"Who shall we be?"
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issues a word to the church
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On January 8, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry shared a 14-minute video message, drawing on the words of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. to urge Americans to choose community over chaos in the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
“In the moment of a national crisis, a moment of great danger, … a people must decide, ‘Who shall we be?’” Curry said.
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Staying Home Does Not Mean Staying Silent
A letter from Bishops Baskerville-Burrows and Sparks and their colleagues
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Earlier today, Bishops Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows and Doug Sparks, who are serving as our consulting bishops, released this letter with a group of their colleagues:
Dear People of God:
Earlier this week, the FBI warned that armed protests are being planned for Washington D.C. and all 50 state capitals sometime between Saturday, January 16, and the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20. As your bishops, we write today imploring you to stay away from these protests and any counter-protests that might occur.
In these perilous times, when public demonstrations carry significant risk of both violence and exposure to COVID-19, we believe that God calls us to exercise both our Christian witness and our civic responsibility in ways that promote peace and safety. Between now and Inauguration Day, we can best follow our vocation to be peacemakers by staying away from places where harm could come to God’s people.
Staying home does not, however, mean staying silent. We hope that all people of goodwill will join us in raising our voices to support our country’s democracy, letting our elected officials know that we are praying for them, particularly in the aftermath of last week’s siege of the U.S. Capitol. Whether you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an independent, please let your elected officials know that you cherish our representative democracy and our pursuit of a more perfect union, and that you expect that those who are found responsible for last week’s violence to be held accountable. The Episcopal Church has a robust witness in Washington D.C., and the Episcopal Public Policy Network provides all of us with opportunities to advocate for peace, justice and the dignity of every human being. You can join the network online.
Most of all, in the coming days, we ask you to pray. This collect from the Book of Common Prayer holds particular meaning as we seek to face the days ahead with courage, wisdom, and grace:
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
The Rt. Rev. Matt Gunter, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac and Bishop Provisional, Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire
The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
The Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
The Rt. Rev. Kevin D. Nichols, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie Perry, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Rt. Rev. William D. Persell, Assisting Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
The Rt. Rev. Ken Price, Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
The Rt. Rev. Rayford Ray, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan
The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop, Episcopal Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana
The Rt. Rev. Arthur B. Williams, Jr., Assisting Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
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"Co-Workers with God" Online Retreat January 18
Free retreat offered by Trinity Retreat Center
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On January 18, the national day of memorial and service commemorating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Trinity Retreat Center will celebrate his legacy with a one-day retreat reflecting on MLK's “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozutti-Jones and Episcopal seminarian Joseph Rose, the retreat will offer opportunities for reflection, prayer and poetry.
- 9-9:30 am CST
- 1-1:30 pm CST
- 3-3:30 pm CST
- 7-7:30 pm CST
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25
Additional resources from Ecumenism Metro Chicago
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For more than 100 years, Christians around the world have observed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between January 18-25.
Image: A crucifix in the Cathedral Church of Saint George the Martyr, Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC
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New Date: Clergy and Lay Leaders Zoom on January 21
Guest speaker Bishop Doug Sparks
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The next bi-monthly gathering by Zoom for clergy and lay leaders will take place on Thursday, January 21 (rather than January 20, Inauguration Day) at noon for 30 minutes. Bishop Douglas Sparks of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, one of our consulting bishops, will join us. Look for more information and a link to join coming early next week.
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Opportunity to Purchase PPE
Next ordering deadline is Friday, November 22
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The Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA), in which the Diocese of Chicago invested following passage of Resolution G-183, is offering an opportunity for members (all congregations and institutions of the diocese count as members) to purchase PPE from Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-Owned Businesses. Orders will be accepted through January 22 using this link. To learn more about CPA, contact Courtney Reid.
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The Rev. Erika Takacs on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt |
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The Rev. Erika Takacs of the Church of the Atonement was featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt in a story about about how to talk with children about the assault on the U.S. Capitol.
"You don't want to hide it. ...You do want to make sure that they know that they are held close and safe," Takacs said.
Watch the video (the story starts at the 12:10 mark, and Takacs is on at about 13:10).
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Communications Workshops in February
Making the Most of Social Media on February 3
Websites that Work on February 10
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On February 3 and February 10, Canticle Communications, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago's communications firm, will offer Zoom workshops to help congregations seeking to make the best use of their websites and social media during this time of remote gatherings and online worship.
The interactive workshops will be held using the Zoom meeting format to allow for questions and interaction. Both events are free but registration is required in advance.
Making the Most of Social Media
Wednesday, February 3, 6-7 pm
Many church leaders and their congregations have long used social media to publicize events in their parishes, display photographs and pass on the occasional article of interest. In this time of social distancing and online worship, learn how Facebook, Twitter and Instagram also can be used to reach new audiences, rally support for a cause, listen deeply to what your community is saying and share the gospel with people who otherwise might not hear it. Kathleen Moore from Canticle Communications will discuss some creative approaches that will help you to use social media to better effect. Register online.
Websites that Work
Wednesday, February 10, 6-7 pm
In a time when congregations are relying heavily on online tools for communications and worship, church websites are more important than ever. Kathleen Moore from Canticle Communications will lead a discussion of how to optimize the web resources you have and chose tools—content management systems, databases, calendars, typefaces and more—that can help you have the website you need with the budget you can afford. Register online.
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COVID-19 Mitigations Continue Across the State
Updates from Governor Pritzker expected on January 15
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As of today, all public health regions in our diocese continue in Tier 3 mitigation measures. Therefore, our diocese's suspension of in-person worship and gatherings remains in effect. Information on mobile COVID-19 testing sites and contact tracing is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health webpage.
We anticipate that some regions of the state will move out of Tier 3 mitigations, on January 15. Once Governor Pritzker has announced the details, the bishop's staff will communicate with congregational leaders about the specifics of reopening plans.
When regions move into Tier 2 mitigations, the diocese will allow the types of gatherings previously allowed for that tier and will communicate with congregations in each region as that occurs. However, even when that occurs, we encourage congregations to give careful thought and prayer to the resumption of in-person worship, particularly with news of a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 expected in Illinois.
City of Chicago Stay at Home Advisory Extended
As always, essential ministries such as food pantries may continue while following COVID-19 guidelines. Please contact Courtney Reid with questions.
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Emergency Financial Relief Grants Extended for 2021
COVID-19 grants available for all congregations
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the state and country, the bishop's staff and diocesan leadership bodies are working together to respond to the needs of congregations at this challenging time.
Emergency Relief for Missions:
At its December meeting, the Bishop and Trustees voted to continue offering emergency operating fund grants to mission congregations experiencing hardship due to COVID-19. Mission congregations can request grants of up to $5,000, and those that received an emergency grant in 2020 may apply again in 2021. Mission congregations are encouraged to contact their trustee representative or Tom Camell for more information.
Emergency Relief for Parishes:
Using Bishop’s Funds in 2020, Bishop Lee created a $100,000 pool of emergency funding and appointed a small grant subcommittee to respond swiftly to emergency funding needs due to COVID-19. Grants of up to $5,000 may be requested and parishes that received a diocesan grant in 2020 are eligible to reapply for 2021. Parishes wishing to apply for emergency assistance should email Courtney Reid.
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From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference
Campaign guide and resources available online
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On January 18, the Episcopal Church will launch From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference, a campaign urging Episcopalians and their neighbors to listen and have honest conversation across differences. Inspired by the Latin phrase on the U.S. seal – E Pluribus (“from many”) Unum (“one”) – the campaign is designed to offer tools for deeply divided communities.
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The offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will closed on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
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Learning Opportunities & Virtual Events |
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From Friendly Visits to Pastoral Conversations
A Virtual Workshop for Spiritual Care Providers Saturday, January 16
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On January 16 from 10 - 11:30 am, Bishop Anderson House will hold a virtual workshop for spiritual care providers. Led by the Rev. Bob Petite, a board certified chaplain, certified pastoral educator (ACPE), and marriage and family therapist, the workshop is open to all, with a special focus for graduates of Spiritual Care Visitor Training, clergy, lay eucharistic visitors and caregivers.
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Bishop Anderson House Spiritual Care Visitor Training
Next session begins January 30
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Bishop Anderson House will offer its next Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program beginning on January 30. The training begins with a Zoom virtual retreat, which will be followed by seven self-paced online learning modules. Please visit the website for more details on the program. Contact Kim Lessner, registrar, at 312-563-4825 or by email with questions.
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Christian Formation & Discipleship Office Hours
Free, weekly resource provided by the Virginia Theological Seminary
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The Lifelong Learning & Discipleship Team at Virginia Theological Seminary hosts weekly Office Hours on Thursdays from noon-1:30 pm CST. Church leaders of all kinds -- lay professionals, clergy, volunteers -- are invited to drop in to discuss a new idea, ask questions, learn about new resources, or just find a supportive sounding board.
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The following webinars are offered by the CEEP Network. There is no cost to attend but registration is required:
Ambassadors of Reconciliation: The Hard Work of Repairing Our Social Compact
Homelessness and the Pandemic: Our Christian Commitment to the Community
Why an Endowment? Ensuring Parish Ministry for Future Generations
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Winter Publication Schedule |
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. The deadline to submit items to be included is Tuesday at noon. Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to Jen Boyle-Tucker.
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