Episcopal Church in Vermont News

Transcription

1 Episcopal Church in Vermont News Church Hall Meetings Begin Today Bishop Ely will host a series of ten "Church Hall" meetings throughout Vermont to present and consider discoveries and ideas emerging from the various consultations and conversations underway throughout the Episcopal Church in Vermont since June, The first of these meetings will take place tonight (Tuesday, March 3rd) at 6:00pm at Holy Trinity, Swanton. Together, we are all The Episcopal Church in Vermont. Come be a part of shaping our future together. Date Time Location: Tuesday, March 3 6:00 PM Holy Trinity, Swanton Wednesday, March 4 6:00 PM St. Paul s Cathedral, Burlington Thursday, March 5 6:00 PM St. Michael s, Brattleboro Friday, March 6 6:00 PM Zion Church, Manchester Saturday, March 7 10:00 AM St. Paul s, White River Junction Saturday, March 7 2:00 PM St. Mark s, Newport Sunday, March 8 3:00 PM St. Paul s, Vergennes Saturday, March 21 3:00 PM Trinity Church, Rutland Sunday, March 22 2:00 PM St. John s in the Mountains, Stowe Tuesday, March 24 6:00 PM St. John s, Randolph New Beginnings in El Salvador The following is a reflection from the Rev. Canon Lee Crawford, Vicar, Church of Our Saviour, Mission Farm, Killington and Canon Missioner to the Episcopal Anglican Church of El Salvador On the last Saturday of January 2015, the Episcopal Anglican Church of El Salvador (Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana de El Salvador, IAES), a member of the Anglican Province of the Region of Central America, consecrated its second bishop diocesan, the Rt. Rev d Juan David Alvarado Melgar. Bishop Alvarado was elected in a special convention last August. I was a candidate (first woman candidate for bishop in the entire province) in that election and felt it important to return to the consecration to support both Bishop Alvarado and retiring bishop, the Rt. Rev d Martín Barahona.

2 El Salvador (Cont.) At the same time, I travelled as a member of this diocese s Standing Committee and had the privilege of presenting greetings to Bishops Alvarado and Barahona from our bishop, Thomas Ely. While the Episcopal Church in Vermont does not have a formal companion relationship with the IAES, we have had a long-standing connection with the bishop and people of that church. Since 2000, Foundation Cristosal, a foundation that works with the IAES and now focuses greatly on human rights, has been incorporated in the State of Vermont, and the Bishop of Vermont is a member of the board. (Stay tuned for information about a Global School trip to El Salvador that will focus on LGBTQ rights in El Salvador next July.) Many people in this diocese have travelled to this tiny, but populous, country in Central America. I have been its Canon Missioner since 2004, a ministry to which the new bishop re-appointed me. During my all-too-brief trip to El Salvador, I visited the small congregation of San Romero de las Américas in Sonsonate. This congregation does not have a church building. Instead, it worships under a thatched roof in a structure with no walls. Bishop Barahona, now Bishop Emeritus and Ambassador for Peace, the Rev d Germán López, priest in charge of the congregation, and I signed a pact with the congregation to work toward reconciliation and truth telling on a national level. We made these promises the day that the Vatican announced the process toward beatification of Msr. Oscar Romero, martyr for faith, something for which the Salvadoran people have long sought. In addition to attending the consecration, which took place in the pro-cathedral, San Juan Evangelista, in all its glory with 17 bishops and 40 priests and deacons from Central America, the Caribbean and the United States, members from the 19 congregations of the IAES, a church school with over 100 children and visitors from The Episcopal Church I preached and presided at the last service of the congregation that worships in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at the diocesan house. This congregation, now named the Ministry of Magdala, will be worshipping off-site. The service was bittersweet it was Bishop Barahona s first Holy Eucharist as Bishop Emeritus. We blessed him for his birthday and his new ministry and we remembered the 19 years of joy and sorrow that this congregation has shared in the space of the chapel. I presented them with an icon of Mary Magdalene and together we prayed for the congregation s new life and witness to the God of Love. Do keep the Episcopal Anglican Church of El Salvador, its new bishop, its bishop emeritus and Foundation Cristosal in your prayers and support. All witness in remarkable and prophetic ways to Jesus love of the outcast and those living on the margins. All seek new expressions of faith. And all work toward that perfect peace, shalom, that God so desires for everyone.

3 Ski Slopes, Grocery Stores, Hospitals and Pubs: The Episcopal Church in Vermont Takes Ash Wednesday Outside Church Walls Vermont Episcopalians braved the cold, and offered "ashes to go" outside church walls across the state yesterday in observance of Ash Wednesday. Ashes to Go is a national movement that seeks to take worship outside and to the people. Church of Our Saviour offered Ashes to Go at Killington Ski Resort. "I distributed ashes up top (a real mountain top experience!) for an hour in glorious sunshine and not quite-so frigid temperatures as Monday." The Rev. Canon Lee Crawford St. James', in partnership with Federated Church of East Arlington, offered "Drive-Thru Ashes to Go." Christ Church offered an Ash Wednesday service at Westview Meadows Independent Living and Residential Care in Montpelier.

4 Ash Wednesday (Cont) St. John's ashes - to - go at the Shaw's grocery store Randolph. This sunny nook gave us a perfect venue to encounter new and familiar faces. Great conversations and blessings shared. Our first friend Scott told us about his work at the Salvation Army and how he once gave a ride to Father Tim who was at the mercy of a flat bicycle tire. Parishioner Beth was busy busy on errands day and greatly appreciated a breather for a blessing with ash. Parishioner Mary stopped to visit but held out for ashes at the 6:30 p.m. service. Another St. John's member, Judy, came by with grandkids visiting for vacation - directly arrived from traveling. A beautiful woman named Karen was glad to have this chance because she was unable to get to a service with her care-giving responsibilities. Mark from S. Royalton stopped with bags in hand and announced "I need ashes. " Clearly this space is too small to share the abundance of some awesome relationship building that blessed us all around. Oh, almost forgot to mention that Ellen asked us to hold onto her giant garlic bulb that had remained in her grocery bag from her last store trip so that no one would suspect her of illegal activity! It looked rather interesting on the table with the cross, candle, and ashes... conjuring up images befitting of the Twilight Saga." The Rev. Susan Ohlidal (St. Johnsbury): "As part of my open ministry in St. Johnsbury, I offered "drop-in" ashes at the local hospital chapel to a steady stream of folks over 2 hours. Several said they could not go to a church service due to work and family schedules. Last night, I offered ashes at a local pub, including to a physician who could not get to the chapel that afternoon but knew Wednesday was my night in the pub and followed me there! Calvary Church, Jericho: "Ashes to Go. The commuter bus stop across the street. Below freezing when I started this morning. A couple of people said warmly "thank you for offering this" even though they did not receive the ashes. One woman got off the bus to receive them. When there were no more buses I walked up to the UCC/UMC Church and joined the ecumenical Ashes to Go, took the opportunity to have deep conversations with their pastor and a couple of neighbors." The Rev. Regina Christianson

5 Recalculating the Way II: A Blessing of All Things That Slide and Glide Have you registered for Recalculating the Way II yet? Last year's event sold out and this year's event is filling up quickly! The day will feature a "blessing of all things that slide and glide." Bring everything you have that slides or glides for a joyful and fun blessing... and don't forget to bring some bells to ring to make noise. Yes, we can claim all of God s gifts as sacred even our toys, our physical abilities and our enjoyment of creation. Wherever people gather to enjoy God s creation and the gift of recreation the Church can be present with joy, laughter, Scripture, fun, and blessing. Blessings happen out of the Church, too! Join us at Lake Morey Resort, March 14, 2015 for Recalculating the Way II We will gather around the snow altar at 1:00 pm near the edge of the lake behind the lodge. There will be music, song, scripture, poetry, praise, a snow blessing of all who gather and all the sleds, skates, poles, skis, and other winter stuff that can be blessed. After the event, the liturgy will be posted on the website for all to adapt and use near your own place of worship. Come and See. Laugh, Praise, Sing, and Bless fun things outside the Church. Bishop Booth Conference Center Wins Green Living Award The Bosch Green Living Awards competition seeks the best installations of Bosch products that demonstrate energy efficiency and sustainability in service to the environment. The winners are chosen by a panel of Bosch Thermotechnology judges. This year,the Bishop Booth Conference Center at Rock Point was honored with Third Place in the Professional Category for a boiler replacement installed by Vermont Heating & Ventilating Co., Winooski, VT. Watch for future updates on the many ways the Bishop Booth Conference Center is conserving energy.

6 Diocesan and Church Events, Reminders, and Resources Stirrings of the Spirit 2015 Grants The Stirrings of the Spirit leadership team invites your 2015 applications for two grant opportunities available to congregations and groups within the Episcopal Church in Vermont. Funding is available for innovative start-up projects or for existing projects that demonstrate innovative new components. If you do not have access to a computer, and would like more information, contact the Rev. Susan Ohlidal at Rock Point Summer Camp 2015 Registration Now Open If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more or register, contact Kathleen Moore at (802) Domestic Poverty Grant Applications Due April 30th The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society will award a series of ministry grants to fund new or revitalized efforts to engage Episcopalians in ministry among the economically impoverished in the United States, provide opportunity to the marginalized to overcome chronic adversities, challenge unjust structures that perpetuate the cycle of poverty, unleash creativity in ministry, inspire the wider church to more deeply engage with the poor, and experience the living Christ, incarnate and moving among the children of God. If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more or register, contact Kathleen Moore at (802) Society of St. Margaret Vocations Weekend April Are you the Sister we're looking for? Reservations are now being accepted for a vocations weekend April 17-19, 2015, to explore the life of the Sisters of St. Margaret, based in Duxbury, Massachusetts, south of Boston. The Society of St. Margaret, an Episcopal order of women, invites women ages 21-45, lay and ordained, to learn more about their work and life. The weekend is offered free of charge, and scholarships to help with transportation are available. Call (781) by March 27th to register and learn more. Province I Synod and General Convention Orientation April Provincial Delegates and General Convention Deputies are invited to gather in Marlboro, MA for the combined Provincial Synod and General Convention Orientation. If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more, contact Kathleen Moore at (802)

7 Diocesan and Church Events, Reminders, and Resources NECS Stewardship Conference April 17th - 18th Keynote speakers: The Right Reverend Michael Curry & Ben Stroup. If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more, contact Kathleen Moore at (802) TENS Annual Conference May 28th - 30th The dates are May 28-30, The conference will take place at Camp Allen, outside of Houston, Texas If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more, contact Kathleen Moore at (802) th Anniversary of the Diaconate in Province I May 30th On July 13, 1985, Bishop George Hunt ordained the first class of Deacons who completed their formation and academic preparation at the Diocese of Rhode Island School for Deacons. This was the beginning of the revival and resurrection of the vocational Diaconate not only in the Diocese of RI, but also in Province I. Come celebrate 30 years! If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more, contact Kathleen Moore at ( Rock Point Intentional Community Retreat June 5th - 6th This retreat is called "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Jumpstarting Enduring Connections to Rock Point." It is open to anyone who might be interested in exploring RPIC or thinking of becoming part of it, as a Member, Associate, or Friend. If you do not have access to a computer, and would like to know more, contact Kathleen Moore at (802)

8 Diocesan Event, Reminders, and Resources Episcopal Church submits written statement for 2015 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women February 25, 2015 With the 2015 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) meeting on the horizon, The Episcopal Church submitted its first ever official written statement to the 59th Session last October detailing persistent challenges to women s empowerment and gender equality and offering action steps UNCSW This year, UNCSW will undertake a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in The document outlined 12 Critical Areas of Concern in which progress needs to be made to empower women and girls. The Episcopal Church s statement identified four Critical Areas of Concern as persistent gaps [that] continue to impede gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, twenty years after Beijing: Violence against women; Education and training of women; Women and health; Women in power and decision-making positions. As people of faith, Episcopalians especially are called to lift up women and girls who frequently are marginalized or forgotten: women with disabilities, women of color, women from ethnic minorities, women refugees and immigrants, girls displaced by war or sent abroad by themselves, lesbians and transgender individuals, indigenous women, older women, enslaved and trafficked women, women who are heads of single-family households, and women in developing countries, the document states. The Statement in full is located here Ecumenical Women In addition, The Episcopal Church joined other members of Ecumenical Women in submitting a joint written statement, located here Ecumenical Women is a coalition of Christian denominations and organizations, including the Anglican Consultative Council, Association of Presbyterian Women of Aotearoa (New Zealand), Church Women United, Lutheran World Federation, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Salvation Army, Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church Women s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries, Women s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women and the World Young Women's Christian Association, and associates including Anglican Women s Empowerment, the National Council of Churches of Christ (USA) and Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

9 Episcopal Church submits written statement for 2015 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (Cont.) The advocacy priorities highlighted in the Ecumenical Women statement are: Violence and discrimination against women; Poverty, inequalities and climate change; Education and training of women and girls; and Women and health full access to reproductive health and informed decisionmaking. Together, The Episcopal Church s written statement, along with Ecumenical Women s joint written statement of which The Episcopal Church is a signatory will be the foundations by which The Episcopal Church s first official delegation will represent the Church at this year s UNCSW. Delegates will be encouraged to highlight the statements priorities, adding their own research, stories and information from their local perspectives, in order to illustrate the themes and communicate about them at the United Nations, and in their local communities once they return home. For more information contact Lynnaia Main, Officer for Global Relations for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Employment Opportunities The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington seeks experienced, detail-oriented bookkeeper for 8 to 10 hours per week. Experience with QuickBooks, Excel, PowerChurch or other comparable accounting software is necessary. References and background check required. Apply with cover letter and resume via to sarahg@stpaulscathedralvt.org Christ Church Montpelier is seeking a permanent Organist/Choir Director, hours per week. For a full job description or more information, please contact Maggie Thompson,

10 Episcopal Church in Vermont Events: March 3 rd March 17th Church Hall Meeting (1st of 10) Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:00pm Holy Trinity, Swanton Church Hall Meeting (2 nd of 10) Wednesday, March 4 th at 6:00pm Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington Contemplative Circle: Centering Prayer with Taize Singing Thursday, March 5 th at 6:30pm Immanuel Episcopal Church, Bellows Falls Church Hall Meeting (3 rd of 10) Thursday, March 5 th at 6:00pm St. Michael s, Brattleboro Church Hall Meeting (4 th of 10) Friday, March 6 th at 6:00pm Zion, Manchester Workshop: The Way of the Mystics Saturday, March 7 th at 10:00am Immanuel Episcopal Church, Bellows Falls Church Hall Meeting (5 th of 10) Saturday, March 7 th at 10:00am St. Paul s, White River Junction Church Hall Meeting (6 th of 10) Saturday, March 7 th at 2:00pm St. Mark s, Newport Concert: Tim Ray, solo piano Saturday, March 7 th at 7:30pm Immanuel Episcopal Church, Bellows Falls Bishop s Visit to St. Thomas & Grace, Brandon Sunday, March 8 th St. Thomas & Grace, Brandon Church Hall Meeting (7 th of 10) Sunday, March 8 th at 3:00pm St. Paul s, Vergennes

11 Bethel Community Meal Tuesday, March 10 th at 5:30pm Christ Church, Bethel Lenten Concert Series: Music of Bach and Handel for Flute and Organ Thursday, March 11 th at 12:15pm St. Stephen s, Middlebury Did you Know? The Rev. Justin Lanier creates and posts wonderful, seasonally-appropriate cartoons. This year's Lenten cartoon features Fr. Justin and Music Minister John Terauds. Via the St. Peter s, Bennington Facebook Page