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Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
from The Book of Common Prayer,
Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
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 Hushed Waiting
Convention 145 Resolutions
Medical Trust Open Enrollment
A Request for Parish Updates
United Thank Offering
Rebuild Our Church
Honorary Canons Named
Bishop's Visitation Schedule
December '11 Dominion
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Learn about the health plan changes that will begin in a year and how these will affect clergy, lay employees, and parishes. Click
to see the presentation made at diocesan Convention this year. |
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Hushed Waiting* The Rev. Dr. Raewynne J. Whiteley, Canon Theologian
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There's something special about the first substantial snowfall of winter. It begins almost like dandelion fluff, but rapidly clumps into something more like drifting petals of spring blossom. Eventually it settles on the ground, and as it piles up the outlines of the world soften and the sound of traffic is muffled and we enter a time of waiting.The snowfalls ends, and it's time for snowmen and snow-fights and snow angels. And a day or two later, life returns to normal: either the snow melts, or after the fun we shovel and plough our way back into motion. A few snowfalls later, a dirty crust has built up, and melt has turned to ice, and we are ready for spring. But still the memory persists of the hush that accompanied the snowfall, the suspension of time when all we could do was wait. Advent is like that time. A time of hushed waiting. God, God's very self, is about to come to earth. Advent is a time to stop, to catch our breath at the wonder of it all. "Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand." ** This is, perhaps, the most potent of all time. We wait, we wait in holy silence, for the gift that is God among us.
It's like pregnancy, necessary time to get ready for the change that new life will bring. That's why the ancient church set aside this time, four weeks (or in some traditions forty days) of solemn preparation, not only remembering the first coming of Jesus Christ as savior, but also awaiting his second coming as gracious judge. It's serious, hallowed time.
Of course, everything around us is saying the reverse. "Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer" *** Da da-da da, da da-da da, beating its way insistently through the malls and into our brains.
We have to hurry: there is shopping to be done and cookies to be baked and cards to be sent. And before we know it, Christmas will be here, the food and the gifts and the family gatherings. And then trees to take down and bills to pay and a new financial year. Da da-da da, da da-da da, da da-da da, da da-da da.
But no. Christmas is not here. Not yet. It's Advent, and there's no point being so busy having a shower or painting the nursery that we miss the baby's birth. As if the baby would really care.
So stop. Take time. Listen for the hush. For Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. * Thanks to members of the book group of St James, St James who named Advent as a time of "hushed waiting." ** Liturgy of Saint James (fifth century); trans. Gerald Moultrie (1829-1885), 1864. *** Peter J. Wilhousky, 1936.
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Convention 145 ResolutionsPlanning the course ahead
 | | Opening Eucharist at Convention 2011 |
These resolutions were voted on, approved, and adopted by the delegates of the 145th Convention of the Diocesee of Long Island. They touch on the life and ministry of the diocese, and reflect the values we hold. Access the resolution texts here.
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Medical Trust Open EnrollmentCloses soon
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Please feel welcome!
A few upcoming events around the diocese
  From pre-convention meetings to honorary Canons, there's a lot going on in the four counties of the diocese. You can read about many more at the diocese's website. Read more... |
A Request for Parish UpdatesOnline Directory of Parishes
 | | St Cuthbert, Selden, NY |
It would be much appreciated if parish staffs would visit their parish page on the diocesan website to ascertain if the information there is up-to-date, correct, and current. Just click here and navigate to your parish listing. This information may be some of the first seen by persons wishing to find a church. What they read may lead them to your door.
Note that the categories of information offered on these listings is pre-determined. We want to make sure it is valid and doing your parish the most good. Please email any necessary corrections to communication@dioceseli.org.
Thank you! |
United Thank Offering Applications Available
For 2012 Episcopal Church Grants: Diocesan Deadline December 9
The application process for the 2011 United Thank Offering grants is now open with forms available here. Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally within Anglican provinces, dioceses, and companion dioceses. Read more . . .
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Rebuild Our Church in HaitiAssistance to the Diocese of Haiti Together with dioceses across the church, we in Long Island are working to rebuild the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Port-au-Prince and to repair churches, schools, and clinics damaged or destroyed in the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Though other places and peoples have suffered major disasters in the ensuing months, the people of Haiti continue to need our active assistance in recovering from those few minutes of loss.Visit the Diocese of Long Island Rebuild Our Church page to find resources helpful to parish clergy, staffs, and interested parishioners in raising funds for this purpose. Each parish should have received a packet of information in the US mail during the week following Convention 2011. Your support will be deeply appreciated. Funds for Haiti will be gathered on World Mission Sunday, 2012.Please view and share the video on rebuilding the church in Haiti:  | Rebuilding Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port-au-Prince
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Honorary Canons NamedAt service in the Cathedral of the Incarnation
The Rev. Canon George L. Bonner
The Rev. Canon Charles G. Ackerson
During the month of November, Fathers George Bonner and Charles Ackerson were named Honorary Canons by Bishop Provenzano.
The Rev. Canon George Bonner is the Rector of Saint Alban's Church, Brooklyn. The Rev. Canon Charles Ackerson is Rector at All Saints Church, Baldwin.
Congratulations to both our new Canons!
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Bishop's Visitation ScheduleFor December
 Dec 4 Church of the Ascension, Brooklyn Dec 11 St. Thomas of Canterbury Dec 18 All Saints, Long Island City
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The DominionNews of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island
Read the latest edition of The Dominion here.
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Word from the
Communication Ministry of the DioceseLet us know how we're doing
Here are a few points to keep in mind when you need something communicated to the diocese:
- The Communication Ministry email is: Communication@dioceseli.org.
- Website updates are made each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning.
- The deadline for proposed articles/photos for The Dominion is on the 7th of each month. Photos should be digital, taken at the highest setting on the camera. A photographer's name should be included for attribution. Photos should be emailed separately and not embedded with text. The name of an author should be included with each article/announcement.
- As space is limited in The Dominion, some announcements from parish life may be posted on the diocesan website and/or Facebook instead, at the editor's discretion.
- The Dominion is not published in July and August.
- Deadline for material proposed for inclusion in the bi-weekly online newsletter Today in the Diocese of Long Island falls every other Tuesday. The next deadline is Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
- To access a Communication Request Form allowing you to easily provide information/news to be shared with the diocese online or in print, simply click on this link: KeepInTouch
- Questions? Phone to 516.248.4800, ext 47 or 50
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Dominion/Episcopal Journal Subscription Information
To subscribe to the diocesan monthly, The Dominion, or to solve subscription problems, please call AFL customer service directly at 1-800-374-9510 or email to . |
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Medical Trust Open Enrollment (con't)
This is the only period during which current Medical Trust participants may change plans and all church employees, working twenty (20) or more hours per week, may enroll without medical underwriting. All pre-existing conditions are covered and no medical statement is required.
For further information, visit our website at Health Benefits or contact Nancy Signore at nancy@dioceseli.org or at 516.248.4800, extension 11.
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UTO Thank Offering (con't)
Applications are due to the national office by January 15, 2012. Applications from the Diocese of Long Island should be received at Bishop Provenzano's office by December 9, 2011. Grants will be approved in July 2012 at Triennium at General Convention. Funds for approved grants will be available starting August 2012 for a one-year grant period.
UTO information and contact info are available here.
Complete instructions, application forms, and additional info are available here.
Information important for applying for the grants:
- one application may be submitted by each diocese of the Episcopal Church, with diocesan bishop approval;
- one application may be submitted by a U.S. diocese of the Episcopal Church on behalf of an overseas Companion Diocese (the Companion relationship may be formal or informal), with approval by both diocesan bishops;
- one application may be submitted by invited provinces of the Anglican Communion, with approval by the Archbishop or Primate or Provincial Secretary and, if applicable, the diocesan bishop.
For more information email utoapps@episcopalchurch.org or call the UTO Office at 800/334-7626, ext. 5130 or ext. 6022. Paper copies of the application are not accepted. If there is a problem accessing the Internet for the online application, please contact the UTO office.
Please address any technical UTO questions to the UTO office as listed above.
If you are seeking help in "writing" your application, there is a grant writer available for consultation. Contact Deacon Lorraine Cusick at Episcopal Charities 516.248.4800, extension 20 for further information in utilizing this service.
All completed applications for UTO grants must be submitted to Bishop Provenzano's office no later than December 9, 2011.
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Please feel welcome! (con't)
Annual Meeting of Suffolk Archdeaconry
Thursday, December 1, 2011, 6:30 pm at
Saint Anselm's Church
4 Woodville Road
Shoreham, NY 11786
For more information, contact The Venerable Hickman Alexandre
631.286.0726
Episcopal Response to AIDS 2011 announces a World AIDS Day event in cooperation with the dioceses of New York and Newark at All Saints Church, Hoboken, beginning at 7:30 pm.
Evening Walking Tour in Garden City, December 1
All are invited: 7:00 pm, Thursday, December 1, beginning at the Mercer School of Theology. Find details here.
Episcopal Charities Grant Application Workshop, December 3
There will be a workshop, for Episcopal Charities grants that will be held at
Dec. 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Mercer School of Theology. Details are available here.
Access many other parish and diocesan events during this busy season on the Diocese of Long Island homepage under Coming Soon.
New and upcoming events are also featured daily on the diocese's Facebook page and on Twitter.
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