|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Quicklinks |
|
|
|
 Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: Anti-Racism Workshop
Two consecutive Saturdays - April 26 & May 3, 2014
St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 285 St. Martins Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146
Schedule for both Saturdays:
8 a.m. Registration/Sign In - Continental Breakfast served
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Workshop Sessions
Holy Eucharist Service - at conclusion of workshop on May 3rd
To meet canon requirements, attendance is required both days. The workshop is free of charge. A continental breakfast and lunch will beserved on both Saturdays. A contribution to help cover food costs would be gratefully accepted. Click here for a printable flyer. Click here for a workshop Q&A Click here for a printable registration form. The Anti-Racism Commission would like to remind you that all elected leaders, both diocesan and parish, are required by resolutions passed at both our Diocesan Convention and General Convention to have completed Anti-Racism Training. |
|
|
"Little drops of water, little grains of sand make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land" -children's nursery rhyme
Using Blue Boxes in homes throughout the year is an old tradition of offering thanks for daily blessings. Every penny collected in the parishes of our diocese, combined with those from other dioceses, goes toward changing lives here in Pittsburgh and around the world. Because of its missionary nature, all UTO collections are awarded in grants to help others in need. None is used for administrative purposes.
The UTO collection date is up to the individual parish. Blue Boxes and/or Blue UTO collection envelopes may be ordered FREE of charge and mailed directly to an individual or parish from the following website: http://episcopalmarketplace.org/Products/United-Thank-Offering
Twice a year, the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Pittsburgh sponsors a diocesan-wide UTO Ingathering where representatives from each parish are welcome to take part in the procession. Each parish representative will carry an envelope with their parish name. The envelopes from parishes who have already completed their UTO Ingathering should contain a check for the collected amount made out to the current treasurer of the diocesan ECW board. Envelopes from parishes who have not as yet had their UTO Ingathering should contain a note with the approximate date of their parish UTO Ingathering. At the time of the diocesan-wide ingathering, whether your parish has done a collection or not, ALL parishes are welcome to take part in the Ingathering procession.
|
Saturday, April 26, 2014
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon
1066 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
The Rev. Canon Dr. Catherine M. Brall, Celebrant
Schedule of events:
Registration w/ breakfast snacks: 9:30 a.m.
Brief ECW business meeting: 10:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker:
Ann McStay will share information about the St. Paul & Rose Orphanage in Uganda
Holy Eucharist: 11:00 a.m.
Luncheon with musical program: 12 noon
Registration Deadline: April 21st
Luncheon Cost: $15.00 payable at registration
Online registration is available by clicking here.
A printable/mailable registration form is available by clicking here.
Click here for a printable flyer.
Call Betty Duckstein at 412-489-5277 with any questions.
|
 Chrism Mass Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils
A combined observance of the
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
and the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
Monday, April 14, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
328 Sixth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
with
The Rt. Rev. Dorsey W. M. McConnell,
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
Presiding
and
The Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow,
Bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod ELCA
Preaching
Clergy members are invited to vest (red) and process.
This Chrism Mass is open to the public.
A clergy luncheon will follow the service. Clergy are asked to register for the service by clicking here by Friday, April 4, 2014.
|
 A Letter to the Baptized Child
The Rev. John Schaeffer, priest-in-charge of All Saints Church in Brighton Heights, has been quite busy baptizing babies and children since last July. Since that time, he has baptized 8 children! A little over a year ago, All Saints parish did not have any children in the parish and now, they not only have baptized children but also a growing Sunday school! What is behind this enormous surge in baptisms? It could have something to do with an innovative idea that Fr. John created -- a baptismal letter.
Fr. John delivers a sermon in the form of a letter addressed to the baptized child. After he reads the letter, he presents it to the parents in front of the congregation. Each letter is individually written to the child, and contains Fr. John's heartfelt sentiments about the Christian faith, and his hope that the child will not only grow in the Christian faith but also strive to lead a life of purpose. Fr. John is hopeful that the children's parents will keep the letter close at hand, refer to it, and share it with the child as he/she grows to adulthood.
Fr. John would love to see this practice become a Pittsburgh Diocese tradition. He recently shared this idea and already, another priest in the diocese has begun this new custom. Fr. John is now getting his pencil sharp since he recently learned that he may have three more baptisms in the near future. What a way to grow.
--Photo courtesy Karen Schaeffer
|
Click here for details about the full series schedule and directions to the host parishes.
|
 Bishop McConnell and Commission on Ministry Announce Ministry Exploration Day
Anyone interested in pursuing lay or ordained leadership is encouraged to attend Ministry Exploration Day on Saturday, April 12 at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon. This is our annual opportunity to meet with individuals to explain our vision for ministry and to discuss our discernment and ordination process for those called to ordained ministry.
Individuals are encouraged to attend with their Rector and spouse or significant other. This is an opportunity to meet the bishop and members of the Commission on Ministry and to learn more about lay and ordained leadership as deacon or priest.
Ministry Exploration Day starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends by 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at St. Paul's, 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon 15228. Lunch will be provided.
Please register for this event by clicking here.
If you have any questions about the event or our discernment and ordination process, please call the Rev. Lou Hays, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, at 412-531-7153.
|
 Easter at the Calvary Bookstore
Once, a long time ago, a little donkey was brought to Jesus. The little donkey had never been ridden before, but Jesus spoke gently to him, and soon he stopped being afraid. Jesus climbed onto the donkey's back, and they set off for Jerusalem...
In clear, reverent language and shining gold-toned paintings, award-winning author/illustrator Brian Wildsmith creates this companion book to his earlier A Christmas Story. With an enchantingly simple perspective that will engage even the very youngest child, Wildsmith offers a splendid new version of the greatest story ever told.
The Easter Story is available at the Bookstore at Calvary, 315 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 (412) 661-0120, ext. 133 |
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you may know, Betsy and I have been active in mission for many years with Pilgrim Africa, an indigenous, non-denominational Christian relief and development organization bringing the mercy and hope of the Gospel to the people of Northeastern Uganda through education, agricultural development and public health initiatives. I blogged a great deal about Pilgrim's mission and ministry during my trip last year; to find out more, please click here.
Betsy and I are returning to Uganda from July 18th to August 4th. We will be teaming up with old friends from New York who will be leading a seminar in trauma therapy in Kampala, but we will be spending most of our time in and around Soroti, the capital of the Teso region. We usually tailor our activities to match the gifts and interests of the team who go with us.
That is where you come in!
 Please think and pray about whether you have a call from the Lord to this mission field. We are particularly interested in addiction specialists, teachers, nurses and physicians (general surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, hygiene education, etc.), but have taken dozens of people with a bewildering variety of gifts: actors, writers, EMT's, gardeners and horticulturists, business consultants, accountants, evangelists, and folks with gifts of prayer. Please don't think you have nothing to offer.
 The cost will be about $1,500 per person in addition to airfare. Some scholarship aid is available. In the past we have taken children as young as ten, though twelve is a preferred minimum age.
If you are interested, or would like more information please contact me as soon as possible through my diocesan email, dmcconnell@episcopalpgh.org.
Blessings, 
|
 Lenten Supper Series at Christ Church, North Hills A series of presentations and meditations on the topic of "Jesus, the Good Shepherd."
The final presentation in the series is on Sunday, April 6, by the Very Rev. Dr. Justyn Terry, Dean, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry
A light dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Soup, salad, bread & coffee will be provided. You are invited to bring a dessert to share. Each presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. |
 Scholarship Applications Now Accepted for Episcopal Church Grants
[From Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] Applications are now being accepted for the 2014-2015 awarding of educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church, according to Samuel A. McDonald, Director of Mission/Deputy Chief Operating Officer and convener of the Scholarship Committee.
"As a result of bequests, The Episcopal Church makes available a modest number of scholarships that assist students primarily enrolled in theological education and training," explained Margareth Crosnier de Bellaistre, Episcopal Church Director of Investment Management and Banking "Funding for the program is derived from annual income of designated trust funds established by generous donors."
Scholarships are available for ethnic communities, children of missionaries, bishops and clergy, and other particular wide-ranging eligibility for education and training.
The amounts of the scholarships vary according to the availability of payouts from the funds. The maximum is $5000.
The lists of trust funds and scholarships as well as key information are here. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read each trust and identify in the application those trust funds that best fit their own profile.
Requirements for applying for the scholarships include: the applicant must be an Episcopalian, must be a member of The Episcopal Church, and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop.
Application form is available here.
Applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee which includes The Episcopal Church Director of Mission, the Director of Human Resources Management, representatives of various ministries, and the Treasurer's office. Deadline for applications is April 30. Only complete applications will be considered.
For information contact Terry Foster, tfoster@episcopalchurch.org
|
Bishop McConnell Visitation Schedule:
April 6: Holy Cross, Homewood
April 13: St. Paul's, Monongahela
May 4: St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon
May 11: St. Peter's Brentwood
Bishop McConnell's Holy Week Schedule: April 14, Monday: Chrism Mass at Trinity Cathedral April 17, Maundy Thursday: Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar, Calvary, East Liberty April 18, Good Friday: Trinity Cathedral April 19, Saturday: Blessing Over The City, Mount Washington Overlook, 10 a.m. April 19, Great Vigil of Easter: Calvary, East Liberty April 20, Easter Sunday: Trinity Cathedral Easter Service
Job Opening: St. Brendan's in Franklin Park is seeking a part-time (10-15 hours a week) coordinator for our ministry with and to the children and youth of our growing parish. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person with communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Please contact the rector, the Rev. Scott Russell, for more details at 412-364-5974 or rector@stbrendans.org.
Are Your Parochial Reports Overdue? A reminder that 2013 parish parochial reports were to be filed by March 1, 2014. See http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/parochial-report for workbooks and reports.
|
Flanking the bishop are the Rev. Dr. David Marshall, Assoc. Professor and Director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies, and the Rev. Liz Dowling-Sendor, Associate Director. Also pictured, left to right, are students Stephen Crawford, Molly McGee, Sarah Barton, Joe Sroka (from Calvary Episcopal Church, East Liberty); and David Wantland.
|
All submissions to the Grace Happens newsletter and diocesan web site are welcome and should be sent to info@episcopalpgh.org. Please be sure to include your contact information with any submission.
|
|
|
|
|
