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Bishop's School, Spring 2009 Semester

The Spring semester of Bishop's School will be held at St Peter's Hazleton from 10 to 3 on the following Saturdays:
January 17 and 31
February 7 and 28
March 7 and 21
April 4
May 2, 9 and 23.

May 16 has been reserved as a make-up date in case of bad weather.
 

A Sermon for Christmas Day, by The Rev. Canon Clifford B. Carr

A sermon for Christmas Day
The Rev. Canon Clifford B. Carr
Trinity Bethlehem

        Christmas is a story-telling time, and one of my favorite stories is what you might call “an accidental Christmas story” - - it goes like this:
Once upon a time there was a little boy who wanted to meet God.  He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his backpack with some Twinkies and some cans of Coke and started on his journey.  When he’d gone half a mile, he met an old woman.  She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.  The boy sat down next to her and opened his backpack.
He was about to drink from one of his cans of Coke when he noticed the old woman looked hungry.  So he offered her some Twinkies.  She gratefully accepted and smiled at him.  Her smile was lovely and the little boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a drink of Coke.  The smile returned.  The boy was delighted!  They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling – but they never said a word.  As it grew dark the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave.  He hadn’t gone more than a few steps when he quickly turned around and ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug.  She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy returned home his mother was surprised at the look of joy on his face.  She asked him “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.”  And then, before his mother could say a word, he said: “You know what?  She has the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.”

Gregory Malia

[Updated Aug. 26, 2009]

On December 28, 2008, the New York Daily News broke a story featuring Gregory Malia. The headline: Episcopal priest makes a name for himself in New York City nightclubs. Later that day, Bishop Paul Marshall released the statement below. He then replied to reporters' questions prompted by the statement. Farther below is a list, with links, of the developing story as it has played out in the media.

Bishop Paul Marshall's statement, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008:
I read the Daily News article with deep distress and know its contents will trouble many parishioners. The allegations made in the article, if true, constitute a serious violation of ordination vows to be "a wholesome example" to a priest's people. If true, they may also violate other canonical provisions and certainly portray an unacceptable idea of Christian stewardship.

The Episcopal Church provides due process when such issues arise, however, and no summary judgment can be made by me unilaterally. During the time that the Standing Committee is investigating Fr. Malia's activities, I am removing him from his appointment as my vicar at St. James in Dundaff, and will be inhibiting him from the exercise of priestly ministry. The conservative group he has gathered around himself will be traumatized, and I will ask two priests in the locale to minister to them.

I can assure the diocese that neither the Daily News reporters nor our internal figures suggest that any church funds were misappropriated –– St. James is a summer chapel open approximately ten Sundays a year, and has no significant financial resources.

Daily News reporters did not contact me or my communications representative prior to publishing this article, and have not done so since then, although my home and office telephones are not unlisted.

Bishop Paul V. Marshall
Diocese of Bethlehem

Grace Allentown renovation

Pew removed. Replaced with chairs. Terrazzo floor installed. Walls painted. Windows cleaned. Sides of hanging lights painted black to produce softer lighting of nave.

Bishop Paul Marshall Christmas Sermon

Christmas 2008
Sermon, Bishop Paul Marshall
Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Merry Christmas to each of you. Some years it is easier to say that than others. This year we are in an anxious time. We are deeply aware of the instability the economy in general. Beyond that, everyone now knows the words “Ponzi scheme,” a knowledge that brings another level of anxiety and even mistrust to some minds. Each of us in this room knows somebody who has lost a job, some of us are that person, and many of us who have been patiently growing retirement funds over the years know we are going to have to work a good deal longer than we anticipated, and that brings a sense of weariness, even betrayal.

What does faith say in times like this? Oddly enough, we say that Christians and Christianity are at their very best when they move heroically and confidently through difficult times. We say that this feast called Christmas celebrates the generosity of God, and entering that generosity is the key to keeping our spirits up when times are down.

Think about it. Why did Christianity grow so fast in its early years? It wasn’t because the emperor Constantine semi-converted in the year 313—Christian numerical growth had already happened and he merely bowed to that fact. It wasn’t because Christians all had one set of clear doctrines—they were centuries away from agreeing on how to talk about God [Chalcedon], and centuries away from deciding what books were in their scriptures. Yet in the midst of its religious imprecision, the Church grew. How come?

Trinity Bethlehem hires Manhattan's Riverside Church organist

[From Mother Laura Howell, rector, Trinity Bethlehem] Merry Christmas, Trinity! After a nationwide search, we have appointed Dr. Timothy E. Smith to the position of Organist/Choir Director. He will take up his post on February 22, when the Bishop visits our parish. Dr. Smith comes to us from Riverside Church in Manhattan, where he was Director of Music and Organist since 1992. Before that he served as assistant organist at the Parish of Trinity Church, New York City (Trinity Wall Street). He is currently the University Organist at Columbia University, and will continue in that post. He has a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Manhattan School of Music, and a Master of Music from the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music. Dr. Smith has recorded a number of CDs, and has given numerous recitals both in the United States, France, Britain, and other countries. Please join us in rejoicing that another marvelous musician will be bringing the gift of music to the Diocese.

Diocese grants nearly $100,000 for social outreach from New Hope campaign funds

For immediate release, December 22, 2008
Contact: Canon Bill Lewellis, Diocese of Bethlehem
Email: blewellis@diobeth.org
(c) 610-216-2726; (w) 610-691-5655 x229; (h) 610-820-7673

The Diocese of Bethlehem, the Episcopal Church in 14 counties of eastern and northeastern Pennsylvania, has designated nearly $100,000 in grants to help with the launch of new social outreach programs by six congregations. These are the first of five years of grants for local social ministry projects that will be made from New Hope campaign funds. The balance of the $1.1 million designated for local needs will fund future projects.

Good Shepherd Church, Scranton, will receive $40,000 this year toward the establishment of a men's shelter, an expansion of the parish's Seasons of Love program that serves healthcare needs of the homeless and working poor. The multi-year plan ($200,000 over five years) is geared toward preparing for use of the undercroft of the church as an emergency shelter during winter nights and on those occasions when other needs displace families in the community.

St Clement's/St. Peter's Church, Wilkes-Barre, will receive $30,000 toward start-up costs for a day care center to serve low and middle-income families. This grant is also a multi-year project.

St. Andrew's Church on the Allentown/Bethlehem border will receive $13,000 to establish a food bank that will be open one full day a week.

St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre, will receive $10,000 to expand the services of its Clothing Closet/Thrift Store.

St. Barnabas Church, Kutztown, will receive $3,600 to provide monthly meals to the homeless, those on the margins and to college students.

St. Anne's Church, Trexlertown, will receive $2,500 to develop a program with women in prison to record them reading books that could then be listened to by their children.

The grants were made after reviewing applications submitted over the past few months. In the spring of 2009, parishes will be invited once again to submit proposals to seed new social ministry initiatives. The committee included senior deacons of the diocese, respecting the principle that this order of ministry is charged with interpreting the needs of the world to the Church.

Cycles of Prayer.January

PRAY FOR …

In the Diocese of Bethlehem
www.diobeth.org
Jan. 4: St. Clement’s/St. Peter’s, Wilkes-Barre, The Rev. William S. Marshall, Jr., rector, www.stclementstpeter.org
Jan. 11: All Saints Church, Lehighton, The Jane Arrington Bender, priest-in-charge, www.allsaintslehightonpa.com
Jan 18: St. John’s Church, Palmerton, The Rev. Abraham Valiath, priest-in-charge, www.stjohnspalmerton.com
Jan 25: St. Andrew’s Church, Allentown, The Rev. T. Scott Allen, priest-in-charge, www.standrewsbethlehem.org

Anglicans Around the World
www.anglicancommunion.org
Jan. 4: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury
Jan. 11: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Los Angeles
Jan. 18: Christian Unity
Jan. 25: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Maine

The Diocese of Kajo Keji
Jan. 4: Longira Parish, The Rev. Emmanuel Yongo
Jan. 11: Loopo Parish, The Rev. James Lule
Jan 18: Lori Parish, The Rev. Yunis Kiden
Jan. 25: Lorudung Parish, The Rev. Elinoma Rabuk Sebang

Prince of Peace Dallas calls rector

  [From Prince of Peace Dallas] Following a period of transitions and our latest search for a rector, we are pleased to announce that we have called Father John Major as our new rector. Father Major will also continue his priestly ministry with our neighboring parish, Trinity Episcopal Church, West Pittston.

Committed to priestly ministry in Luzerne and Lackawanna County for nearly 20 years, Father Major has been rector of Trinity West Pittston for the past eight years. A several month-long process of prayerful and careful review of his many years of priestly ministry, his dedication to priestly and pastoral care, his diverse involvement in parish and diocesan ministry, and his zeal for the health and growth of the Episcopal Church in our area resulted with the Prince of Peace Search Committee, Vestry and Diocese of Bethlehem Bishop Paul Marshall supporting this call without reservation. 

St. Stephen’s Wilkes-Barre restores reredos

[From Father Daniel Gunn] Tucked away in a back room for years, St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, recently decided to put this gem of a reredos on display. Father Daniel Gunn, rector, employed the services of a local studio known internationally for restoration of church art. The Italian Red Oak piece revealed cracks on the reverse, some up to a quarter of an inch wide.

There was also somewhat of a mystery surrounding the reredos: Who were the two figures on either side of Christ?  When the studio returned the piece the mystery was solved and the result of the restoration was stunning. The two figures were Stephen on Jesus’ right hand with a stone at his feet, and Paul on Jesus’ left hand. The craftsman believes that the three figures are over one hundred years old and probably originally part of a different piece.

The reredos was mounted on the wall behind the chapel altar. The next time you’re at St. Stephen’s take moment to meditate on the Christ present with Stephen at his stoning depicted in this beautifully restored piece.

The renovation of Grace Church Allentown

Something remarkable has been going on at Grace Church Allentown over the past few weeks. The pews have been removed. They will be replaced with high quality, gothic-style church chairs. First, however, the entire sanctuary/nave now has a beautiful terrazzo floor. To prepare the floor for the pouring of terrazzo, a significant number of parishioners and the rector gave many hours and days to rip up the old floor and screw down plywood (one screw for every eight inches). The church is being painted as we speak.

Father Pat Malloy has posted a partial photo journal of the renovation here. Return to the site every few days to see updates.

Pittsburgh Episcopalians reorganize diocese

Read the Episcopal News Service story here. Then, the note below from Bishop Paul.

Just a couple of notes.

The budget may be slightly understated. There is a subsidy of 270k from 815 and up to 500k in privately donated (but hopefully not used) legal fund.

Yours truly organized the PA bishops to attend, and Bethlehem was represented by a bishop, priest (Archdeacon Cluett) and lay person (Andrew Reinholz). All we needed was deacon (fortunately, Bp Baxter of CPA was accompanied by one such cleric.) Pastor Philip Pfatteicher (ELCA), formerly of Stroudsburg, was a welcome surprise. He has a parish down the street from Trinity Cathedral in the burg. He is one of the chief experts on liturgy in the ELCA and has published the official exposition of its liturgy.

The president of the Pbgh Standing Committee delivered an address that was both scholarly and relevant. His emphasis was on incarnational fellowship and ministry rather than logomachy. I hope it will be published. If not, I will originate it.

Grace Allentown food bank may have to serve 10,000 people next year

At Grace Allentown
Our food bank may have to serve as many as 10,000 people next year
By The Rev. Robert House
Sunday, December 7, 2008
rshouse@ptd.net

It was Friday morning and I was arriving at the church to open up the administrative office. I drove past the entrance to our food bank which is open every Friday and noticed that a substantial line of people was waiting outside the door. It was one of the first chilly days of fall and I was concerned that some of the children might be cold. It was not like our volunteers to allow the clients to wait outside in bad weather. I hurried inside to see why we were allowing this situation.

Good Shepherd Scranton raised $2,407 for the 12 Days of Christmas for Kajo Keji project

[From Warren Shotto, senior warden] Dale Durkin, one of the New Hope Coordinators at Good Shepherd, Scranton, spearheaded a campaign to raise money for Christmas for Kajo Keji. She offered a challenge to the parish. She pledged that she and her husband, Bob, would match whatever the parish contributed, up to one of each of the 12 days wish list.

The parish responded to the challenge in a big way. After accepting contributions from parishioners and the church for only two weeks, she was happy to report that we would be able to provide not only one full set of 12 days, but 3 full sets plus more!

Local Angles

Reporters for some daily papers around our diocese, directed in some cases by their editors to do a local-angle story on the recent "departure of the Duncanites ... and others to form a new anti-gay Christian denomination in North America" [thanks to Jim Naughton for the quote], are having to stretch to localize the story.

This story from Saturday's Scranton Times-Tribune refers to the 1873 –– yes, 1873 –– formation of the tiny Grace Reformed Episcopal Church and the departure a few years ago of Eric Bergman and his group from Good Shepherd Church, Scranton, to form a so-called "Anglican Use" congregation in the RC Diocese of Scranton.

Windows available from Trinity Carbondale

See below pictures of the windows Trinity Carbondale is offering to any church in the diocese which can use them. The dimensions are : (1)  4 feet H x 2 feet 1 inch (2) 2 feet x 2 feet 1 inch. Please contact us at 570-282-3620 if your church is interested in more information.

Religion in the Public Square

National Press Club address
Washington, DC 16 December 2008
Religion in the Public Square 
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church

            Well, is there anxiety in this town, especially as the machinery of government shifts gears?  I’ll warrant that there will continue to be a lot of anxiety until the new administration settles in, at least several months from now.  Who’s going to sit in which seat at the table?  Who’s going to be – or feel – excluded?  What last-minute actions will the outgoing administration make?
            Perhaps the first role of religion in such times is to be a messenger, like one of those biblical angels, who starts out by saying, “fear not.”  Don’t be afraid; this whole thing is a lot bigger than you are.  Yes, change is coming, and it will drive some people crazy, and at the same time not go far enough for others.  In more secular language, we might say, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”  And more of it is small stuff than you might expect.  At the same time, the religious voice will remind you that how you deal with the small stuff does not affect you alone – your actions may have consequences beyond your wildest imagining.

Northern Tier Christmas Ad

[From Father Charles Cesaretti] This Northern Tier Christmas Ad will run on the front page of the local newspaper this Friday.  A less "church building" approach this year.

Renovation of Children's Chapel at St. Stephen's Wilkes-Barre

[From Father Daniel Gunn] The upstairs auditorium of St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, known as the Children’s Chapel, was recently renovated.  The four walls have a complete mural (the description/symbolism is below).  The ceiling was repainted and new carpet was laid.  We dedicated the space this past Sunday.  The artist, Carrey Mudlock was present. 

The room is approximately 40'X 30' and approx. 18' at the highest point.  Not only is it used for children's chapel, but it is also used as a community meeting room by NA and AA.  It took most of the summer but it was a lot of fun and the people at St. Stephen's were so gracious and wonderful to work with.

Download the pdf file below to watch a slide show. (It's a 1.4MB file)

Symbolism:
Lilies-Christ
12 lilies in each urn-12 apostles
1 of the 12 lilies is being strangled (dying) by night shade flower- Judas
doves-monogamy/peace
Robins-spring/new generation
butterflies-souls that have passed to heaven
peacock- ever lasting life

Download 0812.Carrey's mural

newSpin 081205

Find it here.