Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania

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What an incredible way to share my story on Story Corps linked to NPR!!!

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We send well wishes and prayers for a valued member of our family – the Rev. Canon Kirk Berlenbach. For the last 7 years, he has helped churches in this diocese reimagine their path forward and has been (as we ALL say) “someone you can always count on.” On Sept 4, he will begin a new role as Interim Rector of Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany. As the bishop has said, "our commitment is to help churches grow and spread the Gospel. Kirk has been instrumental in that, walking alongside our churches and people as they transform ministries and lives. It has been a blessing to walk together with him on the path of life, ministry, and faith. He moves to where God is calling him next to share his spiritual gifts. SLATE will be blessed by his presence." As, have we! God bless you Kirk T. Berlenbach

Faith and painting, with a twist. 🎨🖌️ Did you know the diocese created the nation’s first moral injury support program for female veterans and work with women who are living with MST (military sexual trauma)? Last weekend some of our female veterans came together for prayer and painting.

The Airstream is here! They will be recording stories of some of our female clergy who are sharing their journey to the priesthood. Shout out to all those who already taped their stories virtually and those showing up today.

Holy Hikers!

“I wish more churches would recognize the Christian commitment to nonviolence and embody it through action.”

Gun buyback at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Germantown draws many participants - The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Tweet Email Bilal Qayyum and Father Eric Hungerford, both to the right of center, at the gun buyback on August 3.Photo courtesy of Bilal Qayyum By Constance Garcia-Barrio You would think that pastors and pistols don’t mix, but it was proved otherwise at the August 3 gun buyback at St. Luke’s Epi...

We were excited to share the work of St. Mark's Church, Frankford with CBS. And, now we share it with you. (Shout out to Cristina!) God is good.

At one Philadelphia church, volunteers are on a mission to help those going through tough times feel loved At the historic St. Mark's Church in Frankford, Cristina Mancini spends 60-70 hours a week helping people in the community who need it the most.

Summer is a wonderful time to get together outside (if it’s not too hot;) with your siblings in Christ. Tag us in your photos so we can share with the rest of the diocese.

Many of the diocese’s churches are more than 100 years old. “The upkeep required for some of our churches takes away from spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The Transformation Committee was the brainchild of Bishop Gutierrez, who has a background in economic development. The process at the Church of the Crucifixion was the impetus for this group, comprised of experts in community leadership, real estate and business who volunteer their time to meet with churches and come up with a plan to increase income for the church while reaching further into the community. Contact us to get started! .

This past weekend, St Luke's Episcopal Church, Germantown hosted their second gun buy-back program collecting 78 guns, 40 rifles and ammunition. Those who turn in guns remain anonymous and receive a $200 gift card from the diocese. To continue the success of the program, Canon Toneh Smyth is collecting funds towards the gift cards. You can get all the details here. https://bit.ly/4ck0wRr

A celebration that began on Sunday but will continue this year through a partnership with Story Corps. More photos from the service with the Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward, one of the original “Philadelphia 11” ordained in 1974. (Thank you to Sharon Gunther, Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral St. Peter's Episcopal Church-Philadelphia Asha George-Guiser Callie Swanlund for images)

If you missed Sunday …

Festal Eucharist: 50th Anniversary of The Ordination of Women feat. The Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward Welcome to the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral! Today is July 28, 2024. This is the Festal Eucharist on the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women in T...

Application for the Growth Development Fund (GDF) is open. Churches can receive up to $30K for infrastructure issues that impede ministry. Here is the application:https://diopa.org/uploads/attachments/clyx2o0w8nsjm8gqsnmhe0956-growth-development-fund-application-2024.pdf

The 2024 Fernley Scholars have been announced. The scholarship assists seminary students and is in honor and memory to James Fernley, III (1947-1974). https://www.diopa.org/news/awards-presented-to-fernley-scholars-2024

This Sunday, the Rev. Carter Heyward will join us for a celebration of the ordination of women to the priesthood 50 years ago. Heyward is one of the Philadelphia 11, ordained at The Church of the Advocate in 1974. Get your tickets now for the service, talk and lunch. https://bit.ly/Women50Years

Great partnership!

Last month in Kentucky, your deputies (elected at our diocesan convention) spent long days speaking up and out on many different issues and resolutions at the Church’s General Convention including Israel, Palestine, Armenia, LGBTQIA+ rights, gender issues, Prayer Book changes, etc. This is a belated shout out to them for their commitment. All clergy deputies were new as were many of the lay people.

Even though he is on vacation, our bishop is still working. (No surprise here.) He visited San Antonio in his capacity as President of the , speaking with prospective members. It was a great evening. Even Santa showed up! 🎅.

Churchwide celebrations planned around July 29 to mark 50 years of women’s ordination [Episcopal News Service] July 29 will mark 50 years of women’s ordination in The Episcopal Church, and Episcopalians across the church are preparing this month to celebrate those initial 11 t…

Before she was ordained in 1974, the Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward and five other female deacons presented themselves to be ordained into the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Five male deacons were also there. Heyward said, "We are asking to be included in this service not only for our sake but for the sake of other women, for the sake of all women and men, for the sake of the Episcopal Church." That was 1973. A year later Heyward and 10 others were ordained at The Church of the Advocate. Hear Heyward speak on 7/28 at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and stay for lunch. Register now if you have not already: https://bit.ly/Women50Years

Right now we have 26 people in process for ordained ministry! Do you feel called to ordained ministry? What IS the process? Have questions about what it would take to become a deacon or priest? Contact Pam at [email protected]. .

"As a church, we call again for a cease fire."

Statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on Anglican hospital closure in Gaza Just two weeks ago at General Convention, we welcomed Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and heard him speak passionately about peace and the life-saving work of the Al-Ahli Anglican Hospital in Gaza. Today I am deeply troubled to learn that the Israeli Defense Forces close...