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A Celebration of the Life of the Rev. Absalom Jones and Bishop Barbara Harris | |
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Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10 a.m.
Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
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Welcome all and join us for an ecumenical celebration and Eucharist for the life and work of the Rev. Absalom Jones and Bishop Barbara Harris.
Absalom Jones was the first African American to be ordained as a priest in The Episcopal Church. Barbara Harris was the first woman to be ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church.
The celebration will feature Bishop Gayle Harris, Assistant Bishop for the Diocese of Virginia, as the guest preacher. The Reverend Canon Eric McIntosh will be the celebrant. An optional lunch will be available.
This event is sponsored by the Commission on Race and Reconciliation and the Beloved Community Initiative.
If staying for lunch, please RSVP at https://tiny.cc/ulu9wz to help with our planning.
The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/EpiscopalPittsburgh
Learn more about The Rev. Absalom Jones at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absalom_Jones
Learn more about Bishop Barbara Harris at
https://www.episcopalarchives.org/church-awakens/exhibits/show/leadership/clergy/harris
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You are invited to spend time with the Bishop and members of the laity from around the diocese on Thursday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Nurturing our Faith is an opportunity for fellowship, prayer, and spiritual reflection through story sharing. This gathering for laity is the first of three such Zoom gatherings. All three will have the same format and any lay person can come to any one of them.
The additional dates are Thursday, April 18, at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, May 30, at 12 p.m.
Please register for this online event at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdeqqpjojEtR-08_qV2wswx6PeSdOLWg5
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Dear friends,
It is with mixed feelings that I announce to you the retirement of long-time and invaluable member of our diocesan staff, Rich Creehan. Rich has worked with the diocese in the capacity of an independent contractor but truly functioned as a member of the team. Having now served the diocese for more than a decade, since 2008, and since 2017 as Director of External Relations, Rich feels the need to step back from his current role. While we are happy for Rich as he plans for a new and exciting phase of life, we are also sad for us because we value Rich a great deal and treasure his expertise and wisdom.
Over the course of time, Rich has willingly worn many different hats. He has participated in more meetings than he can keep track of; he has written countless press releases, and has drafted many, many letters on our behalf. Now, he is contemplating the joy of being free from these responsibilities after completing his last day of work on January 31. The good news is that Rich will continue to be around, especially since he will continue to volunteer as a verger at diocesan worship services and to help with the planning of such services.
I want to share how thankful I am for the dedication and great service that Rich has rendered to our diocese. Please join me in offering him our deepest gratitude.
Faithfully,
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A Day of Lenten Reflection | |
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Lenten journeys can take many forms. Some people choose to give up things or to fast. Some choose to take on difficult tasks. This year, I plan on investigating what it means to rest in God’s love and affection. The term metanoia means something like, “to change the way we process or understand”.
On Saturday, February 17th, The Abbey of Saint Nicholas in Brookline will be hosting a time of reflection (10 am – 3pm) to discuss a Lent of self-care and accepting God’s love for us. A light meal of vegetarian bruschettas, water, and fruit teas will be provided – if you would like to help, just bring a couple bucks.
This is not going to be overly structured; it will be a time of thoughtful conversation and ideas, noon prayer, and a concluding meditation exercise. To RSVP, please email saintnicksabbey@gmail.com.
The Abbey of Saint Nicholas, 3010 Pioneer Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
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A Meaningful Lenten Project for Your Parish | |
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We take so many things for granted -- our homes, fresh water, lights, clean clothes, the list goes on and on. Some folks do not have these luxuries; they live on the street or in their cars.
The Justice Ministry at St. Brendan's, Franklin Park, offers a Lenten project for their parishioners to help the homeless right from their own homes.
Each participant receives a calendar with a different entry for each day during Lent. If you have access to the listed item or if you do the daily task, put a small amount of money in a container. For instance, donate $0.50 every time you have a meal today, give $0.25 if your home has heat, etc.
This is an extremely meaningful and humbling exercise because it highlights so many of the simple things in life that we take for granted. It's a great conversation starter for every age in a household.
At the end of Lent, St. Brendan's parishioners bring the money to church and their funds will be given to Outreached Arms, a non-profit for the homeless.
The St. Brendan's Justice Ministry is pleased to share this 2024 Lenten calendar with all parishes that would like to adapt it for their own awareness campaign. Each parish has the opportunity to designate an organization in their own community to benefit from the funds. It's a legal-sized Word document available here.
Donna Aiello from St. Brendan's has offered to advise parishes who may want to replicate this campaign. Donna can be reached via email at donna.aiello@forecastdirect.com
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Where the spirited and the spiritual join together
in a new kind of celebration
February 11, 5 p.m.
I Am Because We Are
At the historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh's Northside, 957 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
412-231-0454
Upcoming, all at 5 p.m.:
March 10th – From God to Me to You
April 14th – Instruments of Peace
May 12th – Opening the Closed Door
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Worship That Works
A Course Offered by the Stevenson School for Ministry
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This course will explore principles and best practices for designing worship that works. This is a great course for musicians new to The Episcopal Church, worship and liturgy leaders, and those in the ordination process. The full breadth of the Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship, The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II; Wonder, Love, and Praise; and other liturgical and musical supplements will be discussed.
The topics covered include the liturgical year, the Eucharist, Baptism, Lenten and Holy Week services, and special services. Special attention will be paid to smaller-resourced parishes. Register here!
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Film Screening in Penn Hills
Sunday, March 3 at 5 p.m.
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Fifty years ago, a group of brave pioneers broke the gender barrier by being ordained Episcopal priests. They became known as The Philadelphia Eleven.
This documentary film, more than 10 years in the making, tells their struggle.
St. James Episcopal Church, Penn Hills, 11524 Frankstown Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Plenty of free parking.
Potluck and discussion to follow (if staying, please bring a dish to share)
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Serviam Online Learning Pilot Ending Soon | |
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Get in on the learning while you still can!
Last year, dozens of people from throughout our diocese began using Serviam, an online learning platform made available by the Diocese of Pennsylvania as part of their pilot expansion program. Our pilot period is scheduled to end on February 15, 2024. But don’t worry; you can still register to get in on the learning. This is your opportunity to access quality, Episcopal-specific online content, completely free of charge!
Vestry courses continue to receive praise
If your parish has its annual meeting in January and will be welcoming new vestry members on board, consider referring them to Serviam as part of their orientation. The “Vestry 101” and “Canonical and Legal Responsibilities of a Vestry” courses have received excellent reviews by vestry newbies and well-seasoned veterans alike.
According to Jane Parkhurst, senior warden of St. Andrew’s, Highland Park, “Serviam's Vestry 101 is a great tool, not only for wardens, but for all vestry members. The areas of responsibility are clearly explained, in easy-to-understand language, with applicable rules and guidelines.”
Recommending these courses to new vestry members would be a great way of helping them to understand their new role and equipping them for it.
But wait! There’s more!
There’s a course for just about everyone in Serviam. Here’s a look at what else you can find there:
- An Introduction to Spiritual Direction
- Ignatian Spiritual Exercises – A Mini-Retreat
- Women in the Hebrew Testament
- Budget Basics
- Evaluating Your Church’s Security
- Introduction to Safe Church.
Sign up to participate; it’s not too late!
Sign up now to join our Pittsburgh pilot group. Within a few days, you will receive instructions on how to access Serviam and begin your online learning experience.
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Bishop Ketlen's Visitation Schedule:
January 28: St. Barnabas, Brackenridge
February 4: St. Peter's, Brentwood
February 11: All Soul's, North Versailles
February 14: Trinity Cathedral (Ash Wednesday)
February 25: Emmanuel, North Side
Parish leadership is reminded to complete and submit this form at least two weeks in advance of their visitation.
To schedule time with Bishop Ketlen, contact Andrea Rath at 412-721-0853, ext. 251, or arath@episcopalpgh.org.
The Cycle of Prayer for December 2023 – August 2024 is now available here.
Bishop Ketlen's Visitation Schedule for December 2023 – June 2024 is available here.
| Important Parish Reminders | |
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Yup, It's that time of year. Parochial Report filing season is open! A brief note was sent to parish leadership with filing details and the diocesan office stands by to assist.
It's also Parish Annual Meeting time! Leadership is reminded to complete our Annual Meeting Report Form (available in PDF or Word) as soon a possible following your meeting.
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Is your parish offering Ashes-To-Go on Wednesday, February 14? If yes, please send a note to Andy Muhl at amuhl@episcopalpgh.org with your details. | |
St. Stephen's, McKeesport | |
The wonderful folks at St. Stephen's, McKeesport, celebrated the Second Sunday after the Epiphany with Bishop Ketlen during her visitation on January 14. | |
St. Stephen's, Wilkinsburg | |
St. Stephen's, Wilkinsburg, welcomed Bishop Ketlen on the Third Sunday after the Epiphany on January 21. | |
Has your parish been featured in the news?
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