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Presiding Bishop Reflects on Charlottesville and its Aftermath
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In his message for those gathering to worship this Sunday, occasioned by recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the readings of Scripture Episcopalians will hear this weekend, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry asks, "Where do we go from here: chaos or community?"
Noting that "the stain of bigotry has once again covered our land" and that "hope, frankly, sometimes seems far away," Curry says the way of Jesus of Nazareth shows the way through the chaos to the Beloved Community of God. Commitment to that way, he says, "is our only hope."
A Message to the Church from the Presiding Bishop
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?
In this moment - when the stain of bigotry has once again covered our land, and when hope, frankly, sometimes seems far away, when we must now remember new martyrs of the way of love like young Heather Heyer - it may help to remember the deep wisdom of the martyrs who have gone before.
The year was 1967. It was a time not unlike this one in America. Then there were riots in our streets, poverty and unbridled racism in our midst, and a war far away tearing us apart at home. In that moment, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a book, his last one, with a message that rings poignant today. It was titled, "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"
One of his insights then was that a moment of crisis is always a moment of decision. It was true then and is true now. Where do we go from here? Chaos? Indifference? Avoidance? Business as usual? Or Beloved Community?
I'm a follower of Jesus of Nazareth because I believe the teachings, the Spirit, the Person, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have shown us the way through the chaos to true community as God has intended from the beginning.
Through the way of love, he has shown us the way to be right and reconciled with the God and Creator of us all. Through his way of love, he has shown us the way to be right and reconciled with each other as children of God, and as brothers and sisters. In so doing, Jesus has shown us the way to become the Beloved Community of God. St. Paul said it this way: "In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself" and now he has entrusted us with "the message of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19).
I know too well that talk of Beloved Community, which Jesus was describing when he spoke of the kingdom of God in our midst, can be dismissed as nice but naive, idealistic yet unrealistic. I know that.
But I also know this. The way of Beloved Community is our only hope. In this most recent unveiling of hatred, bigotry, and cruelty, as Neo-Nazis marched and chanted, "The Jews will not replace us," we have seen the alternative to God's Beloved Community. And that alternative is simply unthinkable. It is nothing short of the nightmare of human self-destruction and the destruction of God's creation. And that is unthinkable, too.
We who follow Jesus have made a choice to walk a different way: the way of disciplined, intentional, passionate, compassionate, mobilized, organized love intent on creating God's Beloved Community on earth.
Maybe it is not an accident that the Bible readings for the Holy Eucharist this Sunday (Genesis 45:1-15; Isaiah 56:1,6-8; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; and Matthew 15:21-28) all point toward and bear a message of God's passionate desire and dream to create the Beloved Community in the human family and all of the creation.
This Sunday and in the days and weeks to come, as we gather in community to worship God and then move about in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, social circles and more, we will be faced with a choice. I ask and invite us as congregations and individuals who are together the Episcopal Church of the Jesus Movement to intentionally, purposely, and liturgically rededicate ourselves to the way of Jesus, the work of racial reconciliation, the work of healing and dismantling everything that wounds and divides us, the work of becoming God's Beloved Community. Resources that can assist us in doing this work are included with this message, including an adapted version of the Becoming Beloved Community vision that our church's key leaders shared this spring. I urge you to spend time reflecting with them individually and in your churches.
Where do we go from here? Maybe the venerable slave songs from our American past can help us. In the midst of their suffering, they used to sing ...
Walk together children
And don't you get weary.
Cause there's a great camp meeting
In the promised land.
We will walk there ... together. We will make this soil on which we live more and more like God's own Promised Land. So God love you. God bless you. And let's all keep the faith!
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
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Registration Open for October Session of
Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency
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Registration is now open for the October session of the Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency, an innovative nine-day intensive course designed for diocesan staff, clergy, lay leaders, and seminarians to learn cultural competency for Latino ministry.
Offered by the Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries, the course will be held at St. James Commons, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Sunday to Tuesday, October 15 to 24. The course will be taught by seminary faculty, lay church leaders, and clergy with extensive experience in Latino and intercultural ministry.
"Combining academic learning with hands-on experience, the purpose of this multi-faceted intensive course is to provide cultural competency of the history, culture, socio-demographic, and religious aspects of the Latinos/Hispanics in the United States," noted the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries. "Also this course will provide the foundational tools necessary for church leaders to discern and explore the type of Latino/Hispanic ministry that best fits a congregational setting and its context."
The course will be conducted in English. Bilingual faculty will interpret as needed.
Registration is available
here. Registration includes tuition, hotel accommodations, meals, transportation to and from O'Hare Airport, and transportation during the course. Registration does not include textbooks.
Registration deadline is September 29.
The October session marks the second offering of the Episcopal Latino Ministry. A future offering will be held at Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, CA on June 10-19, 2018.
Among the goals of the course are:
* Show a familiarity with the general Latino culture and "religiosity" context of Latino worship and sacramental pastoral care.
* Learn to manage and address the worshiping needs of a dual language congregation, or to prepare for a special liturgical event involving English and Spanish speaking attendees.
* Acquire a fundamental competency in learning the general aspects of the pastoral and congregational ministries aimed at the immigrant and first generation, plus the ministry focused especially on the more acculturated and English-language speaking Latinos of the second and third generation.
* Define and interpret the broad historical and demographic profile of the Latino/Hispanic population in the United States through designated readings, course lectures, written reflections, class participation and experiential trips.
* Acquire first-hand knowledge of the church in mission in the borderlands* and identify the political, social, and pastoral issues revolving around immigration from Mexico as well as Central and South America and the Caribbean. (*Borderlands refers to either the US/Mexico border or immigrant entry points in urban centers.)
Competency Enabled by General Convention 2015 Resolution
AO86: Create a Network of Partners on Latino/Hispanic Congregational Ministry Development, the course will provide foundational tools for church leaders to gain a deep understanding of ways of welcoming and serving Latino families, and sharing spiritual, sacramental and community life together.
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Invite - Welcome - Connect
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Invite*Welcome*Connect and its creator Mary Parmer are coming to the Brandywine Deanery, September 15th-17th, 2017 for "Empowering the Laity." Join in a deanery plenary gathering for clergy and lay leaders involved with evangelism and hospitality. The gathering on Friday, September 15th at St. John's, Concord is a deanery event beginning at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with an informal, meet and greet with Mary where she describes the next day's workshop, and fields any questions regarding the ministry.
On Saturday, September 16th, Mary will be offering her full, one-day workshop on Invite*Welcome*Connect at St. James', Downingtown. Members of the laity from the Diocese are encouraged to attend to learn about all aspects of church hospitality, congregational growth and retention of long-standing members.
The day's events begins at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude by 3:30 p.m. Registration and check-in will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The day will start with introductions at 9:30 a.m. sharp. The cost of the workshop is $20.00 per person, which includes a catered lunch at St. James'. Sponsoring parishes within the deanery will be offered ten (10) complimentary tickets for Saturday's workshop. For questions pertaining to sponsoring the program, please contact St. James' Episcopal Church, Downingtown at (610) 269-1774.
Mary Parmer will conclude her weekend offering in the deanery while preaching Sunday morning, September 17th at Episcopal Church of the Trinity, Coatesville at their 9:30 a.m. Eucharistic service. For more information, please contact St. James' Episcopal Church, (610) 269-1774 office,
www.stjames.ws
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The Diocese of Pennsylvania is
Now Receiving Contributions from AmazonSmile
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Do you use Amazon? If so, then you can support our Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania earn extra income by shopping through AmazonSmile!
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to our Diocese. Getting started is simple.
2) You will be asked to select an organization.
Please select The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania .
3) Add
smile.amazon.com to your bookmarks so that you always come back to the same site.
That's it! It may not sound like much but if it were to take all your online shopping and multiply it by everyone in our Diocese it can really add up. Please make sure to spread the word and ask your friends and family to select The Epsicopal Diocese of Pennsylvania as their own AmazonSmile charity as well. Please remember, only purchases made through AmazonSmile will be eligible.
Just go to:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1352108 and shop on Amazon's website like you normally would. Make sure to save the link in your favorites for easy access when shopping in the future.
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Veterans Mental Health Training
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August 26, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
11-19 South 38th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Coffee and breakfast will be provided.
As the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania continues its movement to address the mental health needs of veterans and be a spiritual safe space in the community, we are hosting a Veterans Mental Health First Aid Training on August 26, 2017. The training will be led by a veteran from the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health. It will provide us with knowledge and tools to support veterans and their families who may need or seek help.
The training aims to:
- Break down the stigmas associated with mental illness
- Reach out to those who suffer in silence and are reluctant to seek help
- Let veterans know that support is available in their community
- Provide community resource information
- Make mental healthcare and treatment accessible to thousands in need
This training is free to all. Please register online at this link:
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The Basics of Godly Play
Full Day Introduction and Refresher Workshop
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Saturday, September 9
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
St. David's Episcopal Church
763 South Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA 19087-4794
Training session led by Dawn Stewart, Accredited Godly Play Teacher Trainer
* Experience a complete Godly Play® session as a learner.
* Examine the structure of Godly Play® and how Godly Play® nurtures a child's spirit.
* Experience and explore storytelling and wondering with each kind of Godly Play® presentation: Sacred Story, Parable, Liturgical Action, Silence
* Observe and identify the roles of Godly Play® Mentors, Storyteller and Door Person
This day-long workshop offers an introduction to Godly Play® for those exploring resources for children, for new Godly Play mentors (Storytellers and Door Persons), and a refresher for those already using this method of spiritual formation with children.
Cost: $50 per person, checks payable to St. David's Church
Morning coffee and Lunch provided
Experiencing Godly Play® is worth more than a 1000 words about it!
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~ SAVE THE DATE! ~
Friday, October 6, 2017
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez,
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan,
Dean, Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
&
The Philadelphia Committee of AFEDJ
Invite you to a Benefit Event in
Support
of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Special
Guest
Speaker
The Rev. Canon John L. Peterson
Supporting the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza
An excellent 4 min. video of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital is linked below. This hospital is in Gaza and an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. First hand interviews give us an excellent picture of the near insurmountable challenges in the devastated part of the Diocese.
On October 6, Canon John Peterson, who has a long working relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem and the hospital will speak at a Benefit for the hospital at the Episcopal Diocesan Cathedral on 38
th street adjacent to the Penn Campus. Refreshments will be served from 6-7 with accompanying music by the Arab Music Ensemble and program from 7-9.
The Philadelphia Committee of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is organizing the event. The invitation above is issued by The Rt. Rev. G.P. Gutiérrez, Dean Judith Sullivan and the Board of AFEDJ.
Sustaining
the Christian Community in the Middle East
with
Supper
* Art Exhibit * Music
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
23 South 38th Street, Philadelphia 19104
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Discipleship Matters Conference
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Helping leaders create a culture of discipleship in their congregations and community.
This national conference will explore Christian formation for discipleship, scripture engagement, habits of daily prayer, serving the poor, and sharing the Good News. Built on the model of the very successful Evangelism Matters conference held in Dallas in November 2016, this conference will offer keynote presentations, workshops, and networking time, and will be undergirded with Eucharist and the Daily Office.
The conference will include findings from RenewalWorks, a research-based Forward Movement initiative that has identified key catalysts for spiritual vitality in congregations and for individuals. A focus on discipleship is one of those primary catalysts, based on research from nearly half a million participants across the country.
Brought to you by Forward Movement and RenewalWorks
Hosted by St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh
Sponsored by the Diocese of Pennsylvania
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Diocese of Pennsylvania T-Shirts
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What's there not to love?
Check out DIOPA's
awesome new shirts!
The #diopaLOVE T-shirts were so popular they were all claimed within 48 hours! Another order has been placed and we will be getting more. If you are still interested in a T-shirt, don't worry! Just contact Kristen Kelly at 215-627-6434 or through
[email protected]
and she will contact you once they are in!
Kristen is taking orders now. If we don't have the size you want she will order more at a later date.
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ECW Grant Requests
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Each year the Steering Committee of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Pennsylvania distributes the legacy gifts of our foremothers. One of the designated categories is Domestic Mission. These grants remain in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. An extended statement about this is on the Diocese of Pennsylvania webpage.
Each request must be no more than a single page, be accompanied by a simple budget and signed by the parish priest.
* Any specific project/program is considered.
* One thousand two hundred dollars is the maximum grant.
* Assets-Based Community outreach is the primary ministry.
* The intentional inclusion of each deanery by the committee will reflect the diocesan structure.
* No grant money is for food, perishables and travel.
Requests received by September 30 will be considered for fall.
Requests are to be submitted electronically at
[email protected] or by USPS c/o ECW: Domestic Grants, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, 3717 Chestnut Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
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A Message from Bishop Gutiérrez Regarding the 2018 Diocesan Budget
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CAMINOS: Our Road Together
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The Office of the Diocese of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the publication of our new magazine "CAMINOS: Our Road Together".
While this magazine will be published online, it is also available in a print format for anyone who does not have internet access. If you know someone in your congregation who cannot receive it electronically, please send us their name and address and we will be sure to send them a hard copy version.
In order to have the best viewing experience, once you click on the link below, put your cursor under the image of the magazine cover. A timeline will appear. Click on the square at the far right of the timeline and the issue can be read full screen. Once you are viewing it full screen, clicking on the arrows at the far right or left will turn the pages forward or backward.
We want to help tell your stories. If you would like to submit an article for publication, please contact Henry Carnes at
[email protected]
and he will be glad to assist you.
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Summer Bible Challenge
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Heard the word?
Staycation
or
Vacation
The Bible Challenge Continues!
SEND US A PHOTO OF YOUR
SUMMER BIBLE CHALLENGE
Camping, Fishing, Rowing, Throwing
,
Strolling, Cooking, Hiking, Biking
,
Flying, Cruising, Playing, Praying
,
Sailing, Swimming, Running, Sunning
.
Let's see where the challenge goes - Post to the Facebook Group Page or email [email protected]
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Servant Year is On!
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"Are you called to serve?"
Our new Servant Year Corps Members have answered this question with an unabashedly faithful
"YES"!
This DioPA ministry is an intentional faith-based community where young adults give of themselves while faithfully discerning where they are being called in their lives. On August 19th
, six members will arrive to begin their year of service among us. As we get closer to August look for Introductions to our members right here. We are excited for people to get to know them and their many talents and gifts.
Members in this urban missionary like program receive full-time volunteer positions at a partner site, monthly stipends, housing, health insurance, meals and public transportation tokens. Servant Year is a supportive community that includes regular spiritual direction and formation. It is perfect for new graduates who want to "give back" before they start their career; want a break in between college and graduate school; or need a little extra time to discern where their life is calling them after plans change or do not materialize as expected.
If you know of a college graduate who sounds like a good fit for this ministry please have them contact
[email protected].
This program is not limited to Episcopalians. But for those young adults who grew up in the Episcopal Church,
Servant Year
can be the next step in maturing their faith and discerning their call to ministry, whether that is ordained or lay. Thank you for your help in finding those being called to
Servant Year
.
Where are YOU being called to serve?
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DIOPA Resource Guide
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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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DIOPA Deanery Calendar
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Our DIOPA Deanery Calendar is fully operational and available to capture and disseminate your event information - diocesan wide! It's the place to post parish events in each deanery and can be found on www.diopa.org at the bottom right of the home page under Calendars. It's a read-only site, with information being posted by an administrator in your deanery. Call your parish office to have your administrator post an event you want to share.
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Video Invitation to Join the Bishop's Bible Challenge!
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As another part of my promise to better serve you, I am pleased to present another major initiative from the Offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. This Bible App will help us all to feel connected, provides a platform for participating in the Bishop's Bible Challenge, and perhaps most importantly is a powerful tool for you to read or hear the Word of God in 1,000 languages. With the Bible App, many now have access to the word of God in their primary language. Reading the Bible together as a diocesan community will have a life changing effect. The importance of Christian people using Holy Scripture as a foundation for daily life is hard to overstate. Who we are as the People of God flows directly from our worship, doctrine, and liturgy, which are all rooted in Scripture. To know the Bible better, is to know ourselves as the People of God better, to know our mission to the world better, and to know our faith better. We are here to help and to serve you, and this mobile app is another 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. Gutiérrez
XVI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Bishop's Bible Challenge leads us through the entire bible in a year's time. Not only will you find the daily reading and meditation rewarding, but you will be joining in community with hundreds, possibly thousands, of fellow Episcopalians in our diocese. While this may seem like a daunting undertaking, as the Bible tells us "Fear Not", for there are many ways to connect!
You can download The DIOPA Bible in a Year App from iTunes, Apple App Store, and Google Play. 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 bible." It is a self-contained way to participate and has everything you need including a link to the registration page, the Bible readings for each day, an online link to the Bible in audible and readable forms and daily reading or listening selections that will help everyone to read the same selections each day.
* If you do not use a computer or smart phone simply call the Offices of the Diocese at 215-627-6434 to register and receive a Bible Study Packet; or contact your Priest for these materials.
* Join our online Facebook group at <
DIOPA Bishop's Bible Challenge>. This is where you can post your own testimonies on the readings. These responses can be written or use your phone or camera to take a picture that reflects your response to the reading. Include a brief description and post with the hash tag #wordon and #diopabbc. Check the group page or the hash tags to see what other participants are saying!
* Information and resources regarding The Bishop's Bible Challenge can be found online:
http://www.diopa.org/bishops-bible-challenge/
The important thing to know is that you are not alone in this and you cannot mess this up! If you miss a day of reading, or a week for that matter, just jump back in to the schedule because there is no wrong way to do this. If you'd rather not read, the Bible App will play the day's selections in a dramatized audio format for you to listen.
So let's come together as a diocesan family and build the Kingdom of God -praying together, worshipping together, studying together - in this the "come and see" diocese. #diopalove #diopacomeandsee #wordon #diopabbc - there are multiple ways to connect!
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Online Staff Directory
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Visit our new "Staff Directory" page on the diocesan website to see photos, bios, and job descriptions
of the current staff of the Offices of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
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Download our 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 offer 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.
Gutiérrez
XVI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
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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