Diopa.org Latest News

Union Of Black Episcopalians Youth Meeting

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:07:00 GMT

On behalf of the Philadelphia Youth Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, we would like to extend a warm welcome to any youth who might be interested in joining our organization. The Union of Black Episcopalians is a national organization, whose mission is to empower the African-American people of the Episcopalian church.

Book Launch - The Tenth Parallel

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:59:00 GMT

by Eliza Griswold

Sep 14
7:30-9pm
Free Library of Philadelphia

PTI Co-sponsors the book launch of The Tenth Parallel—Dispatches from the fault line between Christianity and Islam.

St. Paul's Church, Exton Presents Community Concert Series

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:55:00 GMT

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Exton, is delighted to present nine community concerts featuring a diverse array of musical genres. The 2010-2011 season of the Friday Nights at St. Paul’s: Music that Stirs the Heart concert series begins Friday, September 17 with international Irish band McPeake. Future concerts will feature Brandywine Baroque, The Orpheus Club, The Mainliners Barbershop Quartet, W. Russell Johnson Music Guild, and The Hilton Brass.

Actions of the Standing Committee

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Mar 27 – Jul 20, 2010

Rev. Canon Charles L.L. Poindexter to be installed as Rector Emeritus

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:38:00 GMT

St. Luke’s Church, Germantown

Rev. Canon Charles L. L. Poindexter will be installed as Rector Emeritus, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Germantown, 9:00 am Solemn High Mass, September 26, 2010. Rev. Canon H. Gregory Smith is current Rector, St. Luke’s. St. Luke’s celebrates it 200th anniversary 2011.

Emerging Church Conference

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:24:00 GMT

Nov 13
8am-5pm
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

Download the Flyer & Registration

On Saturday, November 13, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church will be hosting an Emerging Church Conference, “(re)Discovering Jesus’ Message,” featuring guest speakers Brian McLaren and Tony Jones. The event will explore developments in contemporary theology and their impact on how we understand and live our faith.

Prayer Service for the State of the Church

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:17:00 GMT

Sep 8
7pm
Good Samaritan, Paoli

Download the Letter

We will hold a service for prayer for the state of the church at the Church of the Good Samaritan, Paoli PA on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 7 p.m. All are welcome, and if you are not joining us in person, we invite you to join us in prayer at that time.

Labyrinth Blessing and Dedication

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:28:00 GMT

12:30-3:30pm
Sep 19
Holy Trinity, Rittehouse Square

The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square extends an open invitation to the dedication and blessing of its new labyrinth. The labyrinth is an ancient tool for meditation and prayer, found in many different faith traditions. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path in and out. It is designed not as a puzzle, but as a guide.

Standing Committee and Bishop Bennison Meet

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:21:00 GMT

August 24, 2010

On Tuesday, August 24th, at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Standing Committee, Bishop Bennison was invited to join the meeting to hear the Treasurer’s report, a discussion of the Episcopate budget, discussion of certain pending property issues, and to give his report. Bishop Bennison and the Standing Committee also spent time discussing concerns about how to move forward.

Leader for Christian Formation for Youth

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:54:00 GMT

Christ Church, Philadelphia

The Christ Church community embodies both the Episcopal Church’s past and its future. An adventurous and intergenerational parish with vibrant programs for families and younger adults, the community is welcoming and diverse, always seeking the new life to which God calls us. We have a new full-time Director of Music to explore expanded worship possibilities and the pastoral ministry of music for youth, as well as recent renovations to historic Neighborhood House for housing programs for the parish and arts groups and others from the greater Philadelphia area.

SCI's Oktoberfest Celebration

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:39:00 GMT

Oct 1
1-5pm
Cavanaugh’s River Deck

The Seamen’s Church Institute is sponsoring a German Oktoberfest Celebration on Friday October 1st from 1pm to 5pm at Cavanaugh’s River Deck, 417 N. Columbus Blvd. Come rub elbows with the maritime community for the benefit of SCI’s ministry to seafarers visiting our Port.

2010 Clergy Conference

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:15:00 GMT

Mon-Wed
Nov 29 – Dec 1, 2010

We are sending this reminder out NOW so you can be sure to save the date AND because if you will want $ from the Continuing Education Committee this gives you to have the necessary info!

Safe Church Administrator's Training

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:06:00 GMT

Dear Clergy, Parish Administrators, and Program Coordinators,

The diocesan Safe Church Training program is now fully online. In order for your parish to participate, a Safe Church Training Administrator needs to be designated for your parish to authorize access to the program and track your parish’s data.

The next training sessions for Administrators will be held on 9/9 and 9/27. This will be done as a telephone conference call and takes less than an hour.

An Open Letter to the People of the Diocese of Pennsylvania From the Standing Committee of the Diocese

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:49:00 GMT

August 16, 2010

Let us pray for the Church:

Gracious God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it, where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen. – The Book of Common Prayer, page 816

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, We write to share our thoughts in response to Bishop Bennison’s publicly stated intention to return and resume his responsibilities as Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. We are grateful for the counsel that many of you have offered. We listened with care to the words spoken by many of you at our Cathedral this past Sunday and are grateful for your prayers. We write to you with humility and conviction.

Statement to the Diocese of Pennsylvania

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:08:00 GMT

Sunday, August 8, 2010

The following is the Standing Committee statement that was read at Sunday’s gathering at the Cathedral.

The Right Reverend Charles E. Bennison, Jr., has served as the Bishop Diocesan of Pennsylvania since May 16, 1998. On October 28, 2007, the National Church Title IV Review Committee issued a Presentment against him charging him with two counts of Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy under Title IV.1.1(g), and on November 3, 2007, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church inhibited him from all episcopal and clerical acts, thereby temporarily stripping him of Ecclesiastical Authority over the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Pursuant to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, the Standing Committee became the Ecclesiastical Authority in Bishop Bennison’s absence.

An Invitation from the Standing Committee

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:26:00 GMT

August 6, 2010

Dear Diocesan Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Standing Committee invites you to gather at our Cathedral at 4:30 p.m. this Sunday afternoon, August 8, for Evening Prayer, a time of open conversation and an opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings. We will conclude with Compline at 6:00 p.m., followed by light refreshment. Our Dean, Judith Sullivan will lead our worship and Assisting Bishop Rodney Michel will guide our conversation. The Cathedral is located at 38th and Chestnut.

Bishop Bennison will be returning on Monday, August 16. He has asked Bishop Michel to continue for a time. Initially Bishop Bennison will meet with diocesan leaders as we enter a new stage in our relationship together.

Court of Review Reverses Conviction of Bishop Bennison

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:32:00 GMT

Download the Final judgement

Dear Diocesan Family:

Last night, we received the decision of the Court of Review reversing the conviction of Bishop Bennison based upon the statute of limitations. The document is attached. Accordingly, the inhibition of Bishop Bennison has been dissolved, and he is free to resume his role as Bishop of Pennsylvania. This evening, the Standing Committee will be meeting with the executive leadership of Diocesan Council. We will be communicating with you after our meeting.

Clergy Day

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:58:00 GMT

Save the Date: October 5, 2010

Clergy Day for the Diocese of Pennsylvania to be held on Tuesday, October 5th at Daylesford Abbey, Paoli.

Intercessions Prayer Calendar

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:04:00 GMT

July 24, 2010 – January 22, 2011

Download the Prayer Calendar

In an effort to eliminate printing costs and paper waste, the new edition of the Intercessions Prayer Calendar is being emailed to everyone who has access to email with hard copies being printed out by request only.

SCI's Watch Cap program

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:41:00 GMT

Now that we’ve passed the Fourth of July, it is time to get serious about getting ready for Christmas—which means recruiting more knitters to make the watch caps that the Seamen’s Church Institute includes in the ditty bags it gives to seafarers between Thanksgiving and Christmas as a gesture of good will and love.

St. Christopher's Church Receives Grant

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:46:00 GMT

St. Christopher’s Church at 116 Lancaster Pike in Oxford has received a $3,970.55 grant from Clyde P. and Katherine B. Alexander Memorial Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation to support its programs.

Diaconal Discernment Process

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:15:00 GMT

The Rt. Rev. Rodney Michel., Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, in consultation with the Diocesan Office for Transition Ministry, announces the following 2010 schedule and deadlines for processing new nominees for ordination to the diaconate of The Episcopal Church.

Festival Celebrates Hildegard at Daylesford Abbey

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:11:00 GMT

Sep 18
2-4pm
Daylesford Abbey

Hildegard of Bingen’s Feast Day will be celebrated by the Daylesford Abbey and the Women’s Sacred Music Project on Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 2 to 4 PM with speakers and choirs from both the Episcopal and Roman Catholic traditions.

A Report from the Addiction Recovery Resource Committee

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:59:00 GMT

On March 12, 2010 an email was sent to clergy in the diocese introducing “Pro-Act” as the Diocesan provider for educational information on addiction. It is simply entitled The Family Program. It is offered free of charge to persons who suspect that one of their own is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Addiction is a disease, not the result of bad behavior.

Summer Art Exhibition at Philadelphia Cathedral

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (on 38th Street between Chestnut & Market) is pleased to announce the opening of a new summer art exhibition featuring works by artists, Elaine Crivelli, Marie H. Elcin and Stephen Robin.

A Letter from the Standing Committee

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Dear Diocesan Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As we await word from the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop, we would like to share some thoughts with you. Last week the Standing Committee sent an invitation to you to gather at the Cathedral on the Sunday afternoon following the announcement of the Court of Review.

Diocesan Council Meeting

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:16:00 GMT

June 12, 2010

Bishop Michel opened the meeting with prayer at 9:07 AM. The Rev. Keith Marsh, the rector of Messiah, Gwynedd, welcomed the Council to the Church of the Messiah and introduced Jane Harrelson, Rector’s Warden. The Council thanked the parish for its hospitality.

St. Francis in the Fields has new web address

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:09:00 GMT

Saint Francis-in-the-Fields on Sugartown Road in Malvern has a new web address at www.stfrancismalvern.org.

A Message from the Standing Committee

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:04:00 GMT

In anticipation that The Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop will soon issue a ruling on the appeal made by Bishop Bennison, the
Standing Committee invites you to gather at the Cathedral at 4:30 pm on the Sunday immediately following the announcement, but not Sunday, July 4.

Philadelphia Cathedral's Summer Noontime Organ Concert Series

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:04:00 GMT

Philadelphia Cathedral (located on 38th Street between Market and Chestnut Streets in University City) is pleased to announce the fifth season of its Summer Noontime Organ Concert Series.

The Church of St. Alban is now online!

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:38:00 GMT

Please visit us at www.churchofstalban.com for news and events that are happening at The Church of St. Alban! You can also listen to sermons by The Rev. Kyle Tomlin as well!

Safeguarding God's Children program online

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Clergy and Parish Administrators,

In response to many parishes requesting safe church training in their own parishes, the Diocese of Pennsylvania is now offering the Safeguarding God’s Children program online. Individuals will now be able to take the training in the comfort of their own homes, and the status of modules completed will be able to be monitored by a designated contact person in your parish.

Eliza Griswold Booklaunch

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:11:00 GMT

Sep 14
7:30-9pm
Free Library of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Theological Institute is pleased to announce the Philadelphia launch Eliza Griswold’s new book, the Tenth Parallel.

A Beginner’s Perspective

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:03:00 GMT

UN CSW 2010

by Joy Mills

Joy Mills is a priest of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and is doing some rather significant work in women’s issues. She recently attended the UN CSW meetings in March. The experience has already borne fruit and she is helping design the next Diocesan conference sponsored by the women of the diocese focusing on the Girl Child and she is also involved in the larger conference on human trafficking sponsored by Anglican Women Empowerment. What follows is an article she wrote for the AWE website. She expects to prepare another article following the Women Deliver Conference.

If God is male, male is God. It is the creative potential itself in human beings that is the image of God. —Mary Daly, Beyond God the Father, 1973.

Executive Director

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:50:00 GMT

The Church Foundation

SUPERVISOR: Bishop of Diocese of Pennsylvania Board of Directors
SALARY: Negotiable Based upon Experience
STATUS: Part Time
NO. SUPERVISED: 1
MAJOR PURPOSE OF JOB: Responsibility for the general management of business, operations and activities of the Foundation.

Standing Committee Real Estate Procedures

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:37:00 GMT

Download the Real Estate Procedures
Download the Real Estate Procedures Forms

Available for download is a copy of the requirements and procedures for obtaining the consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee in connection with the lease, sale, mortgage or other encumbrance of Church property. Also attached are sample forms.

First Annual Delaware County Walk for Hunger

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:21:00 GMT

The First Annual Delaware County Walk For Hunger was a smashing success for St. Albans Episcopal Church in Newtown Square. On Sunday May 23rd 2010 cloudy skies parted and rain held off as over 200 community members joined together to walk and run raising over $10,000.

New Deanery Appointment

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:17:00 GMT

June 10, 2010

To our beloved in Christ in The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania: I take great pleasure in announcing the appointment of The Rev. F. Peter Pearson as Dean of the Bucks County Deanery, effective this date. The Very Rev. Daniell Hamby has served well and faithfully but finds that he has other duties and responsibilities at this time and has asked to be relieved of his position as Dean.

Jesus Phreak: The story of a very unlikely disciple

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:29:00 GMT

Jun 27
7pm
Trinity Memorial Church

Trinity Memorial Church presents one man show: ‘Jesus Phreak: The story of a very unlikely disciple,’ exploring themes of faith, compassion and alienation. Writer and performer R. Dale Smith tells the story that when he told friends he was considering studying at a Christian seminary, they were more shocked and concerned than when he revealed that he was gay.

Disasters in Guatemala

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:03:00 GMT

June 3, 2010

Dear friends in Christ,

Our Christian sisters and brothers in Guatemala [our Companion Diocese] have been suffering from natural disasters and are in great need and peril. On May 27th the Pacaya volcano, located 25 miles from Guatemala City, erupted spewing ash over much of Guatemala City. A day later, the first tropical storm of the hurricane season, Tropical Storm Agatha, arrived in Guatemala dropping three feet of water and more in many regions. Flooding and mud slides have killed nearly 200 people with great loss to homes, schools, churches and bridges. You may have seen the vast sink hole that opened up in Guatemala City, swallowing a three-story building.