General eNewsletter | September 29, 2021
Welcome to the Diocese of Chicago email newsletter. Please forward this email to your congregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up.
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Bishop Chilton Knudsen Comes Full Circle
New Assisting Bishop Begins Work October 4
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When Bishop Chilton Knudsen begins work as assisting bishop in the Diocese of Chicago on October 4, it won’t be like her first day in any of the other dioceses she has served. For one thing, she already knows her way around the cathedral, where she was ordained to the priesthood more than 40 years ago by Bishop Quintin Primo Jr.
“This is a homecoming for me,” Knudsen says. “I’ve come full circle.”
Her longstanding knowledge of the diocese will serve Knudsen well as she begins an active schedule of visitations, confirmations, and “the sacramental things that only a bishop can do.” The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of nearly all in-person events during the last nine months of Bishop Jeffrey Lee’s episcopacy, coupled with the unexpected interim period created when Bishop-elect Paula Clark suffered a cerebral bleed in April, has created what Knudsen calls a sacramental and liturgical backlog. She will visit congregations on the first three Sundays of each month beginning on October 10 and will also preside at regional confirmation services and ordinations.
“Bishop Chilton is absolutely the perfect person to be our assisting bishop at this time,” the Rev. Anne Jolly, standing committee president, says. “Her experience in Chicago and other dioceses, her deep respect for our Bishop-elect Paula, and her tremendous pastoral sensibilities will be a tremendous blessing to us all. The standing committee welcomes her with joy.”
As Knudsen settles into the studio apartment in the Hancock Center that will be her home in Chicago, she is eager to help people understand both what they can expect from her and what isn’t part of her role. Fundraising makes the list, and she looks forward to hosting gatherings with donors to the diocese as pandemic restrictions permit. Presiding at diocesan convention in November? That job belongs to the president of the standing committee when the office of diocesan bishop is vacant, she says.
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Urge Congress to Prevent Government Shutdown
Office of Government Relations action alert
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Congress continues to negotiate the timing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, the reconciliation bill, and government funding. Without action, the government will begin a partial shut down at midnight on Thursday.
The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations has asked Episcopalians to write to their members of Congress using this online tool, urging them to take action now to prevent the shutdown and to keep important priorities like paid family leave, climate legislation, and support for Afghan allies in the reconciliation bill.
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Application Process Open for 2022 Vitality Grants
Email submissions encouraged, deadline is November 4
The Congregations Commission is now accepting applications for vitality grants for 2022. All congregations, regardless of parish or mission status, may apply for a grant, and applications are due on November 4. Grants are intended to help congregations become more faithful, healthy, and effective, and priority is given to congregations with demonstrated financial need.
To apply, please complete the application form in English or Spanish and submit to Louisa McKellaston by November 4. Funding decisions are expected to be announced by November 22.
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2021 Regional CROP Hunger Walks
Funds raised support hunger ministries across the Diocese of Chicago
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CROP Walks raise funds to fight hunger, globally and locally. Food insecurity has increased during the pandemic, and congregations can make a difference by walking or sponsoring a walker in a CROP Hunger Walk.
The Chicago CROP Hunger Walk will be held on October 17 at 1 pm, with a 5K walk and a shorter, mile-long option beginning and ending at First Immanuel Lutheran Church (1124 S. Ashland). All COVID-19 health precautions, including wearing face masks, will be followed. Teams that are more comfortable walking in smaller groups can pick their own date and time, take pictures, and participate in an online post-walk celebration on October 19. Learn more and register.
Outside of Chicago, many CROP Hunger Walks are planned for fall and next spring, from Kewanee to Gurnee to Rockford. Use this link to find a nearby walk (use the map or type a walk or community name in the search bar).
Many congregational hunger-related ministries receive funds from their local CROP Walk committee, and the diocesan Hunger Committee is one entity that receives and disburses Chicago’s local CROP Walk funds to congregational programs in Chicago. For more information, please contact Nicole Schall-Plotner or the Rev. Gary Cox by email or phone at 773-434-9783.
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2021 Michael Yasutake Award
Nominations due October 31
The Peace and Justice Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago seeks nominees (individuals or organizations) whose lives and mission are in keeping with the values of the Rev. Dr. Seiichi Michael Yasutake:
- A commitment to the gospel message of nonviolence and peacemaking
- A willingness to engage the 'other'
- A shown ability to take risks in order to live out (or to witness to) the Gospel.
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ECW Fall Retreat: Come to the Well
October 16 online
Episcopal Church Women Chicago (ECW) will host its fall retreat online on October 16 from 8 am to 4 pm. The theme is "Come to the Well: Refreshing Our Minds, Bodies, and Souls."
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United Thank Offering 2022 Grants
Webinars offered this fall, applications due January 7
Informational webinars on the application process will be offered in October, November, and January. In the Diocese of Chicago, grant applications are due January 7 for review by the diocesan UTO Grants Committee. For more information contact UTO Coordinator Linda Toberman by email.
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Convention to Be Held Online
Online registration open through October 15
The 184th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will take place Saturday, November 20 from 9 am to 3 pm on Zoom. The event is free and everyone is welcome to participate. All attendees, including canonically resident clergy, lay delegates, licensed clergy, youth delegates and general attendees, must register online in English or Spanish by October 15.
Convention is the annual business meeting of the diocese, during which we elect leaders, consider resolutions and hear reports from across the diocese and the wider church.
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Nominations and Resolutions Due Tomorrow
Resolutions to be considered at convention must be received by Thursday, September 30, and must follow a prescribed format. Download the guidelines for submitting resolutions in English and Spanish.
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Delegate Certification Forms Due October 15
Delegates must be certified by their congregations or campus ministries in order to have voice and vote at convention. Certification forms can be found on the convention webpage and are due to the Secretary of Convention by October 15.
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Technology Requirements and Training
All 2021 convention business and voting will be conducted electronically, requiring a smart phone, tablet or computer with an internet connection. To participate via Zoom, your device must meet these system requirements.
All clergy and lay delegates who are new to the diocese's procedures for online conventions will be required to participate in a virtual training in advance of convention. The training dates will be announced in upcoming newsletters and recordings will be posted.
Non-voting convention attendees will be able to attend convention via livestream on the diocesan YouTube channel or by phone. Please note: phone and YouTube participation do not permit voice or vote.
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Convention Memorials Due October 30
As is our tradition, we will remember those who have died in the last year in the convention necrology. Please submit the names of those in your congregation who have died since the 2020 Diocesan Convention to the Secretary of Convention by October 30.
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Learning Opportunities & Community Events |
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Seeking Truth and Justice in Palestine/Israel
Series begins September 30
St. Chrysostom's, Chicago invites the people of the diocese to an introductory series of four talks, in person or online, that will describe the current conditions on the ground in the Holy Land, illuminate the sources of violence there, and explore ways that Christians can contribute to the search for peace with justice. Discussion will follow the presentations.
The series begins September 30 from 7 - 8:30 pm with the theme "Current Conditions in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem," and continues with sessions on October 14, October 28 and November 4. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required
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St. Chrysostom's Cookbook On Sale Now
Proceeds benefit feeding ministries
While unable to gather in person this past year, the Women of St. Chrysostom's, Chicago, shared favorite recipes as a way to both connect and create in a time of isolation. More than 180 recipes, including some inspired by ministry partners in Chiapas, Mexico, have been compiled in a new cookbook, "St. Chrys’ Table," with proceeds benefiting the church's longstanding partners and feeding ministries.
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Around the Diocese
On October 1 at 7:30 pm, Richard Hoskins and Thomas Colao, organists of St. Chrysostom’s Church, will give a concert featuring music by feature music by Mendelssohn, Buxtehude, Vierne, Jimeniz, and Bach to open the 2021-2022 concert season.
On October 10 at 4 pm, St. Chrysostom's Church will host evensong, with music by Stanford, Rose, and Rheinberger. Evensong is sung every second Sunday of the month, October - May.
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources
Illinois public health guidance
On August 26, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced an indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status. All congregations and diocesan organizations are expected to comply with this requirement.
The Bishop's staff, in partnership with the COVID-19 advisory team, encourages congregational leadership teams to meet regularly, monitor local conditions, and make changes to established practices and policies as necessary and appropriate in their local contexts.
Congregations are encouraged to:
COVID-19 Office Hours Continue
Courtney Reid will continue to answer reopening questions and provide assistance each Wednesday from 12:30-1:00 pm. Join her on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223
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Community Partner Vaccination Events
Faith-based institutions invited to host vaccinations
The Illinois Department of Public Health invites faith-based institutions in Illinois to host COVID-19 vaccination events in order to reach those who were not able to visit other sites or would benefit for a community vaccination location. Learn more and begin the online application process here.
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Fall Publication Schedule |
From September to 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.
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