News from Province V - Oct 2023 | |
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Highlights of this edition:
- Opening Prayer
- Big Provincial Gathering 2024 - You are invited!
- Campus Ministry Consultant
- The 2023 Great EpisGOpal Race
- Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home
- Leadership Coaching Project - Video Premiere!
- Episcopal Public Policy Network
- Advocacy Days from Office of Government Relations
- Understanding and Preventing Youth Suicide
- Using Picture Books for Racial Healing
- Screenings for The Philadelphia Eleven
- Episcopal Church Foundation
- Pathways for Baptismal Living
- Book Corner, sponsored by CPI
- Evangelism Grants - due Oct 13
- Advent Resources from Living Compass
- Gun Buyback - Lansing, MI, Oct 7
- TryTank "ChatGPT in Ministry"
- Forma's 2024 Annual Conference
- Networking Conversation
- Affiliated Organizations
- Upcoming Events and Webinars
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Opening Prayer
In Your infinite wisdom, Lord God, when You created the universe you blessed us with all living creatures. We especially thank you for giving us our pets who are our friends and who bring us so much joy in life. Their presence very often helps us get through trying times. Kindly bless my pet. May my pet continue giving me joy and remind me of Your power. May we realize that as our pets trust us to take care of them, so we should trust You to take care of us, and in taking care of them we share in Your love for all creatures. Amen
7 Prayers and Blessings For Animals | What is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi? - Beliefnet
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The Province V Synod meeting will be held on Friday afternoon.
This meeting is open to all and required for Synod Deputies and Bishops.
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YOU ARE INVITED!
The BPG is an opportunity to meet new people and connect with others who share your ministry passions. It is structured like a "ministry fair" so that people may host workshops and conversations to share program and resource ideas with others. There will be trainings running from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, a community Eucharist Friday night, and workshops on Saturday.
EVERYONE is invited to come to this event. Mark your calendar now and revisit this page to follow the newest information.
Registration is only $50 for the Friday-Saturday portion and the pre-event trainings can be added for $25. (All of the programming is subsidized through sponsorships. Scholarships are available.)
Workshops!
Saturday, April 27 will be full of workshops offered "ministry fair" style. Do you have something to share with others? Are you particularly proud of a project you did or a ministry you support? Start thinking about if you'd like to host a workshop. All information about workshops will be needed by December 1. See all of the details and fill out the form!
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Are you near a higher-ed campus?
Would you like to reach out but don't know how?
Is your parish near an institution of higher learning? (this might be: community college, trade school, specialty training schools - anything that provides post-high school education)
We want to hear from you!
The next step of discernment is starting now!
Fill out this form if you'd like to be part of the conversation!
Listening sessions will begin soon.
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As fall starts to unfold around us in the Northern Hemisphere, the cooler weather invites us to head outside to exercise or simply explore nature. Many of us love to join a Turkey Trot in November to walk or run as part of our Thanksgiving tradition. Maybe you want to commit to walking more now that the weather is nicer, or start taking a class at a local gym. Whatever physical activity you are looking forward to this fall, we hope you’ll pair it with The Great EpisGOpal Race.
Read more
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In October, many Episcopalians participate in a "blessing of the animals." If you're grateful for animals in your life, help secure a sustainable future for all God's creatures by joining others in the work of caring and advocating for creation. Sign up for Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home, a carbon footprint tracker and tool for taking action on climate change. Simply go to sustainislandhome.org, answer some questions about your household, and get started taking action for creation. Questions? Contact deborahba@yahoo.com | |
New video launches for the LCP! | |
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Still trying to figure out if Leadership Coaching is right for you, or for your committee, to achieve your ‘hard to reach,’ ‘taking too long,’ or ‘need to stay on track’ goal??
Having trouble finding the right words to explain how coaching can help ?
Check out the new video!
Share this 2 minute video with others: https://youtu.be/LSAWNPfzuZ0
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Coaches are available to ALL leaders – clergy and lay. You can be coached individually, create a group of people, or bring a team together for creating shared goals and plans. Our coaches offer an introductory session so you can together discern if you are a good fit. If you work in a rural area, you may qualify for free coaching. Don't put off setting goals that could expand, enhance and enrich your life, project or ministry. Meet with a trained coach this week to find out how they can offer you a safe, nurturing space to dream, plan and find your focus.
https://www.provincev.org/lcp.html
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Episcopal Public Policy Network
Join us for Network at Night
Many of you know about and join our weekly Episcopal Public Policy Network call, Thursdays at 1 pm EDT. We always appreciate your attendance and engagement. Thanks to feedback from EPPN members, we are testing out an additional time slot for those who have been unable to join due to other commitments. On the first Thursday of every month, we will be holding an additional call at 7:00-7-:30 pm EDT. The Office of Government Relations (OGR) will update you about the policies and legislation we are advocating for with Congress and the Administration. OGR staff will provide an overview of the political environment and legislative outlook, tips for advocacy, and time for questions from you. Register here!
Episco-Pols Season 2!
Season two of Episco-pols, a podcast from The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations is here! This season we focus on content to help Episcopalians prepare for General Convention 2024 and learn more about the Church’s policy positions. Using our Policy for Action resource, we will explore past resolutionsof General Convention and share how we have and continue to implement them. We will also explore a couple of tools of the trade for our work that can help inspire your own advocacy. As with last season, we may have a surprise episode or two along the way.
Episco-pols is designed for Episcopalians interested in living out their faith through government-focused advocacy while tackling critical issues in our communities. Whether you are an experienced activist or are hesitant to get involved in political advocacy, we hope this season helps inform your faithful work in the public square and your action with us through the Episcopal Public Policy Network. Check out the first two episodes of season two, and subscribe so you never miss a new release!
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Office of Government Relations: Advocacy Days
This fall, the Office of Government Relations is holding multiple trainings to help you improve your advocacy and develop deeper expertise on two priority issues for the Church! On October 10th, we will be hosting a virtual advocacy training day focused on Creation Care and the upcoming UN Climate Change conference, the Conference of Parties (COP) 28.
On November 7th OR 8th and 9th, there will be two options for advocacy training in support of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. The Office of Government Relations will provide further information about the Equality Act which would guarantee rights at the federal level for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, and LGBTQIA2S+ people from discrimination.
International Climate Advocacy Day – October 10th, 12:00-1:30 pm EDT.
Register here.
LBGTQIA2S+ Advocacy Days – November 7th OR 8th-9th.
Click here for more information.
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Understanding and Preventing Youth Suicide
To mark its 75th Anniversary, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a new podcast series that explores the stories behind influencers and innovators in mental health research and takes you into the lives of people with mental illnesses.
In our first podcast episode, “Understanding and Preventing Youth Suicide,” NIMH Director Dr. Joshua A. Gordon talks with Dr. Arielle Sheftall, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Listen as they discuss who is at increased risk for suicide, how it’s impacting the nation’s youth, and most importantly, what NIMH is doing about this tragic and preventable issue.
Listen to the podcast
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Film Screenings Announced!
Almost 50 years ago, on July 29th 1974, eleven courageous women defied church rules and became Episcopal priests. A year later four more did the same. Their actions transformed the church.
For the past eight years, award-winning independent filmmakers have been working on a timely feature documentary film to share this story.
Province V screenings:
November 2nd at 6:30pm. St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Des Plaines, IL.
November 3rd at 6:45pm at Toby Theater at Newfields, hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church and Spirit & Place Festival, Indianapolis, IN. Filmmaker Margo Guernsey, and the Revs. Nancy Wittig and Carter Heyward will be present.
Lake County Film Festival, Lake Forest, IL
See the full list of screenings that are planned.
You can host your own screening: Fill out this form
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Year-End Giving: Tools & Tactics
For many individuals, making year-end charitable gifts is a time-honored tradition. Nearly one-third of annual giving occurs in December, with 12% happening in the last three days of the year. Is your faith community ready to promote year-end giving to its donors?
In this 30-minute webinar, members of the Episcopal Church Foundation’s Endowment Management team will share tips, tactics, and turnkey tools to help local leaders mount a successful push for year-end gifts. Join us to make a lasting impact on mission and ministry in 2024 and beyond!
Register here: https://bit.ly/endowmentyear-endgiving
Toolkits for Ministry
At ECF Vital Practices our goal is always to bring you the most impactful resources for your ministry. We have often heard from our community that the volume of resources on our website makes it hard to know where to begin.
To address this, we are launching a new way to access our best resources on a given ministry topic in one place. This is a curated collection of our top-tier resources on your most-searched topics, all consolidated on one accessible and comprehensive platform. You don’t have to search for the best resources anymore because we’ve found them all and compiled them for you. Welcome to Toolkits for Ministry.
Just like a carefully crafted mini course, each Toolkit offers an enriching experience by bringing together a thoughtfully designed selection of materials. Delve into our toolkits, and you'll find articles that spark new ideas, videos that inspire, tools and activities that engage, and discussion questions that foster meaningful dialogue. With each toolkit showcasing around ten items, we ensure that you receive a well-rounded and immersive learning encounter on your chosen subject, while also not taking up too much of your valuable time.
Our team at the Episcopal Church Foundation is here to support your growth, facilitate your leadership, and deepen your impact on the communities you serve. Whether you're exploring the basics of communications, improving community engagement, or seeking insights into congregational development, our Toolkits for Ministry are here to simplify your search and support your journey.
Click here to be the first to access our inaugural set of four Toolkits for Ministry.
We will be creating more toolkits and reaching out to you for feedback. If you have questions, suggestions or ideas, we would love to hear from you.
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Check out the October 2023 Pathways Course Schedule
Many Pathways for Baptismal Living courses begin in October 2023. See the full list of available courses. Once registered, you will join a learning community for 4-8 weeks, depending on the course. Together you will engage 3-4 hours/week of reading, watching videos, and interacting with peers and your instructor in online text-based discussions that you can schedule to do when you want (asynchronous) each week as well as through live conversations via Zoom (synchronous).
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Book Corner
How baptism creates the foundation for social action.
In Called to Act, Episcopal priest and peace advocate Michael W. Hopkins traces the origins of Christian responsibility all the way back to the indissoluble bond of baptism. He peels back the historical and scriptural underpinnings of Christianity to exhume the social obligations inherited by all members of the kingdom of God. Through interpretation of Jesus’ words, works, and sacraments, Hopkins explains how modern day Christians can begin to reframe their fundamental outlook on and participation in the world, working as one to build communities of mutual care.
". . . [for] anyone seeking to better understand how they fit within this larger story of Christian belonging and living . . .”
—From the Foreword by the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Available from any Episcopal bookstore, Church Publishing, Amazon, or your favorite bookstore.
List Price: $24.95 | Paperback | 9781640656505
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Evangelism Grants
Episcopal institutions are invited to apply for evangelism grants to support local and regional efforts to grow Episcopal ministries, resources, and gatherings. The application deadline is Oct. 13.
The grant application, criteria, requirements, budget information, and more are available online in English, Spanish, and French.
The grants committee will consider proposals for up to $2,000 for individual faith communities and up to $8,000 for multichurch, diocesan, provincial, and other regional collaborations. A total of $125,000 is available for this funding cycle.
The 2023 grant focus is on evangelism initiatives that minister across barriers. Projects that would fit this theme include the following:
- Collaborative, lay-led ministries that are not clergy dependent.
- Ministries that explicitly support and include communities traditionally underrepresented in The Episcopal Church.
- Ministries that engage new ways of being the church in new spaces.
Information and application
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There are several ways to engage with the Living Compass Advent devotionals this season
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Order our Advent devotionals as a printed 52-page book in English and Spanish.
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Download as a FREE PDF file in English and Spanish (each with original content).
- Purchase as an e-book from Amazon for $0.99 (U.S.) in English and Spanish (coming soon)
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Sign up to receive a daily email of each English reflection for FREE.
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Access all past English daily reflections on our website.
See this announcement for more information and all of the details about how to order.
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Gun Violence Prevention
Gun Buyback in Lansing, Michigan
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2024 Forma Annual Conference:
A Way in the Wilderness
Forma, a ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, is the professional network for Christian formation leaders in the Episcopal Church. The Annual Forma Conference offers an intentional time of networking, learning, and inspiration. This year’s conference, January 22-25, 2024, will offer multiple ways to participate: individually through Zoom, joining a Local Conference Gathering, or traveling to Camp Allen or Kanuga for a Conference Center Retreat. Learn more and find a link for registration on the Forma website.
Information Session for Local Gatherings
Interested in hosting a Local Conference Gathering for the 2024 Forma Conference? Learn more on the Forma website and/or join Forma Convener Sarah Bentley Allred on October 11th from 2:00-2:45 pm Eastern for an information session. Our time will include an overview of how to host a Local Gathering, Q&A, and a time of idea sharing. Please RSVP.
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Networking Conversations
Province V's work in the world is to "Connect. Network. Support." Networks exist for people to gather around areas of interest and share resources with each other. Sometimes networks host webinars to share information and sometimes they develop new resources to support leaders in their local contexts.
ALL are welcome to attend these Zoom conversations. Please share the information with friends, colleagues, and in your parish newsletter. Most network meetings last about 60 minutes. See their webpages or email their contact for more information. For a full list of Networks and other Affiliated Organizations, visit the Province V website.
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Creation Care
Date of next meeting: Oct 9, 1 pm ET / 12 noon CT
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82932843412 (password: 5)
Contact: Jeanette Ettin, Eastern Michigan
webpage: https://www.provincev.org/creation.html
Please join us on Monday, October 9th as we gather online for news and conversation. This month we will welcome the Rev. Jerry Cappel, Province IV Environmental Coordinator, to lead a conversation on "Soul Sustainability: Eco-Ministry for the Long Haul." What are the essentials that will enable us to sustain and persist in the face of challenges and grief of so much loss? How do we measure "success" and how much does that success matter to our motivation and heart? Join us.
New Program from the Episcopal Church
“Love God, Love God’s World” is a nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry—from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders seeking a transformative small-group experience. Sign up to learn more.
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Migration Ministries
NOTE SPECIAL DATE
Date of next meeting: Nov 28, 8 pm ET / 7 pm C
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81246380265 (password: 5)
Conveners: Silvia Huth, Michigan and Jack Lloyd, Chicago
webpage: https://www.provincev.org/migration.html
If you missed our September meeting - you can watch the recording!
"Welcoming Refugees: A Small Episcopal Church Takes on a Big Challenge"
Episcopal Asylum & Detention Ministry Network
Episcopal Migration Ministry hosts an Asylum and Detention Ministry Network that meets virtually on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The Ministry Network’s collaborative work and conversation focus on best practice-sharing in areas of direct service, organizing, advocacy actions, Christian formation and worship resources, and community education to protect asylum, promote humane and dignified alternatives to detention, and to support asylum seekers and those harmed by the immigration detention system. Learn more and register to attend meetings here.
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Affiliated Organizations
There are a number of organizations affiliated with the Episcopal Church and working across Province V. These groups have a "structure" that is more organized than a network. They have resources and information that are useful in your local ministry contexts.
For a full list of Affiliated Organizations, visit the Province V website.
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Host a CPC Sunday in October!
The Church Periodical Club (CPC) is an Episcopal institution. Its ministry is to make grants that supply written materials (both religious and secular) of any type. Through grants supported by funds raised by CPC, these materials are free to those who cannot otherwise obtain them.
October is CPC month where all churches bare encouraged to participate in the ministry such as in their parish have a free book exchange or even an old fashioned bake sale to provide books for the postulants to deaconate or priesthood. Or take it further and see him many pennies they can collect in the month for the children's grants (Miles Of Pennies Grants). Or designed a Sunday for general CPC funds.
Send fund to (and please put church name and Diocese on check)
Rev Dcn Judy Graves.
320 S 3rd Ave #903
Sioux Falls SD 57104
Please Contact: Maryfran Crist, Province V CPC Representative
maryfrancrist64@gmail.com, 815-257-7012
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sign up for the ECW weekly blast here | |
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Upcoming Events and Webinars
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Province V Executive Board
Do you have questions about Province V? Would you like to be more involved in planning the events that are offered at the provincial level? The Executive Board of the Province meets monthly on fourth Tuesdays at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT via zoom.
Contact your diocesan representative to the Executive Board:
The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter, Fond du Lac and Eau Claire, President
Mr. Rick Stanitis, Northern Michigan, Vice President
Ms. Adrienne Dillon, Missouri, Secretary
Ms. Rebecca Elfring-Roberts, Chicago, Treasurer
Ms. Louisa McKellaston, Executive Council Representative
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, Executive Council Representative
Ms. Laura Jackson, Chicago
Dr. Elizabeth Jordan, Eastern Michigan
The Rev. Marlene Hogue, Eau Claire
Ms. Chris Eggert-Rosenthal, Fond du Lac
Ms. Lesley MacKellar, Indianapolis
Dr. Edie Wakevainen, Michigan
The Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh, Milwaukee
Ms. Betty Bowersox, Missouri
Mr. Christopher Hillak, Northern Indiana
Mr. Rick Stanitis, Northern Michigan
The Rev. Rachel Harrison, Ohio
Mr. Edward Lasseigne, Southern Ohio
Ms. Jan Goossens, Springfield
Mr. Dick Porter, Western Michigan
Heather Barta, Province V Coordinator
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