Diocesan Digest - August 24
Episcopal News Service. August 24, 2006 [082406-2-A]
* BETHLEHEM: Cathedral launches ad campaign
* LOS ANGELES: First stained-glass windows installed at Cathedral Center
* MISSOURI: Busy Fall ahead for youths in the diocese
* NORTH CAROLINA: Solo Flight Conference set for Sept. 1-4 at Kanuga
* OLYMPIA: Diocesan Council declares August 27 as We Will Stand With You Sunday
* PENNSYLVANIA: Thom Chu to address Christian Education Event August 31
* SAN DIEGO: Church celebrates first female acolyte in 30-year history
* SOUTHERN OHIO: Service information for Bishop Thompson
BETHLEHEM: Cathedral launches ad campaign
[SOURCE: Diocese of Bethlehem] The Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, will air a TV ad with a local tag 210 times over four weeks beginning in a few days on local cable and will mail a similarly-themed postcard to over 4,000 local households inviting all to Cathedral's annual ministry fair (Nativityfest) on September 10.
The TV ad will run for four weeks leading up to the first day of Sunday School, September 17. The ad builds on the back-to-school season. The tag at the end of the commercial has the same image as the postcard mailing. The fall posters at the Cathedral entrances will also have a similar image for a coordinated advertising campaign.
This continues an advertising campaign begun last year that included three postcard mailings to the same 4,000+ households, 7 weeks of TV advertising and 1/4 page newspaper ads with other Lehigh Valley Episcopal Churches.
"Advertising works!" says Jenifer Gamber, a Cathedral parishioner who has coordinated the design and implementation of the campaign. "Last year the Cathedral had 120+ more people at each of the Christmas and Easter services and more than two dozen new families joined during the year.”
She says the postcard mailing costs $1,200. "The 30-second ad spots on cable (210 over 4 weeks) cost $1,900.
LOS ANGELES: First stained-glass windows installed at Cathedral Center
[Source: Diocese of Los Angeles] Three stained-glass windows, the first of a six- window set, were installed August 10 in the church of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, Los Angeles.
Each of the three windows depicts a famous medieval woman mystic: St. Theresa of Avila (given by Faith Sand of Church of Our Saviour, San Gabriel, and her husband, the Rev. Al Cohen), St. Hildegard of Bingen (given by Ken Chow and Richard Meiklejohn, friends of the Cathedral congregation), and St. Julian of Norwich (given by the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Los Angeles).
The windows were designed by the Rev. Cindy Voorhees and built by the Judson Studios, which has contributed stained glass to many churches in the area.
The diocese is seeking additional donations to install the three remaining windows in the series: "City of Angels," "Creation," and "St. Athanasius." To contribute, contact the Bishop's Office at 213.482.2040, ext. 236 or bishop@ladiocese.org
MISSOURI: Busy Fall ahead for youths in the diocese
[Source: Diocese of Missouri] A bike ride to benefit the companion diocese of Lui in Sudan, an overnight under the stars, and a Christian rock concert are on tap this Fall for youths in the Diocese of Missouri.
"We are still coming down from the high of a fabulous Camp Phoenix session," says Heidi Clark, coordinator for Christian formation in the Diocese. But wait, there's more, says Clark. Three events have been planned by the DCYM for this fall and planning is under way for three more next spring as well as a diocesan-wide mission trip.
"We hope to continue to build relationships between youths from different congregations and to enhance the activities local congregations have already planned," explains Clark.
Full list of events
NORTH CAROLINA: Solo Flight Conference set for Sept. 1-4 at Kanuga
[Source: Diocese of North Carolina] The 16th Annual Solo Flight Conference for Episcopal Single Adults will be held September 1-4 at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
This year's theme is "Solo Flight and the Spirituality of Homing." The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Thomas Breidenthal, dean of religious studies and of the Chapel at Princeton University.
Breidenthal is author of "Christian Households: The Sanctification of Nearness." Registration is open through August for Kanuga's intergenerational conference for adults who are single. Send an email to: Kcollierm@diolex.org; DavidWPerk@aol.com; or charlotte.vowan@episcopalsingles.org.
Further information on Solo Flight
OLYMPIA: Diocesan Council declares August 27 as We Will Stand With You Sunday
[Source: Diocese of Olympia] The Diocesan Council has declared August 27 as We Will Stand With You Sunday, named after one of the three programs through which members of the Diocese of Olympia can respond to those after by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The We Will Stand With You Program, run by the Episcopal Church's Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies, pairs dioceses with congregations in need who suffered severe loss during last year's hurricanes. The Diocese of Olympia is partnered with St. Paul's and will support its Restoration Fund with a pledge of $500,000 over five years. Each household in the diocese will have an opportunity to pledge in support of this effort when they receive a mailing seeking their support.
On We Will Stand With You Sunday, everyone is invited to bring their pledge cards to church and put them in the offering plate. If someone is not in church on that Sunday, they are asked to mail in their pledge to Diocesan House by September 1.
Further information
PENNSYLVANIA: Thom Chu to address Christian Education Event August 31
[Source: Diocese of Pennsylvania] Thom Chu, director of Ministries With Young People at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, will keynote this year's Christian Education Event, set for August 31, at the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Joining him are Ruth Ann Collins, Canon for Christian Formation and Youth Ministry at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Diocese of Long Island; and Margaret Sipple, Helen White, Susannah Hunter, and the Rev. Greg Wilson, all of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
Further information
SAN DIEGO: Church celebrates first female acolyte in 30-year history
[Source: Diocese of San Diego] Seven-year-old Sophie Maio, granddaughter of church member Marion Roberts, became the first female acolyte in the thirty-year history of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine, California. The members of the church welcomed Sophie with open hearts as she performed her acolyte duties with passion on July 23.
During the announcements, the Rev. Arnold Fenton read a letter from Bishop James Mathes of San Diego, congratulating Sophie and the congregation on the joyous occasion. "I can't help but reflect on how far you've all come on your journey during the past few months," he said. "You've worked and persevered, you've celebrated, and you've grown into a strong and healthy congregation. You have done the work you've been given to do, and today it is reflected in the acolyte ministry of Sophie. So to Sophie, and to you, I say, well done good and faithful servants."
Full story by John Beckett
SOUTHERN OHIO: Service information for Bishop Thompson
[SOURCE: Diocese of Southern Ohio] The family of Bishop Herbert Thompson has determined the arrangements for his funeral. Calling hours are Friday, August 25, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Centennial Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral. Saturday, August 26, Burial Office: 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. (Doors will open at 9 a.m.). There are two parking garages within one block of Christ Church Cathedral. Overflow seating will be available in the undercroft with a live video feed.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the designated memorial funds:
* The Thompson Memorial Campership Fund, 412 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
* The W.E.B. DuBois Academy, 1812 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45214, Attn: Diane Ebbs
* General Theological Seminary, 175 Ninth Ave., New York, New York 10011, Attn: Bruce Smith
* Camp DeWolfe, Diocese of Long Island, c/o Bishop’s Office, 36 Cathedral Ave. P.O. Box 510, Garden City, NY 11530
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold will celebrate, with Bishop Kenneth Price Jr. serving as con-celebrant. The Rev. Canon Jim Hanisian will serve as preacher.
The Diocese of Southern Ohio has established a website for you to share your memories of Bishop Thompson and to celebrate his life. Some of these may be used for a special tribute issue of Interchange that will be published later this month. Visit the site at http://bishopthompsontribute.blogspot.com/