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 Berresford, The Rev. Lauri Kerr and Mrs. Cindy McNeil, Conveners.

THRIVE is ALIVE at Convention 2014!

Join us Friday evening from 6-10 p.m. for a variety of educational sessions, starting with a presentation by Assisting Bishop Robert Gepert. 

• 6 p.m. The Dark Night of the Church, Bishop Robert Gepert
• 7 p.m. Spirituality for Leadership in the Episcopal Church, The Rev. Jonathan Currier
• Christian Formation/Church Next, The Rev. Canon Anne Kitch, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Bethlehem) & The Rev. Canon Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, Dean, Diocesan School for Ministry, Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
• Financial Growth & Planning for Congregational Life, Mr. Jim Hepfer – Mellon Bank

These education sessions will replace the hearings and discussions. 

Pre-registration is not required.

Friday evening will end with Compline at 8 p.m., followed by a networking social. Join fellow diocesan delegates for light refreshments, fellowship and a chance to talk with Assisting Bishop Gepert.

We welcome The Rt. Rev. Robert Gepert as Assisting Bishop.  Learn more about him.  Please note, Bishop Bob Gepert’s new email address is: rgepert@diocesecpa.org.

Saturday, June 14 - Business session 
 

Convention Registration Is Now Open

Register online here.

Diocesan Finance Information

Download the following finance documents:

• Letter from the Chair of the Diocesan Finance Commitee
• Diocesan Audit (2013)
• Diocesan 2015 Budget (approved by Council of Trustees)

Diocesan Annual Reports

Review the annual reports here. 

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.
 

Add to the Convention Photo Gallery!

We will feature a photo gallery during Convention of special events and ministries that have occurred during the past year.  Did your parish do something really cool?  Did you start a new ministry, or reach out to your community in a special way?  Share that with the rest of the diocese - send one picture (hard copy), along with a short paragraph describing the event or ministry, to:

Linda Arguedas
Canon for Communications
Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
P.O. Box 11937
Harrisburg, PA  17108

Deadline: May 23, 2014
 

Spring Convocation Meetings

Important: Please read this letter from Assisting Bishop Robert Gepert.

Clergy and elected delegates to convention are strongly encouraged to attend the upcoming Convocation meetings for briefings on:

• Resolutions
• Nominations to diocesan committees and General Convention 2015
• Diocesan budget

Spring convocation dates are as follows:

Southern - May 15, 6 p.m., Church of the Transfiguration, Blue Summit

Celebration of Ministry for Bishop Nathan Baxter

Missed the service on May 3?  Listen to the sermon preached by The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. 

Why Serve 2014: Deadline Extended

The registration deadline has been extended for the popular Episcopal Church retreat, "Why Serve 2014: A Discernment Conference for Young Adults of Color." Read more here.

WE Are the Diocese...

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

We are proud to announce the new name for the Diocesan School of Christian Studies has been formally changed to:
The Bishop Dean T. Stevenson Diocesan School for Ministry

Forty-five years ago Bishop Stevenson founded the School of Christian Studies to prepare lay and ordained persons for ministries in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. As one of his last official acts as Diocesan, Bishop Nathan Baxter has chosen to rename the institution in honor of Bishop Stevenson. Learn more about the school here.

Dates to Remember

• May 15 - Southern Spring Convocation Meeting
• June 13-14 - Diocesan Convention
• June 23 - Bishop's Cup Golf Tournament, Tanglewood Golf Course, Southern Lancaster
• Aug. 16 - THRIVE, Spiritual Center at St. Thomas, Lancaster

Remember in Your Prayers

The Rev. Susan Claytor, rector, All Saints, Hershey, who is recovering at Hershey Medical Center.

Deacon Janice Fritz, as she continues her cancer treatments.

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.