Summer eNewsletter | July 14, 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-elect Clark, Chicago Deputies Appointed to General Convention Committees
On July 6, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Clark Jennings released the rosters of legislative committees that will serve at the 80th General Convention next summer in Baltimore. Bishop-elect Paula Clark was appointed to serve as vice chair of the House of Bishops Legislative Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation and five deputies received appointments to House of Deputies legislative committees:
- M.E. Eccles, secretary, Committee on Ministry
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Louisa McKellaston, chair, Committee on Governance & Structure
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Sandra McPhee, member, Committee on the Certification of Minutes
- Greg Millikin, secretary, Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy & Music
- Crystal Plummer, member, Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget & Finance
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Convocation to Bless the Work of 2022 General Convention
Online service July 17 at 1 pm Central
Join Bishops, deputies and others on July 17 at 1 pm Central for an online convocation to bless the work of the 2022 General Convention.
“Although we cannot be together in person this summer, we are looking forward to gathering online to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church as we prepare for the 80th General Convention,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said. “The reason for our gathering is solely for the purposes of praying together and to rededicate ourselves to the work of Jesus and his way of love as our way of participating in God’s mission and work in the world.”
The Rev. Greg Millikin of Grace, New Lenox, who helped develop online worship for diocesan convention in November and the electing convention weeks later, was appointed by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Clark Jennings to serve on the convocation design team.
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Presiding Bishop, House of Deputies President Statement on Indigenous Boarding Schools
On July 12, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Clark Jennings issued a statement about the Episcopal Church's complicity in Indigenous boarding schools during the 19th and 20th centuries:
"We are grieved by recent discoveries of mass graves of Indigenous children on the grounds of former boarding schools, where Indigenous children experienced forced removal from their homes, assimilation and abuse. These acts of cultural genocide sought to erase these children’s identities as God’s beloved children.
"We condemn these practices and we mourn the intergenerational trauma that cascades from them. We have heard with sorrow stories of how this history has harmed the families of many Indigenous Episcopalians."
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Lift Every Voice and Sing!
UBE Churchwide Revival
Multi-day virtual event July 27-30
Lift Every Voice and Sing!, the 53rd annual conference of the Union of Black Episcopalians will be a multi-day virtual event open to the entire Episcopal community July 27-30. Evening worship services will premiere on The Episcopal Church and UBE Facebook and YouTube channels the evenings of July 27-30, and are free. Daytime plenary events will be held on Zoom and are available for individual and group registration. Learn more.
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New Safe Church Training Program Released
The Episcopal Church has released three new safe church training courses, and will offer webinars this summer and fall to help dioceses transition to a new safe church learning platform. The new program is called "Safe Church, Safe Communities." Diocesan administrators will provide updates on any training requirements as they are made available.
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Bishop-elect Clark to Be Consecrated, Seated on August 28 |
On August 28, Bishop-elect Paula Clark will be ordained and consecrated the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago in a service at St. James Cathedral. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be the chief consecrator, and Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington will preach. The service will also include the seating of the bishop at the cathedral.
The entire service will be streamed online at the diocese’s website and YouTube channel. The prelude will begin at 10:30 am Central and the service will begin at 11 am. Watch future issues of the newsletter for more information.
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Healing from Internalized Oppression
Virtual training August 20 - 21
Please note: this is primarily a training for people of color. Participants must register 24 hours prior to the start of training. There is no fee to participate.
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2021 Illinois Sexual Harassment Training Requirement
Under Public Act 101-0221, Illinois employers are required to train employees on sexual harassment prevention on an annual basis, by December 31, 2021. This requirement applies to all employers with employees working in this State.
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) provides a model training available in Powerpoint or video format. Employers should keep an internal record of training compliance. Learn more.
Please note: this annual state-mandated training is required in addition to the diocesan Keeping God's People Safe training. If you have any questions, please contact Anna Stefaniak.
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Community Partner Vaccination Events
IDPH invites faith based institutions to host COVID-19 vaccination events
Illinois Department of Public Health invites faith based institutions in Illinois are to host COVID-19 vaccination events. IDPH hopes to reach those that were not able to visit other sites or would benefit for a community-centered vaccination location. Learn more and begin the online application process here.
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Chicago Delegation Participates
in Immigration Rally
News from the Sanctuary Diocese Task Force
On July 8, a delegation representing the Diocese of Chicago participated in the We Can’t Wait rally and march organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). The event advocated for the passage of federal immigration legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship through the budget reconciliation process for undocumented workers and their families. ICIRR is a membership organization that brings together a wide number of immigrant rights organizations representing the State of Illinois’ diverse immigrant communities. Read the full story here.
photo: the Rev. Sandra Castillo (Left to right/ de izquierda a derecha: the Rev. Terri Morrissey, the Rev. Peggy Lo, Nina Klooster, Priscilla Read, the Rev. Charlie De Kay, Sally Craige Christensen)
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2021 Hunger Grant Application is Open
Applications due August 30
Each year the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Hunger Committee offers support to congregations and agencies that sponsor programs to address hunger in the diocese. In 2020, the Committee awarded grants of $175 each to 14 food pantries and meal programs. The grants are funded by the diocesan budget, gifts to the Hunger Committee and other sources.
photo: Northern Illinois Food Bank
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Diocesan Convention on November 20
184th Diocesan Convention to take place online
The 184th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will be held on Saturday, November 20 from 9 am to 3 pm on Zoom.
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.
Voting participants at convention include the clergy of the diocese and lay delegates elected from each congregation. All voting will be conducted electronically. General attendees and visitors are invited to observe the proceedings online or to listen by phone.
Please watch for convention updates, including registration information and a preliminary schedule, in upcoming newsletters and on the diocesan website.
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Convention Nominations and Resolutions Due September 30
Resolutions to be considered at convention must be received by September 30 and must follow a prescribed format. Download the guidelines for submitting resolutions in English and Spanish.
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Clergy Transitions
St. Lawrence, Libertyville has called the Rev. Kristin Saylor as its next rector. Saylor comes from Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and will begin her ministry at St. Lawrence in September.
All Saints', Chicago has called the Rev. E. Suzanne Wille as its rector. Wille comes from All Saints in Indianapolis and begins her ministry in Chicago in September.
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The Rev. Richard Tolliver Appointed to Cook County Commission on Human Rights
The Rev. Richard L. Tolliver, retired priest of the Diocese of Chicago, was recently appointed as a commissioner of the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, an eleven- member board appointed by the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. The board's mission is to protect people who live or work in Cook County from discrimination and harassment and to ensure that Cook County workers are paid an appropriate wage and receive appropriate benefits.
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Learning Opportunities & Virtual Events |
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Bishop Anderson House Spiritual Care Visitor Training
Next session begins August 21, register by August 10
The next session of the Bishop Anderson House Spiritual Care Visitor Training program begins August 21 with the first of three mandatory retreats held via Zoom. Training continue through online modules and active, supervised participation in field work serving in a pastoral care role.
A $50 application fee is due when you apply to conduct a background check, which must successfully be completed prior to the start of the retreat. The course fee is $325 with discounts offered for groups of 5 or more from the same organization. Learn more and apply online. Contact Kim Lessner, Registrar, with any questions at 312-563-4825 or by email.
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Choir Boot Camp at Grace, Hinsdale
Evenings in August
Choral musicians ages 16 and up are invited to a Choir Boot Camp at Grace Episcopal Church in Hinsdale. Dr. Charles Brown, Director of Choral Activities at Concordia University in River Forest, will be the guest clinician for the program designed to recover and re-ground the singer’s sense of basic vocal technique, as experienced in the choral setting.
Choir Boot Camp will take place on four evenings, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, on August 11, 12, 16 and 17. Singers can attend as many sessions as desired. The cost is $20 per session, with a discounted rate of $75 for all four sessions. Learn more and register by July 31.
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What Kind of Bridge Are We? Living with Political Division in our Lives
Virtual retreat August 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
On August 4 at 6:30 pm, St. Luke’s Evanston, Holy Spirit Lake Forest, and Oasis Center for Integrated Well-Being will host "What Kind of Bridge Are We?" a virtual retreat with the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Rev. Melanie Mullen, and Dr. Sarah Warren. Participants will explore how individuals can be peacemakers in their lives and find hope to move forward.
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Free Summer Offerings from Trinity Retreat Center
The Trinity Retreat Center is offering a series of free online retreats in July and August. These events are open to all, and no registration is required. Learn more.
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Education for Ministry
Updated - program Openings for 2021-2022
Education for Ministry (EfM), a four-year adult formation program developed by the School of Theology at the University of the South, is recruiting participants for the 2021-2022 year. EfM groups of six to 12 people meet weekly for two to two-and-a-half hours to discuss texts and theological reflections. Groups in Chicago, Galena, Glen Ellyn, Libertyville, New Lenox, Oak Park, St. Charles and Wilmette have openings for the 2021-2022 year. Learn more.
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Diocesan COVID Restrictions Lifted
Phase 5 guidance in English y español
With Illinois in Phase Five of the state reopening plan, Standing Committee President Anne Jolly and the Rev. Courtney Reid, the diocese's director of operations, have released diocesan congregations from COVID-19 restrictions.
"With the announcement by Governor Pritzker on June 11 that Illinois is now in Phase Five, we believe it is time to begin moving carefully into our new normal," their letter reads. "Effective today, we release you from the expectation of restrictions imposed by diocesan guidelines, and instead ask that you and your leadership work together to discern prayerfully and thoughtfully the guidelines you will put in place for your own community."
Courtney Reid will continue to answer reopening questions and provide assistance each Wednesday from 12:30-1:00 pm through September 9, with the exception of July 28 and August 25. Join her on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223
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Feedback Sought on New BCP Translations
Survey for Spanish, French native speakers now online
The new translations of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, directed by Resolution A070 of the 2018 General Convention, are online for review, with accompanying survey questionnaires in each language.
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Online Survey to Study the Impact of COVID-19 on the Episcopal Church
TryTank Experimental Lab, a joint project of Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, and the General Theological Seminary in New York, in collaboration with York St. John University in York, England, have launched Episcopal Pulse, an online survey to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Episcopal Church.
The survey seeks feedback on how Episcopalians have coped with the COVID-19 pandemic and how it might affect the church’s future. Learn more.
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Summer 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.
In July and August we will publish a combined newsletter every other week. Watch for newsletters on July 28 and August 11 and 25. Regular publication will resume on September 8 with Leadership News.
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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