March 4, 2020
Welcome! You may notice this edition has a different look from previous issues of The Mountain. Rather than linking to a digital magazine, each story in this edition can be read within this email or on the diocesan website .

We'd like your feedback on the design and usability of this newsletter format, and also want to hear from you about stories for future issues and other communications requests and questions. Send emails to   communications@diovermont.org .
The Restoration Project Book Study
Join Bishop Shannon Online on March 5

In her   Lenten message , Bishop Shannon issued an invitation to join her in reading “The Restoration Project: A Benedictine Path to Wisdom, Strength, and Love,” by Christopher H. Martin. The book is available in print,  ebook   and   audiobook   formats. Hopkins Bookshop at Trinity Shelburne has ordered several copies. Email   Jenny Ogelby   to order a copy.
 
“My prayer is that ‘The Restoration Project’ will inspire us to explore new and creative ways to live and articulate our faith every day in our congregations and communities,” Bishop Shannon said. “And for those who are called to go deeper, the book offers a helpful guide for starting and leading congregational discipleship groups. I look forward to reading it together.”
 
The book discussion will include:
 
  • March 5, 6 p.m.: Bishop Shannon will convene a video conversation about the introduction and Chapters 1 and 2. Join the conversation using this link: https://zoom.us/j/303377507.
  • Weeks of March 12, 19 and 26: Bishop Shannon will post a reflection about a chapter of the book on Facebook each Thursday and host a conversation in the comments.
  • April 2, 6 p.m.: Bishop Shannon will convene a video conversation about the book, focusing on Chapter 6. Join the conversation using this link: https://zoom.us/j/306048033.
  • April 8: Bishop Shannon will post a final reflection about the book on Facebook and host a conversation in the comments.

Email   communications@diovermont.org   with questions.
Commonsense Coronavirus Preparations
Lindquist interviewed by The New York Times

The New York Times   talked with St. Michael's Episcopal Church Brattleboro rector Mary Lindquist to learn about the precautions the church is taking against coronavirus. "Part of what makes church wonderful and special,” she said, “is just gathering with other people in one place.”

Guidelines and resources for commonsense coronavirus preparations in addition to Bishop Shannon's recommendations for congregations can be found on the diocesan website .
Rock Point Improvements Signal Hope for New Visitors

Since he joined Rock Point Commons last October, Executive Director Paul Habersang has been working with his staff to update the conference center and the Rock Point property.

" New signage around the property is the first clue to visitors – newly branded logos and directional indicators welcome you to this property that has long been a 'hidden gem' on Burlington’s waterfront," writes Marketing and Communications Director Carrie Williams Howe on the Rock Point website .

"The new signs are a symbol Rock Point’s desire to welcome more visitors – from near and far – while also preserving the fragile ecosystem on which Rock Point property sits," writes Williams Howe. "These signs...are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to improvements that are happening on the property.

Bishop Ely Speaks at Faith Climate Action Day

On February 20, Vermont Interfaith Power & Light and Vermont Interfaith Action held a climate crisis advocacy event. Bishop Tom Ely represented Bishop Shannon:

Good morning: My name is Thomas Ely. I served as the Episcopal Bishop of Vermont for 18 years until my retirement in October 2019, and now live in Newfane, Vermont. I was also a founding member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light. This morning, I also have the privilege of speaking on behalf of my successor, Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown, who is not able to be here in person.

The Episcopal Church in Vermont, along with the wider Episcopal Church, has a long history of commitment to environmental stewardship and creation care. Creation care is a priority for all of our congregations in Vermont, and we are committed to helping our churches develop sustainable practices that reduce their carbon footprint. I believe that more than 20 Episcopal congregations, along with the diocese, are members of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light.

Save the Date: Diocesan Convention
October 30 and 31 in Burlington

Save the date! Diocesan Convention 2020 is tentatively being planned for October 30-31 in Burlington. Watch upcoming issues of The Mountain for more details.
St. John's, Randolph, Cathedral Welcome New Clergy

St. John's, Randolph has called the Rev. Christine Ann Jones as priest in partnership. She began at St. John's on February 25.

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul has called the Rev. Greta Getlein as dean and rector. She will begin at the cathedral on May 4.
Save the Date: Clergy Day March 28
10 a.m to 2 p.m at St. John's, Randolph

Watch for a letter from Bishop Shannon with more details coming later this week. Please RSVP via email to Pamela Van de Graaf.
Online Worship Guide

A guide for for congregations interested in offering online worship on Zoom or Facebook Live is is now available on the diocesan website .
Engaging the Enneagram
Rock Point Retreat Center, Burlington

From March 12-15, Rock Point Retreat Center will host "Engaging the Enneagram as Wisdom Practice" with Jeanine Siler Jones in collaboration with the Rock Point Wisdom Community. The retreat will begin with arrivals and registration, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, and will conclude with lunch on Sunday, March 15.

St. Paul's, White River Junction to Screen Philadelphia Eleven Film: "Witness to History"
March 29 at 2 p.m.

On March 29 at 2:00 p.m., in honor of Women's History Month, St. Paul's, White River Junction will host a screening of the film "Witness to History." The film recounts the story of the Philadelphia Eleven , the women who were ordained priests at the Church of the Advocate, Philadelphia, on July 29, 1974 -- two years before General Convention authorized the ordination of women. The screening will be followed by discussion and refreshments. Call the St. Paul's parish office at 802-295-5415 with questions.

Register for the 2020 Global Mission Conference
April 29-May 1 in Indianapolis

This year's Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) conference will take place from April 29 to May 1 at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis . The conference is titled "Earthkeeping: Creation Care in Global Mission," and participants will explore how Christians can confront the climate crisis with mission companions in other parts of the world.

Keynote speakers include former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Leon Sampson, Rachel Mash and Orlando Gomez. For questions about the conference, contact Titus Presler, GEMN representative for the Diocese of Vermont, via email or at 802-326-3157.

Become a Disaster Case Manager
Training March 12-13 in Williston

On March 12-13 at the FEMA Joint Field Office in Williston, Vermont VOAD (Vermont Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) and the Vermont Agency of Human Services will sponsor a training program for volunteer disaster case managers who want to work with Vermonters impacted by disasters.

The Diocese of Vermont is a member of Vermont VOAD and has been asked to recruit volunteers who may be interested in helping with disaster relief and attending the training. Interested volunteers can email either Lynn Bates or Harry Kendrick , diocesan disaster coordinators.   
Join Partners in Resilience
Episcopal Relief & Development US Disaster Team

The Episcopal Relief & Development US Disaster Team is looking for new people to join Partners in Response and Resilience (Partners). Partners are volunteers who work closely with US program staff and diocesan leaders as they prepare for and recover from disasters.

Disasters have a disproportionate impact on historically-marginalized communities, and Episcopal Relief & Development believes in centering the experiences of these people in preparedness and response programming. Partners play an important role in ensuring that our programming serves the most vulnerable people in disaster-impacted communities. 

February Report from Diocesan Council

EVENTS: NEW & FEATURED
Creation Care Events at Trinity, Shelburne
April 21 and April 26

On April 21, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne will host a panel presentation on the effects of climate change in Vermont. Kathryn Blume will moderate and panelists include members of the Vermont Climate Caucus , including Senator Chris Pearson. Program begins at 7:00 p.m.; snacks available at 6:30 p.m.

On April 26 at 4:00 p.m., Trinity will host "From Grief to Hope: A Gathering to Give Thanks for Our Beautiful Planet, Name our Fears and Sadness for Her Future, and Move to a Place of Hope."
Rock Point Intentional Community Wisdom Practice Circles , which are small groups that meet for contemplative prayer or meditation, chanting, lectio divina and other wisdom practices, meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursdays of the month and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Mondays of the month. Learn more .
CYCLE OF PRAYER
March 8: St. Paul's, Canaan and Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo

March 15: St. Luke's, Chester and the Church of England


BISHOP SHANNON'S VISITATION SCHEDULE
The Bishop's visitation schedule is subject to change.

  • March 8 - Trinity, Shelburne
  • April 5 - St. Peters, Lyndonville
  • May 3 - Church of the Good Shepherd, Barre
  • May 10 - All Saints, South Burlington
  • May 17 - Holy Trinity, Swanton
  • May 24 - Grace Church, Sheldon
  • May 31 - St. John’s in the Mountains, Stowe
  • June 7 - Trinity, Rutland
  • June 11 - St. Barnabas, Norwich
  • June 14 - Christ Church, Montpelier
  • June 21 - St. Martin’s, Fairlee
  • June 28 - St. Paul’s, Windsor
  • July 12 - St. Luke’s, St. Albans
EVENTS CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
(See the Diocesan Calendar for details.) .

March 4 at 10:00 a.m., Standing Committee Meeting

March 4 at 6:15 p.m., t he first Wednesday of every other month Church of the Good Shepherd, Barre, hosts a Connections for Change dinner/discussion for anyone concerned about or struggling with substance use disorder.

March 5 at 5:30 p.m., Rock Point Intentional Community Wisdom Practice Circle at Rock Point.

March 5 at 6:00 p.m., The Restoration Project Lenten Book Study Zoom Meeting

March 10 at 6:30 p.m., Let’s Talk About Reparations, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho .

March 12-15, Engaging the Enneagram as Wisdom Practice, Rock Point Center, Burlington.

March 13 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

March 18 at 7:00 p.m., Diocesan Council Meeting

March 18 at 7:00 p.m., Celtic Evensong at St. Mark's, Newport.

March 23 at 5:30 p.m., Rock Point Intentional Community Wisdom Practice Circle at Rock Point.

March 28 from 10:00am-2:00pm, Clergy Day at St. John's, Randolph.

March 29 at 2:00 p.m., Film Screening "Witness to History," St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 749 Hartford Ave, White River Junction.

April 1 at 6:30 p.m., Civil Right and a Conservative Supreme Court, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

April 6 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

April 10 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

May 5 at 6:30 p.m., Being Native American in America, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

May 8 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

May 19 at 6:30 p.m., People of Chinese Descent in America, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

June 2 at 6:30 p.m., Where Do We Go from Here? A Conversation with Young People of Color, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

June 7 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

June 12 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

July 10 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

August 2 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

August 14 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.
Publication Dates / Submission Guidelines
The Mountain is distributed every other Wednesday. The next edition will publish March 18. Please submit content by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16 to communications@diovermont.org .

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