From the earliest days of the church, we know that Christ followers were dedicated to the idea of community, knowing that “when two or three were gathered” (Matthew 18:20), Christ would be in the midst of them.

The Book of Acts traces some of the early development of the Christ Community. In Chapter 2, we read: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2: 42)

Today, we place the same emphasis on the importance of community in our Christian practice. We gather to worship together, to break bread, to study and for fellowship. In all that we do, we strive to maintain a safe and wholesome environment where all are welcomed, and all are treated as neighbors and siblings.

The work of our Safe Church, Safe Communities program in the Episcopal Church sets the standards for creating safe communities and trains those who are leaders in the church for creating safe spaces and maintaining healthy practices.

The last time that our diocese reviewed and adopted Safe Church guidelines was in 2018. There is now a new set of standard policies that our wider church body has developed; we are asked to adopt them as updated policies for our churches.

The Model Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth and Model Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults are the latest version from The Episcopal Church and represent the “minimum” or “floor” of what is expected in each of our churches. They were created by a Task Force appointed by our Presiding Officers of the Church (The President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop) and have been sanctioned by The General Convention. These polices have also been reviewed by our diocesan Council of Trustees and will be formally received by the Council at its June 2025 meeting. These policies may be enhanced by a parish, adding requirements to them, but their requirements may not be diminished.

In addition to implementing these policies, each parish is required to audit its compliance with the policies on an annual basis using an audit form. We recommend that this audit be done and included each year in the annual meeting reports of each parish. A final copy of the audit form will be published at a later date, however, the draft audit form is available for your review.

The diocesan staff wants to ensure that our congregations are well prepared to adopt these updated policies by August 31, 2025. To that end, please note the schedule of the policy implementation:

1. Form goes live to receive questions and feedback – April 2025
2. Zoom meetings for questions and feedback (see below) – May 2025
3. Policies brought to the Council of Trustees for final approval – June 2025
4. Parishes adopt or adapt the policies – by August 31, 2025

Moving forward, these policies will be available on Praesidium, and individuals will read and approve as they complete their Safe Church, Safe Communities training. Parishes will complete self-audits annually, with the Diocese conducting an audit every three years.

Please complete this feedback form to submit your comments and questions online.

Canon Micalagh Moritz, our diocesan Safe Church Administrator, will be hosting a Zoom meetings (Step 2) on the following dates:

Tuesday, May 13, 7 p.m. Register
Thursday, May 15, 12 p.m. Register

Please make note of these meetings and come with your questions and comments, or reach out to Canon Moritz.

With appreciation for your careful attention to this work –

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

Mother Ginger first felt called to ordained ministry at a young age, but due to the environment in which she was raised, she believed that calling was not possible. “For many years, I did not believe that women could or would be accepted in that role. I thought women could only serve as chaplains, and even those jobs would be difficult to come by.”

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Rev. Ginger Bennett was received into the Priesthood of The Episcopal Church by the Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan at St. Andrew’s in Shippensburg.

This perspective began to shift during her teenage years when Sister Alice, a Catholic nun encouraged her to seek out God in the still small voice within. As Mother Ginger explored contemplative worship, her appreciation for the sacraments, theology, and liturgy grew. This journey culminated in a time of prayer and discernment that brought her to 2 Corinthians 8:10-12. As she read the passage, she knew she was being invited to share the gifts God had given her in a new way.

Mother Ginger was first ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2020. While serving as a Lutheran pastor, Mother Ginger continued to feel a deep longing to connect with God in quiet, sacramental, and even mystical ways. The Rev. Barbara Hutchinson, Rector of St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg, guided her in this spiritual journey. Together, they explored this dimension of Episcopal spirituality, and through a course on liturgical theology from the Stevenson School for Ministry, Mother Ginger’s call to ministry in The Episcopal Church grew stronger, culminating in her reception as an Episcopal priest in February.

“I feel a strong call to serve at the altar, but I also feel God calling us into the tension of being active and present outside of the church,” Mother Ginger shared. “I have really appreciated this type of both/and ministry at St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg. I am leaning in as I discern where and how God is calling me next.”

Mother Ginger is currently serving in a variety of church and chaplaincy contexts. She is Associate to the Rector at St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg; Chaplain Resident at Lebanon VA Medical Center, Lebanon; Air Force Reserve Chaplain stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; Civil Air Patrol Gettysburg Squadron Chaplain; and Civil Air Patrol Group 2 Chaplain.

Several working groups have been tasked with planning the future of specific administrative and ministry areas within the Diocese of the Susquehanna. These include:

• Branding and Shield
• Clergy Life and Ministry
• Constitution and Canons
• Diocesan Offices
• Finance
• Legal Process
• Ministry of the Episcopate and Staffing
• Mission Granting Process
• Ordination
• Social Justice 
• Title IV

Each month, we will share highlights from a few of these working groups as they plan for our life together as the Diocese of the Susquehanna. 

Constitution and Canons 

The Constitution and Canons is a document which contains the rules and regulations pertaining to the governance of the church. The Episcopal Church has a Constitution and Canons that applies to all within it, and each diocese also has a Constitution and Canons which provides additional, specific regulations for this portion of our church. 

The Constitution and Canons working group is reviewing the Constitution and Canons from the dioceses of Bethlehem and Central Pennsylvania, and proposing a new document to guide our life together in the Diocese of the Susquehanna. Some other working groups are collaborating with this team to draft sections relevant to their area of ministry. The Ordination working group has completed a draft of the Commission on Ministry portion, which will guide the process through which new deacons and priests are ordained in our diocese. The Title IV working group is also hard at work drafting how the clergy discipline process will be structured. Title IV refers to the portion of The Episcopal Church Canons that outlines steps for accountability, reconciliation, and pastoral response when a clergy person is accused of misconduct. The Title IV working group is deciding how to combine the disciplinary boards of both dioceses, and has proposed a model with intake officers assigned to each region of the Diocese of the Susquehanna – a new element for the Diocese of Bethlehem. 

Branding and Shield

The Branding and Shield working group is developing a new visual identity for the Diocese of the Susquehanna. This project includes creating a new logo, bishop’s shield, and an official font and color scheme that represent our new diocese. The working group is currently in the brainstorming phase, and will soon begin work with a graphic designer to bring this vision to life. To share your thoughts with the working group, please fill out this survey. The unveiling of the new visual identity will take place at the annual Diocesan Convention this October. 

Clergy Life and Ministry 

One of the primary tasks of the Clergy Life and Ministry working group is to create a new clergy manual for the Diocese of the Susquehanna. Clergy manuals outline expectations and provide information on several aspects of ordained ministry including: clergy participation in diocesan life; guidelines for sacramental rites such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms; and financial responsibilities, such as the completion of annual parochial reports, church audits, and the use of discretionary funds. This working group is integrating policies and practices from the Diocese of Bethlehem and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania to create a comprehensive clergy manual for the Diocese of the Susquehanna. 

With the recent loss of federal funding, many local refugee resettlement agencies struggle to provide the necessary support for those in their communities. Whether responding to urgent needs, offering short-term or long-term assistance, or advocating for just policies, churches have many opportunities to step in and take meaningful action. Below is a list of resources to guide this important work.

Volunteering 

Church World Services is seeking volunteers to assist in the Harrisburg and Lancaster areas. Tasks may include accompanying individuals to appointments, enrolling them in English language classes, and setting up apartments.

Advocacy

Advocating for refugee support is a critical way to make a difference. The Episcopal Church Office of Public Relations shares how to advocate to US Senators and Representatives. 

Donations

Gift Card Collection

Church World Services is collecting grocery store gift cards to distribute to immigrants and refugees in need. Collect and send gift cards to: 

CWS Harrisburg c/o Durre Sharif
2101 North Front St.
Bldg. 3. Suite 301
Harrisburg, PA 17110

CWS Lancaster c/o Rachel Helwig
308 East King Street 
Lancaster, PA 17602

Monetary Donations

Fundraising and loose plate offering collections can be sent to any refugee resettlement agency of your choice. Episcopal Migration Ministries offers this Refugee Sunday toolkit as a way to learn, pray, and act to support refugees. Some options include: 

• Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Church World Services Harrisburg
• Church World Services Lancaster

Ongoing Information

As this situation is rapidly evolving, we share these resources for ongoing information on the latest ways to get involved:

• How you can help from Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Immigration action toolkit from The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations
• Diocesan Migration Ministry Resources

Legal Questions

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Pennsylvania is one source for information about immigrants’ rights. Compass Immigration Legal Services is an organization local to Harrisburg that provides immigration legal services for immigrants, families, and business, and also offers informative workshops to non-profits and churches looking to learn more. If you have legal questions about supporting this ministry through your church, please contact the diocesan office to be connected with the diocesan Chancellor. 

The story of Episcopal Square Towers began in 1982 with a vision inspired by Doris Quier Stevenson, wife of Bishop Dean Stevenson. With the original Shippensburg High School slated for demolition, she saw an opportunity to repurpose the site for the greater good through the creation of the Episcopal Square Towers. This project was a part of a broader initiative by The Episcopal Church to provide housing and essential services to those in need. While ownership of the property changed in 2024, the commitment to providing vital housing for vulnerable populations in this facility remains.

The proceeds from the sale of the Episcopal Square Towers created the Episcopal Towers Legacy Fund, an endowment fund managed in alignment with the Diocese’s investment policies, ensuring responsible stewardship and sustainable growth. Distributions from the fund will be allocated to support ministries in housing-related services, as well as the health, education, and welfare of elderly and disabled individuals. Churches located within the geographic boundaries of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania as of January 1, 2024, and diocesan ministries will be eligible to apply for grants from this fund. 

After the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania reunifies with the Diocese of Bethlehem on January 1, 2026, a granting body composed of members from the Diocese of the Susquehanna will be created to administer the grant distributions. 

Although direct ministry with Episcopal Square Towers has shifted outside of diocesan hands, its mission continues. Through the Episcopal Towers Legacy Fund, churches and ministries will have the opportunity to grow programs essential to fulfilling the baptismal call to seek and serve Christ in all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.

“I am grateful to Cricket for taking on the role of Secretary of the Diocese. In this role she will take minutes of our quarterly Council of Trustees meetings as we oversee the programmatic life and ministry of the diocese between Conventions. The position requires exceptional listening skills, the ability to distill our business into a succinct record, and a foundational understanding of the polity and procedures of our Church. Cricket comes to us with an impressive record of service as a Colonel in the Air Force, equipped with a degree in theology, and a love of the arts. She is passionate about serving our Church and we will be well served by her.”
– The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan

Cricket will serve as diocesan Secretary until September. Nichol Free, Executive Assistant to the Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan, will serve as Secretary pro-tem for our Convention in October. A new Secretary will be elected for the Diocese of the Susquehanna at our Convention and begin upon reunification in January 2026.

Las clases serán el primer sábado del mes de febrero a junio del 2025 de 10 de la mañana a las doce del día hora del este. 

Para registrarse se necesita solamente su nombre, número de teléfono y correo electrónico. Si tiene preguntas por favor llame a la Dra. Luisa Bonillas al 480-707-9017 o mande un correo electrónico a lbonillas@wellesley.edu.

La clase será completamente en español. 

https://forms.gle/WC2xGzZ7UaohvhpD8

The Spring Retreat will take place April 25-27, 2025, at the Claggett Center in Adamstown, MD, and is open to all sixth-twelfth graders. Registration is now open.

If you are an adult interested in chaperoning, please contact Canon Moritz to learn more.

Over 200 people joyfully gathered in Harrisburg on February 14-15, 2025, to celebrate the life and ministry of Blessed Absalom Jones, abolitionist and first Black Episcopal priest, and to explore how his example can inspire and guide our lives today.

The weekend began with an afrocentric evensong and sermon by Dr. Catherine Meeks, former Founding Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, and current Founding Executive Director and Chief Soul Midwife of The Turquoise and Lavender Institute for Transformation and Healing. The following day, participants heard from the young people who took part in the Absalom Jones Contest and Dr. George H. Love Youth Awards. Throughout the weekend, receptions provided opportunities for fellowship and reflection on the weekend’s themes.

Friday evening kicked off with a reception and book signing with Dr. Meeks. Members of the dioceses of Bethlehem and Central Pennsylvania were invited to participate in a book study of Dr. Meeks’ memoir, A Quilted Life: Reflections of a Sharecropper’s Daughter, in preparation for this year’s Absalom Jones Day celebration. After transitioning to evensong, the Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan welcomed attendees and thanked Dr. Meeks’ for her prophetic witness, both through her memoir and her upcoming sermon. 

The event choir led the congregation in powerful renditions of African American spirituals and hymns. Christyan Seay, Evensong & Music Coordinator, St. Paul’s, Harrisburg, Professor Fred Dade, Music Director, Minister of Music & Arts, St. Paul’s, Harrisburg, and Rodney Barnett, Organist & Choir Director, St. John, York, led the musical offerings. Other ministers of the liturgy included the Rev. Shayna J. Watson, Trinity Church, Washington DC, the Rev. Ricardo Sheppard, Church of the Atonement, Washington DC, the Rev. Canon Anthony Alexander, Bishop Baxter Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, and the Very Rev. Robyn Szoke-Coolige, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg. 

Dr. Meeks captivated the audience with her message about how to honor Absalom Jones’ life and ministry, particularly his fight for Black rights and freedom for the enslaved. She said:

“At the moment, we are in the midst of turmoil and destruction, and families being separated. That’s exactly what Habakkuk was describing and Absalom Jones’ life – that’s where we are. As we sit here in this place – and right this minute, it’s not us in this room, but it could be some of us next week – So let us not get too far away thinking, that was Babylon, that was Israel, and that was 200 years ago. It was, and it was yesterday, and it might be tomorrow. So what does that say to us in terms of how we live? Because for me, nothing matters about any of this business of religion, if it doesn’t help me to live better.”

Dr. Meeks’ words reminded all present that this work is far from over. The Rev. Celal J. Kamran, diocesan Multicultural Missioner and Rector of St. Paul’s, Harrisburg, reflected on the impact of her message: 

“For myself, and from what I’ve heard, Dr. Meeks was tremendously impactful because she was authentic. She called us into a deeper relationship with what Absalom Jones means to us today and she reminded us that this work of racial healing is not over. We have work to do and we strive for that justice to come to fruition in our communities, through the work of the diocese, and through groups like the Union of Black Episcopalians.”

On Saturday, participants gathered to hear from local schoolchildren who participated in the Absalom Jones Contest and Dr. George H. Love Youth Awards. The Bishop Baxter Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians established the Absalom Jones Contest to add an educational component to the Absalom Jones Celebration, inviting youth to explore “Faith and Freedom” in relation to Absalom Jones’ history and their own experiences.

Students from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and other schools in Dauphin County presented moving essays and art, reflecting on how they can use their faith to make a positive impact in their community in the face of modern-day human rights issues.

The contest concluded with Dr. Meeks encouraging the youth to continue speaking out on matters of justice and inequality. 

The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Union of Black Episcopalians Bishop Baxter Chapter were proud to host this event and look forward to continuing this annual celebration in February 2026. 

Photos in this album are available for download by churches and ministries in our community.