Our 2016 City Camp season is off to a strong start! Day camp programs began on Monday, June 27^th and will continue weekly through August. This year, our 30 young adult team members will partner with twelve churches, schools, and missions throughout the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Our theme this summer is "Summer with the Saints." Day camp programs will explore the stories of different saints through Bible stories, worship, arts and crafts, science experiments, dance activities, games, and much more.

City Camp began in 2009 with the mission of partnering with congregations to provide safe, quality summer camps to children and youth in the greater Philadelphia area, while building strong relationships within each community and the diocese as a whole.

To see where City Camp programs are located this summer, visit http://www.diopayouth.org/day-camp-locations.html . For more information on City Camp and how you can support this ministry, contact Victoria Hoppes, Associate for Youth and Camping Ministries at [email protected].

Presiding Bishop Asks for Prayers Following Shootings

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry has issued the following video asking every Episcopalian to share in deep prayer following the shootings in the United States. The video is
available here.

Many Episcopal groups have prepared resources that may help congregations and individuals in their prayer and conversation this weekend.

A liturgy resource for praying after Ferguson, created in the Diocese of Missouri and shared by the Beloved Community: Commission for Dismantling Racism in the Diocese of Atlanta
A summary of Episcopal resources for racial reconciliation
Episcopal News Service feed with statements and resources from across the church
If you have created resources to help your community to pray and to work for healing and justice, please share them with the Presiding Bishop's staff here: [email protected].

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/07/08/video-presiding-bishop-asks-for-prayers-following-shootings/

A Message and Call to the Clergy and People of our Diocese

from your Bishop and Bishop-elect

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The past three days have been tragic and utterly horrifying.

As Episcopal bishops, as laity and clergy, but more importantly, as members of the human family, we are heartbroken for our brothers and sisters in Minnesota, Louisiana, and Texas. We are heartbroken for all who are victims of violence.

We follow Jesus Christ, and our calling is to touch the hurting, bind the wounds of division, and seek peace and reconciliation. We will not only weep at the deaths that have occurred; but we will also work tirelessly to bridge the various chasms that are separating this country, whether they be religion, race, political party, sex, or ideological divisions. We seek our higher calling as people who live in community with one another.

Therefore, we call our diocesan family to prayer and reflection on these tragedies at all church services this coming Sunday and suggest the use of the following prayer:

Most Loving God, source of all peace, we your servants live in a world divided and enslaved by divisions, suffering and hatred; and you have entrusted your mission of healing and reconciliation to our hands. Give us strength to bind up the wounds of division. Give us courage to be strong reconcilers. Endow us with the energy to bridge the chasms that inhabit all parts of our nation. Your blessed Son died and rose again to implant in our hearts your divine vision of love, reconciliation, peace and community. Strengthen us to be ever bolder witnesses to the mission you have entrusted to us. As followers of Jesus, let us sow love, plant peace, build reconciliation and grow community in our world. This we pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

When our Presiding Bishop meets with the clergy of our diocese next Friday as part of the events leading up to the consecration of our Bishop-elect, we have asked that a portion of our time together with him be spent in prayer and to hear his wisdom and reflection on these tragedies.

We remain, faithfully,

Your Shepherds in Christ,
Clifton Daniel, Bishop
Daniel Gutierrez, Bishop-elect

July 8, 2016

The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry to Visit

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Chester

Following the consecration for The Rev. Canon G. P. Daniel Gutierrez as Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania on July 16 th , the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church will be the Celebrant and Preacher at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Chester on July 17, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. This will be the first time a Presiding Bishop has visited the City of Chester. As well, it is a very exciting time for St. Mary's and the surrounding community in which it serves. All are welcome to join us for this special occasion and for the reception to follow after the service.

If you plan to join us, please contact Sarah Carter at 302-438-8890.

Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutierrez will celebrate his first mass as Bishop of Pennsylvania at Christ Church, Philadelphia this Sunday July 17

This weekend, we'll celebrate the history-making role of Christ Church - and continue to make history as our bishop, newly consecrated this Saturday, presides at Christ Church at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

The consecration of the Rev. Daniel Gutierrez as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the New Covenant Church, 7500 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. It's a rare moment of Episcopal pageantry and all the logistics thereof, so plan to get there early.

This Sunday July 17, at the 10 A.M. service at Christ church, Philadelphia, the new Bishop Gutierrez will be presiding, in our historic, open space. Please make plans to be there to welcome and celebrate him in our parish home, and to welcome those from his home diocese as well as any visitors from other parishes. It's followed by refreshments and more in the North Garden.

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.

Key Upcoming Dates in the Election Process

July 16 - Consecration of the new Bishop, New Covenant Church, Germantown

For additional information please visit the Call/Transition Committee's website at: http://diopabishopsearch.com

Matters of Faith: The new year is the start of a renewed life

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry has issued the following video asking every Episcopalian to share in deep prayer following the shootings in the United States. The video is available here.