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 Welcome Back
Dear Friends in Christ, In September, Grace Happens always remind me of those back-to-school notes we got when our son Evan was little - yep, the fall has begun, here is what's going on, please think about the following. I'm always pleased to see and hear about what is going on in our parishes, and I want us to be reminded again of why we're doing what we're doing. People need mercy. They may not know they need it, or think they don't deserve it, or have given up on finding it. They may have argued themselves out of asking for it, or have escaped the offer of it by blaming others for everything wrong in their life, even though at least one finger is squarely pointed at them. Or they may simply have blocked out their need by plugging into any of the various alternative universes that are so easily available to anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection. Maybe some of this even describes us, on some days. But, thankfully, God has broken through all these defenses through the Mercy Made Flesh, His Son Jesus. I ask us all to take in this gift, once again, as if for the first time: to claim the beauty of His Incarnation, the efficacy of His Cross, and the power of His Resurrection. He is the answer to any despair, any meaninglessness, any burden, any need, in the lives of those around us. Please, please, let us not wait for people to stumble over our thresholds to discover this mercy. Please let us go out and find them, listen to their stories, ask them what they need, then help them meet that need. As we do so, the mercy of God will become manifest. We will be able to extend an invitation to folks to taste more deeply of it in our own communities and congregations, and we will learn it more deeply ourselves. So, welcome back to school -- the school of love. May this year in the Diocese of Pittsburgh be a year full of grace for us and for those around us. May God use you mightily to proclaim in word and deed the joy of knowing the mercy of Jesus. I could not be happier than to share in this work with you, here, now. Faithfully your bishop,  |
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The Iron City Bishop Strikes Again...
Bishop McConnell is attending the Fall House of Bishops meeting, hosted this year by the Episcopal Diocese of Taiwan.
The Diocese of Taiwan was established in the late 1940's by Chinese Anglicans escaping mainland China, and since much of the early Anglican leadership in Taiwan was provided by American military chaplains, it was formally recognized in 1954 as a diocese and a member of Province VIII of the Episcopal Church.
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 Fall 2014 ECW Grants
The Finance Committee recommends the following disbursements of income from the Bailey, Fleming, Hartley, Kendig and Phillips Funds for the fall of 2014.
TOTAL: $10,300.00
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| DIOCESE: $3,400.00
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| Bishop's Discretionary Fund
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$1,200.00
| Sheldon Calvary Camp Scholarship Fund
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$1,200.00
| St. Stephen's, Wilkinsburg; Chair Lift
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$1,000.00
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| HOME MISSIONS: $4,000.00
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| St. Margaret's Hospital, Chapel; Re-blocking Needlepoint Kneelers
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$ 500.00
| St. Francis-in-the-Fields; Special Needs Ministry
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$ 500.00
| Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center
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$ 500.00
| St. John's, Donora; Giant Eagle Gift Cards to the Needy
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$ 500.00
| Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program (NYOP)
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$1,000.00
| St. James, Penn Hills; GED Program
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$1,000.00
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| NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS: $2,300.00
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| Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) (2 donkeys with plows and carts to Ghana and Mozambique)
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$1,300.00
| Blessed Mustard Seed Babies Home, Hoima, Uganda
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$1,000.00
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| PROPOSED DIOCESAN ECW BUDGET: $600.00
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| United Thank Offering (UTO) Ingathering
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$ 600.00
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Submitted by the Finance Committee: Betty Duckstein, President, ECW; Debbie Wiles, Treasurer, ECW; Josie Harmon, St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon; Dee McGough, Calvary, East Liberty; Jan Stevenson, Christ Church, North Hills; Betsy Hetzler, Nativity, Crafton; Mary Sweeney, Chairman, Finance Committee |
The Next Step Group of the Sam Shoemaker Community* is pleased to host the Rev. John J. Fetterman (Ret.), who will offer reflections on finding God in our life journeys, and will emphasize our experience with the God of our history, the God who is even more to be discovered than remembered. He will make ample use of the theology of Franciscan friar, Father Richard Rohr, who has written extensively about using the Twelve Steps as a springboard to bringing God into everyone's life. Fr. Richard Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1986, where he presently serves as founding director. He is the author of more than 20 books on spirituality including, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, Immortal Diamond and Falling Upward. He leads retreats and lectures internationally. ALL ARE WELCOME *The Next Step is a small discussion group founded upon the six spiritual principles of Dr. Sam Shoemaker, well-known author and 12th Rector of Calvary Church. The group includes churched and non-churched folks who engage in collective self-examination, contemplation, and cultivation of the inner life in order to achieve spiritual and emotional sobriety. The group meets every Saturday at Calvary Church from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Conference Room.
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 And Also With Yinz...
Celebrating the spirit of the city and the diocese, new tshirts are available at the Calvary Bookstore. The black shirts are made of 100% cotton with yellow gold lettering.
On the front they read, "And Also With Yinz." On the back they have the diocesan web address. All profits will benefit Sheldon Calvary Camp.
Shirts are available in short and long sleeves, XS-XXL, and cost $20 each. A small stock will be available at the bookstore but more can be ordered. Bumper stickers are also available. Are all printed locally at Commonwealth Press on the South Side.
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Teacher Training Workshop: The Bible in Context
Editor note: The PTS Office of Continuing Education has received an unexpected gift intended to defray the cost of Teacher Training. The registration for this event will now be $25 per person. If you have already registered, expect to receive a $20 refund.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will present the 31st annual Teacher Training Workshop on Saturday, September 27, from 8:15 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. The keynote speaker is Ron E. Tappy, G. Albert Shoemaker Professor of Bible and Archaeology and Director of the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
This year's theme is "Back to the Land: Teaching the Bible in Context" and elective workshops include: Everyday Life in First Temple Times with Karen Bowden-Cooper; Why Does God Kill and Destroy? How the Bible Understands Violence and How God Responds to It with Jerome Creach; Bible Building Blocks in the Formative Years with Delinda Donovan; Teaching the New Testament Parables with Jim and Joy Durlesser; Basics of Teaching and Beyond the Basics of Teaching with Barbara Gunn; Approaching the Bible with Teens: Engaging Hearts and Minds with Leslie Thyberg; and Finding the 21st Century Shepherd with B. De Neice Welch.
Registration fee is $25. For more information, click HERE.
CEUs will be available upon request. Contact the Office of Continuing Education at 412-924-1345 or ConEd@pts.edu with questions.
This event is presented by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh Presbytery, and Mount Ararat Baptist Church. The workshop is supported in part by the Ritchie Lectureship at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and fosters further study on the theme of Christian Education.
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 Anti-Racism Workshop
Seeing the Face of God in Each Other
October 3 & 4, 2014, at Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (Squirrel Hill) Friday, October 3 - 3:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, October 4 - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To meet canon requirements, attendance is mandatory both days. The workshop is FREE. Click here to register online.
Click here for printable half-page bulletin inserts & registration form. Click here for printable full-page flyer & registration form. Click here for workshop FAQ (PDF). 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.
 The commission works within and through the diocese to witness to the equality of persons before God and to raise awareness of racism and how to counteract it. Because racism, both overt and hidden, continues to harm our communities and parishes, the commission suggests that prayer and practical actions to combat racism be a part of every parish's program.
The commission recommends the following upcoming events, at the Carnegie Museums in Oakland, for your consideration and calendars: RACE: Are We So Different?, an interactive multidisciplinary exhibition that encourages visitors to explore the science, history, and everyday impact of race and racism. Much more detail is available here.
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Friday, October 17, 8 p.m. The Saint Andrew's Lecture and Reception: The Rev. Dr. Dwight J. Zscheile will share: The Agile Church: Faithful Innovation in a Changing World. Dr. Zscheile is the author of People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity.
Saturday, October 18, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Responding and Looking Forward, Dr. Zscheile in conversation with Bishop McConnell and the Rev. Dr. Philip Wainwright, with an ecumenical panel of lay ministry leaders, seminarians, and local parish clergy, and with all of us as interested participants.
Sunday, October 19, 4:30 p.m. Ministry in a New Apostolic Era? Choral Evensong and Sermon, Observing James the Just, Bishop of Jerusalem. Preaching will be the Rev. Dr. John Macdonald, Associate Professor of Mission and Evangelism, Trinity School for Ministry.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 5801 Hampton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (Highland Park)
Click here for a complete overview of the lecture, details about how Dr. Zscheile's topic and book is an eloquent exposition of the three priorities for our diocese (Public Gospel, the development of Missional Communities, and an emphasis on Leadership Formation) and an invitation to attend from Bishop McConnell.
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An opportunity for prayer, education, discussion, and action
Offered for everyone in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh,
their families and their friends.
Sponsored by the Social Justice and Outreach Committee
The conversation will include a variety of perspectives
from the church, police, and other organizations
sharing the common goal of preventing gun violence.
Saturday, October 25
9 a.m.-12 noon
315 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
A continental breakfast will be served.
There is no fee for this event.
Registration is not required but will help us plan food and space.
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Conference at TSM
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 In Memoriam
The Rev. Martha Elizabeth (Eilertsen) Hay, 52, died peacefully in Spokane, WA, on September 11, after living with cancer for two years. She was surrounded by her family.
Martha enjoyed and succeeded in the many aspects of ministry. She served as an Associate Priest at St Paul's in Pittsburgh, PA and for three years led and grew her own congregation at St. Thomas in Canonsburg, PA. She had a special place in her heart for children's ministry.
Martha is survived by her children Anna and Thomas Eilertsen, parents Rev. John and Marj Hay, sisters Julie Hay and Jennifer Steward, brother Michael Hay, Jeff Eilertsen, and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Friday, September 26 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Spokane, WA.
Those wishing to make a donation in Martha's honor are encouraged to support Hospice of Spokane and continue the ministry of grace, comfort, and nourishment to which Martha was always committed. Additional details here.May Martha's soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule:
October 5: St. Francis, Somerset
October 12: St. Michael's, Wayne Twp.
October 19: St. Peter's, Blairsville
October 26: St. Michael's of the Valley, Ligonier
Church Supplies and Furnishings Sale: The diocese is holding a sale of excess church supplies and furnishings on September 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Martin's Church, 285 St. Martin's Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146.
Parishes in the Episcopal Diocese will be able to come to a "pre-sale" on September 20 between 9 a.m.-12 noon and claim items of use to you for the best price of all, FREE!
Cursillo Ultreya: Saturday, September 20, 3 p.m. at St. Michael's of the Valley, Ligonier.
Clergy Conference 2014 will be held at Antiochian Village October 8 - 10, 2014. Click here for agenda and registration details.
2014 Diocesan Convention Documents Available: The 149th Convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh will meet November 7 & 8, 2014 at Trinity Cathedral. Documents related to convention are available on the diocesan web site at www.episcopalpgh.org/2014-diocesan-convention.
Diocesan Pre-convention Information Sessions Scheduled: Tuesday, October 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill; Thursday, October 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, North Hills; Sunday, October 26, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church, Ligonier.
Spaghetti Dinner: St Paul's Episcopal Church, 130 W. Main St., Monongahela, PA 15063. Saturday, November 1, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Take out will be available.
Save the Date I: The Fall ECW Ingathering with be November 1, 2014 at Church of Atonement in Carnegie. More information will be coming soon!
Save the Date II: The Fall Assembly of the Pittsburgh Daughters of the King, Saturday, November 1, 2014, at St. Thomas in the Fields, 4106 St. Thomas Dr., Gibsonia, PA 15044. Click here for registration information and driving directions. Deadline for registration is October 24.
Save the Date III: The Social Justice and Outreach Committee has scheduled a work session at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne for Saturday, November 22. Additional details to come.
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Parting Shots I...
The Celebration & Blessing of Pittsburgh Area Educators was hosted at Trinity Cathedral on September 6, 2014, in collaboration with: Christian Associates of Southwest Pa; First Presbyterian Church; First Evangelical Lutheran Church; Smithfield United Church of Christ; The Church of the Holy Cross-Homewood; and Beth Hamedrash Hagadol-Beth Jacob Congregation. Additional photos from this event are available on the diocesan Facebook page.
-- photos courtesy Andy Muhl |
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Parting Shots II...
On September 10, 2014, Lions Gate Entertainment was busy shooting scenes for "The Last Witch Hunter," starring Vin Diesel, on Sixth Avenue in the Trinity Cathedral graveyard and on the steps of First Presbyterian Church. Pittsburgh is again serving as a stand-in for New York City. Additional photos are available on the diocesan Facebook page.
-- photos courtesy Joan Gundersen |
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.
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