St. Andrew's in the Valley is a caring, vibrant, open and diverse parish welcoming all, regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective.

28 July 2022

Dear Members of the Episcopal Church in Central PA,

Scroll below to read an important note regarding diocesan staff transition, nominees needed for the 2024 General Convention, upcoming events, convention details, and Stevenson School for Ministry courses.

A Proposal for a Creation Care Ministry of native tree and shrub planting throughout the Diocese 

Dear Fellow Episcopalians,

I have been blessed that I had a career teaching children, from Kindergarten to teens, about the importance of the natural world and encouraging them to become caretakers of the earth. Upon retirement and the birth of my granddaughter who is now 9 years, I knew that my gifts should continue to be used to care for God’s greatest Cathedral- the natural world. I discerned a call to continue this work and include adults, in a ministry designed for people of all faiths as well as people of conscience, to remove non-native invasives, which do not feed our ecosystems, and replace them with native trees and shrubs that restore biodiversity and feed native insects at the 2nd layer of the food chain. Trees and shrubs have been deemed, by Scientific American, the best “technology” for sequestering the excess carbon that fuels the climate warming that threatens our planets and is particularly dangerous for future generations. Over the last 6 years, 500+ plus volunteers in Blair, Centre, and Huntingdon counties have successfully worked with me and removed acres of non-natives and replaced them with FREE native trees and shrubs. Chesapeake Bay Foundation has allowed me to expand the program and to distribute trees to churches, townships, Rails to Trails, and private landowners. I think this is a great opportunity for the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania to take action in addressing the desecration of God’s creation.

I am hoping that the Spirit will open the hearts and minds throughout the diocese to consider this program. I envision spreading the word more widely through Diocesan publications, soon. I hope to be able to bring native trees and shrubs with me to Convocation meetings. I also hope to be able to attend the Diocesan Convention and have a display table. If people order trees and shrubs in response to email invitations I will invite them to come to my home in Williamsburg PA where I will be dispersing around 5000 of the 8000 plants I will receive for this Fall’s planting. They could then see my work on the Lower Trail which runs through Williamsburg as well as what I have planted on my acre of hillside land. 

Please email me at wacmbook@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17, 85, 204);font-size:16px">wacmbook@gmail.com for more information.

Greg Williams, St. Luke's, Altoona

Recap from The 80th General Convention in Baltimore, MD

The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church concluded on July 11, 2022. A big "thank you" to Bishop Scanlan; the deputation Chair, The Rev. Cn. Kate Harrigan; our diocesan deputies; and those in our diocese who volunteered.

If you would like to view The Episcopal Church budget for 2023-2024, click here.  To view election results, click here.  To view recordings and worship services, click here.

 2 Important Announcements

1.

URGENT

Nominations needed for Diocesan Deputies to General Convention 2024, Louisville, KY

Deputies to General Convention are elected by Convention. The Deputies for the 2024 General Convention must be elected in 2022. 4 clergy and 4 lay Deputies, as well as 4 Alternates, will be elected in each order.

Diocesan Constitution Article VI says: “At the Annual Convention at least twelve months prior to the next session of the General Convention, eight members of the clergy and eight laypersons shall be elected as deputies and alternates to represent this Diocese in said Convention. The members of the clergy shall be presbyters or deacons, canonically resident within this Diocese, and the laypersons shall be baptized adult communicants of the Church in good standing, resident within this Diocese. The residence requirement shall apply both at the time of election and of the General Convention. The four in each Order receiving the highest number of votes shall be the deputies. Alternates shall be designated as deputies as needed, in the order of votes received. The Diocese will cover registration, travel, hotel, and expenses (at a per diem rate) for the 4 Deputies elected in each order, as well as 1 Alternate from each order. All other Alternates may attend General Convention, but must do so at their own expense.”

Expectations for General Convention Deputies: The work of the Diocesan Deputies begins with preparation in the months preceding the triennial convention. At General Convention, responsibilities include serving on committees, as appointed by the President of the House of Deputies; and faithful and conscientious attendance at plenary sessions, committee hearings, and worship. In the months and years following General Convention, the Deputies’ work continues with helping to inform and integrate the work of General Convention in our Diocese. 

Please send all nominee names to Amy Swiernik, aswiernik@diocesecpa.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">aswiernik@diocesecpa.org by no later than August 5, 2022.

2.

Safeguarding God’s Children Update

Dina Carter Ishler, a member of St. Edward’s, Lancaster, and a Candidate for Holy Orders in our diocese is currently serving as Interim Administrator for our Safeguarding God’s Children ministry. Our diocese is committed to the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable members as they participate in our various church and diocesan offerings, and we believe that our Safeguarding program, which requires a renewal every five years as well as the necessary state and national-level clearances, is one crucial way of helping to achieve our goal of awareness, accountability, and the prevention of harm or abuse. As many of our ministries are likely to be in planning stages for the fall, and some of them involving a re-start due to Covid-19, this is the perfect time to make sure that your community’s staff and volunteers are up to date on their training and clearances.

Currently, there is a training session scheduled on August 28 beginning at noon at St. John’s, Carlisle. The contact person for this is Aimee Confer and her email is aimeeconfer@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">aimeeconfer@gmail.com. Aimee asks that interested persons register ahead of time as possible so that she can prepare the necessary number of materials.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dina for questions, to schedule a training or helping to find a training near you. Her phone is (717) 481-0708 and email, dcishler@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">dcishler@gmail.com.

Donation collected at the DioCPA Presiding Bishop Worship Service and presented to Episcopal Relief and Development

At the Saturday Eucharist, a collection was taken for the benefit of Episcopal Relief and Development, and we’re pleased to report that $3,341.00 was contributed by those attending the service. 

To learn more about the amazing efforts of Episcopal Relief and Development, click here.

Pride Festival of Central PA

Saturday, July 30

Harrisburg

The Mission Statement of the Pride Festival of Central PA is: To increase positive visibility of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community of Central Pennsylvania by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Stop by the diocesan booth, we'd love to see you. For questions, contact Dean Amy Welin, adwelin@ststep.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:15px;font-weight:bold">adwelin@ststep.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Development Institute Class of 2022 Graduation

The Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Development Institute is proud to present its 2022 MLK Scholar graduates! The ceremony will be on Sunday, July 31 ar 3 p.m. at HACC Rose Lehrman Arts Center Theater at 1 HACC Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17110. and all are welcome.  There will be a reception immediately following the ceremony. A soft offering will be collected.

Accepting applications for Shaped by Faith

Grants

The Rev. Canon Chris Streeter, Canon to the Ordinary for Congregational Life, and The Rev. Kevin Barron, Associate for Shaped by Faith, are currently in the Implementation phase of Shaped by Faith and are accepting the next round of grant applications. The applications will be reviewed by a committee on a quarterly basis.

The next grant application deadline is Sept. 1, 2022. 

To apply, click here.

Fall Convocation Meetings

Save the Dates

Wednesday, Sept. 14 - NT, WB, Altoona Convocations

Tuesday, Sept. 27 - Southern & Lancaster Convocations

Thursday, Sept. 29 

- Harrisburg & Susquehanna Convocations

For questions regarding Fall Convocation meetings, please contact Canon Guszick, aguszick@diocesecpa.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">aguszick@diocesecpa.org

PA Prays - 

Episcopal Cathedrals in Pennsylvania host services

 to pray and work for an end to gun violence

Sunday, Sept. 18

Time TBA

Join us online or in-person on Sept. 18 as the five Episcopal Cathedrals across our Commonwealth spend the day focusing on healing our nation from gun violence. A listing of different services in the five locations and the times of each service will be available soon. Join us in this unified effort of action, advocacy and prayer.

Stay tuned! More information to follow by the end of July.

A Morning of Action and Prayer on Ending Gun Violence

Sat., September 17th

9 a.m. to 12pm

St. Edward's located at 2453 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA, will welcome Swords to Plowshares Northeast to share in a day of witness and prayer for gun violence. The Rt. Rev. Jim Curry, Co-founder and retired bishop of the diocese of CT will bring a forge to repurpose guns into garden tools and jewelry. The day will include a memorial to the lost hosted by Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence. Teens and children will be invited to contribute to a prayer wall. Members of the diocesan committee on gun violence will be available to share information about their work. The day will conclude at 12 p.m. with a service of prayer. 

Doctrine of Discovery

Sept. 27, 2-4 PM

Sept. 28 time TBA

This seminar for Clergy will be offered twice: once on Tuesday, Sept. 27th from 2-4 PM at a location convenient to those in the Southern, Harrisburg, and Lancaster Convocations, and again on Sept. 28th in the morning at a location convenient to those in the more northern convocations of the diocese- Northern Tier, West Branch, Altoona, and Susquehanna. Clergy can elect to attend either event. Both events will be followed by a time of fellowship and a meal. The details for each event- place, and registration- will be coming soon.

For now, please make note of the dates on your calendar so you will be prepared when registration opens.

Diocesan Convention: October 14-15

Spooky Nook, Manheim

Please mark your calendars for this year's diocesan convention. 

The Business meeting will be held on Zoom the evening of October 13. Diocesan Convention will be held in person on October 14-15 at Spooky Nook in Manheim.

The theme of Convention is Evangelism and we feature Jerusalem Greer, The Episcopal Church's Staff Officer for Evangelism as our Keynote Speaker.

FORMING for ACTION: Creation Care Committee

Many of our parishioners and churches are working to improve the environmental health of our world- a committee that would simply coordinate and share resources across the diocese would be valuable. Others may find themselves impassioned to join a collaborative effort in the diocese to offer a stronger collective voice and make use of budgeted diocesan monies for action. Are you interested in this work?

If so, please email Carolyn Patterson at cpatterson@diocesecpa.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">cpatterson@diocesecpa.org by Sept. 1, 2022, and we will set up an organizing zoom meeting for the fall. 

Supplies needed for Refugee Children

Diocesan Migration Ministry Resources is launching a donation appeal for school

supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes to give to newly-arriving refugee children. The appeal begins July 1 and runs through October.

Please donate new backpacks, lunch boxes, and school supplies. Consider filling a backpack with some or all of the following items; a box of Ticonderoga #2 pencils (standard & color), markers,

highlighters, dry erase markers/fine tip (Expo preferred), broad tip markers(Crayola preferred), a box of Crayola crayons (24 count), construction paper, glue sticks, scissors (child safe), 12" rulers (metric & inches), erasers (pencil top & full size), index cards, Post-it notes, composition books, 3-hole punched lined paper, printer paper, plastic folders with inside pockets, and a pencil pouch. Or separately donate any of these items. Bring items to the diocesan office or contact Carolyn Patterson at (717) 236-5959 or cpatterson@diocesecpa.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">cpatterson@diocesecpa.org for pickup.

The Diocese of CPA and the Diocese of PA join together for a Tanzanian Pilgrimage of Inquiry and Reconciliation- February 5th -

February 17th, 2023

The purpose of this pilgrimage is to embark on a sacred journey to the Anglican Church in Tanzania. We will be hosted by Archbishop Maimbo and the diocese of Tanga. We hope to renew ties with our Anglican brothers and sisters, post-Covid, as well as partake on a journey of reconciliation with regard to the past sins of colonialism. The Anglican Church in Tanzania is thriving and growing. We desire to learn from our sisters and brothers the many ways the gospel is being lived and proclaimed fully, in a church founded by English missionaries, but growing by the work of the Spirit because of the Tanzanian Church. 

Each diocese will be sending about five pilgrims. If you are interested in being a pilgrim from our diocese, please submit an application by September 7th. To download, click here.

Registration for our Stevenson School of Ministry Fall classes opened Friday, July 15th. Sign-up for these 10-week courses on Populi. Find a quick how-to video here. The fall term begins on August 22nd! These courses are open for credit or audit - both great ways to expand your discipleship path! 

All course descriptions are on Populi and the SSFM website. Don't have a Populi login?ssfm@diocesecpa.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(192, 62, 48);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold"> ssfm@diocesecpa.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(167, 6, 46);font-size:16px;font-weight:bold">Send SSFM a quick email.