Organ Concert at Trinity, Easton, January 28

Trinity Episcopal Church in Easton, PA will be hosting an Organ Concert featuring the works of Mendelssohn, Bach, Mozart, Bruhns and Franck. 

 

Performing will be Mr. Dale T. Grandfield, Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton, PA (between 2^nd and 3^rd Street).  The Concert will be January 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments to follow. Free Admission. Donations to support the music ministry at Trinity Church are welcome. For more information contact Trinity at 610-253-0792, email parish@trinityeaston.org, twitter @TrinityEastonPA or see www.trinityeaston.org.

 

Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause

A Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser for the Prennsylvania Avenue Interfaith Food Pantry. At Applebee's, Saturday, Januay 8, from 8 to 10 a.m. Download a poster below.

Download Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser

Temporary shelter for the homeless in Bethlehem churches

To: Lehigh Valley Episcopal Churches
From: Craig Updegrove, St. Andrew's

As you may be aware, several years ago, Bethlehem Area Churches took on a mission, to provide temporary shelter for the homeless during the winter months. This year will be no exception. This letter is to make you aware that this system began again on December 15 and will continue until March 31.

Every night, a host site or two will provide this mission service to the homeless. We not only provide shelter, but we also give them a warm dinner, companionship, play games with them, and watch movies with them. This mission has transformed each congregation and person involved.

To help continue this mission, I ask for your help. On average, a church needs around eight volunteers each night to execute this mission effectively. This puts a lot of volunteer strain on each congregation. I would like to ask if anyone from your congregation would like to assist any of these churches. Volunteer hours are readily available.

Volunteer opportunities vary. We have people that will just cook the meal, serve the meal, stay overnight, serve breakfast, cleanup in the morning, or just sit and talk to our guests. This is truly a transformational mission and is needed by you to help in Bethlehem.

If you would like to help in other ways, you could donate personal care items, clothing, food, or cash donations to help these congregations to defray some of these costs.

If you or anyone in your congregation are interested in volunteering, please contact Craig Updegrove at 484-892-1589 for more details.

*****************
On a related matter, see Community must respond to deaths of homeless, an op-ed in The Morning Call, December 17, by Gary Millspaugh, executive director of the Allentown Rescue Mission.

*****************
Background on the ministry of Bethlehem churches to the homeless:
2009
Jan. 13-19: Still no room for the homeless in Bethlehem
Jan. 19: Lehigh Valley Episcopal churches help homeless during cold snap
Feb. 5: Finding room for the homeless in Bethlehem

2010
Jan. 13: Trinity Bethlehem organizes churches to shelter homeless people from the cold
March 9: Express-Times editorial

The newSpin blog has a search box that many might find useful. Scroll down on the left.

Mittens and gloves to warm the homeless and hungry

[From Marcie Lightwood]

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Trinity Soup Kitchen in Bethlehem, where I work as a social worker, traditionally gives gifts to our poor and homeless guests at Christmas time. This year, we have received many beautiful hand-knit scarves and hats from local knitters, but we have no gloves or mittens to give.

I am asking if you could please pick up a pair of gloves or mittens on your next shopping trip and donate them? We need more gloves for MEN than for women; we serve probably 2 women for every 3-4 men at the soup kitchen. We only have a few guests who are children.

Any kind of new glove is fine; some like plain knit gloves or mittens; others want them insulated or waterproof. The homeless folks love mittens, or gloves with the mitten fold-over.

You can bring them to Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 E. Market Street in Bethlehem, drop them at my home, or at the WDIY studio where I will have a box set up. You can call me to arrange pick-up. If you work at a place that can have a collection box on premises, please let me know.

Please feel free to forward this to people who have warm hearts.

We need about 250 pair of gloves, total, and any excess will be kept for guest needs through the winter.

Happy holidays to you, and thank you.

Marcie Lightwood
1334 Club Avenue
Allentown, PA  18109
484-767-2908, mlightwood@hotmail.com

Christmas Festival, Lessons and Carols, Stevensville

From the Episcopal Church in Susquehanna County
The Rev’d Paul Walker, Rector, St. Paul’s Montrose
The Rev’d Randy Lee Webster, Priest, St. Mark’s New Milford and Christ Church Susquehanna

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Stevensville has announced its annual Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which will be held on Saturday, December 11 at 3:00 P.M.  The church is located on Route 706 in Stevensville.  The Rev’d Paul Walker, Rector of St. Paul’s, will officiate at the service.  Refreshments will be served following the program.

Everyone is invited to bring boughs of holly and evergreens to decorate the church prior to the service.  Because of the soft ground around the building, St. Matthew’s invites those attending to park at Frank and Mary’s Restaurant, just west of the church, and ride the wagon up to the church.

St Matthew's Church, Stevensville, in what is now Bradford County, was established in 1799 by sheep farmers who came from Litchfield, CT, following the Revolutionary War. Along with their sheep, they brought their deep faith and commitment to the Church of England. However, the recent War of Independence meant that church was now reconstituted in the United States as of 1789 as the Episcopal Church. Their first services were held in a room over a store, but soon they moved to a church building.

In 1814 the church building burned and construction was soon underway for a new sanctuary. This new building, which still stands, was built in 1820 and consecrated by Bishop William White, the first Bishop of Pennsylvania, in 1824. This majestic structure has stood fast and faithful for over 185 years. It is reported to be the oldest building in the Diocese of Bethlehem still used as a church.

The sanctuary has been refurbished several times over the years, but the “modernization” was the conversion of the whale-oil lamps to kerosene. The original source of heat was a large pot-bellied stove in the rear of the church, which still stands. It is not disconnected for reasons of safety; charred beams under the floor are reminders of fires past.

The interior of the building has been kept as the original, including a balcony with benches, which winds its way along the rear and sidewalls. The windows are mainly clear glass, although there are several tinted or painted memorial windows. There are many interesting appointments and paintings in the church.

Due to changing demographics, St. Matthew's has become essentially inactive as a parish. Seasonal services and special events, such as weddings, are held in the building; and, it is the site of many pilgrimages. Since the early 1930's the care and oversight of the church was given to St. Paul's, Montrose, which is seventeen miles east of the parish on Route 706.

Lessons and Carols in Wilkes-Barre

[From Andrea]

Wednesday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre. This is an annual program we do to commemorate the beginning of Advent.  This year, however, will be extra special because it is our Organist/Choirmaster Mark Laubach's 25th anniversary at St. Stephen's.  Mark will perform for the first time ever a brand new commissioned piece by David Briggs, an accomplished organist from Great Britain, who performed at our last silent film showing last year.
 
Find below a memo from Mark with a listing of songs we will be performing. The memo als invites you to join the choir. So, if you don't plan on that, kindly disregard the info there.

Download Advent Lessons and Carols 2010.doc

There is no admission, but as usual, the Choir will collect free will contributions that will go towards our music activities. You are free to give as much or as little as you'd like. Free parking is available next to the church.

Seven-Day Prayer Vigil for Sudan in Montrose

Two parishioners at St. Paul's Montrose are organizing a prayer vigil to pray for our sisters and brothers in Sudan during the seven days preceding the Jan. 8 referendum concerning their future form of government, one nation or two.

Download below the schedule and an article by parishioner Ed Stark.

Download Vigil Schedule.doc

Download Vigil Article

"An Evening with Margie and Dave" Benefit Concert

[From Fr. Scott Allen]

“An Evening with Margie and Dave”
 
Recording artists Margie DeRosso and David Lang will perform their original Christmas songs in addition to
your favorite holiday standards.
 
Saturday December 4th, at 4:00pm.
In the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
1900 Pennsylvania Ave., Bethlehem, PA
 
A “Meet and greet” with the artists will follow the concert in the church’s Social Hall.
Refreshments will be served.
 
All proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania Avenue Interfaith Food Pantry
 
Admission is $5.00 with a non-perishable food item donation at the door. Please call Craig @ 484-892-1589 for details.
 
This Concert is being sponsored in part by:
Giant Food Markets
Weis food Markets
Michael Thomas Floral Design Studio

St. Andrew's, Allentown/Bethlehem Dinner Benefit

[From Fr. Scott Allen]

An evening of Pre-Holiday Good Spirits at Weaversville Inn to Benefit St. Andrew's Church December 18.

The Evening Includes, but is not limited to:
Live music in the bar area for you enjoyment. Very special guest bartenders, our own Senior Warden Liza Holzinger, and the Minister of Spirits Scott Allen. Give away surprises. All gratuities generated from the bar, and 10% of the dining proceeds will go to support St. Andrew's mission's andministries. Reservations for dinner are suggested.

Place:     The Weaversville Inn
Address:     6916 Weaversville Rd.
                     Northampton, PA 18067
 
Tel. #:    610-502-9881
Time:     6-9 pm
Date:     Saturday December 18
 
Directions:  From the Airport; Airport Rd. North to left onto Schoenersville Rd. North, go past Gregory's, the roadturns into Weaversville Rd. at this point. Continue up the windy Rd. for about 2 miles, the Inn is on the right. If you get to a light you have gone to far.

My Father's House at St. Luke's Lebanon

My Father's House, a refurbished apartment attached to the former rectory of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 6th & Chestnut Streets, Lebanon, was recently dedicated for community service. For this project, St. Luke's partnered with two county agencies, Community Action Partnership (CAP) and the Coalition to End Lebanon County Homelessness. 

The apartment at the rear of 519 Chestnut Street, will be used for transitional housing for folks in need in Lebanon County. This pilot project for the county received grant money from the Diocese of Bethlehem through a New Hope Campaign in which funds were solicited for a companion diocese in New Sudan, Africa, as well as the Needy in Pennsylvania.

On hand for the blessing were representatives from each of the agencies and the Lebanon Ministerium,    In its history, St. Luke's Church has given the community the Good Samaritan Hospital and Lebanon's first library.

Father Terrence Wible, rector, led the dedication. This project was developed by the Outreach Committee of the church, Todd Snovel, Chairman. People in need of housing should contact the Community Action Partnership.

Montrose Crafters Corner and Holiday Bazaar

On Saturday, December 4^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Paul’s will merge two holiday events.  The December Crafters Corner will be expanded to include St. Paul’s Holiday Bazaar. Download the file below.

Download 1012.Crafters Corner and Holiday Bazaar.doc

 

Kazzrie Jaxen and The Drummers

At Grace Honesdale
Kazzrie Jaxen and The Drummers
Saturday, Nov. 27, at 2:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving to Mother Earth

The Drummers (Robin Rabii, Elai Tubo, Renis Rabii, Watoii Rabii, Venis Kevii, and Ed Gonzalez) are a unique all-drum ensemble with an eclectic musical style.  The compositions are based on themes that invoke liberation, inspiration, self-examination, and transformation.  The conga drum is the primary instrument of the ensemble and it is a powerful vehicle for transmitting the message of harmony on planet Earth.
 
Kazzrie Jaxen is an international artist, improviser, and composer.  As an improvising pianist and singer she has performed, recorded, and taught for over thirty years.  Known for her originality, virtuosity, and ability to transport an audience, her musical expression ranges from free improvisation to jazz standards, from original songs to vibrational journeys into the dreamtime.
 
This concert is intended to be a joyful celebration of our community and an expression of Thanksgiving to Mother Earth.  We will celebrate our friends and our earth through the magic and majesty of music.

Download poster in pdf below.

Download The Drummers Concert 11-10

'Going Green' at Grace Honesdale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Via email

For more information contact:
Danielle Hoffman
SEEDS Intern
SEEDS
570 352 2488
wbc.seeds@gmail.com
Grace Church in Honesdale

Members of Grace Church “Green Team” stand by the potted flowers on their Altar.

 

When you think of “going green” does the word “expensive” pop into your mind? One Wayne County church is demonstrating that saving energy and helping the planet doesn’t have to take a wad out of your wallet.  Grace Episcopal Church, located on 827 Church Street in Honesdale is participating in the pilot program, Wayne Businesses Conserve!, sharing steps they’ve taken to conserve energy, decrease their environmental footprint and save money.

Grace Episcopal Church practices all the basics of energy conservation, and in several cases they take their application of these practices a step further. For example, Grace Church proudly displays potted flowers on its Altar instead of freshly cut flowers. This might not sounds like a big deal, but think of the energy required to plant, grow, cut, transport and keep alive those freshly cut flowers only to have them wilt in a few days. It becomes easier to understand why potted flowers make so much sense. For a fraction of the energy (and cost!), potted flowers offer long lasting beauty, plus the added benefit of air purification.

RC Diocese of Scranton Bishop will preach at St. Luke's Scranton

The Right Reverend Paul V. Marshall
Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem
and the Rector and Congregation
of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church
cordially invite you to attend
A Choral Evensong for All Saints
at which Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera
Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton will preach

Sunday, November 7, 2010 at four o'clock in the afternoon

Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church
232 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

Traditional English Tea following

For more information: 570.342.7654 StLukesScranton@verizon.net

One Community/One Voice

A national day of mourning and solidarity for the LGBT community. Come together on November 12 at 6:15 p.m. at St Mary's Church in Reading and walk down Windsor to Centre Ave and then down Centre Ave to Calvary UCC where All Souls Church is hosting a 7:00 p.m. service of remembrance. The walk is less than a mile. No banners. No music. No rainbows. No stereotypes. No shouting. As a show of unity, please wear all black clothing. See poster below.

 

Diocesan Life for November 2010

Attached is the latest Diocesan Life for November, 2010. Remember, we love to get stories and pictures! If you have something you want featured, please contact Kat Lehman to discuss publication. Diocesan Life deadlines are posted on the calendar as well so you know when to get the stories in. For December's issue, we need the stories by November 2nd. The attached file is 2.7 MB in .pdf format.

Download November2010_DiocesanLifeSMALL

 

Acolyte Festival, Christ Church Reading to the National Cathedral

By David Feick
Verger, Christ Church, Reading

  On Friday afternoon, October 8, about 5:30 p.m., seven of our acolytes and six adults squeezed into a 15-passenger van and headed for the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.  Attending this event, the 31st annual Acolyte Festival, was the third time for Christ Church and was organized by the Verger, David Feick and his wife, Judith. In the past, several of the acolytes were at the 26th and the 27th annual festivals. The van was driven by Greg Allison and, along with David and Judith, included adult passengers Jim and Vickie Wilson and June Tull. Our team of acolytes was (oldest to youngest) Abigail Tull, Erica Allen, Milah Allison, Jonathan Allen, Bailey Allison and Veronica and Jacqueline Wilson. For Abigail this was her third time attending and for Erica and Milah, this was their second time.

The group arrived at the Hotel, a Marriott Residence Inn, about 9:00 p.m. and following Evening Prayer, enjoyed some pizza. After a good night’s rest and a Marriott complementary buffet breakfast, the group left for the Cathedral, about ten minutes away, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The van was packed and, in addition to personal luggage, the paraphernalia included two suitcases for banners, stands, crosses, torches and vestments. There was no room to spare! In addition to his excellent driving, Greg was the one who saw to it that everything fit.

 

 

Montrose Crafters Corner

[News Release from St. Paul's Montrose]

St. Paul’s Crafters Corner is back for another season with a move to the first Saturday of October, November and December. The event offers unique shopping opportunities through the original creations of area crafters and will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., commencing on October 2nd and returning on November 6th and December 4th.

New crafters will be joining some of the long standing favorites to further expand the variety of merchandise, with the list of participants growing each month.

Sister Patricia-Michael Hauze will make solemn profession

[From Mother Laura Howell]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

God willing, on the eve of the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Sr. Patricia-Michael Hauze will make her solemn profession as a solitary religious in the Diocese of Bethlehem.  Bishop Paul will receive her lifetime vows and will celebrate.  As a solitary, Sr. Patricia-Michael's community is the entire Diocese.  And part of her job in religion is to pray for us all.  We invite all the members of that community to come and support Sister as she takes this momentous step.  A monastic profession is rare these days, so we hope that you will be able to attend. 

Sr. Patricia Michael resides in Easton, and is the administrator at Trinity Easton.

The service will be at Trinity Bethlehem, September 28, 7:00 p.m. A reception follows.  Please pray for Sr. Patricia-Michael as she
prepares.

Hellertown welcomes new rector

[News Release from St. George's Hellertown]

St. George’s Welcomes New Rector 

On Thursday, October 14th, 2010 St. George’s Episcopal Church Hellertown will
have a “Celebration of New Ministry” with the institution of Father H. Jonathan
Mayo as rector.   The congregation and local clergy will gather for a special service at
7:00 P.M. that will include Holy Eucharist and a visit from the Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem, The Rt. Rev. Paul V. Marshall.

Father Jonathan is a native of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, and has returned to
Pennsylvania after a 30-year absence.  He has served parishes in California,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin, before coming to St George’s on August 1.  He had
previously served small churches, and therefore had a secular career in Information
Technology.  He graduated from Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, in 1975, and St
Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY, in 1980.  He has
immediate family living in the Lehigh Valley, the Pocono region, and St Louis, MO.  
 
In 2008, St. George’s celebrated 100 years of worship having been a part of the
Hellertown community since 1908.  Regular services are held on Sundays at 9:30
A.M. and Church School is offered for children ages 3-13 years old.