St. Paul's Episcopal Church names interim rector

From Cleveland-

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights has named an internationally known priest as its interim rector during the search for a permanent rector.

The Rev. Dr. Harold T. Lewis, recently retired from Calvary Church in Pittsburgh, will assume his duties Aug. 3.

St. Paul's former rector, the Rev. Alan M. Gates, ended his tenure June 1 after he was elected Bishop of Massachusetts in April.

Lewis, a native of Brooklyn, New York, holds a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Birmingham in Britain, and has distinguished himself as a scholar and an author.

More here-

http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2014/06/st_pauls_episcopal_church_name.html

Rector of Calvary Episcopal in Pittsburgh retires

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

When the Rev. Harold T. Lewis became rector of the mostly white and wealthy Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside in 1996, the city was reeling from racial turmoil, and Father Lewis, who is African-American, was expected to be a leader in addressing social injustice.

But circumstances have led him to retire as a renowned advocate for Episcopal canon law.

Five years before the 2008 schism in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, he filed a lawsuit to stop anyone from taking property out of the Episcopal Church.

"If you had asked me when I was ordained ... if I would ever sue my bishop, I would have said you were crazy," said Father Lewis, 65, who retired Sunday.

"It was painful for me to take that step, but it had to be taken for the sake of the church. There were people who said I was crazy, vindictive or jealous, out to lunch. But it turned out to be prophetic."
Father Lewis is a high church Anglican by conviction and heritage. He was raised in such a thriving black Episcopal parish that he was on the road to priesthood before he realized he was a racial outsider in his denomination. He was intellectually and musically gifted: His piano teacher at a high school for the arts urged him to pursue music professionally. But he chose to serve God.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/lifestyle/rector-of-calvary-episcopal-in-pittsburgh-retires-663640/#ixzz2DKTSBJBh

G-20 Itinerary difficult to come by

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

As the city readies itself for the G-20 summit Sept. 24 and 25, those lusting for a piece of the action during Pittsburgh's two days in the international spotlight would be well-advised to remember this line from the Robert Altman movie about Hollywood, titled, tellingly, "The Player":

Nobody knows anything.

(snip)

Harold Lewis, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside, said he would invite President Barack Obama and his wife to visit his church, he told parishioners on Sunday.

Reached yesterday, though, Mr. Lewis declined to elaborate on his plans. "I wouldn't want to comment before issuing an invitation," he said. "But it never hurts to ask."

Would Judy Davenport, wife of broadcasting executive Ron Davenport and whose son, Ron Jr., attended Harvard Law School with Michelle Obama, like to host a party for the First Couple?

"Oh, I'm not going to go there," Ms. Davenport said with a laugh, while insisting she knew of no plans for any social events involving the president and his wife. "But of course we're thrilled and happy for Pittsburgh."

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09154/974619-53.stm

Churches see drop in weekly donations, investment income

Pittsburgh Business Times on giving to Churches and investments.

Investment income is a concern at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside, where the value of the church’s endowment has fallen $600,000 this year, said Harold Lewis, rector. Lewis declined to disclose the size of the endowment, but the church has an annual budget of around $1.6 million, and Lewis said one quarter of the church’s total budget is funded by investment income.

The church’s annual pledge appeal is underway, but Lewis didn’t see any big reductions.

“People by in large have continued to honor their commitment to the church,” he said. “We’re prudent people who know nothing lasts forever and plan accordingly.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27512513/