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Rector’s Note: God, can you be a little clearer? Tips on discerning discipleship 9.19.24
Last Sunday, we kicked off our program year with a lively forum on discerning discipleship. If you weren’t able to attend, here is some...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Sep 19, 20244 min read
Rector’s Note: It’s time to have candid conversations about gender identity 9.12.24
People notice the “All Are Welcome in this Place” rainbow banner that hangs on the front of our church building. It is meant to signal...
Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Sep 12, 20243 min read
Rector’s Note: Keeping Confidences-9.5.24
In a world that is hungering for connection, support and loving community, parishes can be great places to meet that need. We pray for...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Sep 5, 20243 min read
Rector’s Note: Invite old friends to Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 8!-8.29.24
One thing The Church does really well is mark transitions and new beginnings. Baptisms, weddings, Confirmations, feast days, holy days,...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Aug 29, 20243 min read
Rector's Note: A Story in an Airstream Trailer-8.22.24
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of women, the diocese recently invited local women clergy to record their stories of...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Aug 22, 20243 min read
Rector's Note: Shining Like the Sun-8.15.24
Even though the program year has taken the summer off, weekdays and evenings at St. Peter’s have been really busy. The calendar is...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Aug 15, 20243 min read
Rector’s Note: Sipping and Dipping-8.8.24
On Sunday Aug. 18 St. Peter’s will be adding the practice of intinction, or dipping the communion bread into the wine chalice, as an...
Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Aug 8, 20244 min read
Rector’s Note: Running Ahead-7.25.24
“You’re running ahead of the church!” my mom said to me in one of the more painful conversations we had about my leaving Catholicism to...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Jul 25, 20244 min read
Rector’s Note: Rest for the Soul-7.18.24
Last week, as part of my time away, I spent four days on retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York. (You can hear about some...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Jul 18, 20243 min read
Rector's Note: Following the Way of Love into the next nine years-6.27.24
At our General Convention this week our Episcopal Church leaders and delegates – bishops, priests and lay – chose the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe,...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Jun 27, 20245 min read
Rector’s Note: Thoughts on the 81st General Convention-6.20.24
This Sunday marks the opening of the Episcopal Church’s 81st General Convention—the meeting of the Episcopal Church’s full governing...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Jun 20, 20244 min read
Kristina Marchuk to Serve as Parish Nurse as part of Pastoral Care Team
In her role as parish nurse, Kristina will serve as the primary responder during worship services and parish events, and will also...
Submitted by Kristina Marchuk
Jun 20, 20242 min read
Shirley Smith Named One of ECW's Triennial 2024 Distinguished Women
St. Peter's is honored to announce Shirley Smith as the 2024 ECW Distinguished Woman for the Pennsylvania Diocese. We will take some time...
Submitted by Mary Rivera
Jun 20, 20241 min read
Rector's Notes: How God makes ministry-6.13.24
One way to understand what God is calling us to do is to stop and pay attention to the gifts and needs that are presenting themselves....
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Jun 13, 20243 min read
Insights from Our Bell Choir and Folk Group Directors - A Q&A Session
Kathy Flaherty, Bell Choir Director, and Linda Toia, Folk Group Director, share and answer questions about their work at St. Peter's and...
Answers Submitted by Linda Toia and Kathy Flaherty
Jun 6, 20244 min read
Rector’s Note: The icons of what brought me here-6.6.24
After two years, I’m just about finished moving into my office. Boxes that held some of my most precious things have finally been...
Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Jun 6, 20243 min read
Rector’s Note: Creating a parish human-energy budget-5.30.24
In a conversation with Rector’s Warden Dave Mosteller yesterday, Dave wondered aloud if a parish should have a human energy budget as...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
May 30, 20243 min read
Rector's Note: Wishing the best of our Postulant for Holy Orders-5.23.24
Amidst all the bustle of our big Pentecost service last Sunday, Bob Smith, postulant for Holy Orders to the Diaconate, completed his...
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
May 23, 20244 min read
Rector’s Note: Meeting immediate needs and addressing root causes-5.16.24
One of the roles of the parish rector is to make sure that alms are distributed to people in need in the parish and the community. I...
Rev. Barbara Ballenger
May 16, 20243 min read
Rector’s Note: The Power of Pin-5.2.24
Lately, the joint has been jumping. Have you noticed that our pews are getting a little fuller? That folks are bringing friends to church...
Rev. Barbara Ballenger
May 2, 20243 min read
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