The Mountain | June 25, 2025 | | We want to hear from you about stories for future issues and other communications requests and questions. Send emails to communications@diovermont.org. | | Growing the Next Stewards of Rock Point | | |
Rock Point Summer Camp may have closed its doors in 2019, but thanks to a growing partnership with the Greater Burlington YMCA, campers are back at Rock Point. Now in its fourth year, the Y Adventure Camp held at Rock Point Commons has brought a new generation of campers to the shores of Lake Champlain.
Rock Point’s camp history dates to the summer of 1933, during the Great Depression, as the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont sought to provide children and families with respite, joy, and connection at a difficult time. Now, the YMCA seeks to do the same thing for their campers. “Our families come from all walks of life,” said Dan Smith, president and C.E.O of the Greater Burlington YMCA, “A lot of the campers don’t have the opportunity to spend a day outside in a setting like Rock Point.”
Y Adventure Camp is open to children who have finished 3rd grade through the age of 13 and offers 3- and 5-day options. Campers experience “a traditional outdoor camp” per the YMCA website, with opportunities to swim, kayak, play games, create arts and crafts, and even take advantage of Rock Point’s pizza ovens. But that’s not all. “Our camps are also value-based,” Smith noted. “While we don’t proselytize or directly teach how Y values are rooted in Christian teachings, we really stand on the values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. The kids are immersed in those thought processes as they experience their day.”
Read the full story online.
| | In Memoriam: The Ven. J. Stannard "Stan" Baker | | |
The Ven. J. Stannard “Stan” Baker, archdeacon and chaplain to retired clergy, died on June 23. He was 79 years old and his death was quite sudden. He is survived by his husband Peter Harrigan.
Planning for a thanksgiving of life is underway, and details will be made available at a later date.
Stan was ordained to the diaconate in 2009 by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Ely and was assigned to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. This followed internships at Christ Church, Montpelier; Calvary, Underhill; and serving as a chaplain at Fletcher Allan hospital.
Stan was appointed archdeacon in 2021 and served our diocese in a number of ways throughout his ministry. He was a member of the Commission on Ministry, the Standing Committee, the Resolutions Committee, a Safe Church coordinator, our chaplain to retired clergy, and a five time deputy to General Convention.
“Stan was an important and historic member of our diocesan household and the state of Vermont,” said Bishop Shannon. “I will always value his contributions to our shared vision and mission. Both in his secular work as a psychotherapist and in his ordained ministry, he brought his insights and sensibilities about people to the forefront of the discussion. His support and advocacy for our clergy both active and retired will surely be missed.”
Read his obituary on the diocesan website.
| Tri-Diocesan Sacred Ground Circles Begin Again This Fall | |
The next round of the Tri-Diocesan Sacred Ground circles will start this fall. These circles are open to Episcopalians in the Dioceses of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine as well as members of other denominations in New England.
Sacred Ground is a film- and readings- based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Over the course of 11 sessions, participants learn about Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
There will be at least three circles that will meet at different times and on different days. Those who have previously taken Sacred Ground are highly encouraged to do so again.
To learn more about Sacred Ground watch an invitational video produced by the Union of Black Episcopalians or visit the Sacred Ground webpage.
To learn more about our Tri-Diocesan Sacred Ground circles contact Franci Farnsworth.
Register online.
| | Beware of Email and Text Scams | | |
Recently, several members of our diocese received suspicious emails and texts from an individual purporting to be Bishop Shannon.
Please know that any communications from Bishop Shannon will come only from her diocesan email address, which is: bishopshannon@diovermont.org or from communications@diovermont.org. The fraudulent accounts from which these messages were sent have been reported and are being investigated.
If you receive another fake email or text like this one, please do not respond. Instead, send an email to communications@diovermont.org to let us know as soon as possible so we can report it.
| | Communities for Spiritual Vitality To Hold Information Sessions for New Cohort | | |
The Communities for Spiritual Vitality will be holding three information sessions for those interested in joining their second cohort launching in January of 2026.
All sessions will be held on Zoom on the following dates:
- July 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- September 6 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
- October 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
The Rev. adwoa Wilson, director of the Communities for Spiritual Vitality, reflected on the program's first year in a recent blog post. She wrote, "[Lay people] need time together in fellowship, prayer, play, and renewal in order to be spiritually vital enough to endure the fragile rooms in which God’s Spirit often first appears." Read more.
Interested lay leaders should email communities@diovermont.org to indicate their interest in the cohort and to register for an information session.
| | Commission on Finance Seeking Additional Members | | |
Julia Purinton Exhibit On Display Now through July 20
St. John's in the Mountains, Stowe
| | Rock Point Cabins Available for Rent | | |
Rock Point Cabins are once again available to rent this spring and fall through a partnership with the Vermont Hut Association.
Each cabin sleeps up to six guests on bunk beds and includes a private bathroom, kitchenette, and sitting area. Cabins are available August 18 through October 31.
Learn more and book a cabin.
| | Free Bibles Available Through the Vermont Bible Society | | |
The Vermont Bible Society (VBS), a fully-funded ministry within the Vermont Ecumenical Council, provides Bibles without charge to ministries in Vermont that have limited resources.
Those interested must contact VBS and provide information on the Bible wanted.
Ministries as well as individuals may request Bibles by contacting the Vermont Ecumenical Council office at 802.434.3397 or by emailing info@vecncc.org. Bibles may also be requested online.
Learn more.
| | New Cohort Forming for An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice | | |
Enrollment is now open for a new cohort for An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice. Province 1 congregations interested in creation care are invited to join its new cohort this fall.
Participating congregations will work with a facilitator as they discern how their congregations can deepen their commitment to caring for creation by praying, learning, acting and advocating. Additionally, congregations will also be in fellowship with each other via monthly Zoom gatherings.
Contact episcopalcreationpath@gmail.com for more information and to register. The deadline to register is July 31.
| | 2025 TENS Stewardship Resource Available | | |
Resources and tools for parish stewardship campaigns are now available from the Episcopal Network for Stewardship or TENS. This year's theme is “Tell Out My Soul” and the new resources are organized for easy download and use in Year C of the lectionary cycle.
For information on accessing the “Tell Out My Soul” stewardship materials, please contact the Rev. Canon Susan Ohlidal, canon to the ordinary for missional vitality.
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Daily Prayer With the Green Mountain Online Abbey
Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 8 p.m.
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The Green Mountain Online Abbey meets on Zoom Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m.
The 8 p.m. Sunday services of evening prayer are dedicated to racial healing.
Learn more on the diocesan website.
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Accountant
The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
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The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont is seeking an experienced accountant to manage our accounting operations and participate in the managing of our office. This role will work closely with senior management to manage the diocese's overall financial strategy. This role is part-time.
In addition to maintaining the financial integrity of the Diocese's books, the accountant serves as the primary fiscal contact for the Trustees of the Diocese and for the parish treasurers. This role requires a strong understanding of non-profit accounting principles. Other responsibilities include working with staff members to handle all of the general operations of the office. Read the full job description.
To apply, send a resume and cover letter to the Rev. Canon Linda Grenz.
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Music Director
St. John's in the Mountains, Stowe
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Parish Administrator
St. James, Woodstock
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St. James, Woodstock is seeking a parish administrator to support all aspects of the “behind-the-scenes,” daily operations of St. James, interfacing with the rector, other staff members, parishioners, and the public. Learn more online.
To apply, please send a cover letter, the application form, and resumé to the Rev. Amy Spagna.
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Sexton
St. James, Woodstock
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June 29: Christ Church, Montpelier; the Rev. Walter Brownridge, Transition Priest, the Rev. Deacon Beth Ann Maier, and the Rev. Deacon Stephen Reynes
July 6: St. Mark's Church, Newport; the Rev. Christine Moseley
Find the cycle of prayer on the website.
| | EVENTS CALENDAR AT A GLANCE | | The Mountain is published every other Wednesday. Please send submissions to communications@diovermont.org by 5 p.m. the Monday before publication. | |
5 Rock Point Road | Burlington, VT 05408
Tel: (802) 863-3431 | In Vermont (800) 286-3437
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