General eNewsletter | April 21, 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's Consecration Rescheduled for June 12 |
The Standing Committee and Bishop-elect Paula Clark, in consultation with the Presiding Bishop's Office, have rescheduled the bishop-elect's ordination, consecration and seating for June 12. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will attend in person and serve as the chief consecrator.
The consecration, originally scheduled for April 24, was postponed after Bishop-elect Clark underwent surgery on April 15 to remove an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain. The surgery at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village was a success, and her doctors continue to be pleased with the pace of her recovery.
“We are grateful to everyone who has kept our bishop-elect and our diocese in their prayers in recent days, and delighted to announce that this new date for our joyful occasion will allow the presiding bishop to be with us,” said the Rev. Anne B Jolly, president of the Standing Committee.
More information about the event, including COVID-19 protocols, will be available in the coming weeks.
photo: Bishop-elect Clark and Presiding Bishop Curry at the Washington National Cathedral in 2016, courtesy of the Rev. Kim Turner Baker (right)
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A Message from Bishop-elect Clark |
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Bishop-elect Paula Clark, whose recovery continues to progress, released this brief statement through her daughter, Micha Green:
“Lead with love.
“That is a favorite phrase of mine, and though my time with you is just beginning, I have learned that this is how things are done here in the Diocese of Chicago. I am grateful to all of you for your prayers, and for giving me the quiet time I need to recover. But I want you to know that when I am fully restored to health, I will be eager to meet with you as we work together to change hearts, change minds and change actions to the glory of God.
“Thank you so much for your continued prayers and God’s blessings, and peace be with you always.”
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Episcopal Church Releases Racial Justice Leadership Audit
Reports, webinars and resources available online in English and Spanish
On April 19, the Episcopal Church released the results of a three-year racial justice leadership audit. From 2018 to 2020, the Episcopal Church’s Racial Reconciliation and Justice Team, in partnership with The Mission Institute, surveyed more than 1,300 members of the church’s key leadership bodies about their experiences of racism, racial identity, and power in the life of the church. The resulting reports offer data, stories, major patterns and themes, recommendations, and reflection tools designed to help the church to truly become Beloved Community. Learn more.
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Auditoría de justicia racial de lo órganos de liderazgo de la Iglesia Episcopal
Alguien dijo una vez que medimos las cosas que nos interesan. Durante los últimos dos años, la Iglesia Episcopal ha reunido información cuantitativa y cualitativa entre más de 1300 miembros de los órganos clave de liderazgo de la iglesia. El resultado ha sido la Auditoría de Justicia Racial de los Líderes de la Iglesia Episcopal – una serie de perspectivas profundas, iluminadoras y fértiles acerca del racismo, la identidad racial y el poder en la vida de nuestra iglesia.
La auditoría como el informe son señales del compromiso creciente de la iglesia para con la transformación, la reconciliación racial y la construcción de la comunidad amada.
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Deradicalization Survey from OGR
Brief survey seeks churchwide perceptions
The Office of Government Relations is asking Episcopalians to complete a brief, confidential survey on perceptions and existing initiatives on deradicalization within The Episcopal Church.
In January of 2021, Executive Council asked the Office of Government Relations and the Office for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations to consult with ecumenical and interfaith partners and other departments on the church-wide staff to develop a plan for The Episcopal Church’s holistic response to Christian nationalism and violent white supremacy. Information gathered from the survey responses will help guide this work.
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New Episcopal Charities
Grant Program
Letters of inquiry due May 3
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Episcopal Charities has launched a new Parish Partner Grant Program for Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of Chicago. The grant program will fund new and existing projects, and encourages partnerships with other Episcopal congregations, faith communities, and local organizations.
Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $25,000, and initial letters of inquiry are due by May 3. Learn more.
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Murray Fellows: Mentoring for LGBTQ+ Young Adults in Discernment
Applications due June 1
St. Paul & the Redeemer is launching the Murray Fellows, a new year-long mentoring initiative for LGBTQ+ young adults in discernment for Christian ministry. Named for the Rev. Pauli Murray, the program will provide fellows with one-on-one mentoring, peer support, and vocational exploration opportunities. Applications are due Tuesday, June 1. Learn more at murrayfellows.org.
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Women's Ministry News from ECW
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Youth & Formation Leaders Gathering
Zoom meeting with Sarah Bentley Allred on May 13
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Learning Opportunities & Virtual Events |
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Bishop Anderson House Hosts Zoom Focus Groups for Latinx Community
Opportunities to share feedback on April 27 and May 12
Bishop Anderson House seeks Latinx clergy, lay and community leaders, and seminary personnel and students to participate in Zoom focus groups for its Spiritual Care Visitor Training program for the Latinx community on Tuesday, April 27 from 6:30 - 8 pm, or Wednesday, May 12 from 6:30 - 8 pm.
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Online Support Needed for Gun Safety Campaign
Participants needed for Zoom call on April 27 at 9:45 am
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On April 27, Metro IAF and its regional partners will join local government and law enforcement agencies from more than a dozen cities and counties around the country to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking more and better products to help keep guns safe and secure. Metro IAF seeks volunteers to participate in a Zoom call at 9:45 am in support of this effort. Learn more and register.
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Online Spring Art Camp for Children Ages 3 to 7
Register for free May 8 camp
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St. James Cathedral and the Episcopal Church of the Atonement will offer an online Spring Arts Camp for children ages 3 to 7 on May 8 from 9 to 11:30 am. Led by Alison Barrington, director of children's ministries at the cathedral, and the Rev. Erika Takacs, rector of Atonement, young people will participate in games, crafts, Bible stories, prayer and singing. Admission is free, but an online registration is required.
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Healing One, Healing the World
Bishop Anderson House virtual benefit May 2
On May 2, Bishop Anderson House will host its annual benefit as a virtual event. Tickets for the Healing One, Healing the World virtual benefit are $100 per person. Learn more.
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PLAN-IT for Youth and Formation Leaders
PLAN-IT is an interactive, guided planning process to help youth and formation leaders organize and prioritize their ministry. The final spring session is offered May 6, 10 am - 4:30 pm CDT. Learn more and register online.
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources
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Revisions issued on March 15 include updates for safely sharing communion wine, masked singing, and more. Read the updates here.
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COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Applications accepted beginning April 12
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COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations has developed a toolkit for individuals, congregations, and ministries to facilitate and promote COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. The toolkit will be updated as new information becomes available, and is offered in English and Spanish online.
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Emergency Financial Relief Grants Extended for 2021
COVID-19 grants available for all congregations
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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.
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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.
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