Resources for People and Parishes
This page offers links we think parishes and their people will find useful. These draw from a wide range of resources, both within the Episcopal Church and elsewhere. Each opens is a new browser window.
If you know of a site that you think we should add to this listing, please send a note to webmaster@diocesecpa.org
Diocesan Effectiveness Review
Diocesan Effectiveness Review report
NEW - Diocesan Same Sex Blessing Documents
Frequently Asked Questions about Same Sex Unions in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
Guidelines for the Blessing of Same Sex Unions in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
Website Hosting for Parishes
Learn about Digital Faith, the diocese's website hosting system, available to all parishes at no cost.
Congregational Development
Resources for Congregational Development
Grants/Loans/Funds
Diocesan Funds/Loans Descriptions
Operation Understanding Grants
Resources for Difficult Economic Times
Pastoral Care for the Unemployed - A collection of resources from the National Church web site that provides suggestions and examples of effective ministry to those without work or who are underemployed.
Christian Advocacy
Pennsylvania Council of Churches - This page from the Council's web site offers guidance on a variety of advocacy issues, including gambling, violence, public education, the environment, peace, and the death penalty.
Christian Education and Formation
Godly Play - A popular, play-based introduction to the church for young children.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Another curriculum for young children, this time rooted in the Montessori tradition.
Education for Ministry - A four-year program for lay people, developed at the University of the South and available through the Diocese.
Sermons that Work - A cycle of sermons and sermon ideas from the Episcopal Church offices in New York. This resource can be especially helpful for small congregations.
Conference and Retreat Centers - Centers offering combinations of facilities and programs
DaySpring (FL) - DaySpring is an Episcopal conference center, run by the Diocese of West Florida, that offers programs and welcomes groups interested in finding a place for their programs
Kanuga (NC) - Kanuga offers summer camps, leadership training events, and conferences (many featuring leaders in their fields) for clergy, lay persons, and families. Kanuga also has holiday celebration activities at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The facilities are extensive, and are also available for outside groups.
Roslyn (VA) - Roslyn is the conference center of the Diocese of Virginia. It is located west of Richmond.
Weston Priory - Weston is a Benedictine priory in Weston, VT that welcomes men and women interested in spending time living and worshiping as part of a monastic community.
Organizations offering spiritual formation and guided retreats:
Oasis Ministries is an interdenominational, nonprofit corporation based in Camp Hill, PA, offering retreats andconferences, spiritual formation training programs and consultations.
Shalem Institute is an ecumenical Christian community, based in Bethesda MD, dedicated to the support of contemplative living and leadership.
Kirkridge is a retreat and study center rooted in Christ close to the earth, where people of diverse backgrounds find community and experience the transforming power of the Spirit for personal wholeness reconciliation and justice in the world.
Organizations offering both guided and unguided retreats:
Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Danville, PA, dedicate themselves to a mission which can be summarized as evangelization, education, elder care, and ecumenism.
The Society of St John the Evangelist is a community of men living under traditional monastic vows in a non-traditional setting - Harvard Square (Cambridge, Massachusetts.)
Kanuga Conferences is a complete conference center in the mountains of Western North Carolina, affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
Holy Cross Monastery is part of the Order of the Holy Cross. Located in West Park, NY, it is a Benedictine Community in the Episcopal Church, USA
Still Waters Retreat Center, Carlisle, PA is an ecumenical retreat center available for group and individual retreats. 717-243-8774
Personal Resources - Helpful books and web sites
The Lectionary online - The 3-year Revised Common Lectionary, from the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University.
Book of Common Prayer Online - Pick your version; they're all here
Welcome to the Episcopal Church (book) - Co-authored by the Presiding Bishop, this is a link to the description page at Amazon.com
Trinity Church, Wall Street offers online and taped resources.
Web and Media Resources
Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero - Web site for the PBS Frontline documentary produced shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The site explores the experiences and reactions of those involved in the attack from a religious and ethical perspective.
From Jesus to Christ - The First Christians - The web site that accompanies the PBS production about the four Gospels includes extensive educational resources on the programs. These are suitable for individual or group use.
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly - Companion site for the weekly PBS program on religion and ethics. It is notable for its breadth and evenness of coverage, and for examining world events through the prism of differing religions.
