Assisting Bishop's Message

FAMILIAR GROUND, NEW ROLE: A Greeting to Friends New and Old

I was touched and honored by the Standing Committee’s invitation to serve three days a week as Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania, pro tempore, until one able to serve longer could be found. I accepted, but it was not easy. My plate was at least half full with things I enjoy doing, and the joys of retirement are not lightly relinquished.

A Review of In the Light of Christ

by Douglas Marshall

As I write this, we are about to put away the flotsam and jetsam of Christmas, 2007. The tree sits by the curb awaiting collection and the last of its needles have been vacuumed from the living room carpet. The process of forgetting about Christmas has begun and the Valentine’s Day cards are already in the stores. They will give way to cards for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. Great festivals of the Christian year take their places beside secular holidays on the card store shelves.

Education & Training  posted Jan 18, 2008

Episcopal Nun to Conduct Quiet Day

Feb 9 | 9am | St. George’s Church, Ardmore

Sister Mary Elizabeth of the Community of Saint Mary will lead the annual Lenten Quiet Day at St George’s Episcopal Chuch, Ardmore, on Saturday, February 9, beginning at 9:00 a.m. She will present two meditations based on writings of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), the well known Spanish mystic.

Around the Diocese  posted Jan 25, 2008

Jim Wallis Book Tour Stop at St. Martin's

Feb 13 | 7:30pm | St. Martin’s

The national book tour for The Great Awakening: the Revival of Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America, by Jim Wallis, includes a stop at Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, on Wednesday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the church.

Around the Diocese  posted Oct 09, 2007

A Diocesan Service Celebrating "Blessed Absalom Jones"

February 16, 2008 | Philadelphia Cathedral

The Diocesan Service celebrating the life and ministry of Blessed Absalom Jones, the first African American Priest in the Episcopal Church will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the Philadelphia Cathedral. Please mark the date on your calendars.

Around the Diocese  posted Jan 24, 2008

Lenten Day of Prayer

Feb 23 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | St. Margaret’s Convent

“Repentance, Forgiveness and Trust: Praying the Psalms in Lent” (Psalms 32, 91, 107), Led by Sr. Kristina Frances, SSM from 9:30am – 3:30pm. The Day of Prayer will be held Saturday, February 23, 2008. Suggested donation: $35. Luncheon is included.

Art & Music  posted Jan 05, 2008

Jazz Vespers at Christ Church, Ithan

Jazz Vespers is held every first Sunday of the month at 7:00pm at Christ Church, Ithan. January 6th will feature harpist Gloria Galante accompanied by the Ithan Jazz Ensemble. There will be a free will offering taken.

Selected Mailings online  posted Feb 05, 2008

Bishop Bartlett begins ministry as Assisting Bishop Pro Tempore

From: The Standing Committee
Date: February 5, 2008

Dear Diocesan Family:

We are pleased to announce that Bishop Allen L. Bartlett has agreed to be the Assisting Bishop Pro Tempore while we maintain our search for an Assisting Bishop. We continue to work with Bishop Clay Matthews of the Presiding Bishop’s Office in this endeavor.

Cathedral News  posted Feb 05, 2008

Lent at Philadelphia Cathedral

Feb 6 | Ash Wednesday | 12pm & 6pm

There will a Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes both at 12 noon and 6pm at Philadelphia Cathedral. The cathedral’s Lent program will include:

Every Sunday: Five week Lent course on the gospels immediately after the 10am Liturgy
Every Tuesday: Bible study immediately after noon Eucharist (bring brown bag lunch)
Every Wednesday: Ecumenical Morning Prayer 10am

World News  posted Feb 05, 2008

Keeping a holy Lent: prayer, fasting, almsgiving

Presiding Bishop’s Lenten message

By Katharine Jefferts Schori

[Episcopal News Service] The Church gradually took on the discipline of Lent in solidarity with those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil. That preparation work has traditionally been summarized as prayer and study, fasting, and almsgiving. Today we might remember the origins of Lent, take in our traditional understandings, and use these 40 days plus Sundays to prepare to renew our own baptismal vows. This ancient understanding of prayer, study, fasting, and almsgiving shapes the lives we lead.

Education & Training  posted Feb 01, 2008

Third Annual Vestry Symposium

Feb 23 | 8:30am | Philadelphia Cathedral

Congregational leaders from around the diocese will gather again for our Third Annual Vestry Symposium. Led by The Rev. Tom Pumphrey, Bill Powell and Joe Suprenuk, please join us to explore how wardens and vestries can improve their leadership in a variety of areas: membership and stewardship development, strategic planning, priest-parish relationships, church business affairs and spirituality.

World News  posted Jan 17, 2008

February 10 declared Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday

[Episcopal Life] The Presiding Bishop has designated February 10 as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday. This week’s bulletin inserts give information about ERD’s Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund, and how the church community can help create lasting solutions to the problems of poverty, hunger and disease.

Download the Bulletin Inserts.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we begin a new church year and congregations plan events and celebrations for the coming months, I write to urge all parishes to observe the First Sunday in Lent – February 10, 2008 – as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday.

Education & Training  posted Jan 08, 2008

A Day of Quiet Reflection

Tools for the Journey: a Lenten Retreat Day

Download the Flyer

Bring your holy longing and come apart from the distractions of everyday life. Gather some spiritual tools for the journey through Lent. In the morning session, we will create images and use them as a stepping off point for reflection. Instruction will be available during the afternoon for those who wish to experience walking the labyrinth and centering prayer.

Education & Training  posted Jan 16, 2008

Celebrating the Eucharist

A Practical Workshop for Clergy

Feb 20 | 10am – 4pm | Saint Paul’s, Levittown

This workshop is an opportunity to step back and to consider afresh what we priests do so often and, perhaps, so often by rote. Our goal will not be to rewrite the Prayer Book or to substitute anything for it, but to consider with fresh eyes and the benefit of years of pastoral experience how to plumb the riches of the BCP and use it as effectively as possible.

Around the Diocese  posted Jan 31, 2008

Second Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner for Temple Campus Ministry

Apr 11 | 6:30pm | St. Luke and the Epiphany

Dear Friends and Colleagues, please download the Flyer inviting you, your friends, and your parish to our Second Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner for our Temple Campus Ministry.