General eNewsletter | January 12, 2022
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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There are more than 10,000 Hispanic or Latino high school students in DuPage County, and most of them would be the first members of their family to earn a college degree. CREO DuPage, a college preparation program that began as a ministry of St. Mark’s, Glen Ellyn, was established to give them a fighting chance.
“The important things for the kids to understand are ‘Where am I? What do I want to do? What are my opportunities? And how can I take advantage of those?’” says David C. Arch of Grace, Hinsdale, who played a key role in organizing the program in the summer of 2019.
Arch, chairman of the board of Blistex Inc., has long been involved in youth education programs in Chicagoland. He and his wife, Suzanne, who had served on the board of Episcopal Charities, were impressed by the success of Waukegan to College, a pioneering college preparation program that works primarily with Latino students. W2C, as it is sometimes called, was developed with the help of a grant from Episcopal Charities, and has been sustained with the energetic support of Christ Church, Waukegan, and help from Christ Church, Winnetka, and Holy Spirit, Lake Forest.
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Bishop's Appeal Thanks from Bishop Chilton |
Dear People of the Diocese of Chicago,
In November I asked for your support of the Bishop’s Appeal as a gesture of gratitude for all that God has given us. It was important to me that we close out this most challenging year in our diocesan life with a commitment to our shared ministry, and to the programs and people who will continue to make a difference in our communities and in this church we love.
I am delighted to share my thanks for all who gave, raising nearly $50,000 before the end of 2021. These contributions, along with those made to the Convention Offering and the Easter Appeal, are a true testament to the light of Christ in our communities and will help fund ministries in our diocese and beyond.
It is a great blessing to share ministry with you here in the Diocese of Chicago. Happy New Year to you all.
+Chilton
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Celebrate Companion Diocese Sunday on January 16
The Diocese of Chicago's Commission on Global Ministry encourages congregations to observe Companion Diocese Sunday on January 16, and has provided bulletin inserts (in letter and booklet formats) highlighting companion ministries in the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk, South Sudan. For more information, email Conrad Selnick.
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Presiding Bishop Invites Episcopal Applicants for Virtual UN Commission on the Status of Women
Applications are due January 28
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- Addressing the climate emergency and implementing gender mainstreaming across climate, environmental, and disaster risk-reduction policies and programs.
- Prioritizing responses and protections for women and girls marginalized by environmental racism.
- Accelerating women’s and girls’ empowerment and gender equality and eradicating violence against women and girls.
Applications in English or Spanish are due by January 28. Delegates will be expected to participate in preparatory conference calls and to participate virtually for an average of eight hours per day during the two-week UNCSW meeting. Learn more and apply online.
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Bishop's Staff Working Remotely
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Bishop's staff will be primarily working remotely through the end of January, and all on-site meetings have been moved online. Please reach out to any staff member with questions.
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Learning Opportunities & Community Events |
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Clergy Associates Reflect on Ministry
CEEP panel discussion on January 13
Panelists include:
- Peggy Lo - St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church, CEEP Network Board Member, Chicago, Illinois
- Maurice Dyer - St. David's Episcopal Church, Wayne, Pennsylvania
- Andrew Kryzak - Christ Christ, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
- Shana McCauley - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, CEEP Network Board Member, Portland, Oregon
- Nathan Kirkpatrick - Founder and Managing Partner, Saison Consulting, Durham, North Carolina (moderator)
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Bishop Anderson House Spiritual Care Visitor Training
Deadline to apply is January 17
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Communal Contemplative Spirituality Workshop
January 22 on Zoom
On January 22, Contemplative Outreach Chicago will host a three-hour Zoom workshop on communal contemplative spirituality led by the Very Rev. Michael Battle. The workshop aims to bring together people from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in contemplation. Learn more and register online.
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VOCES8 at St. James Cathedral
Friday, March 4
St. James Cathedral will host award-winning British vocal ensemble VOCES8 for their official Chicago debut on March 4 at 7:30 pm. The program, Lux Aeterna, features music by Byrd, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Paulus, and more.
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COVID-19 Reminders
On a video call held December 22 to address rising concerns about the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and in-person worship, Bishop Chilton Knudsen encouraged clergy and lay leaders to adapt worship and ministries in whatever ways make sense to keep their communities safe.
She also asked that the following temporary changes be made until the current surge is under control:
- All church attendees should be masked at all times, including clergy and lay readers who are preaching, reading or singing
- KN95 and N95 masks are strongly encouraged, followed by surgical masks (blue/white disposable). Cloth masks are not considered sufficient in preventing the transmission of the Omicron variant.
- Social gatherings that involve the removal of masks for eating and drinking (coffee hours) should be suspended.
- Anyone who is immunocompromised, unable to be vaccinated, or feeling sick should worship online. No one who is concerned about getting sick should risk their health to attend church in person.
Zoom office hours resume Wednesdays at 12:30 pm
Courtney Reid hosts weekly COVID-19 office hours via Zoom. Clergy and lay leaders are invited to "drop in" with questions on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 1 pm.
Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223
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Community Partner Vaccination Events
Faith-based institutions invited to host vaccinations
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Winter 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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