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Families and Partnerships
Dear Friends in Christ,
Two weeks ago, our Clergy Conference for the diocese coincided with the Steelers opener. A number of folks stayed up late Thursday night to watch the game, though I went to bed. The results were not happy, as I found out the next morning. Going to breakfast, one of my colleagues came alongside me, reported the verdict, fell silent for a few seconds then observed, "That's the trouble with false religion: it leaves you feeling empty in the end."
For years we lived in Boston, home of the Patriots, the Red Sox, and the Bruins - so I thought I knew what a region in love with sports looked like. But there is something really different about the level of devotion here in Pittsburgh. The sports talk on local radio is of a different tone and texture. These guys are not heroes; they're family. And they are discussed in that way. When a kicker blows a game, the pundits talk about him as if he's their little brother who needs a good talking-to. When a player is hurt, it's like the entire town lines up to offer him a spare bedroom and daily pierogis. There is just a lot of intimacy along with the passion, the sense that we're all connected, somehow, through the contests on the field and the personalities who fight them. As my friend suggested, this can get out of control pretty easily, and frequently does, crossing the line from devotion to idolatry. On the other hand, we can learn something from it as well.
Our parishes are connected by our identity as a diocese. For a long time, they were kept at arm's length from each other by the forces of the split which resulted in widespread hurt and mistrust. Over the last three years, a whole lot of healing has taken place; as I travel the diocese I hear about parishes reaching out to each other, sharing stories of mission, talking about mutual needs and common goals. But I also hear in many places a basic uncertainty about the future- in ten years, what will we look like? Will we have enough younger people to keep going? Will we be able to afford a priest or keep up our building? Those questions are real, but they can also grab us by the throat, stymie our imagination and shrink our hopes. Worst of all, when we are struggling with a deficit budget or a leaky roof, we can feel we are alone with our problems.
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But what if we took Christ at His word? What if we really believed we were one as He and the Father are one. That is, after all, His prayer for us in John 17, and what Jesus wants, Jesus gets. We are absolutely and utterly joined together as members of One Body through our mystical union with the second Person of the Trinity. That is who we are. So it is only natural to know that our spiritual home is not just our local parish, but all the members of the whole diocese, and the wider Church beyond. If we can begin to think of one another with the same passion and intimacy as Pittsburghers have for a player who needs help, we may get a hint of the sense of deep connection with each other that is supposed to be ours in the Communion of Saints. The earliest Christian churches were scattered across a wide area, from Jerusalem through Asia Minor, Greece and Macedonia, all the way to Rome. You would think that it would be impossible for them to be in contact with one another, let alone have any sense of the particular people and needs in each congregation. And yet, whenever Paul sees trouble brewing in a community, in his letters he always points them back to two places: he points them to Jesus, and he points them to each other. He counsels them to pray for one another by name, to share his letters with each other, to treasure one another, yearn for one another, and always see themselves as mutually supported, accountable, and encouraging. In fact, we know many of their names: Euodia and Syntyche, Andronicus and Junia, Tryphaena, Tryphosa and many more. These are not known in the Calendar of Saints for mighty acts or heroic witness, but were equally treasured as chosen and precious in the sight of God, to be prayed for and prayed with as fellow members of the one family and the one body. So, perhaps prayer is the best place for us to begin, as we move into deeper partnership with one another in the Gospel. The diocesan cycle of prayer is published annually, and in it, all our parishes are remembered. A new diocesan directory is out as well, listing both the clergy and the key lay leadership of every congregation. I would encourage us all, in the week preceding the Sunday when we will pray for a particular parish, to be in touch with that congregation and ask for what and for whom they would particularly desire prayer, and to pray especially for their mission in the world as they seek to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known. And if anybody needs a spare bedroom, we might offer that as well! Pierogis optional.May our Lord continue to strengthen our witness as He builds our hope and moves us closer to one another and into deeper life in Christ. 
(The Rt. Rev.) Dorsey McConnell
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Pittsburgh Assembly Daughters of the King Fall Assembly
"Passing the torch, carrying the light of Christ"
Speaker: The Rev. Don C. Youse, Jr., Assembly Chaplain
Saturday, October 24, 2015
St. George's Anglican Church
100 Bonar Avenue
Waynesburg, PA 15370 Registration 9:30 a.m., Eucharist 10 a.m., Business Meeting, Speaker, Luncheon |
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Installation of Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry
The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, was elected and confirmed as the Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church at the 78th General Convention on June 27. According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, he becomes Presiding Bishop on November 1. Bishop Curry is the first African-American to be elected Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry will be the 27th Presiding Bishop, the Primate, and the Chief Pastor of The Episcopal Church. He will also serve as President of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.
 The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, will occur on Sunday, November 1 at noon Eastern at Washington National Cathedral and will be live webcast at http://www.cathedral.org/Prayer for Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry:
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry and upon the congregations committed to his charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace: and, that he may truly please thee, pour upon him the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Pre-Holiday Craft Fair at Holy Cross
Please come to Homewood on Saturday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Holy Cross Pre-Holiday Craft Fair. There will be beautifully handcrafted items available - knit, crochet, sewn - various crafts - decorations, handmade napkins, jewelry, dolls, ceramics and so much more to be enjoyed by all ages.
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In Celebration of Women
(and the Fall U. T. O. Ingathering)
Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Pittsburgh
Saturday, November 7, 2015 10am - noon
Trinity Cathedral Parish Hall
328 Sixth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Join us as we celebrate one another through sharing, learning and fellowship
and enjoy a delicious free brunch!
Guest Speaker: Dr. Joan Gundersen, Diocesan Historian.
Dr. Gundersen will celebrate women whose lives and dedication had a direct impact
on the growth of our Church.
Registration Deadline - November 2, 2015
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Episcopal Workday at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Join fellow Episcopalians from across the Diocese at our next volunteer workday at the Repack Center of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, sponsored by the diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Committee. We'll be working in the Repack Center at GPCFB's main Duquesne warehouse facility (1 North Linden St, Duquesne, PA 15110) from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, November 14. We had to schedule this date a year ahead because of the popularity of this volunteer activity.
GPCFB serves as a central repository for over 350 local food pantries and distribution centers across 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Because it works with such large volumes in its certified green facility, GPCFB's operations are efficient, economical and impressive.
 We'll assist the GPCFB repack team by inspecting, sorting, and repacking groceries. The exact project will depend on their inventory at the time. In the past we've had most rewarding times repacking food ranging from cereals to oranges. The Food Bank is always well organized and makes excellent use of our volunteer time.
If you are looking for a rewarding activity in the Thanksgiving spirit, contact Jerry Stephenson at JJmestephenson@verizon.net or 412 367-1032 by November 9 to reserve your slot. We'll need your name, email/phone and church for the roster sheet. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older and be able to stand for two or more consecutive hours. We are limited to 30 volunteers. Volunteer spaces will be reserved on a first-come first-served basis.
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Tony Norman
Acclaimed Columnist, Commentator and Editorial Writer
How to Be a Christian in the Modern World
(Without Losing One's Soul)
November 15 at 7:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.
2365 McAleer Road, Sewickley 15143
Tickets: $12 at the door; $10 phone reserved; $7 student.
Call 412-364-5974
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Pittsburgh Youth Initiative:
Diocesan Convention Mission Work
See us at the 2015 Convention as we serve the people of Pittsburgh with food and prayer in front of historic Trinity Cathedral downtown. This year the date is Saturday, November 14, 2015. It will again feature hot and sweet treats for passersby, as well as our prayer wall. We will also again be accepting donations of extra Halloween candy to give away.
Get to the Point, Call for Submissions
The Pittsburgh Youth Initiative is looking for student submissions to feature in Grace Happens. Show off your talents through brief written-word or other art form and it may be featured in an upcoming issue. The world needs to hear from you, speak up!
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 Tidbits from the Archives
October 19, 1873: The first building for Church of the Nativity in Crafton was consecrated in a service led by the rector of Trinity, Pittsburgh. Music was provided by the Trinity choir.
The diocese will celebrate its 150th anniversary this November at convention. To help get us all in the proper historical spirit for the occasion, the archive has provided small historical tidbits from the appropriate month for each Grace Happens. Watch to see if your parish shows up in one of them!
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Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule:
October 25: St. Michael's, Ligonier
November 8: St. Peter's, Blairsville
November 15: All Saints, Brighton Heights
November 22: St. Paul's, Kittanning
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
Diocesan Social Justice & Outreach: FOSNA Conference - "We Refuse To Be Enemies: Struggle for a Just Peace in Palestine-Israel" Friday, October 16, to Saturday, October 17. Hear first-hand accounts of life in Gaza and the West Bank and learn why activists work day in and day out for justice in the U.S. and Palestine. Visit http://fosna.org/pghconference
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The deadline for submissions for upcoming issues of Grace Happens:
October 27, 2015 - Submissions due Oct 20
November 10, 2015 - Submissions due Nov 3
November 24, 2015 - Submissions due Nov 17
December 8, 2015 - Submissions due Dec 1
December 22, 2015 - Submissions due Dec 15
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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