Parish Toolbox

11th September, A.D.2007

TO THE CLERGY AND LAY LEADERS OF THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Each year my pre-Convention report takes the form of a pastoral letter.  This year will be no different.

MOMENTOUS DAYS AND MOMENTOUS DECISIONS
It appears to many of us – bishops, clergy, laity – that a moment of decision has arrived in the Anglican Communion.  The Windsor Report and Primates Communiques from Dromantine and Dar es Salaam have asked The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada to take clear actions committing these two Provinces of the Anglican Communion to “walking together” rather than “walking apart” from the Communion.  After four years the official, as well as general, response from The Episcopal Church seems to be “we’ll do it our way.” Moreover rejection (by both the House of Bishops and Executive Council) of proposals to allow sufficient integrity to dioceses like Pittsburgh, concerning traditional Faith and Order, now seem all but final.  A last minute reversal by the House of Bishops (prior to a September 30th deadline established by the Communion) seems most unlikely.  In light of these events, with heavy hearts, and for the sake of our mission it appears the time has come to begin the process of realignment within the Anglican Communion.

Constitutional changes proposed for consideration at the 142nd Annual Convention would begin the process to exercise our right to end the accession of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh to the constitution and canons of The Episcopal Church of the United States of America.  The accession clause first appeared in the Constitution of our Diocese in 1868.  The effect of the changes would make clear the right to end any claim of spiritual or canonical authority of the General Convention over the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and would allow the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh to realign itself with another Province of the Anglican Communion.  The proposed changes are written in such a way, however, that continuing membership in The Episcopal Church remains a possibility if The Episcopal Church were to reverse its “walk apart” from the Anglican Communion. 

Where are we going?  Nowhere.  We stand where we have always stood.  We are who we have always been.  It is The Episcopal Church that has moved.  It is The Episcopal Church that has become something new.  If the Convention adopts the constitutional amendments proposed, it is re-alignment within the Anglican Communion that would be made possible.  The argument is that this re-alignment would free the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh from any claim that it can be forced to be something different, from being carried somewhere outside the mainstream of Anglicanism, from being lured somewhere outside the mainstream of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. 

Because the accession clause is a feature of our local diocesan constitution, adoption of the changes requires the action of two successive annual conventions.  The proposed changes would therefore not take effect immediately, but would open a season of planning, discussion and decision-making in preparation for the second vote in 2008. 

ORDINARY CANONICAL CHANGES
Diocesan Convention will also be asked to vote on a report of the Committee on Constitution and Canons.  During the first eight months of 2007, this committee undertook a thorough examination of the present form of the canons of the Diocese.  A series of canonical changes are proposed to bring the canons into line with present practice in the Diocese, and to conform a number of passages in the canons to significant changes made in 1994, but not uniformly written into all the canons.  One change to convention Rules of Order is also proposed as a result of concerns raised in the last two conventions about roll-call voting.

250th ANNIVERSARY OF ANGLICAN PRESENCE
As you know, 2008 marks the 250th anniversary of the first act of worship according to the Book of Common Prayer at what is today the City of Pittsburgh.  “Anglican Witness and the Flowering of Christianity in Southwestern Pennsylvania” is the theme of our 250th Anniversary Celebration.  The Celebrate 250 Committee, co-chaired by Fred Thieman and Tom Moore, has done a splendid job of preparation for the year-long observance.  Both the City of Pittsburgh and the Episcopal Diocese had our beginnings on the same day and in the same place, making for an observance that goes far beyond us Anglicans in its significance.  A variety of events are planned.  A history of the Diocese has been written.  An exhibition will be mounted at the Heinz History Center as well as (hopefully) at several locations around the Diocese Trinity Cathedral’s exterior and grounds are being renewed.  Significant ministry initiatives to serve the homeless across the region are being undertaken.  Pittsburgh’s foundation community has responded marvelously to underwrite the capital expense involved in both the Cathedral and homeless ministry projects.  I know that all of the people of the Diocese will share in at least some aspect of the fruits of these labors.

At our 2006 Diocesan Convention, parishes were asked to contribute to funding the celebratory events by contributing 1% of their budget in both 2007 and 2008.  This fall, the Celebrate 250 Committee, will undertake fundraising among individuals.  A report and video will be brought to Convention. 

LAWSUIT AND BUDGET
The lawsuit brought by the Rector and Vestry of Calvary Church was reactivated by the plaintiffs on December 19th, 2006.  Since that time the Diocese has spent, on average, $27,000 dollars a month in defense.  After exhausting the Diocesan Council reserve (accumulated through surpluses in the operating budgets of the last several years), the Board of Trustees began committing unrestricted assets to the legal defense.  In the 2008 Diocesan (operating) budget proposed to the 142nd Convention, a reduction in assessment income of $110,000 (equal to the annual assessment of Calvary Church now being escrowed) is reflected in reductions in expenditure, including, but not limited to, salary freezes for diocesan staff.  Additionally the operating budget of the Trustees (not presented to Convention) will show a $500,000 flow-through, representing a potential draw-down from unrestricted assets for legal expenses associated with the legal action against the Diocese.

COMMON LIFE PROPERTY AT DONEGAL LAKE
One of the most gratifying accomplishments of 2007 has been completion of the Clergy Cottage at Donegal Lake.  This four bedroom facility, like the barn constructed in 2006, was made possible through assets derived from the sale of the diocesan property previously owned at Jennerstown.  I know you join me in gratitude that we have a place for our clergy and their families to find much needed rest and refreshment.

A Common Life Property Program and Events Commission was named in 2007.  This Program and Events Commission is chaired by the Rev. Jean DeVaty of Ascension Church and has members from each of the Districts of the Diocese.  The group functions to consider how best to bring this asset into widespread diocesan usage.

DIOCESAN HEALTH AND STRENGTH
Our parishes continue to carry forward their mission.  Despite the anxieties of the present season, parish statistics continue to show strength.  More important, however, visitations reveal a continuing commitment on behalf of our people to reach the world with the saving and loving gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pittsburgh is a remarkable diocese, driven by remarkable people.

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh continues to attract wonderfully able ordained leaders.  Clergy want to serve in Pittsburgh.  We thank God for this provision.  Trinity School and the various Mission societies continue to be part of the attraction.  Pittsburgh Clergy are also deployed all over the world as missionaries.  To God be the Glory!  At the same time, clergy leadership challenges have rarely been greater.  Constant prayer and random acts of kindness are recommended.

Our diocesan staff is among the best serving any diocese.  We continue to have other dioceses consult with us on matters from church-planting to finance.  Jack Downie’s health crisis has been a cause for much prayer.  He awaits a liver transplant.  Like the anxieties experienced by our clergy and people, diocesan staff has also been challenged by the crisis in the Episcopal Church.  Nevertheless, the deep Christian faith exhibited by the diocesan team is known to all.  The conviction expressed by St. Paul in Romans 8:28 is also our conviction: “God works all things together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”

CONVENTION FOCUS
Each year we take an aspect of our diocesan vision to focus on at Convention.  This year will be no different.  The Convention Committee has agreed to the theme “Missionary Grace: Taking Christ’s Love to Our Neighbors.” The focus is on local mission and the mission of each one of us as Christians. 

We will be meeting at Johnstown.  Convention facilities there are among the best in the region.  St. Mark’s will be our host parish.  This will be the first Convention in the eastern part of our Diocese in many years.  I look forward to being at Johnstown, as I hope you do.

CHARITY, PRAYER AND PREPARATION
St. Paul calls us to “speak the truth in love.” [Eph. 4:15] Heeding his exhortation will serve us well in these days of preparation for the 142nd Annual Convention.  We are a great fellowship of believers.  We have difficult questions before us.  Not all of us will agree about the best path forward.  Let us commend ourselves as Christian brothers and sisters. 

Prayer and fasting will also serve to get us and our Convention in the right place for this fall’s work.  Let seeking the Lord’s face be the first commitment for us all.  Everything else can flow from there.  As the apostle reminds us, “He who has called you is faithful, and He will do it.” [I Thess. 5:24]

Faithfully in Christ,

+Bob Pittsburgh

Download "Bishop Robert Duncan's Pre-Convention Report"