Diocesan Digest

Convention: A Time for Everything

The 144th Diocesan Convention will take place at the Ramada Conference Center, State College  - June 13 & 14, 2014

Convention hosts: Northern Tier and West Branch, The Rev. Janis Yskamp, Mrs. Joan Berrsford, The Rev. Lauri Kerr and Mrs. Cindy McNeil, Conveners.

Friday evening, June 13 - Briefings and discussions
Saturday, June 14 - Business session

Registration will open online March 1.
 

Nominations

Nominations for the following diocesan committee positions are now open:

Standing Committee - 2 Clergy, 2 Lay
Council of Trustees - 1 Clergy, 1 Lay
Disciplinary Board - 2 Clergy, 1 Lay

Please contact The Rev. Jennifer Looker.  Step forward to serve your diocese!
 

Convention Resolutions Due

Convention resolutions, proofed and formatted, are due to The Rev. Veronica Chappell by February 15.
 

General Convention 2015

Attention clergy and lay persons interested in attending General Convention:  Plans are well underway for the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in 2015, and the triennial event won’t be business as usual.

The 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be held June 25 – July 3, 2015 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Ut. (Diocese of Utah).

Please submit your name to The Rev. Jennifer Looker if you wish to be a delegate to General Convention 2015. You will also need to submit a picture and a short bio.
 

Annual Meeting Information for Parishes

Please note: Changes to vestry leadership and election of convention delegates’ information need to be on file in the diocesan office. Please use these forms to submit updated information.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars: the Celebration of Ministry for Bishop Baxter and Mary Ellen will be held on May 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Harrisburg. A reception following this service will be also be held at St. Stephen's.

Operation Understanding Grants

The Operation Understanding Committee is now accepting applications for the spring 2014 grant cycle. 

Operation Understanding primarily provides seed money for new ministries that provide food, shelter, clothing, energy assistance and educational programs for under-privileged children.   New outreach programs that are housed in our churches or new community programs that are part of the church’s outreach endeavors are given top priority in grant selection.  All approved grant funds will be mailed to the churches (not the ministries).  Grants range from $200 to $1,500.

Grant applications may be found on the diocesan website. The deadline for grant submission is January 31, 2014.

Happening #7

Diocesan youth leaders have been preparing for Happening #7, which will take place Feb. 14-16 at Camp Mt. Luther.  Register online here.

WE Are the Diocese...

Read about new and exciting things that make us proud to be the Episcopal Church in Central Pennsylvania.
 

Keep updated on the search for the next bishop.
 

Diocesan Training Day

All are welcome!

Saturday, March 22
St. Luke's, Altoona  

Registration will open Feb. 1.
 

Download the flyer.
 

United Thank Offering Update

Welcome to Alyce Peiffer of St. Andrew's, York, the new UTO coordinator.  For grant application details and remittance forms, visit the diocesan UTO webpage.
 

Dates to Remember

• Jan. 25, 11 a.m. - Investiture of Honorary Canons, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Harrisburg
• Feb. 1 - Convention committee nominations are due.  For questions or to apply, contact The Rev. Jennifer Looker.
• Feb. 3-5 - Clergy Conference, Holiday Inn Harrisburg
• Feb. 8 - Godly Play training, St. Andrew's, Shippensburg
• Feb. 15 - Convention resolutions are due, proofed and formatted, to The Rev. Veronica Chappell.
• Feb. 15-17 - Happening #7, Camp Mt. Luther
• Mar. 7-8 - Seeing the Face of God in Each Other Anti-Racism Training, St. Cyril Retreat Center, Danville
• Mar. 22 - Diocesan Training Day, St. Luke's, Altoona
• Apr. 12 - Wardens and Vestry Leaders Conference, St. Andrew's, Lewisburg
• Apr. 15 - Renewal of Vows, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Harrisburg
• June 13-14 - Diocesan Convention
• June 17 - Bishop's Cup Golf Tournament, Iron Valley Golf

Remember in Your Prayers

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:
 

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.