News

After more than five years of faithful service, the Bishop and Deacon Stuart have discerned together that it is time for a new placement. As Deacons serve at the discretion of the Bishop to meet the needs of the wider Church, we prepare to send him forth with gratitude. We thank “Deacon Stu” for his years of ministry in our community and will host a farewell during coffee hour on March 29 (Palm Sunday). His last day with us will be Easter Sunday. Click here to read Deacon Stu’s farewell letter.

Fr. Aaron is writing a daily devotional throughout Lent. Feel free to check it out here if you want to participate.

The Rev. Aaron William Smith was formally installed as Rector of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church by Bishop Scanlan in a joyful and meaningful service. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Curt Benham, a close friend of Fr. Aaron.

Members of the parish marked the occasion with special gifts, each symbolizing an aspect of ministry and community life:

• A Bible from the Spiritual Life Committee
• A stole from the Vestry
• Keys from the Wardens
• A hymnal from the Choir
• Mustard seeds from the children of the parish
• Bread and wine from the Altar Guild

The celebration continued with a festive parish dinner. See photos in the gallery.

We are excited to hear what musical styles we are playing and what we might play that you believe supports our mission. Please respond to this brief survey to help us shape the future of our music program.

The Diocese of the Susquehanna is hosting an in-person Safe Church class at Mt. Calvary on February 21 from 10am to approximately 1pm. The training is open to other diocese churches, covers all required Safe Church classes, and is valid for the next 3 years. This training is especially important for those whose Safeguarding training is out of date. Please register here as soon as possible and thank you for your dedication to making Mount Calvary a Safe Church.

Dear Parishioners of Mount Calvary,

We’re thrilled to be joining you at Mount Calvary this fall. The whole process of this call has been broadening and powerful for me. As someone who believes that God speaks through the whole body of the faithful together, I have taken this corporate discernment process as a wonderful opportunity to listen and receive his love. I hope and trust you have as well.

Your Search Committee was thoughtful, kind, present, intentional, and quite thorough. (I’ve now nicknamed your parlor the interrogation room.) Your Vestry, in particular your Junior and Senior Warden, have gone above and beyond to be welcoming and accommodating, your Bishop and diocesan staff attentive and caring.

Please know how positively this looks for an outsider considering coming to join you. We carry some trepidation, with two school age boys and the disruption that this brings, but after having experienced a small piece of the community, we’re also eager to help share the reality of the Evangelion — the Good News of Christ Jesus our Savior — with you, knowing that you share in our hope and joy.

There are still transitional items and dates and details, but know that we hope to be with you as soon as we’re able. Tim will be updating with details as they emerge.

Until then, please know that you have been in my wife’s and my prayers since the beginning.

Mount Calvary, the place where heaven and earth converged.

Yours in Christ,

Aaron W. Smith

Red is the color of the day on June 8 as we come to the 3rd great Feast of the Church, the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost refers to the 50 days after the Resurrection when the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples still fearful and unsure. Inspired by the breath of the Divine Spirit, they would venture out onto the streets of Jerusalem, proclaiming the Gospel, the Good News, of our Risen Savior. Red is the traditional color for the day; wear some red and be with us for the celebration. 

Mt. Calvary has secured a volunteer spot at the Central PA Food Bank on Tuesday, May 13, 5 – 7 p.m. Let Melanie know if you are available to help, and please use this link to sign up: https://volunteer.centralpafoodbank.org/registrations/Aqoj4oss8s/claim_spot. 

Youth aged 14 and older are able to volunteer.

The new address: 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg PA 17109.

Dheck out our Episcopal Public Policy Network where you can keep up with current congressional debates and proposed bills, as well as register your comments with local members of our national Congress. This Network provides an easy way to correspond with them and make a faith statement regarding proposed policy.

A way to further serve our Mt. Calvary community is as a Delegate to our Diocesan Convention. This year, our Convention, combined with the Diocese of Bethlehem, will be held on October 17 and 18 at the Hilton Conference Center in Scranton. This will be a momentous convention for us all as we will vote on the reunification of the two dioceses, creating the new Diocese of the Susquehanna as of January 1, 2026. If you would like to be considered for this position, please see Sr Warden Tim Spigelmyer.