LEADERSHIP NEWS 
                                                                               May 7, 2015
In This Issue
Bishop Sean:  Collaboration Is A Gospel Imperative

 

Earlier this year, Bishop Sean gave several presentations at the convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. This video, the second in a series of three, captures the question-and-answer session that took place after Bishop Sean's plenary presentation.

Budget Requests Due to Diocesan Council by May 15

The Diocesan Council is in the process of developing next year's budget, and is asking diocesan commissions, committees and groups that have budget requests for 2016 to complete applications and budget request forms. 

Budget applications and line item request forms must be returned to the Diocesan Council's Program Committee, care of Archdeacon Rick Cluett, by May 15, 2015. At its May meeting, the Diocesan Council agreed that groups not completing and returning budget requests forms for 2016 will not receive consideration in the 2016 budget.

 

The members of Diocesan Council's Program Committee are Fr. Tim Alleman, Jan Charney, Judy Ferree, and Fr. Joe Rafferty.


 

Find forms on the website.

The Barnabas Principle:  Stewardship Conference on May 30

On May 30, the Diocesan Stewardship and Evangelism Committee hosts a day-long conference at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. Dr. C.K. Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will lead the day. His topic will be "The Barnabas Principle:  A Practical Approach to Congregational Development."

 

Robertson, a distinguished visiting professor at General Theological Seminary, is a fellow of the Episcopal Church Foundation and has served on the board of the Episcopal Network for Stewardship. He is the author of several books about the life of Barnabas and Paul, including "Transforming Stewardship" and "Barnabas vs. Paul," which will be given to attendees.

 

Date:  Saturday, May 30

Time:  8:30 am-3 pm

Cost:  $15, including breakfast, lunch and two books

 

Register online.

Clergy Family Day with the IronPigs

 

On July 20, clergy families of the diocese will gather at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown to see the Lehigh Valley IronPigs take on the Toledo Mud Hens! Gates open at 5:45 pm, and an all-you-can-eat picnic is available from 6-8:30 pm. Game time is 7:05 pm.

 

Bring the whole family! Registration is open until June 18. Register online

Peace Commission Day of Dialogue on Gun Safety and Gun Violence

On June 13 from 9 am-1 pm at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Tunkhannock, the Diocese of Bethlehem's Peace Commission will host a day of conversation on gun violence and gun safety. The event is an opportunity to gather with others from throughout the diocese in an atmosphere of peace to share personal stories and begin dialogue that can decrease gun violence and increase gun safety.

 

"This inspiration for this dialogue came from exciting open and honest discussion that took place at the hearings for the resolutions presented at the diocesan convention in October of 2014," writes the commission. "Not only did the people present share their opinions on the resolution, but it was done in an atmosphere of prayerful listening. Our hope is to recreate that sense of working together in the Christian community."

 

Register online.

General Convention in Salt Lake City

The 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will take place in Salt Lake City from June 25-July 3. The General Convention, which meets every three years, is the governing authority of the Episcopal Church.

 

At General Convention, the church will consider issues of structure and canonical marriage, elect a new presiding bishop, and develop a budget for the 2016-2018 triennium.

 

This convention will be the Episcopal Church's first "paperless" convention, and all reports that at previous conventions were printed in "The Blue Book" are now available online.

 

Watch future issues of the newsletter for General Convention updates from Bishop Sean and the deputies of the Diocese of Bethlehem.

In Memoriam:  Br. Andrew Colquhoun

We are sad to announce that Br. James Andrew Colquhoun died on May 6 in Kingston, New York.

 

Br. Robert Sevensky, superior of the Order of the Holy Cross, writes, "Andrew was 77 years old.  He entered the Order of the Holy Cross in 1989 and made his life profession in 1994. A priest of the Church, Andrew was ordained in 1984 after serving as a minister for many years in the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition and as a hospital chaplain and CPE supervisor. He was canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem. 

 

"As a member of the Order, Andrew served in many capacities, including as Prior of Holy Cross Monastery, West Park. Perhaps the crown of his vocation was the twelve years he spent in South Africa.  Andrew went there in 1998 as one of the three founding brothers of the Order's monastery and school in Grahamstown and served faithfully and tirelessly."

 

May Br. Andrew rest in peace and rise in glory.

Resources and Reminders
The Diocese of Bethlehem newSpin Blog
newSpin is Bill Lewellis' eclectic sampling of religion news from around the Episcopal Church and beyond. Read the  April 31, 2015 edition .
Godly Play Training, Conference at Sewanee in July

At the 2015 North American Godly Play Conference, July 20-August 1 at Sewanee's Beecken Center, leaders can participate in Core and Advanced Training and also attend keynote presentations and evening receptions. Learn more.

Prayers of the People and Jubilate Online
The Rev. Canon Cliff Carr, priest associate at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, writes Prayers of the People for each week and prepares a list of hymn selections by season. Find those resources on the Trinity Bethlehem website.
Scholarship Opportunities

Deadlines for three scholarships are approaching:

 

Leonard Hall Scholarships for youth of the diocese pursuing undergraduate studies. Deadline May 15. Learn more.

 

Gressle Scholarships for sons of clergy canonically resident in the diocese who are pursuing undergraduate college degrees. Deadline May 15. Learn more.

Dignity:  An Evening with Dr. Donna Hicks

On May 15, Christ Church, Reading is co-sponoring an evening with Dr. Donna Hicks, associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, and author of "Dignity: The Essential Role It Plays in Resolving Conflict." Learn more and download a flyer.

Upcoming Diocesan Events

May Clergy Day: Reimagining the Episcopal Church

Date:  Tuesday May 12

Time:  8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Location:  Cathedral Church of the Nativity

321 Wyandotte Street

Bethlehem, PA 18015

 

The topic of the clergy day will be the work of the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC) and how we might imagine the Diocese of Bethlehem.


Diocesan Stewardship and Evangelism Conference

Date: May 30

Time: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Location: St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral

35 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Speaker Charles K. Robertson
Cost : $15

Contact Dan Charney


Mission Trip for 9th - 12th Graders

Date: June 28 - July 5

Location: Grace Mountain House

5100 Pewter Drive
St. Paul, VA 24283
Cost TBD

Contact The Rev. Doug Moyer

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