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SUMMER eNEWSLETTER

August 3, 2016  
 Diocesan News
Church Responds to Violence in South Sudan
Thousands of displaced people suffer from disease, hunger
 
photo courtesy of Episcopal Relief & Development
Clashes between political factions in South Sudan, which erupted in early July, have continued to worsen. Nearly 60,000 people have fled the country, most seeking refuge in Uganda, and the United Nations estimates that 40,000 people have been internally displaced by the latest violence.

On Monday, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, which says it is protecting 200,000 people in the country, issued a condemnation of "widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, of women and young girls" in the capital city of Juba. The city is also experiencing a cholera outbreak, which has killed more than 20 people. A measles epidemic in camps for internally displaced people has killed 17 children in the last several weeks.

"Nobody in the armies cares about the civilians," said the Rt. Rev. Joseph Garang Atem, bishop of the Diocese of Renk, on Wednesday. "But we depend on God for everything." Renk and the Diocese of Chicago have had a companion relationship since 2001.

Episcopal Church Women 2016 Grants
Apply by September 15 
 
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Chicago award up to three grants each year to support outreach. The ECW Recognition Grant honors the outreach efforts of women's ministries in the Diocese of Chicago. Up to two $500 grants will be awarded. View the grant criteria and application.

The Phoebe Griswold Grant honors the work of Mrs. Griswold with a $1,000 grant available to any individual in the diocese, female or male, who has developed a unique program benefiting women and/or children. View the Griswold Grant criteria and application.

Applications for both grants are due to the ECW office by September 15, and the awardees will be announced at the Diocesan Convention in November. Questions should be directed to ECW President Beth Petti.
Dear Godde, What Are Your Preferred Pronouns?
Gender and identity explored in Church Music Forward 

An essay examining gender identity, preferred pronouns and the language of Christianity, written by Zakary Siler, associate for music, arts & communications at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Wilmette, is featured in the July publication of Church Music Forward. In addition to their work at St. Augustine's, Siler is also the co-founder and artistic director of ResonaTe - Chicago's Trans Choir.
Save the Dates: Fall Breakfast With the Bishop
Join Bishop Lee for conversation 
 
"In the Diocese of Chicago, we're in the transformation business," says Bishop Lee. "We really are in the business in the church of changing people's lives in Christ."

This fall, join the bishop for breakfast and conversation about the ministry of the diocese and the work to which God is calling us. To RSVP, please contact Associate for Resource Development Shay Craig via email or call her at 312.751.3576. 
 
Before attending a breakfast, you are encouraged to view a video from Bishop Lee in which he shares his thoughts on "what a diocese is for." 
Antiracism Training in October   
 
 Understanding & Analyzing Systemic Racism training will be offered by the Diocesan Antiracism Commission and partner organization Chicago ROAR will be October 20 - 22 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Watch for details and online registration.
Youth Ministry header 7

Building Connections for Adult Youth Leaders

This academic year the diocese will host a series of gatherings for adults who minister with youth to connect, share resources, and learn from one another. The first Youth Ministry Network meeting will be held at St. James Commons (65 E Huron, Chicago) on September 22 from 11 am to 1 pm. Those unable to attend in person can join by phone or video conference. Future meetings will be held in various locations around the diocese in an effort to minimize travel. Please contact Chad Senuta to RSVP.

Find the latest News for Youth Ministry.
Summer Publication Schedulesummer

From now through August 31, we will publish one email newsletter every other week that will combine announcements for diocesan leaders and general interest news. Look for summer newsletters on August 17 and 31. The regular publication schedule will resume with Leadership News on September 7 and the general interest newsletter on September 14. 
 
If you have information to be included in the bi-weekly e-newsletter that is sent out on Wednesdays, please send information to Jen Boyle-Tucker by noon on the Tuesday of the week of publication. 
 Clergy News
Deaths in Our Diocesan Family 
 
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Semon, 70, rector of the Church of the Holy Faith in Santa Fe, New Mexico, died July 28. Fr. Semon attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Chicago and served as curate at Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, children and grandchildren. A Mass of the Resurrection is planned for Wednesday, August 10 in the Church of the Holy Faith. Read more.



The Rev. Dr. William P. Haugaard, 80, retired priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, died July 30 in Oviedo, Florida. Dr. Haugaard retired as professor of church history and academic dean of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 1994. In 1990 he was called by Bishop Griswold as the first chair of the diocesan Archives Committee and served in that capacity for three years. A Requiem Mass will be
celebrated at St. Richard's Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida on August 13 at 2 pm.
 
 

 

Ann Ward, organist and choir director for Ss. George and Matthias Church, died July 18 at age 67. A lifelong Episcopalian, Ann was a dedicated educator, acclaimed musician, singer, and composer. Her family invites her friends and church family to a memorial celebration of her life, to be held at the Metropolitan Apostolic Church (4100 S. Martin Luther King Dr. in Chicago), on Saturday, August 20 at 10 am. View memorial details and an obituary from DownBeat magazine here.   


May they rest in peace and rise in glory. 
 
Save the Dates for 2016 Clergy Conference 
 
The Annual Clergy Conference will be held October 16 - 18 at Techny Towers in Northbrook. The Rev. Canon Charles LaFond will be the guest speaker. Please watch for registration information and program details to come.
 2016 Diocesan Convention Preview
2016 Diocesan Convention  

The 179th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago will be held  Friday, November 18  and Saturday, November 19 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard.

Convention is the annual business meeting of the diocese, during which we conduct elections, vote on the next year's budget, propose resolutions and hear reports from across our diocese and the globe. Participants include clergy of the diocese and elected lay representatives from each congregation and many visitors. More than 500 people attend the convention each year.

Bishop Yvette Flunder, presiding bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming  Ministries, a multi-denominational coalition of over 56 churches and faith-based organizations from all over the world, and founder of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ in Oakland, California, will be the keynote speaker at this year's diocesan convention. 
Important Convention Dates and Deadlines
  • September 30: Certification of Delegates Due
    • Certifications are a separate requirement from registration and are due September 30. Forms for campus ministries, missions, parishes and youth are available on the website. Please contact Karin Gutierrez with certification questions.
  • September 30: Reports from Commissions, Committees and Task Forces are due.  
  • September 30: Last day for early $50 registration rate 
  • October 1 - October 31: Online registration available for $75.
  • November 1: Online registration closed. Please plan to register for convention and reception onsite.
All registration links and documents for download are available on the 2016 Diocesan Convention webpage.
Hotel Reservations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. The room rate is $119 plus tax and is available through November 3. Reservations must be guaranteed by one night's deposit (room and tax) on a major credit card.

Reserve your guest room online directly with the Westin or call Westin Reservations at 1.888.627.9031 and mention the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago for the convention rate.
Exhibits

Vendors wishing to participate in the exhibit hall at the annual Diocesan Convention may now register online for a booth. More information is available on the convention webpage.

If you have any questions, please contact Louisa McKellaston by email.
 LearningLearning Opportunities
Leading in a Dynamic Environment: 
a Kayaking Adventure
September 18 - 21 at the Nicholas Center
 
Join the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Perry for a four-day leadership workshop that includes sea kayaking on Lake Michigan, praying, and group reflection. Participants should be comfortable in and around water, and be moderately physically fit. Register online.

 
Fierce Conversations Training
September 26 - 29 at the Nicholas Center
 
Fierce Conversations training teaches people how to have vital conversations that interrogate reality, provoke learning, resolve tough challenges and enrich relationships. Learn more and register online. 

Volunteer Lay Chaplain Training
Fall training at St. Paul and the Redeemer Church 
 
Bishop Anderson House will offer Volunteer Lay Chaplain Training (Volunteer Spiritual Care Visitor Training) on Saturdays from September 10 to December 3 at St. Paul & the Redeemer Church. This training is intended for those who serve on congregational pastoral care teams, or for people who want to increase their spiritual care skills.

The class runs September 10 through December 3, 2016, 9 to 11 am and the application period runs through August 15. Apply now.
Centering Prayer Workshop
October 15 in Lisle 
 
On October 15, Contemplative Outreach - Chicago, a local organization that teaches the practice of centering prayer, will offer its fifth annual one-day introductory workshop at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

The workshop will include in-depth introductory sessions on Centering Prayer, along with a range of other topics. Learn more and register online. Email Alan Krema with questions or call him at 630.770.6932.

 congregationeventsCongregation and Community Events
Farmers Market at St. James Commons
Thursdays through August 27   

 

On Thursdays through August 25, St. James Commons, 65 E. Huron, hosts a Farmers Market from 8 am - 1 pm featuring produce from Growing Power, natural cosmetics, and youth-made artwork. The market is sponsored by Strides for Peace, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending gun violence in the City of Chicago.

St. Augustine College Golf Outing
September 16 in Lemont, IL 
 
On Friday, September 16, St. Augustine College will host its 6th annual "Raising Dollars For Scholars" golf outing at Gleneagles Country Club, in Lemont, Illinois. The event raises money for scholarships to the college. Register online or contact Gail Lawler at 773.878.3694 for more information. 
2016 Chicago CROP Hunger Walk Rally Days
Register in person for the September 25 event 
 
The Chicago CROP Hunger Walk Committee invites all churches to participate in the 34th annual Chicago CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, September 25. In addition to online registration, you may visit one of the following rally days to sign up and receive materials: 
   
Saturday, August 6 from 10 - 11:30 am at Eden UCC (5051 W. Gunnison, Chicago)

Tuesday, August 9, from 6 - 7:30 pm at St. James Cathedral (65 E. Huron St., Chicago)   

Wednesday, August 10, from 11:30 am - 1 pm at Grace Place (637 S. Dearborn, Chicago)

Learn more and register online.

Around the Diocese

On August 20 and September 17, from 11 am to 2 pm, St. Paul's, De Kalb will host its Thrive Farmers Market on the front lawn of the church. The market offers fresh produce on a pay-at-what-you-want basis. Find more information online or call the church office (815.756.4888).

On Friday, August 12, at 7 pm, St. Barnabas, Glen Ellyn will host a benefit concert for the DuPage PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) ministry featuring British singer-songwriter Talis Kimberley.

Christ Church, Winnetka will hold its Fall Rummage Sale Thursday, October 6 from 7 am - 3 pm, at the corner of Oak and Maple in Winnetka. Learn more.
 
 jobsJob Openings
New this week: Associate for Community Engagement at St. Mark's, Evanston. Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings. 
 savethedatesSave the Dates
View the website homepage for a listing of upcoming 2016 diocesan events including: 

2018 General Convention
The 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will take place in Austin, Texas July 5 - 13, 2018. Learn more.
 churchnewsChurch News

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IN THIS ISSUE
 
Diocesan News

2016 Diocesan Convention  





Spread the Word
We've thrown open the doors to our email newsletter. Please forward this email to your congregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up
 
Summer Publication Schedule
From now through August 31, we will publish one email newsletter every other week that combines announce- ments for diocesan leaders and general interest news. 
 
Look for summer newsletters on August 3, 17 and 31. 
    

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


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