Quick Links to Diopa Website
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#diopacomeandsee
#diopalove
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Episcopal Youth Event 2017
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EYE17 was an incredibly wonderful experience of worship, new relationships, and self-awareness for each of our teens. From the Conga line dancing, to Montana, to experiencing the tragedies of and resurrections from the Oklahoma City bombing, meeting peers from places they had not heard of, being evangelized about building communities of peace, and to learning about Nonviolent Communication, each of our DIOPA teens was transformed by their week at #EYE17. We are blessed to be a part of a Church that provides such a deeply moving and rich experience for its youth. EYE rocks big time!
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San Francisco Boys Chorus to Perform at the
African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
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INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SAN FRANCISCO BOYS CHORUS TO PERFORM AT
THE HISTORIC AFRICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF
ST. THOMAS IN PHILADELPHIA
-TONIGHT -
July 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
East Coast Tour to include the first Black Episcopal Church in the nation
The historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas will be one of the sites to welcome the internationally acclaimed, Grammy award winning San Francisco Boys Chorus to Philadelphia on July 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
The Grammy award-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus was founded in 1948 to provide trained singers for the San Francisco Opera and quickly grew into one of the nation's most accomplished music education and choral performance entities. Since 1996, the chorus, led by Artistic Director Ian Robertson has built the group to over 220 singers from 50 Bay Area cities and more than 120 schools at locations in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Rafael.
With a long history of touring, nationally the San Francisco Boys Chorus has performed at many prestigious locations including Carnegie Hall in New York, and in 2009, had the honor of singing at the Inauguration Ceremonies for President Barack Obama in Washington D.C. Internationally, the chorus has appeared in England at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Italy in Lucca Cathedral, St. Mark's Basilica and St. Peter's Basilica, Hong Kong in St. John's Cathedral, Russia in the Glinka Capella, and Costa Rica in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, to name a few.
"We are delighted to welcome the San Francisco Boys Chorus to the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas - the first Black Episcopal Church in the nation. Founded in 1792 by the Rev. Absalom Jones, this year we are in the midst of acknowledging 225 years of our founding with a yearlong celebration that includes many noteworthy events. The presence of this wonderful chorus will be a great addition to the acknowledgement of our history," said The Very Reverend Canon Martini Shaw - 17th Rector of the Church. "We are proud to be recognized as the only African American church on their east coast tour."
Also joining their Philadelphia tour will be the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas 6361 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151
215.473.3065
Contact: Monica B. Jones 215.806.3271
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Union of Black Episcopalians Annual Business Meeting
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On behalf of the UBE National Board of Directors and the Conference Planning Team, it gives us great pleasure to invite and welcome all members and supporters to the:
UBE 49th Annual Business Meeting and Conference,
July 23 - 26, 2017 at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia/Cherry Hill, NJ.
For the first time, this gathering will be a joint partnership between the Union of Black Episcopalians and the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA). Both organizations share a vital commitment to vigilance and action aimed at achieving justice for all people, especially those of African descent.
We will also be commemorating the 225th anniversary of the Black presence in the Episcopal Church at our first church, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
Our 2017 conference theme is: "Like a Rolling Stream, Let Justice Roll... Absalom, Jehu, and Beyond"
Join us to be recommitted and renewed for the work ahead with God's help!! For additional information: www.ube.org or contact The Rev. Renee McKenzie, UBE Philadelphia Chapter, [email protected].
--
Rev. Dr. Renee McKenzie
Vicar & Chaplain, Church of the Advocate
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Nashotah House Receives Historic $3.54 Million Legacy Gift
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Photo caption: (L to R) Steven A. Peay, President, Rev. R. Craig Bustrin, President - Order of St. Benedict Servants of Christ, Dr. Chad Van Pelt, Secretary-Order of St. Benedict Servants of Christ, Diane Plantenberg, Associate Dean Office of Institutional Advancement.
Nashotah House Theological Seminary is proud to announce an historic gift of $3.5 million from the Order of St. Benedict Servants of Christ. The gift, presented to Nashotah House this week, endows a Professorship in Ascetical Theology and Monastic Studies and an annual international conference on religious life and Anglicanism.
When the gift was pledged several months ago, it was the largest commitment received in the history of the Seminary and its first endowed professorship. Founded in 1842, Nashotah House is the oldest degree granting institution of higher education in the State of Wisconsin. The institution was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in January.
This gift is a part of the school's 175th Anniversary Transformational Gift Initiative. The total raised to-date for this initiative is $7.25 million.
The Order of St. Benedict Servants of Christ was founded in 1968 by the Very Reverend Dom Cornelis deRijk, OSB, a priest and Benedictine monk, with Reverend Canon Lewis Long in Phoenix, Arizona. The Order is a Benedictine community guided by the balance of prayer, study, and work.
The late Father deRijk, head of the order, received his Master of Divinity from Nashotah House in 1976.
"This generous gift-investment will honor the Order's legacy of service, keeping it alive inperpetuity. It will insure that, for generations to come, House seminarians will benefit from their exposure to the great Church leaders and mentors who will occupy the Professorship and present at the annual international conference," stated The Very Reverend Steven A. Peay, Dean and President of Nashotah House.
"We are humbled and proud that the Servants of Christ and their place in Church history will be permanently tied to Nashotah House and its mission."
Nashotah House is a seminary serving the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion and other ecumenical partners.
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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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~ 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
Suppor
t
of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Special
Guest
Speaker
The Rev. Canon John L. Peterson
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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Education for Ministry at SCI Graterford
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Thirty one miles NW of Philadelphia, on seventeen hundred acres, stands a large, intimidating building. SCI Graterford is the state correctional institute, a men's maximum security prison just outside of Schwenksville, It was opened in 1929 following the closing of Eastern State Penitentiary.
Graterford houses 3,500 inmates and employs 1,200 staff. It is physically massive. It is a dark, ugly, intimidating place. There is no softness or beauty to be found anywhere behind those walls - - except - -
Deep within the heart of the prison there is a small room. It is painted grey like everything else - gray floor, gray walls, gray ceiling. There is nothing in the room except for two very old plastic tables and fifteen chairs.No beauty. No softness.
But every Monday morning at eight o'clock, it becomes a piece of The Kingdom.
The twelve members of the Graterford EFM group, several alumni, and me, their mentor, come together to worship, study, share, laugh, cry, We are a RagTag Army, devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ and to learning more about our Faith.
Most EFM groups in this diocese, and throughout the country, and world are usually Episcopalians. Our group, the only one in a maximum security prison anywhere, is made up of lots of Baptists and many men who are nondenominational. Last year one of the graduates was the head of the Nation of Islam at the prison.His son, a Christian is also in the group. This year one of the first year students follows the Christian Science faith. Our discussions our deep, fascinating, and never dull.
If someone had told me ten years ago that I would be spending every Monday morning within the walls of a men's maximum security prison, I never would have believed it. It wasn't even on my radar. I have spent many years involved in youth ministry and Christian Formation, truthfully without a thought about prison ministry..
The Rev. Dennis Warner, the former rector of Epiphany, Royersford, had been the mentor of the group for twenty five years. He often spoke of the group in Graterford- how smart they were. How committed they were. What mighty men of God they were. How he would see the face of God every time he entered that room deep within the prison. When Dennis became terminally ill and unable to continue to mentor the group I would often visit him. During one of the visits Dennis was talking about how sad he was that the group would no longer continue. I'm not sure why, but I asked him if he thought I would be able to mentor the group.
When Dennis began to cry, I had my answer and thus began my ten year journey with my brothers in Christ who reside behind those walls. It began as a favor for my dear friend Dennis and has grown into one of the most fulfilling blessings in my life.
For anyone who has participated in EFM they know it is an intense four year course out of the University of the South, Sewanee, that demands time and commitment. The men in Graterford, contrary to what most people believe, are very busy. They all have full time jobs. All of the men in our group run multiple Bible studies and most are attending classes offered by Villanova. They are not just sitting in their cells.Each week they come prepared and excited to share what they have learned from their readings. Despite their schedules, they seldom miss class. All are very aware and grateful that the class is paid for by the Diocese and other EFM members.
Each year, because the men are unable to come to the Diocesan graduation, we hold our own graduation at the prison. I am permitted to invite individuals, usually about 25, to come to the graduation. They must all have clearances done before they can attend. The men and I look forward, not just to the graduation celebration that they plan, but to the time of fellowship following the ceremony. It has become my mission to let people know that they are not what they have done but whose they are -faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ and pretty amazing, talented men.
I have had the opportunity to speak about this group at the Episcopal Church Club of Philadelphia and at many churches throughout the Diocese. So little is known about our incarcerated brothers and sisters, except how they are portrayed on television and in social media. As, I said before, it has become my passion to change that perspective.
So many of them are good people who have mad bad choices. Of course, I can only speak for the men I have gotten to know over the past ten years. I know those men to be examples of what God can do in a person's life. I use to think -"sure you go to prison ad find God", but what happens is that God finds them. He finds them at their lowest point and lifts them up into a new life in him.
This past year, Karen Meridith, the Executive Director of the EFM program flew in from Sewanee, Tennessee to attend the graduation. Most years one of our Bishop's also attend. I remember several years ago watching Bishop Clifton Daniel dissolve into tears as he listened to the graduates. Bishop Rodney Michel has attended and celebrated the Eucharist. Although the Episcopal service is not the typical way the men worship, it was beautiful and extremely meaningful.
When Dennis Warner died, his memorial fund was set up to provide scholarships for children and grandchildren of current members and graduates of the Graterford EFM program.The scholarships will be granted for higher education, such as trade schools and
college. The Dennis H. Memorial Scholarship Fund is expecting to grant it's first scholarship by this October, the 10
th anniversary of Fr. Warner's death. For further information regarding the scholarship fund, contact Alan Lindsay at
[email protected].
.
So this is just a little window into EFM in Graterford. I would love to come speak with your congregations about this ministry. So often the doors slam shut behind these men and they are forgotten - forgotten by family and friends, forgotten by the world, and forgotten by us, their brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask for your prayers for the men and for me as we continue this ministry together.
If you would like to find out more about this ministry, please contact me at
[email protected].
Ginny Slichter
Christ Church Pottstown
EFM mentor SCI Graterford
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Veteran's Mental Health Training
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Veterans Mental Health Training
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. The training 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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A Message from Bishop Gutiérrez Regarding the 2018 Diocesan Budget
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Diocesan Ordination Summer 2017
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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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Diocesan Communications Conference for Congregational Development
Social Media, Video Production and Website Design Videos
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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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