Week of March 25th, 2024
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 March 25th, 2024
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Director of Formation
Please welcome the Rev. Sadie Koppelberger, the rector of Christ Church, Kalispell as the Diocese’s newest member of the Camp Marshall/Diocese team. This is a part-time position. Most of Rev. Sadie’s time will be spent at Camp Marshall in the summer, but will also be a resource for the diocese. You can reach her in this role at formation@diomontana.com
Amicus Brief with Montana Interfaith Power & Light in support of Held vs. State of Montana
There is a draft amicus brief that is being filed by Montana Interfaith Power & Light in support of the Montana youth suing the state of Montana to uphold the “healthful environment” clause in the Montana constitution (Held vs. State of Montana). Bishop Marty is intending on signing to it this week, representing the diocese as the bishop. Each congregation can also join in. The draft brief is here. To sign on please go to this website.
Confirmation Class open to the Diocese
Rev. Greg Smith and Rev. Rowan Larson will be teaching a hybrid Confirmation/Enquirers class at St. James’, Bozeman and is open to the Diocese.
To register, please click on the link below: www.stjamesbozeman.org/2024confirmation
The zoom link for the class is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85426422301?pwd=L1djdFE5ZzErdG5NUE1zN24zNUp5QT09
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“Calling all Middle/High School Students!
Calendar at a Glance:
Save The Dates:
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- March 28 – Maundy Thursday
- March 29 – Good Friday (Diocesan Office Closed)
- March 30 – Bishop @ Incarnation, Great Falls for Vigil and Easter
- March 31 – EASTER! He is Risen!!
- April 1 – Easter Monday (Diocesan Office Closed)
- April 3 – Clergy Zoom
- April 3 – Senior Wardens without Clergy Zoom
- April 7 – Bishop Visitation to St. Michaels & All Angels, Eureka
- April 8-12 – Bishop in Navaholand
- April 9 – SWAT Zoom
- April 12-14 – Spring Youth Event (diocesan-wide) at St. John’s, Butte
- April 15 – Names of Congregational Audit to Finance
- April 16-18 – Clergy Conference @ Camp Marshall
- April 16-18 Canon Mikayla Dunfee @ Transition Ministry Meeting
- April 21 – Bishop Visitation to Christ Church, Kalispell
- April 22 – Passover and Earth Day
- April 23-26 – Bishop at House of Bishops meeting (Charlotte)
- April 27 – Province VI Synod meeting Zoom with elections
- April 28 – Bishop Visitation to St. Stephen’s, Stevensville
- May 1 – Clergy Zoom
- May 2-4 – Bishop at Ordination of new California Bishop
- May 5-9 – Province VI Bishop’s Retreat
- May 12 – Bishop Visitation to St. Andrew’s, Polson
- May 19 – PENTECOST
- May 19 – Bishop Visitation to St. Peter’s Cathedral
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At Camp Marshall:
New leadership at Camp Marshall
The brochure that has more information can be located here.
Summer Camper Registration is open.
Please contact James Gartner, Camp Director at camp@diomontana.com if you have need/questions for camper scholarships. Please share the brochure found here.
Grace Camp
Camp Marshall’s major outreach program to the broader community is Grace Camp. This camp is for children who have one or more incarcerated parent. The children may be with extended family or in foster care. There is no cost to attend. Parishioners around the diocese have created quilts for the children to take home. If you would like to donate funds to this program please contact James Gartner at camp@diomontana.com. Please share Grace Camps brochure with any individuals or agencies that might have a child that fits this program. The brochure is here.
State of Montana Charitable Giving Campaign – SECGC # for Episcopal Diocese/Camp Marshall is 5614
General News Around Our Diocese:
Congregational Newsletters
Click here to read church newsletters from around our diocese.
United Thank Offering:
Important Changes That The United Thank Offering Will Be Implementing In 2024.
The United Thank Offering (UTO) Ministry will be implementing some important changes in 2024 and here is the link for a description of the changes that will be coming into play:
Since our Diocese was fortunate enough to have received a UTO grant in 2022 and an extension for that grant this year, I would like to request that all parishes in our Diocese plan to hold a UTO Ingathering in 2024 at a time when it would be convenient for the parish to hold the Ingathering.
If your parish currently does not have a UTO Coordinator, please appoint someone to serve in that capacity and please have that person register your parish at:
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/uto/register-your-parish/
Parish UTO Coordinators will be responsbile for receiving communication from UTO, for working with your Rector and/or Vestry to set a date for your parish’s UTO Ingathering and for ordering UTO ministry materials for your parish’s UTO Ingathering.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.
FYI, UTO will be distributing some updated ministry materials in 2024 after the General Convention has taken place.
Vicki Van Rensselaer
UTO Coordinator for the Diocese of Montana
This is the beginning of a series of social media posts on work on GC 80 resolutions.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C40ndZ-Mimk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
X (when are we going to stop saying formerly known as Twitter): https://x.com/TheEPPN/status/1771203133240234124?s=20
Urge Congress to Protect Children’s Safety OnlineThe bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act would promote transparency, provide safeguards to protect children, and require social media companies to provide a safe environment for children.
Updated: Summary of General Convention Resolutions on Abortion and Women’s Reproductive HealthNote: this resource has been updated to add a simple paragraph emphasizing the church’s support for IVF since 1982.
Episcopal Church Statement on Immigration Reform
Join Ecumenical Advocacy Days for the spring summit May 17-19“Faith in Action: Advancing Human Rights and Peace for All” is back in-person this year in D.C.!
Vote Faithfully 2024 Election Engagement Toolkit! It’s finally here! Help your congregation help your community engage in the 2024 U.S. election.
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God’s people around the world:
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
Montana Interfaith Power & Light- January
UTO Coordinator’s E-News – January
CPG (Church Pension Group) Connect
Resources: