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
Register online here.
We welcome The Rt. Rev. Robert Gepert as Assisting Bishop. Learn more about him.
Voting for the Provisional Bishop will take place at this convention.
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.
Nominations for Diocesan Committees and Delegates to General Convention
The nominees for diocesan committees and delegates to General Convention 2015 are now listed on the website.
Convention Resolutions
This year, there are two resolutions for convention. View them here and here.
|
Spring Convocation Meetings
|
|
Attention clergy and lay delegates - Spring Convocation dates are as follows:
Northern Tier & West Branch - April 28, 6 p.m., St. James, Mansfield
Altoona - May 1, dinner 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m., St. Mark's, Lewistown
Lancaster - May 7, meeting with light refreshments 7 p.m., St. Thomas, Lancaster
Susquehanna - May 8, dinner 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m., Christ Church, Berwick
Harrisburg - May 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., St. John's, Carlisle
Southern - May 15, 6 p.m., Church of the Transfiguration, Blue Summit
|
Diocesan Training Day - THRIVE
|
|
Saturday, March 22
St. Luke's, Altoona
"Leading Through Change" - Keynote speaker: Ray Wells, Wellbeing Systems
Workshops for everyone, clergy and lay:
- Leading Through Change - Identification of Your Change Agenda with Introduction to Uses for Appreciative Inquiry
- LEV Training
- Pastoral Worship Training
- Parish Administration
- Financial Development
- How Episcopalians Read Scripture
- Ministries of Healing and Pastoral Visitation
Register online here.
Download the flyer or review the schedule and list of workshops.
|
Lifting Spirits - A Movie Review
|
|
The recent Academy Award winner "Helium" comes as a surprise. Many thanks to Joseph Saint Martin for this review! Read the review here.
|
Wardens & Vestry Leaders Conference
|
|
Saturday, April 12
St. Andrew's, Lewisburg
This year the morning session will be presented by the The Rev. Dr. David Zwifka.
How to use your parochial report to enhance your parish ministry.
Have you ever wondered what the parochial report was for? Of course, it is how we share information about our parishes with the wider church. But did you know IT can also be a useful tool for pastoral and financial planning?
Participants in this workshop will examine the annual parochial report, how it is completed and what information can tell us about our communities.
Vestry leaders will be able to network with their counterparts over lunch. Dr. Sam Ward, President of the Diocesan Standing Committee and Mr. Chuck Banks, Vice Chancellor of the Diocese will present an update of the Bishop’s Search in the afternoon session. The day will conclude with Eucharist with Bishop Nathan Baxter.
(cost: $10.00 per person)
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.
There are seven diocesan convocations. The diocesan website now hosts an information page for each one. See what is happening in your convocation. Have a convocation event to feature? Please send info to Linda Arguedas.
|
Clergy: Renewal of Vows
|
|
Renewal of Ordination Vows
Holy Tuesday
April 15, 2014
10 a.m.
The Cathedral Church of St. Stephen
221 North Front Street, Harrisburg
Preacher: David Beers, Esq., Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop
With Blessing of the Chrism Oil
The Right Reverend Nathan Baxter, Celebrant
(Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color is red)
Clergy – please respond by Apr. 7. View the full invitation here.
|
Dates to Remember
|
|
- 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
- Apr. 26 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Diocesan Women Clergy Retreat Day, Spiritual Center at St. Thomas, Lancaster (contact The Rev. Barbara Seras)
- Apr. 28 - Northern Tier & West Branch Convocation Meeting
- May 1 - Altoona Spring Convocation Meeting
- May 7 - Lancaster Spring Convocation Meeting
- May 8 - Susquehanna Spring Convocation Meeting
- May 10 - Harrisburg Spring Convocation Meeting
- May 15 - Southern Spring Convocation Meeting
- May 31 - Ordination of Deacons, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Harrisburg
- June 13-14 - Diocesan Convention
- June 23 - Bishop's Cup Golf Tournament, Tanglewood Golf Course, Southern Lancaster
|
Remember in Your Prayers
|
|
The Rev. Canon Donald Evans, a priest of our diocese, who retired in Diocese of Rochester, NY, passed away on March 5 following a long illness. Before moving to the Diocese of Rochester, he served at St. Mark's, Lewistown, St. John's, Huntington, and St. Paul's, Manheim. Please pray for his wife JoAnne and their family during these difficult days.
The Rev. Susan “Shelley” Baer, who served in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania from 2003-2008, passed away on Feb. 24. Shelley served as rector of St. Mary’s, Williamsport and Missioner of the GLEAM churches before moving to the Diocese of Maryland. Her memorial service will be held on March 22 at 11 a.m. at Grace Memorial Church, Darlington, Md. Please remember Shelley’s husband, Dennis Shoemaker, and their family in the days ahead.
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.
|
|
|
