February 19, 2020
Welcome! You may notice this edition has a different look from previous issues of The Mountain. Rather than linking to a digital magazine, each story in this edition can be read within this email or on the diocesan website .

We'd like your feedback on the design and usability of this newsletter format, and also want to hear from you about stories for future issues and other communications requests and questions. Send emails to   [email protected] .
Here Comes the Big Dreamer
Bishop Shannon's MLK Sermon

Bishop Shannon preached this sermon at St. Paul's, White River Junction, on January 19 for the Commemoration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Here comes the big dreamer. Come on now, let’s kill him, and we’ll say he was an enemy of God and the state. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!

When it comes to being God’s dreamer, prophet, or son, one quite often becomes the subject of society’s hatred and violence. It seems that for us humans, the known prison of dehumanizing systems, fear of the other, and the anxiety of scarcity is preferable to an unknown life of freedom, peace, and love.

And to this, Jesus says, to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. Offer, don’t withhold and give. 


photo: Bishop Shannon with retired Bishop R. Stewart Wood of Michigan at St. Paul’s, White River Junction in January
Ordination of Thomas Rock
Last evening, Bishop Shannon ordained Thomas Rock to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.

Rock, a third-year student at Seminary of the Southwest and an author, was raised up for ordination by St. Mark’s, Newport.

Zamboni Man
Rick Swanson on the spirituality of the ice

The Rev. Rick Swanson of St. John's in the Mountains, Stowe is also known as the Zamboni Man. “I would say I have two spiritual centers, not just figuratively but literally,” Swanson recently told the Waterbury Record. “One is Sunday mornings in worship and the other is being in a rink on ice. My faith is informed by worship on Sunday morning, and there is a sacred and spiritual experience I get every time I skate.”
Faith Climate Action Day on February 20
Vermont State House

On February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Vermont State House in Burlington, Vermont Interfaith Power & Light and Vermont Interfaith Action will hold a climate crisis advocacy event. The day will include an issues briefing, a press conference, and meetings with legislators. Bishop Tom Ely will speak and represent Bishop Shannon.

Episcopal Relief & Development Lenten Meditations Available

This year,  Episcopal Relief & Development's Lenten meditations focus on the gifts of children.  Order online .

To receive daily meditations via email during Lent, sign up on the Episcopal Relief & Development website .
Green Mountain Witness Receives Evangelism Grant

The Diocese of Vermont has been awarded an Episcopal Church Evangelism Grant to continue the innovative work of Green Mountain Witness .

Engaging the Enneagram March 12-15
Rock Point Retreat Center, Burlington

Taking place March 12-15 at Rock Point Retreat center, "Engaging the Enneagram as Wisdom Practice" will be led by Jeanine Siler Jones in collaboration with the Rock Point Wisdom Community . The retreat will begin with arrivals and registration, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, and will conclude with lunch on Sunday, March 15.

St. Paul's, White River Junction to Screen Philadelphia Eleven Film: "Witness to History"
March 29 at 2 p.m.

On March 29 at 2:00 p.m., in honor of Women's History Month, St. Paul's, White River Junction will host a screening of the film "Witness to History." The film recounts the story of the Philadelphia Eleven , the women who were ordained priests at the Church of the Advocate, Philadelphia, on July 29, 1974 -- two years before General Convention authorized the ordination of women. The screening will be followed by discussion and refreshments. 

Call the St. Paul's parish office at 802-295-5415 with questions.
Register for the 2020 Global Mission Conference
April 29-May 1 in Indianapolis

This year's Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) conference will take place from April 29 to May 1 at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis . The conference is titled "Earthkeeping: Creation Care in Global Mission," and participants will explore how Christians can confront the climate crisis with mission companions in other parts of the world.

Keynote speakers include former Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Leon Sampson, Rachel Mash and Orlando Gomez. For questions about the conference, contact Titus Presler, GEMN representative for the Diocese of Vermont, via email or at 802-326-3157.

Become a Disaster Case Manager
Training in February

Sometime this month in the Burlington area, Vermont VOAD (Vermont Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) and the Vermont Agency of Human Services will sponsor a training program for volunteer disaster case managers who want to work with Vermonters impacted by disasters.

The Diocese of Vermont is a member of Vermont VOAD and has been asked to recruit volunteers who may be interested in helping with disaster relief and attending the training. Interested volunteers can email either Lynn Bates or Harry Kendrick , diocesan disaster coordinators.   
Bishop Shannon recently spent time in retreat with Province 1 diocesan bishops and the ELCA New England bishop. Together they celebrated the 31st anniversary of the consecration Bishop Barbara Harris on February 11.



EVENTS: NEW & FEATURED
Lenten Offerings

St. Thomas & Grace, Brandon will host an Ash Wednesday service on February 26 at 7:00 p.m. Parking is available along Route 7 and in the parking lot behind the Nifty Thrifty on Prospect Street. For more information contact Bob Wertz (558-1564), Barb Brown (247-3194), or Franci Farnsworth (247-6154).  

St. Stephen's, Middlebury will host a free Lenten concert series on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. beginning with a February 20 performance featuring Christopher McWilliams, pianist and organist. Download a flyer to learn more and see the concert schedule.

St. Stephen's, Middlebury will host a Taizé service on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for five weeks beginning March 4. Read an "Encountering Taizé" reflection by Gaen Murphree of St. Stephen's .
St. Michael's, Brattleboro will host an afternoon of comedy improv in the undercroft (basement) on February 23 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m for people of all abilities. Robin Zegge will be the comedy improv facilitator. Be prepared to loosen up, shake it out, and laugh. No experience is necessary, and everybody’s voice is encouraged. In the spirit of the L'Arche community, all efforts are embraced.

Potluck snacks are welcome. Learn more about L’Arche , and email Duncan Hilton with questions or to RSVP (helpful but not necessary).
Rock Point Intentional Community Wisdom Practice Circles , which are small groups that meet for contemplative prayer or meditation, chanting, lectio divina and other wisdom practices, meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursdays of the month and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Mondays of the month. Learn more .
CYCLE OF PRAYER

February 23: St. Michael's, Brattleboro and Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America

March 1: Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington and Iglesia Anglicana de Chile


BISHOP SHANNON'S VISITATION SCHEDULE
The Bishop's visitation schedule is subject to change.

  • March 1 - St. Mary’s in the Mountains, Wilmington
  • March 8 - Trinity, Shelburne
  • April 5 - St. Peters, Lyndonville
  • May 3 - Church of the Good Shepherd, Barre
  • May 10 - All Saints, South Burlington
  • May 17 - Holy Trinity, Swanton
  • May 24 - Grace Church, Sheldon
  • May 31 - St. John’s in the Mountains, Stowe
  • June 7 - Trinity, Rutland
  • June 11 - St. Barnabas, Norwich
  • June 14 - Christ Church, Montpelier
  • June 21 - St. Martin’s, Fairlee
  • June 28 - St. Paul’s, Windsor
  • July 12 - St. Luke’s, St. Albans
EVENTS CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
(See the Diocesan Calendar for details.)

The first Wednesday of every other month at 6:15 p.m., Church of the Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre, hosts a Connections for Change dinner/discussion for anyone concerned about or struggling with substance use disorder.

February 20 at 9:30 a.m., Faith Climate Action Day, The Vermont State House, 115 State St, Montpelier.

February 25 at 6:30 p.m., The Intersection of Race and Poverty, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

March 10 at 6:30 p.m., Let’s Talk About Reparations, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

March 12-15, Engaging the Enneagram as Wisdom Practice, Rock Point Center, Burlington.

March 13 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

March 29 at 2:00 p.m., Film Screening "Witness to History," St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 749 Hartford Ave, White River Junction.

April 1 at 6:30 p.m., Civil Right and a Conservative Supreme Court, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

April 6 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

April 10 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

May 5 at 6:30 p.m., Being Native American in America, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

May 8 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

May 19 at 6:30 p.m., People of Chinese Descent in America, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

June 2 at 6:30 p.m., Where Do We Go from Here? A Conversation with Young People of Color, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho.

June 7 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

June 12 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

July 10 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.

August 2 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.

August 14 at 12:00 p.m., Rock Point Community Eucharist, Chapel of St. Michael & All Angels at Rock Point, Burlington.
Publication Dates / Submission Guidelines
The Mountain is distributed every other Wednesday. The next edition will publish March 4. Please submit content by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2 to [email protected] .

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