On Saturday, June 15, Bishop Ely, Susan Ohlidal, Canon for Ministry Development, and friends from around the
Episcopal Church in Vermont joined Christ Church in Bethel for the installation of the Local Ministry Support Team, an expression and celebration of Christ Church’s baptismal ministry.
The special Saturday evening service marked the culmination of the Covenant Group and congregation’s two-year formation journey and the Group’s transformation into a leadership body for public ministry on behalf of Christ Church.
The moving service included Bishop Tom laying hands on each member of the Group, commissioning them for ministry and installing them as members of the Team. 
The Spirit pulsed around Kathy Hartman, installed as Liturgical Minister, Shelie Richardson as Mutual Care Minister, John Speerstra as Preaching Coordinator, and Karen Speerstra as Stewardship Minister.
Other members of Christ Church were commissioned in a variety of ministries: Deborah Aldrich, Mutual Care; Katie Runde, Liturgy; Jan Schomp, Preaching; Nancy Wuttke, Stewardship. Naming, calling, training, and forming parishioners are vital to the life and mission of Christ Church.
For more information on the Local Ministry Support Team form of leadership and ministry, contact Susan Ohlidal, Canon for Ministry Development, sohlidal@dioceseofvermont.org