Merton Center members should mark the date of Tuesday, November 19, on their calendars and plan to attend the annual Thomas Merton Award dinner at which the the Center will honor Methodist Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly.

The annual dinner, traditionally held on the last Thursday before Thanksgiving, has been moved up two days to November 19. It will be held at the Sheraton Station Square.

Bishop Kelly, the first black woman to become abishop in a major Protestant denomination in the United States, was elecgted in 1984 as bishop of the United Methodist Church’s San Francisco area. She served for eight years until her retirement.

While serving her church, she has been active throughout her career in the civil rights, peace and women’s rights movements. She has worked for limits on nuclear weapons development and is a leader within the United Methodis Church in advocating the rights of gays and lesbians in the church.

The Merton Center is now seeking members for the planning committee for the event. To participate, call Marie Skoczylas, TMC development director, at 412-361-3022, or email to tmc.development@verizon.net.