A Journey to Justice
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Dr. Felicia Brown-Haywood, Noted Local Educator, to Present the Keynote at the Diocesan Eliminating Racism THRIVE
from The Rev. Canon Robyn Szoke-Coolidge
Dean, Stevenson School for Ministry
After the recent shooting events in Ferguson and New York we must wonder what we can do. What needs to happen next? We know our response begins with the teaching of Jesus, in that we are called to love our neighbor, and we know that as Episcopalians we look through the lens of our Baptismal Covenant to determine the ways God is calling us to address issues of institutional racism, social justice and advocacy.
Three all-day sessions have been designed to give time and opportunity for members of congregations, wardens, formation leaders, and those serving on committees and commissions to listen, learn and find ways to respond, here in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania as well as in our wider church.
The Diocesan Eliminating Institutional Racism task force invites you to sign up now for this outstanding event (seating is limited). Each workshop is designed for you to bring resources back to your congregations. This one-day event is a first in a series of learning and training opportunities. For more information click here.
Since 1976 General Convention has asked every diocese to work to eliminate racism, and as recent as 2012 clergy and laity were to work together to recommit to eliminating racism. Make the commitment, your participation is essential. Resources are provided on the Episcopal Church Center website.
Learn more about Dr. Brown-Haywood.
Workshops will be led by Nick Miron, racial and gender equality advocate. Learn more about him here.
Workshop choices are designed to provide resources for use in congregational life.
- Anti-oppression: Principles and Practices to provide a framework for constructively addressing and changing oppressive dynamics, including how to create “brave space” led by Mr. Nick Miron, Racial & Gender Equality Advocate, YWCA Lancaster.
- The Episcopal Church’s struggle for justice: Escalating racial violence in America illustrates the complexity of racism. On the way forward from Ferguson, this workshop will view eliminating institutional racism as a journey toward transformative justice, an outgrowth of restorative justice. Transformative justice is a major shift to look at our everyday systems, what are the practices that basically exist in our diocese and congregations that call for change.
- What is Racism? A look at the definition of racism, the history of racism through a video clip of “Watsons go to Birmingham.” You are encouraged to see the movie before attending this workshop. Included is a discussion on next steps for eliminating institutional racism in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.
Location: St. Edward's Episcopal Church
2453 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, 17601
Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Cost: $20.00 per person (includes lunch)
Child care is available.
Register online here.
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Electing Convention Information - Mar. 14, 2015
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The Electing Convention to select the new Bishop for the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is set for Mar. 14, 2015, at 10 a.m. (opening Eucharist at 9 a.m.) at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Harrisburg. The PHFA garage located next to the Cathedral adjacent to the Bar Association will be available for parking and an attendant will be available to facilitate ease of parking.
The entire election will be streamed online. A link to the livestream will be available on the Diocesan website.
Active clergy eligible to vote in the March election shall meet the following criteria:
- Canonically resident in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
- Actively employed/serving as clergy in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
- If retired, active as supply or interim clergy in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
Lay delegates eligible to vote in the March election shall be those who are elected at the Annual Meeting of their Parish held between Nov. 1, 2014 and Apr. 1, 2015. If a parish’s annual meeting is not held before the March convention registration cut-off date (Feb. 20, 2015), the delegates who served during the 2014 June Convention shall represent the parish. Elected delegates to Convention serve until they are replaced.
Please note: the registration date for the electing convention is Feb. 20, 2015 (FIRM) – no registrations will be accepted after that date. Lay delegate certification forms MUST be on file in the diocesan convention office in order to verify delegates and alternate delegates, regardless if the delegates have just been elected or if they are from the previous year’s annual meeting.
Register online here.
Lodging: Rooms have been blocked at the Hilton-Harrisburg. You can call the hotel directly (717-233-6000) or go online and use the Group Code EDPA. You can also make reservations under the room block.
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WE Are the Diocese...
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Read about new and exciting things that make us proud to be the Episcopal Church in Central Pennsylvania.
From Deacon Loretta Collins:
Our twelve Jubilee Parishes and one Jubilee Center are continuing their many ministries, touching local communities in ways which are sustaining and enriching lives. Feeding ministries, i.e. community meals and food banks, and housing support are the two most common forms of outreach that are being provided. Read more here.
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Tell Us Your Stories
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We all love stories, especially heartwarming stories of good deeds. Stories can be a powerful tool for evangelism. They are the glue that holds us together as Episcopalians. Stories can change lives; they can be the starting point for someone else to change a life!
Send me your parish stories (and a picture or two) for posting on the Diocesan website. Email me a short paragraph about what your parish, your youth group or your Sunday school is doing – help me spread the good news of the happenings in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.
Thanks,
Linda Arguedas
Canon for Events, Programs and Communications
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Happenings Around the Diocese
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See other upcoming parish events here.
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Operation Understanding Grant Information
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The Operation Understanding Committee is now accepting grant requests for the Spring 2015 grant cycle. The deadline for receiving grant applications is January 31, 2015.
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Dates to Remember
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- Jan. 17 - Godly Play Training, St. Andrew's, Shippensburg - for more information contact Christina Szoke Luo
- Jan. 25, 7 p.m. - LARC Vespers - St. Paul's Catholic Church, Annville - Bishop Robert Gepert to Preach
- Feb. 7 - THRIVE – Eliminating Racism
- Feb. 22-24 - Clergy Silent Retreat, Claggett Center, Buckeystown, Md.
- Mar. 2-6 - Bishop Walk Abouts
- Mar. 14 - Electing Convention
- June 22 - Bishop's Open, Mt. View Country Club, State College
- Sept. 12 - New Bishop’s Consecration
- Sept. 18-20 - Deacon’s Retreat
- Oct. 16-17 - Diocesan Annual Convention
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Remember in Your Prayers
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The complete diocesan prayer list is available on the website.
As the diocese continues in this season of discernment and transition, we ask that you pray with us:
Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for the life of our diocese in this time of transition. You taught your disciples to work together for your sake, to act with faith, patience, and humility. Give us grace to listen to one another with respect and speak to one another with kindness. Remember our baptismal covenant, let us seek and serve you, Lord Christ, in one another and let us respect each other's dignity. We ask on behalf of the Transition Committee that your presence be felt with open hearts and open minds, trusting in your goodness and mercy, as we walk with the people of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, our bishop and the candidates in their discernment and transition. In your Holy Name we pray, AMEN.
The Transition Committee asks that March 8, 2015 be designated as a Day of Prayer and Conversation in parishes in preparation for the election of our new bishop.
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