January 12, 2017

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



The Offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania will be closed on 
Monday, January 16,  in observation of 
 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.



Join the Bishop's Bible Challenge!

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. Guti érrez
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 don't want to use the app, register to participate at our online registration site:  https://diopa.wufoo.com/forms/bishops-bible-challenge/
 
* 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!


New Online Staff Directory


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.





Application Deadline Extended for 2017-2018
Young Adult Service Corps Placement 


The application deadline for young adults (21-30 years old) for 2017-2018 placements in the 
Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps, commonly known as   YASC, has been extended to Friday, January 13.
The application for a 2017-2018 placement with additional information and instructions is available  here.
Through YASC, young adults have an opportunity to transform their own lives while engaging in mission and ministry in the Anglican Communion. Currently YASCers are serving throughout the Anglican Communion, working alongside partners in administration, agriculture, communication, development, and education. They are serving in Brazil, Costa Rica, England, France, Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Panama, Philippines, and South Africa.
Among possible placements for 2017-2018 are Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and Tanzania.
For more information contact Grace Flint, Episcopal Church Staff Officer for YASC Programming, at  gflint@episcopalchurch.org.
YASC blogs available at  here.



Phoenixville Leaders Organize Community Peace Vigil 
This Saturday, January 14th

           
In the wake of a year filled with political rancor, international terrorist attacks and incidents of violence and tensions at home, Phoenixville community leaders want to start the new year on a positive note by affirming the civic spirit and neighborly bonds for which the small borough has been well-known over the years. On Saturday, January 14 th , St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church St. in Phoenixville, will host a Community Peace Vigil at 4 pm.
 
The Vigil will offer speakers from faith communities including Islamic, Jewish, Hindu and Christian traditions; local government officials; and leaders from the Hispanic, African American and LGBT communities. According to vigil organizers, the purpose of this event is to promote peace and understanding among our citizens as our communities become more and more diverse. Organizers hope that bringing people together to meet, hear and talk with each other will foster greater comfort and understanding at a time when world events seem chaotic and media coverage often focuses on fear and violence.
 
Last June, St. Peter's Episcopal Church hosted a peace vigil in the aftermath of the shootings at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. An American-born man who'd pledged allegiance to ISIS gunned down 49 people early that Sunday at the gay nightclub in the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nation's worst terror attack since 9/11 Over 200 people packed the church, seeking solace and safety as residents in Phoenixville and surrounding communities came to grips with the grief and fear precipitated by such violence against innocent fellow citizens.
 
Immediately following the one hour service, attendees are invited to enjoy light refreshments of sweet and savory finger food and fellowship at the Church. Organizers envision this event as a kick-off for continuing dialogue and community engagement in their "Community Peace Initiative," an ongoing project which will continue to sponsor local forums in the coming year.
 
The Community Peace Vigil will include scripture readings from multiple faiths, a candle lighting ceremony and music from several local artists and performance groups. Post service, a fellowship gathering will also feature a center with local service group information to encourage neighbors to volunteer in the community and a banner of "Hopes and Fears" where those gathered can write and share their thoughts in each category.
 
For more information about the Community Peace Vigil and Phoenixville's Community Peace Initiative, contact :
Rev. Dr. Koshy Mathews, Rector - St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Phone:  610-933-2195

 



St. Nicholas Visits Church of the Ascension







Applications Now Accepted for Conant Grants

Applications are now being accepted for Conant Grants from the Episcopal Church for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Conant Grant funds are provided for the improvement of seminary-based theological education. Specifically, the grants are directed for the support of research, writing and course development undertaken by faculty members at the recognized Episcopal seminaries in the United States.
Information, instructions, and application  are available here.
Deadline for submitting an application is  Friday, February 10.  Grant recipients will be announced in March.
The funds are derived from a trust fund established by William S. and Mary M. Conant in 1953. 
For more information and to submit an application, contact  Ann Hercules , Associate for Mission Beyond the Church and Grants.
Applications will be reviewed by the Conant Committee: Bishop Brian Thom of Idaho, chair; Episcopal Church Chief Financial Officer Kurt Barnes; the Rev. Ann Kitsch, Canon for Ministry Formation and Transitions, Bethlehem; Executive Council Members Canon Dr. Steven Nishibayashi of Los Angeles and Bishop Dabney Smith of Southwestern Florida.




DIOPA Resource Guide

  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/.
This website is designed to continue to capture information that is useful and relevant to all members of the Diocese. Please continue to submit your suggestions. Contact J.D. Lafrance at  jdlafrance@diopa.org or use our online form:  https://diopa.wufoo.com/forms/cant-find-something/.


Download our Diocesan Mobile App "DIOPAConnect"


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. Guti érrez
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.


Gifts of Stock



As we approach the end of the year, you might want to think about making a gift of stock to the Diocese of Pennsylvania, The Church Foundation or any of the parishes, schools and other institutions within the Diocese.

The Church Foundation is equipped to help facilitate your charitable giving. The process is easy, and offers benefits to both the donor and the recipient.

Visit The Church Foundation website or contact Lori Daniels at 215-220-9886 or Alan Lindsay at 215-621-8310 for more information.


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