General eNewsletter | May 17, 2023
 
Welcome to the Diocese of Chicago email newsletter. Please forward this email to your congregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up.
Bishops United Against Gun Violence in Washington D.C.
This week, Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of more than 100 Episcopal Church bishops, is hosting an advocacy gathering in Washington D.C. to learn from advocates working at the intersection of gun violence and racism in our cities.

Yesterday, Bishop Clark joined colleagues in visiting Congressional members and staff, including the office of Representative Brad Schneider, IL-10, whose district includes Highland Park. On July 4, 2022, a 21-year-old gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens of others during the Highland Park Independence Day parade.

See more photos on the Episcopalians United Against Gun Violence Facebook page.
Bishop Clark Awarded Honorary Degree from VTS

On May 11, Bishop Paula Clark was honored with the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, where she attended seminary.

She received the honorary degree as part of the 200th Commencement service. Watch the ceremony on YouTube (Bishop Clark's portion begins at 2:06:44).

photo: Micha Green
American Friends Pray for Sudan Amid Ongoing Violence

On May 5, the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of the Sudans (AFRECS) shared updates on the ongoing crisis from friends and partners on the ground, including Joseph Garang Atem, archbishop of the Upper Nile Internal Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and former bishop of Renk, and from Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo, the primate of the Episcopal Church of Sudan. AFRECS continues its call for peace and prayers for the suffering people of Sudan.

For those interested in following the news from Sudan closely, regular updates are provided by The Associated Press and Al Jazeera.
Join the Convention Planning Committee
Save the dates: November 17-18 in Lombard

As Bishop Clark announced last November, the 2023 convention will be held in person, November 17 and 18, at the Westin Chicago Lombard. After three years of virtual conventions, we are excited to return to an in-person gathering.

The Convention Planning Committee is seeking lay and clergy volunteers to join convention committees (nominations, resolutions, workshops); help with recruiting candidates for election and appointment; and contribute ideas to help shape the flow and fun of the weekend.

The Convention Planning Committee will meet monthly through September, in person or on Zoom, and hold bi-monthly meetings in September and October, and weekly check-ins for November. Please consider how you might get involved and complete this online interest form.

Please note: on-site volunteers will also be needed on November 17 and 18 in Lombard. Watch newsletters this fall for on-site volunteer registration.
Register for Camp Chicago 2023
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.
Learning Opportunities
Planned Giving Webinar
Episcopal Church Foundation presentation on May 24

On May 24 at 6:30 pm on Zoom, Jim Murphy, managing program director for the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) will offer a free planned giving webinar for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, sponsored by the Trustees of the Endowment.

Murphy will demystify planned giving and explain how it differs from annual stewardship and capital campaigns. Participants will leave the webinar with a plan of action and a complimentary copy of ECF's "Planned Giving On Demand" Program Guide. Both congregations with existing planned giving ministries and those looking to establish them will benefit from this workshop
Hosting Refugees and Asylum Seekers
May 25 webinar in English & Spanish

On May 25 from 6:30 to 8 pm, the Sanctuary Task Force will host a Zoom presentation, Hosting Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Inspiring Stories of Love in Action.

During the webinar, task force leaders and colleagues will discuss how individuals and faith communities are offering hospitality and support to our newest neighbors and how individuals and congregations can be part of this urgently needed ministry. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

photo: The Rev. Sandra Castillo with other local migrant response leaders and an asylum seeker from Cuba at the CRLN Sanctuary Working Group's Widening the Circle Breakfast on May 3.
Toward Liberation: Crossroads Anti-Racism Training
June 8-10 in Chicago
From June 8 to 10, Crossroads/Chicago ROAR (Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism) will host a three-day training, "From White Supremacy Toward Liberation: Building Shared Analysis to Transform Institutions," at St. Paul & the Redeemer in Hyde Park. This training, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, meets the diocesan antiracism requirement for clergy and elected leaders. The diocesan Antiracism Commission offers a subsidized rate of $125 for members of the diocese.

Register online for "From White Supremacy Toward Liberation," using the code "EDOC450" to get the diocesan rate. Enter your information as required, then click “Pay by check” on the payment page. (The diocese will pay $450 for each participant and the Antiracism Commission will collect the $125 balance due from each individual.) For more information contact the Rev. Sarah Zuniga by email.
Pentecost:
A Season for Gun Violence Prevention
Call for action from the Peace and Justice Committee

The Peace and Justice Committee of the Diocese of Chicago and Chicago Chapter of Episcopal Peace Fellowship are joining the national call for a season of Pentecost to prevent gun violence.

The campaign is intended to encourage individuals and congregations to confront the epidemic of gun violence at the grassroots level, through a commitment to taking action during the season of Pentecost. Learn more and contact Jackie Lynn with questions.
College for Congregational Development Year A Training
June 18-23 in Woodstock

The College for Congregational Development  (CCD) "Year A" program will be offered June 18 - 23 at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois. The training is open to individuals and congregational teams, clergy and lay. Learn more and register.
It's All About Love Churchwide Festival
July 9-12 in Baltimore

It’s All About Love is a churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, July 9-12 at the Baltimore Convention Center, organized around three festival tent themes: Evangelism, Racial Reconciliation, and Creation Care. Hear from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris, and inspiring leaders from across the church. Learn more.
Around the Diocese
Uncaged Art Exhibit
Opening May 20 at St. James Cathedral

The “Uncaged Art” exhibit, lent to the Sanctuary Task Force by the Diocese of San Joaquin and hosted by St. James Cathedral, will open to the public on Saturday, May 20 at 4 pm in Kyle's Place Gallery at 65 E. Huron. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Mondays through Saturdays from 9 am until 2 pm, through May 28.

"Uncaged Art" showcases artwork by children held in the Tornillo Detention Center in Texas between June 2018 and January 2019. When the detention center closed and officials began throwing out the artwork, a Catholic priest recovered 29 pieces, which comprise the exhibit.

The event is sponsored by the Sanctuary Task Force, Antiracism Commission, Hispanic Affairs Committee, and Peace & Justice Committee, four of the diocese’s social justice committees. After May 28, the exhibit will be on tour at metro Chicago churches, non-profits, schools, and libraries. Congregations and groups that would like to host the exhibit can email the Rev. Sandra Castillo.
Evensong for the Feast of the Ascension
May 21 at St. Chrysostom's

The Choir of St. Chrysostom’s Church will sing evensong for the Feast of The Ascension on May 21 at 4 pm. The program features organ music by Olivier Messiaen and Edward Elgar and choral music by William Byrd, Richard Shephard, Charles Stanford and Gerald Finzi.
Orb and Sceptre: Music for the Coronation
May 21 at St. James Cathedral

On May 21 at 6:30 pm at St. James Cathedral, the choirs of Fourth Presbyterian Church and St. James Cathedral will present a concert of music from coronation services at Westminster Abbey. Admission is free. Donations will be collected to support Summer in the City, a free day camp at St. James Cathedral.
Reminders
Anne Cothran to Retire from Bishop's Staff
Cards and notes requested by June 30

In the May 3 newsletter, it was announced that Anne Cothran will retire as Bishop Clark's executive assistant on June 30. Those wanting to share their appreciation and well-wishes for Anne in her retirement are invited to send cards and notes to the diocesan office by June 30. Cards may directed as follows:

Anne Cothran
c/o Anna Stefaniak
Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
65 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Job Openings
Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings. 
Spring 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.