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Reminder:
 Daylight Saving time starts this Sunday, March 13, at 2 a.m. |
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 Good Friday Offering
EDUCATION is the FOUNDATION for PEACE
The Social Justice and Outreach Committee of our Diocese would like to draw the attention of our parishes to the Presiding Bishop's message concerning the support of our fellow Christians in the Holy Land and Near East through our Good Friday offerings. In part, he has written to our bishops, clergy and parishes: As you know, each year, every bishop and congregation is encouraged by the Presiding Bishop to participate in the Good Friday Offering. This tradition is decades old and is an important statement of our solidarity with the members of the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. We have a Gospel imperative to be sure they know they are not forgotten behind the headlines or because of the distractions in our own lives.
At our convention last November a unanimous resolution was passed which included the affirmation of the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in healing, education, and pastoral care. The season of Lent and our Good Friday offerings presents an opportunity to add actions to words. Resources and more information can be found here. In the spring the SJO Committee is going to offering a short seminar series on the Palestinian-Israeli situation in order that we may better understand our Christian sisters and brothers of the Holy Land. More information will be forthcoming. --Photo: Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem |
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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
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 Holy Cross Organ Concert
An Organ Concert of Sacred and Classical Music
Featuring John Cannon
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 2 - 4 p.m.
The Church of the Holy Cross,
7507 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA
About John Cannon: Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, John Cannon now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is organist for Gospel Fellowship Church (PCA) in Valencia.
Mr. Cannon has appeared frequently as piano and organ recitalist in many venues. In New York City he has performed five times in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, four times at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, a number of times at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in the Citicorp Building and the Chapel of Columbia University. In Washington D.C. he has played a number of times in the National City Christian Church and at Saint John's Lafayette Square. He has played concerts in Saint Mary's Cathedral and Saint Ignatius Church in San Francisco.
From 1996 through 2003, John Cannon toured with the Promise Keepers band. He was one of the musicians who played for the Stand In The Gap sacred assembly that was held in Washington D.C. with more than one million men in attendance. From 2002 through 2012 he was organist at Heinz Memorial Chapel of the University of Pittsburgh. He has also played concerts in Portugal, Spain, Korea, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and Switzerland.
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 Cursillo Ultreya
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 2 - 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Memorial Church, 378 Delaware Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139
Oakmont, PA
Music leader: The Rev. Bert Daly
Lay witness: Jessie Hipolit from Emmanuel, North Side
Clergy response: The Rev. Carol Henley, Calvary, East Liberty
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Bring a friend. All are welcome to attend this Cursillo event.
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Diocesan Acolyte Festival
All young people and their families are invited to join Bishop McConnell on Sunday, April 17 at Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, for our first diocesan Acolyte Festival & Celebration of Youth Ministries. Come for worship, lunch and fellowship. Young people are invited to gather at 10 a.m. The service procession will begin at 10:30 a.m. - Continental Breakfast for youth participants
- Youth-led worship with an all-acolyte procession, music by young musicians, and a sermon by Bishop McConnell
- Lunch (free will donation requested) & t-shirt
- Informational displays about our diocesan youth Mission Trip, St. Paul's Praise Band, Calvary Camp and other youth ministries
- Acolyte technique demonstrations
What is an Acolyte Festival? A chance for every acolyte in the diocese to join with their peers in worship and to be celebrated by friends, family and Bishop McConnell. Bring your banners, your processional crosses, and your thuribles! Line up for the most glorious procession ever seen in the Cathedral!
Who is invited? Especially acolytes, but any Episcopal youth in the diocese and their families.
Why is it on a Sunday? We hope that by scheduling it at a time many families already set aside for church, that more will be able to participate.
How much does it cost? $10 per church-due April 1
How do I RSVP? Click here for more information. |
 Spring 2016 Anti-Racism Workshop
The Commission on Race and Reconciliation presents
"Seeing the Face of God in Each Other"
Spring 2016 Anti-Racism Workshop
Schedule:
- Friday: 3:00 p.m. Registration / Opening Program / 5:30 p.m. Dinner / adjourning after Compline scheduled for 8:20 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast / Lunch / departing at 5:00 p.m. following a 4:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist
To meet Canon requirements, attendance is required both days. The workshop is FREE.
Registration Deadline is April 15, 2016
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 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.
Much more information is available here. Application deadline is 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 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. |
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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
Details coming soon
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To assist in the planning for the luncheon, please let us know if you will be able to attend
by clicking here. If you are only able to come to the service, it is not necessary to RSVP. |
 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
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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!
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Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule:
March 20: Redeemer, Squirrel Hill April 24: St. Mark's, Johnstown May 1: St. Thomas, Oakmont May 8: Calvary, East Liberty
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
Weekly Lenten Fish Fries:
ECW Ingathering: Saturday, April 23, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
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Grace Happens upcoming publication dates with deadline for submissions:
March 22 (Submissions due March 15)
April 5 (Submissions due March 29)
April 19 (Submissions due April 12)
May 3 (Submissions due April 26)
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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