a diocesan bethlehemdiocesan life edition of episcopal vol ... · new dollars/new partners for your...

Hats for the Homeless from Lehigh Valley knitters and crocheters A4

INSIDE DIOCESAN LIFEGood Samaritan [Bishop Paul a2]new dollars/new Partners for your sacred place[a2]new supply priest for Susquehanna and new Milford [a2]Sudan: U. S. policy and new hope revisited [a3]Bishop Anthony Poggo to visit diocese [a3]hats for the homeless from Lehigh valley knitters

and crocheters [a4]Sounds Like fun [a4]After the construction ends, learning begins in Kajo Keji [a5]new Bethany and Grace Allentown plan group home[a5]ecw explores art with ron Miller[a6]it’s God calling [a6]diocesan training day, April 24 at St. Stephen’s, wilkes-Barre [a6]calendar/Prayer cycle [a7]

celebration of new Ministry at St. Paul’s, Montrose [a8]christophany [a8]

INSIDE EPISCOPAL NEWS MONTHLYcoverage of haiti earthquake...Archbishop of canterbury’s visit to new york...house of deputies president addresses church’s role in haiti...Pittsburgh judge orders property transfer to episcopal diocese...Bishop candidate slates for Ky, rio Grande, and AK

Vol. 1 No. 2, March 2010 ~ diobeth.org

a diocesan edition of episcopal

newsmonthly

Bethlehem lifediocesanBishop’s Bakery: All night food and funBy KiM rowLeS

For the first time in three years theYouth “day” with the Bishop returnedtotheDioceseandraisedapproximately$1,400fortheNewHopeCampaign.

OnFriday, January29into Satur-day,January30 youthfromalloverthe diocesespent qualitytime with Bish-opPaulMarshallat theChurchofthe Good Shep-herd in Scranton.Youth and Chap-erones started ar-riving around 6:00p.m. and spent theearly part of theevening entertain- ing oneanotherwiththeirtalents,skits,songs,dances, and walk-on shtick. Therewere moments of heartfelt sincerity,spontaneity,humor,andhonesty.Ittooksometimetowarmupthecrowd,bute v e n -t u a l l ye v e r y -one wascomfortableand therewas moretalent onstagethanweknew what todo with. Manythanks to theyouth who over-came their jitters to show ustheir talents! For nearly two hours theyouth entertained one another. Ataround 9:00 p.m. Bob Halligan Jr.and Liz Strobel from Ceili Raintook the stageandperformed someof their numbers including Stomp.They also helped to prepare the groupforworship.FormoreinformationaboutCeili Rain please visit their web site athttp://www.ceilirain.com/andtoseesomeoftheirperformancesvisittheDioceseofBethlehem’sYouTubeaccount.Itwasagreatperformance.

WhenBobandLizfinishedtheirset,theyouthwerebrokenintogroupsandleadintothedarkenedsanctuarywherewe had a candle-lit midnight

Eucharist. The readings,prayers and acolytes wereyouth from the north,central and southernpartsofthediocese.Forme the most movingpartoftheeveningwasduring the prayersof the people ledby Annika McGuirkand Philip Sherrerwhentheyouthwereinvited to pray fortheirconcernsaloudorintheirhearts. Icould see Christ’s

light in every one ofthem reflected in candle-lit faces.

Youth filled the choir and overflowedontothefloorinthefrontofthestalls while the chaperones sat

mostlyinthefirsttworowsofthechancel.

TheBishopsatwiththeyouthandspoketothemabout call and talent,explaining that often-times what one is todo isnotwhatothersexpect of you. Heshared abouthow his auntanduncle tookhimouton their yacht toshowhimexactlywhathe

wouldbemissingifhebecameapriest.HealsotalkedaboutCorinthandhowitwasthe“Chicago”oftheancientworld;ithadenoughofapopulationtobe problematic, and there was enough

jealousyandcontemptinthepeopletowarrant Paul writing about the neces-sityofalltalentsinthekingdomofGod.AfterEucharist thebowlingalleywasopen until 3:00 a.m., the grand hall

wasopenuntil4:00a.m.,andeveryonewasup

and at ’em b y7:00a.m.forcleanup,break- fastandheadingoutintotheworldtoshareourlightandtalents.

A very special thank you to themembersoftheChurchoftheGoodShepherd in Scranton, especiallyWarren and Pam Shotto. You areby far the most hospitable parish Ihave ever come into contact with;few parishes would allow 45 youthto take over their church for 15hours!Kudostoyou.

[Kim Rowles is youth ministry coordinator for the Diocese of Bethlehem.]

Youth show off their talent.

Liz Strobel’s amazing barefoot drumwork.

Youth at candlelight midnight Eucharist.

PhotoS thiS Page by Kat lehman

Bowling was a highlight of the night.

12 days of ChristmasBy Jo trePAGnier

ParishionersoftheDioceseofBethlehemcontributedtowardthe2ndAnnualTwelveDays of Christmas project with incrediblegenerosityandcompassion.Weraisedjustunder $16,000 toward the purchase ofitemsfortheSudaneseEpiscopalschoolsand parishes. The funds for most giftshave been transferred and items arebeing purchased locally and distrib-uted.SchoolsareclosedinJanuaryandwillreopenwithmanyofthesenewgiftsavailableforstudent’sfirstday.Fivesolarradios purchased in Pennsylvania, weredeliveredtoKajoKejibyTheVeryRev.Anthony Pompa and Ray Arcario todetermine how well they work in thissecludedpartoftheworld.HighSchoolScholarship fundswillbemadeavailableoncestudentsapplyandwehavereceivedrecordsfromtheirschools.Ourtotalgiftsasofmid-Januaryare:

17 Solar Lanterns; 20 High SchoolScholarships;21SolarRadios;22WoodenTables; 122 Soccer Uniforms; 50 JumpRopes;119MetersofFabric(forSchoolUniforms);23WoodenChairs;37SoccerBalls;29Hoes;19NetBalls;and29Bikes.

Ifyouwouldstillliketohelp,wehadtwo items that were grossly undercontributedto:socceruniformsandfabric. Again thank you for yourgenerosity and if you are able tofurther support this project, pleasemakeachecktotheDioceseofBethlehemwithanotationof12DaysofChristmas–socceruniformsorfabric.

Editor’s Note: this is the month of Lent and many people have asked why the tragedy is so great in haiti. episcopal relief and development has a wonderful daily meditation via email you can subscribe to and canon Anne Kitch has gathered a number of resourc-es for Lent in her most recent informa-tion enewsletter. we have also posted links to other materials for you on our Lenten resources page which can be found on the web site at http://www.diobeth.org/Ministries/christian%20formation/cf_Lentenresources.html. Please check back frequently as we add to that page.

www.diobeth.org Live God’s love: tell what you have seen and heard www.diobeth.org

A2 diocesanlife March 2010

THE ANGLICAN COMMUNIONAfreelychosenglobal fellowshipofchurches incommunionwithoneanotherandwiththeSeeofCanterburyinEngland,some80millionpeoplein38self-governingchurchesinmorethan160countries.www.anglicancommunion.org

Archbishop of Canterbury TheMostRev.RowanWilliamsLambethPalaceLondon,EnglandSE17JU

EpiscopalSeat:CanterburyCathedralwww.archbishopofcanterbury.org

diocesanlifeTheDioceseofBethlehemeditionofEpiscopalNewsMonthly,the newspaper of the Episcopal Church. Copy deadline is thesecondMondayoftheprecedingmonth.OpinionsexpresseddonotnecessarilyrepresentthoseoftheBishoportheDioceseofBeth-lehem.Sendarticlesandletterstotheeditor.Co-Editors:KatLehman,[email protected],[email protected]#177-940ispub-lishedmonthlybyTheDomestic&ForeignMissionarySociety,Inc.,815SecondAvenue,NewYork,NY10017.PeriodicalpostagepaidinNewYork,NYandadditionalmailingoffices.POSTMASTER:Sendchangeof address toEpiscopal NewsMonthly,POBox2050,VoorheesNJ08043-8000.Tochangesubscriptionaddresses,contact:EpiscopalNewsMonthlyCirculation Department, PO Box 2050, Voorhees NJ 08043-8000,[email protected],800-374-9510.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH One of 38 self-governing national churcheswithin the worldwide Anglican Communion,2.4 million members in 7,679 congregations in110diocesesintheU.S.(95),MexicoandCentralAmerica.www.episcopalchurch.org

Presiding BishopTheMostRev.KatharineJeffertsSchoriEpiscopalChurchCenter815SecondAvenue•NewYork,NY10017212-716-6000•800-334-7626

EpiscopalSeat:TheWashingtonNationalCathedralwww.episcopalchurch.org/pb

THE DIOCESE OF BETHLEHEMThe Episcopal Church in eastern and north-eastern PA, 63 churches in 14 counties: Berks,Bradford,Carbon,LackawannaLebanon,Lehigh,Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkil,Susquehanna,WayneandWyoming.www.diobeth.orgBishopTheRt.Rev.PaulV.Marshallbpoffice@diobeth.orgAssistant BishopTheRt.Rev.JohnP.CronebergerArchdeaconTheVen.HowardStringfellowarchdeacon@diobeth.org333WyandotteSt.•Bethlehem,18015610-691-5655•800-358-5655

Before turning to my topic this month, I need to thank so many of you. Throughout the Diocese, compassionate response to the earthquake in Haiti has been prompt, gen-erous, and very creative. Concerts, dinners, and special offerings are just a few of the ways our parishes have supported the efforts of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) in Haiti. Many of you have given directly over the internet at er-d.org, and that avenue is always open to us whenever we want to use it. (Mark 14:7).

Deeper in LentLentistrulyuponus,andaswemove

deeper into the spiritual journey thatis our annual pilgrimage, perspectivechanges.AsIthinkabouttheresponsetoHaitiinaLentencontext,thequestionofservingthoseinneedseemslessaquestionof“doingtherightthing”thanaquestionofourbasicattitude toward lifeandourowndevelopmentaspersons.

Consideringourcompassionateresponsetootherstakesustothedeepestplacesofourownhearts.

DecadesagoIknewasocialworkerwhostruggledwiththefactthatsomanyofherclientsseemedtohertobeundeservingofassistance.Asayoungidealist,Ifoundherwordsdifficulttohear.Ididnotsufficientlyrealize that theywere alsodifficult to say,and I couldhavebeenmore sympathetic.ThemoreIhaveobservedinmyselfandothersover theyears, themore Ihave

Alw

ays

and

Ever

ywhe

re Itisrightand

agoodandjoyfulthingalwaysand

everywheretogivethanks.

By BiShoP PAUL v. MArShALL

The Good Samaritan: More than caring, crossing boundariesbecomeawareofhowmuchpeopledodecide about who is deserving. Thisperson was taking the risk of owninguptoit.

As I recall that encounter and howrepresentative“limitedlove”isofatleasta part of the human condition, I quitenaturally think of its religious counter-part.ChristianityisaboveallaboutGod’slovefortheundeserving,itsteachingthatlove cannot by definition be earned. IrememberJesus’ taleoftheGoodSa-maritan (Luke10:25-37),who crossedracialand religiousboundariesoutofcompassion for someone who almostcertainlydespisedhim.

Have a HeartTheGoodSamaritanstoryisdescribed

asaparable,oneoftheapparentlysimplestoriesJesususestoteachusdeeptruths.WhetherornotitcamefromastoryJesusknewpersonally,wearenottold,butwiththeGoodSamaritanstoryJesusteachesthatitisuptoustochoosetobeneighborstothoseinneed.Hetellsthestoryinresponsetotwoquestions,“WhatmustIdotoinheriteternal life,” (love God and neighbor)and“Justwhoismyneighbor?”

AseverychildinSundaySchoolknows,those questions were asked by someonewho wanted religion to vindicate him,not stimulate him. He was hoping for apat on the back, not expecting Jesus toopenthefrontiersofhisspirituality.

Let’stakethatnewpossibilityseriously.WedotheNewTestamentsomethingofa disservice by immediately moralizingfrom the story of the Good Samaritan,that is, using it simply to demonstratethat we ought to care for others. That

was already in the law. Jesus is goingforsomethingdeeper.

HetellsaverytouchystoryabouttheSamaritan,whowemight sayhadeveryrighttolookattheIsraeliteintheditchand say “those people” have it comingandcontinueonhisway.Itisalsoastoryabout an injured Israelite who probablywould have preferred to be rescued byanybodyelseandhadtotakelovewherehefoundit.Or,whereitfoundhim.Thestoryisadramaofcrossingboundaries.

When Jesus asks his interviewer toconsider that there are no limits tolove, he draws him to a place wherethisholyseasonisgoing,thecross.Ifheisatalllikeus,somethingintheSa-maritanhad todie forhimto reachoutto thisparticularvictim. Through whatmaybeadifficultextensionofourselvesforothers,ourlovegrows.

IrecallthejoyandfunwithwhichImademyfirsttwocontributionstoNewHope.The thirdwasmore routine.AsI prepare to make the fourth, the dis-cipline of doing so is making me a bitstrongerasaperson.Isuspectyouhavediscoveredthesamething.

ERD SundayIn response to General Convention’s

request,wewillsetasideaspecialSundayto focusontheworkofEpiscopalReliefand Development. Our convention hasdesignatedtheFourthSundayinLentforthiseffort.Thisyear thatwillbeMarch

Considering our compassionate

response to others takes us to the deepest places of our own hearts

14. Idon’t seethisasan interruptionofLent,butasawayoffocusingononeaspectofourcalltofollowJesus.

The fourth of the Lenten Sundays ishistoricallyabout refreshingourselves inthe midst of the discipline of the fortydays.BywelcomingERDintothethemesoftheday,wealsodeepenourawarenessofouropportunitiestorefreshothersinveryconcreteways.Welovebecausewehavebeenloved,andgrowasaresult.

New Dollars/New Partners for your sacred place

In 2008, Bishop Paul Marshalland Diocesan Council approved aworking relationship with Philadel-phia based Partners for Sacred Places:www.sacredplaces.org.

Thisyearwehaveplannedfour,alldaySaturday training sessions with thePartnersforSacredPlaces.Thetrainingdayswillbeapartofanoverallcapitalproject endeavor for the twelve to fif-teenparisheswhowillparticipate.

BishopPaulhasmadegenerous schol-arships available for up to nine parisheswho qualify, while six parishes will paythefull$2,000fee.Eachparishwillsendoneclergyanduptothreelayleadersto

By John frAnciS the trainings, which will take place atthe Church of the Good Shepherd inScrantononApril10,17,June19andSeptember11.

Inbetweenthetrainingsessions,eachparishwillworkbycommitteeontheirassignments to develop dollar amountvalues to their in-houseoutreach/commu-nityservicemissionministriesandtheirprospective capital project needs andresources.

Mostoftheslotshavebeentakenbutafewremainifanyparishisinterested.Pleasecontact Ely Valentin at Diocesan Houseifyouwould likemore information,orFr.John Francis at Christ Episcopal Church,Reading,assoonaspossible.

New supply priest for Susquehanna and New MilfordChristChurchSusquehannaandSt.Mark’s

New Milford have welcomed Father RandyWebster to leadworship servicesand toas-sist local church leaders in revitalizing theirmissionsandpresenceinthegreatercommunity.Webster,whowasordainedin2006,andservedas assistant rector in Belleville, New Jersey,celebrated his first Sunday at bothchurchesonJanuary24.

Senior Wardens Jim Yeich at St. Mark’sandToddMoffettatChristChurchsaidthechurcheslookforwardtoWebster’senthusi-astic leadership, talents and experience.Webster’s work in community outreach,Yeichsaid,isa“naturalfit”withNewMil-ford’s monthly “Good News Lunch” andthesupportbothchurchesgivetotheOaklandfoodbank,aswellastheirhostingoftheAmeri-canLegion’s“Coats for theCommunity”dis-tribution of free winter coats. Yeich andMoffett said that local Episcopalians areparticularly pleased with Father Webster’sinterestand lifeexperience in small townandruralchurches,asshownbyhisrootsinruralIowaandpriorfamiliaritywithnorth-easternPennsylvania.

Originally fromBurlington, Iowa,Webster’sfirst love was music. He earned a degree inorgan performance and choral conductingfrom Coe College, Cedar Rapids. Websterlater foundacallingtoministryandearnedhisMasterofDivinitydegreeinpastoralmusicfromBexleyHall,formerlyanEpiscopalsemi-narylocatedinRochester,NewYork,throughaprogramthatcombinedabasictheologi-caleducationwithamusicalonecenteredatTheEastmanConservatory.

FatherWebsterbringsvariedlifeexperienceswithhiminadditiontohisacademictraining.He served as organist and choir director forchurchesinvariousmainlinedenominationsforalmost40years.DuringhiselevenyearserviceatChristChurchinNewJersey,hehelpedtooverseevariousoutreachprojects.Heservedasexecutivedirectorofaprogramthatdistributedbagsofpaperandpersonalcareproductstoin-dividualsandfamiliesonpublicassistance,andoftheMaryandMarthaSoupKitchenwhichservedthreeweeklymealstothecommunity.

Christ Church is located on West Main Street in Susquehanna near the bridge. St. Mark’s is located in New Milford at 115 Main Street (Route 11).


March 2010 diocesanlife A3

Sudan: U. S. Policy and New Hope revisited[The Ven. Howard Stringfellow is Archdeacon for the Diocese of Bethlehem and supply priest for Good Shepherd Scranton. This article appeared on the Diobeth newSpin blog on February 2, 2010.]Two missioners returned to the

DioceseofBethlehemfromtheDioceseofKajo-Kejiafewdaysago.DeanAnthonyR.PompaandSeniorWardenRaymondArcario of the Cathedral Church oftheNativity inBethlehemhaveseenandheardfirst-handwhatlifeislikefor our brothers and sisters in ourcompaniondiocese.

Seeing, in fact, is believing. Just readingor hearing the words about Sudancannot alone convey the grim cir-cumstances in which the Christiansin Kajo-Keji remain faithful and evenoptimistic.Theirliveswriteastorymoreoffaithandhopethanofpovertyandwarthoughpovertyandwartoucheachoftheirlives. FromBishopPaulandDiana’svisitto Kajo-Keji in January, 2005, until now,the faith of the people in Sudan hasinspired and encouraged us to supportthem with the means we have and todraw from them something of theirexceptional example. The consistentreport of all the missioners to Kajo-KejifromBethlehemhasbeenthattheirfaithisremarkable,enviable,anddeeplymoving.

In January several relief organiza-tions published “Rescuing the Peace inSouthernSudan.”(Readthereporthere:http://www.oxfam.org/en/policy/rescu-ing-peace-southern-sudan.) It statesunequivocally the depravity of theimpoverishment inwhichoursistersandbrothersliveandremainfaithful:

“The region’s development indicatorsareatthebottomofthescale.Apregnantwoman in southern Sudan has a greaterchance of dying from pregnancy-relatedcomplications thanawomanalmostany-where else in the world. Around 90 percentofsouthernSudanesewomencannotread or write. Half the population doesnot have access to safe drinking water.Southern Sudan suffers a crippling dis-easeburdenwithhyper-endemicmalaria,meningitis, cholera, and haemorrhagicfever. Inmanyrural locations,childrenlackschools,peoplearechronicallymal-nourished,andittakesdaystowalktothenearesthealthcentre.”

Moreover alongside poverty thepeople of Sudan continue to absorbthe consequences of war. In 2005,the Comprehensive Peace Agreement(CPA) brought to a conclusion thelongest running war in Africa. TheCPA brought together Sudan’s centralgovernmentandtheSudanesePeople’sLiberation Movement (SPLM), andendedabrutalcivilwarthatkilledtwomillionpeopleanddisplaced fourmil-lionothers.TheCPAbroughtgainsforSouthern Sudan including the estab-lishmentoftheGovernmentofSouth-ern Sudan (GOSS), improvements insecurity, the return of many displacedpersons, and the expansion of com-merce,markets,andtrade.

January9was thefifth anniversaryoftheCPA.Markingtheoccasionthedaybefore,SecretaryofStateHillaryRodhamClinton said, “Since 2005, the ceasefirehas, for the most part, held. NortherntroopshavepulledoutoftheSouthandanewgovernmentofnationalunitywasformedinKhartoum.Aregionalgovern-

mentofSouthernSudanwascreated inJuba. Oil wealth has been shared withtheSouth.Thepartieshavemadeprog-ressonsomeofthedisputedborderareasof Abyei and have passed legislation toprepareforelectionsandthe2011refer-endaofself-determination.”

ByreferringtothenationalelectionsinAprilandthereferenduminJanuary,2011,Secretary Clinton pointsto the significanceof thenexttwelvemonthstothepeopleofSudan.Indeed,the next year withoutquestion is extremelyimportant. The CPAcalls for a number ofkey accomplishmentsin the six-year interimperiod before the refer-endum.Bymanyreportsthis implementation isfarbehindschedule.TheNorthandSouthenterthefinalyearwithanumberofpoints of controversy onthehorizon.

In April Sudan will hold the first freegeneralelectionsince1986.TheSudanesewill elect a president of the republic andthefederalparliamentaswellasgovernorsfortheregionalstatesandmembersoftheirchambers.TheSouthwillelectapresidentfor GOSS and members of the regionalparliamentthatsitsinJuba.

In January of next year, the SouthwillvoteonwhethertoremainpartofaunitedSudanorsecede.Thedemarca-tionoftheoil-richNorth-SouthborderandtheexactdivisionofoilandotherrevenuesbetweentheNorthandSouthstill escape agreement. They are todrawthethirteenhundredmileborderbetweentheirregionsthisyear,amostdelicateissuebecauseofthesignificantoilreservesinthearea.

Alongside Secretary Clinton, SpecialEnvoytoSudanScottGrationsaid,“We’realsovery concerned about the security inthe South. You’ve all seen the numbers.Thetrendisup,andwe’reveryconcernedthatthesecurityissues,thetribalfighting,the inter-community conflicts that aretaking place, could be factors that makeit more difficult to implement the Com-prehensivePeaceAgreementand,iftheSouth chooses to secede, will make itmoredifficulttobirththatnation.”

General Gration’s comments are in-structive. Not every attack, not everyact of violence raises the specter of thebreakdownoftheCPA.Muchviolenceistribal,andmuchviolenceisbetweensoutherners unprovoked by outsiders.Muchoftheviolencewouldprobablyoccur if the issues surrounding theCPA,thenationalelections,andthereferendum were settled. A lack ofsecurity, however, for whatever reasonremainsalackofsecurity.

By several reports the National Secu-rity Council Deputies Committee met inWashington on January 22 for the firstof its quarterly meetings to review theprogress of the new policy of theUnited States toward Sudan, an-

nounced in October. Membersof thegroupareTomDonilon,DeputyNationalSecurityAdvisor;MichèleFlournoy,Un-derSecretaryofDefenseforPolicy;StuartLevy,UnderSecretaryof theTreasury forTerrorismandFinancialIntelligence;EricaBarks-Ruggles, Deputy to the PermanentRepresentativeoftheU.S.totheUnitedNations; and JimSteinberg,Deputy Sec-

retary of State. Themeetingtodiscussnextsteps in the policytoward Sudan wasconfidential. Wide-spread, however, arehopes that PresidentObama will increasepressure on Sudan toproduce meaningfulprogress toward peace.ObserversinSudanandthe United States askhow firm the UnitedStates will be towardSudan should the plansfor elections in April orfor the referendumearlynextyearstall.

Meanwhile,theDioceseofBethlehempursues its mission in Kajo-Keji. NewHope’sconstructioncontinuesatagoodpace. The Gaderu Primary School,the second of five primary schools tobe built by New Hope, consisting oftwo four-classroom blocks, has beensubstantially completed. Remainingonlyarethefinalcoatofpaintandthecleaningoftheconstructionsite. TheexpecteddateofcompletionisFebruary15,accordingtoStephenTomorKenyiwhocoördinatesNewHopeprojectsinKajo-KejifortheDioceseofBethlehem.

Materials began arriving at the con-struction siteof theLiwoloSchoolonJanuary25. Liwolo,thethirdofthefiveprimary schools, like Gaderu, will beconstructed of two four-classroomblocks.

Phase4of theCanonBenaiahPoggoCollege,constructionoftheKitchenandDiningHall,hasprogressedtothepointofthepouringoftheslab.

TheDioceseofBethlehemhastakenasitsproper shareofour relationshipwiththeDioceseofKajo-Kejitheconstructionof theCollegeandfiveprimary schools.NewHopeisourbestanswertothemate-rialimpoverishmentofKajo-Keji.Ihaveno answer for the steadfast faith of thepeople of Kajo-Keji except to pray thatminewillbeableonedaytomatchit.

’Twaseverthus.Frommyfirstvisitin2006untilnow,thefaithoftheSudanesehas moved me very deeply. In January,2007,whileinKajo-Keji,Iwasgiventhegracetowriteinmydiary:

“ThouInoticed itfirst, theeconomicand infrastructural situation, however,failstobethechiefcharacteristicofthepeople. That honor belongs to theirdeep and yet (in every positive way)superficial faith in JesusChrist. Everymeeting begins with earnest spontaneousprayer, and every small speech and wordofwelcomebeginswith ‘Praise theLord!’They mean it: by their own report JesusChristhassavedthemfromsomanythingsother thanmerelyexistentialones. Theyhavebeensavedfromwarandtheremnantsof war, brief incursions and hostilities fromtheirenemies,andlandminesthatarestillbeingdecommissionedby theUnitedNa-tions.Everyday’sactivitiesconcludewitha Scriptural reflection that invariablysewsacredibleconnectionbetweenGod’srevelation and the dusty dutieseach person cannotbutundertaketosurvive.

“The people of Kajo-Keji proudlyidentify themselves as your and mybrothersandsisters,unitedasonefamily,asCanonHenryLejusaidingreetingus,‘bythesacredbloodofJesusChrist.’Heandotherscouldfind, iftheywished,somany things todistinguishus. Instead,he chose the Thing that unites us fortimeandforeternity.”

By ArchdeAcon howArd StrinGfeLLow

Bishop Anthony Poggo to visit Diocese of Bethlehem

municationandpublishingdirector, and,most recently,executivedirector.Hehasministeredsincethattimealsoasattachedclergy to St. Luke’s in Kenyatta (part ofAllSaintsCathedral inNairobi,Kenya).Hehasabachelor’sdegreeinpublicad-ministrationandmanagement,amaster’sdegreeinbiblicalstudies,andanMBA.HeisfluentinspokenandwrittenEnglishandBari,fairinspokenArabicandKishwahili,and has a working knowledge of biblicalHebrewandGreek.

BishopAnthonyPoggoisscheduledtovisitourdiocesethefirstweekofMarch.Although Bishop Anthony’s primarypurpose is to meet with Bishop Paul,there will be a number of opportuni-ties for members of the diocese tomeet Bishop Anthony while he ishere.BishopAnthonywillvisitwiththeclergyatseveralclergyBiblestudies,meetwiththeyouthandWorldMissionCommission members, and attend ser-vices at St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral,Wilkes-BarreaswellasChurchoftheRedeemer,inSayre.Forafullschedule,please see our newSpin blog at: www.diobeth.typepad.com.

Born1964inKajoKeji,BishopAnthonyDangasukPoggoismarriedtoJaneBasaNamurye. They have three children:Grace,FaithandJoy.Ordainedapriest,1996, he has worked with ACROSS, aChristian aid and relief organization inSudan, Kenya and Uganda, in severalcapacities, including coordinator, com-

Photo by howard Stringfellow



Sounds like fun

Lehigh Valley knitters and crocheters make Hats for the Homeless a sucessBy dAvid howeLL

It’sheadsupforHatsfortheHomeless,as Lehigh Valley knitters and crochetersrespondtotheneedyduringcoldweather.JoAnneTurcotte, ownerofTheKnitter’sEdgeinBethlehem,saidthatknittershavehad a long history of public service. Shenotedtherecentactivity incaps forche-motherapypatients,andforhelmetlinersfor U.S. solders serving overseas. DuringWorldWarsIandII,handicraftersdidtheirpartincreatingwarmitemsthatremindedthetroopsofhome.

Sincehershophadonlyopenedafewmonths earlier, Turcotte missed doingany charity work for Christmas. WhenJanuary came, she said, “I’ve gotta dosomething.”Heroriginal“challenge” tothe knitting community, a goal of onehundred hats, was met within a week.Right before the end of the challengeonFebruary2,shehad498.TheycomefromaThursdayafternooncharitygroupthatknitsattheshop,andfromoutsidegroupsandindividuals.

Saturday afternoon is a busy time atKnitter’s Edge, with customers bustlinginandclassesgoingoninvariousrooms.Theyoungesthatmaker,Maria,cameinforavisit.Maria’s grandmother teachesattheshop,andbeganknittingwithhergranddaughter when the youngster wasfiveyearsold.

Nownine,Marianotonlyknitshatsbutdesignedherownhatpattern.Maria’shatpatternisavailableforfreeatthestore,as

is heavily discounted yarn for those whowanttoparticipateinmakingHatsfortheHomeless,orothercharityknitprojects.

TheThursday3:30p.m.charitygrouporiginally began by making prayerbeads under the leadership of GabrieleWhittier,associate foradministrationatTrinityEpiscopalChurchinBethlehem.Lookingforadditionalactivitiesto help thecommunity,the groupbegan knit-ting andcrochetingabout twoyears ago.Theydiscov-ered needssuchasprayershawls, capsfor chemo-t h e r a p yp a t i e n t sandincubatorbabyblanketsforareahos-pitals.ThegroupmovedtoKnitter’sEdgeinspring2009whenitbecametoolargeforherhome.Anywhere fromfour tofifteenpeoplemeetweeklyinthecurrentgroup,andtheycountabout65ontheirlist.

Information about the group’schemo cap activities can be found athttp://articles.mcall.com/2009-03-21/news/4334875_1_cancer-patients-caps-american-cancer-society

Another knitting program which hasbeenongoingintheValleyistheAnnualBlueScarfDrivefortheChildAdvocacyCenter of Lehigh County. Theprogramwill also accept mittens, hats, and otheritems fordistribution to childrenat localschools.OnSaturday, January30,aknit-tingcirclethathadcontributedbluescarves

droppedoff some40 hatsfor thehomeless,whilethegroup atKnitter’sE d g ehas beenm a k i n gs c a r v e sand do-n a t i n gyarn tothe BlueS c a r fp e o p l e .“It’s a

closeknitcommunity—punintended,”saidoneoftheknitters.

Lois Tarbell was also at the shop onSaturday. She is in a prayer shawlknitting group centered at EpworthUnited Methodist Church. For more in-formation,[email protected].

One of the charity knitting group’smost exciting developments is acquir-ingpermissiontobeaCommunitySer-

vice project for the Bethlehem AreaSchool District. Between three and sixstudents are knitting hats and scarves.Project leader Mother Laura Howellfrom Trinity Bethlehem feels thatalthough it is great for kids to learnthe creative skills, there should alsobe an educational component. InJanuary, Sara Klingner, administra-tor of the Nurse-Family Partnershipspoke to the group about its programswithyoungmomsandnewbabies.Thegroupisalsomakingcaps fortoddlers.InFebruary, a representativeof theChild Advocacy Center will bespeaking to the group about theirstrategytoaddresschildabuse.Andincidentally,collectingscarvesthatarebeingcreatedforthem.

In the Diocese of Bethlehem, therehas long been a Christmas at Seaprogram, where people knit hats andscarvesformariners.

Distribution of Hats for the Homeless isbeinghandledthroughTrinityBethlehem.AlargeboxofhatswillbegoingtoTrinityEaston fordistribution,andtovariousother soup kitchens, shelter sites, andfood pantries such as the PennsylvainaAvenue Interfaith Food Bank. Smallhats will go to Nurse-Family Partnershipfor their children. For more informationon the project contact Mother Laura [email protected].

[Dave Howell of Trinity Bethlehem is a freelance writer who volunteers his time and talent for Dioc-esan Life.]

Photo by Kat lehman

Local knitters and crocheters celebrate the gathering of hats for the homeless.

By JAnine UnGvArSKyfor the Times Leader, wiLKeS-BArre

Tenkidsjiggledandwiggled.Somegotup from their seats and danced aroundtheroom.Theybangedthingstogether.Theyclappedandevensangoutloud—allwhile theirmomsbeamedand theirteachercheeredthemon.

The tykeswere atTrinityEpiscopalChurch for the very first local classof a national music program calledMusic Together. Touted as “music andmovement classes for infants, toddlers,

preschoolersandthegrown-upswholovethem,” the first of a series of ongoing10-weeksessionsbegantwoweeksago.

The first class started out looking abitlikeanEasteregghunt.KidseagerlycrowdedaroundthebasketheldbyteacherMaryRoseRickenbachtotakeaperiwinkleblue egg-shaped rattle, something eventhe little 8-month-old music makersknew how to play. Some shook theireggsfromthesafetyofmom’slap.OthersjoinedRickenbach’schorusof“biddiebiddiebumbumbadumpadum’s.”AfewheldontothoseeggslongafterRickenbachhadmomsandkidsmarchingaroundinacirclesinging“RiggityJigandAwayWeGo!”

“Ohyes,yes!”criedNathanSutton,2, when Rickenbach brought out thebasket of rhythm sticks. The stickswere a big hit with most of the kids,whodelightedinbangingthemtogetherandtestingoutthesoundstheymadewhen they hit the floor or tappedmom’sleg.

According toRickenbach,who retiredlastJuneafter36yearsteachingelementa-ryschool,testingoutthesoundsisexactlythepointofaMusicTogetherclass.“It’snotaprogramtoteachyouhowtoplayaninstrument,” she said. “It’s really amusicprogrambasedonlearningtoenjoymusicand hear the rhythm patterns. It’s aboutlearningthatmusicisfun.”

Kids and their grown-ups also get asongbook with activities to enjoy at

home and two copiesofasongCD—oneforthe house and one forthecar.Thegrown-upsareactiveclasspartici-pants, dancing withkids in their arms andsingingalong.

Itwashisownexperi-ence that led The Rev.JohnMajortobringtheprogram to Trinity. Hesaid when he and wifeSandyvisittheirniecestheybecomepartof the girls’ lives in every way—includingattendingMusicTogetherclasses.“Seeingtheir delight in making music that dayand experiencing the making of mu-sic with them convinced us that everychild, parent, grandparent our aunt orunclewholovesthemshouldn’tmissoutonthisexperience,”Majorsaid.

But Major discovered that althoughtheprogramispopularinotherareasofthecountry,theclosestclasswasatleastan hour away from here. “One of ourtasksasaparishis toassesscommunityneedsandrespondinahelpfulwayifwecan,”Majorsaid.HegotgrantsfromtheEpiscopal Appalachian Ministries andThe Episcopal Diocese of BethlehemandsentRickenbachtoScarsdale,N.Y.,for four days of training so the churchcouldbecomeanaccreditedsitefortheprogram.

“WhenI’mshakingapairofmaracasor tapping a tambourine or singing asongwithmy4-year-oldnieceI’mveryhappy and she is, too,” Major said,notingthatbuildspositivefamilyex-periences and good memories. “Thisiswhatwewantforourparticipants:somethingmemorable,formativeandsomething that keeps us together—theexperiencecalledmusic.”

That was exactly what broughtKingstonresidentMelanieDamicoandher15-month-olddaughterSamanthatotheclass.“ShelovesmusicandsodoI,”DamicosaidasSamanthastoodonthecolorfulfloormat,holdinghereggrattleandbouncingandshakingherdiaperedbottomtothemusic’srhythm.“Iwantedustolearnsomenewsongs,meetsomenewkidsandhavefun.Thisisgreat.It’sperfect.”

Nathan Johnston, 2, has his hands full with percussion instruments during Music Together at Trinity Episcopal Church in West Pittston.

Jessica Kolinovsky plays an egg-shaped rattle with her 8-month-old daughter

PhotoS by aimee dilger, timeS leader



After the construction ends, learning begins

New Bethany and Grace Allentown plan group home

By chArLie BAreBo

AttheCollegeandourRomogiNewHopeSchoolthedustissettlingandthelearningisbeginning.Thus farwehavereportedpri-marilyonconstructionactivitiesandsomeofthesignificantchangesourbrothersandsisters have seen in the Diocese of KajoKeji.Thesebuildingsareavehicletolearning.Let’stakeaminuteandreviewwhattypeofprogramiscurrentlybeingofferedatthecollegeaswellasplansforthefuture.

The primary program at the CanonBenaiahPoggoCollege is a three-yearcourseintheology.Thisisdoneinprepa-rationforordination.Thegraduateoftheprogram isawarded acertificate.The CollegeBoard thenmakes aseries ofrecommen-d a t i o n s .T h e s ei n c l u d ew h a ttype ofordainedministry thestudent isbest suitedfor:aretheyreadyforaparishordotheyneedtoworkwithexperiencedclergyforatime?Thisrecommendation is confidentiallygiven to the Bishop, correspondingArchdeaconandthecandidate.

There are ten students scheduledfor ordination in 2011 when this firstgroupreceivestheircertificates.InMayadiplomaprogramwillstart.Theologycourses are currently offered. InFeb-ruaryeducationandcommunitydevelop-mentcoursesaretobeadded.InMaytheprogramwillberoundedoutwiththead-ditionofbusinessadministrationcourses.

ManyofthepriestsinKajoKejihavenothadthebenefitofformaltraininginseminary.Concurrentwiththecertificateprogramaremedialprogramisbeingof-fered for priestswhohavenot attendedseminary. The remedial program is athree-yearprogram.Theprogramisbasedonathree-monthsetofcoursesforthreeconsecutiveyears.

Agroupof21priests started in2008,whileasecondgroupof23startedin2009.Bishop Anthony states this has been avery popular program with the priestsdue to the curriculum and the lengthof courses. The parishes are happy to

lose theirpriests foronly threemonths ayear andthestudentsare over-joyed withthe oppor-tunity foreducation.Studentagesrange fromlate twentiesto the six-ties in ther e m e d i a l

program.

TheGovernmentofSouthernSudanhasand is continuing to assess the college.Criteriatheyassessarethebuildings,infrastructure, teacher qualificationsand curriculum. TheGoSSMinisterofEducationhaswrittena letteraccreditingthecollege.Thegovernmentiswork-ing to raise funds for scholarshipstothecollege.

TheRev.HenryLejuhas approachedthe Association of Ugandan ChristianColleges for accreditation or affiliation.The demands for affiliation are high,sixtypercentof tuitions andcomplete

c o n t r o lover thecurriculum.CurrentlytheDioceseofKajoKejic a n n o tafford thef i n a n c i a lcosts nordoes itwish togive upacademiccontrol ofthecollege.

It is am i r a c l ethat todaya function-ing collegeexiststhatwasjustadreamtwoandahalfyearsago.Outofthetinyacornthemightyoak does grow. While there are stillchallenges ahead, given the obstacleswe (bothhere and inKajoKeji)havefaced,Ifeelconfidentwewillsucceed.

Shortly after Henry Leju shared theinfo that was the basis of this articlehecollapsed.HewastakentotheKajoKejiInfirmarywherehewasdiagnosedwitha seriousbut treatablecondition.Iaskyourprayersfor him and allinvolved at thecollege: staff,students andmanagement. Iwill prepare afollowupon thetwo operationalprimary schoolsand a look atthe two underconstruction forthe next issue ofDiocesan Life.

[CEO of Otterbine Barebo, Inc, Charlie

Barebo is chair of the New Hope Campaign,

a member of Diocesan Council, the World

Mission Committee and Development

Officer for the Diocese of Bethlehem on

Bishop Paul’s staff. He was an elected

deputy to the 2009 General Convention

of the Episcopal Church.]Henry Leju teaching at the college.

Students get connected in the new computer classroom at the college.

Ray Acario, Bishop Anthony and Tony Pompa at the dedication of Gaderu Primary School in memory of Victoria “Lala” Leach

PhotoS Provided by Charlie barebo

Renovation of a three-story, six-person group home next to GraceAllentown is expected to begin inApril and a midsummer opening isanticipated.

New Bethany Ministries, whichhas attacked the homeless probleminBethlehemfornearly25years,hasthe final$250,000 itneeds to launchits first project in Allentown. Thatcompletes a $460,000 plan to turna former Grace Episcopal Churchbuildingat112N.FifthStreetintoagrouphome.GraceChurchhadusedthe building for an AIDS outreachprogram for some 12 years until itsfundingwascut.ItsoldNewBethanythebuildingforhalfitsvalue.

The group home is to include thesixrooms,alivingroom,kitchen,din-ingarea,threebathroomsandalaun-dryfacility.Thetopfloorwillbeusedfor meetings. The Lehigh CountyConference of Churches, which

administers programs for thepoor, will choose who will livein the group home. The coalitionof 140 area churches will providerent subsidies and social services.Grace Church, which operates asubstantialfoodbankandaworldclassMontessoriSchool,willalsoprovideservices.

NewBethanyofferssingle-occupancyunitsatotherlocations:10inBethlehemand13inCoplay.Italsoofferstemporaryhousing in Bethlehem, serves nearly200lunchesadayandprovidesotherservices. New Bethany is also plan-ninga$2millionhospitalitycenterwithlaundry facilities, showers and affordablehousingat the shutteredOurLadyofPompeii Catholic Church in southBethlehem.NewBethanyisscheduledtocloseonthepropertyApril1.

[New Bethany Ministries, community and ecumenically operated, is owned by the Diocese of Bethlehem.]

ECW explores art with Ron Miller

Photo by bruCe miller

At the May 12, 2010 ECW meeting at Kirby House, Dr. Miller is planning to ex-plore “Messages- Obvious and Obscure-in Christian Art Throughout the Ages.”

Ronald Royce Miller completedhis early theological studies at UnionTheologicalSeminaryinNewYorkCity(1973)upongraduation fromMuhlenbergCollege,Allentown(1969)andsometheo-logical trainingat theLutheranSchoolofTheologyinChicago.

Whileinseminaryandforafewyearsafter,he servedchurches inMontclair,NJ, andManhattanas anorganist andchoir director and on the support staffoftheLutheranChurchinAmericainNewYorkCity.

He was ordained in the LutheranChurchin1975.Heservedfor24yearsat Christ-Saint John Lutheran Churchin West New York, New Jersey leadingthat congregation from worship in Ger-man and English to worship in Englishand Spanish. In 1986, Miller earned aDoctor of Ministry in the Convergenceof the Episcopal and Lutheran Tradi-tions fromtheTheologicalFoundation

ofNotreDame,Indiana.In2000,hewasgrantedaDoctorofPhilosophydegreeinLiturgical Studies from Drew UniversityinMadison,NewJersey.MillerhastaughtcoursesinCross-CulturalPerspectivesandTheAmericanExperienceasanadjunctmember of the Core Curriculum facultyat Metropolitan Campus of FairleighDickinsonUniversityinTeaneck.

In retirement,Dr.Millerbecamea full-timeresidentofNewfoundlandinthePo-conosofPennsylvaniaandwaslicensedbytheDioceseofBethlehemtoservehere.

Dr. Miller’s published articles include:“Mary and the Language of the Senses”and“MulticulturalWorshipintheSmallUrban Parish:Novelty orNecessity?”Both itemsp u b l i s h e din Liturgy:Journal ofTheLiturgicalConference.



I t ’ s God ca l l ing

By cAnon Anne e. Kitch

Recently I sat in a public librarywatchingawomanshelvingbooks.Shewas reading the shelves, a tedious taskthat involves carefully examining thecall number on each book binding toensure each book is on the right shelfandintherightplace.As sheworked,shefoundseveralbooksthatwereoutof place, and meticulously rearrangedthe shelves to make all things right.I observed her slow progress, and Ireflected that sometimes I feel outofplace–likeabookthathasbeenmis-shelved. There are times whenIamnotatallsurewhereIbelong.

I’m not always certain about whereI’mgoinginmylife.Ispendalotoftimewondering what God is calling me todo.You’d think Imighthavefigured itoutbynow.It’snotthatIhavenoidea.IhavemademanychoicesinmylifeinresponsetoGod’scall. It’s just thatthepathaheadofmeneverseemstoremain

obvious for long. Let me be clear. I donot believe that God has a plan foreachofusandthatourlife’scallingistofigurethatplanoutandstickto it.IthinkGod’sworkofcreationismuchmore active and exciting than that.Creation is goingonall the timeandwearepartofit–allthetime.ThereisaplaceforeachofusinGod’screation.Ijustdon’tbelievethatthereisonesetofstepsweareeachmeanttodance.

It might be easier if that weretrue; then I wouldn’t spend somuchofmy timeon thehardworkof discernment. That is, figuringout what God is calling me to door be. Besides, if God really had itthat specifically set out for us, andif God loves us, wouldn’t God justgiveusthemap?WhatIdobelieveisthatGodcallseachofusandsetsusfreewithincreationtomakechoices.God gives us gifts and wants us touse them. God delights in seeingwhatwecanmakeofthem.

ThechurchteachesthatthesegiftsareforthebuildingupofthebodyofChrist.That’swhatitsaysinourCatechism(p.855 in the Book of Common Prayer).Under the section titled The Ministry,thefirstquestionaskedis,“Whoarethe

ministers of the Church?” The answer:laypersons,bishops,priests anddeacons.Thenextquestion:“Whatistheministryofthelaity?”TheministryoflaypersonsistorepresentChristandhisChurch,tobearwitnesstohimwherevertheymaybe, and according to the gifts given tothemtocarryonChrist’sworkofrecon-ciliation intheworldandtotaketheirplace in the life, worship, and gover-nanceoftheChurch.

According to the church’s teaching,we are all ministers. We are all called.Weareallgivengifts. It is temptingtobelieve that call and vocation belongtothearenaofsaintsandprophets.Butsuch a belief denies God’s everydaypresenceineverydaylives.HughLatimer,BishopofWorcester in the16thcenturyandawell-knownpreacherwrote,“Wearenottofollowthesaintsintheirvocation.WearetofollowGodinourvocation.Ifwetrytodowhatthesaintsdid,wemaymiss our own calling.” We can admiresaintsandbeinspiredbyprophets,butwearemeanttoliveourownvocations,notsomeoneelse’s. In fact,BishopLatimerpointsoutthatifwetrytoohardtobesomeoneelse,wewillmisswhoweare.OrasIsawonachurchsignonce,“Beyourself;everyoneelseistaken.”

Godlovedusintobeingandlovesusstill. God calls us and gives us gifts forministry.WhenitcomestoourplaceinthebodyofChristandintheworld,wemaynotbesureofourvocation,butGodis.Evenwhenwefeellostormisplaced,Godhasnot lostus. Inanygiven timeor place, we can be who we are: God’sbeloved.

[Anne E. Kitch is Canon for Formation in the Christian Faith for the Diocese of Bethlehem.]

Copyright©2010AnneE.Kitch

(Hugh Latimer from Fruitful SermonsasquotedinNearer to the Heart of God: Daily Readings with the Christian Mys-tics,editedbyBernardBangly,Paraclete2005)

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Diocesan Training Day, April 24 at St. Stephen’s, Wilkes-BarreDiocesan Training Day on April 24,

2010willbeheldatSt.Stephen’sPro-Cathedral,Wilkes-Barrefrom9:00A.M.to3:00P.M.Thereare twelvedifferentworkshops this year. Registration forTrainingDaywillopenonlineFebruary20thatourwebsiteandcloseonApril19th. The following are workshopdescriptions.

Morning Workshops:Vestry 101: An introduction for new

wardens and vestry members – or a re-fresher forexperiencedvestrymembers–totheroles,responsibilities,andrealitiesofparishleadership.Wewilllookatcanons,models,strategies,andresourcestoassisttheelectedleadersofparishes.

[LedbyTheRt.Rev.PaulV.MarshallandTheVen.HowardStringfellow]

Ministry of the Lay Eucharistic Visitor: I was hungry and you fed me.TheMinistryof the Lay Eucharistic Visitor extendsthecelebrationofHolyCommuniontothosewhoareunabletoattendthegath-eringofthefaithful–thehome-bound,thoseinhospitalsandnursinghomes.

Thistwo-partcourseleadstolicensingbytheBishop.Themorningsessionwilllook at Biblical, theological, and his-toricalbackground.Intheafternoon,wewilldiscussresourcesandpracticalcon-siderationssuchasHIPAArules,safety,andhealthconcerns.

[LedbyTheRev.EdwardK.Erb]

Stewardship: Creating a Culture of Generosity in These Changing Economic Times. The core reference will be thebook “Five Practices of Fruitful Con-gregations” by Bishop Robert C. Schnase.People are searching for a church shapedand sustained by Radical Hospitality,Passionate Worship, Intentional FaithFormation, Risk-taking Mission andService,andExtravagantGenerosity.

These fundamental practices are criti-caltothesuccessofcongregations.Theirpresence and strength demonstratecongregational health, vitality, andfruitfulness.Byrepeatingandimprov-ingthesepractices,churchesfulfilltheirmissiontomakedisciplesofJesusChristforthetransformationoftheworld.

[Ledby:TheRev.PhyllisM.Bowers]

Technology and Communication: Communication and your parish. Anoverviewofhowtocreateacommunica-tionministryinyourparish.Topicsincludecommunicating your mission state-ment,determiningyourcommunicationneeds,developingaplan,evaluatingac-tivities,andusingnewelectronicmediasuccessfully. Thisworkshopisdesignedforvestryofficers,parishcommunicatorsandparishadministrators.

[LedbyKatLehman,ITCoordinatorfortheDioceseofBethlehem]

Lifelong Christian Formation: Welcom-ing Children with Disabilities. Creatinginclusive classrooms in Christian com-munitiesbenefitseveryone.Learnabouthowtheenvironmentandcurriculumyouchoosesetthestageforhowyouwelcomechildren with disabilities-and their fami-lies- intoyourprograms for childrenandyouth. Receive take home material andreferencestotakethisclasshomewithyoutoimplementinyourownparish.

[LedbyEllynSiftar,DirectorofYouthMinistriesTrinityChurch,Bethlehem]

Afternoon Workshops:Congregational Development: Fund-

ing Future Ministries.PlannedGivingisawonderfulblendofpastoralandstew-ardship ministries. Join us for a livelydiscussion regarding both aspects ofplanned giving. Take time out fromthe day-to-day stresses of short-termfinancial management and discover apath reflecting your core values, and

how that relates to developing a will,shaped by your Christian preamble foryour will. Our most important valuesshouldbereflectedinourultimatelegaldocuments.Wewillalsodiscusseasytoimplement and manage programs de-signed to make both the pastoral andstewardship elements an ongoing min-istry in your church. Over 45% of thechurches in our diocese are currentlyfunding operations with endowments.Nowistherighttimetostartthisminis-tryinyourparish.

[LedbyCharlieBarebo]

Ministry of the Lay Eucharistic Visitor Continued.

Stewardship: Creating a Culture of Gen-erosity in These Changing Economic Times repeatedfromthemorningsession.

Treasurers’ Workshop: We will focuson Cash Receipts, Cash Disbursements,Internal Controls, and Audits. Wewill also review the Balance SheetandRevenueandExpensestatements.Help will be provided for completingtheParochialReport.Aquestionandanswersessionwillfollow.

[LedbyR.BruceReinerandRichardGuyer]

Lifelong Christian Formation: Life-long Christian Formation Means Life-long.Howdoweencourageadultsinourcongregationstoactivelyengagein their own faith formation? Thisworkshop explores the Charter forLifelongChristianFormationadopt-ed by General Convention in 2009and it’s implications for parish life.Wewill address theparticularneedsofadultlearners.Hands-onresourcesforadultstudywillbepresented.

[LedbyTheRev.AnneE.Kitch,Can-onforFormationintheChristianFaith]

Youth: Youth Mission. Kim Rowleswill lead a discussion about supportingyouth mission in diocesan, parish andindividual mission projects. Missionsprojects discussed include the YouthNew Hope Pledge, The Animal FoodBank of the Lehigh Valley, New Or-leansMissionTripsof2007and2009,JuniorHighMissionTripof2008andtheupcoming tripof2010. Onepar-ish’s response to mission - St. Gabri-el’s Tuesday’s to Serve program willbe highlighted as a model. Teens aremuch more passionate than we givethemcreditforandwewillalsodiscuss“LooseChangetoLoosenChains”themissionofZachHunter!

[LedbyKimRowles]

Health Ministries: Health ministryinalocalcongregationisanintentionalministryfocusingonbothhealingandhealth of body, mind and spirit,combining the ancient traditionsof the Christian community andthe knowledge and tools of mod-ern health care. Health ministrylooksdifferent fromcongregation tocongregation, reflecting the needs,interests and resources of the faithcommunity. Health ministry doesnot replicate services that alreadyexist in the community, but ratherworks with community partners andresources.

This workshop will provide basicinformation about Health Ministries,specifically information and tools forstarting and maintaining a HealthMinistry,aswellas timeforquestionsanswers.

[LedbyDianaMarshall]


March 7: Memorial Church of St. John, Ashland; Christ Church, Frackville and North Parish; and Church of the Holy Apostles, St. Clair. The Rev. Dolores Evans, Priest

March 14: Trinity Church, Ath-ens. The Rev. Trula Hollywood, Rector and St. Peter’s Church, Tunkhannock, The Rev. Vivian Bennett, Priest-in-charge.

March 21: Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. The Very Rev. Anthony Pompa, Dean and Rector; The Rev. Canon Mariclair Partee, Assistant Priest; The Rev. Canon Joel Atkinson, Canon Missioner; The Ven. Richard I. Cluett, Archdeacon in residence

March 28: Trinity Church, Bethlehem. The Rev. Laura M. Howell, Rector; The Rev. Eliza-beth MacMillan-Miller, Deacon and soup kitchen coordinator; The Rev. Canon Clifford B. Carr, Assisting Priest; The Rev. Hill-ary Raining, Curate; The Rev. Canon Gwendolyn-Jane Romeril, Assisting Priest

John, Ashland; Christ Church,

Assisting Priest; The Rev. Hill-

Assisting Priest

Mar.28:PalmSunday

Mar.30:ClergyBibleStudy3,St.Al-ban’s,SinkingSprings2:00P.M.

Apr.1:MaundyThursday

Apr.2:GoodFriday

Apr.3:GreatSabbathVigil

Apr.4:Easter,BishopJack,St.Gabri-el’s,Douglassville

Apr.4:Easter,BishopPaul,Cathedral,Bethlehem

Apr. 6: Diocesan Life Deadline for May edition

Apr. 6: Clergy Bible Study 6, HolyCross,Wilkes-Barre2:00P.M.

Apr.8:ClergyBibleStudy1,Nativity,Bethlehem2:00P.M.

Apr.9-11:ProvinceIIIDelightEvent,Bishop Claggett Center Buckeystown,MD. Cost is $100. Registration openson February 5th and closes April 2nd.Limitedspacing.Somescholarshipfundsavailable.

Apr.10:CommissiononMinistryMeeting

Apr. 10: Partners for Sacred Places,Module 1, Good Shepherd, Scranton9:00A.M.to4:00P.M.

Apr. 13: Clergy Bible Study 7, St.Mark’s,Moscow2:00P.M.

Apr.15:ClergyBibleStudy2,St.Ste-phen’s,Whitehall2:00P.M.

Apr. 16-18: Christophany, WatsonHomestead, Painted Post, NY. Cost is$75. Registration opens February 16andclosesApril18th.Somescholarshipfundsmaybeavailable.

Apr. 17: Partners for Sacred Places,Module 2, Good Shepherd, Scranton9:00A.M.to4:00P.M.

Apr.18:BishopJack,Christ,Susquehanna

Apr. 18: Bishop Paul, St. James’SchuylkillHaven

Apr.18:MonocacyChamberOrches-tradirectedbyDonaldSpiethfeaturingPoulenc’sOrganConcertowithRussellJacksonassoloist.Formoreinformation,contactRussellJackson,610-865-0727.

Apr.20:ClergyBibleStudy8,Christ,Towanda4:00P.M.

Apr.24:DiocesanTrainingDay,St.Stephen’s,Wilkes-Barre9:00A.M. to3:00 P.M. Online registration opensFebruary20th

Apr.27:ClergyBibleStudy3,St.Al-ban’s,SinkingSprings2:00P.M.

Apr. 27: Archdeacon Visit, St. Al-ban’s,SinkingSprings6:00P.M.

Apr.30–May2:CreatingaCultureofPeace,DiocesanPeaceCommission,Ca-thedralChurchoftheNativity,Bethle-hem.Costis$45forthreedaysoftraining

In the Diocese of Bethlehemwww.diobeth.orgMarch 7: Memorial Church of St.John, Ashland; Christ Church,Frackville and North Parish; andChurch of the Holy Apostles, St.Clair.TheRev.DoloresEvans,Priest

March14:TrinityChurch,Athens.The Rev. Trula Hollywood, RectorandSt.Peter’sChurch,Tunkhannock,TheRev.VivianBennett,Priest-in-charge.

March21:CathedralChurchoftheNativity,Bethlehem.TheVeryRev.AnthonyPompa,DeanandRector;The Rev. Canon Mariclair Partee,Assistant Priest; The Rev. CanonJoel Atkinson, Canon Missioner;The Ven. Richard I. Cluett,Archdeaconinresidence

March28:TrinityChurch,Bethlehem.The Rev. Laura M. Howell, Rector;TheRev.ElizabethMacMillan-Miller,Deaconandsoupkitchencoordinator;The Rev. Canon Clifford B. Carr,Assisting Priest; The Rev. HillaryRaining, Curate; The Rev. CanonGwendolyn-JaneRomeril,AssistingPriest

Anglicans Around the Worldwww.anglicancommunion.orgMarch 7: Hong Kong Sheng KungHui Hong Kong Island - (HongKong)TheMostRev.PaulKwong

March14:TheChurchoftheProv-inceoftheIndianOceanTheMostRev. Gerald James (Ian) ErnestArchbishop,ProvinceoftheIndianOcean&BishopofMauritius

March 21: The Liturgical Con-sulation, its participants and secre-tary, as they resource, promote andstrengthen the worshipping life oftheCommunion.

March 28: Bishop of JerusalemBishop of Jerusalem - (MiddleEast)TheRt.Rev.SuheilDawani

The Diocese of Kajo KejiMarch 7: Andesire Parish. The Rev.CosmasLo’diongKwoji.Ajio/WoriPar-ish.TheRev.WilliamNyombeAmosa

March14:BoriParishandArchdeacon-ry. The Ven. Clement Duku and TheRev.JenetA’diko.SerajaleParish.TheRev.JohnLo’bokaKoko

March21:GedoruParishandArchdea-conry.TheVen.GeorgeLoduandTheRev. Nasona Buli. Sokare Parish. TheRev.CharlesKenyi

March28:KiriParishandArchdeaconry.The Ven. John Lomundu and The Rev.HenryKwanyi.SonderParish.TheRev.HenryPuji

planAhead prayFor

forEpiscopaliansandstudentsand$120forallothers.ContactAddisonBrossatacb2@Lehigh.eduor [email protected] for more informa-tion. There are some scholarship fundsavailable. Contact Candis Siatkowskiformoreinformationonscholarshipsortoregisteratcandiss3@comcast.net.

May 2: Progressive Organ Recitalin Bethlehem. Nativity at 4:00 P.M.,Trinityat5:00P.M.,andCentralMora-vianat6:00P.M.Formoreinformation,contactRussellJackson,610-865-0727.

May 4: Diocesan Life deadline for June edition

May 4: Clergy Bible Study 6, HolyCross,Wilkes-Barre2:00P.M.

May 4: Archdeacon Visit, St. Ste-phen’s,Whitehall6:00P.M.

May6:ClergyDay

May8:CommissiononMinistryMeeting

May8:PortsofCallAuction,LowerMacungie Township Community Cen-ter, sponsored by St. Anne’s, Trexler-town. The auction theme is Ports ofCall.Formoreinformation,pleasecon-tact Sherri Albro at 610-597-8067 orNancyEdmistonat610-965-0085.

May 10: Archdeacon Visit, Nativity,Bethlehem6:00P.M.

May 11: Clergy Bible Study 7, St.Mark’s,Moscow2:00P.M.

May12:DiocesanEpiscopalChurch-women Annual Meeting, Kirby House,Mountaintop 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.Guestspeaker:TheRev.RonaldRoyceMillerwhowilldiscuss“ChristianArt.”ContactCatherineJeffery610-868-6682andMarthaFox610-395-4857formoreinformation.

May13:ClergyBibleStudy1,Nativ-ity,Bethlehem2:00P.M.

May 16: Bishop Jack, St. Alban’s,SinkingSprings

May16:BishopPaul,St.Stephen’s,Whitehall

May16:St.MatthewSocietyDinner,Lehigh Country Club, Allentown 3:00P.M.to6:00P.M.

May 16: Soprano Mara Hazzard inConcert,Trinity,Pottsville,4:00P.M.

May16:CelebrityOrganRecital,Ca-thedralChurchoftheNativity,Bethle-hem,4:00P.M.GivenbyMollieNich-ols,DirectorofMusicforChurchoftheHeavenlyRest,NYC.610-865-0727.

May18:ClergyBibleStudy8,Christ,Towanda4:00P.M.

May 18: Archdeacon Visit, GoodShepherd and St. John’s, Milford 6:00P.M.

May20:ClergyBibleStudy2,St.Ste-phen’s,Whitehall2:00P.M.


The Bakery and the newSpin newsletter –– The onlineBakery,includesnews,ideas,opinionandconversationrelatedtoourdiocesan community, theEpiscopalChurch and theAnglicanCom-munion.ConsiderbecomingabakerintheHouseofBread.Bethle-hem,youknow,means“HouseofBread”inHebrew.NewsispostedintheBakerylongbeforeyouseeitinprintinDiocesanLife.Ifyouprefertoreceiveonlytwoorthreeemailnotesweekly,newSpinisforyou.Visitourdiocesanwebsite,www.diobeth.org, tojoineitherBakeryor newSpin. Complete the bit of information requested at the “GetConnected”box,aboutonescreendowninthecolumnontheright.

Feb.27:Dive In:ADayExploringBaptism with the Rev. Canon AnneKitch and the Rev. Hillary Raining,GoodShepherd,Scranton9:30A.M.to3:30P.M.Costis$10.Registrationisnowopenatwww.diobeth.org.Reg-istrationonlineclosesFebruary22nd.

Feb.28:BishopPaul,St.Luke’s,Lebanon

Feb. 28: ShareCare Faith in ActionAnnual Bowl-a-thon, sponosored byCathedral Church of the Nativity atTownandCountryLanes12:30to3:00P.M. $25 minimum pledge. [email protected].

Mar. 1: About South BethlehemForum,CathedralChurchoftheNa-tivity, Bethlehem 7:00 P.M. Topic:Haitiearthquakerelief.

Mar. 2: Diocesan Life Deadline for April edition

Mar.2:ClergyBibleStudy6,HolyCross,Wilkes-Barre2:00P.M.

Mar. 2: Archdeacon Visit, St.Mark’s,NewMilford6:00P.M.

Mar.4:ClergyBibleStudy1,Nativ-ity,Bethlehem2:00P.M.

Mar.7:BishopJack,St.Brigid’s,Nazareth

Mar.7:BishopPaul,Redeemer,Sayre

Mar.9:ClergyDay

Mar. 11: Clergy Bible Study 2, St.Stephen’s,Whitehall2:00P.M.

Mar. 13: Commission on MinistryMeeting(viaConferenceCall)

Mar.14:DaylightSavingTimeBegins

Mar. 14: Bishop Paul, St. Mark’s,NewMilford

Mar.14:BishopJack,Christ,Reading

Mar. 16: Clergy Bible Study 7, St.Mark’s,Moscow2:00P.M.

Mar.21:TrioJolieinConcert,Trin-ity,Pottsville,4:00P.M.

Mar.21:“BadHabits”,ACathedralPlayersProduction,CathedralChurchoftheNativity,Bethlehem,4:00P.M.Formoreinformation,contactRussellJackson,610-865-0727.

Mar. 22: Lifelong ChristianFormation Meeting, St. Peter’s,Hazleton 10:00 A.M. to 2:00P.M.

Mar. 23: Clergy Bible Study 8,Christ,Towanda4:00P.M.

Mar.23:ArchdeaconVisit,St.Ga-briel’s,Douglassville6:00P.M.

Mar. 25: Chrism Mass, Nativity,Bethlehem11:00A.M.

Mar.27:HungeratHome:FoodforOur Neighbors, Bread for the Worldoffering of letters sponsored by theLehighCountyCouncilofChurches,First Presbyterian Church, Allen-town8:30A.M.to3:00P.M.Keynotespeaker:Rev.Dr.BobEdgar,executivedirectorofCommonCause.Interestedcall610-433-6421orhttp://ja.ppjr.org.



Celebration of New Ministry at St. Paul’s, MontrosePhoto by JaCK laSher

Bishop Jack Croneberger installs Paul Walker as the new rector of St. Paul’s, Montrose.

WHO :

ALL YOUTH IN GRADES 6 - 12

WHAT:

A WEEKEND OF ACCEPTANCE AND FELLOWSHIP

OUTSIDE IN NY

WHERE:

WATSON HOMESTEAD 9620 DRY RUN RD PAINTED

POST NY 14870-9512

WHEN:

APRIL 16TH 7 PM TO APRIL 18TH 12 NOON

COST:

$75.00 PER PARTICIPANT (SCHOLARSHIPS

AVAILABLE)

CHRISTOPHANY

2010ACCEPT AND

SEND

CHRISTOPHANY CHRISTOPHANY CHRISTOPHANY

16APRIL

THRU 18 APRIL

REGISTRATION OPEN FEB 12 TO APRIL 9 AT

WWW.DIOBETH.ORG

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT

YOUTH MISSIONER FOR DIOCESE OF BETHLEHEMKIM ROWLES [email protected]

YOUTH MISSION PROJECT:

SEE YOUR PARISH BULLETIN/

NEWSLETTER FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT THE YOUTH LENTEN

COLLECTION OF HYGIENE SUPPLIES.

2010 Lenten Collection for Youth Mission

hygiene Kits

TheRt.Rev. JohnCroneberger,AssistantBishopofthe 14-county Diocese of Bethlehem, presided at theCelebration of New Ministry of St. Paul’s Church inMontrosewiththeirnewrector,FatherPaulWalker.

AnativeofScrantonandordainedapriestin1987intheBethlehemCathedralChurchof theNativity,FatherPaulsaidhiscalltoMontrosegavehimasenseofcominghomeaftermanyyearsaway.

HecomesfromChristChurchinBellevilleNJwherehe began a Saturday soup kitchen which evolved to athree times weekly help to those in need. During histime there, theparishemergedas a center for supportandenrichment in thecommunity.Whenhewas sentthere eleven years ago, it was a dying parish that wasexpectedtoclosewithintwoyears.

HereceivedhisMasterofSciencedegreefromMarywoodCollege in Systematic Theology and Christian Education.HealsohasaMasterofDivinityfromBexleyHall.

Today you brushed your teeth, combed your hair and checked your nails.People living in shelters fi nd this is a luxury, something not taken for granted.

TheyouthoftheDioceseofBethlehemarecollectingitemsfor“PersonalHygieneKits”to be distributed at shelters in Bethlehem,ReadingandScrantoninApril.

Our goal is to assemble 600 kits over theweekend of April 16-18 (Christophany).Please bring the following items to yourchurchbeforeApril4(EasterSunday)tobepickedupbyamemberoftheYouthCouncilbeforeApril15th.

New Hand towelsWash cloths Wide tooth CombsToothbrushes (individually wrapped)Large tubes of tooth pasteFull sized Bars of SoapBoxes of Sterile BandagesBoxes of one gallon zip bagsGift Cards to Walmart (to purchase

additional items)

a diocesan bethlehemdiocesan life edition of episcopal vol ... · new dollars/new partners for your...

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