General eNewsletter | April 7, 2021
 
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Diocesan News
A Holy Hope: Bishop-elect Paula E. Clark's Easter Message
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

On Easter Sunday, Bishop-elect Clark shared this message with members and friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago:

"Last year I told one of my priest friends, 'Make sure you give your congregation hope in your Easter message. Surely we won’t be in this lockdown next Easter!' Well, COVID restrictions have eased somewhat, yet we still find ourselves this Easter in the grips of the pandemic. In fact, we are now experiencing an uptick in cases and hospitalizations. Planning for weddings, funerals, graduations, and, dare I say, a bishop’s consecration are hampered by strict guidelines regulating the number of people who can gather, mandates against congregational singing, and the protocols of interpersonal connections. This Easter many of us are Zoomed-out, stressed out, or just plain tired. We have been living under COVID restrictions for over a year now, and we are ready to see our friends in person, hug our relatives, and go wherever our hearts desire.

Nevertheless, this Easter I still have a 'Holy Hope.'”
Virtual Consecration Choir: An Invitation to Participate
Online submissions due April 12
Choirs, congregations and individual singers in the Diocese of Chicago are invited to join in two virtual choir projects for Bishop-elect Clark’s consecration on April 24.

"Siyahamba," Bishop-elect Clark's favorite hymn, will be compiled as a diocesan-wide virtual choir performance. Young singers (grades 12 and under) are invited to submit a voice-only recording of "Brother, sister, let me serve you."

Detailed recording instructions are posted on the cathedral's website under "Virtual consecration choir," and submissions are due April 12 at noon. Please email Stephen Buzard with any questions.
New Episcopal Charities
Grant Program
Letters of inquiry due May 3
Episcopal Charities has launched a new Parish Partner Grant Program for Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of Chicago. The grant program will fund new and existing projects, and encourages partnerships with other Episcopal congregations, faith communities, and local organizations.

Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $25,000, and initial letters of inquiry are due by May 3. Learn more.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Applications accepted beginning April 12

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen. Applications may be made beginning April 12 by phone at 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585) from 8 am to 8 pm. Learn more.
COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit

The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations has developed a toolkit for individuals, congregations, and ministries to facilitate and promote COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. The toolkit will be updated as new information becomes available, and is offered in English and Spanish online.
Bishop-elect Clark to Be Consecrated, Seated on April 24
On April 24, Bishop-elect Paula Clark will become Bishop Paula Clark when she is ordained and consecrated the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago in a service at St. James Cathedral. Bishop Mark Hollingsworth of Ohio, the president of Province V of the Episcopal Church, will be the chief consecrator. Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington will preach. The service will also include the seating of the bishop at the cathedral.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person attendance at the service will be limited to participants and members of the bishop-elect’s family. The entire service will be streamed online at the diocese’s website and YouTube channel. The prelude will begin at 10:30 am Central and the service will begin at 11 am. Watch future issues of the newsletter for more details on the service and other virtual consecration events.
Ordination Gifts for Bishop-elect Clark
An invitation from the Transition Team

As the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago prepare to welcome our Bishop-elect, the Rev. Paula E. Clark, the Transition Committee invites people from across the diocese to offer gifts in support of her ministry.

It is the Episcopal Church's tradition to contribute towards a bishop-elect's vestments and other symbols of the Office of Bishop: stoles, cloaks, mitre, crosier, ring, pectoral cross and other liturgical items. Contributions may be made online and will be processed through the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

Questions may be directed to Beth Petti, a member of the Transition Committee, by email. Read more on the website.
Fierce Conversations Training Online
Zoom workshop series begins tomorrow

Fierce Conversations training teaches people how to have vital conversations that "interrogate reality, provoke learning, resolve tough challenges and enrich relationships."

For four Thursdays in April, beginning April 8, online Fierce Conversations trainings will be held via Zoom from 6 to 8:30 pm. Learn more and register for one or more sessions.
Youth & Formation Leaders Gathering
Zoom meeting with Sarah Bentley Allred on May 13

The diocesan Youth and Formation Leader Network will gather by Zoom on May 13 at 11 am for a conversation with Sarah Bentley Allred, staff member in the Department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Use this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86734984529 

Bentley Allred is also the editor of Building Faith. Learn more about her. For more information about the Youth and Formation Leader Network contact Chad Senuta.
Women's Ministry News from ECW

The Episcopal Church Women of Province 5 will hold their online annual meeting on May 1 at 1 pm. The theme is Be Not Alone: Finding Answers to Form Beloved Community. A pre-meeting event, Community Conversation: Finding and Developing Communities After the Pandemic, will be held April 28 at 6 pm. Register for both programs using the links on the ECW homepage.
 
On May 8 at 9 am, the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Chicago will hold Women with Wings: Celebrating Women in Leadership to honor women from across the diocese for their leadership. Bishop-elect Paula Clark will speak. Register for free on Eventbrite and learn more on the ECW website.
Learning Opportunities & Virtual Events
PLAN-IT for Youth and Formation Leaders
Online workshops offered April - May

PLAN-IT is an interactive, guided planning process to help youth and formation leaders organize and prioritize their ministry. Online PLAN-IT workshops are offered on the following dates:
              
  • April 8, 10 am - 4:30 pm CDT
  • April 17, 10 am - 4:30 pm CDT
  • April 20, 10 am - 4:30 pm CDT
  • May 6, 10 am - 4:30 pm CDT
Five Wishes: Make Your Wishes Known
Workshops offered April 10 & April 15
 
To commemorate National Health Care Decisions Day, Bishop Anderson House will present a virtual workshop on advance care planning with the Rev. Tommy Rogers. The Zoom workshop is offered April 10, 10-11 am or April 15, 7-8 pm. Individual and group participation is welcome. Learn more and register online.
Contemplation & Anti-Racism
Zoom workshop Sunday, April 11

On April 11 from 2-5 pm, Contemplative Outreach Chicago and the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Anti-Racism Committee will offer a free Zoom workshop on contemplation and anti-racism. Learn more and register.
 
Evangelism Matters Audioconference
Free podcast-style talks begin April 12

This spring’s Evangelism Matters conference invites participants to turn off the Zoom screen and “tune in” for an audioconference featuring podcast-style talks on the opportunity and challenge of evangelism today. The theme for this year’s gathering is “The Discipline of Hope,” highlighting the church’s calling to proclaim and represent hope and good news in a time of struggle and uncertainty. Learn more and register.
Healing One, Healing the World
Bishop Anderson House virtual benefit May 2

On May 2, Bishop Anderson House will host its annual benefit as a virtual event. Tickets for the Healing One, Healing the World virtual benefit are $100 per person. Learn more.
Reminders
COVID-19 Updates & Resources


  • Revisions issued on March 15 include updates for safely sharing communion wine, masked singing, and more. Read the updates here.

COVID-19 Zoom Office Hours
As congregations adapt to changing COVID-19 guidelines, Director of Operations Courtney Reid has scheduled Wednesday "office hours" to help address the questions that come up. Please feel free to drop in on Zoom on April 14 and 21 between 12:30 - 1 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223

To join by phone: 312.626.6799
Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223
Emergency Financial Relief Grants Extended for 2021
COVID-19 grants available for all congregations
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the state and country, the bishop's staff and diocesan leadership bodies are working together to respond to the needs of congregations at this challenging time.

Emergency Relief for Missions:
At its December meeting, the Bishop and Trustees voted to continue offering emergency operating fund grants to mission congregations experiencing hardship due to COVID-19. Mission congregations can request grants of up to $5,000, and those that received an emergency grant in 2020 may apply again in 2021. Mission congregations are encouraged to contact their trustee representative or Tom Camell for more information.

Emergency Relief for Parishes:
Using Bishop’s Funds in 2020, Bishop Lee created a $100,000 pool of emergency funding, and appointed a small grant subcommittee to respond swiftly to emergency funding needs due to COVID-19. Grants of up to $5,000 may be requested, and parishes that received a diocesan grant in 2020 are eligible to reapply for 2021. Parishes wishing to apply for emergency assistance should email Courtney Reid.

Please contact any member of the Bishop's Staff with questions.
Job Openings
Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings. 

Spring Publication Schedule
We publish both a general email newsletter and Leadership News, a publication for lay leaders and clergy in the Diocese of Chicago, on alternate Wednesdays. The deadline to submit items to be included is Tuesday at noon. Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to Jen Boyle-Tucker.