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Thirteen years with Bishop Paul

Thirteen years with Bishop Paul
By Bill Lewellis

Well-kneaded, God-baked, God-broken, God-made
Thirteen years ago, June 29, 1996, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, bishops laid hands on Paul V. Marshall, consecrating him eighth bishop of the 14-county Diocese of Bethlehem.

Many of us who were there remember snippets of the sermon preached by Bishop Catherine Roskam, a former student in Bishop Paul’s homiletics class at Yale. One part, where she recited a poem, Bakerwoman God, seems to me to have been especially prophetic: “Bakerwoman God, I am your living bread … I am your rising bread, well-kneaded … Put me in fire, Bakerwoman God … Break me, Bakerwoman God … Bakerwoman God, remake me.”

Upon returning from a 2005 mission trip to southern Sudan, Bishop Paul told a story about the impetus for the New Hope Campaign which has now raised more than $3.8 million for the people of Kajo Keji and the needy of northeastern Pennsylvania. “At the end of a week in that bomb-torn country, Diana and I baked in a bus for 14 hours in the Ugandan sun. Finally you give up wiping your face. As we became increasingly caked with red dirt and the overcrowded bus grew hotter and hotter, I found myself baking in a creative and holy sense: I knew God wanted my attention. Genesis says humans began our existence as kind of mud pies, and the red dust of the earth baking into my pores helped me have a new beginning of insight: Here were sisters and brothers with almost nothing to their names trying to build a life and a country — how could I go on as usual? In addition to altering how I live personally, I have had to abandon some of my bricks-and-mortar dreams for our own diocese, particularly regarding a conference center, in order to see what God would have us do for others. The question that intrigued me was, Could we dare to have a capital fund drive where we didn’t get the money?”

From my perspective, Bishop Paul's well-kneaded, God-baked, God-broken and God-made ministry among us has been broad and deep: teacher, pastor, preacher, administrator, author, advocate and participant in ministry with people in the developing world, children and youth, the poor and the marginalized, advocate and reconciler with those within the church who consider themselves progressive as well as those who consider themselves traditionalists, interpreter of family systems theory, communicator within and beyond the diocesan community, a leader who consults with colleagues, and a person whose ministry as bishop proceeds from prayer and a contemplative vision of God's kingdom.

Please pray for our bishop, especially on his 13th anniversary among us, not only as he experiences these days the continuing pain of good recovery from surgery but also the questions of the day and the challenges from the gospel passage about loving God and being taken to difficult places (John 21:15-19) proclaimed on the day of his consecration.

Cycles of Prayer for July and August

Posted by Kat Lehman
In the Diocese of Bethlehem
www.diobeth.org
July 5: The TV ad campaign of the Episcopal Church in Northeast PA, www.nepaepiscopalchurch.org
July 12: The General Convention of the Episcopal Church
July 19: North Parish: St. John’s Church, Ashland, Holy Apostles Church, St. Clair, and Christ Church, Frackville, The Rev. James Smith, priest, The Rev Dolores Evans, priest, www.northparish.com
July 26: The ministry of the Evangelism Commission of the Diocese of Bethlehem, The Rev. Canon Andrew Gerns, chair
Aug. 2: The ministry of the Stewardship Commission of the Diocese of Bethlehem, The Rev. Canon Lexa Shallcross, chair
Aug. 9: St. Alban’s Church, Sinking Spring, The Rev. Karl L. Kern, rector, The Rev. Charles L. Beem., associate priest, The Rev. Bruce Baker, associate priest, www.stalbansepiscopal.org
Aug. 16: Church of the Good Shepherd, Scranton, The Rev. Canon William T. Warne II, priest-in-residence, The Rev. K. Frederick Mauger, assistant priest. www.churchofthegoodshepherdscranton.org
Aug. 23: Church of the Good Shepherd and St. John the Evangelist, Milford, The Rev William J. McGinty, rector, www.goodshepherdmilford.org
Aug. 30: Christ Church, Reading, The Rev. John R. Francis, rector, www.rdgchristchurch.org

Anglicans Around the World
www.anglicancommunion.org
July 5: The clergy and people of the Phulbani in North India
July 12: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Portsmouth in the Province of Canterbury, England
July 19: The clergy and people of the Church of Pakistan
July 26: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Rhode Island
Aug. 2: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Rochester
Aug. 9: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Ruwenzori in the Province of Uganda
Aug. 16: The clergy and people of the Diocese of San Joaquin
Aug. 23: The clergy and people of the Anglican Church of Korea
Aug. 30: The clergy and people of the church in the Province of Singapore

The Diocese of Kajo Keji
July 5: St. Emmanuel Pro-Cathedral,Canon Yoasa Wurube, Canon Henry Leju, Canon Dr. Oliver Duku, Canon Elikana Duku
July 12: Tipere Parish, The Rev. Mary Kwiansuk
July 19: Walilo Parish, The Rev. Samuel Pianile
July 26: The 1000 members of the Mother’s Union
Aug. 2: Wudu Parish and Prisons Kangapo, The Rev. Rupasi Sombe
Aug. 9: Wudu Town Parish, The Rev. Sadaraka Muni
Aug. 16: Wuruta Parish, The Rev. Norah Pita Wani
Aug. 23: Beliak Parish, The Rev. Elikana Lodu
Aug. 30: Ajira Parish, The Rev. Joseph Lomuja

Peace Scholarships

Posted by Kat Lehman
The Diocesan Peace Commission will award 8 Peace Scholarships to Episcopalians to attend "Creating a Culture of Peace" (CCP) training retreat. The deadline to apply for the $300 scholarships is August 10, 2009. The CCP training is September 10-13, 2009, and runs from Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch at Kirkridge Retreat Center near Stroudsburg. The full cost of the training retreat, including room and board, is $395.  Scholarship recipients will be awarded $300 and will pay the remaining $95 themselves. Episcopalians Janet Chisholm and Fran Hlavacek will lead the training. CCP training responds to General Convention resolutions and funding to develop a culture of peace and nonviolence and to make nonviolence training and peace education available throughout the Episcopal Church. This is the second CCP training for the Diocese of Bethlehem. Apply for Scholarship:  Mary Louise Bross, mlb2@lehigh.edu, 610-691-2684 or 610-248-0030. Download the complete flyer Download 09PeaceScholarship.

St. Gabriel's, Douglassville Youth Events

Posted by Kat Lehman
Tuesdays to Serve
In response to the teens at St Gabriel’s saying that they miss one another over the summer, the increased need in our community and the desire to “do the work of Jesus”, St Gabriel’s Youth Ministry has started a Summer program for youth in grades 6 through graduating seniors.  This program is called “Tuesdays to Serve”  teens are dropped off in the morning, while parents are on their way to work, they bring a brown bag lunch, and spend the day doing mission work, in prayer and in fellowship.  Some of the mission projects scheduled for the summer include working around the church campus, visiting our neighbors at the Villa at Morlaton, assisted and independent living facility, cooking the Community Meal for those in need in Birdsboro, and possibly working with the Humane Society and the Greater Berks Food Bank.  If you would like more information about the program please contact Kim Rowles, youth ministry coordinator, at youth@stgabriels.us.

Teens and Tech Seminar
Do you know what social networking is all about?  Do you know the difference between a tweet and an update?  Do you know how to keep your kids safe online?  Do you know what the dangers of the online world even are?  In hopes of opening communication between teens and their parents about their lives “online”  St Gabriel’s is hosting 5 teens and tech seminars over the summer.   Come to St Gabriel’s for a FREE seminar on Tuesday July 21, Thursday July 23, Monday August 10, Wednesday August 12, or Friday August 14 to discuss the dangers of “online life”  and how to keep safe in the cyber world.  Topics to be discussed are :  Social Networking, Cyberbullying and Cyber Predators.  Come and learn more about how teens can protect themselves on line through programs like the Teen Angel network.  For more information about the seminars contact Kim Rowles, youth ministry coordinator at youth@stgabriels.us or if you would like to learn about the Teen Angel network visit http://www.teenangels.org/.

Why we chose not to consent picked up by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Posted by Kat Lehman
Our recent decision not to consent for Bishop-elect Forrester in Northern Michigan was picked up by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. You can read the entire article here.

To register for Diocesan Convention, Oct. 9-10

[From Archdeacon Stringfellow]
25 June 2009

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

This note is written to give you a simple and overall picture of registering for the Diocesan Convention to be held October 9-10 at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre.

Lay Delegates need to see that three steps are accomplished:

1.  Each Lay Delegate has to make sure that the parish you represent has filed a Certificate of Election with the Secretary of the Diocese.  The date due for Certificates is July 15.  (Canon George Loeffler is the Secretary, and he has mailed a Certificate to each parish. A soft copy of the Certificate lives on my hard drive, and I am happy to send it if you need it. This step is unnecessary for Lay Visitors to Convention who may simply register by accomplishing 2 and 3 below.)

St. Mark's is collecting memories

St. Mark's is collecting memories
Historic church needs memorabilia for nascent archives
By AL ZAGOFSKY azagofsk@ptd.net

Although its current church building is a National Historic landmark, the congregation of St. Mark's/St. John's Episcopal Church of Jim Thorpe is much older. The current building is the site of the third church building. The congregation was formed in 1835, when it met in the home of William H. Sayre until land could be acquired and a building could be constructed.

As it approaches its 175th anniversary, the church's history, both the original St. Mark's history and the history of St. John's of East Jim Thorpe who merged with St. Mark's about 30 years ago, is being lost.

Evangelism Road Trip

Evangelism Road Trip
By Warren Shotto
Senior Warden, Good Shepherd Scranton

A contingent of people on a summer service trip from St. Phillip’s church in New Hope and Trinity in Buckingham , Pa is coming to Good Shepherd the last week of July. Led by Rev. Peter Pearson, they will be helping us with the “sweat equity” projects in the undercroft, bowling alley and kitchen while they are here. They are staying at the Fatima retreat center and we will be providing lunch and dinner for the entourage for the week they are here.

Recently our evangelism committee comprised of Kathy Elgaway, Char Jeffers, Pam Shotto and me, were asked to come to New Hope to speak about our journey from a parish with an uncertain future to our commitment to mission to the recent awarding of the New Hope grant and present situation at Good Shepherd. We spoke at both St. Phillips and Trinity on Sunday June 21st. Both parishes were very interested in what we were doing and establishing similar ministries at their churches. 

Mary Immaculate Center to close

Philadelphia Archdiocese to shutter Mary Immaculate Center retreat house
By Daniel Patrick Sheehan
OF THE MORNING CALL
June 25, 2009

The Mary Immaculate Center in Lehigh Township, a spiritual retreat house owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has become too costly to maintain in the bad economy and will be closed, officials said.

The center, which features Romanesque architecture and has many antiquities among its holdings, sits on a 460-acre tract at the highest point of the Northampton County township and offers panoramic views of the Lehigh Valley.

Charlie Barebo joins Bishop Paul's staff

Charlie Barebo has joined Bishop Paul Marshall's staff as Development Officer.

"Charlie is doing this as a gift to the diocese, as part of his discipleship, for which I am most grateful," Bishop Paul said earlier, announcing the appointment. "Charlie is the backbone of our New Hope Campaign and has much to bring us. Please join me in gratitude to God for this unique appointment to the staff." Bishop Paul received the gift after reviewing a five-year plan presented by Barebo.

Pray for our troops...

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families... Spc. Jonathan C. O’Neill, 22; Capt. Kafele H. Sims, 32; Master Sgt. Kevin A. Dupont, 52; Sgt. Joshua W. Soto, 25; Staff Sgt. Paul G. Smith, 43; Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Melton, 26; Spc. Chancellor A. Keesling, 25; Command Master Chief  Petty Officer Jeffrey J. Garber, 43;  1st Sgt. John D. Blair, 38; Sgt. Ricky D. Jones, 26; Spc. Rodrigo A. Munguia Rivas, 27...and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.

Here to Help

Here to Help is an event for people to learn of services and programs available to everyone during this economic downturn. You can get information on health care coverage, financial planning, employment, resume review, training programs and mortgage/rent information. The event will be held at Agricultural Hall, Allentown Fairgrounds, on Wednesday, June 17th from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. For more information, visit www.heretohelp.pa.gov

Diocese of Bethlehem featured in Women to Women funds hopes, dreams

Cordelia Burt, Women to Women Chair for the Episcopal Church Women, wrote a beautiful article on our diocese's participation with the Bethlehem Tailors' Training Center in Kajo Keji, Sudan which was published in the most recent Communique. Many thanks to all of you who helped provide funds to the Tailors' Training Center as well as new sewing machines as part of the 12 days of Christmas for Kajo Keji this past December. Remember, you can give anytime to the New Hope Campaign and further help the Diocese of Kajo Keji as well as our own Northeast Pennsylavania ministries!

Happening Staff Needed

This year, Happening will take place at none other than Kirby Episcopal House in Mountaintop, PA from November 13-15. The staff application deadline is July 18 and is open to those who have attended a Happening previously. The theme for Happening #19 is “Under the Sea.” We will be exploring many the water scriptures and listening to awesome Little Mermaid tunes, so get pumped! This, of course, gives us a lot of material in the Bible to look through, so get your brain muscles in shape and begin to brainstorm, because we want to have the best Happening possible! Download the note from the rectors and the staff application below.
Download Happening19StaffApplication
Download StaffLetterHappening19

Allentown Weed and Seed needs continued state support

Allentown Weed and Seed needs continued state support
Op-Ed, The Morning Call, June 18, 2009
By Phyllis Alexander, Weed and Seed coordinator for community development.

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Revitalization activities, such as Weed and Seed, are the smartest strategies for investing in communities. The data reflect this. During the last three years, the Weed and Seed employment counselor who works out of Grace Episcopal Church in downtown Allentown and who focuses on center city residents has helped more than 300 residents find full-time employment with benefits and brought in more than $6 million in salaries to the economy of our poorest neighborhoods.
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Weed and Seed is a rather strange name for a program that saves the state taxpayers millions of dollars a year. The name does not convey the importance of this program, which weeds out crime and seeds opportunities in our most desperate neighborhoods.

Perhaps that is why Weed and Seed is misunderstood and undervalued by our legislators in Harrisburg. Perhaps that is why, despite a proven record of saving millions of taxpayer dollars a year, Senate Bill 850 completely cuts the state's support of this vital and successful program.

Grace, Honesdale to inaugurate "new" piano

[From Fr. Ed Erb] "Cords and Strings" is the theme of a voice recital to be held by local baritone Ken Platt 6:00 PM, Sunday, June 21, at Grace Episcopal Church, Honesdale.  Selections include works by Beethoven, Hugo Wolff, Maurice Ravel, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and John Ireland.  Rev. Platt is Assistant Pastor of Beach Lake (PA) Free Methodist Church and majored in classical voice at York College.

The recital will also inaugurate Grace Church's 'new' 1903 Steinway Model O baby grand piano, played by Rev. Ed Erb, rector of Grace Church.  The piano, originally a part of the music department at Wilkes University, was completely restored by Joseph D'Allessandro of Pittston.

The concert is open to the public.  Grace Church is located at the corner of Church and Ninth Streets, Honesdale.  A donation will be received at the door to benefit the piano fund.

Pray for our troops...

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families... Spc. Eduardo S. Silva, 25; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ricky L. Richardson Jr., 33; Staff Sgt. Edmond L. Lo, 23,...and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.

newSpin 09.06.10

Check out the latest newSpin here.

Sacred Places Training

This note comes from Fr. John Francis, coordinator for Sacred Places.

I am pleased to announce that the Diocese of Bethlehem is teaming up with Partners for Sacred Places – a national non-profit and non-sectarian organization that promotes the good care and active use of religious properties – to provide training and small technical assistance grants to help 12 parishes in the Diocese to find new support to sustain and actively use their older buildings (minimum of 50 years old).

We will be offering this new training program to a select number of parishes that need to raise significant funds to repair or renovate their buildings within the next several years. This intensive program will require the commitment of a team of four people from your parish – you and three lay leaders with responsibility for finances, outreach, and property – to attend four day long training sessions over a span of several months in 2009-2010. The team will also be trained to prepare a case statement for successful capital funding, using Your Sacred place is a Community Asset, a new Tool Kit published by Partners.

To tell you more about the training program and invite you to consider participating, the Diocese and Partners are hosting a special Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 20 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity. There refreshments will be available.  Please join us!

If you have any questions, please call Ely Valentin at 610-691-5655 ext 222 or email her at evalentin@diobeth.org  I hope you will find this exciting new program of interest, and hope that we have the opportunity to work with you on behalf of Sacred Place.

Faithfully,

The Rev. John R. Francis
Vice-chair Diocesan Council
Download 09NDNPbrochure