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A Post-election Message from Bishop Gutierrez
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My brothers and sisters,
After a long campaign and election night, there is a mix of emotions. Undeniably, there are those experiencing a sense of hopelessness and despair. Others are feeling a sense of elation in the glow of political victory. Whatever your politics or candidate, we as followers of Jesus Christ must now engage in significant and transformative actions. The first must be to heal the breach in our nation and political discourse. Many in our country are angry; some are in tears while others are seeking retaliation. However, as Jesus was led from the Garden, he said these words - "put away your sword" (Mt. 26:52). The depth of meaning speaks to the heart of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we must follow Him.
This is a moment where we are called to do something more. We must reclaim His voice and build the Kingdom of God. Right here and now. The only path for real change is Kingdom building through Jesus Christ. We have repeatedly learned that humanity cannot rely on governments, politics, or candidates. We must place our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is breaking into the world at this moment. His light will shine in the darkness. His love will overcome hate. His kindness will overwhelm marginalization.
This is also the moment where followers of Jesus Christ must be stronger and more faithful than before. There are children of God who are scared; let's embrace them. We have brothers and sisters who now feel excluded; let's open our doors to our churches. We have fellow sojourners who are despairing; let's walk with them and show them life. Christian community and unity are now the most important places of centering and strength. This is the opportunity to be the hope that has been missing in this world. The courage that is necessary for this time of uncertainty. We must live into the call to do those things that we are called to do:
"Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Jesus is breaking into the world. As Christians, as those who take the name of Jesus Christ, let's step boldly into the world right here and right now. I leave you with these words:
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
May God bless you and keep you.
Bishop Gutierrez
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Bishop Gutierrez's Pilgrimage to St. Paul's, Elkins Park
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Emily Norris Carey Learning Center Dedication
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St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh, will dedicate its new Emily Norris Carey Learning Center on Sunday, November 20. The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutierrez, will be the guest preacher at the service from
4 to 6 p.m. in the new chapel, located at Bethlehem Pike, Camp Hill Rd. and Route 73, Fort Washington. GPS - 7020 Camp Hill Rd.
The dedication service will begin with outdoor prayers and remarks of gratitude for those who made it possible, singing of the opening hymn under the leadership of the church choir and process into the new chapel that is part of the Emily Norris Carey Learning Center. Bishop Gutierrez will preach and will consecrate the chapel's altar, lectern and pulpit. A reception will follow in MacColl Auditorium.
A feature of the chapel will be the mural of "Christ with the Disciples at Emmaus," painted in the 19th century in Italian Renaissance style by Pennsylvania artist Eugene Craig. It hung above the altar in the church until the mid-1960s when it was relocated to the church's parish house. Parishioner Steve Bitterman arranged to have the mural professionally restored.
The Emily Norris Carey Learning Center and its chapel is part of the renovations and additions to the church's parish house erected in 1956.The learning center and chapel was built over the past year. The project included modernization of the building, updating the parish house's MacColl Auditorium to make it suitable for wedding and funeral receptions, and adding space to accommodate the church's expanded Nursery School activities, parish meetings and church school. This will be a wonderful day as we dedicate the most significant addition to our church campus in 60 years.
This dedication service will replace the usual 5 p.m. Faith at Five worship service.
For more information, call the church 215-233-3970 ext. 110
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An Election Week Message from the Presiding Bishop
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The Rev Angela Ifill to Retire
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Presiding Bishop announces
retirement of the Rev. Angela Ifill
as Episcopal Church Missioner for Office of Black Ministries
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has announced the retirement of the Rev. Angela Ifill from her position as
Episcopal Church
Missioner for the Office of Black Ministries, a position she has held since 2000.
Presiding Bishop Curry said, "Among Angela's many contributions to the cause of Christ through the building up of our black churches in the Episcopal Church, let me highlight this - Angela has made a profound and enduring difference in the lives of young people through programs like SOUL, RISE, and support of our Episcopal HBCUs. In a time when we as a society are struggling to end the school-to-prison pipeline, she has helped the church to not just lament and talk about it, but to do it. There are black young people whose lives have been changed because of her work. That is investment in the present in our black communities for the sake of our future. As we save the children, we ultimately save ourselves. Angela has helped us doing that."
As missioner, Ifill developed the New Visions Initiative for Congregational Renewal and Vitality; The Rites of Passage resource Rising Stars Experiences (RISE), an alternative to the School to Prison Pipeline; and the Values to Live By guide for young people. She established a Clergy Leadership Institute for the recently ordained; an Institute for Learning and Advancement for the Sudanese Community; and conducts the annual SOUL leadership skills training conference for youth and young adults and seminarians.
"It has been my privilege and honor to serve the church in the capacity of Missioner for Black Ministries," Ifill said. "And I am thankful to God for the opportunity."
Ifill's career includes serving as a missionary in 1994 in Uganda; Associate Rector at St. Paul's Church in Cleveland Heights, OH; and Canon Pastor at Trinity and St. Philips Cathedral in Newark, NJ.
Her other work in the church includes:
* Trustee on the Board of Virginia Theological Seminary
* Liaison for St. Augustine's University and Voorhees College
* Board member for the Society for the Increase of Ministry (SIM)
* Consultant with the Hartford Seminary Congregational Study Project with the Diocese of Massachusetts
* Anti-racism work in the church.
Ifill, a resident of Florida, will retire in November and will remain a consultant with the church.
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The DIOPA Resource Guide is here!
We have heard your suggestions, compiled them, and we would like to present the DIOPA Resource Guide: a directory of information about the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and how we can best serve you. We encourage you to explore the website at
http://www.dioparesourceguide.com/.
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Introducing our new Diocesan Mobile App "DIOPAConnect"
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As part of my promise to better serve you, I am pleased to present a major initiative from the Offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. This mobile directory app will help us all to feel connected, provides useful information about parishes, and enables us to have one more important way to stay informed about everything going on in our wonderful Diocese. We are here to help and to serve you, and this mobile app is an important step in showing the kind of innovation and emphasis that is placed on equipping our congregations to build the Kingdom of God.
The Rt Rev Daniel G.P. Gutierrez
XVI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Our new diocesan directory mobile application has been developed to help members of our diocese have direct access to one another no matter where we are, and to promote connectivity by adding photos, shared experiences and our Twitter feed to the basic data contained in our diocesan directory. This is part of our new initiative to be better servants to our community of faith through effective communications with the goal of using mobile technology to meet the needs of our parishes, clergy and laity.
The new mobile directory app "DIOPAConnect" is now available for download.
DIOPAConnect: The Offices of Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania mobile application, is an app designed for connecting clergy and laity to contact information, parish information, events and social media. This app is free to install.
It will allow you to:
- Carry the Mobile Directory with you wherever you go.
- Quickly call or email anyone in the directory
- Get directions or find the nearest Parish, plus the contact information
- Keep up to date by staying current with Events Calendar and add reminders for important events
- Share your experiences on the "Wall"
- View Photos
- Follow the Diocese on Twitter
To download the mobile application go to the "App Store" icon on your iPhones or the "Google Play" icon on your Android Phone
and search for "DIOPA" or "DIOPA mobile directory."
Let us know how DiopaConnect works for you. User feedback helps us to tailor our applications to better meet your needs.
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Gifts of Stock
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As we approach the end of the year, you might want to think about making a gift of stock to the Diocese of Pennsylvania, The Church Foundation or any of the parishes, schools and other institutions within the Diocese.
The Church Foundation is equipped to help facilitate your charitable giving. The process is easy, and offers benefits to both the donor and the recipient.
Visit
The Church Foundation website or contact Lori Daniels at 215-220-9886 or Alan Lindsay at 215-621-8310 for more information.
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