June 30, 2016

In This Issue

500 Pencils

Nomination Deadline Extended

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500 Pencils

An excerpt from Bishop McConnell's blog, "Iron City Bishop"

(June 30, 2016) I am headed to Uganda. I will be connecting with Pilgrim Africa staff and friends, visiting farmers' co-operatives in the Northeast, and meeting with local leaders around Pilgrim's new Gates-funded anti-malaria campaign. I will also be preaching and teaching at our boarding school, Beacon of Hope College in Soroti, meeting with pastors of local churches, and touching base with the local Anglican bishop and several of his clergy, checking in especially with the fledgling ministry to alcoholics begun over the last two years in my visits with Canon Jay Geisler and Dr. Mark Guy. With only 10 days in-country, it will be a short and busy trip.

And I bring gifts...

Read much more about Bishop McConnell's 2016 trip with Pilgrim Africa on his blog, "Iron City Bishop" here.

Nomination Deadline for Elections at Diocesan Convention Extended until July 15

The nominating committee for the elections to be held at Diocesan Convention on November 4-5, 2016, of clergy and lay people to membership on various governing bodies and committees of the diocese has extended the deadline for nominations to be submitted. The new deadline is July 15, 2016.

Multiple candidates for open positions are encouraged and accepted. Self-nominations are encouraged and accepted! You do not need to be a deputy to Diocesan Convention to run for election.

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.

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. A brief description of the canonical responsibilities of each of the boards and committees as well as information about the frequency and time of meeting is also available there. Nomination forms (which must be signed by the rector or senior warden of the nominee's parish) are now due in the diocesan office by July 15; a brief bio and photograph should be submitted electronically by July 31.

We invite all faithful Episcopalians to prayerfully consider volunteering to serve the diocese as best suits their time and talents. The Co-Chairs of the Nominating Committee are the Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker and Mr. Russell Ayres. If anyone has questions about any of the work of any of the diocesan committees, feel free to contact Nano at nanojon@gmail.com, or Russ at rwayresiii@gmail.com.

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.