Summer eNewsletter | July 27, 2022
Welcome to the Diocese of Chicago email newsletter. Please forward this email to your congregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up.
|
Bishop-elect Clark Attends the Lambeth Conference |
The Lambeth Conference, a gathering of bishops from across the Anglican Communion that takes place about once a decade, began today. Bishop-elect Paula Clark is attending the event, which continues through August 8 at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. Follow the news from the Lambeth Conference on Episcopal News Service.
(l-r): Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown of Vermont, Bishop Kym Lucas of Colorado, Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin of Dover in the Church of England, Bishop Phoebe Roaf of West Tennessee, and Bishop-elect Paula Clark earlier today at the Lambeth Conference. Image courtesy of Bishop MacVean-Brown.
|
Tickets for the Ordination and Consecration of Paula E. Clark:
An Update from the Standing Committee
|
Dear Diocese of Chicago,
We know anticipation and excitement is building as we get closer to celebrating the ordination and consecration of the Rev. Paula E. Clark as the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago on Saturday, September 17. Our Consecration Committee has been working hard to plan an event that will be inclusive and representative of our diocese. Although our venue, the Grand Ballroom at the Westin Hotel in Lombard, is larger than St. James Cathedral, the originally proposed venue, it is still not large enough to seat our entire diocese.
Following Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's protocol for the service, a number of bishops, churchwide leaders, and ecumenical partners are invited to attend, along with elected and appointed leaders of our diocese, and Bishop-elect Paula's family, friends, and colleagues.
In addition to those required attendees, the Standing Committee has allocated eight tickets to each congregation. Congregations have been asked to determine and register their list of guests by August 15.
Then, beginning August 17, an additional pool of tickets will be offered by "lottery" to anyone who would like to attend. Look for more lottery information coming via email and social media in August.
For those who are unable to attend in person, the Ordination and Consecration Service will be livestreamed and local watch parties are being planned across the diocese. If you and your congregation are interested in hosting a watch party, please contact Jihan Murray-Smith for more information.
We know there is great enthusiasm and interest in the Ordination and Consecration of Bishop-elect Paula Clark, both within and beyond our diocese, so beginning today we will provide updates and information on a dedicated page of the diocesan website. Please feel free to share this information and refer back for updates and the link to the livestream.
We thank you for your prayers and support as we prepare for this new chapter in our diocese.
Faithfully,
The Standing Committee
|
Sanctuary Task Force Receives Leadership Award |
On July 20, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) awarded the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago’s Sanctuary Task Force and several of its other member organizations with the organization’s “Be The Change Award.” The Sanctuary Task Force was recognized “for their leadership in advancing immigrant rights through healthcare and economic equity during the 102nd IL General Assembly.” The presentation was part of ICIRR’s State Level Victory Celebration in Chicago’s Little Village Piotrowski Park.
The event brought together ICIRR’s member organizations to celebrate its statewide victories on behalf of Illinois’ immigrant and refugee communities. Read more.
Congregations and individuals interested in working for equity and justice for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are invited to email the Rev. Sandra Castillo to get involved.
photo: ICIRR
|
2022 Hunger Grant Application is Open
Applications due August 29
In 2021, the Committee awarded grants of $200 each to 12 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
|
The College for Congregational Development Fall Training
October 9 - 14 in Woodstock
|
Grant Applications Open for Episcopal Creation Care Projects
Applications due August 15
The Episcopal Church Office of Creation Care is accepting applications for the 2022 Creation Care grant funding cycle through August 15. Up to eight projects—ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 each—will be awarded to Episcopal institutions by a committee that includes former members of the churchwide Task Force on Creation Care and Environmental Racism.
The grant committee is committed to supporting efforts led and aided by youth and young adults, communities of color, and Indigenous peoples. Questions can be emailed to Phoebe Chatfield, associate for creation care and justice.
|
2022 Illinois Sexual Harassment Training Requirement
Under Public Act 101-0221, Illinois employers are required to train employees on sexual harassment prevention annually. 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 and video formats. 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 Safe Church, Safe Communities training. Please contact Anna Stefaniak with questions.
|
|
Email and Phone Scams Continue
Many congregations and dioceses have experienced email scams, in which emails appearing to be from the bishop or a clergy leader solicit church members to send money, provide information, or purchase gift cards. This is a form of email "phishing" known as "whaling."
More recent attempts have included voice messages claiming to be from Bishop-elect Paula Clark. Please be assured that neither the bishop-elect nor any clergy or diocesan staff member will ask you for money or gift cards. Any requests for these items should be deleted.
If you think you may have received a scam email, we recommend the following:
- Carefully check the sender’s name and email address
- Look out for misspelled words and incorrect grammar
- Do not click on any suspicious links or attachments
- Report the email as spam
Reporting A Scam
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam via email or by phone:
|
|
In Memoriam: The Rev. Davis L. Fisher
The Rev. Davis L. Fisher, retired priest of the diocese, died on July 16 at the age of 80. Many of Fisher's 55 years as a bi-vocational Episcopal priest were spent in Chicago area churches. He also served as interim director for Cathedral Shelter (now called "ReVive Center for Housing and Healing").
A major focus of the Rev. Fisher's ministry was promoting bi-vocational ministry, including founding of a national organization to encourage the self-supporting active ministry that he believed was essential to the future of the church. Read his obituary here.
May light perpetual shine upon him.
|
|
Ordination of Kendall Batten-Kalantzis
By the grace of God and with the consent of the people of God, on Saturday, August 6 at 10 am Mountain Time, the Rt. Reverend Chilton R. Knudsen, assisting bishop of Chicago, will ordain Kendall Batten-Kalantzis to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Denver, Colorado. A livestream of the service will be shared on Facebook and a recording will be posted to the church website.
|
|
Clergy Transitions
The Rev. Daniel Puchalla was called as interim rector of Church of the Atonement in Chicago. He began his new ministry on June 27.
|
|
Pre-Consecration Clergy Gathering with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Friday, September 16 in Lombard
|
|
End of Summer Clergy Family Picnic
Saturday, August 27 in Geneva
Clergy families from across the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago are invited for an afternoon picnic on August 27 at Wheeler Park in Geneva, Illinois, sponsored by the Clergy Spouse Network. There will be food, games and a playground at the south pavilion. Families are invited for a complimentary round of miniature golf at Stone Creek Miniature Golf Course next door.
Please RSVP by August 11. A $25 donation per family is appreciated and will be accepted at the picnic. For more information or to volunteer contact Charles Zaucha.
|
|
Learning Opportunities & Events |
|
Province V Presents Anti-Human Trafficking Prayer Service and Speaker August 1 on Zoom
|
|
Peace and Justice Committee Invites Participation from All Congregations
Next meeting August 2 on Zoom
Congregations and individuals interested in working on peace and justice issues in are invited to the diocesan Peace and Justice Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 2, at 5 pm on Zoom. The committee's goal is to engage a member from every congregation in the diocese as they begin their fall work.
Current priorities include working to eliminate violence; continuing work on recognition of harm and reconciliation with our indigenous sisters and brothers; and planning for the 2022 virtual diocesan convention. To learn more or receive the Zoom meeting link, contact Ellen Lindeen.
|
|
Virtual Advocacy Training Day for Creation Care
August 10 on Zoom
The Office of Government Relations will host a virtual Episcopal Policy Network Advocacy Training Day about creation care on Wednesday, August 10, from 1 to 3:30 pm Central. Participants will come away with best practices for setting up, conducting, and following up on advocacy meetings, ideas for how to expand advocacy meetings into longer-term relationship building, and tips for building an effective strategy for engagement. Register online.
|
|
EfM Groups Begin in September and January
Education for Ministry (EfM), a four-year adult formation program developed by the School of Theology at the University of the South, is recruiting for the 2022-2023 year. EfM provides lay people with a theological education that supports their faith and helps them to connect that faith to their daily lives. The facilitator-led program is flexible and portable, with groups meeting around the U.S. and globally.
Several EfM groups in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago have openings beginning in September and January. Learn more and contact the nearest EfM group for details.
|
|
CDC Guidelines for High Community Transmission
Several Illinois counties in "high" community level
|
|
Vaccines Now Recommended for Ages 6 months to 4 years
|
|
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 August 10 and 24. Regular publication will resume on September 7 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
