[Download a Printable Version] [View as Webpage]

We want to hear from you about stories for future issues and other communications requests and questions. Send emails to communications@diovermont.org.

Alternate Good Friday Resources Approved for Use

Bishop Shannon has approved of two alternative resources for use on Good Friday by our diocesan household: the alternative Good Friday Liturgy and a new translation of John's Gospel.

Alternative Good Friday Liturgy

In 2024, General Convention approved the use of alternative Good Friday liturgical texts, and Bishop Shannon has authorized those texts for use in Vermont.

The alternative liturgy has been reviewed by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) and approved by General Convention as Resolution 2024-A115. The texts were developed in the Diocese of Texas by the Rev. Dr. Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, an Episcopal priest who is now the director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College.

The alternative liturgy includes notes from the SCLM regarding the appropriate translations for the Gospel reading as well as an explanation of the alternative liturgy.

Download the alternative liturgy.

Alternative Good Friday Gospel

Trinity Press has developed a new Rite 4 translation of the Gospel of John's Passion (John 18:1-19:42) which aims to be more accurate, idiomatic, and inclusive in its English translation. Bishop Shannon has approved of the use of this alternative translation for 2026.

Some notable features of the translation:

• Gender-neutral language is used for God, as is common in Rite 4 texts, excepting for places where gendered terms are necessary or historically resonant.

• The Greek word loudaioi, which has previously been translated in a harmful manner, is translated instead as ‘Judeans’ or rendered with a functional equivalent, usually ‘high priests.'

• It was based initially on the King James Version, but with extensive changes for accuracy, idiom, rhythm, and inclusive language.

A reader's copy and a version which can be copied and pasted are both available. Learn more.

Province 1 Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Training

March 14

On March 14, you are invited to join other leaders in Province 1 for Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Training at Grace Church in Manchester, New Hampshire. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to all clergy and lay leaders in Province 1. It is free and lunch will be provided.

This session is designed to meet the church-wide requirements for all leaders - lay, ordained, paid, and volunteer - to receive anti-racism and reconciliation training. This particular course will be northern New England-focused.

This training is a priority for those in leadership in the Diocese of Vermont and is mandated by The Episcopal Church for General Convention Deputies, clergy, those in formation for ordained ministry, and members of committees and governing bodies. Training credentials must be renewed every five years. A record of completion for this training will be made for attendees completing diocesan and churchwide training requirements.

Please note, this is an on-site training only. The session will not be recorded.

Register online now.

A reminder email, with final details, will be emailed during the week before the event.

If you have questions about registration, or the event, please email Will Herron coordinator@province1.org.

Diocesan Staff In-Person Work Retreat March 12 to 13

The Bishop and Staff will be going on an in-person work retreat from March 12 to 13. There will be a delay in responding to messages during this time. In case of emergency, contact the Rev. Canon Susan Ohlidal at 802.391.7127 by text or voice. We thank you for your patience.

Lent Madness Underway

Vote Now

Lent Madness, an annual bracket based competition of saints, is underway now.

Each day of Lent, participants select between two saints and the winner advances to the next round. Beginning with 32 saints, voting continues until there is one saint remaining, and they are awarded the Golden Halo.

This is a fun daily way to learn more about saints of all sorts.

Learn more and participate online.

The Ven. J. Stannard Baker Honored by Vermont State Government

The Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Vermont have adopted a concurrent resolution extending their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Ven. J. Stannard Baker, now of blessed memory. The resolution is available to read online.

Read the resolution.

The Sermon on the Mount: On Earth as in Heaven

Discussion Series Continues Tomorrow

Tomorrow, join The Communities for Spiritual Vitality at 6 p.m. for their weekly Zoom gathering to reflect on and discuss this year's Lent to Easter devotional, “The Sermon on the Mount: On Earth as in Heaven.”

The devotional centers on Matthew 5-7 and features individual reflections from members of all seven Episcopal dioceses in New England, as well as artwork from Christian artists. The booklet spans Ash Wednesday through the second Sunday of Easter but can be used in future years or at other seasons. Review the devotional.

All Zoom gatherings take place on Thursdays in Lent from 6 to 7:45 p.m. through April 9. Note, during Holy Week, the gathering will be held on Wednesday, April 1.

The sessions will take place with the Vermont Green Mountain Online Abbey, and will be followed by compline at 8 p.m. Zoom information is available on the diocesan website.

Those interested may receive each day’s devotion directly to your email inbox. Join the daily mailing list.

Province 1 Youth Confirmation Exploration Weekend

March 13 to 15 at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center

Youth in the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont are invited to join other youth from Province 1 at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center for a Confirmation Exploration Weekend from March 13 to 15.

This is an opportunity for youth across Province 1 who are exploring confirmation or who are recently confirmed to learn and grow together.

Registration must be completed through the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center. Learn more and register.

Lay Preaching Courses

Registration Open for CALL Program

Two resources are available for training those interested in serving as lay preachers: the Pathways program at Bexley Seabury and the CALL program of Church Divinity School of the Pacific. 

Registration for Introduction to Preaching with the CALL program is now open. The course begins on April 6. Learn more.

The Pathways course is currently underway. Dates for the next course will be published when available.

Those interested in either of these courses must seek the permission of their clergy person or Senior Warden prior to registration. Both of these courses will satisfy the licensing requirements in the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.

Upon completion, those enrolled should contact Sophie Kitch-Peck with their completion information to receive their preaching license.

Note, the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont can no longer afford to pay 100% of the course fees, but some scholarship funds are available. Contact the Rev. Canon Susan Ohlidal to learn more about scholarship funds.

Save the Date: Youth Retreat at Rock Point

May 15 to 17

From May 15 to 17, youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited for a weekend retreat at Rock Point led by youth missioner, the Rev. Sarah Ginolfi. Participants will sleep in the Rock Point cabins and engage in a day long service project for Rock Point on May 16. Those who wish to participate in the service project but not sleep over will still be welcome.

More information and registration coming soon.

Online Auction March 8 to 22

St. James, Woodstock

From March 8 to 22, join St. James, Woodstock for their 5th annual online auction to support their outreach efforts.

The auction will go live on March 8 at 9 a.m. and feature over 100 items. The auction will close on March 22 at 11 p.m. 100% of funds raised will go to outreach efforts.

The auction will run online. Visit the auction website.

For more information, contact Sari White, Auction Coordinator at Sariwhite8@gmail.com or by calling 802.296.1296.

Brownridge Featured Speaker for Mission Thursday

March 12

The Rev. Walter Brownridge, former canon to the ordinary for cultural transformation in the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, will be the featured speaker in the next Mission Thursday webinar from the Global Episcopal Mission Network. The webinar will take place on March 12 at 2 p.m.

Brownridge, who is serving as dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Nicosia, Cyprus, and canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, will discuss the religious, ethnic and geopolitical complexities of ministry in the diocese.

Learn more and register.

Choral Evensong March 15

St. Stephen's, Middlebury

On March 15, join St. Stephen’s, Middlebury for a Choral Evensong at 4 p.m. The service will feature the music of Adrian Batten and Giovannie Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Learn more online.

Faithful Resilience: Being the Church in a World of Climate Change April 11

Join Episcopalians across Province 1 on April 11 for Faithful Resilience: Being the Church in a World of Climate Change. This Earth Day celebration will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Episcopal Conference Center in Rhode Island. Debra Reinstra, author of Refugia Faith, will give the keynote address. In addition to the keynote there will be time for tree planting and a Wild Worship practice.

There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided. Registration closes April 1. Learn more and register online.

This gathering is sponsored by the Creation Care team of the Diocese of Rhode Island, An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice, and the EcoRegion in Province 1.

Image: Debra Reinstra

Missio 2026

April 14 to 17

Missio 2026, the global mission conference for the Episcopal Church, will be held at the Church of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco from April 14 to 17. 

The theme is “Rooted in Christ & Dancing God’s Dream" and will include four sessions exploring how God's dream can be realized through global mission work. The Rev. Titus Presler, executive director of GEMN and a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, will help lead Session 2.

Learn more and register online.

Contact the Rev. Titus Presler with any questions at gemn@gemn.org.

Province 1 Youth Climate Justice Event

June 29 to July 2 at the Schoodic Institute

From June 29 to July 2, middle and high school aged youth from across Province 1 are invited to the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park for an educational event centered on climate justice.

Participants will engage in national science-standard-aligned, hands-on science programming through the National Park Service rangers, work with the Diocese of Maine's Public Policy Director John Hennessey, hear from Wabanaki neighbors about Indigenous stewardship at Acadia, and more.

Learn more and register on the Diocese of Maine's website.

Download Office of Transition Ministry Profile

Last Day to Download March 12

The Office of Transition Ministry has announced that they will be launching a new database, the Vocation Hub, the week of March 16. The Vocation Hub will replace the OTM Portfolio.

All clergy in the Diocese of Vermont are encouraged to download their current profile from OTM Portfolio if they have not already. Clergy who have updated their profile with the last seven years should have received a PDF of their profile directly. Those who did not are highly encouraged to update their profile to ensure a successful transfer of information.

Those who have not received or downloaded their profile may also contact Craig Dressler, ministry network specialist, for a PDF of their profile.

The last day to update or download your profile will be March 12.

Note, those who choose to download their profile are encouraged to use the "Save as a PDF" option from the "Print" dialogue rather than downloading directly. Issues with the "Download" function have been reported previously.

As Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) steps up its presence in New England and Vermont, The Mountain will now include regular updates and reminders on the rights of churches if ICE comes to your doors.

Immigration Action Toolkit

The Episcopal Church has developed an Immigration Action Toolkit which includes "Know Your Rights" resources for churches and individuals. Visit the Toolkit.

Resources for Congregations When ICE Shows Up

Task Force on Sanctuary and Refuge for the Vulnerable has developed a guide and resource list for congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.

At present, they recommend that all congregations follow the steps outlined on the diocesan website.

Protesting Faithfully Toolkit

The Episcopal Church has created a new toolkit called Protesting Faithfully for Episcopal clergy and lay leaders seeking to integrate faith and activism. The toolkit includes resources for spiritual care, nonviolence training, and the logistics of coordinating a safe, peaceful, Christian witness.

Learn more online.

Rock Point Cabins Available for Rent

Rock Point Cabins are once again available to rent this spring and fall through a partnership with the Vermont Hut Association.

Each cabin sleeps up to six guests on bunk beds and includes a private bathroom, kitchenette, and sitting area. Cabins are available beginning May 1 through June 19 and will be available again August 18 through October 31.

Learn more and book a cabin.

Daily Prayer with the Green Mountain Online Abbey

Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 8 p.m.

The Green Mountain Online Abbey meets on Zoom Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m.

A Zoom coffee hour is held at 8:30 a.m. following the Saturday service. Each week they explore various themes from scripture and the Christian tradition.

The 8 p.m. Sunday services of evening prayer are dedicated to racial healing.

Learn more on the diocesan website.

Part-Time Music Director

St. John's in the Mountains, Stowe

St. John’s in the Mountains is hiring a part-time Music Director to lead hymns and play preludes and postludes at their 10:00 am Sunday service. Learn more online.

Please contact Andy Rodman, warden, to apply.

March 8: Ministry and work of the Zero Emissions Task Force

March 15: Ministry and work of the Task Force on Sanctuary and Refuge for the Vulnerable



Find the cycle of prayer on the website.

(See the Diocesan Calendar for details.)

March 9 at 12:30 p.m.: Trustees Meeting on Zoom

March 9 at 4:30 p.m.: Dispatch of Business Meeting on Zoom

March 10 at 10:30 a.m.: Parochial Clergy Meeting on Zoom

March 10 at 5:30 p.m.: Executive Council Meeting on Zoom

March 12 and 13: Diocesan Staff Retreat

March 16 at 4:30 p.m.: Dispatch of Business Meeting on Zoom

Daily online prayer with the Green Mountain Online Abbey.

The Mountain is published every other Wednesday. Please send submissions to communications@diovermont.org by 5 p.m. the Monday before publication.