General eNewsletter | June 2, 2021
 
Welcome to the Diocese of Chicago email newsletter. Please forward this email to your congregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up.
Wear Orange for Gun Violence Awareness
June 4-6

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 4, and on that day and the weekend that follows, people across the country will wear orange to honor victims and survivors of gun violence. Events in Illinois include local gatherings and a virtual 5k. Learn more and find a local Wear Orange event.

Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 in 2013. Since then orange has been the signature color of the gun violence prevention movement.

Learn more about the Episcopal Church's witness against gun violence and find prayers and other materials for congregations on the Bishops United Against Gun Violence website.
Camp Chicago Express
Register online by June 4

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago's  Camp Chicago Express will provide “camp in a box” this summer. Campers will receive a package filled with some of our favorite camp elements in early July. Then, throughout the week of July 11-16, Camp Chicago staff will lead daily classes on Facebook Live. Learn more and register by June 4.
Hunger Committee Webinar with
Bread for the World
June 17 at 7 pm on Zoom

On June 17 at 7 pm, the Diocese of Chicago's Hunger Committee will host a one-hour Zoom webinar featuring guest speaker Zach Schmidt, Midwest regional organizer for Bread for the World. Schmidt will provide an overview of Bread for the World and its Offering of Letters to Congress. 

The presentation will include information on how congregations can participate in an Offering of Letters to promote policies that will reduce or eliminate hunger. The event is free but registration is requested. For more information, please contact the Rev. Gary Cox of the Hunger Committee.

Bread for the World is the most prominent national, Christian advocacy organization working to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad and a longstanding partner of The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has been a member of Bread for the World for decades through the Hunger Committee's work.
Resources for World Refugee Day from Episcopal Migration Ministries

In support of World Refugee Day on June 20, Episcopal Migration Ministries is offering webinars , a panel discussion with Presiding Bishop Curry, a virtual prayer vigil, and their World Refugee Day Advocacy Toolkit.
Care for Friends Named ECW Outreach Partner

The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Chicago selected Care for Friends, an agency of Episcopal Charities, as their 2021 Outreach Partner and the recipient of a $2,000 gift. Care for Friends provides fundamental food, clothing and healthcare programs for individuals in Chicago experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Hope Pavich, executive director of Care For Friends was a featured speaker at the 2021 ECW Annual Meeting. 
Learning Opportunities & Virtual Events
Racial Justice Audit Webinar June 29

On June 29 the Episcopal Church Office of Racial Reconciliation will offer its final webinar in support of the recently released Racial Justice Audit Report. During the webinar, "The Racial Justice Audit: Where Do We Go from Here?" Zoom meeting participants will discuss what The Episcopal Church can do to tell the truth about the results of the audit, address the harm, and discern how to best move forward. Register here.

La auditoría de justicia racial Junio 29
¿Hacia dónde vamos?

Durante esta reunión Zoom, los participantes entrarán más a fondo en las cosas que la Iglesia Episcopal puede hacer para seguir diciendo la verdad sobre los resultados de la Auditoría, cómo abordar el daño y discernir la mejor manera de avanzar.  Registrar aquí.
Reminders
Consecration Scheduled for August 28

Last month Presiding Bishop Michael Curry announced that after consultation with Bishop-elect Paula Clark and the Rev. Anne B. Jolly, president of the Standing Committee, he has rescheduled the bishop-elect’s ordination, consecration and seating for August 28 at St. James Cathedral. Bishop Curry will attend in person and serve as the chief consecrator.

More information about the event, including COVID-19 protocols, will be available in the coming weeks.

Please keep Bishop-elect Clark and her family in your prayers as she continues to heal. Cards may be sent to 65 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611. To facilitate her rest and recovery, please do not call or visit her for any reason.

photo: Bishop-elect Clark and Presiding Bishop Curry at the Washington National Cathedral in 2016, courtesy of the Rev. Kim Turner Baker (right)
COVID-19 Guidelines Available Online

Version 4 of "A New Season: Guidelines for Re-entering Our Church Buildings" is available in English and Spanish. The new document, issued May 5, supersedes all previous versions of the reopening plan.

Although the public health situation is changing rapidly, the bishop's staff and diocesan COVID-19 response team ask congregations to continue following the reopening plan while the state of Illinois is in its bridge phase. During this phase, congregations are encouraged to discern how they will best serve their communities and members going forward, as additional restrictions are lifted, so they may remain places of welcome and inclusivity.
COVID-19 Office Hours on Zoom
Wednesdays from 12:30 - 1 pm through June

As congregations adapt to changing COVID-19 guidelines, Director of Operations Courtney Reid has scheduled Wednesday "office hours" to help address the questions that come up. Please feel free to drop in on Zoom on Wednesdays between 12:30 and 1 pm, through the month of June.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223

Dial by your location:
312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 817 6808 2004
Passcode: 747223
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbkUk0HRNQ
COVID-19 Recovery and Renewal Grants
Diocesan grants available to support worship & ministry

As many areas of Illinois transition from crisis response to recovery and renewal, the bishop’s staff and diocesan leadership bodies are offering grants to support remote, in-person, and hybrid worship in congregations. Grant funds can be used for technology updates, air filtration equipment, audio improvements and other related expenses. Congregations of all sizes, including those that have already received funds, are invited to request grants of up to $5,000.
 
The grants will be funded by money previously set aside by Bishop & Trustees and from Bishop’s Funds for COVID-19 relief grants.

Mission congregations are encouraged to contact their trustee representative or Tom Camell for more information.
 
Parishes wishing to apply for assistance should email Courtney Reid.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen. Applications may be made by phone at 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585) from 8 am to 8 pm. Learn more.
Job Openings
New this week: Facilities Manager at St. Luke's, Evanston. Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings. 

Summer Publication Schedule
From September to June we publish both a general email newsletter and Leadership News, a publication for lay leaders and clergy in the Diocese of Chicago, on alternate Wednesdays.

In July and August we will publish a combined newsletter every other week. Watch for newsletters on July 14 and 28 and August 11 and 25. Regular publication will resume on September 8 with Leadership News.

The deadline to submit items to be included is noon on the Tuesday before publication. Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to Jen Boyle-Tucker.