DioBeth newSpin

October Cycles of Prayer

In the Diocese of Bethlehem
www.diobeth.org
Oct. 4: The Diocesan House Ministry Team, www.diobeth.org
Oct. 11: Trinity Church, Athens, The Rev. Trula Hollywood, rector, www.trinityathens.org
Oct. 18: Clergy Licensed to Officiate in the Diocese
Oct. 25: Retired Clergy of the Diocese

Anglicans Around the World
www.anglicancommunion.org
Oct. 4: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Swaziland, South Africa
Oct. 11: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Tanga (Tanzania)
Oct. 18: The clergy and people of the Church of The Gulf (Pakistan)
Oct. 25: The clergy and people of the Diocese of Torit (Sudan)

The Diocese of Kajo Keji
Oct. 4: Kala Archdeaconry          The Ven. Eluzai Lo’boka Yairo
Oct. 11: Bori Archdeaconry         The Ven. Sadoka Toe
Oct. 18: Gaderu Archdeaconry    The Ven. George Kenyi
Oct. 25: Kiri Archdeaconry          The Ven. Amosa Buli Gwolo

090929.newSpin.interesting, perhaps useful, news and spin

The Spirituality of Integrity is Bishop Paul's October column for secular newspapers throughout our 14 counties.

Trinity Carbondale senior warden Jaki Sheare is featured in this Scranton Times-Tribune story.

H1N1 ... St. Luke's in downtown Scranton has placed an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser at the back of the nave, next to the rear pew, an attempt to lessen the potential spread of the H1N1 flu virus among parishioners. Find more at this Times-Tribune story. See also this post by Peter Carey at Episcopal Cafe.

From the October issue of St. Brigid's Nazareth newsletter, you may find the following to be of interest: (1) A message from Dean Schenkel regarding wills and estate planning, the St. Mathew Society and funeral planning. (2) Copy and photos of St. Brigid's youth on this summer's diocesan youth mission trip to New Orleans. St. Brigid has an especially active youth ministry. (3) St. Brigid's Fall Festival, October 3. Download the newsletter here.

Diocesan Life, October may be downloaded here.

Five deacons to be ordained to priesthood this evening
 ... Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 p.m., Cathedral Bethelhem. Timothy Scott Albright, John Hartman, James Douglas Moyer, Christina Nord, Wayne Calvin Sherrer.

Diocesan Convention ... The annual convention of the Diocese of Bethlehem will be held at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, October 9-10. Please register on-line where you will also find more information. On-line registrations will be open only until October 2. An additional $20 late fee will be charged at the door. If you experience difficulty or have questions about the online registration process, please call Rosie Hummel, 610-691-5655 x 221, at Diocesan House. You need not register to join your friends in the diocesan community for Evensong on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Eucharist on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Pre-Convention Meetings meant for clergy and delegates to Diocesan Convention will be held on October 1 at Good Shepherd Scranton, and on October 6 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. All from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.

ECW Children's Project ... At Diocesan Convention, the ECW will be collecting sweatpants and sweatshirts (sizes 5 to 18) plus undies for children at risk. Each delegate is asked to bring one package to Diocesan Convention. These items will be distributed to children at risk in northeastern Pennsylvania. After collecting from church members, each parish representative will then distribute the remaining sweatshirts, sweatpants, and undies to a local facility (or facilities) for children at risk. For more information contact: Dorothy Shaw, flamingo@epix.net; Marlene Hartshorne, mhartshorne@netcarrier.com or 610-780-4602.

What is the right way to pray? ... A recent NYTimes web readers' poll asked the question. More than 100 responses poured in over five days. Read more at Episcopal Cafe.

"Nones" growing ... Andrew Sullivan comments on the report that the demographic of religious preference continues to see growth in the "none" category. Read more here. [H/T to Ann Fontaine reporting at Episcopal Cafe.]

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will visit the Diocese of Bethlehem Nov. 9-12 ... Find a preliminary schedule here.

St. Matthew Society Programs ... Find Charlie Barebo's article here.

New Bethany Ministries has a contract to buy Our Lady of Pompeii Church. If the agency can raise the money, it plans to use the East Fourth Street Bethlehem church for a social services center and low-income housing, according to an Express-Times story. The church is one of four South Side parishes the RC Diocese of Allentown closed last year. Read more here.

A holy moment in the church of baseball ... See it here. H/T to Andy Gerns.

Calvin Van Kirk Hoyt is about to retire after 39 years at Mount Calvary Church, Camp Hill, in the Diocese of Central PA. He is a native of Shillington (where John Updike grew up, in Berks County) was ordained in 1965, I think in the Diocese of Bethlehem, where he served for his first six years as a priest. There's an interesting feature on Kirk, a nice tribute, here.

The Charter for Compassion ... Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Karen Armstrong ask "How can we respond creatively to the pain that we see everywhere in our world?" Their solution is to creatively bring together people of every religion to work for a compassionate response to the needs of people everywhere. Read more about the "Charter for Compassion" at Episcopal Cafe. 

TED, www.ted.com, riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world. It aims to provide a platform for the world's smartest thinkers, greatest visionaries and most-inspiring teachers, so that millions of people can gain a better understanding of the biggest issues faced by the world, and a desire to help create a better future. Core to this goal is a belief that there is no greater force for changing the world than a powerful idea.

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families … David A. Davis, 28; William L. Meredith, 26; James R Hornbarger, 33; John J. Malone, 24; Titus R. Reynolds, 23; Edward B. Smith, 30; Joseph V. White, 21; Kevin J. Graham, 27...  ... for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners ... 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. [Posted on the newSpin blog, usually on Tuesdays, with names found over seven days.]

Unitarian preacher Forrest Church dies at 61 ... Read the RNS story here.

In-Formation in Bethlehem ... Find the September issue of Anne Kitch's faith formation newsletter here.

Trinity Bethlehem organist Dr. Timothy Smith in recital ... [From Mother Laura Howell] Join us on Sunday, October 4th at 4 p.m. (following the Blessing of the Animals) for an organ recital played by Trinity's organist Timothy Smith. This will be Tim's first recital in Bethlehem since coming to Trinity last February. He will perform music of Bach, the monumental B-Minor Prelude and Fugue; Mendelssohn, the First Organ Sonata; Gigout, Grand Chorus Dialogue, which pits the organ's trumpets against the full ensemble. Also on the program will be several short pieces including works by by jazz pianist George Shearing, Robert Elmore and Dale Wood plus a beautiful Psalm Prelude by English composer Herbert Howells. A reception will follow the program so please join us and bring a friend, or two! [Read more here.]

The Reluctant Musician and The Leadership Program for Musicians ... Have you been asked to play the organ at your church. Do you need help? More info here.

Sorting out the truth in politics ... PolitiFact.com and FactCheck.org

Got a question? Need some info? Check out the Episcopal Church's InfoLine. Contact:  info@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6136, 6137; 800-334-7626, x6136, x6137

Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts ... Find them here. 

News and Notices related to The Episcopal Church ... Find them at NewsLine and Episcopal Life Online.

The Episcopal Church ... is on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Bill Lewellis, Communication Minister/Editor (1986), Canon Theologian (1998)
Diocese of Bethlehem, 333 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Website, Blog, Email (c)610-216-2726, (w)610-691-5655x229, (h)610-820-7673
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible.
Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. [Bernard Lonergan]

Got a question? Need some info? Check out the Episcopal Church's InfoLine. Contact:  info@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6136, 6137; 800-334-7626, x6136, x6137

Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts ... Find them here. 

News and Notices related to The Episcopal Church ... Find them at NewsLine and Episcopal Life Online.

The Episcopal Church ... is on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Bill Lewellis, Communication Minister/Editor (1986), Canon Theologian (1998)
Diocese of Bethlehem, 333 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Website, Blog, Email (c)610-216-2726, (w)610-691-5655x229, (h)610-820-7673
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible.
Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. [Bernard Lonergan]

Saint Matthew Society Programs

By Charlie Barebo 

The feast of St. Matthews was September 21. Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus called him to be a disciple. In those days, tax collectors were despised. But rather than looking down on them, Jesus took time to share a meal with those whom the world had rejected. This act made an impression on the Pharisees and they criticized Jesus. That gave Jesus an opportunity to define the nature of his ministry: “I have come to call not the righteous but the sinners.” It is easy to dine with those of good standing or high reputation. But they are not the ones who need to know that God loves and blesses them.

Bishop Paul created the Saint Matthews Society as a vehicle for recognition of those who had made large gifts or provisions for such gifts in their estate planning. Bishop Paul’s intent was the gifts would be directed to the donor’s home parish. To support the creation and recognition of such gifts Bishop created the staff position of Missioner for Development and the Saint Matthew’s Steering Committee. Our original steering committee included some of the real movers and shakers in the diocese. Char Horst, parishioner of St. Barnabas in Kutztown and a lawyer, helped mold the steering committee into a cohesive unit. In the first two years of existence over 100 individual gifts to local parishes were created and identified.

Today ongoing St. Matthew’s programs are operating in half a dozen parishes in the diocese. Over 125 potential gifts have been identified. Roughly 12 local parishes have realized gifts. These gifts have provided the means to fund the purchase of vestments, bibles, chalices, crosses, building renovations, made buildings handicap accessible and funded outreach. In some isolated incidents they have funded routine operational expenses for parishes experiencing financial duress. During this economic downturn roughly 35% of the parishes in the diocese are expending principle from their DIT accounts to fund operations. While endowments are never a replacement for stewardship they can help bridge the gap during a period of short- term crisis.

This year changes are afoot in our St. Matthew’s program. Char Horst resigned her position in March. Bishop Paul called me to become our new Missioner for Development on June 1. As a matter of my personal discipleship I am doing this work for no monetary compensation. I used to work for silver, now I work for life. Parts of my responsibilities are to breathe new life into the Saint Matthew’s program.

We are starting by creating regional pods of St. Matthews. Ultimately we will have six pods. This year we are blessed that Father Charles Cesaretti has agreed to help organize our first pod in the Northern Tier. This will entail recruiting and motivating the clergy and a key lay person in each church. Each Vestry should adopt resolutions that provide for overseeing endowments if one is not already in place. A regional Will’s Workshop in the Northern Tier, one adult forum in each church, developing a parish specific booklet that guides a parishioner through the steps taken should a loved one pass, and creating a vehicle for ongoing communications are part of our plan. By 2014 we will have created the opportunity for every viable church in the Diocese to create their own St. Matthew’s program. Any parish interested in starting or re-invigorating their existing program can call me at 610-509-8767. We can start now!

We have all rested in the shade of trees that were planted by those who went before us. Let us insure we are planting trees for those who will follow.

The Spirituality of Integrity

By Bishop Paul V. Marshall
October 2009

[This is Bishop Paul Marshall's October 2009 column for secular newspapers throughout our 14 counties. It is published by The Morning Call, Allentown, on the first Saturday of every month. It usually appears also in ten additional papers. The combined circulation of papers that publish the column regularly is more than 400,000. Some 140 columns have been published over the past 13 years. If your paper does not publish the column and you would consider bringing it to the attention of the editor, please email Bill Lewellis, blewellis@diobeth.org]

“Susan,” 45, is fairly well off and is a prescription drug addict. She could go for weeks without using, but then, unaccountably to her, she would use and embarrass herself in front of husband and guests.

“Bill,” 50, has a middle-management job in his father’s business and is a compulsive gambler. Every day, on his way to work, he gambles a little more than he can afford. Debt has piled up; bankruptcy looms. His father and brothers are furious.

Sadly, Twelve-Step programs did not work for Susan or Bill. Now, nobody in my business ought to criticize Twelve-Step programs. They work for and retain over eight percent of people who come through their doors. No religious institution can claim to keep eight percent of those who come to visit, not even half of that.

Both Bill and Susan found their way to Lance Dodes, a psychiatrist. As they talked with him, something unexpected was revealed. Their lives were far from out of control. On the contrary, their addictions served to give them a sense of control. In fact, they felt better just before they took the pill or placed the bet. The rush started with the decision to do their addictions. They felt, however briefly, in charge of their own lives.

St. Brigid's Nazareth October Newsletter

From the October 09 issue of St. Brigid's Nazareth newsletter, you may find the following to be of interest: (1) A message from Dean Schenkel regarding wills and estate planning, the St. Mathew Society and funeral planning. (2) Copy and photos of St. Brigid's youth on this summer's diocesan youth mission trip to New Orleans. St. Brigid has an especially active youth ministry. (3) St. Brigid's Fall Festival, October 3.

Download the newsletter below. It's a 616 KB file.

Download Nazareth.0910.pdf

090923.Spinning some interesting, perhaps useful, news

[Posted by Bill Lewellis]

Xtreme Faith Stories shared at Bishop's Day with Kids ... Story and pics here.

Diocesan Life, October may be downloaded here.

Calendar of Events ... Download it here.

Ordinations to the priesthood
 ... Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 p.m., Cathedral Bethelhem. Timothy Scott Albright, James Douglas Moyer, Christina Nord, Wayne Calvin Sherrer

Diocesan Convention ... The annual convention of the Diocese of Bethlehem will be held at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, October 9-10. Please register on-line where you will also find more information. On-line registrations will be open only until October 2. An additional $20 late fee will be charged at the door. You need not register to join your friends in the diocesan community for Evensong on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Eucharist on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Pre-Convention Meetings meant for clergy and delegates to Diocesan Convention will be held on September 24 at St. Alban's Sinking Spring, on October 1 at Good Shepherd Scranton, and on October 6 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. All from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.

ECW Children's Project ... At Diocesan Convention, the ECW will be collecting sweatpants and sweatshirts (sizes 5 to 18) plus undies for children at risk. Each delegate is asked to bring one package to Diocesan Convention. These items will be distributed to children at risk in northeastern Pennsylvania. After collecting from church members, each parish representative will then distribute the remaining sweatshirts, sweatpants, and undies to a local facility (or facilities) for children at risk. For more information contact: Dorothy Shaw, flamingo@epix.net; Marlene Hartshorne, mhartshorne@netcarrier.com or 610-780-4602.

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families … Bryan D. Berky, 25; Demetrius L. Void, 20; David T. Wright II, 26;  Andrew H. McConnell, 24; Robert D. Gordon II, 22; Bradley S. Bohle, 29; Shawn P. McCloskey, 33,; Joshua M. Mills, 24; Jeremiah J. Monroe, 31; Matthew R. Courtois, 22; Michael S. Cote Jr., 20; Corey J. Kowal; Damon G. Winkleman, 23 ... for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners ... 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. [Posted on the newSpin blog, usually on Tuesdays, with names found over seven days.]

General Theological Seminary has called Grace Allentown rector Father Patrick Malloy to be professor of Liturgics. At the request of the Grace Church vestry and congregation and with the permission of Bishop Paul and General Seminary, he will continue as rector on a halftime basis. [Read more here.]

In-Formation in Bethlehem
Find the September issue of Anne Kitch's faith formation newsletter here.

Physically active seniors,  even those who started when they were well into their 80s, are apt to live longer than their couch-potato peers, and are more likely to maintain their independence, new research from Israel shows. [Read more here. H/T to Diana Marshall.]

Health Care is mercy in action ... Health care is front-page news. There are many vested interests, and lots of people whose livelihood depends on what gets decided. People of faith are tempted to jump in and take sides. But before we dive in and take sides, people of faith need to remember what health care means. Health care is mercy in action and we are all called to be merciful and compassionate to anyone in need. [Read Andy Gerns' column published in The Morning Call here.]

Trinity Bethlehem organist Dr. Timothy Smith in recital ... [From Mother Laura Howell] Join us on Sunday, October 4th at 4 p.m. (following the Blessing of the Animals) for an organ recital played by Trinity's organist Timothy Smith. This will be Tim's first recital in Bethlehem since coming to Trinity last February. He will perform music of Bach, the monumental B-Minor Prelude and Fugue; Mendelssohn, the First Organ Sonata; Gigout, Grand Chorus Dialogue, which pits the organ's trumpets against the full ensemble. Also on the program will be several short pieces including works by by jazz pianist George Shearing, Robert Elmore and Dale Wood plus a beautiful Psalm Prelude by English composer Herbert Howells. A reception will follow the program so please join us and bring a friend, or two! [Read more here.]

Music at Trinity Bethlehem ... [From Mother Laura Howell] We invite you to put the following events on your calendars. October 4, 4:00 Organ recital by Dr. Tim Smith. November 15, 4:00  Choral Evensong in Thanksgiving for God's Bountiful Goodness. December 5, 5:00 Yuletide concert and reception by Hesperus (Early Music Ensemble), co-sponsored by the Moravian College Undergraduate Conference in Medieval and Early Modern Studies. All concerts at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 East. Market St., Bethlehem. More information to come.

Hymn-a-Thon at St. Stephen's Wilkes-Barre ... Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 to 5. More info here.

Flu Updates ... Episcopal Relief & Development has up-to-date info about the possible flu pandemic. Check here and
here.

Diocesan ECW begins 15th year as sponsors for young girls through Child Fund International ... Read more here.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will visit the Diocese of Bethlehem Nov. 9-12 ... Find a preliminary schedule here.

Only 36%? Say it ain't so ... Do only 36% of congregations have a clear mission and purpose? In a recent Politics Daily column by Jeffrey Weiss, Religion in America in Decline, the following paragraphs caught my eye: In 2005, 42 percent of congregations strongly agreed that they were spiritually vital and alive. In 2008 that was down to 35 percent.  In 2005, 41 percent of congregations strongly agreed that they had a clear mission and purpose. In 2008, that was down to 36 percent. Don't miss the close correlation (both in the 2005 and 2008 surveys) between congregations that consider themselves "spiritually active and alive" and those who consider themselves as having "a clear mission and purpose."

Fall Festival in Nazareth ... Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Brigid's (310 Madison Ave, 610-746-3910), 9:00-4:00. Gift baskets, soups, children's cothes and toys, white elephant items, vendors, more.

Archdeacon Stringfellow is serving as supply priest at Good Shepherd Scranton ... Read more here.

Scott Allen on radio ... Scott Allen, priest-in-charge at St. Andrew's Allentown/Bethlehem and a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Bethlehem, is a radio personality (of sorts) in the Lehigh Valley as he volunteers to host the National Public Radio  show All Things Considered Mondays, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on WDIY (88.1 FM Allentown). Read more here.

Putting the boots on Bullock ... A recent issue of The Morning Call, included a feature on Gary Jones, a parishioner at Grace Allentown who resides in Saucon Valley with his partner Neal Bell when he is not off in Los Angeles or elsewhere working as a costume designer on major motion pictures.

Episcorific, the latest issue of this 'ezine for and by young adults of the Episcopal Church may be found here.

Broadcast, e-news from the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministries at the Episcopal Church Center may be found here.

The Reluctant Musician and The Leadership Program for Musicians ... Have you been asked to play the organ at your church. Do you need help? More info here.

Summary of General Convention actions
A 25-page summary of actions of GC2009 is available as a downloadable, searchable PDF.

Happy Anniversary New Hope
[By Charlie Barebo] Join me in celebrating the second anniversary of the New Hope Campaign! As we pass this milestone, may we join in a prayer of thanksgiving. We have received $3,900,000 in gifts and pledges, $300,000 more than our initial goal and just $200,000 short of our stretch goal of $4,100,000. Of this we have collected over $2,400,000. Despite the troubling economic times, pledge fulfillment rates remain high. Your pledge commitment is a sacred one. You will bring the gift of the Gospel to a child. [Read the story and view pics here.]

Inviting Silence ... Led by Father Peter Pearson and Mother Laura Howell, Nov. 19-21, at the St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem. More info here.

Faith in Public Life ... Sign up here to receive daily "Faith in Public Life" headlines.

John Wagner,  priest-in-charge at St. Mark's/St. John's Jim Thorpe is Lehighton borough manager. Read more here.

Sorting out the truth in politics ... PolitiFact.com and FactCheck.org

Got a question? Need some info? Check out the Episcopal Church's InfoLine. Contact:  info@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6136, 6137; 800-334-7626, x6136, x6137

Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts ... Find them here. 

News and Notices related to The Episcopal Church ... Find them at NewsLine and Episcopal Life Online.

The Episcopal Church ... is on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Bill Lewellis, Communication Minister/Editor (1986), Canon Theologian (1998)
Diocese of Bethlehem, 333 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Website, Blog, Email (c)610-216-2726, (w)610-691-5655x229, (h)610-820-7673
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible.
Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. [Bernard Lonergan]

[Posted by Bill Lewellis]

Xtreme Faith Stories shared at Bishop's Day with Kids ... Story and pics here.

Diocesan Life, October may be downloaded here.

Calendar of Events ... Download it here.

Ordinations to the priesthood
 ... Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 p.m., Cathedral Bethelhem. Timothy Scott Albright, James Douglas Moyer, Christina Nord, Wayne Calvin Sherrer

Diocesan Convention ... The annual convention of the Diocese of Bethlehem will be held at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, October 9-10. Please register on-line where you will also find more information. On-line registrations will be open only until October 2. An additional $20 late fee will be charged at the door. You need not register to join your friends in the diocesan community for Evensong on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Eucharist on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Pre-Convention Meetings meant for clergy and delegates to Diocesan Convention will be held on September 24 at St. Alban's Sinking Spring, on October 1 at Good Shepherd Scranton, and on October 6 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. All from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.

ECW Children's Project ... At Diocesan Convention, the ECW will be collecting sweatpants and sweatshirts (sizes 5 to 18) plus undies for children at risk. Each delegate is asked to bring one package to Diocesan Convention. These items will be distributed to children at risk in northeastern Pennsylvania. After collecting from church members, each parish representative will then distribute the remaining sweatshirts, sweatpants, and undies to a local facility (or facilities) for children at risk. For more information contact: Dorothy Shaw, flamingo@epix.net; Marlene Hartshorne, mhartshorne@netcarrier.com or 610-780-4602.

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families … Bryan D. Berky, 25; Demetrius L. Void, 20; David T. Wright II, 26;  Andrew H. McConnell, 24; Robert D. Gordon II, 22; Bradley S. Bohle, 29; Shawn P. McCloskey, 33,; Joshua M. Mills, 24; Jeremiah J. Monroe, 31; Matthew R. Courtois, 22; Michael S. Cote Jr., 20; Corey J. Kowal; Damon G. Winkleman, 23 ... for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners ... 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. [Posted on the newSpin blog, usually on Tuesdays, with names found over seven days.]

General Theological Seminary has called Grace Allentown rector Father Patrick Malloy to be professor of Liturgics. At the request of the Grace Church vestry and congregation and with the permission of Bishop Paul and General Seminary, he will continue as rector on a halftime basis. [Read more here.]

In-Formation in Bethlehem
Find the September issue of Anne Kitch's faith formation newsletter here.

Physically active seniors,  even those who started when they were well into their 80s, are apt to live longer than their couch-potato peers, and are more likely to maintain their independence, new research from Israel shows. [Read more here. H/T to Diana Marshall.]

Health Care is mercy in action ... Health care is front-page news. There are many vested interests, and lots of people whose livelihood depends on what gets decided. People of faith are tempted to jump in and take sides. But before we dive in and take sides, people of faith need to remember what health care means. Health care is mercy in action and we are all called to be merciful and compassionate to anyone in need. [Read Andy Gerns' column published in The Morning Call here.]

Trinity Bethlehem organist Dr. Timothy Smith in recital ... [From Mother Laura Howell] Join us on Sunday, October 4th at 4 p.m. (following the Blessing of the Animals) for an organ recital played by Trinity's organist Timothy Smith. This will be Tim's first recital in Bethlehem since coming to Trinity last February. He will perform music of Bach, the monumental B-Minor Prelude and Fugue; Mendelssohn, the First Organ Sonata; Gigout, Grand Chorus Dialogue, which pits the organ's trumpets against the full ensemble. Also on the program will be several short pieces including works by by jazz pianist George Shearing, Robert Elmore and Dale Wood plus a beautiful Psalm Prelude by English composer Herbert Howells. A reception will follow the program so please join us and bring a friend, or two! [Read more here.]

Music at Trinity Bethlehem ... [From Mother Laura Howell] We invite you to put the following events on your calendars. October 4, 4:00 Organ recital by Dr. Tim Smith. November 15, 4:00  Choral Evensong in Thanksgiving for God's Bountiful Goodness. December 5, 5:00 Yuletide concert and reception by Hesperus (Early Music Ensemble), co-sponsored by the Moravian College Undergraduate Conference in Medieval and Early Modern Studies. All concerts at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 East. Market St., Bethlehem. More information to come.

Hymn-a-Thon at St. Stephen's Wilkes-Barre ... Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 to 5. More info here.

Flu Updates ... Episcopal Relief & Development has up-to-date info about the possible flu pandemic. Check here and
here.

Diocesan ECW begins 15th year as sponsors for young girls through Child Fund International ... Read more here.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will visit the Diocese of Bethlehem Nov. 9-12 ... Find a preliminary schedule here.

Only 36%? Say it ain't so ... Do only 36% of congregations have a clear mission and purpose? In a recent Politics Daily column by Jeffrey Weiss, Religion in America in Decline, the following paragraphs caught my eye: In 2005, 42 percent of congregations strongly agreed that they were spiritually vital and alive. In 2008 that was down to 35 percent.  In 2005, 41 percent of congregations strongly agreed that they had a clear mission and purpose. In 2008, that was down to 36 percent. Don't miss the close correlation (both in the 2005 and 2008 surveys) between congregations that consider themselves "spiritually active and alive" and those who consider themselves as having "a clear mission and purpose."

Fall Festival in Nazareth ... Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Brigid's (310 Madison Ave, 610-746-3910), 9:00-4:00. Gift baskets, soups, children's cothes and toys, white elephant items, vendors, more.

Archdeacon Stringfellow is serving as supply priest at Good Shepherd Scranton ... Read more here.

Scott Allen on radio ... Scott Allen, priest-in-charge at St. Andrew's Allentown/Bethlehem and a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Bethlehem, is a radio personality (of sorts) in the Lehigh Valley as he volunteers to host the National Public Radio  show All Things Considered Mondays, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on WDIY (88.1 FM Allentown). Read more here.

Putting the boots on Bullock ... A recent issue of The Morning Call, included a feature on Gary Jones, a parishioner at Grace Allentown who resides in Saucon Valley with his partner Neal Bell when he is not off in Los Angeles or elsewhere working as a costume designer on major motion pictures.

Episcorific, the latest issue of this 'ezine for and by young adults of the Episcopal Church may be found here.

Broadcast, e-news from the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministries at the Episcopal Church Center may be found here.

The Reluctant Musician and The Leadership Program for Musicians ... Have you been asked to play the organ at your church. Do you need help? More info here.

Summary of General Convention actions
A 25-page summary of actions of GC2009 is available as a downloadable, searchable PDF.

Happy Anniversary New Hope
[By Charlie Barebo] Join me in celebrating the second anniversary of the New Hope Campaign! As we pass this milestone, may we join in a prayer of thanksgiving. We have received $3,900,000 in gifts and pledges, $300,000 more than our initial goal and just $200,000 short of our stretch goal of $4,100,000. Of this we have collected over $2,400,000. Despite the troubling economic times, pledge fulfillment rates remain high. Your pledge commitment is a sacred one. You will bring the gift of the Gospel to a child. [Read the story and view pics here.]

Inviting Silence ... Led by Father Peter Pearson and Mother Laura Howell, Nov. 19-21, at the St. Francis Center for Renewal, Bethlehem. More info here.

Faith in Public Life ... Sign up here to receive daily "Faith in Public Life" headlines.

John Wagner,  priest-in-charge at St. Mark's/St. John's Jim Thorpe is Lehighton borough manager. Read more here.

Sorting out the truth in politics ... PolitiFact.com and FactCheck.org

Got a question? Need some info? Check out the Episcopal Church's InfoLine. Contact:  info@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6136, 6137; 800-334-7626, x6136, x6137

Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts ... Find them here. 

News and Notices related to The Episcopal Church ... Find them at NewsLine and Episcopal Life Online.

The Episcopal Church ... is on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Bill Lewellis, Communication Minister/Editor (1986), Canon Theologian (1998)
Diocese of Bethlehem, 333 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Website, Blog, Email (c)610-216-2726, (w)610-691-5655x229, (h)610-820-7673
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible.
Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. [Bernard Lonergan]

Got a question? Need some info? Check out the Episcopal Church's InfoLine. Contact:  info@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6136, 6137; 800-334-7626, x6136, x6137

Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts ... Find them here. 

News and Notices related to The Episcopal Church ... Find them at NewsLine and Episcopal Life Online.

The Episcopal Church ... is on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Bill Lewellis, Communication Minister/Editor (1986), Canon Theologian (1998)
Diocese of Bethlehem, 333 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Website, Blog, Email (c)610-216-2726, (w)610-691-5655x229, (h)610-820-7673
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible.
Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. [Bernard Lonergan]

General Seminary NYC calls Grace Allentown rector

General Theological Seminary has called Grace Allentown rector Father Patrick Malloy to be professor of Liturgics. At the request of the Grace Church vestry and congregation and with the permission of Bishop Paul and General Seminary, he will continue as rector on a halftime basis. He came to Grace in December 2001 and was installed as rector in June 2002.

“What we have accomplished in just eight years is beyond imagining,” Malloy wrote to parishioners. “How did we ever do it without losing our minds or breaking our backs? The fact that all of us are still standing — and I hope standing taller and stronger — is a phenomenal witness to how invested we are in our common life, common mission, and common prayer ... General Seminary hired me, not because of what I have done, but because of what we have done. That is not false humility. It is the unvarnished truth.

Malloy holds a doctors degree in liturgical studies from Notre Dame as well as masters degrees from Notre Dame and Temple. He is the author of Celebrating the Eucharist, commissioned by Church Publishing in 2008. The publisher has commissioned two further books. He has taught at the graduate level at St. John’s University (Collegeville, MN), the University of Santa Clara and Duquesne University where he directed the graduate program in pastoral ministry.

Xtreme Faith Stories shared at Bishop's Day

By Rev. Canon Anne E. Kitch

A large group of children sat on the floor in matching T-shirts, with which they were newly adorned, attention riveted on the figure of Moses. This great hero of the faith stood among them telling his life story, a story of Xtreme faith. OK, so actually it was Father Joe De Acetis. Nevertheless, the children, ages ranging from seven to eleven, were enthralled by the telling.

After all, it is an exciting story: the burning bush, the plagues, the Passover, and finally the great escape through the parted waters of the Red Sea. For some of the children gathered, this was all quite familiar. Others heard aspects of this great hero’s life of faith for the first time.

The Reluctant Musician and The Leadership Program for Musicians

By Father Ed Erb

“No way! Yes, I can play the piano - some. But what do I know about Church Music?”

“The organ – with pipes?!? Two, three, four keyboards – and those pedals! Anglican chant? I’ve heard about Gregorian chant in a music history class...”

 “So,” the rector says, “here’s the key to the organ, and the file cabinets of decaying music Do what you can. I trust you.”

Archdeacon Stringfellow is serving as supply priest at Good Shepherd Scranton

The following two paragraphs are taken from the beginning of Archdeacon Howard Stringfellow's sermon at Good Shepherd Scranton, Sunday, September 13, his first Sunday of service there as supply priest:

"The opportunity to serve this parish came to me unexpectedly when Canon Warne announced his retirement from his “retirement” and when Bishop Paul asked if I were interested. Your sense of mission and the zeal you have pursuing it have won my heart and the hearts of the New Hope Committee who have such high hopes for you and whose hearts rejoice in your progress to provide a much-needed emergency shelter in Scranton. Even before I begin my service, you have my esteem and affection. They will only grow as I get to know you better.

Hymn-a-thon at St. Stephen's, Wilkes-Barre / Saturday, September 26, 10 to 5

[From Canon Mark Laubach]

Dear Friends in the Diocese of Bethlehem and beyond

In days gone by, when people would visit in homes, a customary form of entertainment was to gather around a piano or pump organ and sing hymns. You didn’t have to always be perfectly in tune, and you didn’t have to listen to a sermon – you just sang and had fun doing it!
 
In that same joyous spirit, on Saturday, September 26th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (35 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre – right across the street from Boscov’s) will open its doors to any and all who wish to come by for a good, old-fashioned “hymn sing” – with a twist.  We’re calling it a “HYMN-A-THON”, as it will fill seven full hours with singing hymns, and will raise money to support Music from St. Stephen’s, our concert series and radio program.

ECW Children’s Project

For the 2009 Diocesan Convention, the ECW will be collecting sweatpants and sweatshirts (sizes 5 to 18) plus undies for children at risk. Each delegate is asked to bring one package to Diocesan Convention. These items will be distributed to children at risk in northeastern Pennsylvania. After collecting from church members, each parish representative will then distribute the remaining sweatshirts, sweatpants, and undies to a local facility (or facilities) for children at risk. For more information contact: Dorothy Shaw, flamingo@epix.net; Marlene Hartshorne, mhartshorne@netcarrier.com or 610-780-4602

Presiding Bishop's Visitation Schedule

See updated schedule here.

Diocesan ECW begins 15th year as sponsors for young girls through Child Fund International

By Laura I. Chegwidden
 
Did you ever wonder how the fair share funds that each parish is asked every year to contribute to the diocesan Episcopal Church Women (ECW) are used? Sponsoring a child through Child Fund International (formerly the Christian Children's Fund) is one aspect of the outreach in which all of us have an opportunity to participate.
 
The diocesan ECW in July committed to a 15th year of sponsoring a young girl. ECW has helped girls in Colombia and currently sponsors a girl in Ecuador.  Not only have the girls received educational support, but their families have benefited from medical and dental care as well.

Trinity Bethlehem organist Dr. Timothy Smith in recital

[From Mother Laura Howell] Join us on Sunday, October 4th at 4 p.m. (following the Blessing of the Animals) for an organ recital played by Trinity's organist Timothy Smith. This will be Tim's first recital in Bethlehem since coming to Trinity last February. He will perform music of Bach, the monumental B-Minor Prelude and Fugue; Mendelssohn, the First Organ Sonata; Gigout, Grand Chorus Dialogue, which pits the organ's trumpets against the full ensemble. Also on the program will be several short pieces including works by by jazz pianist George Shearing, Robert Elmore and Dale Wood plus a beautiful Psalm Prelude by English composer Herbert Howells. A reception will follow the program so please join us and bring a friend, or two!

Diocesan Life, Oct. 2009

Download the October 2009 issue of Diocesan Life. It's a 1.1 mb file.

Download 091001-8.small.pdf

Biggest, Boldest, Best Block Party Around

posted by Kat Lehman

Check out the Block Party "A Celebration of Gifts" this Saturday, September 19th from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Market Street between New and Center Streets in Bethlehem. Trinity, Bethlehem has been actively planning this event in conjunction with other churches, social agencies, community groups and the city government for about 8 months.

There are over 30 groups performing including the Bethlehem Bagpipe Band, Trinity's own Singing Priests, musicians and singers from Holy Infancy, Moravian Academy band and choirs, the O'Grady-Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance, storytelling by Mayor Callahan and MANY, MANY MORE! There are also games and crafts for kids plus food and lots of fun. What an awesome way to spend Saturday!

Come celebrate!!

Health care is mercy in action

Health care is mercy in action
By Canon Andrew Gerns
The Morning Call
September 12, 2009

What do The Good Samaritan, Ebenezer Scrooge and characters in Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus have in common? Each of these stories involves compassion or the withholding of compassion.

We all know about the Good Samaritan, the story of the man who was attacked on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. A priest and a Levite passed, but offered him no help -- no health care. It was a Samaritan who cared for him.

Jesus told that story because a lawyer asked, ''Who is my neighbor?'' but Jesus turned the question around: ''to whom should we be a neighbor?''

Scott Allen on radio

Scott Allen is a radio personality (of sorts) in the Lehigh Valley as he volunteers to host the National Public Radio  show All Things Considered Mondays, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on WDIY (88.1 FM Allentown). He began doing this last winter. He comes in on the breaks with news, traffic, weather, time and call letters. He is also the control board engineer which means he plays the commercials at the designated times, accesses the feed from Public Radio Capital News (out of Harrisburg for PA State news), and reconnects the show to the NPR Satellite to resume All Things Considered which originates nationally in Washington DC.  If you'd like to hear Scott, the show is broadcast in streaming live audio on the web. Just open your web browser to WDIY.org and click on "listen" at the top. All the time, everywhere! "I've always listened to NPR News and like their format," Allen says. "This was a small way to give back to a project that has given me so much over the years. I learned alot of new things and after 10 months I feel more at ease at the microphone in the studio."

The Rev. T. Scott Allen is priest in charge at St. Andrew's Allentown/Bethlehem and a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Bethlehem.

Father John Wagner, Lehighton borough manager and priest-in-charge at St. Mark's/St. John's, Jim Thorpe

Plans and a prayer
Lehighton borough manager wants community to be a destination
By AL ZAGOFSKY TN Correspondent azagofsk@ptd.net
Times-News, Lehighton
http://www.tnonline.com/node/479826

"I have a dream for Lehighton to be a destination for people, rather than simply a place through which they pass on their way to other locations," said John Wagner, borough manager of Lehighton. "I see the revitalization of our downtown area, followed by revitalization of the residential areas, as being key to the future of the borough."

Wagner said the Lehighton Borough Council recently retained Urban Development and Research Corporation of Bethlehem, an urban planner and an economist, to perform a downtown revitalization study for the borough. The study will encompass all of First Street, the Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd., Rt. 443, and all intersecting streets within one block of those byways. "One of the key components which I insisted each of the firms include, is an economic gap study," Wagner explained. "The gap study will tell us the areas where we have a surplus of businesses, and the areas where we have needs in the region that are not met with our current businesses so, we can help define what kinds of businesses we want to attract to the borough."

Wagner has received support from a group of downtown businesses organized as the Lehighton Downtown Initiative Committee. "That committee is working hard to attract new businesses to the borough," Wagner said. "I have challenged them as a nonprofit group, to purchase one of the structures on First Street, rehab it and use it as incubator space for new businesses." "The borough has a lot of waterfront property," Wagner noted. "I can envision that area developed perhaps with restaurants and outdoor shopping areas that take advantage of the view of the Lehigh River from the borough." For instance, he pointed to the stoney beach on the Lehigh River beyond Dunbar's Beverage Distributor. The beach is used as a lunch spot for rafters and has been a local partying place. Recognizing it is a wet land, Wagner is not ready to make recommendations until the report is completed, but he could foresee shops on piers overlooking the beach.

Wagner sees additional areas to watch: revitalization of the downtown, development of the vacant land along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd. (Route 209 northbound bypass), and preventing deterioration of Rt. 443. To this end, he would like to see the organization broaden its focus to become Lehighton Initiative Committee and drop the "Downtown" from its name. In the downtown area, Wagner notes that already North First Street has new curbs and sidewalks. He is writing a grant proposal to extend the work to South First Street extending to the Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd. intersection.

"We are in the process of adopting a standard for decorative light poles, looking to replace the metal halide cobra head light fixtures with LED fixtures, which are half the energy consumption with 10 times the life expectancy. The cobra heads are flat panel, but the pedestrian scale fixtures are colonial period." Wagner also sees the borough focusing on its assets: the Lehighton Pool, the Jacob Weiss Park, and the borough's early Moravian heritage.

Besides acting as Lehighton borough manager, Wagner, who is a civil engineer and former municipal consulting engineer, serves as the priest at the Episcopal Parish of St. Mark and St. John in Jim Thorpe. He found that he had interests both in theology and in engineering. "This was the ideal way to tie the two together," he said. "It helps me to have a more open mind and a more open heart when residents come to see me with problems. "And I bless all the plans before they go out the door," he joked.