EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW

ABOUT SYNOD



BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK!





++++OUR PRAYER FOR SYNOD++++


God on High,

the mountains are radiant with your glory.

Through your Christ

the dawn from on high 

has broken upon us and lights our way. 


Bless our preparations for our Holy Synod, 

that we may be better bearers of the fire

that gives light to the world.


This we ask and can do,

empowered by your Spirit,

in Jesus’ name. 



Amen.


Photo by +Pablo Burson


HOLY SYNOD 2024


October 11-14, 2024



Estes Park, Colorado

2515 Tunnel Rd

Estes Park, CO, US, 80511

.




WHO'S WHO


FOR Synod Questions



As Synod gets closer, more questions may be popping into your head as you make your plans to travel to Estes Park in Colorado.


Introducing our Illustrious Synod Planning Committee who will be more than happy to answer ANY question you have now and during Synod!

Teri Harroun 

HOP Chair

pastor@lightofchristecc.org

Trish Vanni 

HOP Vice Chair 

trish.vanni@charisecc.org


Therese Gabriel

HOL Chair

theresem40@gmail.com

Claudia Kilby

HOL Vice Chair claudia.kilby@gmail.com

And then there are other generous volunteers ready to help and happy to assist you with any questions or issues you have!


Registration (more information below)

Rosa Buffone: rosa.buffone@comcast.net


Scholarships (more information below)

Carolyn Sue Cecil: admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net


Transportation from the Denver Airport on Friday, Oct 11 to Estes Park and then from Estes Park back to the Airport on Monday, Oct 14 (more information below)

Kelly de Haas: 2024SynodTransport@gmail.com


Display Tables at Synod (more information below)

Claudia Kilby: claudia.kilby@gmail.com


Music for Sunday Mass (more information below)

Maggie Gann: maggiegann@scfecc.org


Liturgy (more information below)

Michael Nicosia: nicosia410@yahoo.com


Hospitality (more informatio below)

Welcome Bags - Mary Lu Stenson: luloc@comcast.net

Sunday Brunch - David Cloyd: dcloyd@prodigy.net


Lodging - Roommate search (more information below)

Deb Imbach: debimbach@me.com


Parade of Parish Video (more information below)

John Duffy-Burke: jburkebze08@gmail.com


Ribbon Project (more information below)

Therese Gabriel: theresem40@gmail.com



Our Keynote Speakers!



Dr. Chris Pramuk

Deacon Bes

Rev. Ricky Manalo


Click on this link to read more about our amazing speakers!


https://conta.cc/3VNjWYP




Have you Registered yet??


Here you go!


The link to register online,

to print forms to mail in your registration

and

to find lodging information:



https://conta.cc/4bUOrC0



LODGING UPDATE!


Due to the overwhelming excitement of Synod 2024 being in Estes Park — not to mention the fact that we all just want to see each other again — rooms at YMCA have gone fast. Really fast! Right now, our block of rooms in Longs Peak Lodge is totally booked up.


No need to panic — there seems to be some dormitory style rooms still available! Ah, nothing like being a teenager at camp again!


When you call Reservations, (1-888-613-9622 and refer to our group name: ECC HOLY SYNOD 2024), you can find out for sure if the dormitory rooms are available. If not…….


The next option is to look at the many hotels available in Estes Park! Check out Expedia.com, Orbitz, Travelocity — etc…. 


Or, bring your tent, build a campfire and look at the amazing stars! All kinds of adventure awaits!!



Scholarships Available

Let's Pass The Torch!


Due to the number of Synod registrations, we are able to make a limited offer of scholarships for lay youth leaders and seminarians.


These up-and-coming leaders will need to finance their transportation and housing at the Synod (perhaps you would like to assist or sponsor one?) and we can offer a scholarship to cover the cost of their registration ($250).


This is a great opportunity for the leaders of our future to be physically present with each other in Estes Park and to help shape our hopes and dreams.


Please contact Carolyn Sue with your request or if you have any questions.


Carolyn Sue Cecil

Administrator of the Office of Presiding Bishop

Admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net




Together, let's shape our hopes and dreams into a wonderful future!

Bishop Pablo Burson

Presiding Bishop

Ecumenical Catholic Communion

Need a Roommate?

Anyone interested in sharing a room, double occupancy, at the YMCA of the Rockies for Synod can contact 


Deborah Imbach

debimbach@me.com

  

Deb is helping match up folks to help save costs for individuals and/or their community.  This is also a great way to meet new people from the Communion. 

Onsite or Online?

If you have registered for the Synod 2024, you may have noticed that we neglected to ask if you were attending in person (onsite) or virtually (online).  


We need EVERYONE attending VIRTUALLY to let us know this as soon as possible.  


Please send an email to to the Synod Planning Team


eccsynod@gmail.com 


so that we will know to send you all the appropriate links. 

Need a Ride from the Airport??

Mr. Arthur Cecil, ready to offer rides in his 1920 Studebaker Buggy.

Local cars and vans will also be available.

If you need transportation from the Denver Airport to Estes Park on Friday, October 11, and to return to the Airport on Monday, October 14, click here for more information:


https://conta.cc/4bS2x7j



By the way………….The very generous and kind ECC folks picking you up from the Airport will first make a "Welcome to Denver" pit stop at Light of Christ ECC in Longmont to give you a few minutes to stretch your legs, eat some snacks, HYDRATE and just catch your breath before heading on up to the YMCA at Estes Park!


We are so grateful to Light of Christ

and our local ECC Drivers

for their kindness and hospitality

to our Synod travelers!




When you Arrive at the YMCA

Whether getting to YCMA via our amazing Local Friends (thanks to the organization and skills of Kelly de Haas) picking you up at the Denver Airport, or via other local friends, or via your own car………here's the scoop!


When you arrive at YMCA, your first stop will be at the Administrative Building (see the map below - #1 - the red star!) to do your necessary check in for your lodging. Guaranteed check-in is at 4 pm but our good friend, Karl, tells us that "soft check in" can happen earlier as rooms are available.


If your room is not yet available when you arrive, you can head on over to Longs Peak Lodge (#19, the purple box on the map below) to catch your breath, get something to drink, take care of your Synod registration check-in, get your name tag and Welcome bag and just ENJOY greeting everyone!



YMCA Map

YMCA will be giving a map of their entire campus to every person upon arrival as they check in for their lodging. Just for information purposes, here is the inner area where our Synod meetings and events will be held:


Red star - #1: This is the Adm building where we will check in when we arrive to pay for our lodging and to be assigned our rooms.


Orange oval #2 - Alpen Lodge Inn — for additional lodging as needed and for guests with pets.


Green hexagon - #3 - The ALL IMPORTANT Dining Hall, Aspen Hall! It's all about the food. When do we eat??


Blue circle - #35: Willome Conference Center is where Bishop Pablo will welcome everyone and open our Synod on Friday evening. Our keynote speakers will speak at this location during our weekend as well.


Purple box #19 - Longs Peak Lodge is where most of our lodging will be located as well as other meeting rooms.


The Synod Registration Table, as well as the Hospitality Table (with name tags, gift bags and other helpful information) will be set up in the gathering area as you enter Longs Peak Lodge.


The Display Tables (books, information, etc.) will be set up in the Lobby of Longs Peak (lower, middle and upper) for your viewing throughout the weekend.


The Pink rectangle #26 - Walnut Dining is where our Banquet will be held Sunday evening.


Brown squircle #14 - Hyde Chapel where our Sunday morning Mass with be.



If you want to keep this handy for reference,

you can print this map off for your own use

by clicking here.



Welcome to Longs Peak Lodge…

our "home away from home"

for our Synod gathering!

Welcome to Longs Peak Lodge!

When you enter the building, you will walk into the Main Lobby where the Hospitality Team will be ready to help and assist with smiles and your Welcome Bag and name tag. The Registration Team will also be here where you can confirm your registration.


There will be lots of hugs and greetings as everyone gathers for our weekend! Even a roving musician might be strolling around the room!


One of their newest Lodges, Longs Peak Lodge Was Built In 2009 and can sleep up To 5 people per room.


Each room features two queen beds, one single floor sleeping pad, a full bath and a mini-fridge. All bed and bath linens are provided. There are no kitchen facilities, cooking appliances or televisions available and no air conditioning. Pets are not allowed in this Lodge, but are allowed in Alpen Lodge.


There is an elevator from the main lobby to the upper floors.



Welcome Bags!


Have we got treats for you!


Our Hospitality Committee has done a stellar job of gathering goodies to help our time at the YMCA to be more enjoyable. Keep reading (below) for helpful tips on how to prepare, things to bring, maps, etc...

Sneak Peek:

Each Welcome Bag will have a souvenir Synod 2024 water bottle!




The Gift of Water!


When you arrive Friday at the YMCA and make your way over to Longs Peak Lodge, the Hospitality Committee will have chilled bottled water (with electrolytes) just for you, thanks to a generous donation from The Ball Corporation.



A big shout out to David Cloyd, Rocky Mountain Region, who secured these water bottles from Kathleen Pitre, President, Beverage Packaging North & Central America of the Ball Corporation


"The infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles that were donated and produced by Ball Corporation.” 


This Mananalu water contains hydrating, delicious, purified water and is also balanced with electrolytes for taste.



Synod Registration Check-in


The Synod Registration Table will be set up at Longs Peak Lodge where you can verify your Synod registration and payment to officially check in. It will begin at 5 pm and go until 7 pm when the Welcome and Opening Prayer begins at the Willome Conference Center.


Registration will continue Saturday morning 7-9 am before the morning sessions begin and 12-2 pm before afternoon sessions begin.



The Torch (Ribbons) Project

To Begin The Weekend

Every ECC member is invited to participate in the "Ribbon Project" to help create our Torch at the beginning of Synod 2024 on Friday evening. Click the link below to learn more:



https://conta.cc/4dtX5cy


Parade of Parishes

Synod would not be complete without our 

"Parade of Parishes!"



John Duffy-Burke is once again willing to share his talents and expertise in assembling the Parade of Parishes video for Holy Synod 2024. 


Parishes should send a Power-Point document or video to John. Please provide music as background for your video.




Deadline for uploading to John is September 30.


jburkebze08@gmail.com



+ + + +



Click here to view some of the "Parade of Parishes" videos

from past synods


https://conta.cc/4dYSpvD



Display Tables

Betty Adams and Carolyn Sue Cecil, MMS Display Table, Synod 2022


These groups will have displays set up in Longs Peak Lodge Lobby that you can view throughout the weekend:



Mary Magdalene Society


Truth and Reconciliation Commission


Charis Community


Len Schreiner Book Display


Benedictines of Holy Wisdom


Speaker Book Sales and Signing

(Chris Pramuk, Ricky Manalo)


+ + + +


If you have any questions, please contact:

claudia.kilby@gmail.com



Schedule


Willome Conference Center


Our Closing Song for Synod



“Bless Our Way”  

by Michael J. Nicosia 


Bless our way, our hopes for our tomorrows.

   Bless this day as we begin anew.

Bless our way, our hopes for our tomorrows.

   For this day the light we bear shines through.

For the Spirit kindles in us passion

   that we may be Christ to one and all.

So we carry love through our compassion

   being church that’s faithful to our call.

Bless our way, our hopes for our tomorrows.

   Bless this day as we begin anew.

Bless our way, our hopes for our tomorrows.

   For this day the light we bear shines through.


+ + + +

 

Michael J. Nicosia © Spirit Songs art & ritual, 2024.

All rights reserved. Permission to use granted by author.


+ + + +



To listen and learn this song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71TF8Nxr-y8



Legislation


One of my obligations as Presiding Bishop is to inform the delegates of the Synod ahead of time about the legislation they will be considering.


As some of you will recall, we have had some heavy lifting on the Constitution in recent years. This year is an exception. We have no proposed legislation to present this year.

The only business will be Delegates approving the Budget for 2025-26, along with electing new leadership for the House of Laity and House of Pastors.  


This fits well with our theme to raise our eyes off current documents and issues and consider how we pass on to another generation this theological and communal gift we call the Ecumenical Catholic Communion. We will be dedicating time, prayer, thoughtfulness, and conversation to visioning who we are and who we are becoming together. 


As you prepare for Synod, I ask that you join me in praying our Synod Prayer:



God on High,

the mountains are radiant with your glory.

Through your Christ

the dawn from on high 

has broken upon us and lights our way. 


Bless our preparations for our Holy Synod, 

that we may be better bearers of the fire

that gives light to the world.


This we ask and can do,

empowered by your Spirit,

in Jesus’ name. 



Amen.





Bishop Paul "Pablo" Burson

Presiding Bishop

Ecumenical Catholic Communion


Hyde Park Chapel


Everyone in our ECC Family is invited to join us in Hyde Chapel at YMCA

on Sunday, October 13, 2024

10:00 A.M. Mountain Time



Presider: Bishop Pablo Burson

Homilist: Deacon Besem Oben Etchi, Ph.D.




For those who live in Colorado, even if you are doing nothing else at Synod, you are invited to join in person. Take a drive up to Estes Park, meet others in the ECC from around the nation, make a joyful noise praising God, and join in the worship of Mass like no other! 



Music for our Sunday Liturgy

Here is where you can find the music:


https://conta.cc/3Z2WNVr



Health and Well Being

Keep in mind as you travel to Synod, that Fall is in the air, along with snarky little germs, flu bugs and other such dirty ditties that want to be a part of our lives whether we want them to be or not!!  

 

Be aware that almost all our activity will be indoors.  Some people will have roommates, and many of us will be in a higher altitude than we are accustomed to which could cause some extra stress to our bodies.  Keeping hydrated and well rested will be key factors for everyone to consider.  (Be sure to read  “Some Suggestions on preparing for the high altitude” below!)

 

Also, COVID has a new mutation so you might want to consider getting this new vaccine (available now!) The general rule is that it takes two weeks after getting the vaccines to build antibodies for your immunity. Take that time frame into consideration.


Don't forget... washing your hands is easy and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs!

 

First and foremost, check with your doctor as to the best approach and recommendations for you and your autumn travel. We want you to stay healthy while enjoying this beautiful setting in Estes Park.

 


During the Synod, don’t forget that our own Hospitality Table at Synod will have a Doctor and Nurse close by if you have any medical questions or health concerns!   For added reassurance, know that the Estes Park Health/Hospital is 3.7 miles from the YMCA.



Tips for Preparing

for the Higher Altitude



Please be aware of the attitude at YMCA is 8,000 feet above sea level. In comparison, Denver is only 5,280 feet above sea level.


The following helpful hints should help everyone while we are at Synod 2024.



Click on the link below to read some great information

to help you prepare for the higher altitude!


 https://conta.cc/4eJMJpS


Did we mention the importance of staying hydrated?



Helpful Hints

about Food and Drink

in the Higher Altitude


Curious?

Click here to read some great information about food and drink!


https://conta.cc/4glIFNs


Did we mention the importance of staying hydrated??


Pets at the Y.M.C.A.

More information here:


https://conta.cc/3YhRKAq

Some Handy Things To Bring!

https://conta.cc/3RNUSzO


click here to print the list

LOCAL MAPS

Here are all kinds of maps pertaining to the local area!


(And there is always Siri!!)


https://conta.cc/4blIKwJ

Restaurants in Estes Park

As noted in the schedule above, Saturday Evening's meal will be "on your own."


One option is to eat at The Aspen Dining Room on the YMCA grounds, which will cost $19.50 per person.


Another option is to travel to downtown Estes Park for quite a few restaurants to choose from.


Click here for the list!



And here's a great article about some eating spots!

https://www.visitestespark.com/blog/post/11-places-to-eat-drink-in-estes-park



There is no shuttle service from YMCA to Estes Park operating in October, so find a friend with a car (or truck!) and see what culinary delights you can find to experience!

Don't forget to visit the Taffy Shop!




https://conta.cc/3LDKAyK

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down

and

Write Myself a Letter

The YMCA has its own post office!  


You can mail things there if you need to!  


YMCA of the Rockies 

2515 Tunnel Road 

Estes Park, Co. 80511



And now some words of wisdom

about our furry friends...



the Elk!

.

.



Majority Rules!






Welcome to my World!





(And you thought the "6-foot rule"

during Covid was tough!)







Do NOT pet the cows with antlers!!







On the Road Again….






"Is it true that they fixed the ice cream machine???"






"Two all-beef patties, special sauce,

lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions

on a sesame seed bun!"


(You sang it, didn't you?!)





"Home, home on the range……"




One more time…..



Be Smart!

Be Safe!

Please Respect the Wildlife!!



MEDITATION


Click here to print the color version in pdf format

Or

Click here to print the black and white version in pdf format

(words only)


Please share our Newsletter!

Please enjoy sharing our Newsletter!

Photo by +Pablo Burson

A special note of THANKS to all of my nieces and nephews, children and adopted children, friends and foes, relatives dead and alive and paid members of my fan club who have graciously allowed me to use their photos in the recent Synod Newsletters.


They are all grateful for their 15 minutes of fame and will be happy to give autographs upon request. (Clowns! They are ALL clowns!)

--Carolyn Sue


Ecumenical Catholic Communion




Office of Presiding Bishop




Bishop Pablo Burson:

BishopPaul@ecumenicalcatholics.net

Carolyn Sue Cecil admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net

Mary Vonderheide

finance@ecumenicalcatholics.net