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Wondering How You Can Help Your Church Grow?
Come to the Invite, Welcome, and Connect Workshop on Saturday, September 13th at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon to learn about many practical ways you can help your parish to grow. Inviting, welcoming, and connecting persons in our parishes are vital steps for building healthy, vibrant and growing churches. In the last two years, Episcopal congregations and dioceses across the country have sent clergy and lay leaders to this dynamic training, with measurable results. It has brought new energy and spirit to congregations, and sustained real growth in membership where the essentials of INVITE-WELCOME-CONNECT are being followed. These ideas work for small churches, large churches and those of various sizes in between. And now, thanks to a generous Mission Grant, this is being brought to Pittsburgh.  The workshop will be led by Mary Parmer, a dynamic communicator from the Diocese of Texas. Mary has offered this workshop in several dioceses and parishes and has been asked to be the keynote speaker by Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry at his final diocesan convention. She shares great stories and very practical advice for how to tailor these ideas and tools to churches of all sizes and locations. You will not be bored - Mary has materials to make you think and to help you laugh! Register today to guarantee a spot. Clergy, vestry members, hospitality chairs, ushers, greeters, Sunday school teachers, and any interested parishioners are encouraged to attend. Everyone is welcome and it works best if you bring a team of people from your church. The registration cost is $10 per person and includes a delicious lunch and refreshments. Even better, the cost drops to $5 per person for each registration beyond the first three for any parish. Scholarship funds are available. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and St. Paul's has plenty of parking and is fully-accessible. Registration deadline is Tuesday, September 8th so click the link to register now. For more information about Invite-Welcome-Connect, click here. You may also contact the Rev. Lou Hays, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at 412-531-7153, ext. 11 or lou@stpaulspgh.org. Lou and a team from St. Paul's attended the national Invite-Welcome-Connect Summit held in Texas at the beginning of May.
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 Overdose Awareness Day Prayer Service: August 31
In the first six months of 2015, drug overdoses ended 140 lives in Allegheny County alone. As our region confronts the overdose epidemic, let us gather to remember the dead, comfort the living, and pray for an end to addiction.
Please join a diverse ecumenical group for worship at Trinity Cathedral on Monday, August 31, from Noon to 12:30, to pray for those who still suffer from addiction and to remember those who have lost their lives. Weather permitting, the event will take place outdoors. All are invited to a reception following the service.International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.The service is sponsored by CLEAR (the Coalition for Leadership, Education, and Advocacy for Recovery) and Christian Associates of Southwest PA.
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 ECW Fall 2015 Grant Applications Available
The Diocese of Pittsburgh's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will be making outreach grants in the spring.
The ECW particularly seeks to support "hands-on-ministries" that help children, adults and families in need of assistance with food, nutrition, health care, housing, education and counseling. The grants are primarily designed for ministries within the Diocese and with the goal of even distribution across all districts. It is hoped that these small grants will enable the continuation of existing ministries on the local level. However, the ECW will continue its policy of also awarding grants to some national and international ministries such as ERD. |
 Coal Country Hangout Youth Center Awarded Jubilee Ministry Grant
Jubilee Ministries are congregations or agencies with connections to The Episcopal Church, designated by diocesan bishops and affirmed by Executive Council, whose mission work affects the lives of those in need, addressing basic human needs and justice issues.
Coal Country Hangout Youth Center, recipient of a 2015 Jubi lee Impact Grant, is located in Northern Cambria. The Rev. Ann Staples is the director. Formed in 1996, this full-service youth center began and continues as a response to the educational, human services and social needs of children and their families in a tri-county area.
CCHYC will use their impact grant to purchase touch-screen tablets to allow preschool classes to explore age-appropriate software incorporating lessons in science, engineering, reading, writing and math.
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The EfM groups in Pittsburgh are recruiting new members for the Wednesday evening and the Thursday morning seminars starting in mid-September. Both meet at Calvary Church, 315 Shady Ave., in Shadyside, very close to the new East Liberty transportation hub.  WHAT IS EfM? EDUCATION for MINISTRY EDUCATION for MINISTRY is NOT:
A college or seminary class. It has:
No papers
No tests
No grades
No instructor
No diploma
No credit EfM IS a Christian Formation program, offered over 40 years by the School of Theology, University of the South (Sewanee).
It is NOT a Bible Study Group.
It is NOT a catechumens process.
It is NOT a therapy or 12-step group. EfM IS a weekly seminar that uses Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience to reflect theologically on the Christian life. Trained mentors lead seminar groups in local meetings and online as well. EfM IS NOT for discernment of a priestly or diaconal vocation.
EfM IS for discernment of ministry as a baptized Christian person, in whatever circumstances one is. EfM IS NOT for "professional," or even particularly devout Christians.
EfM IS for sincere seekers after understanding, insight, and appreciation of the experience of God in everyday life. EfM IS NOT a four-year commitment.
EfM IS a one-year commitment, which can be renewed for four years. EfM IS NOT expensive.
Yet, EfM IS NOT free.
Tuition is necessary for curriculum development, training, materials, and administrative costs. The Diocese of Pittsburgh is a member diocese of EfM, offering discounted tuition rates. Scholarships are available for those for whom tuition would be prohibitive. For more information contact Vanessa Sterling, diocesan coordinator, at (412) 551-2042 or vmsterling@gmail.com. |
General Convention 2015 Summary of Actions Available
A Summary of Actions of the 78th General Convention presents the results of resolutions and other matters from the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, and is now available online at the General Convention website here. Additionally, the Summary of Actions lists the membership of the Executive Council and other bodies elected and appointed at General Convention 2015.
The 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church was held June 25 - July 3, in Salt Lake City. The Episcopal Church's General Convention is held every three years, and is the bicameral governing body of the Church. It comprises the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay deputies elected from the 108 dioceses and three regional areas of the Church, at more than 800 members.
A Summary of Actions of the 78th General Convention is the Secretary of General Convention's fulfillment of his requirement under Joint Rule of Order 15 of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
The Journal of the 78th General Convention, which is the official record of the proceedings, will be available in 2016.
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 Getting Ready For Convention
Nominations Open For Elected Diocesan Positions
Recommendations are now being taken by the diocesan Nominating Committee for leadership positions to be elected at the 150th Diocesan Convention, November 13 & 14, 2015, Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Positions are open on the Standing Committee, Board of Trustees, Committee on Constitution and Canons, Cathedral Chapter, Disciplinary Board, Commission on Ministry, and the Growth Fund. The recommendation form with submission instructions is here (PDF)Deadline for consideration has been extended to September 4, 2015.
Parish Audit Reports Due
Parish Audit Reports for the year ended December 31, 2014 must be submitted to the diocesan office by September 1, 2015. Parishes failing to file Audit Reports will be entitled to seats with voice but no vote at the annual Convention. Audit Reports should be mailed to the following address:
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
Attention: Judge of Audits
325 Oliver Avenue STE 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Please contact Kathi Workman, Diocesan Treasurer, with any questions.
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  Please join The Church of the Holy Cross as they celebrate their 140th anniversary on Saturday, September 12, at the Double Tree Hotel in Monroeville. Cocktails are at 5:00 p.m. and dinner is at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are $60.00 and are available by calling 412-242-3209 or from any church member. Your support of this historic occasion is appreciated and important for the vital urban ministries provided by Holy Cross. |
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Acclaimed Choir to Perform in Pittsburgh
 The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, directed by Stephen Layton, will appear in concert at Calvary Episcopal Church on Monday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. One of the greatest performing ensembles in the world, the choir will bring the flower of Britain's 500-year choral tradition to Pittsburgh. The choir was the recipient of the 2013 Gramophone Classical Music Award for the world's best recording of choral music. Tickets are $40 for premium seating and $25 for standard seating. Students with ID can enjoy free seating in the side aisles. Tickets: www.trinitycambridgepittsburgh.com. 
"Stephen Layton's choir is without doubt the finest in the country." --Sir John Tavener
"Layton's choral scholars sing...with absolute purity of tone, perfection of intonation, and depth of feeling. Time and again I simply stopped writing, frozen in place by the sheer otherworldly beauty of what I was hearing." --Fanfare USA "Layton's performances inspire the soul as they break the heart with their intense beauty." --American Record Guide
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Diocesan Staff Transitions
Dear friends in Christ,
More than a year ago, I asked the Venerable Jean Chess to join my staff as Director of Administration and Archdeacon in order to take on several immediate and critical tasks then facing us. Among these were the need to reorganize the daily operations of the diocesan office and to coordinate the renovation and return of that space to Trinity Cathedral.
As I'm sure you are aware, Jean has now completed these and much more with the competence and gracious care she brings to all she endeavors to do. In recent months, she has also focused on advancing our safe church practices and compliance with state child protection laws, and as Archdeacon, she has been especially helpful to me in clergy-related matters.
Accomplishing the tasks I asked of her has now allowed Jean, after a serious and lengthy discernment, to accept an offer to return to full-time employment in the corporate sector and resume her ministry of witness in the workplace. Her last day with us at the diocesan office was July 20th. Her daily presence will be missed, but I am grateful that she will continue to be an influential deacon in the diocese and at St. Andrew's, Highland Park.
I am pleased to announce that our new Director of Administration will be the Rev. Canon Ted Babcock, the retired Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Ted and his wife, Lyn, recently moved to Mt. Lebanon. I know him to be an accomplished scholar, a caring pastor, and an experienced executive both in the Church and in the business community where he worked for a quarter-century prior to his ordination. In addition to taking on the lion's share of clergy deployment matters, Ted will bring his considerable skills and experience in congregational development to help guide parishes and vestries through leadership transitions, and generally assist parishes seeking help in administrative and personnel concerns. Ted will take up his position on August 1, and I will ask Diocesan Council to confirm his appointment at their September meeting.
Please join me in prayers and gratitude for Jean and Ted as they begin their new ministries among us.
Faithfully your bishop,  (The Rt. Rev.) Dorsey McConnell
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Bishop McConnell's Schedule:
August 30: St. Thomas, Northern Cambria
September 6: St. John's, Donora
September 13: St. Michael's, Wayne Twp.
September 20: St. Matthew's, Homestead
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
The Rev. Robert L. Kooser, 85, died Monday August 3, 2015 in Highlands Hospital, Connellsville. A funeral service was held on August 6 at Brooks Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Martin officiating. The Rev. Kooser served various Episcopal parishes and retired from Trinity Episcopal Church in Connellsville. He was a member of St. Bartholomew's in Scottdale.
Understanding Addiction Workshop for Clergy: Wednesday, September 16, 7 pm - Thursday September 17, 3 pm. This workshop is sponsored by the Widows Corporation and is being held jointly with the diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania in Foxburg, PA. Contact The Rev. Canon Dr. Jay Geisler at 412-414-3337 for details.
Fall Clergy Conference: Wednesday, September 30 to Friday, October 2 at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA. Details to come.
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Parting Shots
The week of July 20, St. Matthew's in Homestead played host to 36 neighborhood children at their annual VBS with the theme, "Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was a Kid."
The children were divided into small groups, each named after one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Crafts and games centered around each day's theme. Many thanks to PNC Investment Service for providing bags, Half Price Books for their donation of children, teen and young adult books, and to the St. Matthew's congregation for the school supplies. Special thanks to the St. Matthew's Vestry and to volunteers from the Bethel Park High National Honor Society and the Speech and Debate Team for their generous donation of time.
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The deadline for submissions for upcoming issues of Grace Happens:
September 8, 2015 - Submissions due Sept 1
September 22, 2015 - Submissions due Sept 15
October 13, 2015 - Submissions due Oct 6
All submissions to the Grace Happens newsletter and the diocesan web site are welcome and should be sent to info@episcopalpgh.org. When possible, the copy should be in a Word document and all original logos, pictures and artwork should be attached separately. Please be sure to include your contact information with any submission.
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