The Mountain E-News
November 18th, 2014
NewsEpiscopal Church in Vermont News

The Rev. Sherry Osborn Appointed Interim Rock Point Summer Camp Director
"Sherry brings a strong faith commitment to this ministry as well as a deep passion and expertise in the area of outdoor education with children and young people," Bishop Ely wrote. "I am delighted to welcome her into this ministry and know that there is a wonderful summer in store for our campers at Rock Point." Sherry will also serve as retreat leader at next month's Rock Point Advent Retreat. "I'm thrilled to join the Rock Point Camp community and honored to join in its rich history of tradition and the unfolding of new possibilities," said Sherry. "I love camp!" Read more

 

Formation for Mission: "What's that black book about?"

St. Michael's, Brattleboro parishioner Craig Hammond tried out an exercise borrowed from Bishop Douglas's Diocesan Convention workshop:"Yesterday I and a rabbi friend led worship at the Springfield ("Southern State") Corrections Facility, southeast Vermont's prison. Half of the twelve or so guys showed up with Bibles, some of them totally tattered from a thousand reads, and the other half beautifully gold edged, black leather covered, Bibles. I was struck by that, so I tried out Ian's exercise with them. The inmate sitting next to me immediately spoke up..." Read more

Earth Stewards: N.R.S.V. Coffee Hour Cookbook Now Online

This book is grounded in the Baptismal Covenant and focuses on the practicalities of using our weekly coffee hour to teach and model earth-friendly practices, commitment to social justice, and healthy awareness of our bodies. A representative from each parish was given a hard copy at Diocesan Convention, but if you haven't had a chance to check it out, you can now do so online! Read more

Convention Videos and Resources

Resources from Convention continue to be posted to www.diovermont.org/convention. New videos include The Rev. Christopher Hingley's address, Kids4Peace presentation, Saturday morning worship and the keynote address and workshops from Bishop Ian Douglas. If you would like a DVD copy of any of these videos, contact Kathleen Moore.
In this Issue
Interim RPSC Director
Formation for Mission
Coffee Hour Cookbook
Convention Resources
Advent Resources
Creating Common Good
YASC Applications
UTO Blue Box Video
 UTO Grant Applications
NECS Stewardship Conf.
Vermont Interfaith Action
Did you know? 
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The Mountain E-News is sent twice monthly. If you have questions, would like your news or event to be included in the next issue, or have a change of e-mail address or phone number, email us.
AdventAdvent Resources & Events
Let Heaven & Nature Sing: Advent Retreat 
Friday, December 5th - Sunday, December 7th, 2014
This retreat is designed for hands-on experiential meditations with nature. Following our gathered time of song, music and spoken meditations, you will be invited to spend time with the natural world. Read more and register

Economic Justice Advent Calendar and Other Resources
During Advent we look toward Christ's coming and seek signs of his presence. Indeed, we dare to believe that we share in his incarnation. During this Advent season, the Economic Justice Coalition of the Diocese of Vermont invites you observe the season with a heart turned toward God's justice. We offer a sampling of resources. Read more

Anglican Communion: "Celebrate Advent using your camera phones" 
Members of Anglican Communion Churches worldwide are being invited to celebrate Advent through prayer, meditation and by contributing to a global Advent calendar on Instagram. Read more

Episcopal Relief and Development Advent Toolkit
This Advent toolkit provides tools and inspiration to help your congregation plan, construct and host an Advent campaign to support Episcopal Relief & Development through Gifts for Life. Read more

Following the Star
Daily online devotions take on a seasonal theme, beginning with the first Sunday in Advent. Following the Star is written for teenagers and the adults who work with them. This service is a collaborative initiative of the Youth Ministries offices of The Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church USA, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Read more

#EpiscopalAdvent Lectionary Reflection
Each day will have a reflection word taken from the Sunday Readings that will be posted on our Social Media sites. We invite you to meditate on that word throughout the day and if you find a photo that captures that word for you, post it to your social media sites with the hashtag #episcopaladvent as well as a hashtag for the word for the day (for example: #joy). Read more

Devotions from Leaders
Advent 1, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Advent 2, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church. Advent 3, Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Advent 4, The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Primate, Anglican Church of Canada Read more

Society of St. John the Evangelist Advent Resources
During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Christ, an event that awakens our deepest desires and longings. This Advent, the SSJE Brothers invite you to join us in looking clearly and honestly at our lives and taking action. 'Tis the season to Catch the Life! Click here to read about the number of ways you can experience SSJE's daily advent calendar. 

2014 Advent Devotional Calendar
The Advent calendar from Thomas Mousin and Merry Watters begins on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, and offers a scripture reading and suggested devotion for each day of the season until December 24th. Click here to view, download, and print.
EventsUpcoming Diocesan Events & Reminders
Trinity Institute Creating Common Good Conference
Simulcast January 22nd - 24th, 2015. Streamed at Other Times TBA
This year's Trinity Institute (TI2015) speakers have real-world experience making change happen.They will provide you with hopeful, practical tools you can use in your community to make a positive economic impact.This event will be simulcast or streamed by select parishes in Vermont. Parishes participating include: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington; St. James', Woodstock; St. Andrew's, St. Johnsbury; Zion, Manchester. Details and times to be announced. If your parish would like to participate, contact Diane Root.

Applications Accepted for Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps
The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to live, work and pray with brothers and sisters around the Anglican Communion through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications for 2015-16 are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30. Read more

2015 United Thank Offering Grant Application Now Available
In recognizing the Five Marks of Mission, especially "to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation," the United Thank Offering is seeking to address the current culture of violence by supporting the mission of peace as expressed in the Gospel. The Gospel of Love proclaimed by Jesus Christ is the focus for the United Thank Offering Grants during the 2014-2015 period. Please contact Donna Abramov with any questions.

NECS Stewardship Conference
Friday, April 17th - 18th, 2015
Keynote speakers: The Right Reverend Michael Curry &  Ben Stroup. Applications for CS&R for expense and registration are due January 15th. Read more
VIAVermont Interfaith Action
The Clergy Caucus of VIA has come to a consensus on policy recommendations on Collection and Allocation of Resources and Wages and Benefits. Click here to download the document. 

This week, eight regional events are being held, bringing together clergy, lay people of faith and legislators to enter into a dialogue about how the state's budgeting process and other legislation can be more aligned with the group's shared faith values of justice and compassion. Five of those events took place on Monday, November 17th. Three will take place this Thursday, November 20th. Click here for more details.

Thurs, Nov. 20, 9:30 am to 11 am:
Washington/Lamoille Counties: Christ Church, Episcopal, in Montpelier

Thurs, Nov. 20, 4 pm to 5 pm:
Addison County: The Congregational Church, UCC, in Middlebury

Windham County: St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro
EmploymentEmployment Opportunities
Christ Church Montpelier Organist
Christ Church Montpelier is seeking an organist. For details, please contact Maggie Thompson at (802) 454-4635.
EpiscopalVTEventsEpiscopal Church in Vermont Events: November 18th - December 1st
DidyouknowDid you know?
The Rev. Stephen Blackmer, founder of Church of the Woods, has been awarded The Episcopal Evangelism Society (EES) Morgan Directors' Award! 

Many of us participated in the launch of Church of the Woods this summer during "Pilgrimage for Earth" (supported by the Alleluia Fund). Steve will serve as chaplain for next month's Rock Point Advent RetreatRead more