Each year, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh celebrates the life and work of Absalom Jones (1746-1818), the first African-American priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. In conjunction with this event, the diocesan Commission on Race and Reconciliation sponsors a literary contest named for the late Frank E. Bolden, a noted Pittsburgh-based African-American journalist.

The contest is on the subject of racism with a specific theme. This year's theme:

"Race to Reconciliation"

Students are invited to submit a literary work that describes or gives an example(s) of the theme,
either from the past, present or future. Entries may be essays, poetry, fiction or non-fiction, and will be judged on originality, clarity, and composition. The maximum length is 200 words and should be typed double-spaced.

Entries should include the following information: author's name, age, grade, school, teacher's name. Also include the author's home address, phone number, e-mail address, hobbies and interests, extracurricular activities, and plans for the future.

A cashier's check of $100 will be awarded to the author of the winning entry and presented at the annual Absalom Jones Day Celebration on Saturday, February 7, 2015. The author is requested to read their winning entry at the celebration which will be held at Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Questions? Please call one of the following: Nancy Travis Bolden at 412-683-8888; Al Mann at 412-661-5947; or Darrell Powell at 412-828-0502.

Entries may be submitted two ways: e-mail to dpowell2010@hotmail.com or mail to Literary Contest
c/o Darrell Powell, PO Box 419, Oakmont, PA 15139.

Entries must be post marked no later than February 2, 2015.

 

St. Mark's Episcopal Church
335 Locust Street
Johnstown, PA 15901

 

And Institution of

 

The Reverend Nancy Lee Threadgill

 

Three o'clock in the afternoon

 

Reception to follow

 

For over forty years, Trinity Episcopal Church in New York has brought together scholars and theologians to help people understand where God is calling them today. On January 22nd through 24th, St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon, will be a partner site for this annual conference, known as Trinity Institute. This year's theme - Creating Common Good: A Practical Conference for Economic Equality - seems to come at a perfect time.

 

This two-and-a-half day conference provides access to some of the pre-eminent scholars and theologians on this topic, including the Very Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Dr. Cornel West, professor at Union Theological Seminary and professor emeritus at Princeton; journalist and author Barbara Ehrenreich and blogger Rachel Held Evans.

 

Other speakers will approach the topic from their experiences in making positive change for the most vulnerable in American society.  These include Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies; and Nicole Baker Fulgham, founder of The Expectations Project.

Trinity Institute at St. Paul's offers participants the opportunity to hear these speakers via a live webcast, and to meet, engage and reflect on these talks with other participants who are making a difference here in Southwest Pennsylvania.

 

This conference should equip attendees, lay and ordained, with practical tools and inspiration to make an impact.

 

"Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan to answer the question of who are our neighbors and how should we love them. This conference helps us understand the challenges faced by those neighbors negatively impacted by today's economy and how we are called to care for them," said the Rev. Dr. Michelle Boomgaard, Associate Rector and coordinator of the event at St. Paul's. "This conference looks at the causes of inequality more than just how to help those affected."

 

Participation in Trinity Institute at St. Paul's costs $50 for the full conference, and includes meals and educational resources. Single-day registration at reduced cost and scholarships are available. Continuing education credits are available for those attending the entire program.

 

Additional information and online registration can be found at www.stpaulspgh.org/creating-common-good.

 

Registration deadline is January 15.

The Rev. Leslie Reimer, Calvary Camp's Director of Spiritual Life, will be the primary celebrant and preacher with assistance from the other Calvary Church clergy (watch for Calvary Church's rector among the guitar players).

Campers and their families, staff, alumni, and friends of Calvary Camp are welcome. Children are invited to participate fully. Light refreshments and time to visit with each other will follow each service.

The Calvary Camp service will be at 3 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month at Calvary Church in East Liberty. We will meet in the Refectory, easily accessible to everyone by elevator or stairs. Parking is available in the church parking lot or on the street, and the entrance is through the Parish House door just off the parking lot.

Please join us, invite your friends, and spread the good news.

Plan ahead for these dates in 2015: January 25 * February 22 * March 29 * April 26 * May 24 * June 28 * July 26 * August 23 * September 27 * October 25 * November 22 * December 27

Leadership at these parishes are reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.

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Bishop McConnell's 2015 Convention Address is now available on the diocesan web site. Visit www.episcopalpgh.org/2014-diocesan-convention/

The 6 p.m. Christmas Eve service at St. John's in Donora featured sisters Juliette and Annabelle as child lay Eucharistic Ministers.