January 15, 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] .
Dunne Assists with Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

Earlier this month, Jamison Dunne, a member of Trinity, Shelburne and the Green Mountain Witness Team, traveled to Puerto Rico with Hartland Churches United in Service to assist in Hurricane Maria Relief. This is the second year the ecumenical group has made the trip.

"Working with the Iglesia Evangelica Unida Puerto Rico -- the UCC in Puerto Rico -- we worked to repair a local church and community center in Carolina, a suburb of San Juan," Dunne says. "This work is part of an effort to rebuild places of community in areas devastated by Maria and subsequent immigration to the continental U.S. We were especially grateful for the warm welcome, hot lunches, and parting blessing received from Pastor Felix and members of the church in Carolina."

The group was in Puerto Rico in early January and experienced several aftershocks from earthquakes that have caused extensive damage to the island. "Please keep Puerto Rico in your prayers as they continue to recover from Maria and start recovering from the earthquakes," says Dunne.

Donations to Puerto Rico disaster relief can be made through Episcopal Relief & Development .
Burlington Community Candlemas Celebration

A community group in Burlington will host a celebration of Candlemas on February 2 at 4 p.m. at North End Studios. The Rev. Sherry Osborn of the Episcopal Church in Vermont will bless the candles at the ceremony.

The Burlington Candlemas celebration began 30 years ago, says Victoria Fraser, who began the tradition at Christ Church Presbyterian in Burlington. "It is a group that includes everyone: church-goers, as well as people who don’t go to church, or have an interest in Christianity or church," says . "It is oriented toward bringing an increased meaning to the experience of Christmas and the completion of the Christmas seaso n through a deeper relationship with the images of the stories, nature, and poetry."

The event is free and open to the public. Download a flyer .
Parishes Find Creative Funding Solutions for Preservation

Many Vermont Episcopal congregations care for treasures that are both beautiful and often expensive to maintain. Recently two parishes have sought community support to protect the objects entrusted to them.

St. James, Arlington is home to several large 19 th century stained glass windows. Featuring organic patterns of plants and flowers that reflect the surrounding environment, the windows have lost much of their original vibrant colors over the years. Without restoration, some are in danger of falling.

The estimate for full restoration of the windows is approximately $120,000, and the congregation raised $30,000 from donors to match a grant from the Newburger Foundation. Last month, the parish learned that it has received a $20,000 Historic Preservation Grant from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. Fifty-two applications were received this year, and St. James was one of only 16 grants awarded.

Province I Seeks Coordinator
Applications due January 30

Province I of The Episcopal Church , which comprises the Episcopal dioceses in New England – Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut – is seeking a half-time coordinator.

The primary role of the coordinator is to assist Episcopalians in the dioceses of New England to network with one another around shared interests and activities in service to the mission of God.

EVENTS: NEW & FEATURED
EVENTS: REMINDERS
BISHOP SHANNON'S VISITATION SCHEDULE
The Bishop's visitation schedule is subject to change.
Visit the Bishop's Page for the latest updates.

  • January 19 - St. Paul’s, White River Junction
  • January 26 - St. Paul’s, Wells
  • February 2 - St. Matthew’s, Enosburg Falls
  • February 16 - St. James, Essex
  • 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., Connections for Change dinner/discussion for anyone concerned about or struggling with substance use disorder. Church of the Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre.

January 19 at 4:00 p.m. Prayer for Christian Unity at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington, VT.

January 21-24 Evangelism Matters Conference, Atlanta, GA.

January 21 at 6:30 p.m., The Difficult and Complex Conversation about Systemic Racism, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, VT.

January 30-February 1, Practices of Prayer, Worship, and Community, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

February 4 at 6:30 p.m., Racism and Migrant Justice, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 273 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, VT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, VT.

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

August 2 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Taizé Evening Prayer at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry St., Burlington.
Publication Dates / Submission Guidelines
The Mountain is distributed twice monthly. The next edition will publish February 4. Please submit content at least 48 hours in advance to [email protected] .

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