Dear Friends in Christ,
Lay leadership, in tandem with clergy leadership, is an integral part of our worship life as Episcopalian Christians. What’s more, ongoing formation in leading worship and/or preaching deepens our understanding and enriches us as faith leaders and congregations.
I am pleased to announce our participation in two new certification programs for Lay Preachers and Worship Leaders, which are being offered by the Stevenson School for Ministry. The Diocese of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with our neighboring dioceses of Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania, and Maryland, is supporting these new programs. Moreover, in collaboration with the Commission on Ministry, I am adopting these as a part of an overall, developing diocesan process of formation for lay preaching and worship leading. More information will be provided in subsequent newsletters.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Rev. Canon Natalie Hall for initiating the revitalization of our local formation instruction in the Love+Teach+Heal (LTH) Academy. For the time being, as we start this new unit, LTH Academy will be on hiatus. Canon Hall, who developed and led the LTH Academy for several years, is concluding her ministry as our Canon for Faith Formation and Evangelism. She will focus her time on serving as Rector of Church of the Redeemer (Squirrel Hill). In addition to LTH, Canon Hall has led effective lay faith formation programs in our diocese, a gift for which we are deeply grateful. Please join me in offering heartfelt thanks to Canon Hall who has truly blessed us by sharing her deep faith and her passion for teaching.
Faithfully,
Bishop Ketlen