|
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The Third Sunday in Lent
8 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A said service of Holy Communion
in the Chapel
9 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A service at the Crossing in the Church,
with congregational hymns and organ music
11 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A service at the High Altar in the Church,
with music for choir, organ, and congregation
[This service will be Livestreamed]
| | |
It was fall 2020, covid-19 case counts were about to explode, and Uma Gaffney had just started work as a middle school teacher in Minneapolis.
“It was such a hard time to be a teacher,” she recalled. Remote learning was the order of the day, and students and teachers were struggling in equal measure to adjust. “I think about all the ways I wish I could have done better.” READ MORE...
| | |
Are you looking for a way to fully enter Lent this year? Join this year’s Lenten Book Group. We will read Praying the Stations of the Cross: Finding Hope in a Weary World by Margaret Adams Parker and Katherine Sonderegger. The book includes original artwork by Margaret Adams Parker. The book’s first half explores the Stations of Cross, and the second half includes a meditation on each Station.
The book group will meet again via Zoom on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. To sign up, please get in touch with Rev. Bonnie-Marie at byagerwiggan@calvarypgh.org. Even if you missed the first session, you are welcome to join. Copies of the book are available in the Calvary Bookstore with a 10% discount.
| | |
If you are interested in the service of Evening Prayer (prayers at the end of the day’s work) at Calvary, consider joining a group of parishioners each Monday and Wednesday during the weeks of Lent (continuing through Lent with the last service on Wednesday, April 9) at 6 p.m. in The Lady Chapel. The service is about 20 minutes long and includes Psalms, Scripture, and Prayers for the day (but no sermon or music).
Praying at certain points of the day has its origins in Judaism and was practiced in the early church and monastic traditions, and it is one of the Daily Offices found in our Book of Common Prayer.
If you have questions
or are interested in helping to lead this service,
please contact Steve Shandor (steve.shandor@gmail.com)
or Michael Salmon (oriolefish@gmail.com).
| | |
The Nominating Committee of the Vestry will receive nominations in the Parlor for Vestry and Parish Council members on Sunday, April 13, 2025 after all services.
Laura Marchl, chair, Jean Carr, Kelly Glass, Adam Bailey, and Peter Lewis are the members of the committee. The Rector is an ex officio member. Names may be also be submitted at any time to members of the Nominating Committee, or by email, to the chair, Laura Marchl, at laura.marchl@yahoo.com or the Rector at jjensen@calvarypgh.org. The relevant by-laws regarding the annual meeting and Nominating Committee have been posted on the bulletin board.
The 170th Annual Parish Meeting of
Calvary Church will be held on
Sunday, May 18, 2025
at 10 a.m., in the Parish Hall.
Election of members of the Vestry and Parish Council will take place and reports from the Wardens, Treasurer and others will be given. Please make every effort to attend.
| | |
Join us for Evensong at 5 p.m.on
Sunday, April 6
| | |
The deadline for submission of news and notices for the next issue is Friday, April 4, 2025. Please e-mail your text to calvary@calvarypgh.org or deliver it directly to the church office.
Agape, the newsletter of Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is published monthly (except July), and is mailed to active members and friends of the Parish. You may opt out of receiving a printed copy and read each issue online at www.calvarypgh.org/agape/. Contact the Parish Office at 412.661.0120 for details.
| | |
Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) at the 11 o'clock service is a special time for children to pray, ask questions, and hear the good news of God’s love. The Sunday scripture readings are proclaimed and explained on a level appropriate to children 4 years and older. Any child in this age group may participate - no registration is necessary.
| | |
Children are invited to gather with adult leaders after the Opening Prayer and process to the Refectory. They return to their families at the time of the Peace. If you are running a little late and miss the beginning of the service, no worries! Drop in and join us in the Refectory.
| | |
Calvary’s Calming Corner is a dedicated space designed to support families every Sunday from 8:45 AM – 12:30 PM and during special events. Whether your child needs a sensory break, a quiet moment, or a comfortable spot for nursing or feeding, this peaceful space is available for you.
Location: Level A (Downstairs, next to the Nursery and Faith Formation classrooms)
No registration or payment required.
Parents and guardians must remain with their children at all times.
We invite you to make use of this space whenever you need a moment of peace and comfort.
| | |
Saturday, March 29 | 10 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Location: Calvary Nursery
(Level A, downstairs near classrooms)
Ages 0-6* years old
Need a little time for yourself? Drop off your little ones at Calvary for supervised playtime in the nursery while you enjoy a well-deserved break. A light lunch will be provided. This event is free, but registration is required. Questions? Email Bonnie-Marie byagerwiggan@calvarypgh.org or Vicki vrispoli@calvarypgh.org
*Older siblings welcome to attend as helpers
Link to register here: https://forms.gle/PGdzuMjQE7GGbPLW8
| | |
Faith Formation Highlights
| | |
Last week, the younger Faith Formation students explored The Parable of the Leaven as part of their ongoing lessons about the Kingdom of Heaven.
To bring the lesson to life, the children observed a hands-on demonstration, comparing two cups—one with yeast and one without—to see how yeast transforms flour. They then helped mix and knead dough, watching as it began to rise, reinforcing the idea that something small and unseen can create a powerful transformation, just as God works within us.
After observing and discussing the effects of yeast, they enjoyed freshly baked bread, noticing its warmth, texture, and smell. The lesson ended with a prayer of gratitude, reminding them that even when we cannot see it, God's work is always present and active in our lives.
| | The older students spent time preparing a demonstration of the History of the Kingdom of God ribbon for the Pandemic Remembrance during the 11 a.m. service. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to actively participate in this special liturgy while also showcasing some of the meaningful work they have been doing during Faith Formation. Well done, everyone! | | The Rector and Rabbi Aaron Bisno will begin a discussion of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Join the class live at 10 a.m. in McClintic Hall. The class is recorded and posted on the Calvary YouTube page. | | Altar Flower Delivery Ministry | | |
Judie Compher and I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for all that our seasoned team brings to this ministry. Due to retirement and relocating we are spreading the word that we are ready to train new willing members. Preparation of the flowers begins promptly after the 11 o’clock service or after 5 o’clock Evensong. This is a rewarding ministry letting our Calvary community know that we care. Please contact Bonnie Weiss, Co-chair, at Janekeenanweiss@gmail.com or 412.780.5649
| | |
We are continuing to schedule hosts for coffee hours after the 11 a.m. service. Your group can sponsor a coffee hour by bringing, plating and arranging small sweet and savory snacks. If you are interested, please sign up with Kathy Farrington at farringtonk@me.com or use the sign in the Parish Hall.
| | |
As the Bookstore continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary year, throughout March we are offering 20 percent off all devotional aids, including selected books that can help deepen one’s prayer life. They include:
Women’s Uncommon Prayers, edited by Episcopal priest Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, is written by clergy and lay women from around the world who believe all life must be seen against the backdrop of a vital faith. The book covers an amazing array of topics from daily life, stages of life, spirituality and ministry.
How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People, by Pete Greig is “an instant spiritual classic,” says Christianity Today. Recommended by Bishop Ketlen for her Lenten book study, it’s described as a raw, real and remarkable how-to-guide on prayer for everyone, from the committed follower of Jesus to the skeptic and the scared.
Rage Prayers - we’ve all probably prayed them. Elizabeth Riley’s book is a provocative invitation to smash the confines of “polite” prayer and initiate a candid conversation with the divine.
Looking online for Lenten or Easter readings? We’d be thrilled if you’d visit bookshop.org. There you can browse the Bookstore’s recommendations, or order any book at all and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Bookstore. Just type zip code 15206 in the Bookstore Near Me box, click on Calvary Bookstore, then the red Support the Shop! Then start your orders!
The Bookstore is open Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also call the Bookstore at 412-661-0120, ext. 133 (please leave a message) or email bookstore@calvarypgh.org and we will contact you.
| | |
Spiritual Reflection –
Lost in Wonder
Adult spiritual formation may be described as the step-by-step discovery of God’s presence in our lives and our personal transformation along the way. Calvary’s Spiritual Reflection meetings continue to be a regular and familiar forum for small group sharing and prayer.
For this term we use “Lost in Wonder: Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness,” by Esther de Waal. A foremost scholar in the Benedictine and Celtic traditions, de Waal has published extensively in both fields. In Lost in Wonder, she uses the everyday circumstances of our lives - the restrictions and frustrations as well as the gifts and opportunities - as our own way to God.
Meetings are held in the Conference Room from 7-8 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday evening of each month. The meetings are hybrid, allowing “in person” conversation while others join remotely using Zoom. The next meeting is on April 1.
Email Matt Muldoon (mattmuldoon@msn.com) or Sondra Krimmel (sskrimmel@gmail.com) for information or to be added to the email list. Please feel welcome to join us at any time.
| | The Contemplative Prayer group meets for silent prayer and reflection, both in person and on Zoom Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Evans Room. For more info and a Zoom invitation, contact Lucy Weingartner at lweingartner20@gmail.com | |
What’s coming up in 2025?
2025 is our year of cultivation at Incarnation. We will begin to gather as a group, small but ever-growing, to be formed in community by the presence of God in our midst. These events will also be a way for you to get to know the Episcopal tradition and Incarnation in particular.
Our hope for Incarnation is that it would be a place of welcome and a harbor of spiritual safety for all who are yearning for good news and the deep belonging and abundant life that comes with it. With that in mind, please share this email with anyone who may be interested in taking this journey with us. “Let anyone who is thirsty, come” (Rev 21:6).
Questions? Visit our website or contact the Rev. Deanna Briody at deanna.briody@incarnationbc.org
| |
How Did We Get Here?
The Origins of the Church, its Shattered Witness,
and its Role in God’s Plan of Salvation
April-May / Meeting weekly for 6 weeks / Details to be announced
One of the most convincing arguments against Christianity is the Church—its division, its abuses, its lack of coherence across denominations. In this course, we will dive into the Church’s origins, uncover its evolution through the centuries, and explore its current state of disrepair. Our goal? To understand the role of the Church in God’s plan of salvation, that we might answer Isaiah’s call to “seek the Lord where he wills to be found” (Isa 55:6).
| | |
Speech and Hearing Screenings
We’re excited to partner with our neighbors at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech to offer free screenings for families in the local community! To learn more about DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, visit DePaul School Website.
Link to register here: Screening Registration Form
| | |
Dear Friends,
Our diocesan-wide Epiphany prayer course has concluded, and I now invite you to join me for an online book study during Lent. Since my heart continues to nudge me toward prayer, I invite you to read with me How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People by English author and pastor, Pete Greig.
This book study will take place online via Zoom on Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. The group will meet virtually for 1-hour sessions ending Sunday, April 6.
One can register here or via the link below. If you signup, please purchase a copy of the book as soon as possible and read the first 47 pages in advance of the March 16 session.
I hope you will join me in this continued effort to delve further into the art of learning and practicing the spiritual discipline of prayer.
Faithfully,
| | |
Bishop Ketlen's Schedule:
March 23: House of Bishops
March 30: St. Thomas, Oakmont
| | |
Diocesan Transitions for March, 2025
Joining Diocesan Staff
The Rev. Canon Joann Saylors will join the diocesan staff on April 1, 2025, as Canon to the Ordinary for Mission, Vitality, and Administration. She is relocating from Houston, Texas, where she has served as Canon for Mission Amplification for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
In conjunction with Canon Joann’s arrival, Canon Kim Karashin will assume the role of Canon to the Ordinary for Transitions and Clergy & Congregational Care.
New Call
The Rev. Chuck Weiss began serving as Interim Rector at Christ Church, North Hills, on March 1. He is returning to parish ministry on a part-time basis after retiring in June 2023. Chuck remains canonically resident in the Diocese of Delaware, where he served prior to returning to Pittsburgh.
Ended Calls
The Rev. Catherine “Cat” Munz concluded her time as Interim Priest at Church of the Nativity, Crafton, at the end of February. She served in that capacity since July 2024. While Nativity searches for its next Priest-in-Charge, The Rev. Regis Smolko is serving the congregation as a regular supply priest.
The Rev. Bruce Robison stepped down from his role as Vicar of All Saints, Brighton Heights, at the end of February. He served there since 2020. Bruce is considering this a “re-retirement”; he retired from active ministry and his role as Rector of St. Andrew’s, Highland Park, in 2019. The Rev. Miguel Carmona is serving All Saints as a regular supply priest.
| | |
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous; CLASP: Calvary Lincoln After school Program;
CYAM: Calvary Young Adult Ministry; ESL: English as a Second Language;
FLMH: Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti
Friday March 21, 2025
Thomas Ken, Bishop, 1711
11:00 a.m. Chatham Baroque Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Heinz Chapel Choir / University of Northern Iowa Concert Chorale in Concert
Saturday March 22, 2025
James DeKoven, Priest, 1879
Sunday March 23, 2025
The Third Sunday in Lent
The Holy Eucharist at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.
10:00 a.m. Children/Youth Formation
10:00 a.m. Gospel and Breakfast (GAB)
10:00 a.m. Priest/Rabbi Class
10:00 a.m. Calvary Creation Care
10:00 a.m. Choir Warm-up
11:00 a.m. Children’s Liturgy
12:00 p.m. Coffee Hour
12:00 p.m. Parish Council Meeting
Monday March 24, 2025
Oscar Romero, Archbishop and Martyr, 1980, and
the Martyrs of El Salvador
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
6:15 p.m. Vestry Dinner
7:00 p.m. Vestry Meeting
7:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer
Tuesday March 25, 2025
The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
to the Blessed Virgin Mary
11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. Lenten Preaching Series at Redeemer, Squirrel Hill
7:00 p.m. AA Meeting
Wednesday March 26, 2025
Harriet Monsell, Monastic, 1883
10:00 a.m. ESL Conversation Class
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
6:00 p.m. Interlude Group
6:30 p.m. Dinner in the Refectory
7:00 p.m. Inquirer’s Class
7:00 p.m. Bible Study Class on Ruth
7:30 p.m. Organ Concert “Way of the Cross”
Thursday March 27, 2025
Charles Henry Brent, Bishop, 1929
10:00 a.m. Garden Club of Allegheny County Floral Workshop
6:30 p.m. Mahjong
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
Friday March 28, 2025
James Solomon Russell, Priest, 1935
12:00 p.m. DePaul School Speech Assessments
Saturday March 29, 2025
John Keble, Priest and Poet, 1866
10:00 a.m. Parents’ Morning Out
Sunday March 30, 2025
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
The Holy Eucharist at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.
10:00 a.m. Children/Youth Formation
10:00 a.m. Gospel and Breakfast (GAB)
10:00 a.m. Priest/Rabbi Class
10:00 a.m. Choir Warm-up
11:00 a.m. Children’s Liturgy
12:00 p.m. Coffee Hour
| | |
An archive of the past months weekly email blasts
may be viewed on the Calvary website at
www.calvarypgh.org
| | | | |
