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Church of the Redeemer Parish Profile

January 2013

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

5700 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Search Committee: Don O. Franklin, Chair

Alison Brand Oehler, Vice-Chair

Marian Cook

Frances Dannenberg

Wiltrud Fassbinder

Robert Goode

Stephen B Spolar

Church office Hours:

Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Phone: 412-422-7100

Office Email: redeemerchurch@aol.com

Website: www.redeemerpittsburgh.org

Church of the Redeemer

Parish Profile

Contents Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1

The Community .................................................................................................................. 2

History of Redeemer .......................................................................................................... 3

Founding the Congregation – 1900 to 1936 – ................................................................ 3

The Reverends John R Wightman and Robert Nelson Meade .................................... 3

Building the Congregation – 1936 to 1969 – .................................................................. 3

The Reverend Hugh Clark ........................................................................................... 3

A Modernizing Congregation – 1970 to 1994 – ............................................................. 4

The Reverends Stephen McWhorter, William Coats and Roger Ferlo ....................... 4

The Reverend William Coats ...................................................................................... 4

The Reverend Roger Ferlo .......................................................................................... 5

The Current Congregation – ........................................................................................... 5

1994 to Present, with The Reverend Cynthia Bronson Sweigert and our future ........ 5

Worship ............................................................................................................................... 8

Parish Life ........................................................................................................................ 10

Parish Outreach ................................................................................................................ 11

Christian Formation .......................................................................................................... 12

Finance and Membership ................................................................................................. 13

The Church Buildings ...................................................................................................... 14

The Future We Want ......................................................................................................... 15

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Overview As we move forward in our search for a new rector, we are seeking an experienced leader who has

demonstrated excellence in leading a family parish. Specifically, Redeemer seeks a rector who will:

Challenge us with evocative, spiritually and biblically based sermons without dogmatic answers

Lead us in rich liturgical worship grounded in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer

Serve as our spiritual mentor, guiding us as we grow in our faith and ministries

Counsel and comfort us in need

Encourage us as lay leaders and ministers

Encourage us both in service to the broader community and in our active concern for social

justice

Provide capable and caring leadership in overseeing Redeemer’s ministries

Help us expand our congregation, especially families with young children

Continue to help us include those who have traditionally been excluded from congregational

life

Be open to blessing same sex unions when permission is given by the diocese.

The Church of the Redeemer has a rich history of diversity (racial, economic, and sexual). Parishioners

of all ages are active at Redeemer. We are open to all and strive to make everyone welcome. We

support the inclusion of all in full sacramental participation.

Our parishioners are warm, friendly and truly concerned with one another. Our congregation is curious,

questioning, and we value education. The best fit for our parish is a rector who is open and always

learning.

A focus on fiscal responsibility is important. We need to operate in the black and to build our

endowment.

We have a history of social justice and outreach ministries, and we recognize that we need to share our

time, our money and ourselves with others. We would like to expand our outreach program and to

become more systematic in our approach. It is important that we maintain our relationship with our

Jewish neighbors and St. Edmund's Academy, an independent private school which is our closest

neighbor.

At Redeemer, we take the Bible seriously, but not literally. We know that God works within us and

through us, but we are skeptical of emotionalism and impulse. We know that God gave us reason and

we believe that God blesses our use of it. We seek a Rector who can teach us in this spirit, who will

reason with us through our doubts and who will share our joys in God's creation.

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The Community Pittsburgh is a vibrant, diverse metropolis that is annually highly ranked as one of the most livable

cities. Rivers and hills separate our many neighborhoods but many bridges bind our city together. At

the confluence where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers form the Ohio River at the Golden

Triangle, historically and currently Pittsburgh is in a desirable geographic location.

Founded as a frontier settlement for explorers and traders and eventually becoming the nation’s leading

steel producer, Pittsburgh now is a world renowned higher education and medical center. In

transitioning from its industrial heritage, Pittsburgh undertook Renaissance I and II, both civic projects,

to clean the air, revitalize regions of the city, and develop waterways for recreation. The shift from

heavy to service industry was not always smooth, but the city’s revival occurred while still housing the

corporate headquarters for PNC Financial Services, PPG Industries, H. J. Heinz Company, U.S. Steel,

and the American headquarters of Bayer.

Pittsburgh is a city of neighborhoods connected by bridges and outdoor stairs. The city is composed of

the downtown area and four main areas around it. Downtown hosts government buildings, the

convention center, and a cultural district, which is a 14-block area along the Allegheny River, with

theaters, restaurants and art venues. Recent real estate developments have made the downtown a more

residential area. Major cultural institutions, world class museums, and professional sports enrich the

region. Pittsburgh is home to the world renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera,

Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Carnegie

Museum of Art, Mattress Factory, Andy Warhol Museum, Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional

History Center, the August Wilson Center, City Theater, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens,

as well as the Steelers, the Pirates, and the Penguins.

The Church of the Redeemer is located in Squirrel Hill, a neighborhood approximately four miles from

the Golden Triangle. It is adjacent to the Oakland section of the city, where most of the major

universities and medical centers are located. A mix of residences and business streets, Squirrel Hill is a

vital and energetic neighborhood. Downtown is mere minutes away by bicycle, automobile or public

transportation. Housing in the neighborhood is divided equally between owner-occupied and rental

units. The church property is on the western edge of the Squirrel Hill business district, neighboring a

private K- 8 school and the Jewish Community Center. Well-maintained houses and apartment

buildings along many tree lined streets characterize the area near the church.

The East End of Pittsburgh is a religiously and racially diverse area. There are fifteen synagogues

located in the Squirrel Hill community, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and

Reconstructionist congregations. The East End is also home to a variety of Christian denominations,

including Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Church of God,

and Church of the Brethren. Racial tensions do exist in Pittsburgh, as well as in the East End, and

Redeemer, along with other religious and social service organizations, works to bridge the racial divide.

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History of Redeemer Church of the Redeemer has been blessed with a line of strong rectors who have left a distinctive

imprint on the lives and ministries of our church. Looking back, it is clear we are a congregation that

embraces its traditions while continuing to adapt and change. What has remained constant through the

years is:

the appreciation of and commitment to liturgy and music;

the continuous formation of all parishioners in Christ’s teachings;

a celebration of our diversity in all of its manifestations;

dedication to outreach, and

an empowered lay ministry blessed by a number of dedicated and talented parishioners.

With our history in mind, we begin the search for a rector remembering our past, looking to our future,

and honoring the present.

The Church of the Redeemer is a microcosm of the shifting demographic forces of the Pittsburgh

region and the diminution of mainline churches worldwide. Forces within the diocese and the

congregation have accelerated these changes. As with many congregations, our numbers have

fluctuated since our founding, with a noticeable and precipitous decline since the late 1990s. Today, we

have stabilized as a smaller congregation, focused and energetic in our pursuit of evocative worship,

personal spiritual growth, and Christian living. We need better ways to share this energy with others.

Founding the Congregation – 1900 to 1936 –

The Reverends John R Wightman and Robert Nelson Meade

The Church of the Redeemer was founded in 1900 as a mission in the home of Mrs. Charles P. Smith.

In its first 36 years, it grew to encompass the facilities and grounds we enjoy today. With the success of

Mrs. Smith’s Sunday school, and with the encouragement of the diocese, by 1903 a nucleus of families

had organized a parish, established a building fund, and erected a temporary chapel. With the guidance

of Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh, the new congregation called The Reverend John R.

Wightman to be the first Rector. The Reverend Wightman led his new congregation in organizing a

church school, choir, Altar Guild, Women’s Guild, and outreach activities, culminating in securing a

new site at our present location on Forbes Avenue and constructing a church. When health concerns

forced Reverend Wightman’s retirement in 1910, the new rector, The Reverend Robert Nelson Meade,

expanded on the solid foundation laid by Reverend Wightman by purchasing the adjoining lot on

Darlington Road, constructing a Parish House, and drawing up plans to rearrange and enlarge the

church.

Building the Congregation – 1936 to 1969 –

The Reverend Hugh Clark

Dr. Meade died in March 1936, just a month before the cornerstone was laid. His successor, The

Reverend Hugh Clark (1936-1969), carried Redeemer into a new phase of our history. Reverend Clark

completed the physical plant construction projects begun under Dr. Meade, and in 1944 directed the

construction of a second floor to the Parish House.

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Dr. Clark’s ministry at Redeemer focused on visitation and crisis counseling, with an emphasis on

traditional Morning Prayer Service and mission outreach. Some of the fondest memories of Dr. Clark,

as recalled in the Parish Forum on May 6, 2012, involved his charisma and outreach. Current

parishioners recall their meeting at the Canterbury Club organized at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie

Mellon University). Dr. Clark married the couple on June 15, 1954, and they remain active members of

our congregation. Other parishioners recall Dr. Clark’s gift of building relationships. Many recall his

being like the “pied piper” who knew how to connect with people regardless of who they were.

During Dr. Clark’s tenure, in 1940, Robert Izod joined Redeemer as organist and choirmaster. Liturgy

and music flourished, culminating with an active Men and Boys’ Choir. During the early 1950s, in

response to an appeal by Bishop Austin Pardue, the Church of the Redeemer offered space in its Parish

House for a small school initially called Ascension Academy, after the parish church in Pittsburgh

where it originated. The Academy named Robert Izod headmaster and appointed Dr. Clark chaplain. In

late 1952 the school changed its name to St. Edmund’s Academy. In 1955 St. Edmund’s moved all

eight grades out of Redeemer and into the new facility next door. For the next twenty years the two

institutions were closely intertwined. St. Edmund’s continues to hold weekly chapel services and

occasional school activities in the parish hall or in the Church; however, our rector is no longer the

chaplain, as St. Edmund’s now contracts independently with local clergy for religious services.

A Modernizing Congregation – 1970 to 1994 –

The Reverends Stephen McWhorter, William Coats and Roger Ferlo

The liturgical changes in the 1970s are among the most profound memories of many of our

parishioners. They recall how The Reverend Stephen McWhorter (1970-1977) initiated the use of the

“new Prayer Book,” and under his stewardship, the liturgy became more centered in the Eucharist.

During this period, there was a considerable shift in the makeup of both the Redeemer congregation

and St. Edmund’s Academy.

With Stephen McWhorter, Redeemer continued to develop and strengthen the youth and young

people’s program through a small theater group (including a production of “Jesus Christ – Superstar”).

His tenure marked a dynamic transition period for Redeemer as three of our young people sought holy

orders.

During the transition between The Reverends McWhorter and Coats, women were first ordained in the

Episcopal Church with William Coats aiding the process. Several women from Redeemer began

seminary at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1976, where “they saw themselves as comrades in

arms against a forbidding system.” Since 1976, at least ten Redeemer congregants have sought Holy

Orders.

The Reverend William Coats

During The Reverend Coats’ tenure (1979-1986), Pittsburgh was rapidly changing from an old rust belt

steel town to a high tech city focused on service industries. Redeemer’s changing congregation

reflected many of Pittsburgh’s changes. Under the leadership of The Reverend William Coats, St.

Edmund’s developed an identity separate from the church while the parish became distinctive for its

liturgy and outreach. One current parishioner recalled that “we came to Redeemer as lapsed Roman

Catholics, anxious to have a church life again that could be shared with my family. At Redeemer, we

found a church, a spiritual life and a home where we could use our hands, heart and intellect – and

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enjoy the company of others seeking the same.”

In the 1980s, as Pittsburgh’s economy shifted from heavy industry to service, William Coats involved

the congregation in social justice actions such as protesting the steel mill closures, protesting corporate

bankruptcies and the corporate dismantling of the pension funds for retired workers, and helping to

develop the East End Cooperative Ministries (EECM) in 1983. Church of the Redeemer initially

housed EECM when we joined with a consortium of 40 churches and synagogues in the East End of

Pittsburgh, to help those adversely affected by the shifting economies of the region.

The Reverend Roger Ferlo

The Reverend Roger Ferlo (1987-1993) continued the tradition of diversity and inclusion in the

congregation. When he became our rector, he encouraged and strengthened our relationship with St.

Edmund’s Academy, serving as an ex-officio member of their Board of Trustees. Under Roger Ferlo’s

leadership, Redeemer grew in numbers of communicants, commitment to education of youth and

adults, outreach and other activities, and financial stability. We benefited from his intelligent and

inspiring sermons, his gift for encouraging and empowering lay leadership, and his keen sense of

liturgy and music. Our EYC was the largest in the diocese, giving families a reason to come to

Redeemer, and to stay.

The tradition of pastoral care and inclusion now became a hallmark of Redeemer. Roger Ferlo extended

warmth to all, including those previously marginalized or excluded. From hospital visits in the middle

of the night, to kissing a newborn during communion, to visiting the widowed before interring ashes in

the garden, he was a presence to and for members of our church – both long time members of the

congregation, as well as new members. During Roger Ferlo’s tenure, openly gay members of the

congregation served on vestry and more GLBT members joined the church. Soon, more AA groups

began using the renovated parish hall, and some of their members began attending Sunday services.

The Current Congregation –

1994 to Present, with The Reverend Cynthia Bronson Sweigert and our future

After Roger Ferlo was called to St. Luke in the Fields, New York City, Redeemer called The Reverend

Cynthia Bronson Sweigert, who served from 1995-2011. Cynthia served during a contentious period

for both The Episcopal Church and for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. When she first arrived, she continued

to expand our traditions of inclusivity. But she also needed to negotiate the growing rift that was

dividing the church and the diocese, and her efforts contributed significantly to keeping communication

open among individuals on all sides of the controversy. We are grateful for Cynthia’s personal sacrifice

and her leadership during that turbulent period.

During the first years of her tenure, many people recall the joys of coming to church, the laughter that

was part of the children and youth pageants, and the deeply moving liturgies and memorial services

that she led. In particular, Cynthia developed the “Blue Christmas Service” for those to whom the

advent season is one of loss and not one of celebration; interfaith services among Christians, Jews, and

Muslims, and the Matthew Shepard memorial service that was standing room only following the

tragedy of his murder. Under her leadership, Redeemer continued our eucharistically centered liturgies,

together with our focus on progressive social agendas.

Cynthia also led Redeemer in community outreach through helping to found the Pittsburgh Interfaith

Impact Network (PIIN), increasing involvement with EECM, and developing and extending the

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interfaith dialogues between Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations. When the local Roman

Catholic diocese evicted Dignity (Gay and Lesbian Catholics) from their properties, Cynthia not only

welcomed them to have services at Redeemer, she occasionally provided services for them when they

were without clergy. Under her stewardship, we also began to house La Escuelita Arcoiris, a Spanish

language preschool, and maintained a strong relationship with St. Edmund’s Academy.

During Cynthia’s tenure at Redeemer, we celebrated our Centennial, undertook a successful capital

campaign, and accomplished significant building renovations. We are grateful for the gift of these new

spaces as we move into our future. At the end of 2010, Bishop Price, Provisional Bishop of Pittsburgh,

called on the congregation and Cynthia to undertake a period of discernment for the future of both

Redeemer and Cynthia. This thoughtful process led to our current search.

Redeemer continues to be a welcoming community for those new to Pittsburgh, for those looking for a

new congregation, for those no longer wanting to be unchurched, and for those who want a

congregation that has advocated for GLBT persons in the spiritual life of the church – all of these

groups have found a home at Redeemer. An occasional visitor to family in the Pittsburgh area regularly

comes to Redeemer on her visits; she states “I would not have returned if I had not also been welcomed

to communion (as a non-Episcopalian RC), and if I had not seen gay people welcomed as members.”

Today, our diverse congregation is characterized by a strong and stable core that is open to new

members.

As the divisions in the Episcopal Church began to

emerge, with Pittsburgh at the epicenter, our parish

became the first in the nation to vote against joining

the Anglican Network, set up by our then-Bishop

Robert Duncan. This action was the result of a

unanimous vote at our 2004 Annual Meeting. As

events escalated, we continued to worship together

through the uncertainty, seeking together God's will

for our parish. For some of us, Redeemer is our

only adult experience with church. As one

parishioner noted, “I expected to only attend services when I came here; instead I was invited into a

community of diverse believers. For me, Redeemer feels like 'God', because we care for each other.”

Our recent efforts toward discernment of what our future should look like included a number of

activities to invite the congregation into dialogue with the vestry. We conducted several parish forums

beginning in early 2011 in which the vestry and parish worked closely together to identify areas of

strength, as well as those needing improvement, in our common life together. We also participated

together in mid-week worship, entirely lay-initiated and led, focusing on our needs for healing during a

difficult transition between rectors. In the forums, we collected a rich abundance of data from the

whole parish's responses to questions focused toward our future. (This data is available for review.) In

addition to the thoughtful input generated, the forums also provided us with valuable time together,

sharing both our memories from our past as well as our dreams for the future. In particular, many rich

stories were shared about our memories of important moments in Redeemer's past.

We are currently a small but committed congregation, who although challenged with fluctuating

leadership, have combined our efforts to ensure Redeemer's lively presence in our lives. We've

struggled with questions of programming and scheduling priorities, with part-time interim clergy and

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volunteer parishioners who are stretched thin. But we have emerged with a strong sense of the

important place Redeemer holds in our lives, and we have continued to work together with the Rev.

Diane Shepard, to maintain and improve our abilities to meet each other's needs, while still reaching

out to the community around us.

Our current Interim Rector, Diane Shepard, has served the congregation in the past, has a long history

with the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and will continue to serve during the search and transition period for

Redeemer.

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Worship The congregation strongly believes that worship is the heart of Redeemer's life – it brings our family

and church lives into one as we celebrate the liturgy, the word, and the sacrament together. When these

combine, under one roof, it is a powerful and positive experience. For us, liturgy is a corporate

experience, with few pew sitters but many who are

actively engaged in various worship ministries.

The parish celebrates the Eucharist twice on Sunday, at

8:00 a.m., and at 10:30 a.m. (the principal service).

Rite II is the parish norm, especially at the principal

Sunday celebration, with Rite I being used at the 8:00

a.m. service and at other times on a seasonal basis.

Redeemer also offers midweek worship in the parish,

as well as weekly services at Heritage Shadyside, a

multi-level care facility in the neighborhood.

The liturgy at Redeemer is permeated by a spirit of

genuine friendship and welcome, but is marked by a deep respect for the Holy and the heritage of the

Church. Sunday services include both a formal Gospel Procession, and the casual return of the children

from Church School, and both have a place. While individuals have varying favorite memories or parts

of the service, nearly everyone acknowledges that the Sign of Peace connects all other experiences in

worship. New members relate how the sharing of the peace, which could have isolated and excluded

people, was instead a truly welcoming experience. The quote “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”

was nearly a universal refrain of new members. The amazement and wonder of the sheer number of

people welcoming each other to church was joyful. For long time members, the peace is a time to

reconnect us with each other.

Sermons at Redeemer reflect the intellectual curiosity of the congregation. We have been blessed by

preachers who weave together the texts from the Lectionary, the riches of the Prayer Book, and the day

to day experience of our people. A harmony of intelligence, realism, and heritage echoes in our

preaching and is a goal of our common life. But we also welcome sermons that unsettle us, and cause

us to question how we should behave as

Christians.

Redeemer has a strong tradition of liturgical

music, which the congregation wants to continue.

Parishioners sing and play instruments willingly

and enthusiastically, and our volunteer choir is

small but mighty. The choir, under the gifted

leadership of our part time organist choirmaster,

has built up a significant repertory of hymnody

and service music from the Hymnal 1982 and With One Voice. In addition to introducing new music

into our services and leading our congregational singing, the choir performs choral works from a wide

historical range. To honor Redeemer’s centennial, we commissioned a new hymn.

Many have answered the parish’s call to serve in particular ministries. Lectors, chalice bearers,

greeters, and members of the Altar Guild all contribute to the fullness of Redeemer’s worship.

Parishioners of all ages and sexes serve in each role. As a group, the liturgical ministers are

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representative of the congregation. At Redeemer, the liturgy is truly “the work of the people.”

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Parish Life Ours is a parish that adheres to tradition while respecting each

other’s broad differences in background, belief and lifestyle.

There is a combination of formality and intimacy that can be

felt in the church building itself and in the congregation which

gathers there to participate in liturgies as we share our lives

together as an Episcopal family. With Carlow University,

Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, and the

University of Pittsburgh all nearby, students and faculty from

these institutions attend and often join our parish. Ours is an

academically and intellectually curious congregation.

The parishioners at Redeemer are a varied group that includes

"cradle Episcopalians" of all ages as well as many who were

raised in other denominations, all of whom have found

Redeemer to be a place for those who question and search for

individual meaning in their faith. It is a place where gay and

lesbian members are welcome, a teenager serves on the Vestry,

men serve on the Altar Guild, and there is a long history of

supporting and encouraging both female and male parishioners

who seek the priesthood. As part of our commitment to social justice, we have congregants serving on

the diocesan Commission on Racism, diocesan Social Justice Committee, and the Commission on

Ministry.

Any description of parish life would be incomplete without mentioning the special place that children

have at Redeemer. The Church School and teen activities have

provided a central focus for the children and young people in our

church family. While the number of youth participants has fallen,

the spirit of participation found at Redeemer is evident in the

enthusiasm and involvement of the adults who teach, organize and

interact with them.

Because we like to be together and eat together, we have a long

tradition of parish brunches, picnics and Home Eucharist dinners.

The scene at coffee hour after the 10:30 service is noisy, mildly

chaotic and reflects the sense of pleasure at being together. While

animated discussions take place over coffee and bagels, the

children play underfoot and are unobtrusively tended by all the

adults present. This sense of vibrant community is an essential,

valued and carefully nurtured quality of our parish life.

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Parish Outreach Because Parish outreach and social concerns are vital to the Church of the Redeemer and are integral to

our mission and the call of Christ to help those who are the least among us, our Outreach Ministry has

had three components:

personal involvement

opening church facilities to outside groups

monetary gifts

As the congregation has aged, our outreach has shifted from personal involvement to monetary gifts,

and even this has decreased in recent years. We would like to see more involvement and a better

balance between personal and pocketbook involvement. And as we restrike this balance, we need to

establish clear priorities, perhaps by following the General Convention resolutions on social justice.

Ultimately, we need to organize parish outreach in a systematic, prioritized manner. At this time, social

justice activities have dimmed, but the spark remains to be re-energized.

Our most enduring outreach program is with East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM), dating back to

1983, when Redeemer joined a consortium of 40 churches and synagogues in the East End of

Pittsburgh. Today, EECM is a large and vibrant organization, currently building its own facility. Our

congregation remains actively involved, and one Sunday a month Redeemer parishioners prepare and

serve a hot meal for the approximately 40 guests in EECM’s men's shelter. In addition, we collect food

and dry goods for the EECM Food Pantry. As a congregation, Redeemer participates regularly in a

wide range of anti-hunger campaigns. In addition to our work at EECM, we also serve as a water

station for the CROP Walk Against Hunger, participate in the diocesan hunger race campaign and help

repack food at the local food bank.

Discovering that Heritage Shadyside had limited spiritual or religious services, we began to offer a

midweek service at the facility. Heritage is a residential health care facility for people who no longer

require hospitalization but need 24-hour nursing and other personal care services. We currently

provide a weekly Wednesday Eucharist or prayer service for residents. This outreach is shared by a few

licensed lay ministers under the direction of the rector.

Redeemer accepts and embraces those in alternative relationships – gay and lesbian committed couples

and unmarried committed couples who share in our community. We house Dignity services, we have

hosted regional and national Integrity speakers, we held a special memorial service for Matthew

Shepard, and we annually participate in Pittsburgh Gay Pride Celebrations.

Part of Redeemer’s history that connects to our present is the use of our building for Alcoholics

Anonymous and other recovery group meetings. Redeemer encouraged these groups and offered

meeting space long before they were welcome elsewhere.

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Christian Formation For both adults and children, the intentional and ongoing education of our congregation – our minds

and souls – has been a keystone binding our community together since 1900. But recently education

has waned, especially for adults. Most of the parishioners responding to parish surveys feel that issue-

oriented, Episcopal, Bible-centered education for adults has not been truly vibrant since the mid-1990s.

The Rector's involvement in church school for the children, aside from confirmation and communion

classes, has varied with the particular interests of our rectors. Our efforts to provide our children with

an appreciation of Christian tradition and opportunities for individual spiritual growth have been

primarily guided by lay men and women. The current diocesan focus on youth engagement is helpful

for our young people; but parish surveys indicate a strong desire for more formal adult programming.

We are currently working on extending our adult education offerings with an adult Bible study and

more small group discussions. A more intentional and focused program for adult education and

spiritual formation is needed.

Redeemer has approached Adult Education and Christian Formation in a number of ways. For a time,

the Rector led the adult education offerings at Redeemer. Most recently this group has been led by a

parishioner who is a retired seminary professor. The group has studied a variety of subjects such as

scripture, contemporary issues, spiritual writings, feminist theology and spirituality. These discussions

provide a safe environment in which to share and to develop Christian community. In addition, a lay

initiated and led Book Group is a powerful part of some individuals' Christian formation.

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Finance and Membership Currently our parish has 65 adults and 11 children among our pledging units. Our average Sunday

attendance in 2011 was 70. Our Easter attendance for 2011 (for all services) was 174, including

parishioners who attended all services as well as guests and family members. Our current head count

(based on recent directories and people frequently at church) is 87. Our church has a small endowment

generating limited interest income, but we have had to occasionally use both the interest and part of the

principal in the past ten years to help cover operating costs. To help bridge the gap between operating

costs and pledge/plate income—and to preserve our endowment as much as possible—the congregation

launched a number of fundraising initiatives in 2003. These included monthly hoagie sales, a series of

coffee house/cabarets, and an annual community auction, now in its tenth year. On average, these

activities have raised approximately $13,000 annually. The church buildings have been well maintained

and are in good condition thanks to strong lay leadership.

*2007 numbers reflect the updating of membership lists which had not been previously conducted

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The Church Buildings The Church of the Redeemer and its adjoining parish hall sit well back from Forbes Avenue, both

anchoring the neighboring houses and cottages to the heart of Squirrel Hill, and shielding them from

the encroachment of burgeoning institutions. Built in 1936-37 according to the designs of E. Donald

Robb of the Boston architectural firm of Frohman, Robb and

Little, the buildings are modest, Early English Gothic in style,

clad in dressed stone and roofed in slate. A square bell tower

crowns the chancel, and the nave is a simple hall with a

coffered ceiling supported on hammer beams where the light is

softened by the many stained glass windows. The

congregation raised funds and added a second floor to the

parish hall in 1940, not long after the completion of the

rectory, a stone cottage designed by Lamont Button. In

recognition of the church’s unique features, Pittsburgh History

and Landmark Foundation have designated the church a

historic landmark. To help generate income, the rectory is

being rented during our transition, but it has traditionally been

inhabited by the

rector and is

available,

depending on

the needs and

interests of our

next rector.

Perhaps the most fitting description of Church of the

Redeemer may be found in Landmark Architecture of

Allegheny County by James D. Van Trump, published in

1965. He writes:

Extremely simple in design, the church has a fineness of scale and proportion and an

amiable forthrightness of aspect that make it one of the best things of its kind in

Pittsburgh. The appointments of the church are well designed and executed with a proper

regard for material and workmanship; typical are the handsome stained glass windows,

all designed by the late Howard Wilbert, a parishioner of the church.

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The Future We Want We want to be a loving community growing in Christ that is

vital and creative

an empowered lay community

united with the Episcopal community

a growing congregation

of service to our neighbors – especially the community of suffering.

While retaining and enhancing the Eucharist-centered

Episcopal liturgy that is at the core of our common

worship experience, we envision an enlivened and

energized congregation of all ages participating in

Christian education and spiritual formation. In addition to

moving forward in the process of diocesan and national

church healing, we seek guidance in how best to serve our

neighborhood and fulfill the role God wants us to play in

the broader Pittsburgh community.

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Clergy and Staff

Interim Rector:

The Rev. Diane Shepard

Organist and Choirmaster:

Nathan Carterette

Seminarian:

William L. Ogburn

Parish Administrator:

Helen Short

Church School Coordinator:

Dyane Coyne

Treasurer:

Michael Coyne

Vestry

Senior Warden: Susan Krouse

Junior Warden: Lou Camerlengo

Chelsea Biefeld

Barbara Curlee

Frances Dannenberg

Pat Edgar

Ken Esch

Julie Smith

Steve Spolar

‘Becca Stallings

Many thanks to Jason Campbell for the photographs used in this profile