General eNewsletter | March 10, 2021
 
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Bishop-elect Clark to Be Consecrated, Seated on April 24
On April 24, Bishop-elect Paula Clark will become Bishop Paula Clark when she is ordained and consecrated the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago in a service at St. James Cathedral. Bishop Mark Hollingsworth of Ohio, the president of Province V of the Episcopal Church, will be the chief consecrator. Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington will preach. The service will also include the seating of the bishop at the cathedral.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person attendance at the service will be limited to participants and members of the bishop-elect’s family. The entire service will be streamed online at the diocese’s website and YouTube channel. The prelude will begin at 10:40 am Central and the service will begin at 11 am. Watch future issues of the newsletter for more details on the service and other virtual consecration events.
Ordination Gifts for Bishop-elect Clark
An invitation from the Transition Team

As the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago prepare to welcome our Bishop-elect, the Rev. Paula E. Clark, the Transition Committee invites people from across the diocese to offer gifts in support of her ministry.

It is the Episcopal Church's tradition to contribute towards a bishop-elect's vestments and other symbols of the Office of Bishop: stoles, cloaks, mitre, crosier, ring, pectoral cross and other liturgical items. Contributions may be made online and will be processed through the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

Questions may be directed to Beth Petti, a member of the Transition Committee, by email. Read more on the website.
Retiro de Cuaresma - Virtual
Sábado, 14 de marzo a las 4 pm
Este retiro es coordinado por el Ministerio Hispano Latino de la Diócesis Episcopal de Chicago y ofrece dos horas de retiro que incluyen:

- Meditaciones
- Oración
- Música
Antiracism Commission Hosts Online Book Discussion of "Waking up White"
Five-week series begins March 15
The Antiracism Commission of the Diocese of Chicago invites members of the diocese to join in a five-week facilitated discussion of Waking up White, by Debby Irving, beginning March 15. The discussion will be facilitated by Constance and Dain Perry, who recently led a screening of the film, Traces of the Trade, for the diocese. Active Episcopalians who live in Boston, Massachusetts, Constance and Dain have years of experience facilitating conversations on racism and racial reconciliation.

The group will meet for five consecutive Mondays from 6-8 pm Central via Zoom, beginning on March 15. There is no cost to participate, but we ask that you purchase or borrow the book in advance of the first meeting. Learn more and register.
Stations of the Cross: The Sin of Racism and Prayers for Reconciliation
March 19 at 7 pm, online or in person at St. Mark's, Glen Ellyn

On March 19 at 7 pm, the Antiracism Commission and St. Mark's, Glen Ellyn will host Stations of the Cross: The Sin of Racism and Prayers for Reconciliation, in English and Spanish by Zoom or in person. The stations were written by Tom Faletti and prepared for St. Peter’s Parish in Washington, DC. Download the bulletin.

 
Estaciones de la Cruz: El pecado del racismo y ora por la reconciliación
19 de marzo a las 7 pm, en línea o en persona

La gente de nuestros días sufre injustamente simplemente por el color de su piel o su origen nacional. Reconozcamos el pecado del racismo y trabajemos para combatirlo en nuestras estructuras sociales, nuestras instituciones y nuestros corazones.

Únase a la Parroquia de San Marcos, Glen Ellyn para este servicio el 19 de marzo a las 7 pm en inglés y español a través de Zoom en Meeting ID 483-170-780 o en persona (haga clic aquí para hacer una reserva: https://rsvp.church/r/S2FhgTLO).
Resources for Keeping a Holy Lent

Low- and no-cost Lenten devotions, reflections, calendars and curricula for individuals and congregations:

Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) daily Lenten devotional series, developed in partnership with the Episcopal Asylum Ministry Network. Subscribe to receive daily written reflections by email or visit the EMM blog.

Come, Pray - the Prayer I Need This Day from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist



Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent from The Episcopal Church

Certified Church Treasurer Program
Applications due March 31

The application process is open for the 2021 Certified Church Treasurer Program. This free, online program is designed for treasurers, assistant treasurers, finance committee members, audit committee members, and clergy.

The program highlights valuable resources available from the Diocese of Chicago and the Episcopal Church, and participants undertake a process improvement project for their congregation. If you are interested in the program or have further questions, please email Keith Kampert.
Becoming Beloved Community Grants
Applications due April 12

The Presiding Officers' Advisory Group on Beloved Community Implementation has launched its 2021 grant process, to catalyze the church’s work of racial healing, reconciliation and justice.

Allocated by the 79th General Convention, these grant funds are intended to build capacity and increase Episcopal engagement in four primary fields: telling the truth about our churches and race, proclaiming the dream of Beloved Community, practicing Jesus’ way of healing and reconciliation, and repairing the breach in institutions and society. Learn more about the grant application, criteria, and process online.
Grant Opportunity: Care of Creation, Environmental Racism
Deadline extended; applications due April 16

The Episcopal Church’s Task Force on Creation Care and Environmental Racism is now accepting applications for its 2021 Grant Cycle, which will fund advocacy, civic engagement and developing climate resiliency. The Task Force is committed to supporting efforts that are supported and led by youth and young adults, communities of color and indigenous peoples. The deadline to apply has been extended to April 16. Learn more.
Learning Opportunities & Virtual Events
Women's Day Weekend Celebration
Virtual events March 13 and 14

On March 13 and 14, St. Thomas Episcopal Church will offer its Women's Day Weekend Celebration events online via Zoom:

  • March 13: Radical Welcome Book Discussion from noon to 2 pm

  • March 14: Fellowship Tea at 12:30 pm featuring prayer, entertainment and prizes

Join Zoom Meeting using this link:
Meeting ID: 926 847 1528

Join by phone: 312-626-6799, Meeting ID: 926 847 1528
Bishop Anderson House Seeks Feedback
Bishop Anderson House Buscar Retroalimentación
Bishop Anderson House is developing a Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program for the Latino community. Please share your feedback by March 15 using this survey link. For more information contact Daniela A. Barrios Morello and the team at Bishop Anderson House.

Bishop Anderson House se encuentra en el proceso de desarrollar un Programa de Capacitación para Visitantes de Cuidado Espiritual dirigido a la comunidad Latino. A continuación encontrará el enlace a una encuesta (disponible en inglés y español), la cual tomará unos 8-10 minutos en ser completada.  
 
Por favor, siéntase en la libertad de compartirlo también con otras personas que puedan estar interesadas en darnos su opinión. Esperamos recibir todas las respuestas antes del 15 de marzo, cuando empezaremos el proceso de análisis de resultados. 
 
Si tiene cualquier pregunta, por favor déjenos saber cómo podemos ayudarle. 

¡Mil gracias por su tiempo y participación! Para más información, póngase en contacto con Daniela A. Barrios Morello y el equipo de Bishop Anderson House.
A Pastor's Reflection and Renewal Strategies for 2021
Two-part series begins March 18

The Academy of Church Leadership at North Park University welcomes pastors, church staff and lay leaders of all denominations to attend two free, virtual workshops to learn about how pastors continue to address the impact of COVID.

The March 18 session will be led by the Rev. Kat Banakis, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Evanston. The March 25 session will be led by the Rev. Dr. James E. Victor, Jr., pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia. Learn more and register online.
CEEP Network Webinars

The following webinars are offered by the CEEP Network. There is no cost to attend but registration is required:

Fierce Conversations Training Online
Zoom workshop series begins April 8

Fierce Conversations training teaches people how to have vital conversations that "interrogate reality, provoke learning, resolve tough challenges and enrich relationships."

For four Thursdays in April beginning April 8, online Fierce Conversations trainings will be held via Zoom from 6 to 8:30 pm. Learn more and register for one or more sessions.
New Mediation Skills Refresher Course
Spring and summer courses available on Zoom

The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will offer a new, one-day Mediation Skills Training Institute (MSTI) Refresher Course for graduates of the MSTI course. Sessions are available on May 11 and June 12 and the fee is $99. Learn more and register.

The full five-day version of MSTI for clergy and lay leaders is also available in May, June, August, October and November by Zoom; the August session will include the option for in-person attendance in the Chicago area. Learn more and register.
Reminders
Worship Guidelines for Restore Illinois Mitigation Tiers
The diocesan reopening guidelines provide information for in-person worship and other gatherings when a region moves into any of the Restore Illinois Plan's three tiers of mitigation. All of Illinois is currently in Phase 4.

Please contact Courtney Reid with questions.
Emergency Financial Relief Grants Extended for 2021
COVID-19 grants available for all congregations
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the state and country, the bishop's staff and diocesan leadership bodies are working together to respond to the needs of congregations at this challenging time.

Emergency Relief for Missions:
At its December meeting, the Bishop and Trustees voted to continue offering emergency operating fund grants to mission congregations experiencing hardship due to COVID-19. Mission congregations can request grants of up to $5,000, and those that received an emergency grant in 2020 may apply again in 2021. Mission congregations are encouraged to contact their trustee representative or Tom Camell for more information.

Emergency Relief for Parishes:
Using Bishop’s Funds in 2020, Bishop Lee created a $100,000 pool of emergency funding and appointed a small grant subcommittee to respond swiftly to emergency funding needs due to COVID-19. Grants of up to $5,000 may be requested and parishes that received a diocesan grant in 2020 are eligible to reapply for 2021. Parishes wishing to apply for emergency assistance should email Courtney Reid.

Please contact any member of the Bishop's Staff with questions.
Job Openings
New this week: Parish Administrator at St. Charles Episcopal Church. Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings. 

Spring Publication Schedule
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 Tuesday at noon. Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to Jen Boyle-Tucker.