Week of March 6, 2023

Joint Standing Committee on Nominations opens applications for Episcopal Church positions, committees, boards

The Joint Standing Committee on Nominations invites members from across The Episcopal Church to apply for the churchwide roles listed below. The deadline to apply is April 15. Elections will take place at the 81st General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-28, 2024.

Detailed job descriptions and application forms are available online in English, French, and Spanish.

Applicants do not have to be deputies to the General Convention but must be members in good standing of The Episcopal Church. People may apply to be nominees for more than one position.

“We are ready and energized to find the next great group of nominees for these churchwide roles,” said the Rev. Devon Anderson, chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations. “This triennium the nominating committee is focused on reaching out across the church to networks, advocacy groups, bishops, deputies, and other church leadership for referrals and recommendations so our slates may more fully reflect the church’s extraordinary diversity of gifts, culture, and experience.”

At Camp Marshall:

 

Click here for more information!

Click here to register!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Click here to donate Thrivent Choice funds to camp.

Amazon smile for Camp Marshall

State of Montana Charitable Giving Campaign  – SECGC # for Episcopal Diocese/Camp Marshall is 5614

 

General News:

 

General News Around Our Diocese:

Congregational Newsletters
Click here to read church newsletters from around our diocese.

 

United Thank Offering:

On November 2, 2022, the United Thank Offering and the Indigenous Ministries Office of The Episcopal Church offered a wonderful webinar entitled “Becoming Beloved Community From An Indigenous Perspective”.  A recording of that webinar can be viewed at Webinar – United Thank Offering
Every three years, the United Thank Offering assembles a small book of gratitude-related prayers.  Original, unpublished prayers are currently sought for the 2024 edition.  To submit a prayer, please visit https://dfms.formstack.com/forms/uto_book_of_prayers
Scheduling Your Parish’s United Thank Offering (UTO) Ingathering
All parishes in the Diocese of Montana are requested to hold a UTO Ingathering in 2023.
UTO Staff Officer The Reverend Canon Heather Melton advises parish personnel that “the best Ingathering date is the one that makes the most sense for your congregation.  The life of every congregation, while the same across the church due to the liturgical calendar, is very different in terms of how busy things are or special events unique to your community.  The best date is also one that you can plan for and let people know is coming.  When choosing a date, remember that the Ingathering is a celebration of gratitude and should be placed on the church calendar at a time when you really can give thanks for your congregation, your community and for all the Blessings experienced by your congregation in the past year.  Dates that have been chosen by parishes for the UTO Ingathering include Mother’s Day, Ascension Day, a Sunday close to when the Diocesan Convention is scheduled to be held, All Saints’ Day and Christ the King Sunday.”

Ecumenical:

 

 

Office of Government Relations

On Monday, February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake brought disaster to areas in Turkey and Syria. This earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, the largest of which was a 7.5-magnitude earthquake. Two weeks later, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the same region. Relief efforts have been vigorous but complicated by harsh winter weather and ongoing political strife. We lament the loss of life and pray for all those affected by this tragedy, including nearly two million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

 

News from The Episcopal Church

 

God’s people around the world:

As we move into the season after the Feast of the Epiphany, I expect plans for Lent are well underway. I’m excited about Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten offerings this year. The daily meditations reflect on the theme: “Who is my neighbor?” People can sign up for the daily meditations here. A pdf can also be downloaded and printed for folks who prefer a hard copy.
An additional resource in 2023 features weekly reflections that can be used by individuals or groups, including Sunday formation classes, bible study groups, youth groups, etc. Check it out at episcopalrelief.org/lent. The weekly meditations will be released each week during Lent and Holy Week.
Please pass these resources along to your congregations and members of your diocese. The URL episcopalrelief.org/lent will take them to everything they need.
We also have resources for Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, which can be on the first Sunday of Lent or any Sunday that works for your congregations.
I hope these resources will be a meaningful part of your diocese’s spiritual journeys this Lent.
Faithfully, Josephine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Servants of God: St. Nicholas & Bishop Paul Jones – Episcopal Relief & Development

Explore Gifts for Life | Episcopal Relief & Development

 

Other news and upcoming Events:

Press Release Digest from The Episcopal Church – Welcome to “The Episcopal Church Press Release Digest,” a roundup of press releases, announcements, and other updates from the Office of Public Affairs.  Click here to read

Ministry Partner Matters 

Lenten Meditations

United Thank Offering – March

Lamplight- January 2023

CPG (Church Pension Group) Connect