The 183rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Vermont will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington, VT on Friday, November 6 and Saturday November 7, 2015.

The theme for our Convention is Jazzed About God's Mission. The jazz metaphor suggests a helpful way of thinking about this season of discipleship as we seek to become more mission oriented in our life as the Episcopal Church in Vermont. The gift and beauty of jazz music is the capacity of the musicians to improvise within a structure. Today, a church that wants to engage God's mission with passion, joy and purpose would do well to embrace that same capacity.

Our special guest this year is the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church. Gay was elected to her second term as president of the House of Deputies at this summer's General Convention. She is from the Diocese of Ohio and has served in many leadership capacities within the Episcopal Church and beyond. She is a dynamic leader and speaker who brings her vision, joy and love for the Episcopal Church to our Diocesan Convention. We are delighted to welcome her. 

Every other year St. Paul's offers a confirmation class for high school students 16 years old or older. We use a wonderful curriculum called Confirm, not Conform. I lead the class along with a co-leader. This year we will begin meeting in Advent. Our first class will take place on Sunday, December 6. Because so many high school students have very  busy lives, we will be meeting during the Education for all Ages time between the 9:00 and 11:00 services instead of the evening as we did in the past. We will meet weekly until Holy Week, with confirmation by Bishop Ely to take place at the Easter Vigil. I will be sending letters to all our high school students and their families in two weeks. Please contact me with questions at  [email protected] or 324-7871.

Join us for the Daily Office of Morning Prayer in the Chapel, 8:30-9:00 AM, Tuesday-Friday. All are welcome.

We're the folks who gather the compost from the containers (already in bags) and get it to a large container for pickup by Casella. Occasionally there's a bit of clean-up to do. The work usually takes about one-half hour once a week, except for occasional special events. Currently volunteers sign up for one month at a time. It is one way we care about Earth (and follow our Environmental Policy), and help our staff keep our building stay clean and healthy. Contact [email protected] or 802-425-2068 if you can help. And thank you!

The Rock Point Intentional Community holds a monthly eucharist in  the chapel at Rock Point on the second Friday of  each month.  Noon is the time we gather for an informal, creation-centered eucharist.  The setting is beautiful, the people are warm and welcoming.  We hope you will join us.  The next eucharist will be Friday, November 13 at noon. 

------ The Rev. Dr. Nancy Bloomer