Episcopal Diocese of Utah
December Newsletter
First Edition
December 3, 2019
Second Sunday of Advent
 Liturgical color is purple.
FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE
Bishop Scott B. Hayashi Shares 2019 Advent Message
Bishop Scott B. Hayashi shares his message for this season of Advent, and reminds us that it is a time for preparation and for making space for Jesus in our churches, our homes and in our hearts.
Standing Committee Announcement about New Member
The Rev. Mary Janda has resigned from the Standing Committee after serving as Secretary and Vice President. Committee members thanked her for her dedication, knowledge and experience. They then selected The Rev. Isabel Gonzalez to fill the vacancy in the clergy position on the Standing Committee.

The Rev. Gonzalez has been a member of the Episcopal Church since 1994, having been ordained as a deacon in 2006 and as a priest in 2007. She has served Latino ministries, first as a member of the laity at St. Mark’s Cathedral and in her clerical roles at St Stephen’s, West Valley City, and at the El Buen Pastor congregation at Good Shepherd, Ogden. In Ogden, she has worked closely with the Rector, The Rev. Vanessa Cato to strengthen the links between Spanish and English speaking members.
Standing Committee Reminder about Electors for Bishop Search Committee
Per the Canons for the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, the Search/Nomination Committee for a Bishop search shall be elected by a committee of electors. The lay elector committee is made up of one (1) lay person from each congregation chosen by the Vestry or Bishops Committee. The clergy elector committee is made up of all Clergy canonically and geographically resident in the diocese.
 
The Standing Committee is requesting the name of the selected layperson from each congregation be submitted no later than December 15th to email address:  standingcommittee@episcopal-ut.org.
 
The Convocation to elect the Search/Nomination Committee will be held on January 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Center in Salt Lake City. All Clergy and each congregation layperson are most respectfully required to attend to secure the election of the Search/Nomination Committee. 
 
Thank you for your help in meeting this deadline, 
Nancy Tanner
Standing Committee President 
St. Mary's Welcomes New Vicar with Celebration of a New Ministry Service
The Bishop and congregation of St. Mary’s in Provo welcomed the church’s new Vicar, The Rev. Susan Toone on November 24th. A packed church celebrated her new ministry with song, the presentation of gifts including the keys to the church, the registry, and a basket of goods for outreach. The priest left her previous position in the diocese as the chaplain of St. Mark’s Tower to accept the leadership of the historic church in downtown Provo. St. Mary’s is in its 115th year serving Utah County. 

The Rev. Sandra Jones, Deacon of St. Mary’s, with Bishop’s Warden Steven Nordstrom, joined Bishop Scott B. Hayashi in the festive service. The Rev. Susan Toone offered a special thanks to her new congregation. She stated that it is “deep felt” to know the “willingness to open your hearts to me as we join together in this journey with Jesus.” The Rev. Susan Toone is the 23rd priest to continue that journey as either Rector or Vicar of St. Mary’s. She will celebrate at the altar previously presided over by the late Rev. Dr. Peter Van Hook, who served the church from 2012 to 2018. The church has become known for its outreach and music programs and as a growing presence in the urban community.
GO Mondays
Diocesan youth had a fun night for November's Go Monday at St. Stephen's, West Valley City. Thank you to The Rev. Cn. Pablo Ramos for hosting this event.

The next Go Monday (for youth in grades 6-12) will be at St. James, Midvale on December 9th! Please join for food, fun, music and good conversation! Doors open at 5:30 for social time and group games, program goes from 6:00-8:00 .
Ice Skating Christmas Party for Diocesan Youth
Join diocesan youth for ice skating fun on Sunday, December 15th at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City. The party will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with pizza for all! Requested donation is $5 per person.

For questions on this or other youth events, please contact Karen Gleeson at 801-322-4131 or   kgleeson@episcopal-ut.org.
Advent Word
This year, the diocese is participating in #AdventWord 2019.

Advent Word is a global advent calendar, created by Virginia Theological Seminary. Each day of Advent has a special word that is meant to inspire thought and prayer in this season of preparation for the coming of Jesus.

Please feel free to share Advent Word posts from the diocesan Facebook and Instagram pages, or create your own.

The calendar of Advent Words, as well as more information about this program which is used by many dioceses throughout the wider Episcopal Church, can be found at adventword.org.
New Episode of Utah Epodcopalians Episode Talks Advent
A new episode of Utah Epodcopalians is available for listening now. The topic of discussion is something that is on our minds - the season of Advent!

Our special guests are Bishop Scott B. Hayashi and The Very Rev. Tyler Doherty, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark. They discuss the all-important season of Advent and how it fits into our liturgy. They also provide insight into how we can use the weeks of Advent to prepare for the coming of the birth of Jesus.  Listen here.
New Episode of Church and State Podcast
As an Episcopalian and a Christian, how can you make a difference in our government? We pass resolutions in the Episcopal Church concerning social justice, but how do we get our opinions known? Bishop Scott B. Hayashi hosts Jack Cobb, the Domestic and Environmental Policy Advisor of the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, on the new episode of special podcast series Church and State. Jack offers advice on how to reach Congress and become more involved in the creation of public policy.

Diocesan Book Group
The Diocesan Book Group meets every Monday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the ECCU. Everyone is welcomed!

The group is studying “The Gathering of Zion” by Wallace Stegner. They will discuss chapters 7 & 8 , pages 213 through 248, on Monday, December 9. 

Please be thinking about the next book and bring your suggestions.

The book group is always looking for suggestions from anyone, and for anything that can increase the outreach. The discussions are lively and diverse opinions are welcome.

For more information please contact Ernie Hale at 801-532-6406 o r   erniehale@gmail.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lessons and Carols
St. Mary's, Provo
Sunday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary's Chancel Choir, Dallin Baldwin

St. Paul's, SLC
Sunday, December 8 at 4:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Choir and Guest Soloists.
 A reception will follow.

St. John's, Logan
Monday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Featuring the USU Choral Scholars as the guest choir. A catered reception will follow.

Holiday Boutique and Luncheon
Saturday, Dec. 7
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
11:00 am to 3:00 p.m.

Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Centerville will be hosting their annual Holiday Boutique and Luncheon this Saturday. There will be gifts, crafts and lunch served. $10 per person, $5 for ages 12 and under. Proceeds go to the Lantern House in Ogden to assist the Davis County homeless. Cash, Check, Credit and Debit cards will be accepted.

For additional questions, please email secretary@ecor.org
Vigil to End Gun Violence
Sunday, Dec. 8
All Saints Episcopal Church, SLC
7:00 p.m.

All Saints Episcopal Church's December Taizé Vespers will be held in conjunction with Utah's Interfaith vigil to end gun violence. It will be a meditative, musical service with music from Taizé and readings.

Join All Saints, along with The Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah and other local organizations in vigil to  #endgunviolence .


40 Year Anniversary of St. Mark's Tower
Wednesday, Dec. 11
St. Mark's Tower
10:00 am to 1:00 p.m.

St. Mark’s Tower will celebrate 40 years of successful affordable housing with an open house on December 11th. The Episcopal Community Services ministry was the first affordable housing for seniors in the state of Utah.