February 24, 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


An Update from the Commission on Ministry

by  The Rev. Erika L. Takacs


A pause can be a very good thing. A beat, a breath, can be just what we need to experience the Grace that is all around us. We all know how important it is to allow for silence in our prayers so as to truly listen, just as we all know how important it is to take a moment to reflect before speaking. As we approach the season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of creating a holy pause in our lives. In Lent, the Church invites us to give ourselves the space we need to pray daily, to worship regularly, to give generously, to repent fearlessly, to forgive joyfully, and to preach the Gospel hopefully in all that we say and do. These pauses in our lives are not a stopping place in our spiritual growth; rather, they feed and encourage that growth. A pause can be a place of spiritual continuity, helping us to connect ourselves more deeply to the vision that God has for all of Creation.
 
This year, Bishop Guti érrez asked the Commission on Ministry to pause in one aspect of our work. The COM has continued to meet with and support Postulants and Candidates in their journey towards ordination, but we have not begun any process with new Nominees. We are pausing, taking the time to reflect on our work so far, to envision what discernment can look like across our diocese, and to listen for what the Holy Spirit is calling us to next. A small group of COM members - two lay people, two deacons, and two priests - have met regularly with Canons Wamsley and Mathis to engage in this work. We are a diverse group, with different gifts, experiences, and ministries in the diocese, but we have found a sense of community and common purpose. We have prayed together, dreamed together, laughed and sighed together, and, most importantly, we have listened together. We have listened to the wisdom of others doing this work throughout the wider Church. We have listened to our own experiences of discernment, in this diocese or elsewhere. We have listened to stories from this diocese's past, particularly around models for discernment for lay ministries. And we have listened to each other, approaching one another with gratitude and mutual care.
 
What is emerging from these conversations is the need for the COM to craft a process of discernment that mirrors the kind of leadership the Church needs. If we are looking for prayerful, passionate followers of Jesus who can lead our Church in doing holy work, then the work of the COM - the "process" - needs to be prayerful, passionate, and Jesus-centered. Our time together as a Commission needs to be holy time that cherishes and supports all of God's people. Thankfully, the COM is full of faithful people who embody this kind of leadership. The members of the COM are powerful icons of discernment, people who model how to use their own gifts to build up the Kingdom. These are people interested in holiness and intentionality and transparency; they are deeply committed to creating a process that builds on what we have done in the past and also allows us to connect to God's vision for our future. 
 
The Church needs leaders - lay and ordained - who can use their unique gifts to preach the Gospel and build up the Kingdom of God. What will the process of finding and discerning this leadership look like? It is too soon to articulate the answer to this question in much detail. But the process will certainly be grounded in the truth of our baptisms, of the promise that we are all called to "confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share...in his eternal priesthood." I hope that you will continue to keep the COM in your prayers in the coming weeks and months. 



Servant Year



SERVANT YEAR IS ON! 

We are extremely excited to announce that we are now accepting applications to the 2017-18 Servant Year Class.   For 16 years the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania has invited young adults to serve at a partnering church, school, diocesan office, or social service agency for one year.  Think of it as an urban missionary experience for young adults age 21-30.   Members live together in intentional Christian community, gathering regularly for prayer and weekly for community meals and meetings. Members also gather monthly for formation programming.  

There are get togethers just for fun determined and scheduled by members.  

willingness to live simply, intentionally and to compassionately serve are the mainstays of Servant Year.  

If this sounds like an opportunity that you or a young adult you know would be interested in, please have them  visit the Episcopal Service Corps webpage: http://episcopalservicecorps.org/  or the Servant Year website  Servant Year or visit our Servant Year Facebook Page.   

They can also talk to Jan Schroeder at the Offices of the Diocese at 215-621-8315 or jans@diopa.org


Episcopal Divinity School Trustees Vote to Pursue Affiliation
With Union Theological Seminary in New York

 
Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was formed in 1974 through the merger of the Cambridge-based Episcopal Theological School and the Philadelphia Divinity School. it is one of the smallest of the 10 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. Photo: Episcopal Divinity School

The Board of Trustees of the  Episcopal Divinity School on February 24 voted to pursue an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary that would create an EDS entity to provide Episcopal theological education and other programs at Union's campus in New York.

The Board of Trustees of  Union Theological Seminar y has voted enthusiastically to support Union's leadership in bringing negotiations with EDS to a successful conclusion.

"We are excited to begin negotiations toward an agreement that will allow EDS to achieve the three goals we set for ourselves when we began the process of assuring the seminary's future," said the Rev. Dr. Gary Hall, '76, chair of the EDS board. "EDS will continue to provide theological education within an accredited and degree-granting program, we will carry out our historic mission to place gospel-centered justice at the center of that education, and we will provide financial strength and stability for EDS's future."

"We are thrilled that EDS's trustees have made this momentous decision and we are excited about all it portends for the future," said the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president of the faculty and Johnston Family Professor for Religion and Democracy at Union. "The mission alignment between our two institutions is clear and strong. You can't miss it!  This alignment assures that the deepest commitments of both institutions will be honored and strengthened in the years ahead."

The two seminaries will begin negotiations immediately in the hope that both boards can vote on an agreement when they meet in May, before EDS's final commencement at its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus.

"I am optimistic that this proposed affiliation will provide great benefits for both parties," said Bonnie Anderson, Hon. D.D. '06, vice chair of the EDS board. "An Episcopal entity at Union would be positioned to leverage resources for mission and attract new partners in New York City and beyond."

Spurred by financial challenges that were depleting EDS's endowment, its board voted last July to stop granting degrees at the seminary's Cambridge location after the 2017 commencement in May, and to explore new ways of providing post-secondary theological education that emphasized the centrality of social justice in the Christian tradition.

The board's New Directions Committee, chaired by the Rev. Anne Howard '85, reviewed proposals from nine seminaries and divinity schools, and selected three finalists. After making site visits with the Rev. Dr. William C. Nelsen, EDS interim president, and Anthony Ruger, an expert on financial sustainability in theological schools, the committee recommended exploring an agreement to affiliate with Union.

"The quality and creativity of the proposals we received was gratifying," said Howard. "After extensive research, we became clear that Union offers the best fit for EDS's mission and historic commitment to justice."

Union already has a strong Episcopal presence.  Four of its 22 faculty members are Episcopal priests and five members of its board of trustees are Episcopalians, including the board chair, Wolcott Dunham, senior warden of St. James' Episcopal Church in New York City and former trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

"I look forward to the amazing possibilities of bringing an affiliation between Union and EDS into reality," said Union Board Chair Dunham. "Our work together will surely expand the ways we serve the world and the church."

EDS has adopted a generous severance plan for its faculty and staff, and all of its students are being "taught out" at other seminaries with EDS financial support to avoid additional costs for those students. Seven of the teach-out students are Episcopalians in an ordination process; they come from three dioceses. A number of the students included in the teach-out, which has been approved by the Association of Theological Schools, are international students, and EDS has retained an immigration lawyer to advise the students about maintaining their visas in the transition.

The seminary's investments are currently valued at approximately $53 million plus its campus.




Hope In Dark Places


9:00 am - 3:30 pm
March 25, 2017
Church of the Good Samaritan

Knowing and Proclaiming Christ Crucified
A Diocesan Lent Day

Come and join clergy and laity from across the Diocese as we engage in a day of reflection with Fleming Rutledge. Fleming is one of the best known and respected preachers in the Episcopal church; one of the first women ordained to the priesthood; and a prolific writer and respected thinker. It is a great honor for us to be able to host her.

"Hope in Dark Places" is a day of teaching, reflection and workshops as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter. It is an opportunity for our Diocese to set aside time at the beginning of Lent to think about the message of the cross in the 21st century and prepare for the preaching, devotional and formational work of Holy Week.

Workshops

Especially for Preachers

Fleming will lead two workshops entitled 'The Crucifixion of Christ in Preaching and in Christian Living'.

Especially for Children's Ministry leaders

Emily Given, writer of 'Building Faith, Block by Block' - will be leading two workshops on 'Engaging Children's Imagination in Holy Week and Easter'. This will be a great opportunity to gather together lay volunteers who work with children and provide some high quality training and more than a few ideas of how to successfully lead children's formation.

For everyone who prays

Revd. Jarret Kerbel, Rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill, will lead two workshops: 'You Gotta Learn How to Die: Praying at the Foot of the Cross'.


Conference of Healing/Interactions with Veterans



March 21, 2017

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Philadelphia V.A. Medical Center
3900 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
{Coffee and registration at 7A141 on the seventh floor.}

This workshop will build the capacity of faith leaders to more effectively minister to the veteran community and support veterans through appropriate referral. Participants become familiar with the services provided by the VHA and how to help veterans access VA resources. You will begin to understand the hidden wounds and moral conflict experienced by many veterans, recognize the clinical constructs of "PTSD" and "moral injury" as well as criticism of those constructs; and appreciate the contribution clergy and faith communities are making in addressing hidden wounds and moral conflicts.

Lunch will be provided. Parking available at lot and on the street.

Please register online at this link:
   
The Rev. Chris J. Antal will be the speaker.
He is the Clinical Staff Chaplain at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz V.A. Medical Center (Philadelphia) and co-author of Moral Injury, Soul Repair, and Creating a Place for Grace [Religious Education 110, no. 4, pp. 382-394], available online from the Penn Law School. Prior to joining the V.A., Chaplain Antal served as a battalion chaplain with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and led the Faith Community Partnership program for the New York-based organization Soldier's Heart. He is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and a founding member of Veteran's for Peace Hudson Valley Chapter 177.
 


Job Posting for Executive Assistant
to the Diocesan Bishop

 


Job Posting for Executive Assistant
to the Diocesan Bishop
 
The Executive Assistant to the Diocesan Bishop is an exempt staff position which has as its major responsibility the performance of administrative, clerical, and organizational duties to support the ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. This position also assists the Diocesan Staff as needed, and functions as a member of the team. If you are interested in applying for this position, please email a cover letter and resume to   eaposition@diopa.org.

Download full job description  here



Job Posting for Controller

 


Job Posting for Controller
 
The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Controller is an exempt staff position which has as its major responsibility the performance of financial, investment, budgetary and organizational duties to support the ministry of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and the Bishop of the Diocese of the Pennsylvania in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.  This position also assists the Bishop's Office as needed, and functions as a member of the team. The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Controller i   s responsible for managing and controlling the daily accounting functions of the organization which include accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger and expense authorization activity. Excellent benefit package with 403 match. Please send salary requirements with resume to administrator at: controllerposition@diopa.org.

Download full job description  here


DIOPA Deanery Calendar



Happy Epiphanytide Everyone,

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.




Video Invitation to 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 é rrez
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!



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.





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.


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