Grace Happens
   September 13, 2016
In This Issue
Gwen Santiago, R.I.P
Sending Love
Godly Play Recap
Downtown Compline
Ecumenical Worship Day
Spiritual Reflection at Calvary
2016 St. Andrew's Lecture
Fall Plant Café
A Lunchtime Pilgrimage
Race in Pittsburgh
Jazz at Emmanuel
Tea at Atonement
Becca Stevens in Pittsburgh
Refugee Resettlement
151st Convention
Around the Diocese
Parting Shot

Episcopal Shield
Quicklinks
The Reverend Gwen Santiago, R.I.P.

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Friday, September 9, our dear sister and colleague, the Reverend Gwen Santiago, Priest-in-Charge of Saint John's Church, Donora, entered larger life in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. She died at home surrounded by her family, who "sang her into glory," just as she wanted. We grieve her loss, and we rejoice in her release.

Friends may pay their respects on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kepple Graft Funeral Home, 524 N. Main St, Greensburg, PA 15601.

I encourage you to attend the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on Thursday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ's Church, 145 N. Main Street in Greensburg followed by interment at St. Clair Cemetery.

The family invites everyone to join them for a luncheon in Gwen's honor at the Greensburg Hose Company No. 7, 619 E. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg.

Clergy are invited and encouraged to vest and process. Those planning to do so must arrive no later than 10:15 and will be briefed at 10:30 sharp. Please report directly to the undercroft for vesting (cassock and surplice with white stoles).

Please join me in giving thanks for Gwen+'s life and ministry. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Faithfully your bishop,
 
(The Rt. Rev.) Dorsey W.M. McConnell, D.D.
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The Church of the Nativity, Crafton, recently completed a school supply and backpack drive for the benefit of underprivileged children in McDowell County, WV. This mountainous area of southeastern West Virginia is one of the poorest and most underserved areas of the country, but has benefited greatly from the work of the Highland Educational Project, an outreach of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and Episcopal Appalachian Ministries. Teens from Nativity partnered with the Youth Ministry Program at St. Paul's, Mount Lebanon, for a mission trip this past June.

"When we got back to Pittsburgh, the kids asked me if we could find a way to continue our relationship with McDowell Country, providing love and support throughout the year," said the Rev. Shawn Malarkey, Rector of Nativity.

With a modest initial goal of 25 filled backpacks, the project exceeded expectations, with nearly 80 backpacks and multiple boxes of additional school supplies making the trip to West Virginia for the first day of school on August 18. "I was happy to report to the parish that my car wasn't big enough to carry the backpacks, and I had to borrow a van," said Malarkey.

Lori Osborne, Director of the Highland Educational Project was grateful for the delivery, and for the continued outreach ministry of the parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. "If it weren't for you all, we wouldn't have been able to provide for these kids."
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Godly Play Workshop is a Success!

On Saturday, August 27, St. Brendan's, Franklin Park, and Christ Church, North Hills, hosted a Godly Play workshop.
 
Sixteen people from five different congregations attended. Dawn Stewart, a certified Godly Play trainer, led everyone through stories including Bible stories, Liturgical stories, and Parables. Dawn taught methods to get the children to settle down and also gave examples of ways to engage them in the story being told. 

Everyone had fun participating in the stories as Dawn taught us how to get children to engage in I wonder....? We were asked to wonder, to dream, to enter into the story and make it our own.
 
Dawn and her husband, Rich, demonstrated how the Doorperson should greet children at the door and warmly welcome them into class. Rich, a retired professor from Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary, showed us how the Doorperson works with the Storyteller - each with their own responsibilities with the children.
 
Everyone left feeling excited about sharing the stories with children. More importantly, we were taught that through Godly Play our children are being formed as Christians. They are taught to be respectful of others. Godly Play helps children to articulate their faith as they enter into their faith story, and they are taught the power of a worshiping community.
 
We are thankful for Dawn and her spirited, enthusiastic teaching and for Rich's gentle loving presence.
--The Rev. Ted Babcock & Joyce Donadee
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Downtown Compline
Offers a Daily Break

The Daily Office is one of the great jewels of Episcopal spirituality. When observed, it becomes a tidal force of our devotions, marking and guiding the ebb and flow of our faith.

Trinity Cathedral is pleased to announce that it is now observing Compline on Monday through Thursday, from 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This service is designed to be a moment of peace and solemnity,
a chance to center oneself after a hectic workday, and to prepare oneself for the evening. The service is sufficiently brief that one might attend without delaying the evening commute or activities. If you work in downtown Pittsburgh or otherwise find yourself in the city, we hope that you will take this moment to seek God with us.

Please note: the Noon Eucharist will continue to be offered at 12:05 p.m. every weekday. If you have questions, please contact Brandon Mozingo, Cathedral Administrator, 412-232-6406 or [email protected]
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Ecumenical Worship Day 
at

St. Barnabas, Brackenridge

The Rev. Liddy Barlow has accepted an invitation to speak at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at their 9 a.m. service.

The Rev. Barlow is the Executive Minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania (CASP). You may remember that Rev. Barlow spoke at our 2014 Convention. She will speak on aspects of the mission of CASP which is To Serve as a Unifying Voice in the Name of Jesus Christ for the Mission of the Gospel and the Wholeness of Communities.  After the service, light refreshments will be served in our recently air conditioned social hall.

St. Barnabas is located at 989 Morgan Street, Brackenridge, PA, phone 724-224-9280.

If you would like to attend, the favor of a reply is requested to inform us of your attendance. You may call and leave a message at 724-224-9280, or send an email to [email protected] or text to 724-448-6132. Please feel free to attend even if you are unable to reply. 
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The St. Andrew's Lecture
Friday, September 23, 2016

The Most Rev. David A. Zubik
 
Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

Friday, September 23rd, 8 p.m.
Lecture and Reception 
"Ecumenical Life in Pittsburgh, in the Era of Pope Francis"
 
Saturday, September 24th, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Reflection and Response with Presentations, Panel Discussion, and Small Group Conversations
(Morning Refreshments, 9 a.m.)
 
The St. Andrew's Lecture is an annual program to address topics of concern in the Church
and in Society.  All events are free and open to the public. 
 
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
5801 Hampton Street, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
(412) 661-1245    www.standrewspgh.org
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The Ladies of Emmanuel present:
Fall Plant Caf�

Perrenials, Herbs and House Plants for Sale!
 
Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
 
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
957 W. North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

On the Northside at the corner of 
Allegheny and North Avenues.

www.emmanuelpgh.org/events   All proceeds will go toward the restoration of our historic building.
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Jazz at Emmanuel
Jazz at Emmanuel

An ecumenical Jazz service
Sunday Evenings at 5 p.m.

October 9 - Music of the Heart
November 13 - Harvest of the Heart
December 11 - Not for the Faint of Heart

957 W. North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (North Side)
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Episcopal Church Webcast Discusses Refugee Resettlement

Episcopal Migration Ministries will host a live webcast discussion,One United People: A Dialogue on Refugee Resettlement and Faithful Welcome, on Wednesday, September 14. A panel of refugee resettlement practitioners, congregational leaders, and recently arrived refugees will discuss ways in which Episcopalians and faith communities around the United States welcome refugees.

Originating from the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, the 90-minute free webcast begins at 2 pm Eastern/1 pm Central/Noon Mountain/11 am Pacific time. Access to the webcast is available here. Questions can be emailed during the discussion to [email protected]. The webcast will be available for viewing afterward here.

Refugee resettlement is a lifesaving option for millions of refugees who have had to flee their homes due to violence and persecution. The Episcopal Migration Ministries webcast discussion will demonstrate the Episcopal Church's engagement in refugee resettlement in this country, and how resettlement nourishes individuals, congregations, and communities.
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151st Convention

Mark your calendar now for the 151st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh on November 4 & 5, 2016, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon, and watch for registration information in September.

Audio of Bishop McConnell's address from last year's convention is available here.
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Diocesan Shield in Stained Glass
Around the Diocese
 
Bishop McConnell's Visitation Schedule:

September 25: St. John's, Donora
October 2: St. Francis, Somerset
October 9: Atonement, Carnegie
October 16: St. Matthew's, Homestead

Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.


The Commission on Ministry has released revised guidelines for those interested in pursuing diaconal or priestly ministry. "Discerning and Responding to a Call to Holy Orders" is available here.
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Parting Shot

On Sunday, July 26, Bishop Dorsey McConnell was at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Brackenridge, to bless their newly created Memorial Garden. At that time, names of departed family and friends of St. Barnabas were announced and flowers were placed in the garden in their remembrance.  After the service and Memorial Garden dedication, we met in the newly air conditioned social hall for fellowship and refreshments. We are thankful to the Diocesan Growth Fund and the Ira R. Wood and Frances Wood Charitable Trust Foundation for granting funds that helped to defray the cost of the air conditioning unit which make these types of events and others much more inviting.
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Grace Happens upcoming publication dates with deadline for submissions:

September 27 (Submissions due September 20)
October 4 (Submissions due September 27)
October 18 (Submissions due October 11)
November 1 (Submissions due October 25)

All submissions to the Grace Happens newsletter and the diocesan web site are welcome and should be sent to [email protected]. 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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