Fall 2013

My journey into iconography began in 2005 while visiting the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Boston when one of the brothers suggested I might be interested in attending an icon retreat that was being offered at the monastery. Although at the time I wasn’t sure I wanted to entertain a new artistic endeavor, I went to the retreat and my appetite was whetted by the experience.

Iconography remained in the back of my mind for several years until one of our Companions invited me to an icon retreat being offered by Pittsburgh iconographer Randi Sider-Rose. I decided to go, expecting that it would be similar to my previous experience with modern-day acrylic paints. In fact, I was immersed into the historic egg tempera method of icon writing which was initially overwhelming, foreign and headspinning but ultimately compelling. A passion was lit and I began to take instruction in the Russian school of iconography.

Because of the uniqueness of the medium of egg tempera in iconography – its many applications of transparent layers – I find the creative process to be deeply contemplative and spiritually enriching. I finish on average two icons a year. I have also enjoyed becoming part of one of the iconography communities of greater Pittsburgh and have been enriched by my contact with Orthodox brothers and sisters.

Another encouragement in this walk has been a reconnection with a friend from college days, now Fr. Justin, a Greek Orthodox priest and monk, Curator of the vast library of manuscripts and icons at Mount St. Catherine’s, Sinai, Egypt, whom I had the privilege of visiting in 2006.

My ultimate gratification happens when an icon is received and blessed by the Community and is seen by all as a window into the kingdom of God. James, SCC Archangel Michael Mother of Tenderness

In April the first joint meeting of CAROA (Conference of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas) and NAECC (National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities) was held at the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin.

Bill and Mimi, representing the Community of Celebration, were responsible for crafting the various liturgies and providing worship leadership. Bill currently serves as President of NAECC.

The von Minden clan came from Texas and Georgia to celebrate the joyous occasion of Mary’s 90th birthday.

The baptism of Dominic Jason Guzie, newest member of the Celebration family

Joe continues to receive a clean bill of health after bladder cancer and is steadily pursuing his weight loss program.

May has recovered from this spring’s health crisis with her kidneys and is no longer on dialysis.

The latest update to our website makes individual songs from Celebration recordings available as MP3 downloads.

Steven presided as a gentle rain fell on those gathered for the official blessing of the Spring Street Farm and Apiary, a project of Uncommon Grounds Café

Steven; Companion Nancy O’Leary, Director of the Farm; Dwan Walker, Mayor of Aliquippa and other guests join in the dedication of the Prayer Labyrinth

The Reverend Bonnie Thurston teaching on Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark

Jesus is the only founding teacher of a world religion to declare that his mission and gospel are for the poor. Most Christians in the West hardly fall into the category “poor” - or do we? Jesus is on record as saying “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you.” What is this poverty, and are we, on account of our comfortable lifestyles denied the blessedness of which Jesus spoke? Jesus told his followers to “lay up treasure in heaven.” What kind of investment did he have in mind? How is it that “you always have the poor with you”? This conference will be an opportunity to explore such questions as these.

Howard Page-Clark grew up in southeast England, and after graduating from college he joined Post Green Community based near Poole, Dorset, later moving to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland to become a member of a sister community, the Community of Celebration, of which he remains a Companion. In Scotland he met and married Jodi Page, whose leadership in and musical contribution to the Fisherfolk genre is well known. In Millport Howard served as manager of the Community’s bakery business for several years. Howard (now with Jodi) returned to Dorset, where for a period he ran Post Green Community’s caravan park business, before becoming administrator of the Post Green camp and conference program. He and Jodi adopted a family of four siblings, all now grown.

Howard trained as an Anglican priest and was ordained in 1998 to serve in the parish where he lives. He left Post Green and worked part time as a bookkeeper for a charity he and Jodi had helped to set up, while training as a teacher. He taught science at a secondary school in Bournemouth for six years, and then started his own business as a handyman. The onset of cancer led to the closure of that business, and since his recovery he has retired and completed a book about computer programming. He continues to serve his parish as an associate minister.

When we landed in Aliquippa 1985 we began praying for someone with the gift of evangelism to share our vision of God’s kingdom. In 2001 our prayers were answered when the Stanley family from the Church Army in Australia arrived: John, Alison, their sons Zac, Ben, Luke, and Jacqui the dog. They made their home in one of the Rowhouses and set about sharing their unique gift of ministry. Over the next several years John, using primarily volunteer labor from dozens of churches far and wide, spearheaded the conversion of one of the derelict buildings on Franklin Avenue into the Uncommon Grounds Café, to be a place of refuge and ministry for those looking for a safe haven. Thirteen years later, having heard the call to return to Australia, John, Alison and Luke will be leaving Aliquippa in January – Luke to join his older brothers in pursuing further education, John and Alison to find the next port of call in their life of ministry. Join us in praying for the continuing expression of Uncommon Grounds in Aliquippa and in wishing God-speed to these most faithful servants and friends.

The Earth Oven on the hillside behind the second block of Rowhouses is now 13 years old and due for some serious renewal.

Mimi grew up in West Texas and has been involved in the music of the church for most of her life, beginning with playing the Hammond organ for the evening service in the local Methodist church at age 12. She came onto the scene at the Church of the Redeemer in Houston in 1968 and became part of the founding ministry of “The Way In” coffee house the following summer. Eventually she left her professional music career at Carleton College in Minnesota and moved to Houston to become involved full time in the fellowship and ministry of the Church of the Redeemer. As part of the outreach traveling group, later known as the Fisherfolk, she shared in the liturgical renewal of the 1970’s primarily as composer/performer, guitarist/organist.

In 1973 she moved to England with a group of 24 clergy and parishioners from Redeemer in response to an invitation from the Bishop of Coventry to come and share the renewal that was happening in this unusual urban Episcopal church in Houston – a renewal that was more than individuals coming alive in the Spirit, but rather an entire parish congregation coming alive to a new way of living the Gospel. Over time this corporate renewal evolved into The Community of Celebration. Mimi and Bill were married in Coventry in 1973 and moved to Scotland in 1975 to establish life with the Community on the Isle of Cumbrae. Their children, Graham and Michelle, were born in Glasgow and knew only the quiet life of the wee island until the Community’s relocation to western Pennsylvania in 1985. Since coming to Aliquippa Mimi’s ministries have included: • 13 years as organist/musician at All Saints Episcopal Church, Aliquippa • 21 years as Chapel Musician/Adjunct Faculty at Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge • Leading Come Celebrate Weekends throughout the U.S. • Administration of Celebration’s rental properties, copyrights and royalties • Liturgist for the Community’s worship life