBT persons and their families. The event is for all persons who believe that God's love is inclusive and that all are welcome into the "family circle" that their faith communities offer. All are invited to participate on Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 2-3 p.m. at the Highland Park fountain and reservoir at the end of N. Highland Avenue. People will gather for brief remarks, including Michael Bartley, Managing Editor of WQED Multimedia, followed by a walk around the reservoir representing the circle of faith and inclusion. Members of each congregation will carry a sign or banner to identify their faith community as welcoming.
|
Anti-Torture Workshop Announced
The diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Committee is endorsing a workshop, "Solitary Confinement: Torture in Our Prisons," on Saturday, June 22, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., arranged by American Friends Service Committee, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Community House Presbyterian Church, and East Liberty Presbyterian Church, where it will be held.For more information, visit www.nrcat.org or contact Scilla Wahrhaftig, American Friends Service Committee Office, at 412-315-7423 or swahrhaftig@afsc.org to register for this workshop.
|
16th Annual Liturgical Arts Conference
The 2013 Liturgical Arts Conference at the Kanuga Episcopal Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC will be held August 18-23.
The theme is FACE: Faith Art and Creative Expression, and participants can choose from morning classes on blackwork embroidery, needlepoint, photography, weaving, and quilting and afternoon sessions on choral singing, flower arranging, recycling and care of linens, and Biblical storytelling.
If you are interested call 828-692-9136 or go to the web site www.kanuga.org. |
Calvary Publishes Parish Profile
The Calling Committee of Calvary Episcopal Church announces the publication of their Parish Profile, an important milestone in the search for their sixteenth Rector.
A Ministry Portfolio is also posted at the Office for Transition Ministry web site.
|
Around the Diocese
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule
June 2: Christ Church, North Hills
June 9: St. Peter's, Brentwood
June 13: Calvary Camp, Conneaut, OH, Staff Commissioning
June 16: St. Paul's, Monongahela
Summer Hours: The diocesan office will close at Noon on Fridays during the summer months.
Taize @ Community of Celebration: Sunday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. 809 Franklin Avenue,
Aliquippa, PA 15001 www.communityofcelebration.com/
Hold the Date: Diocesan Leadership Calendaring Day on Saturday, August 10, 9:30 a.m. to Noon at St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon.
Retired Clergy Luncheon: Tuesday, June 11, at the home of the Rev. Chris and Mary Barker in Gibsonia. Click here to register..
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
