|
|
|
|
|
|
 Quicklinks |
|
|
|
 2016 Garden Grants Available this Spring
Again in 2016, the diocesan Social Justice and Outreach (SJO) Committee will offer grants to fund garden initiatives. For the last three years, the diocesan SJO Committee has offered a few small grants to support the efforts of creating and sustaining parish-based vegetable gardens. Four grants were given in 2013, and in 2014 and 2015, six grants were given. The increase in the number of garden grants was made possible by donations from the St. Paul's, Mount Lebanon, and Christ Church, North Hills, outreach commissions as well as a private donor in order to supplement the limited SJO annual budget. The SJO notes that any parish or individual desiring to donate to this effort should contact the diocesan office or Nancy Lapp, chair of SJO.  In 2015, one new garden and five established gardens received funding. St. Matthew's in Homestead constructed a new garden. Established gardens receiving funding were those at Holy Cross in Homewood, St. Brendan's in Franklin Park, Calvary Camp, St. David's in Peters Township, and Spring Street Farms at the Community of Celebration in Aliquippa. Recipients in previous years included Shepherd's Wellness in Bloomfield and St. Stephen's in Wilkinsburg. Applying for a garden grant: These grants are intended to support Episcopal parishes and organizations in the Diocese of Pittsburgh to create new vegetable gardens or to support already functioning gardens with small material needs such as: seed or plant purchases, fencing, bed construction, soil or fertilizer purchases, soil testing costs, hand tool purchases, water connections, rain barrels, etc. Depending on the location and circumstance, we expect that produce grown will be distributed through local food pantries or organization-based outreach efforts. In past years, some gardens have played a significant role in youth education.These grants are not intended to support an exclusive or private garden, nor a garden designed solely for decorative purposes. We have prepared a guide to setting up a small garden; this guide is available by contacting Pat Eagon. Should your garden be selected, implementation will be in late winter/early spring, 2016.  The maximum grant request for this program should be no more than $500. Funds are to be used in the calendar year 2016 unless an extension is submitted and approved by the SJO committee. Priority will be given to those applications that seek to start new gardens, but the committee will also consider applications seeking to sustain existing gardens that meet the eligibility described in the application. Application forms are available here and are due via mail postmark by March 10, 2016, or electronically by March 15, 2016.
|
|
|
 ECW Spring 2016 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 Episcopal Relief & Development. |
The ECW established the Memorial Membership Fund to aid students with educational grants. The fund was begun in 1927 to be used for two missionary training scholarships. In the 88 years of its existence, the scope of the fund has widened to include nursing, theology and other humanitarian fields of study. Funds are raised through gifts from individuals or groups in memory of a loved one or friend. This money is invested and the interest used for the granting purposes. Each applicant must: - be an Episcopalian in good standing (active) in a parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh,
- have completed one year of college or the equivalent,
- be pursuing education in either church or humanitarian related fields,
- submit an application, including a letter stating goals and need, and
- submit a reference letter from their parish priest.
The Memorial Membership Committee will consider each request based on individual need and circumstances. Scholarships are completely unencumbered and may be used as needed to aid the recipient in achieving their educational goals. Each eligible applicant is able to apply once a year for three years. The applications must be received prior to April 10, 2016. The application form is available online by clicking here.For additional information please contact Nancy Kenny at 724-325-4769.  |
|
Chrism Mass
Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils
A combined observance of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Preaching: The Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow, Bishop, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Presiding: The Rt. Rev. Dorsey W. M. McConnell, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, The Episcopal Church
Clergy members are invited to vest (red/scarlet) and process
There will be a light lunch following the liturgy. Suggested donation is $10
|
|
Invite Welcome Connect
It is time to share our successes.
It is time to learn from our frustrations.
And it is time to grow.
April 30, 2016 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
St. Paul's, Mt. Lebanon
Save the date
|
The latest edition of Feed My Sheep, the monthly newsletter of the diocesan Children's Ministry Team, is now available.
It's full of ideas for helping families celebrate Lent both at church and at home.
You'll also want to read about the Forma conference and the "take away" each one of our diocesan participants identified.
This is an organization where really innovative and impactful ministry is happening.
|
 Weekly Lenten Fish Fries
Both are available every Friday during Lent, beginning February 12 with the last fry on Good Friday, March 25.
Open from 11 a.m. thru 6 p.m. every Friday in Lent. Call 724-258-7792
|
 Episcopal Workday at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
If you're looking for a rewarding outreach activity this Lent, consider joining fellow Episcopalians from across the Diocese at our 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 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Serving as a central repository for over 350 local food pantries and distribution centers across 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania from 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. The Food Bank is always well organized and makes excellent use of our volunteer time. Please contact Jerry Stephenson at JJmestephenson@verizon.net by March 7th to reserve your spot. 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 2 or more consecutive hours. We're limited to 30 volunteers, so spaces will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. |
 Seder Dinner at St. Thomas, Oakmont
On Palm Sunday, March 20, at 5 p.m., St. Thomas Church in Oakmont will host a Seder Dinner led by Bishop Dorsey McConnell. Cost for adults is $12. Children will receive a children's meal for $5. Tickets will go on sale on February 12 through March 17. Space is limited. You may call the church at 412-828-9680 or mail in your request to 378 Delaware Ave.,Oakmont, PA 15139. |
 St. Brendan's Speaker Series Presents
Christopher Hahn
Pittsburgh Opera General Director
"So, You Thought Opera Was Boring?"
March 20, 7:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m.
Adults $12; Phone reserved $10; Students $7
|
On Mission with Pilgrim Africa Summer of 2016
Bishop McConnell is looking for a small team of missioners (no more than eight) to accompany him to Uganda from June 29 to July 15. The team, will be working with Pilgrim staff on the ground, building partnerships with the students and faculty of Beacon of Hope College (Pilgrim's boarding school in Soroti); with local leaders in agriculture and public health; and with the clergy and people of the Anglican Diocese of Soroti and other churches.
The bishop is particularly interested in missioners with the following skill sets: - Medical expertise, especially in infectious diseases, obstetrics, pediatrics, and general surgery
- Teaching and the training of teachers
- IT, including the installation and management of computer networks
- Dramatic arts and music
- Experience in effective models for the economic empowerment of women
- Experience in organizing small businesses and business start-ups
For further information please contact the bishop directly at dmcconnell@episcopalpgh.org. Please describe your skills and possible interests along with some description of your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, and your prior mission experience, if any. |
Tidbits from the Archives
February 1919: A Church News article reports that of the $4,000 needed to build a hospital for the Episcopal Church medical missionary, Dr. Mary James, in Wuchang, China, there is already $500 in the bank, $500 pledged by the Junior Women's Auxiliary and $3,000 left to raise. The Auxiliary started appointing chairs for fundraising in each parish.
The diocesan archives 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!
|
|
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule:
February 28: Emmanuel, North Side March 6: St. Thomas, Canonsburg March 20: Redeemer, Squirrel Hill April 24: St. Mark's, Johnstown
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
Cursillo Ultreya: Saturday, April 9, 2 - 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Memorial Church, 378 Delaware Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139
ECW Ingathering: Saturday, April 23, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
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. Details to come.
Save the Date II: Spring "Seeing the Face of God" Anti-Racism Workshop, Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, 2016. Location and additional details to come.
|
|
Parting Shots
The 2016 celebration of the first African-American priest ordained in the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Absalom Jones, took place at Trinity Cathedral on February 12 & 13. The Rev. Randy Callender, rector of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Annapolis, MD, was this year's featured preacher.
--Photos courtesy Andy Muhl
|
|
Grace Happens upcoming publication dates with deadline for submissions:
March 8 (Submissions due March 1)
March 22 (Submissions due March 15)
April 5 (Submissions due March 29)
April 19 (Submissions due April 12)
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.
|
|
|
|
|
