March 18, 2020
Welcome! You may notice this edition has a different look from previous issues of The Mountain. Rather than linking to a digital magazine, each story in this edition can be read within this email or on the diocesan website .

We'd like your feedback on the design and usability of this newsletter format, and also want to hear from you about stories for future issues and other communications requests and questions. Send emails to   communications@diovermont.org .
Being Obedient to God's Commandment to Love
A message from Bishop Shannon
Last week, I wrote to you urging the cancelation of all public in-person worship, meetings and events until further notice. This week, it has become clearer that we will not be back in our church buildings to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter. In fact, yesterday Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote to the church asking us all to forego in-person Holy Week and Easter services.

This is a Lenten fast that none of us could have anticipated. But as we enter further into it, I find myself experiencing social distance as a way to be obedient to God's commandment to love one another and the most vulnerable people in our midst. I am thankful for the technology that gives us new ways to gather and learn to be the people of God. If your congregation would like to offer online worship, you can find resources for doing so on the diocesan website .

I invite all members of our diocesan household to gather on Zoom at 8:00 a.m. each day (except Sunday) for Morning Prayer and 8:00 p.m. each day for Compline. I will also be offering Sunday prayer services on Zoom at 11:00 a.m. You can join us at:  https://zoom.us/j/531110497   (or dial by phone:  646-876-9923 , code 531110497#). Please invite the people of your congregation to join us as they are able.

I am thankful for your faithfulness as we journey through this time of holy obedience. You are, as always, in my prayers.

Peace and blessings,
Bishop Shannon
The Restoration Project Book Study
Join Bishop Shannon Online in April

In her   Lenten message , Bishop Shannon issued an invitation to join her in reading “The Restoration Project: A Benedictine Path to Wisdom, Strength, and Love,” by Christopher H. Martin. The book is available in print,  ebook   and   audiobook   formats. Hopkins Bookshop at Trinity Shelburne has ordered several copies. Email   Jenny Ogelby   to order a copy.
 
“My prayer is that ‘The Restoration Project’ will inspire us to explore new and creative ways to live and articulate our faith every day in our congregations and communities,” Bishop Shannon said. “And for those who are called to go deeper, the book offers a helpful guide for starting and leading congregational discipleship groups. I look forward to reading it together.”
 
The book discussion will include:
 
  • April 2, 6 p.m.: Bishop Shannon will convene a video conversation about the book, focusing on Chapter 6. Join the conversation using this link: https://zoom.us/j/306048033.
  • April 8: Bishop Shannon will post a final reflection about the book on Facebook and host a conversation in the comments.

Email   communications@diovermont.org   with questions.
Tracking "Virtual Attendance" for the Parochial Report

The General Convention office is advising churches to keep track of the metrics for digital worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic for possible inclusion in the 2020 parochial report.
 
More specific guidance will be forthcoming, the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe, executive officer of the General Convention, wrote in an email to diocesan administrators.
 
In the meantime, he recommends, noting "virtual attendance" using whatever metrics an online platform provides.
 
The  parochial report filing site  will remain live beyond the usual May 1 deadline.
Online Worship Guide

A guide for for congregations interested in offering online worship on Zoom or Facebook Live is is now available on the diocesan website .
COVID-19 and Social Isolation March 20
A webinar from Episcopal Relief & Development

Social distancing and quarantine are life-saving measures that reduce the impacts of COVID-19, but they can be challenging for many people.

Join the Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White and Bishop Chilton Knudsen on F riday, March 20 at 3:00 p.m. for a conversation around family/partner violence, substance use and mental health as they relate to the current pandemic.

Rock Point Camp Registration Open

Rock Point Camp is now open for registration . The camp, now in its 89th year, offers day camp and residential summer programs for ages 5-17. Located on 130 acres on the shores of Lake Champlain, Rock Point Camp offers numerous activities including hiking, swimming and arts and crafts. The camp provides leadership training and volunteer opportunities for older campers. For more information and to register, please visit the website .
Join Partners in Resilience
Episcopal Relief & Development US Disaster Team

The Episcopal Relief & Development US Disaster Team is looking for new people to join Partners in Response and Resilience (Partners). Partners are volunteers who work closely with US program staff and diocesan leaders as they prepare for and recover from disasters.

Disasters have a disproportionate impact on historically-marginalized communities, and Episcopal Relief & Development centers the experiences of these communities in preparedness and response programming. Partners play an important role in ensuring that our programming serves the most vulnerable people in disaster-impacted communities. 

GEMN Global Mission Conference Canceled

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors of the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) has canceled the 2020 Global Mission Conference that was to be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, April 29-May 1. Read more .
Disaster Case Manager Training on April 21-22

The disaster case manager training originally scheduled for March 12-13 has been rescheduled for April 21-22. The training will begin at 8:00 a.m. each day and will be held at:

Vermont Agency of Human Services
Sally Fox Conference Center
Waterbury State Office Complex
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT

Watch future issues of the newsletter for registration information.
Philadelphia Eleven Film Screening Canceled

The film screening set to take place on March 29 at St. Paul's, White River Junction has been canceled.
Save the Date: Diocesan Convention
October 30 and 31 in Burlington

Save the date! Diocesan Convention 2020 is tentatively being planned for October 30-31 in Burlington. Watch upcoming issues of The Mountain for more details.
TRANSITION NEWS
The Rev. Dr. Robert Leopold has been called to Christ Church, Montpelier to serve as their interim pastor. He begins his ministry on May 1. 
CYCLE OF PRAYER
March 22: St. Andrew's, Colchester and The Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui

March 29: St. Matthew's, Enosburg Falls and a Season of Prayer and Repentance in the Anglican Communion (to be observed with these prayers .)


EVENTS CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
(See the Diocesan Calendar for details.) .

Daily online prayer at 8:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

March 18 at 7:00 p.m., Diocesan Council Meeting (Zoom)

March 25 at 4:00 p.m., Clergy Zoom with Bishop Shannon

April 1 at 10:00 a.m., Standing Committee Meeting (Zoom)

April 8 at 4:00 p.m., Clergy Zoom with Bishop Shannon

April 15 at 4:00 p.m., Clergy Zoom with Bishop Shannon

April 22 at 4:00 p.m., Clergy Zoom with Bishop Shannon

April 29 at 4:00 p.m., Clergy Zoom with Bishop Shannon

May 5 at 6:30 p.m., Being Native American in America, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

May 8 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

May 19 at 6:30 p.m., People of Chinese Descent in America, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

June 2 at 6:30 p.m., Where Do We Go from Here? A Conversation with Young People of Color, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

June 7 at 7:00 p.m., Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

June 12 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

July 10 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

August 2 at 7:00 p.m., Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

August 14 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.
Publication Dates / Submission Guidelines
The Mountain is distributed every other Wednesday. The next edition will be published on April 1. Please submit content by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30 to communications@diovermont.org .

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