WHAT ’ S NEWS IN SEWICKLEY
AN EVENING OF SPARKLE FOR THOSE IN NEED : AUTISM CONNECTION OF PENNSYLVANIA ’ S 16TH ANNUAL GALA
The spectacular Carnegie Music Hall Foyer in Oakland was the perfect setting to celebrate spectacular volunteers and supporters at Autism Connection of Pennsylvania ’ s ( ACOPa ) 16th Annual Gala .
Organized by Sewickley residents MJ and Steve Crane , the gala ’ s festivities included food , libations , entertainment , special recognitions and auctions .
Proceeds benefited ACOPa , a privately funded nonprofit located in Etna , whose mission is to serve as a lifeline for families and autistic adults by providing support , information and advocacy .
EASTER HAPPENINGS AT SEWICKLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The new day reveals itself , with all of its possibility , promise , serenity and certainty , to the wooded hilltop before spilling into the sleeping village in the valley . Meet Easter on the hilltop .
An Ecumenical Sunrise Service , hosted annually Easter morning by the Sewickley United Methodist Church in the chapel at the Sewickley Cemetery , is the year ’ s most predictable event . Darkness will dissolve . Light will emerge and embrace and empower .
The service , coordinated by the Rev . Russel Shuluga , begins at 6:30 a . m . in darkness and ends , less than an hour later , in daylight . The public is invited .
The glass-walled room is warm and offers protection from the elements , but provides an unbroken view of the light show as it moves through the Ohio Valley . The sunrise
Frank Coonelly , President of the Pittsburgh Pirates , and MJ Crane , gala organizer .
Spencer Crane , a junior at Quaker Valley High School in Sewickley .
Jim Walter , of Shaler , spoke at the gala .
service is one component of SUMC ’ s Lenten calendar . Lenten dinners are held each Sunday , March 12 through April 9 , at 5 p . m . Family-oriented programs follow each potluck dinner . No RSVP is necessary .
During Holy Week , SUMC holds services Thursday at 7 p . m ., Friday at noon , and Sunday , in the sanctuary at the church on the corner of Thorn and Broad streets , at 9 and 11 a . m .
SAINT SEBASTIAN SCHOOL COLLECTS BIBLES FOR INMATES More than 350 new Bibles will be distributed to inmates at the Allegheny County Jail , thanks to students at Saint Sebastian School in Ross Township .
The idea for the service project originated with Peyton Rihn , an eighth grader who serves as Student Council service director , a position she shares with seventh grader
Rachel Sweeney . The students learned that the jail is in constant need of Bibles after a call was made to Reverend Kimberly Greway , director of chaplaincy services at the Allegheny County Jail . The jail currently houses more than 2,000 men and women .
The student council worked with teacher advisor Celeste Dickson to finalize the details of the project . As students are generally required to wear uniforms , the council sponsored a dress-down day as a way to raise money for the project .
“ We anticipated having more than one fundraiser and probably doing something more elaborate to raise this money ; however , once students and families heard what the money was going toward , they donated such a large amount that we only needed one quick fundraiser ,” says Dickson . “ The response to this cause was overwhelming , and many families have not just donated money , but also have donated additional Bibles .”
The school raised enough money to donate 360 new Bibles , approximately one per student at the school . Each will include a prayer card , and each child will sign his or her first name on the card . The Bibles will be distributed to the inmates through the jail ’ s chaplaincy office .
“ Both the kids on Student Council and the other students at Saint Sebastian have such big hearts and always want to help in charitable causes ,” says Dickson . “ They always come through for us when we have fundraisers for different causes , or help others in the community .”
6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Sewickley