Absalom Jones Day Celebration
A Celebration of the Life and Ministry of the First African American to be ordained in the Episcopal Church

"Reconciliation and Healing Through Knowledge"

Saturday, February 2, 2013
Trinity Cathedral
328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Celebration Day Events:

• Program Video and Panel Discussion
• Luncheon – $8.00 per person or $15 per family
• Frank E. Bolden Literary Contest Award
• Performance by youth of The Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program
• Holy Eucharist – Bishop Dorsey McConnell, Celebrant
• Guest Preacher – The Rev. Canon Angela F. Shepherd

If possible, please register online below and then pay at the door.
Questions? Call Nancy Travis Bolden at 412-683-8888 or the Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker at 412-243-6100

Registration Deadline: January 25, 2013.

Click here for online registration

Click here for printable bulletin inserts and registration form (2 page PDF)

Click here for a printable flier, version 1 (PDF)

Click here for a printable flier, version 2 (PDF)

Click here for a pastoral note from Bishop McConnell about Absalom Jones Day 2013

Video: Cracking the Codes: Understanding the  System of Inequality, is a film from World Trust by Shakti Butler Ph.D., filmmaker and racial justice educator, features moving stories that provide deeper understanding of systemic racism and helps viewers deepen their understanding of the system of inequality. It asks America to talk about causes and consequences of systemic inequality and is designed to deepen and shift the framing of racial disparities in this country.

Panel Discussion:

• Kelly Jean Wilkes – Seminarian, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; Member, Peace & Justice Fellowship, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
• Richard Flateau – Seminarian, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
• Rahmon S. Hart – Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Duquesne University
• Sahar Ahaikh – Senior, The Ellis School
• The Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre – Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Homewood
• Moderator: The Rev. Eric McIntosh, Asst. to Rector, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Wilkinsburg

Guest Preacher for Absalom Jones Day

The Rev. Canon Angela F. Shepherd, canon for mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, is the guest preacher at the Diocese of Pittsburgh's 2013 Absalom Jones Day.

Absalom Jones Day will be celebrated at Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, February 2, 2013, starting at 10:00 a.m. Additional details about the celebration, including agenda and registration information will be available soon.

Angela is a priest, social justice advocate, gospel based strategist, lover of God and God's people. Her position as canon for mission includes: encouraging and supporting congregations in their mission and outreach initiatives, convening the Public Policy team, organizing and co-chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that focuses on race relations, staff liaison to the Education task force, preaching in congregations, leading mutual ministry reviews and retreats.

She devotes time to the following boards: Baltimore International Seafarers' Center, Episcopal Service Corps, Camp Amazing Grace, Episcopal Community Services of Maryland, Episcopal Ministries to the Aging, and Episcopal Service Corps.

Ordained 16 years, she served 11 years as rector in a suburban setting and 3 years as an urban vicar. She has served as Deputy to General Convention: 2003, 2006, and 2009; Standing Committee (1 year as president), Commission on Ministry, and Diocesan Chaplain to Daughters of the King.

2013 Frank E. Bolden Literary Contest

Each year the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh celebrates the life and work of Absalom Jones (1746-1818), the first African-American priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. In conjunction with this event, the diocesan Commission on Racism sponsors a literary contest named for the late Frank E. Bolden, a noted Pittsburgh-based African-American journalist.

The contest is open to all middle and senior high school students in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded to the author of the winning entry at the Absalom Jones Day Celebration to be held at Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.

The contest is on the subject of racism with a specific theme. This year's theme is:

"Reconciliation and Healing Through Knowledge"

Students are invited to submit a literary work that describes or gives an example(s) of the theme, either from the past, present or future. Entries may be essays, poetry, fiction or non-fiction, and will be judged on originality, clarity, and composition. The maximum length is 200 words and should be typed double-spaced.

Entries should include the following information: author's name, age, grade, school, teacher's name. Also include the author's home address, phone number, e-mail address, hobbies and interests, extra-curricular activities, and plans for the future.

Entries may be submitted by email to dpowell2010@hotmail.com or by regular mail to Literary Contest, PO Box 419, Oakmont, PA 15139. Entries must be post marked no later than January 23, 2013.

If you have any questions about the contest, please call one of the following: Al Mann at 412-661-5947; Nancy Travis Bolden at 412-683-8888; or Darrell Powell at 412-828-0502.