House of Pastors
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2023
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What did we find happening in the ECC? |
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Holy Angels in California celebrated LOVE in February with all the couples who were married the past year and one couple with a wedding coming soon with Fr. Gianni as presider.
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Emmaus in Wisconsin is looking for a part time pastor.
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One year anniversary of Rev. Rose Mary Volbrecht in the Pacific Northwest, with Bishop Kedda Keough. |
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Fr. Michael Nicosia in Colorado lobbying for LGBTQ+ |
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Fr. Dewayne Messenger co-leads an ecumenical Service of Healing. |
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Sandy Rice and pastor Rev Rosa Buffone visit with Fr. Rick Klaich OSB in his home chapel on Ash Wednesday February 22, 2023 for ashes and Eucharist.
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Death of Mother Sheila Dierks (Colorado) |
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She was a publisher and author of many books including Women Eucharist, a staple on many of our bookshelves. She also published the ordination stories of many ECC female priests in the book Called and Chosen. Sheila started a scholarship for women seeking ordination in honor of her mother, the Lucile Murray Dierken Scholarship for Women Discerning Priestly Ordination.
Mother Sheila died early on Monday February 20th with her husband Peter by her side. We share our prayers with Peter and the rest of Sheila’s family, while we also believe in the Baptismal promise of Resurrection and Sheila’s new role in the Communion of Saints. A Celebration of Life will be held later this Spring. Her obituary can be found here:
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House of Pastors Steering Committee |
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We are delighted to introduce the House of Pastors Steering Committee for 2023-2024. Every region/diocese in the United States is represented. This group is already working hard. They look forward to presenting some HOP Zoom Gatherings later in the year, as well as supporting the various working groups of the ECC.
Mother Rosean Amaral
Mary of Magdala E.C.C.
Rocky Mountain Region.
Rev. Deacon Carol-Ann Blow, OFR
Sr. Thea Bowman Ecumenical Catholic
Mid-America Diocese
Rev. Rosa Buffone
OPB/LC Archive Committee, HOP SC, OPB Website Team, Admin
East Coast Region
Deacon Tammy Fuqua
Holy Angels
California Diocese
Deacon Connie Hanser
Emmaus ECC - Olympia WA
Pacific Northwest Diocese
Fr. Teri Harroun
Light of Christ, Longmont Colorado; also HOP Chair
Rocky Mountain Region
Mother Mary Hartjes
Emmaus ECC, Oshkosh
Mid-America Region
Fr. Rick Klaich, OSB
Boston, MA
East Coast Region
Rev. Delores J Kropf
Tucson, AZ
Southwest Region
Rev. Kate Lehman, OSB
St. Teresa of Avila
Southwest Region
Fr. Mir Plemmons
Rainier Open Catholics and its parent congregation Emmaus ECC, Dio PNW
Pacific Northwest Diocese
Rev. Trish Sullivan Vanni
Charis Ecumenical Catholic Community, Eden Prairie Minnesota; also HOP Vice Chair
Proto-Diocese
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Synod 2023 Plans: A Rocky Mountain High |
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Your ECC Leadership Council is working to finalize plans for the October 2024 Synod, which is planned to be held in the Rocky Mountain region. We are in the process of finalizing an agreement with the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park.
The 800-acre venue is surrounded on three sides by the majestic Rocky Mountains. It will offer us a wonderful group meeting space as well as hotel room accommodations. (Don’t worry: no groups of eight bunk beds in a room like your childhood Y camp!) The property also includes a Chapel for our use that seats a large group. Estes Park, a wonderful destination for vacationers, is a short distance away for those who want to get out an about. The property is fully handicap accessible, and we will be managing transportation to the site from the Denver airport.
We will let you know the dates
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They say that liturgical roles are performed best when a spirit of rotation is applied. We will be taking a new approach to our newsletters in the next year. Rather than have each branch of our government send a missive every month, we will be rotating, alternating the House of Laity, House of Pastors, and Office of Presiding bishop in sequence. The leadership team is hoping this will create more awareness of what the full range of leaders are doing within the ECC.
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Tender Tending for When Life Happens |
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Although we are in many locations, the House of Pastors is a strongly bonded circle of ordained leaders.
When life happens, whether a joy or a loss, we want to let you know that we are aware, that we celebrate or care. This support takes the form of cards sent to folks at a moment of concern or interest, and we call it Tender Tending. You can contribute funds toward this by sending a check to the ECC National office and note that it is for “HOP TENDER TENDING”, or you can make a donation through the PayPal button on the ECC website, again noting that it is for the “HOP TENDER TENDING”. Money is used for cards, flowers, gifts for ordinations, etc.
If you know a clergy person who would benefit from the care of a card from the HOP Steering Committee, please let Teri Harroun know at pastor@lightofchristecc.org.
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The Constitution and Statutes, Revised in 2023 |
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At the Synod this past Fall, amendments were made to our ECC constitution and statutes. Those have been incorporated and the full documents will soon be posted on the ECC website.
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Lenten Blessing
Loving God, as we enter our 30th year as a communion, continue to send your Spirit upon your people of the ECC. Keep us clear. Show us where to be bold. Help us grow in humility and love. Empower us to use this season of Lent to refocus and reframe where needed. Nourish our souls with your peace and free us from all that hinders us in our discipleship. Keep our eyes on the horizon of Easter, where we know we will meet your glorious light. Amen.
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Thanks to the talents of Fr. Gianni, the ECC California Diocese has a new bilingual website!
Thanks to the talents of Fr. Dewayne Messenger, the Ecumenical Diocese of Mid-America has a new website!
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Searching for Grant Writers |
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ECC is looking for volunteer grant writers with experience!
We need your help!
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Link to share this Newsletter |
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