Report to Council on Stirrings of the Spirit

in the Episcopal Church of Vermont

May 31, 2014



SotS grants subgroup team (Lisa Ransome, Jimmie Sue Deppe, Diane Root) has
published the first round of awards and is attached as a separate PDF file.
Pilgrimage for the Earth multi-day liturgical event continues to gain interest and
visibility through their website http://www.pilgrimageforearth.org/ SotS leader Sherry
Osborn will be one of the workshop facilitators on June 28
th
at Mission Farm.
Katherine W. point person on the subgroup. Draft brochure attached as appendix 2.
http://www.diovermont.org/Episcopal-Diocese-of-Vermont-News/recalculating-the-
way-a-day-of-hope.html
Field trips" folks - Mary and Sherry - are working on some cool plans including
collaboration with the Province. Possible field trips might be: Church in the Woods,
NH; Cathedral in the Night, Northampton, MA; Still Harbor, Boston. Time frame-
August weekends. Details forthcoming.
Spirit tracking
o Rev. Earl Coopercamp, Church of the Good Shepherd Barre in the news -
http://www.viavt.org/news?id=0077 urging legislators to increase minimum
wage. Community meal on 4
th
Sundays and breakfasts on Mon. & Thu.
o Rev. Paul Habersang, Christ Church Montpelier reports: a $15K grant from the
Roy Foundation will allow for the completion of Stained glass window
restoration; public courtyard as respite re-paving will be completed by Labor
Day Weekend; will be entering into the Partners for Sacred Spaces 2 year
initiative; Regional Deacon ministry between Church of the Good Shepherd &
Christ Church Montpelier commissioning on/about Sep. 7
th
2014; and plans to
celebrate a collaborative, multi-voice instructed Eucharist this upcoming Jun.15th
o Rev. Ken Hitch, St. James Essex Junction likes this innovative idea:
http://www.homelesshomesproject.org/
o Rev. Robert Lee, St. Pauls Canaan shared via a wonderful phone conversation
the work of the Border Parish shared between themselves and All Saints
Hereford, Quebec and St. Stephens, Colbrook, NH & discussed in-depth on
indigenous ministry.
o Rev. Cameron Miller, St. Marks Episcopal Church Newport shared that they
are looking forward to "Pentecost Weekend" which will include "The Renewal of
Mission & Ministry" June 7
th
celebrating the relationship between parish and
priest-in-partnership. Featured in this celebration will be the blessing of St.
Marks new Mission Statement & Core Values, the result of a six month listening
process, followed by a dinner at the Gateway Center on Lake Memphremagog.
Sunday, June 8th, celebration continues as 4 youth + 3 adults are confirmed, 2
adults received.
o Rock Point, Rev. Craig Smith workshops exploring visions of New Monasticism
June 7
th
@ Trinity Church Rutland & 21
st
@ St. Pauls Cathedral.
http://www.diovermont.org/Episcopal-Diocese-of-Vermont-News/you-
interested-in-connecting-with-and-supporting-rock-point-more-
intentionally.html
o St. Peters Bennington Rogation Sunday Bike Blessing
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.876416332385566.1073741827.555312
827829253&type=1
o St. Andrews in St. Johnsbury, Rev. Jean MacDonald hosted the Dinner-
Church Ordination of The Rev. Susan Ohlidal to the Sacred Order of Deacons.
https://www.facebook.com/StAndrewsInStJ
o Camp Agape! Outreach and Social Justice take many forms: Sunday food collections,
public transportation for healthcare, stopping to help a stranded driver, preparing a
community meal. The Alleluia Fund provides increased support to social outreach in all its
forms, including Camp Agape Vermont. Find out more here: http://bit.ly/1ijhRHK
Vermont Interfaith Action as a SotS project funded through Constable Grant has also
received $6K grant for the Partnership program. Susan T. has initiated contact with
the Executive Director of VIA Debbie Ingram and is awaiting further direction.
Diocesan Convention (Ken, Laura, and Diane) while not specificially a SotS effort,
Diane reports that it is all about being a missional church and currently looking at
'looking for God in the neighborhood' during Ministry Fairs.


Faithfully,
Susan T.