General eNewsletter | February 22, 2023
 
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A Lenten Message from Bishop Clark /
Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago:

Today, with ashes that are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality, we begin the Lenten journey. In the next 40 days, we will travel with Jesus as he fasts, endures temptation, and draws closer to Golgotha.

For each of us, Lent is an internal journey, calling us to prayer, fasting and self-denial. This year, beloved, I hope that we will also walk the path of Lent together. For these 40 days, let us travel together in solidarity, listening for the Holy Spirit moving among us as we travel to the foot of the cross and then beyond it to the empty tomb, the mystery of the resurrection, and the joy of meeting the Risen Christ on the road to Emmaus.

God bless you as we travel together,

Bishop Paula E. Clark


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Estimado Pueblo de Dios en la Diócesis de Chicago:

Hoy, con cenizas que son un signo de penitencia y un recordatorio de la mortalidad, comenzamos el camino de la Cuaresma. En los próximos 40 días, viajaremos con Jesús mientras ayuna, soporta la tentación y se acerca a Gólgota.

Para cada uno de nosotros, la Cuaresma es un camino interno, que nos llama a la oración, al ayuno y a la abnegación. Este año, amados, espero que también caminemos todos juntos por el camino de la Cuaresma. Durante estos 40 días, viajemos juntos en solidaridad, escuchando al Espíritu Santo que se mueve entre nosotros mientras viajamos al pie de la cruz y luego más allá de ella a la tumba vacía, el misterio de la resurrección y la alegría de encontrar a Cristo Resucitado en el camino de Emaús.

Dios les bendiga mientras viajamos juntos,

Obispa Paula E. Clark


image: Bishop Clark at Church of the Atonement, Chicago, earlier today
imagen: La Obispa Clark en la Church of the Atonement, Chicago, hoy
From the Sanctuary Task Force:
Winter Coat Drive for Asylum Seekers

In an update from the Sanctuary Task Force, the Rev. Sandra Castillo thanks the congregations that participated in winter clothing drives for asylum seekers. Winter coats are still needed, and congregations may continue to drop off coats at Centro Romero, 6216 N. Clark Street, Chicago Illinois. Read more.

Photo: Centro Romero staff assist the Rev. Sandra Castillo with clothing donations from Holy Family Episcopal Church, Park Forest and St. Joseph’s and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Blue Island.
Save the Dates: Retreats, Blessing of Chrism in Holy Week
April 4 at St. James Cathedral, April 5 at All Saints, Rock Island
On Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week, April 4 and 5, Bishop Paula Clark will host half-day retreats for members of the diocese at St. James Cathedral and All Saints, Rock Island. Watch for more details and registration links to come.

Both events are free and open to everyone.

Photo: Bishop Clark at St. Ann's, Woodstock, on February 5
Cooper and Lindeen Appointed to UN Commission on the Status of Women Delegation

Two members of the Diocese of Chicago have been appointed to the Presiding Bishop's delegation to the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), which takes place in New York City from March 6 to 17. Ailysh Cooper of Emmanuel, La Grange and Ellen Lindeen of St. Michael's, Barrington were two of nine women chosen to represent the Episcopal Church during the first in-person UNCSW since the pandemic began.

A Year of Welcome with Episcopal Migration Ministries
February 27 webinar hosted by Episcopal Parish Network

On February 27 at 2 pm Central, the Episcopal Parish Network will offer a free webinar highlighting Episcopal Migration Ministries' work in refugee resettlement and welcome. Leaders from EMM will discuss current initiatives and opportunities for congregations. Learn more and register online.
Episcopal Church Scholarships
Preliminary deadline for bishop's endorsement is March 24

The Episcopal Church is accepting applications for a wide variety of educational scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. Last year, 131 educational scholarships were awarded for more than $388,000 to students from 45 dioceses and overseas Anglican partners.

The scholarships are derived from the annual income of trust funds established through bequests to The Episcopal Church, and there are scholarships designated for Native American youth; Black, Asian American, Chinese, and Hispanic students, and seminarians. Please note: some of the bequests include original language that may be now considered offensive, and we do not condone its use.

Applications are due April 12 and require Bishop Clark's endorsement. Those planning to apply should contact Anne Cothran by March 24.
2023 Episcopal Youth Event
Confirm interest by March 10
The Diocese of Chicago is organizing a group of youth ages 15 to 19 to attend the 2023 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) July 4 to 8 at University of Maryland College Park. To learn more, please contact Briana Calhoun by March 10. Scholarship funds are available.
Camp Chicago 2023
Camp registration is open!
Camp Chicago is back for its 29th season, with three sessions offered at Camp Stronghold in Oregon, Illinois. The camp staff is excited to announce a new session specifically for junior and senior high campers. Online registration is open now for campers ages 7 - 17.

  • Session 1 June 25 – June 30 (ages 7-13)
  • Session 2 July 3 – July 8 (ages 7-13)
  • Session 3 Junior High/Senior High Week: July 10 – July 15 (ages 13-17)

The staff application is also open for ages 18+. Apply online.

For more information contact Jess Elfring-Roberts.
Church Periodical Club Grant Deadline is March 1
Annual raffle tickets available until February 28

The National Books Fund, a ministry of The Church Periodical Club, makes grants for written and electronic materials, both religious and secular, for adults for programs affiliated with Episcopal entities. The application deadline is March 1, and grants are made in June. Learn more and apply.

The Church Periodical Club grants are funded in part through an annual quilt raffle. Learn more and purchase raffle tickets online by February 28.
Episcopal Church Lenten Resources

The Episcopal Church has made a variety of free resources available for Lent. Find videos, adult forum curricula, a calendar, and quiet day curricula online in English, Spanish, and French.
Living Well Through Lent

The 2023 Living Compass Lent devotional, Living Well Through Lent, is available to purchase or download in English and Spanish. Daily email reflections and a downloadable facilitator's guide are also free. Learn more.
Learning Opportunities
One Book, One Diocese: Resurrection Hope
An invitation from the Peace and Justice Committee

In 2023, the Peace and Justice Committee invites the diocese to participate in its inaugural "One Book, One Diocese" discussion of Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter by the Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas.
 
Individuals whose congregations do not offer discussions will be invited to attend online discussions on Zoom on April 13 and April 25 at 7 pm.
 
Scholarship funds are available for individuals and congregations that need financial assistance purchasing the book; please contact Ellen Lindeen.
Certified Church Treasurer Program
Applications due March 31
  
The application for the 2023 Certified Church Treasurer Program is now open. This free online program is designed for treasurers, assistant treasurers, finance committee members, audit committee members, and clergy. The program highlights valuable resources available from the diocese and the Episcopal Church and engages participants in a process improvement project for their congregation. For more information please email Keith Kampert.
Bishop Anderson House Spiritual Care Visitor Training
Next session begins March 25; apply by March 13

The next session of the Bishop Anderson House Spiritual Care Visitor Training program begins with an in-person retreat on Saturday, March 25, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge. For 2023, thanks to a generous grant, the only cost to participate will be the $50 non-refundable application fee.

Early registration is encouraged. Learn more and apply online by March 13. For more information contact Kim Lessner, registrar, at 312-563-4825 or or by email.  
Province IV & V Creation Care Retreat: Rooted in Soil and Grounded in Faith
May 5 - 7 in Nazareth, Kentucky

The Province V Creation Care network will host a weekend retreat, May 5 - 7, at the Nazareth Retreat Center in Nazareth, Kentucky. The retreat will include theological study, resource and idea sharing, spiritual renewal, and time to contemplate nature. Learn more and register.
Around the Diocese
Through His Eyes: Stations of the Cross by Don Meserve
Art exhibition and events at St. Luke's, Evanston February 25 - April 2
For the Lenten journey, St. Luke's, Evanston will host Don Meserve's Stations of the Cross exhibit, Through His Eyes. Exhibit hours are Sundays in Lent from 2 to 4 pm, or by appointment.

Opening Talk and Liturgy Sunday, February 26 at 4 pm
St. Luke's will host a contemplative service and introductory lecture by exhibition curator Juanita Dugdale.
 
Stations of the Cross with Jazz Sunday, April 2 at 4 pm
Living in an Icon
Hybrid program Thursdays in Lent Beginning March 2

Beginning March 2, Martha Meyer at St. Luke's, Evanston will lead Living in an Icon: A Program for Growing Closer to Creation and to God, a six-week introduction to different approaches to outdoor prayer. The course will be hybrid so participants can join by Zoom or in-person at St. Luke's. (In-person participants are also invited to join the Thursday night community dinner ahead of time.) Register online and contact Meyer with any questions.
Lenten Retreat in Elgin
Saturday, March 4 at St. Hugh of Lincoln

On Saturday, March 4, St. Hugh of Lincoln in Elgin, St. James in West Dundee, and Church of the Redeemer in Elgin will offer a Lenten retreat at St. Hugh from 9 am to 1 pm. The theme for the retreat is "Remembering the Sabbath: Experiencing the Holy." Clergy from all three congregations will lead reflection groups and celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 12:30 pm. 

Doors open at 8:30 am and the program begins at 9 am. Snacks are available throughout the morning. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required: please send your name, phone and email to Margaret Brady by email or phone (847.508.6337). 
Mary Magdalene: At the Foot of the Cross and the Open Tomb
Lenten retreat on Zoom begins March 10

The Rev. Chitra Lalitha, deacon at Trinity, Wheaton, will offer a Lenten retreat on Zoom, Mary Madalene: At the Foot of the Cross and the Open Tomb. The group will meet on Fridays, March 10, 17 and 24 at 7 pm, and the registration donation is $29 per person. 

A preview of the retreat is available on YouTube. Learn more and register online.
Icon Workshop at Church of Our Saviour, Chicago
Saturdays in Lent beginning March 11

Beginning March 11, Church of Our Saviour, Chicago, will offer an icon workshop. Participants will learn to write an icon of St. Fiacre of Breuil, the patron saint of gardeners. Appropriate for beginners or intermediate level writers, the group will meet Saturdays in Lent, from 10 am - 1 pm at Church of Our Saviour. All supplies will be furnished. The cost of the workshop is $45 and scholarships are available. Contact Katie Roeck to sign up by March 4.
Reminders
Emergency Declarations to Expire in May; IDPH Pledges to Remain Vigilant and Protect Those Most At-Risk

On Friday the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the CDC reported 19 counties in the state are at Medium Community Level for COVID-19, compared to 14 last week. There were no counties listed at High Community Level.

Earlier this month, both the White House and Governor JB Pritzker announced that emergency declarations related to COVID-19 will expire on May 11. IDPH continues to share resources, including test to treat locations.

As a reminder, the diocesan COVID-19 advisory team recommends that congregational teams continue to meet regularly, monitor local conditions, and make changes as necessary.
Job Openings
New this week: Music Director and Organist at Christ Church in Waukegan.

Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings. 
Winter Publication Schedule
From September through June 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 noon on the Tuesday before publication. Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to Jen Boyle-Tucker.