September 22, 2016

Serving the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
3717 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.diopa.org          215-627-6434
Articles In This Issue
Quick Links to Diopa Website
Parish Events
Wellness
Safe Church Training


Servant Year Survey

  
For 15 years the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania has offered the Servant Year Program, inviting young adults to spend one year in service to our diocese.   A willingness to live simply, intentionally and to compassionately serve is the mainstay of Servant Year .  The program is on hiatus as we discern where to make improvements and we need your help!  We are surveying our churches to see how many know about the program and how it can better serve the needs of our diocese.  Even if you have never heard of Servant Year,   your input is important to us as we work to keep this program relevant to the needs of our Diocese.  A link to the survey is imbedded below.  You are invited to click on the link and take the survey.  It will take only 3 minutes we promise! And your input will make a difference.  Thank you! If you have any questions please contact Jan Schroeder at 215-313-9151 or email her at jans@diopa.org.




Anti-Racism Training at Grace Epiphany, Mt. Airy


 
Members of the Diocese of Pennsylvania's Anti-Racism Commission (ARC) facilitated a training session at Grace Epiphany, Mt. Airy on Saturday, September 17 th . Participants explored and discussed definitions and history regarding race relations in the United States, and discussed tools for combating racism in our institutions and communities, in particular our churches.
 
ARC is constantly seeking new voices to join our team! Learn more about ARC at  http://www.diopa.org/news/anti-racism-commission/. We invite you to join us for our next training events on  October 8 and  15, 2016  at Grace Epiphany, Mt. Airy.








Speakers, workshops announced for Evangelism Matters
Episcopal Church Evangelism Conference in November * Live webcast available * Seating is limited; register soon

September 15, 2016

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be the keynote speaker for Evangelism Matters, an Episcopal Church Evangelism Conference on November 18-19 in Dallas, TX. Other announced speakers include the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, the Presiding Bishop's Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation.

Evangelism Matters is designed for anyone who would like to learn more about evangelism and available resources to share our faith. The churchwide event is co-sponsored by Forward Movement and the Presiding Bishop's Office, and is hosted by the Diocese of Dallas and Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, TX where the activities will be held. Spanish translation will be provided for all plenaries, worship and several workshops.

The schedule, registration and the growing list of workshops is here. In Spanish here.
  
Program

In addition to the plenary speakers, the main panel presentation, What Is Evangelism?, will feature a group of Episcopal evangelists, including the Rev. Alberto Cutié, Diocese of Southeast Florida; Carrie Boren Headington, Missioner for Evangelism in the Diocese of Dallas; the Rev. Marcus Halley, Diocese of West Missouri; and Mary Parmer, creator of the Invite *Welcome* Connect program in the Diocese of Texas. The panel will be moderated by the Rev. Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement.

Workshops have been designed for those who are new to sharing their faith as well as for confident evangelists looking for fresh resources. Check here for updated list. Among the workshops and the presenters are:
 
Talking God Today: The Rev. Albert Cutié, rector of St. Benedict's, Plantation, FL, Diocese of Southeast Florida.

Elevator Evangelism: The Rev. Casey Shobe, rector of Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, Diocese of Dallas

Compassionate Evangelism: A Non-Judgmental Approach to Sharing Your Faith: The Rev. Canon Dr. Fred Vergara, Episcopal Church Missioner for Asiamerican and Pacific Islanders Ministries

How to Contextualize the Message of Jesus in U.S. Hispanic Cultures: The Rev. Luis Andrade, rector of St. Helena's , Burr Ridge, IL, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

Home: From the Front Door to the Kitchen; An intersection of communications strategy, formation, and membership growth: Mike Orr, Director of Communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado.

Our Stories Speak of God: The Rev. Hershey Mallette Stephens, Trinity Wall Street, New York

Social Media, Evangelism and Connecting with Emerging Cultures: The Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries

Invite*Welcome*Connect: Mary Parmer, Director of the Gathering of Leaders.

How To Make a Rocking Welcome Video on a Dime: Christian Anderson and Trevor Black, Episcopal Video Network (EVN)
  
Live webcast

Key portions of Evangelism Matters will be live webcast to allow for individual and group viewing during conventions, discussion groups, and local evangelism gatherings. The live, free webcast will be available here

Sessions slated to be live webcast include

Friday
9 am - 10:30 am Central - Welcome and main panel presentation
10:45 am - Workshop (to be announced)
1:30 pm - Keynote address by Presiding Bishop Curry
2:45 pm - Workshop (to be announced)
7:30 pm - Eucharist: Celebrant is Bishop George Sumner of Diocese of Dallas and preacher is Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Saturday
9 am - Plenary on Testimony by Canon Stephanie Spellers
9:45 am - Workshop (to be announced)
11:30 am - closing plenary
  
Registration

Registration is available here. Space is limited; be sure to register soon.

Registration is $125 per person; deadline is October 15.

Registration does not include lodging or transportation. Lodging options are listed for attendees to make their own arrangements directly with hotels.
  
Contacts

For more information contact Alyssa Finke at 800-543-1813, afinke@forwardmovement.org ; or Spellers at sspellers@episcopalchurch.org ; or Gunn at sgunn@forwardmovement.org .

Media inquiries should be directed to Neva Rae Fox, Episcopal Church Public Affairs Officer, nrfox@episcopalchurch.org , or Jason Merritt, Forward Movement Marketing Director, jmerritt@forwardmovement.org .


Resource Materials Available for Parishes

Christ Church and St. Michael's Aulenbach House at 29 W. Tulpehocken Street, Germantown, currently houses the Diocesan Ministry Resource Center and Audio Visual Resource Library. The Center giving away a wide variety of materials and is now open weekdays from 9 AM to 12:30 P.M. for interested people to pick freely by appointment only from a variety of books, videos, and other resource materials for parish use or other use as considered appropriate. The Resource Center is on the second floor of Aulenbach House so those picking up materials should be prepared to transport whatever materials they choose down a flight of stairs.

There is a wealth of storybooks and other resources for children's ministry, adult formation, spirituality, congregational development and more available free of charge. Please call 215-844-7274 to make an appointment with Ms. Sheila Mitchell during open hours. 




Graphic Novel to be Published about St. Martin

Local Artist Edward "Ned" McConaghy - born and raised in Chestnut Hill - has created a Graphic Novel depicting the dramatic conversion of Martin of Tours, the Patron Saint of the Church of St. Martin in the Fields on Willow Grove and St. Martin's Lane.  

 

The beautifully rendered artwork and text tell the story of how Martin - at the time a Roman soldier - sliced his own cloak in half to save a beggar from freezing to death by the side of the road.  Later that evening the beggar reveals himself to Martin as Christ showing Martin that he had fulfilled a teaching of Jesus: "Whenever you clothe the naked you clothe me."  Martin went on to be a hermit, a monastic and then a Bishop.  The congregation of St. Martin in the Fields is printing McConaghy's work and sharing it with the congregation to promote reflection on the spirituality of generosity.



Edward McConaghy is a lifelong member of the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, a graduate of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, a graduate of Education for Ministry, and a published book illustrator and the creator of a serialized online graphic novel.  



Statement in Response to Yesterday's Action in Texas

Through the history of the United States, refugees have enriched our communities as creators, business owners, students, and friends. Our nation, and indeed our church, has been enhanced by contributions from refugees that have sought safety and opportunity in this land. We know this to be true from decades of ministry walking with refugees and migrants.

I am deeply saddened by the violent acts in New Jersey, New York, and Minnesota. I am saddened that entire communities of refugees are being blamed for the actions of a few misguided individuals - for as Americans, as Episcopalians, and as Christians, we are called to a higher moral ground than this. And, I am also disappointed that the governor of the state of Texas has announced this day that he soon will be ending his state's administration of the federal government's refugee resettlement program. Fortunately, refugee service providers will work closely with local communities to ensure that a transition to another administrative service does not put refugee families at risk.

Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement service of the Episcopal Church, along with partners with 30 local communities across the country, serves refugees and migrants with the deep understanding that we are all children of God. This ministry is rooted in Christ's teaching of love, compassion, and dignity for all people. We are committed to continue this work so that the God-given potential of every human being may thrive.

"The foreigner who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the foreigner as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt." Leviticus 19:34

The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson
Director, Episcopal Migration Ministries




Church of the Ascension Commemorates 9/11

On Sunday, September 11, 2016, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Parkesburg, held a special service to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of 9/11, 2001.  The service of honor and remembrance spoke to the sacrifices made by those involved on that horrific day in the history of our country.   



Many were present as the procession into the church included First Responders from the Octorara area.   Special prayers were given and the homily specifically spoke to First Responders who are always there to protect our freedoms and safety on a daily basis; something most of us take for granted.  



Sincere gratitude and thanks to those First Responders who were able to be present during the service:  from the  Keystone Valley Fire Company--Fire Chief Brian Gathercole , Pete Mango, Trevor Devoe, Michael Lavender, Matthew Stutzman; from the Parkesburg Police Department--Ryan Murtaugh and Michael Kinsman; and Retired NYFD Firefighter, James Thompson, who was present at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Thank you.  



Our prayers go with you and all those in service, especially every time we hear a siren. 



Making Ordinary Saints


Our presiding bishop, Michael Curry, when he was here, encouraged us to return to our roots and live into the depths of the spiritual tradition that we have inherited. To help us to do that, I invite you to register for a conference in two weeks time, with Richard Foster and his son Nathan. It will be an excellent opportunity to encourage us as clergy and laity in our spiritual journeys as we listen in to a conversation about growth in spirituality between father and son.

The conference will be hosted by Church of the Good Samaritan on Friday evening and Saturday the 23rd and 24th September. It costs $70 ($50 for students) and includes lunch and a copy of Nathan Foster's book. Registration and further details are online at Renovare's website:


I hope that many of us will be able to come and bring others along from our churches to learn and grow,  with blessings as we build the Kingdom of God together.

The Very Reverend Richard Morgan
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan




Education for Ministry


Have you ever considered a formal study of the things which inform your baptismal covenant?  Many EfM seminar groups will be reforming or starting in the fall and now is the time for you to consider if this program is for you.  The current texts are portrayed in the attached link.


For more information contact:

Alan Lindsay, EfM Coordinator for the Diocese of Pennsylvania
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
3717 Chestnut Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-627-6434 x127 or alanl@diopa.org





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