Dear friends in ministry,
With the Feast of Pentecost approaching, our Easter Season Alleluia Fund Appeal has completed seven full weeks of sharing some of the joyful stories of ministries that connect us as a diocese. The beautiful and descriptive bulleitn inserts that were sent to all our congregations, and which you can view on the diocesan web-site, tell exciting stories of what God is up to in these ministries that we voted to support at our Diocesan Convention. As I write this, the response to the Alleluia Fund Appeal has been wonderful. Close to $39,000 has been given or pledged to date toward our goal of $60,000. Thank you to all who have contributed (click here to see 2013 Donor list). Your generosity and support is making a huge difference. For those of you who have not yet responded, please accept this as personal appeal to join your sisters and brothers in Christ who have made a gift. Gifts range from $5 to $5,000, so every gift matters. Your support is an investment in God's Mission here in the Episcopal Church in Vermont, and beyond. There will be one more Sunday bulletin on Pentecost Sunday with a pledge form. You can also contribute on line. Please make a gift or pledge today. (click here to donate) Pledges can be paid throughout the year. May the joy and promise of Easter continue to fill you with hope in the good things that God is up to in our midst, and may our connections to God and to one another continue to grow even stronger.
Alleluia!
+Thomas
The Diocese
On this Feast of Pentecost we remember a promise made and a promise kept: the promise that those who embrace the mission of God that Jesus has proclaimed and lived will not be left alone when he is gone. They will be given the gift of the Spirit of truth, an advocate, a witness, a helper, a companion to stand alongside as they proclaim and live this very same mission. 
