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General eNewsletter
| March 18, 2020
Welcome to the Diocese of Chicago email newsletter. Please forward this email to your congregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up.
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We Are Still the Hands and Heart of Jesus
A video message from Bishop Jeff Lee
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| We Are Still the Hands and Heart of Jesus: A Message from Bishop Lee |
Yesterday, Bishop Lee spoke to the diocese about the COVID-19 pandemic and how the people of the church can continue to be the hands and heart of Jesus when we are not able to meet in person.
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Suspension of In-Person Worship to Extend Beyond Easter
Recorded services with Bishop Lee will be available
 Bishop Jeff Lee announced today that the suspension of in-person worship in the diocese would extend beyond Holy Week and Easter.
"While I never thought I would find myself canceling the services at the heart of our liturgical year, I do so now because we must do everything we can to impede the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," Lee said. "Jesus commands us to love our neighbor, and sometimes we must do that by fasting from the company of the people we love and the services that bring us peace and joy."
The bishop has encouraged congregations to
explore online worship
. In addition, he will preach in liturgies for this Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Day that will be prerecorded at St. James Cathedral and made available online. Additional details will be available this week.
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Habits of Grace /
Hábitos de Gracia
Monday Meditations from Presiding Bishop Curry /
Meditaciones para los lunes del Obispo Presidente Curry
Durante la pandemia COVID-19, el Obispo Presidente Michael Curry ofrecerá una corta meditación de vídeo cada lunes. La nueva serie se llama "Hábitos de Gracia". Vea el primer vídeo a continuación y encuentre una transcripción en inglés y español en el sitio web de la Iglesia Episcopal.
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| Habits of Grace: Week of March 16 |
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In Memoriam: The Rev. Cynthia Hallas
 The Rev. Cynthia Johnston Hallas died suddenly of a brain aneurism on March 17 at the age of 66.
Hallas served as as associate rector at St. Lawrence, Libertyville, as rector at St. Giles in Northbook, as interim rector at Christ Church, Waukegan, and had just begun serving as interim rector at St. Barnabas in Glen Ellyn. In addition to parish ministry,
she served as the diocese's liaison for interfaith and ecumenical partnerships on behalf of Bishop Jeff Lee.
She is survived by husband, Jon; daughter Louisa McKellaston (kClare), a member of Bishop Lee's staff; son Ian (Nomin Zolzaya); and granddaughter, Maeve.
Services will be announced at a future date.
May light perpetual shine upon her.
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Tracking Attendance at Online Worship & Parochial Reports
The General Convention office is advising churches to keep track of the metrics for digital worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic for possible inclusion in the 2020 parochial report.
More specific guidance will be forthcoming, the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe, executive officer of the General Convention, wrote in an email to diocesan administrators.
In the meantime, he recommends, noting "virtual attendance" using whatever metrics an online platform provides.
In addition, the
parochial report filing site
will remain live beyond the usual May 1 deadline. Once you have electronically filed, pease keep a signed copy in your own records. If you need assistance or have any questions about the parochial report, please contact Rebecca Elfring-Roberts at 312-751-6726.
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Lay Employee Compensation and Benefits During COVID-19
If you have questions about pay and benefits for lay employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, please
email Anna Stefaniak.
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Event Cancelations and Postponements
These churchwide, diocesan, and community events have been canceled or postponed. Please contact event organizers regarding cancelations, rescheduling and payments.
March 26-28: Understanding & Analyzing Systemic Racism Training at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
April 4: Bishop Anderson House workshop at St. Andrew's, Downers Grove, "From Friendly Visits to Pastoral Conversations: A Learning Opportunity for Spiritual Care Providers" (Bishop Anderson House will contact registrants to process refunds)
April 4: Lenten Retreat at St. Thomas, Chicago
April 4: Dementia Friends Training at St. David's, Glenview
April 18: Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting at St. James Cathedral
May 1-3: Province V Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting
May 5-6: Becoming Beloved Community Conference, Minneapolis
May 12-15: Nuevo Amanaecer at Kanuga Retreat and Conference Center
If you have event cancelations or postponements to share, please email [email protected].
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Episcopal Relief & Development Resources for COVID-19
 March 20 webinar and online resources
On March 20 at 2 pm, Episcopal Relief & Development will offer an online conversation led by the Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White and Bishop Chilton Knudsen about family/partner violence, substance use and mental health during this time of social distancing and quarantine due to COVID-19.
Learn more and register
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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Certified Church Treasurer Program
Applications due March 31 
The application process is now open for the
2020 Certified Church Treasurer Program
. This free, online program is designed for treasurers, assistant treasurers, finance committee members, audit committee members, and clergy.
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Electing Convention Registration and Certifications
Learn more about registration and certification of delegates
on the website
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COVID-19 Publication Schedule
During the COVID-19 epidemic, the diocese will publish a general email newsletter each Wednesday.
Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and online events by noon on Tuesday to
Jen Boyle-Tucker
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Zoom Video Conference Call for Youth and Formation Leaders
March 19 at Noon
Youth and formation leaders are invited to join a Zoom video conference call on March 19 at 12 pm, hosted by Associate for Youth Ministry Chad Senuta. We will check in to see how everyone is doing and spend time discussing how you and your church are ministering with children, youth, and families during this time of "challenging opportunity" as we all engage in social distancing and isolation to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Hope you can join us!
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In Memoriam: The Rev. Daniel L. Banner
Requiem mass available by live stream on March 30
A Requiem Mass will be held at St. John's Anglican Parish at 10:30 am on March 30, accessible via livestream. For more information contact Hansen-Spear Funeral Home by email.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
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In Memoriam: The Rev. Wendy DeFoe Lane
Celebration of life postponed
The celebration of Wendy's life, originally planned for March 18, will be rescheduled for a future date.
May light perpetual shine upon her.
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View the
website homepage
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or a listing of upcoming 2020 diocesan events including:
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