Churches altering communion practices in the wake of a pandemic

From Pittsburgh-

With several area Eastern Orthodox churches now holding public services with small congregations, the servers are providing both the bread and wine of communion to parishioners — but without anyone touching their lips to a shared vessel.

With local Roman Catholic churches reopening at the start of June, they’ll be offering the bread but not the wine so as to avoid the traditional use of a common cup.

With local Episcopal churches preparing for eventual reopenings, they also don’t plan to offer a common cup.

These are just some of churches’ liturgical responses, at least for the near future, as Pennsylvania counties increasingly adapt to “yellow” status, opening up with caution amid the easing of pandemic-related shutdowns.

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/05/25/church-communion-wine-bread-common-cup-spoon-servers-churches-Pittsburgh-COVID/stories/202005220087

Obituary: Rev. Canon Richard Davies, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh’s longest-tenured priest

From Pittsburgh-

For the Rev. Canon Richard Davies, serving the church and mankind were one and the same.

The longest-tenured priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Rev. Davies 62 years ago helped to start what is now a regional program for special-needs children and more recently devoted himself to physically and spiritually restoring an 18th-century Colonial church.

Rev. Davies, 93, of Scott, died May 7 of congestive heart failure.

The son of immigrants from Llandudno, in northern Wales, Rev. Davies had a tough upbringing in Wilkinsburg.

His father, who worked as a coal miner for years in Wales, died of lung cancer, followed by his mother, who likely suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, family members said.

“He was an orphan by the age of 18,” said his daughter Glynis Carlson, of Peters, who said her father cared for his dying parents. “His history of caring and serving others, I think, was established as a teenager for him.”

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2020/05/19/Canon-Richard-Davies-obituary/stories/202005190150

Closed houses of worship served during 1918 flu pandemic

From Pittsburgh-

The faded, single-spaced letter from the fall of 1918 has a jolting immediacy to readers today.

“A very unusual opportunity has come to Calvary Church,” the clergy of the Episcopal congregation in Shadyside wrote to its members. “To meet the present emergency of our pandemic-stricken community, the Vestry (governing board) has tendered the use of the Parish House to the United States Military authorities. The rooms will be used as a convalescent hospital” for military trainees recovering from influenza.

The global influenza pandemic of 1918 known as the Spanish flu peaked in Pittsburgh in October and November, ultimately killing more than 4,500 people and infecting more than 60,000 throughout Allegheny County, according to historical accounts. Worldwide, it claimed at least 50 million lives, according to estimates cited by the Centers for Disease Control.

Though far deadlier than the current pandemic, the influenza competed on newspapers’ front pages with the American military’s grinding progress in World War I and a relentless campaign to buy war bonds. Yet the headlines have a familiar feel. Houses of worship were shuttered as pastors urged people to worship in their homes, and faith-based groups rallied to help those affected by the illness.

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/04/20/Calvary-Episcopal-Church-Pittsburgh-Spanish-flu-1918-pandemic-influenza-COVID-19/stories/202004010168

Episcopal Bishop McConnell postpones retirement

From Pittsburgh-

Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has postponed his retirement from April to September 2021 to provide a continuity of leadership as the church copes with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and to allow more time for the diocese to find a successor.

Bishop McConnell announced the postponement in a statement Thursday “due to the extraordinary circumstances brought on by pandemic.”

The typical search process for a successor involves meetings within the diocese and travel by candidates for the position.

“We don’t know how long we will be unable to meet together due to the pandemic, nor can we foresee the full impact on our parishes of the economic and personal stresses we will likely be experiencing for some time to come,” Bishop McConnell wrote. “Extending my tenure by a few months will allow some continuity of pastoral care as we all try to get back on our feet once the worst has past.”

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/04/16/Episcopal-Bishop-Dorsey-McConnell-postpones-retirement-covid-coronavirus-continuity/stories/202004160185

Online religion grows rapidly in era of 'holy unknowing'

From Pittsburgh-

All this comes with some of the holiest days on the religious calendar approaching. No one knows how long the pandemic will continue, but the Christian Holy Week and Easter are approaching, along with the Jewish Passover and the Muslim Ramadan. The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has already suspended worship through Easter.

“We have to do ministry in this holy unknowing,” said the Rev. Eric McIntosh of St. James Episcopal Church in Penn Hills. His message to the faithful: “We belong to God, not the virus.”

But how to act on that belonging?

“At this juncture, keeping folks alive is the most important thing, not congregating on Sunday morning,” Rev. Mcintosh said.

But “the Body of Christ,” a common term for the Christian faith, “is not a particular Sunday morning gathering,” Rev. McIntosh said. “It’s the Body of Christ going out into the world. It’s just that going out into the world is online.”

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/03/21/Online-religion-suddenly-the-norm-in-era-of-holy-unknowing-coronavirus-cover-19/stories/202003210009

Churches, synagogues tell congregants to stay away

From Pittsburgh-

Similarly, Dorsey McConnell, the Episcopal Bishop of Pittsburgh, has asked clergy and congregations to stop all in-person activities through Easter. McConnell is asking clergy to stream services online and, according to the diocese, more than a quarter of Episcopal congregations in the region have already done so, with St. David’s Episcopal Church in Peters Township and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Canonsburg among them.
 
McConnell said, “I wish to emphasize this point: Our churches are not closing. We are continuing to do what we have always done. We are simply adapting the means by which we do these things to the needs of the present crisis.”

The “difficult decision” to cancel services this Sunday at Claysville United Methodist Church was arrived at Wednesday night, according to Rico Vespa, the church’s pastor.

“It’s an elderly congregation, and we don’t think it’s wise to expose anyone at this point,” he said. “The sad part is many people feel that church is a place you can go when there are troubles.”

More here-

https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/churches-synagogues-tell-congregants-to-stay-away/article_5ebce22c-6a07-11ea-9f81-dbae497d2a02.html

From Bishop McConnell: Our Updated Coronavirus Response Will Continue Through Holy Week and Easter

From Pittsburgh-

It is with a heavy heart that I am asking the clergy and congregations of this diocese to suspend public worship through Holy Week and Easter Sunday, as a necessary precaution toward mitigating the effects of the coronavirus in our communities. This is consistent with the prudent advice given by our Presiding Bishop in his March 17 letter, and any extension beyond April 12 will be based on my consultation with other Pennsylvania bishops and the directives of our public health officials.

During this time, I am also asking the clergy to continue, if feasible, the celebration of Sunday Eucharist or Morning Prayer in their parishes, and with no more than three other selected individuals in attendance. I hope these can be live-streamed whenever possible. I will preside at the small assembly at Saint Barnabas on March 22 and at Saint Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg, on March 29, joining them in prayer for their congregations and neighborhoods, as well as for all of you.

More here-

https://www.episcopalpgh.org/coronavirus-update-from-bishop-mcconnell/

Episcopal Diocese Of Pittsburgh Offering Ash Wednesday “Ashes To Go”

From Pittsburgh (with video)-

Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season and this year, church leaders will be offering parishioners to mark the start of Lent wherever they are.

Rather than have to attend a traditional church service, members of the church will be going to public places, public transit stops, airports, and a military base to offer ashes to those that are unable or prefer not to attend church.

Church leaders will be at 14 different areas throughout Pittsburgh between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

More here-

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/02/26/ashes-to-go-ash-wendesday-2020/

Larger-Than-Expected Response To Gun Buyback Program Leaves Church Asking For Donations

From Pittsburgh-

Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Homewood is asking for donations to keep their gun buyback program up and running today due to such a large response.

The church planned to hold the event through 3 p.m., but less than an hour in and the money ran out.

The gun buyback is in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and spreading his message of non-violence.

The church was offering up to $100 per firearm, thanks to funding from various local organizations like the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.

However, organizers tell KDKA that they’ve already gone through $5,000.

More here-

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/01/20/homewood-holy-cross-church-gun-buyback-program-large-response/ 

and here-

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/pittsburgh-church-runs-out-of-money-during-successful-gun-buyback-program/

Pittsburgh church fighting gun violence by buying back guns

From Pittsburgh (with video)-

A gun buyback program will take place at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church on Monday -- the holiday that honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message of nonviolence.

In November 2019, it was the scene of a double homicide on the corner of Kelly and Collier streets in Homewood, just outside the church.

“Does anyone not understand that to reduce gun violence, we need to get some guns off the street?” said Leon Haley, of the Episcopal Lutheran Alliance.

More here-

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/pittsburgh-church-fighting-gun-violence-by-buying-back-guns/5GU26WEZ7ZGATEGXU3WPMFXLB4/

Pittsburgh Episcopal bishop to retire

From Pittsburgh-

Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced plans to retire in April 2021 after nearly a decade as the diocese’s first permanent bishop since a major 2008 schism.

“I have not come to this decision lightly,” Bishop McConnell, 66, wrote to Pittsburgh’s Episcopal community on Wednesday. “I have prayed long and hard over it. ... But I know that by April of 2021, I will have done what God called me here to do. We have built a beautiful vision together, and you will need a leader who will have the energy and stamina to carry it forward over the next several years.”

Bishop McConnell was installed in 2012 as leader of the diocese, which reports having more than 8,600 members in 36 congregations.

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/04/Pittsburgh-Episcopal-bishop-to-retire-Dorsey-McConnell/stories/201912040126?cid=search

Pittsburgh Episcopal bishop to retire

From Pittsburgh-

Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced plans to retire in April 2021 after nearly a decade as the diocese’s first permanent bishop since a major 2008 schism.

“I have not come to this decision lightly,” Bishop McConnell, 66, wrote to Pittsburgh’s Episcopal community on Wednesday. “I have prayed long and hard over it. ... But I know that by April of 2021, I will have done what God called me here to do. We have built a beautiful vision together, and you will need a leader who will have the energy and stamina to carry it forward over the next several years.”

Bishop McConnell was installed in 2012 as leader of the diocese, which reports having more than 8,600 members in 36 congregations.

His resignation sets in motion the process for electing his successor, which will involve a search process culminating in a vote by a special convention of the diocese in November 2020.

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/04/Pittsburgh-Episcopal-bishop-to-retire-Dorsey-McConnell/stories/201912040126

Pittsburgh Synagogue Gets Help From Neighboring Church, 1 Year After Deadly Shooting

From NPR-

Nearly a year after a man opened fire in Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue, members of the congregation are holding their High Holy Days celebration at an Episcopal church that welcomed them in.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: 

The Jewish High Holidays are here, and we're going to look now at how the synagogue that suffered the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history is marking them. That attack, of course, was in Pittsburgh nearly a year ago. As Bill O'Driscoll of member station WESA reports, the congregation is getting support from Christian neighbors.

BILL O'DRISCOLL, BYLINE: As soon as regular Sunday services ended yesterday, Calvary Episcopal Church volunteers began preparing the 113-year-old sanctuary for a second service. That evening, hundreds of members of Tree of Life, or L’Simcha Synagogue, arrived to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

WILLIAM STEVENS: These will be covered for the next two weeks.

More here-

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/30/765834514/pittsburgh-synagogue-gets-help-from-neighboring-church-1-year-after-deadly-shoot 

also here-

https://www.wesa.fm/post/gesture-hospitality-tree-life-marks-high-holidays-calvary-episcopal#stream/0

Calvary Episcopal Church Opens Doors For Tree Of Life Congregation

From Pittsburgh-

The Jewish New Year has begun and with it comes a time of reflection, forgiveness, and new beginnings. 

It comes nearly one year after the mass shootings that took place at the Tree of Life.
The Calvary Episcopal Chruch in Shadyside has opened its doors to the Tree of Life congregation as a place of worship. 

This week, after the final prayers and goodbyes were said, the church covered their crosses, removed the hymnals, and a transformation began to making the church a welcoming home for the Jewish community. 

“Anyway that they would feel comfortable and know this could be their building, they could use it,” said William Stevens, Director of the Calvary Episcopal Church Altar Guild. 

After the tragedy last year, the church offered their space for worship, meetings, and offices. The Tree of Life took them up on the proposal and after several meetings decided to have their High Holiday of Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur at the church. 

More here-

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/09/30/shadyside-church-open-for-tree-of-life/

Shadyside church to host Tree of Life's High Holy Day services

From Pittsburgh-

An unusual sound echoed Monday through the cavernous walls and gothic vaults of Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside — the sonorous reveille of a shofar, or ram’s horn, used to mark the start of the Jewish new year.

The new year hasn’t arrived quite yet, but several members of the Tree of Life / Or L’Simcha Congregation were preparing for it.

They were visiting Calvary to learn about the place where they will be commemorating Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the High Holy Days of the Jewish religious calendar, for the first time since their synagogue was attacked by an anti-Semitic gunman Oct. 27.

The Tree of Life members have been conducting weekly worship at another synagogue, Rodef Shalom Congregation of Shadyside, since Oct. 27. On that date, an attacker killed 11 worshipers from three congregations who were observing the Sabbath at the Tree of Life building.

More here-

 https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/09/09/Tree-of-Life-Calvary-Episcopal-Rosh-Hashana-Yom-Kippur/stories/201909090141

Pittsburgh Episcopal church will host Jewish High Holiday services for synagogue targeted in 2018 mass shooting

From ENS-

The Pittsburgh synagogue that was devastated by a mass shooting last October will hold its Jewish High Holiday services this fall at an Episcopal church down the street.

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, offered his church as a worship space shortly after neo-Nazi terrorist Robert Bowers opened fire during a Sabbath service at Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation on Oct. 27, killing 11 people, according to authorities.

That day, Calvary was packed with parishioners for a fundraiser, Jensen told the Episcopal News Service. Along with a financial gift and card from Calvary parishioners, Jensen sent a letter to Tree of Life.

“Everybody says something like, ‘let us know if there’s anything we can do to help,’ and I was specific in guessing that they would need space – worship, office, meeting – and so I offered specifically. ‘We’re good at doing that. If you need any of this, it’s yours,’” Jensen said.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/08/21/pittsburgh-episcopal-church-will-host-jewish-high-holiday-services-for-synagogue-targeted-in-2018-mass-shooting/

Tree of Life to hold High Holiday services at Calvary Episcopal

From Pittsburgh-

The Calvary Episcopal Church, a paragon of good neighborliness, will serve as host to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation for all of its 5780 High Holiday services. 

Calvary is located on Shady Avenue, less than a mile from the Tree of Life synagogue building, in the heart of Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood. On Saturday, Oct. 27, the church happened to be filled with parishioners attending its annual fundraiser to help the underserved. The news of the mass shooting targeting people down the street hit them hard, said the Rev. Jonathon Jensen, rector.  

“So, right afterward, the next day, I preached about the shooting and what that might mean, short-term and long-term, and how does a person of faith respond,” Jensen said. 

“In my experience, I have found that often what happens is people will say, ‘Is there anything we can do to help you?’ and it puts the burden on the person who’s hurt,” he said. “I’ve found it is much more helpful to make specific offers of things people might actually need, so the burden is on you to do it rather than the person who is hurting to think of something for you to do.”

More here-

https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/tree-of-life-to-hold-high-holiday-services-at-calvary-episcopal/?fbclid=IwAR2Y8-6Yfze55CC6NFs9ac-rOPLdtWicX1jj5HMV5ICkK9s--Lq1I_17lSA

Laundry Love to open Westmoreland location in Irwin

From Pittsburgh-

Cleaning clothes can be a lonely chore at a coin laundry service.

It can also be an expense area families have a tough time fitting into their budget.

A Harrison City woman wants to lighten the load while sharing some love along the way.

“People that have clean clothes, they just feel better about themselves,” Karen Wolfe said.

Westmoreland County’s first Laundry Love location will open April 2 in Irwin at R.C.S. Laundromat on Main Street. Wolfe and other volunteers through The Church of the Advent in Jeannette will provide quarters, laundry soap and dryer sheets to anyone in need.

There are no requirements for those who receive the help, just that they show up. Laundry Love is a national initiative that connects neighborhood groups and coin laundry services with people who have little or no income. It’s pretty casual — there are no papers to fill out and volunteers get the first names and phone numbers of those participating as a way to communicate if needs change.

More here-

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/laundry-love-to-open-westmoreland-location-in-irwin/

New Provost for Pittsburgh

From The Living Church-

Bishop Dorsey McConnell has named the Rev. Aidan Smith as provost of Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh.

Smith — dean of advancement and church relations at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge and assisting priest at All Saints in the Brighton Heights neighborhood — becomes provost May 1 for an initial term of two years.

The bishop wrote to cathedral members about the appointment in a letter dated March 15.

“I know that Aidan and his TSM colleagues are proud of how under his watch enrollment grew, new relationships were forged, and the school’s financial health improved,” McConnell said. “I’m overjoyed that he will be bringing this skill set, along with his caring pastoral approach, to Trinity Cathedral.”

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/2019/03/18/new-provost-for-pittsburgh/?fbclid=IwAR29nhQlqmEyn0BsZosfh6V4fYg2B6KLSk5TSGd0E1Z855oXZsE_3k6toLo

Worshipers Find Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese’s ‘Ashes To Go’ Locations A Convenient Way To Observe Lent

From Pittsburgh (with video)-

“I think it’s wonderful they came. They take the time to come out here and make life a bit easier for everybody with our hectic schedules,” Moore said.

Two people from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh manned both entrances of the T stop during the Wednesday morning rush, catching people along the way for “Ashes To Go.”

“We’re here because we recognize a lot of people aren’t able to get to their faith communities or maybe aren’t members of a faith community. Last year, I had a bus driver pull over and ask me for ashes when I did this,” said Erin Morey, with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon.

More here-

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/03/06/pittsburgh-episcopal-diocese-ashes-to-go/