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Congregational Support Monthly Newsletter
January 2020

WINTER CLERGY DAY
February 4, 2020
Mercer School of Theology
Following in the footsteps of the Anglican Communion and other Episcopal dioceses, we will be taking on the Indaba experience to deepen our friendships and build trust. On Clergy day, we will be sharing the book Indaba: A Way of Listening, Engaging, and Understanding across the Anglican Communion by Paula D. Nesbitt, which describes the process and outcomes of Indaba. 

Schedule for Clergy Day
8:45 AM - Morning Prayer at the Cathedral of the Incarnation
9:30 AM - Registration and Coffee
10:00 AM - Bishop's address
11:00 AM - Indaba with St. John's, Huntington & St. Augustine's, Brooklyn in 2018: the story, the fruits, the take-away
12:00 PM - Contemplative Mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation followed by Lunch
1:15 PM - Staff Commercials
1:45 PM - Clergy Indaba: Small groups of four from four counties
2:45 PM - Response time
3:15 PM - Departure
Clergy Pilgrimage: Register Now!
In the Footsteps of St. Paul - Apostle, Teacher, Disciple
May 11 - 22, 2020 Turkey and Greece
Clergy are invited to join in a study tour of the places of the early Church exploring Pauline ministries, the events of Acts and the writing of John’s Revelation. We will travel with a biblical scholar exploring the issues of the early church, dwelling in the word mining the spiritual and practical formation of disciples who live with power, passion and commitment to God’s mission in the world. We will be touring and studying the places and events covered in the New Testament book of Acts and Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, Philippians, I and II Corinthians, Ephesians, and the book of Revelation. Read, pray, sign up now! The Pilgrimage is limited to 30 participants.

Financial assistance is available to clergy serving under-resourced parishes with the following structure:

  • 1/3 of cost paid by clergy
  • 1/3 of the cost paid by the parish (remember that there is $2,000 in your contract for continuing education per year.)
  • 1/3 of the cost paid by the Bishop.

Each portion for the full trip is approximately $1,300. There are additional expenses for private rooms, etc. Please see the brochure in the link below for more details. (If your parish is not under-resourced or is located in a resource-rich area, please see if there are any alternative resources in your parish beyond your annual continuing education first before applying for assistance.)

Revive is a journey taken over 3 six-week modules of spiritual formation in prayer, scripture, and ministry, to equip your leaders to be disciples who are intentional, spiritual leaders. The training this February is for clergy in best practices and uses of Revive. As many of us know, our vestries conduct business, more-often-than-not, as functional atheists, the work of the church is conducted as if God is not present. Many on our vestries do not know how to come into the presence of God to be transformed and freed to do the work of ministry. Revive is a spiritual journey to take with your leadership to transform and build up your work together.

Invite Welcome Connect Newcomer Ministry Regional Trainings! Get your team there!

March 14: 10 – 3 Mercer School of Theology: Register here!
March 21: 10 – 3 St, James, St. James: Register here!
March 28: 10 – 3 St. Stephen and St. Martin’s, BK: Register here!
Recruit your team of 4-8 people now for Invite Welcome Connect! To make the most out of your team's participation in the workshop, please take the time to prepare with the following:

  1. Print out the attached calendar and fill in all of your church's important dates; include worship, special events, holidays and seasonal changes.
  2. Download the outline for the neighborhood prayer walk here, and schedule a walk and debriefing session with your church or team before attending the workshop.

The calendar will help you get creative with already scheduled events. The prayer walk will bring God's insight about your town and future possible ministry to the table.

Bishop Provenzano is encouraging everyone to hop on The Path/La Senda/The Path for Families: a Journey through the Bible this year.
Audible Path Download Instructions
The Path/La Senda/The Path for Families Download on Audible for FREE
How to download first free audible book:
1. Download the Audible App on Iphone/Ipad.
2. Tap to launch the Audible App and sign in as prompted. You will need your Amazon Password.
3. You will arrive at your account page.
4. If this is your first audiobook, tap Get Your Free audiobook at the bottom of the page. Your first redeemed audiobook is free with Audible Trial. 

January 28th: Thinking of Building?
Land and building development for churches seminar by LISC
LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) is pleased to sponsor this event series which will offer real-life examples of congregations who have found creative ways to extend their mission and redevelop their property for the benefit of the community while improving space for fellowship and worship .
Who is My Neighbor?: Developing Congregations, Buildings and Neighborhoods with Room for All of Us
The inaugural seminar was held on October 22.   Resources from the seminar are available here .
The remaining seminars will be held from 9AM to 5PM at the following locations:
  • Tuesday, January 28, (Wed. Feb. 5 snow date), Manhasset, Community Reformed Church
  • Tuesday, March 17, Saratoga Springs, New England Congregational Presbyterian Church
  • Tuesday, May 19, Syracuse, University United Methodist Church

Click here to register   for the conferences. 
Sonia Nazario Visits Union to Discuss Enrique's Journey on February 5th at 6:00 PM!
EDS as Union has selected Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with his Mother as the Community Read for the spring semester.

A Fresh Word-Noche: Metaphors for Preaching from the Darkness
February 7, 2020
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Union Theological Seminary
Practicing Presence with Ana Hernandez:
A Workshop on Spirituality and Music
February 8, 2020
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
St. John's Church, Cold Spring Harbor

Discernment and Call
Open Positions in the Diocese
Full Time receiving names:

Half Time or less receiving names:
St. Andrew's, Mastic Beach
St. Andrew's, Yaphank
St. Patrick’s, Deer Park

Coming attractions:
St. Gabriel’s, Hollis
St. Ann’s, Sayville
St. Thomas', Farmingdale
All Souls', Stony Brook P/T
St. Anselm's, Shoreham
St. David's, Cambria Heights
St. Peter's, Bay Shore
Open Positions outside the Diocese