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Preventing Gun Violence
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Allegheny County Health Department, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network are asking religious leaders to lift their voices, influence, and power to speak against gun violence Sun., June 19, 2016. "Our faith compels us to work for peace in our neighborhoods," said the Rev. Dr. David Esterline, president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. "God asks us to beat swords into plowshares. It's time to end the use of weapons of war on the streets of our communities." Working collaboratively, the four agencies compiled a gun violence resource kit available for download at http://www.pts.edu/Gun_Violence16. The kit is designed to help churches and other faith-based organizations write sermons, construct worship services, and inform congregants, spreading the message that the violence must end. The kit includes sermon starters and prayers written by Seminary students, community members, and pastors, as well as data about the epidemic of gun violence compiled by the Health Department. "Every day, gun violence is impacting our communities. It is our duty to do everything we can to raise the issue and commit to working together with communities to solve the problem," said Dr. Karen Hacker, director of Allegheny County Health Department. "We applaud and join the efforts of faith-based organizations, non-profits, and community members who are doing their part to address violence." The grim statistics in the greater Pittsburgh area show a concentrated and disproportionate impact on specific communities. This is particularly true for young African American men in Pittsburgh, whose homicide rate (over the years 2010-2014) was 65 times the national average.
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 Healing Service in Franklin Park
Please attend St. Brendan's, Franklin Park, on Wednesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. for a service of healing and fellowship and pray for the victims, families, loved ones, emergency responders and the community of Orlando, Florida.
The service will also honor and support all people who have been affected by violence and hatred across the globe.
The Rev. Canon Dr. Ted Babcock will lead the service. |
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Find out more about Sheldon Calvary Camp at www.calvarycamp.org or facebook.com/calvarycamp.
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Deadline for Certification of Lay Deputies is June 30
Parishes are reminded that the deadline for certification of Lay Deputies for the 151st Convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is June 30th. the convention will be held on November 4 & 5, 2016 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon.
Please note that Certification of a parish's Lay Deputies is not the same as registration for Convention. Registration forms will be available in September. All deputies planning to attend Convention must register.
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 Bingo Night in Squirrel Hill
On Saturday, June 18, 7:00 pm, Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill will be hosting a fun bingo night with prizes ranging from cakes to cash.
Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Proceeds benefit Redeemer's operating fund.
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Nominations Open for Diocesan Governing Bodies and Committees
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is now welcoming nominations of clergy and lay persons for election to membership on various governing bodies and committees of the diocese. The Nominating Committee, co-chaired by the Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker and Mr. Russell Ayres, will be accepting nominations through July 1 for elections to be held at Diocesan Convention on November 4-5, 2016. The convention will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon. At this year's convention, four clergy and four lay deputies to the 2018 General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be elected, along with four alternates from each order. In addition, two lay persons will be elected to the Board of Trustees. One clergy and one lay person will be elected to the Standing Committee, the Cathedral Chapter and the Committee on Constitution and Canons. Two clergy and one lay person will be elected to the Disciplinary Board. Finally, one person (clergy or lay) will be elected to the Commission on Ministry. Multiple candidates for open positions are accepted and encouraged. All positions carry a term of three years, except for the Standing Committee which has a four-year term. Nomination forms have been mailed to all of the parishes in the Diocese, and are also available on the diocesan web site at www.episcopalpgh.org/2016-convention. Information can also be found there about the canonical responsibilities of each of the boards and committees. Nomination forms (which must be signed by the rector or senior warden of the nominee's parish) are due in the diocesan office by July 1; a brief bio and photograph should be submitted electronically by July 31. Please note that self-nominations are encouraged and accepted! We invite all faithful Episcopalians to prayerfully consider volunteering to serve the diocese as best suits their time and talents. If anyone has questions about any of the work of any of the diocesan committees, feel free to contact the Rev. Nano at nanojon@gmail.com, or Russ at rwayresiii@gmail.com. Thanks to all, The Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker
Russell Ayres
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The second annual 5K "Kare for Kids" walk/run sponsored by Coal Country Hangout Youth Center (CCHYC) is scheduled for Saturday July 9.
Starting time is 8:30 a.m. with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Spangler Fire Hall on Bigler Avene in Northern Cambria. Participants will trace a course around the borough, finishing at CCHYC on Maple Avenue. Prizes will be awarded to first three finalists.
This year the "Kare for Kids" 5K is the kick off for Heritage Day, celebrating the history of the Northern Cambria county area, co-sponsored by Northern Cambria Community Development Corporation and CCHYC and funded through a grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Registration forms are available by request at cchyc@comcast.net or by calling 814-948-8493.
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Safeguarding Resources Available
Relationships among people are at the foundation of Christian community, and are central to the life of the church. All who minister in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, lay and ordained, volunteer and paid, are entrusted with the care of God's people, and are responsible for preserving that trust. Abuse of children and youth in congregations, institutions, agencies, or programs of the diocese is wrong and will not be tolerated. The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's comprehensive "Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse" is available on the diocesan website here. |
Tidbits from the Archives
On June 21, 1882, Bishop Bowman's Institute for Young Ladies held its annual commencement at Trinity Church, Pittsburgh. There were four graduates and sixteen-year-old Ivy Cluley not only set a record as the youngest graduate ever, she took first honors in all subjects.
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:
June 19: St. Michael's of the Valley, Ligonier June 26: St. Barnabas, Brackenridge July 24: St. Thomas, Northern Cambria
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
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Parting Shots I
On Saturday, June 4, Bishop McConnell ordained Joseph Baird and Alyse Viggiano to the Sacred Order of Deacons at Trinity Cathedral.
--Photos courtesy the Rev. Canon Dr. Jay Geisler
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Parting Shots II
On Sunday, June 5, Bishop McConnell ordained Daniel Isadore to the Sacred Order of Priests at St. Andrew's, Highland Park.
--Photos courtesy the Rev. Canon Dr. Jay Geisler
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Parting Shots III
Thirty-one youth and chaperones from the diocese are attending a mission trip to McDowell County, West Virginia, returning on Saturday, June 18. They are working with the Highland Education Project, a program sponsored by the DIocese of West Virginia and Episcopal Appalachian Ministries.
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Grace Happens upcoming publication dates with deadline for submissions:
July 12 (Submissions due July 5)
August 9 (Submissions due August 2)
September 6 (Submissions due August 30)
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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