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Advent: Walking the Royal Road
Dear Friends in Christ,
 If you have had anything like my experience driving around the diocese this fall, you may have wondered whether the "City of Bridges" shouldn't be re-named the "City of Detours." It isn't just the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and I-376; I seem to run into alternate routes everywhere. Very early on Sunday morning, as I was waiting in a long line of cars re-routed at exit 67, the words of the Prophet Isaiah came to mind with a slight revision: "Prepare in the wilderness a highway for our God: The crooked shall be made straight, the rough places plain- but the Parkway westbound shall remain closed." (40:3-4, sort of).
I am grateful that God's highway is an entirely different matter. In fact, Isaiah implicitly contrasts with the famed "Royal Road" of King Darius This Persian emperor's road was a marvel of engineering - royal couriers could ride over 1600 miles in a week, and the highway was so well constructed that parts of it were still in use by the Romans centuries later. It was very much the road of an earthly king - a military road intended to improve commerce and keep subject peoples in line. The road may have been a source of glory and power for Darius and his successors, but for the poor and the oppressed, it was more likely an instrument of fear and humiliation.
The King's road Isaiah has in mind, however, is "a Highway for our God" who will use it to bring salvation, not brutal conquest. And this salvation, this power, will not set one people over another; rather "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." Over the next twenty-six chapters the prophet develops and announces a vision of universal reckoning, of judgment and mercy for all the nations, through which a flood of humanity will come to the recognition of their true purpose in life, will learn to glorify God and will become bearers of his grace and holiness.
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It never ceases to amaze me that God should reveal and enact this Royal Road through some very dark detours and shabby pathways in this world. The holy family stumbles toward Bethlehem to be registered under the power of another king; the child is born in a barn, then bundled up and run off to Egypt for fear of Herod, His nervous parents looking over their shoulders the whole way. This road, announced by John the Baptist in the wilderness, runs through Galilee, past a shameful corner of Samaria, through Jericho to Jerusalem. It culminates in the hard path to Calvary, and is completed on the road that leads from the beach in John 21, where Jesus meets his friends after the Resurrection and says to them, "Follow me."
Let us all look for this road in this Advent season, or better yet, assume we are on it, and invite others to join us. Millions would love to find it and do not even know it exists. We can begin by praying for, and offering what help we can, to the refugees from Syria and the Middle East whose numbers are now well over a million, showing the character of our loving and merciful King even in so small a thing as supporting our Mayor's efforts to extend the hand of our generous city and region. And let us also remember those in our own neighborhoods and families, who may be wandering in a maze of their own making, or who struggle with grief or addiction or illness or poverty, people who have assumed a certain level of hopelessness is just a part of life. The Royal Road is meant for them, but how will they find it unless we take the trouble to stop, and offer our hand, and gently point the way?
This comes with my heartfelt blessings and prayers that, as we together walk the Royal Road this Advent, we all may be more deeply prepared in heart and mind to adore and serve our Lord in this life, so that in the last day, we may, without shame or fear, rejoice to behold His appearing.
Faithfully your bishop,
(The Rt. Rev.) Dorsey W.M. McConnell, D.D.
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 Save The Date!
All acolytes and young people are invited to a special Acolyte & Youth Ministry Festival and Eucharist at Trinity Cathedral on Sunday, April 17, 2016.
Each parish will be invited to send their acolyte teams and their children's and/or youth music ensembles. Following the service, participants will cross the bridge and cheer on the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates. Details to come. |
2016 Visitation Schedule and Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Now Available
Bishop McConnell's visitation schedule is now available for download and printing by clicking here. The calendar on the diocesan web site has also been updated.
A printable version of the 2016 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is available here.
These documents, along with many others, are available under the Resources tab on the diocesan web site. |
Messiah Sing-Alongs
The Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill presents its first Messiah Sing-Along, Saturday, December 12 at 4 p.m.
The entire Part I will be performed with conductors and soloists representing Pittsburgh's musical community - musicians from Carnegie-Mellon, Duquesne, and churches will reveal the Glory of the Lord. Nathan Carterette accompanies on organ.
This Sing-Along concert is free, with scores available for rental at the door with a $10 deposit. A festive reception follows.
St. Brendan's Episcopal Church in Franklin Park is presenting its 8th annual Messiah Sing-Along conducted by Woody Brown. The event is free and everyone is invited to join in the fun of singing this great piece or to just come and listen!
The sing-along will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, at St. Brendan's in Franklin Park. People are encouraged to bring their own music, but scores will be available for purchase at the door.
For more information please visit St. Brendan's website at www.stbrendans.org |
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Free Advent Concert in Brentwood
A freewill offering will be taken to benefit
Brentwood Meals On Wheels
Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2 p.m."One Voice" is made up of people from many different walks of life and from many different denominations. Despite the differences in their backgrounds, all are united in their love for the Lord, and have been called to this musical mission. This concert will be a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the Christmas season. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 4048 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227
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 Blue Christmas Service at Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill will have a Blue Christmas service on the evening of December 16 at 7:00 p.m. For those seeking a quieter Christmas service to contemplate the healing light of God, to remember those who you may miss during the holidays, or simply to seek a service with deeper silence in response to what our culture promotes to be a busy season, come to the quiet of this holy service. |
Nine Lessons and Carols at St. Andrew's
On Sunday, December 20, 4:30 p.m., a candlelight service, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, will be sung by the Choirs of St. Andrew's in Highland Park, Peter J. Luley, Organist and Choirmaster.
High Tea Reception following in Brooks Hall.
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 Calling People with Big Hearts and Helping Hands Are you looking for a way to make your Christmas holiday extra special this year? Atonement, Carnegie, needs your help with their Christmas Dinner Outreach.
Consider volunteering an hour or two on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th, with the good folks at Church of the Atonement, 618 Washington Avenue in Carnegie, as they reach out to share the love of Jesus Christ through providing a free and full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings from 1 to 3 p.m.
For over thirty years, Atonement has been opening its doors to anyone who wants to come, eat, and enjoy fellowship with other people on Christmas Day. Normally about 200 people are served either in the dining room or through free delivery to local shut-ins, EMS and fire departments, and businesses that are open on Christmas day.
Here are ways you can assist: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
| Cut desserts, prepare salads, bag rolls and butter
| 11:30-12:30 a.m.
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Pack meals for delivery; deliver those meals to area residents (Carnegie and the South Hills)
| 11 to 4 p.m.
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Help clean up, which includes washing dishes, pots, pans, etc. An automatic commercial dishwasher is available for most items. This can be done in one hour or 2 hour shifts.
| 1 to 3 p.m.
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Serve meals in the dining room, keep cups and glasses full of beverages, clear the table when guest leave and reset the table. Engaging diners in conversation while they eat is also very important.
| 3 to 4 p.m.
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Final Clean up
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If you and your family or friends would like to volunteer or if you have any questions about this dinner, please contact Joyce Corkery at 412-276-0366 or via email at joycor640@comcast.net.If you would like to help but cannot attend, homemade desserts are always welcome and can be delivered on Wednesday, December 23, from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Make your Christmas a bit merrier this year - and make someone else's Christmas merry, too! |
 UTO Now Accepting Applications For Young Adult Grants
The United Thank Offering (UTO) Board announced at General Convention in Utah this past summer that all funds collected during Convention would be used towards continuing the Young Adult Grant process.
The purpose of these grants is to provide start-up money for a new project that focuses on any of the Five Marks of Mission. There is a separate application for seminarians and young adults, but the deadlines, criteria and focus are the same. The grants will be awarded to the ten applications in each category that best fit the criteria and focus regardless of what province or seminary the applicants are from. Submission deadline is January 29, 2015.
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 Come to St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon, on January 21-23, 2016, for Trinity Institute 2016. This year's theme is "Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice."
Registration is coming on December 10. Those registering will have access to additional educational material to share with your parish or other group. Scheduled speakers include:
This year's conference provides a great opportunity to listen to some of America's great theologians, ethicists and others tackle the problem of racism in society in general. Then, join in small group conversations as we discuss how race impacts our lives here in southwest Pennsylvania.
For more information on the program, schedule and speakers, visit www.ti2016.org. |
Cyber Shopping This Year?
You Can Help Calvary Camp
Dear Friends of Calvary Camp, We are excited to tell you about our partnership with the Amazon Smile Program! Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase directly to the camp. With most families gearing up for the holiday season now, please consider giving by registering with the Amazon Smile program. 2. Enter Sheldon Calvary Camp into the charity search bar and click enter.  If you have any questions or need assistance signing up, please contact the camp office at (440) 593-4381.We are sincerely grateful for your continued support and love of Calvary Camp over the years. The Calvary Camp Staff |
 Tidbits from the Archives
On December 25, 1831, the first building of Christ Church opens in Allegheny City, now known as Pittsburgh's North Side.
The diocese is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. 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:
December 13: Nativity, Crafton December 20: St. Peter's, Brentwood January 3: St. James, Penn Hills January 10: St. Brendan's, Franklin Park
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
Christian Unity Ecumenical Ministerial Eucharist: Thursday, January 21, 2016. Hosted by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA. St . John's Lutheran Church, 715 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, PA 15137. Details in the next Grace Happens.
Treasurer Training Workshop: Please mark your calendars for the Treasurer Training Workshop to be held Saturday, February 20th, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The workshop will be held in the diocesan offices on the 3rd floor of Trinity Cathedral, and will also be broadcast via webinar. Please plan to attend this workshop for all new (and long-standing) Treasurers, Financial Administrators, and others interested in the financial aspects of church governance. Additional details to come.
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The deadline for submissions for upcoming issues of Grace Happens:
December 22, 2015 - Submissions due December 15
January 12, 2016 - Submissions due January 5
January 26, 2016 Submissions due January 19
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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