Give glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians, 3:20, 21)
Introduction:
Below, please find this week’s communications and reminders from The Episcopal Diocese of Montana. We hope you will find the weekly update useful.
Week of January 6th, 2025
Calendar at a Glance:
Save The Dates:
- January 2-March 16 – Bishop on Sabbatical
- January 14 – SWAT Zoom
- January 16 – Standing Committee Zoom
- January 16 – Province VI Zoom
- January 17 – Canon for Administration – Out of Office
- Janjuary 20 – Martin Luther King Day – Office Closed
- January 21 – Commission on Ministry Zoom
- January 23 – Foundation Board Zoom
- February 5 – Clergy Zoom
- February 5 – Senior Wardens sans Clergy Zoom
- February 8 – School for Deacons Zoom
- February 11 – SWAT Zoom
- February 13 – Dept of Finance Zoom
- February 14 – Canon for Administration – Out of Office
- February 15 – Vestry Forms Due in Diocesan Office
- February 15 – 2024 Annual Reports due from Diocesan Committees/Councils
- February 17 – Presidents Day – Office Closed
- February 18 – Commission on Ministry Zoom
- February 20 – Standing Committee Zoom
- February 20 – Province VI Zoom
- February 22 – Diocesan Council Zoom
- February 24 – Clergy Conference Registration opens (hotel registration too)
- March 1 – PAROCHIAL REPORTS DUE TO EPISCOPAL CHURCH
- March 1 – School for Deacons Zoom
- March 5 – ASH WEDNESDAY
- March 5 – Clergy Zoom
- March 5 Senior Wardens sans Clergy Zoom
- March 11 – SWAT Call
- March 18 – Commission on Ministry Zoom
- March 19-24 – House of Bishops, Camp McDowell
- March 20 – Standing Committee Zoom
- April 13 – PALM SUNDAY
- April 20 – EASTER DAY
- April 29-May 1 – Clergy Conference with Rev. Tom Brackett
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From the Bishop’s (Sabbatical) Desk
A Reflection from Bishop Marty
I am a week into my sabbatical as I write this. It has been a mix of sleep, meditation, reading and listening to online classes. I do recommend the following books:
- Becoming Little Shell by Chris La Tray is an eye-opening book of Métis history in Montana as well as a personal reflection of that history’s impact on Chris’ personal ice as well as our lives as Montanans.
- They Called Us Enemy by George Takai is a graphic book that walks George’s experience as a child during the Japanese Internment as well as the work subsequent towards the US government apologizing for that injustice.
- The Color of Water by James McBride is his autobiography reflecting on being a child of a Jewish woman who became Christian and an African-American man who became a pastor during the turbulent 50’s and 60’s.
I have been taking some courses from Masterclass with Levar Burton, Helen Mirren, and Neil Gaiman. While my focus is on oral storytelling, there are aspects of that topic to be found in acting and writing fiction. The take away from all three is that it is critical to find your voice. It is not to mimic someone else’s voice (physical as well as style nas choice of words), an even though you may try other voices on as you develop and evolve your voice. Find your voice that God wishes you to use to share the Good News, not the voice that other people want you to use!
Bishop Marty’s focus on her sabbatical will be soul rest and learning oral story-telling (most of the classes/courses are online in the winter).
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California Fires
Prayer from Bexley Seabury
God of refuge and strength,
We lift up those in the path of this fire,
those who are evacuating,
and those who are risking their lives to protect others.
Cover them with Your peace,
shield them with Your love,
and guide us as we find ways to support them.
Amen.
Wildfire Response Fund
Did you know that population of Los Angeles County is greater than all but 7 states in the Union? That’s a lot of souls threatened and effected by wildfire.
Episcopal Relief & Development is working with local diocesan partners to assess the needs of evacuees and provide support in the coming days. As the scope of the disaster continues to unfold, we need your help. Please make an urgent gift to our Wildfire Response Fund here.
A personal connection…
Many of you will remember the Revs. Sylvia Sweeney and Bob Honeychurch, the interim rectors who served St. James, Bozeman, before Rev. Rowan was called as Rector.
Sylvia and Bob resided just north of LA and their home has been destroyed. Prayers are appreciated for them in their loss, as well as all their neighbors. We will keep you appraised of personal efforts to help.
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Dignity not Mass Deportations
The Episcopal Migration Caucus is trying to focus on what the Church can do to help migrants… see document below. Would appreciate your endorsement and whatever we can do to spread this through the Diocese!
This time, we are seeking organizational endorsements as well as individual! Invite other Episcopalians and Episcopal organizations, and any other supporters, to share and endorse it.
Individual endorsements can be made using this form:
https://forms.gle/wcN8Tabet92xXCMT9
Organizational endorsements can be made using this form:
https://forms.gle/dZnh3UcptFYjfddWA
Episcopal Migration Ministries Suggested Actions
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Interest in FORMA 2025
Date:
Monday, January 27-Thursday, January 30, 2025
Locations:
The entire conference will stream through Zoom and participants can join us online from anywhere. A variety of onsite locations will also be available for those who wish to participate in the conference in community. More information on locations coming soon.
2025 Forma Conference Theme:
Our theme for 2025, Come Away Together (Retirémonos Juntos) comes from Mark 6:31-32: “‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ …And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.” (NRSVA).
For more information visit: 2025 Forma Conference | Forma
To Register click here!
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Montana church’s wood bank ministry warms rural, low-income households
[Episcopal News Service] In rural Eureka, a small town nine miles south of the U.S.-Canada border in northwest Montana’s Tobacco Valley region, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church’s wood bank ministry helps keep families warm every winter.
“In the very beginning, we didn’t know what was ahead at all. …St. Michael is a tiny church,” the Rev. Pattiann Bennett, the church’s retired rector who still leads the wood bank ministry, told Episcopal News Service. “But as it unfolded, community involvement has grown all these years, and some of the original volunteers still show up every Saturday.”
Click here to read full article!
Every Saturday between October and April, volunteer sawyers from the wood bank ministry at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church in Eureka, Montana, cut, split, stack and distribute firewood for low-income households throughout the Tobacco Valley region. Photo: St. Michael & All Angels Wood Bank Ministry/Facebook
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Spring Youth Event –
March 14-16 – Great Falls
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Fr. Sadie Koppelberger, our diocesan Director of Formation, at formation@diomontana.com
At Camp Marshall:
Finding the Still, Small Voice
By: The Rev. Rowan Larson
In place of a sermon for my first Camp Marshall chapel service, I invited everyone to find a place where they could see the altar but not so close to anyone else to be able to talk to them to do a “sit spot,” a practice of finding a quiet place in nature to observe and reflect on the world around oneself. I set a timer for 10 minutes and listened to the quiet of Flathead Lake along with 14 Senior High campers and 5 or 6 staff. There was one camper in particular I was a little worried about–I wasn’t sure how a sit spot was going to go for him, because sitting still (and quietly) seemed like a growing edge. Imagine my surprise when a few days later, that same camper asked if we could do it again, telling me that sit spot time was one of his favorite parts of worship all week.
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Camp is hiring!
In order to welcome (and keep safe) people of all ages and abilities, we need a staff of all ages and abilities!
If you’re interested in working or volunteering at Camp this summer, please get in touch with Camp Director, James Gartner at camp@diomontana.com
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Camp Marshall Wish List
Please Click on the link below to view Camp Marshall’s Wish List on Amazon and to make a purchase for camp. It would be greatly appreciated!
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State of Montana Charitable Giving Campaign – SECGC # for Episcopal Diocese/Camp Marshall is 5614
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General News Around Our Diocese:
Congregational Newsletters
Click here to read church newsletters from around our diocese.
Tell Congress You Oppose Mass Deportations We urge all Episcopalians to contact your representatives in Congress, ask them to publicly oppose mass deportation, and emphasize the importance of upholding our nation’s values of compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity.
Join our Episcopal Church Immigration Updates – Every other Tuesday at 1 pm EST, please join Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Government Relations for regular 30-minute updates on U.S. immigration policy and the responses in our churches and communities. Spanish interpretation will be available.
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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
Liturgical Resources
The Living Compass Model for Well-being
National Cathedral Morning Prayer Online
Daily Office Mission St. Clare
